Now in Chicago

5 Best Chicago Lunch Spots

Finding a place in Chicago to get a quick lunch is not difficult, but what about a place that not only offers quick dining, but good food and good value too? The following is what I consider to be the 5 best Chicago lunch spots (in no particular order);

Bijans Bistro (Erie and State): sit outside, start with the edamame and end with the steak salad with a nice glass of Shiraz. Most notable, Bijan is known for its late-night menu; serving until 2 AM (grilled tenderloin sandwich is phenomenal).

Big Bowl (Ohio and Wabash): with awesome Asian (Kung Pao Shrimp rocks) dishes and superb green tea options and a cool mid-day scene, Big Bowl is a good choice for lunch in Chicago.

D4 (McClurg and Grand): this newly opened Irish Pub/Café offers a cool inside setting, or outdoor dining. If you like to grab a beer at lunch this is the place to get the best Irish suds while chomping on one of their Irish sandwiches, or a cool salad. Try the French onion soup if it is not too hot outside.

Foulton’s (LaSalle and the River): take the water taxi back to work after dining on the Chicago River. Foulton’s has a great menu and the dining experience is even better. This place is a Mecca for dining business people, so if it is networking you are looking for, this is the spot.

OYSY (Grand, between Wabash and State): some of the best sushi in Chicago! OYSY has a great dining room, but offers outdoor seating as well. This place is always packed, so catch a later lunch, or get there nice and early. There is nothing like a little Saki at lunch to make the afternoon go smoother.

What are your favorites?

New Hot Spot in Chicago, Zed 451

Clark and Superior
312.266.6691
ADD YOUR EXPERIENCE
 
I first learned of Zed 451 from a friend who was in Chicago on business. She raved about the dining experiencing, expressing that the food was spectacular and the ambiance magnificent. But, through recent discoveries I have learned that there is much more to this new Chicago hot spot.

THE ZED 451 LOUNGE
My second experience with Zed 451 in Chicago (Clark and Superior) was last Saturday night, as I went to check out the nighttime scene. Upon our arrival there was a medium size line that was moving uber-slow. Anyone who knows me, I am not one for lines and my patience was wearing thin, so I decided to bypass the queue and head into the main lounge area; seems everyone was waiting to go to the rooftop lounge.

The main lounge is chic, hip, diverse (age and culture), and full of Chicago’s “finest” patrons. As a Chicagoan you also know that you pay for this kind of atmosphere, drinks were $11 a pop! Well worth it however as this River North spot was the place to be that night.

While the lounge was satisfying our social needs, we were eager to check out the rooftop. As luck would have it, we met one of the managers who was happy to feed our curiosity.

THE ZED 451 ROOFTOP
The Zed 451 Rooftop was hot, making it the hot new Chicago rooftop lounge! This rustic haven dawned a plethora of fashionable urbanites, and the atmosphere created a cool, even vibe. Although the view is mediocre, the décor makes this is a great Chicago rooftop lounge to impress a first date, or just a place to hit when the weather is right.

THE ZED 451 RESTAURANT
Last night, my girlfriend took me to Zed 451 for my birthday. We had an early reservation so much of the staff was free to court us to our table and prepare us for what they call a “dining experience,” seems to be their tagline. Zed 451 pays attention to detail, as the tables surround the focus of the dining experience, the food. Much like a Brazilian steak house, the Zed 451 offering is built in tiers; first, the harvest; a huge variety of creative comestibles to get the palette ready for the second tier, MEAT. We put a river stone on the outside of the table and chefs jaunt over to brag about their unique creation. Zed 451 is big into seasonings, marinating, and stylish cooking methods.

While you are digging in, visitors come by to drop of biscuits, vegetables, potatoes, drinks, etc., making it truly a dining experience, as they so boldly declare. While the food was fantastic, it was the visitors that made the experience. Their wanted to make our time in Zed 451 memorable and were curious to learn of our favorites, if we wanted to try something else, etc. The head chef even escorted my girlfriend to the facility. Needless to say, we had the dining experience they wanted us to have.

IN A NUTSHELL
Go to Zed 451 for drinks, social, dining; anything, just go check it out. If you go for nightlife and see a line, bypass and hangout in the main lounge, then sneak up to the roof top through the restaurant.

Cinco De Mayo in Chicago

These spots have the best Magaritas in Chicago!

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Lima Beans

They rest on my plate like fat amoeba wearing Bermuda-green jackets. Every time my fork nears them I cringe. By the texture of their meat, one would think they could be used for chalk on a blackboard. I lean in to get a better look and notice their protective clear film, and my throat jumps, but I dive in anyway, as desert is on the line...

My mother loves lima beans, but why did I have to eat them as a child. Sure, they may provide some nutrients, but so does broccoli, and broccoli is much more fun to eat; like little trees, stock and crown. Lima beans are boring and taste horrible. I would rather eat sawdust and drink castor oil. Broccoli is vibrant and hearty, much bigger than a lima bean. I bet in a wrestling match Broccoli would beat a lima bean in ten seconds flat.

I will never forget the first time a lima bean entered my mouth. It seemed heavy for its size when it first touched my tongue. I took a bite and its dull flavor made me gag. It provided no moisture like the broccoli. The lima bean’s texture and density made it difficult to swallow quickly. I learned a trick early in life though, and discovered that Hawaiian Punch was a quality chaser and diffused the torture of the lima beans flesh.   

Today, now that I am older and have earned certain choices in life, I condemn lima beans. No longer do I have to force myself to digest these heinous bits in order to have desert. It feels good to have the freedom to choose broccoli (or anything else) over lima beans. Never gain will I have to go through the pain and torture I sustained as a child.

Best BBQ in Chicago

Looking for the best BBQ joint in Chicago? Look no further, Smoque BBQ is the best in Chicago. Located on Pulaski, just outside the city, Smoque BBQ is top-notch and nationally recognized as one of the leaders in BBQ specialties.

While their food is spectacular, it is the customer service that makes this venue a great stop for BBQ lovers. Be aware, you wil lmost likely have to wait in line, and it will seem like there will be no place to sit, but rest assured, the host will find the perfect spot for you to enjoy your meal.

My Favorites;

• Mac & Cheese: creamy and cheesy, just like it should be with a nice crumb crust on top for the perfect blend of textures.
• St Louis Ribs: tears right off the bone, sweet with a hint of spicy and a sauce that makes your belly become an addict.
• Baked Beans: not for the vegetarian, these pork baked beans are a sweet and tangy delight that would make Mom jealous.

Looking to enjoy some beers during dinner? No, liquor license, but BYOB is more than welcome!

Don't take my word for it, check it out your self, http://www.smoquebbq.com/.

Did I mention that they were featured on the Food Network? Yup, its true....

Is Starbucks Slipping?

I have noticed a not-so-positive consistency with Starbucks stores in Chicago. I first experienced this trend at the Starbucks on Michigan and Lake about 7 months ago. For one, the physical store itself did not maintain the usual clean and hip atmosphere. In fact, it was quite dirty and the tables had cracked corners, and space was limited; one table offered only inches of room between the wall and the massive queue that was seemingly never ending.

At another store (State and Ohio), the trademarked happy-go-lucky vibe is virtually non-existent, and there is even one employee who I have yet to see smile. As well, since I retrieve my AM fuel on a daily basis here, I have noticed that there is a lack in management and high turnover. More often than not the cream, milk, and sugar containers are empty or almost empty.

So, what’s with this growing trend in Starbucks? Have they over-extended themselves and lost the ability to manage themselves? Seems so, in my neighborhood alone there are 3 Starbucks with a half-mile of each other (two of which are less than a year old).

It feels like quantity has surpassed quality at Starbucks. For a company who prides itself on quality, I feel its ego has begun to hinder its mission.

What to do, grin and bear it? Nah, there are plenty of places to enjoy gourmet coffee with a smile and pleasant atmosphere, if that’s your thing;

• Argo Tea
• Gloria Jeans
• Intelligentsia
• Moonstruck Chocolate Café

Do you have a favorite? I want to hear about it, contact me.

Blue Water Grill

312.777.1400
520 North Dearborn Street
Grand and Dearborn
website

Looking to molest your palette through American eclectic cuisine? Blue Water Grill is a must.

I discovered this restaurant this past summer after scoping it out as a spot for a scene for the Luge Effect. Brunch that morning was superb, and the facility is quite apt for a variety of functions.

As you walk into this swank spot, you are immediately greeted by an attractive smile. The first thing I noticed was I asked if had the opportunity of making a reservation, instead the plan and boring, “do you have a reservation.” Although I was already confident that my dining experience would be nothing less than stellar, I was quite impressed with the deliberate choice of words.

Chicago restaurants are a dime-a-dozen, so competition is steep. In my mind, the key to success in the restaurant biz is the sweating the small stuff. BWG does this to-a-tee. Every detail has been well thought out, and the décor is in direct relation with its inclusive menu.

The menu provided great variety for all types of patrons. I decided to start with a couple Maki rolls; the filet Maki roll was spectacular, the juicy filet, mixed with perfectly selected complements, melts in your mouth and leaves you curious for another flavor-rich morsel.

For the entrée I elected the trout wrapped in bacon. While anything wrapped in bacon is most likely to be a delight, this dish provided robust bites from beginning to end. Gingerly laid upon chive spaetzle, sautéed in a brown sugar butter sauce, this dish took my mouth on a journey of flavorful bliss.

At this point, I am quite satisfied, but Patrick (GM extraordinaire of BWG) decided to go well above and beyond and served my date and I a desert sampler that would surely impress the fanciest of palettes. My favorite, warm apple fritters…melt-in-your-mouth delectableness that should perhaps be illegal because of its vast richness. If this was not enough, the server than left us with two muffins for the morning; they were incredible, and left a lasting impression.

While the food at BWG is amazing, it is the service and attention to detail that makes this downtown restaurant a hit. Along with its plush dining area, BWG also sports an upstairs lunge, and meeting facilities, so I suggest a visit from the typical and boring business meeting and hit this spot to jazz things up.

Hint: need to seal the deal with on a date, this place will secure that for you.

Martini Park

A new hot spot in Chicago erupted last night and Erie and LaSalle…Martini Park (MP), a sure-fire soon-to-be the place-to-be. With delicious people and sexy drinks, this swank spot did it right, providing an atmosphere conducive for a diverse crowd of night-crawlers looking to swim through the Chicago social scene.

MP planned appropriately and had its potential customers in mind when erecting it plush interior. They also developed a great recipe for success; big pours, hip tunes, and plenty of landscape, all inviting for Chicago’s party goers.

Potential downfalls:

• Location: it is not on the beaten path. Patrons need to be intentional about going to MP; they won’t just bump into it, unless of course they are dining at Wildfire or Fogo De Chao.
• Cheesy bouncers: seems a place feels it needs to hip by having its doormen dressed in black with ear pieces and faux hawks. I look forward to finding a swank spot that does not feel the need to have 10 bouncers walking around like their shit don’t stink, all the while, only getting paid $12/hour…hilarious!
• Expensive: I was only there an hour and somehow spent $100. Yes, I was generous and bought some drinks for folks, but it may discourage me from spending my whole night there.

All in all, I am excited about this new spot. Time will tell if it survives. On my way home, I stopped by to see the best waiter in town at Pops (he has decades of experience in the bar industry in Chicago and has a kick ass personality), and he shared his opinion on whether or not MP will make it. “It’s a crap shoot, location is not right, but who knows…will take a lot work.”

Learn more about Martini Park...GO HERE

All you need is to find the urinal

Looking to know what’s going in Chicago’s Lincoln Park? Find a urinal, look up, and presto, everything you need to know. Here’s a sample of what was above the Duffy’s urinals one night last week;

• Cubs vs Sox trip: June 23: $70, call 773.868.8073
• Jimmy Buffet (for all those parrot heads): June 23: contact Duffy’s for pricing
• Singing Auditions: Duffy’s, grand prize $15,000; not bad! Too bad I can’t sing my way our of a paper bag.

So, there you have it. Who would have thunk that the urinal would be so useful (beyond the usual)?

Just Another Day in Chicago

I fall in love with Chicago over and over again; if I could marry Chicago, I would, and perhaps I will look into it. Here’s why (step-by-step last Friday);

Wrigley Park by noon for the Cubs/Sox (White) game: like Fenway (home of my beloved Red Sox), Wrigley was like a hive; swarms of people sporting Cubs and Sox garb (some had both at the same time, wimp). Thousands of Chicagoans split from work to catch the 1:20 PM game last Friday; you gotta love that. We scalp a ticket for a friend who decided last minute to come to the game. We learn that our scalper is negotiating the deal and we walk up and spoil the transaction. Come to find out the scalper did not have a ticket for us yet, but had a sale price. We decided to cut out the middle man and saved our buddy $40…not bad.

In the Park: everyone tells me that you have to sit in the bleachers to get the full on experience of a Cubs game; they were right. The attitude brought me back to Boston, as the spirit mirrored my that of my Red Sox fans; songs, cheers, jokes, noise, just plain ole’ enjoyment…nice.

Cubs beat Sox: there is nothing like being at a game and the home team wins. Although it is great to go to a professional game; it is always a better experience if the home team wins, unless of course the visitor is your favorite team.

Post game shenanigans: immediately after the game people poor out of the stadium on to the streets looking for their favorite post game pub. This particular Friday started very early.

The afternoon random make-out session: there is nothing better than a random make-out session with a stranger. My friend Andrew had his friend from Florida in town for the weekend, and of course we needed to be ambassadors to Chicago; our mission, get him a random make-out session. Within a half hour, our Floridian friend was playing tonsil hockey with some young college student in the middle the Cubby Bear…ha! I bet he was really digging Chicago right about them.

Time to clean up and eat dinner: We have dinner reservations downtown at Wildfire for 7:30 PM. By the way, if you want the best steak in Chicago (besides Calvetti steaks) you have to hit Wildfire; I have never been disappointed, as their succulent steaks just melt in your mouth.

Food in the gut: time to go out: my previously mentioned friend Andy lives in the suburbs, but every now and then rents a hotel room in the city and goes out big. I had to show them all a good time; hit Kerryman. We were out a little early for the young and fun Kerryman crowd, but despite the low numbers we still had a blast…then the phone rang.

Chitown Sally chimes in: if you get a call from Sally you are guaranteed two things; a late night, and an absolute blast. Sally had her brother and his fiancé in town and was ready to hit Soundbar (dance club). We were up for the challenge.

Who knows what time it is: usually I am pretty good at negotiating the lines at clubs in Chicago, but at the same time, if my game is off, I am no patience for lines to pay $20 just to get in. I decide against Soundbar for the moment, and take the group to Hop and Haus across the street to re-think the next move.

Sally rings again: Sally’s on the phone, I tell her about the line, and our choice to hit the bar across the street; she says she will meet us there and then try Soundbar again.

Back at Soundbar: my suburb crew decided not to join at Soundbar, so I changed throngs, and was now with the Chitown Sally Tribe. After more failed negotiations, we paid the $20 to get in…it was well worth it.

Need some juice: in order to make it through the night I needed a place like Soundbar. The music was pumping, my crew was energized, this was going to be a blast.

Hernan Cattaneo: DJ extraordinaire, this guy was playing the audience like a fiddle, one of the best DJs I have experienced live. Everyone in the place was grooving; in a trance. I wanted to be nowhere else.

4 AM: I can’t believe that my day started at noon, and now it was 4 AM. I view my surroundings and laugh as I come to the realization that Chicago is the best city on earth; home to opportunities for anyone and everyone. Before I leave I have to plant one seed. If you want to by pass lines at clubs and the cover charge, you have to get in with the bartenders. Tip big, show respect, and talk to them; then at the end of the night, thank them and they will surely enough offer you their card, and hook you up so that you never have to wait in line or pay a cover again.

Conclusion
When you’re in Chicago, make it happen. Plan as much as possible, but be flexible; let Chicago guide you and you will be sure to have a stellar experience.