jpschust

It depends on so many factors. Do we know the chef can do better? (i.e. previous experience). Was there something massive that happened that the kitchen had no control over? (Party of 20 just shows up randomly) How was the service? All these things can give an expensive restaurant a second chance. That said, for those places that knock it out of the park, we end up coming back again and again to entertain others.

Forgot to respond to this. Lunch in Wicker Park on a Saturday really tends to mean brunch- sure there are some places to get lunch, but really in this neighborhood you want brunch at that hour. A few places immediately come to mind (note we live in Wicker Park, so we've been able to weed through a lot of the crap in the neighborhood). 1. Milk and Honey, on Division (not the one on Damen, that's just a cafe and you want real food). You want the Huevos Rancheros or the Turkey Rueben. The line will be out the door, but it moves fast, so be patient. 1920 W. Division St 2. Bongo Room, on Milwaukee. Again line's going to be out the door. The real treat here are the sweet breakfast entrees. 1470 N. Milwaukee Ave

I can think ofa number of places that fit perfectly. 75/pp will get you decently far at Blackbird, which is amazing (one of chicago's best), Spring (in my view the best and most creative seafood restaurant in Chicago), at Cafe Spiaggia it will get you wine, 3 courses and out the door with tip (note that Cafe Spiaggia isn't anything revolutionary, but just very well executed Italian food. Ask to sit next to one of the windows so you get the great view of the magnificent mile), if you're not going to Moto for your MG meal I'd consider going to their other restaurant, Otom which has some elements of MG to it, but it isn't entirely MG. I live in Chicago and am happy to help in any way possible. Let me tell you what I'd do if I were in your shoes for a Saturday night, though I don't know what your tolerance for drinking is. If I were in Chicago for just a few nights I'd want to get off the magnificent mile and see a neighborhood. I'd start by going to the Violet Hour at 6 PM on the nose, so I could walk in and get an amazing cocktail. Violet Hour is a speak easy, ala PX, and is doing cocktails at that level. If it's 6 PM, I'd look for the most inexperienced bar tender and order a Ramos Gin Fizz, if for no other reason than to screw with him . I'd then take the short walk around the corner to Spring and have an amazing seafood experience. Afterwards if you wanted to have some more drinks the wicker park area in which these are both located have just tons of great bars. Like I said, ping me for any questions you might have.

I love that show.

Alton Brown and the entertainment of ICA is about all that keeps me watching.

In thinking about the DC area I can think of a few places that are doing just amazing pairings, but I can also think of a few places I've thought of as a total waste of money. As far as the places doing amazing pairings- Restaurant Eve comes to mind as does Komi and Palena. I'm sure that Vidalia would be on that list, but I can't recall us doing a wine pairing there.

just a small correction- you mean a scant cup, not a full cup I think- I read this recipe the other day.

I'm drinking a ton of metropolis coffee right now from Chicago- it's available from them directly and is just wonderful!

Did you try Lenell's?

grapefruit bitters are actually amongst the easiest to make yourself if you're so inclined. http://www.jeffreymorgenthaler.com/2007/grapefruit-bitters/

That sounds really nice to use when making a ramos gin fizz as the shaking imparts so much water into the mix.

Really? I mean you don't even have to heat it. Sugar in jug with water and shake for about a minute or so.

Violet Hour is the same way as PX, what it's turned in to is that I just won't go there on weekends.

Yah, it's better than some of the mass market stuff out there, but if you're a cocktail enthusiast you probably won't touch this stuff.

On the Chicago scene it is really nice to see Suzy Crofton get a nod, also nice to see Paul virant get noticed. On the outstanding service note, we've eaten at a bunch of these and Spiaggia far and away outdoes them all, though Vetri is pretty awesome. Not entirely sure why Bin 36 got a nod in chicago, but after my meal at La Croix in PA that's easy to see. It's easy to see why Emeril's got the nod as well and same with Vidalia.

I ended one dating experience because she was a vegetarian. Oh yah, and she was insane.

Did you try it? What did you think?

On top of that, the best part of tasting wine with a rep is getting to interact with them about the wine production- to ask the questions you might not otherwise get to ask. Tasting to taste can be done with a decent pocketbook and a good wine shop. This festival isn't unlike many others where you can't get the level of interaction that makes it worthwhile.

Try a combo of peach bitters with angostura on a perfect manhattan. It's an awesome combo.

Answered my own question- the liquor is egg based.

I thought a flip had to have egg in it to be a flip?

if you like tonic water, i highly suggest trying the fever tree tonic- home made tonic is great, but the fever tree stuff is incredible on its own.

I will say for the price of their food you get a ton of food. Usually one entree is enough to feed two of us. I usually just end up with a house salad with grilled chicken.

also, while not a great culinary destination, madam's organ has great bluegrass on wednesday nights. it was my tradition when i lived in the area- bluegrass plus amstel light = fun night.

I know a lot of people aren't a fan, but I adore Penang.