Chicago Foodies

Restaurant Specials: June 27 - July 3

This week it's all about the tastings, and the pre-independence day celebrations.

Tuesday, June 28:

Benny's Chop House

From 6 - 8 p.m. guests can sample different Proseccos and sparkling wines from the Italian region. The event is featuring Sparkling Veneto and hosted by the Italian Trade Commission. Best part of all, it's free to attend.

Located at 444 N. Wabash Avenue in River North.

Phone: 312-626-2444

Butcher and Larder: A First Peek

Having been open less than a week, I couldn't resist taking a peek inside Butcher and Larder after taking a long walk down Milwaukee from an earlier engagement at Filter coffee.   The first thing that struck me about the place was an almost old-school butcher feel not unlike visiting sparsely-furnished shops in northern England.   The display case was very small, featuring a few homemade sausages, liver pâtés and beef hearts (regrettably, I had to pass on the beef hearts after getting into trouble for pan frying beef liver and onions the week prior), and there was a small selection of hot and cold sandwiches, such as beef-and-cider, as well as a soup of the day.  Feeling full, I opted for the cold cuts instead of the ready-made offerings. 

Butcher and Larder: Opening Day awaits

Because I live in East Lakeview (or Lakeview East), going to Wicker Park to buy meat is a bit of a trek.  I usually can't be bothered to go to Paulina Meat Market, which is only a little over a mile away from my home, preferring instead to go to my local supermarket.   The suspense is killing me, and perhaps it is also true for the 600-plus fans of Facebook and 500 Twitter followers, despite the fact that the place is not open yet. 

Ticket Giveaway: Lush Wine and Spirits – Forlorn Hope Wine Shindig

Luck looks like the only way you can get to the sold out Lush Wine and Spirits Forlorn event! Mr. Matthew Rorick of Forlorn Hope Winery is hosting a 'wine shindig' at Lush 1412 W. Chicago Ave.

A 9L bottle of Suspiro del Muro which is an unusual Portugese varietal Alvarelhão. Not sure if it was aged in a 9 Liter bottle or if it's a conversation starter... either way it's cool. Forlorn will also be pouring their syrah, Old Woodsbull, Dexter Lake and others. Expect plenty of food as well as beer. 

We're giving away a couple of pairs of tickets to our newsletter subscribers.

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Chickpea

The first thing you notice upon entering Chickpea is the walls, emblazoned with technicolor posters for Hollywood hits in Arabic. With the wall coverings combined with an oh-so-trendy, synecdochic one word name, I mentally began to typecast Chickpea as a faux ethnic joint catering to hipster aesthetics. I mean, if an Arabic poster of Terminator doesn't scream Irony, then I don't know what does.

Luckily, my doubts were quickly quelled by the emergence of Amni Suqi, chef and matriarch of the restaurant. With a warm smile, she welcomed us and asked us to seat ourselves wherever we liked. We were handed paper menus, and told to be sure to ask if we had any questions.

Like dining at home, Chickpea boasts a pretty low-key environment. Though you can wait for someone to come by, your best bet is to head to the counter to place your order and pay. (Note: Chickpea is cash only.) Food is delivered soon afterwards to your table. Water is available via plastic cups in the corner, and you can help yourself to the bottles of sambal oelek chili paste on the counter, a nice addition if you like added zing to your food.

Publican: Part Beer Hall, Part Gastro Pub, Part Fill in the Blank

What Paul Kahan touches seems to turn to gold, and it is largely because whatever he sets out to do he does very, very well. .  His first restaurant in the West Loop, Blackbird, has been wowing diners since 1999, and avec, which was really supposed to have been a wine bar, typically has a very long wait (and always well worth it).   His hidden retro cocktail place in Wicker Park , The Violet Hour, makes amazingly delicious cocktails, and keeps the number of patrons down to a minimum in a very relaxing atmosphere (unlike avec and Publican, ironically).  

Mariscos El Veneno

It was a warm and mild evening, with glorious puddles of melted snow on the sidewalks, but my heart was in despair. We were on a quest for pierogies and borscht in Ukrainian Village, hoping to knock back a few beers and leave smelling like cabbage. Alas, not one, or two, but three of the Polish restaurants we’d passed were closed for the night. (Apparently, it’s common for Polish restaurants to close their kitchens at 7 pm on Fridays.) Where to turn next? Our eyes alighted upon the glowing signs of Mariscos El Veneno (translation: “poisonous seafood”), and more importantly, the enormous platter of prawns being brought out by a server. We bit.

Le Bouchon: As close as it gets to the real thing

A bouchon is a cozy, often family-run unpretentious restaurant in Lyon, France, specializing in Lyonnaise dishes, such as tablier de sapuer (breaded, fried stomach) and boudin noir aux pommes (blood sausage with apples).  Not for the faint of heart, if you do like this type of thing you will not be disappointed.  Le Bouchon in Bucktown offers food for those really craving authentic French cooking, and the menu isn't entirely watered-down.   With items on the menu like "Rognons de Veau à la Moutarde", which is veal kidneys with mustard sauce, it certainly sets the tone for people like me who don't have hangups about baby animals or exotic organs.

Green Zebra: Veggies in East Village

Green Zebra has been referred to as an “edgy veggie” restaurant in some review somewhere a couple years ago. My best friend from college is a vegan and doesn’t always have the chance to have vegan entrees in a fine dining restaurant. The atmosphere is sleek and contemporary, definitely not your neighborhood hippy-dippy vegetarian restaurant. The concept is wonderful and sorely lacking in meat-centered Chicago.

Before I make any commentary on this restaurant I’d like to say that this was my second time visiting (I was there a year and a half ago), and when I visited Spring (Sean McClain's the other restaurant) almost two years ago I had one of the most incredible meals of my life. I haven’t been to Custom House but had a positive impression at both Spring and Green Zebra.