A Small Stretch of 18th Street
Chicago has no shortage of great food and ethnic flavor. The Pilsen neighborhood on Chicago’s near Southwest Side is famous for authentic Mexican food and traditions. On a small stretch of 18th Street in Pilsen, three gems stand out among the rest – Café Jumping Bean, the Nuevo Leon Restaurant and panaderia BomBon.
My perfect day in Pilsen would start with a visit to the Jumping Bean Café, a small, quirky coffee shop and café on 18th & Bishop. The Jumping Bean is small but offers limited seating and free wi-fi. Familiar beverages like café Americano and lattes are very good, but the Mexican hot, called chocochino chocolate rocks! The food is good too, especially the black bean burger. For under $10.00, you can get a fresh-made sandwich and a drink and feel good about it. The Jumping Bean supports local artists by displaying and selling some of their original art.
Hands down, the best restaurant on 18th Street is Nuevo Leon. The food is so good, that on weekends, there is a line that sometime spills out the door onto the street to get a table. The prices can’t be beat, with $12.00 for a Filete al Nuevo Leon entrée that includes a strip steak, guacamole, frijoles and potatoes. Alambres is a skirt steak Shish-Ke-Bob, served with bacon, large slices of green pepper, onion and tomato, guacamole, rice and beans. Patrons span the generations and ethnicities. Street parking is sketchy and be sure to feed the meters. Nuevo Leon is cash only, but there is an ATM is located on-site.
BomBon is a boutique bakery opened by Laura Cid, a pastry chef famous for her work at Rick Bayless’ restaurant, Topolobampo. BomBon makes arguably the best tres letches cakes in the City. Tarts, cakes, desserts are available in single serving potions. There is no stopping in Pilsen without a stop at the BomBon.
Keep in mind, this is one short stretch of street in a neighborhood that has a lot more to offer that what is posted here. My recommendation? Plan a day the National Museum of Mexican Art, especially during the Dias de Los Muertos exhibits, grab a chocochino at the Café Jumping Bean, have lunch/dinner at Nuevo Leon and grab some desserts to go at BomBon.
Café Jumping Bean
1439 W 18th Street
Chicago, Il 60608
(312)455-0019
Neuvo Leon Restaurant
1518 W 18th Street
Chicago, Il 60608
(312)421-1517
BomBon
1508 W 18th Street
Chicago, Il 60608
(312)733-7788
National Museum of Mexican Art
1852 W 19th Street
Chicago, IL 60608
(312)738-1503
www.nationalmuseumofmexicanart.org
After seeing DC’s very own Granville Moore featured on an episode of “Throwdown with Bobby Flay,” I knew this place had to be phenomenal. I mean would Bobby Flay (call me!) lead me astray?
The answer: Never.
Wanting to beat the rush, and cause we were famished, my sister and I headed to Granville Moore as soon as their kitchen opened. (I swear we have really busy lives.) Having already eaten there before (last time she had the Jalfrezi moules that she loved!), she wanted to try something new and went for Bleu moules, also known as the mussels that won them their victory on “Throwdown.” Although, I am not a fan of bleu cheese, I still liked the sauce. The blue cheese wasn’t overpowering or too salty like some blue cheeses can be. Oh, and it didn’t hurt that the sauce also contained pork belly, shallots, spinach, white wine, and lemon.
Meanwhile, I’m a BIG fan of corn. Really, who isn’t? So I ordered the Spicy Corn moules, which had charred corn, lime, and a roasted garlic-chipotle cream. The broth was perfection. I could be given a bowl of only the broth and be content. And just as I was about to ask for a spoon (can’t let the broth go to waste, now can I?), our waitress brought us out sides of bread to soak up our broth. It’s like she read our minds…or just knew that the broth is just that good.
Also highly recommended are their frites. The frites come with a large array of dipping sauces. We went with the truffle aioli and the chipotle mayo. I’m sorry ketchup…who? You will not be missed.
Oh, and they also have an extensive beer list. Beer lovers rejoice!
Even two (very full) bowls of mussels and fries later, it was safe to say, Granville left us wanting Moore.
Address: 1238 H St, NE
Phone: 202-399-2546
Hours: Mon-Thu, Sun -5 p m-12 am // Fri-Sat 5 pm-3 am
Price: $4-20
On a brisk Saturday morning, I escaped the confines of Georgetown and ventured into Adams Morgan, an area abounding with cultural vibrancy. Historically a hub for immigrants, Adams Morgan has grown into a diverse cultural center attracting both foreigners and young professionals. Thus, the neighborhood has become a curious combination of authentic ethnic culture and city chic. When walking down the streets of Adams Morgan, expect to see an empanada stand nestled next to a chic frozen yogurt café. From college students to young professionals, all types of people visit Adams Morgan seeking not only unique cuisine but also exciting night life.
In order to fully experience the distinctive character of Adams Morgan, try both the authentic ethnic and hip joints in the neighborhood. Adams Morgan is especially known for its activity after dark. One of the most popular spots for nightlife is Madams Organ, an Adams Morgan landmark where “beautiful people go to get ugly.” Offering jazz music on a nightly basis, Madams Organ serves soul inspired cuisine in a quirky, upbeat atmosphere.
A true Adams Morgan experience would not be complete without experiencing the cultural heritage of the neighborhood. From Ethiopian to Brazilian to Honduran, Adams Morgan features cuisine from all corners of the globe. My personal favorite is Julia’s Empanadas, a Latin American fast food joint. Serving dishes for under $4, Julia’s Empanadas offers unsurpassed authentic cuisine. The vegetarian, chicken, and strawberry-ricotta cheese empanadas are especially scrumptious.
Although the restaurants and nightclubs attract a variety of people to Adams Morgan, these spots do not define the neighborhood. Rather, the people you meet and the sights you see make your experience memorable. When I visited Adams Morgan, I remember admiring gorgeous Victorian homes on one street and eating an authentic Mexican empanada and talking with Hondurans on the next. While in the neighborhood, you can never anticipate who will you meet and what you will learn. Adams Morgan’s distinctive character cannot be replicated in any other Washington neighborhood and reminds its visitors of the beauty and vibrancy of cultural diversity.
Popular Adams Morgan spots:
2003 18th St., NW, Washington DC, (202) 667-5370
1834 Columbia Rd. NW, Washington, DC (202) 462-6310
2465 18th St. NW, Washington, DC (202) 387-3845
2327 18th St., NW Washington DC (202) 667-4355
2463 18th Street, NW, Washington, DC (202) 667-0088
Julia’s Empanadas
2452 18th St NW, Washington, DC 20009, (202) 328-6232
Meskerem Ethiopian
2434 18th St NW, Washington, DC 20009, (202) 462-4100
Himalayan Heritage
2305 18th St NW, Washington, DC 20009, (202) 483-9300
Jyoti Restaurant
2433 18th St NW, Washington, DC 20009, (202) 518-5892
Amsterdam Falafelshop
2425 18th St NW, Washington, DC 20009, (202) 234-1969
And now for some food porn. My son and I went to one of our favorite eateries in downtown Deerfield this morning (Kevin’s Place), a little diner with a lot of character and great breakfasts. Right across the street is Deerfields Bakery, and it is chock full of wintry, baked goodness right now. From cakes and cookies to breads, doughnuts and more, it’s a wonderful place to stop for a Christmas treat, or to buy edible gifts any time of year.
Although I only had my Blackberry with me, and it doesn’t take very good pictures, you can at least get an idea of the festive atmosphere of the place and a small selection of the goodies within.
This first picture represents a small portion of the cookie counter. Yum.
Some of the bakery’s standard, non-holiday goodies.
Some of these cakes are such works of art I’d hate to eat any of them.
Some people found this cake a bit pricey at over $35, but I mean, look at it. It’s worth every penny.
A close-up of some of the delicious-looking cookies. I wish I had the money and the metabolism to eat them all!
And look how cute this penguin cake is!
This one was my son’s favorite cake. It cost about $25.
And this is what I ended up bringing home today:
You can see why these happy faces reflect my mood right now!
Happy holidays and happy new year to all!
Deerfields Bakery
813 N. Waukegan Rd., Deerfield, IL
201 N. Buffalo Grove Rd, Buffalo Grove, IL
25 S. Roselle Rd., Schaumburg, IL
847-520-0068
deerfieldsbakery.com
I mean, I’m no Joey Chestnut or Takeru Kobayashi, but I’ve been known to eat a hot dog or eight two in my day. So when I heard the masterminds behind Matchbox and Ted’s Bulletin (review pending) were opening DC-3, a hot dog restaurant, I knew I had to check it out.
Be warned these aren’t your typical street vendor dogs, I mean they sell those too, but for true hot dog fans, you will be very impressed (and stuffed) with their extensive menu. Their hot dog creations are named by region like the Cinncinati Coney, Jersey Bacon-Wrapped Ripper, and even the Q’s Seoul Bulgogi & Kimchi. And if those don’t interest you, you’re free to customize your own hot dog, or fill up on an array of other goodies like their sausages, vegetarian chili, corn dogs, fried pickles, and even cotton candy!
For my meal, I chose the Arkansas Razorback Red. The hot dog alone is amazing; I mean it’s filled with cheese and bacon. Can anyone find a complaint to that? But then they go even further and top it with chili, coleslaw, and fried pickles. The chili and coleslaw are good, but the fried pickles are even better. Although I can’t say I have much experience in fried pickles, I can say that I will be ordering a whole side of them on my next visit.
And to satisfy my sweet tooth, I ordered some cotton candy. As of right now, it only comes in grape, but they are looking into more flavors. It was a nostalgic way to end the meal.
With its airplane theme and high top tables, DC-3 makes the dining experience fun and creative place to bring people of all ages.
Oh DC-3, you’ll always be a wiener in my heart.
Address: 423 8th St SE
Phone: 202-546-1935
Hours: Sun-Thu 11 am-9 pm Fri-Sat 11 am-10 pm
Price: Under $10
A little fun fact about my mother is that she’s Chinese, but born and raised in Vietnam. So it’s fair to say that Asian food-wise I’ve been quite spoiled. But unfortunately when the craving hits, no matter what city I’m in, I find it much harder to find a quality Vietnamese restaurant to satiate me. Imagine my surprise when I heard about the recently opened Ba Bay, which serves up what can only be described as a modernized take on Vietnamese cuisine. I was intrigued.
After a thorough assessment of the menu and recommendations from not only our really attentive server, but the owner himself, we started off our meal with a side of chicken pate. Now I’ve had a lot of pate in my day, and I can honestly say that it was some of the best I’ve ever had! It was very fresh and flavorful. But to me, what really made it special was that the recipe comes straight from the owner’s family kitchen, specifically his Grandmother’s. And don’t Grandmother’s always know best?
For my entre, I ordered the Shaky Beef, which sits above watercress puree and topped with marinated onions. Let me tell you, the first bite left me shaking from enjoyment. The meat was so tender, cooked to a beautiful medium rare, and well seasoned. I never wanted it to end.
Next, my friend ordered the special of the night: Tete de conchon, which is crispy fried pig head, cabbage and hard boiled eggs braised in fish sauce and maggi. (I know, it totally sounds prettier in French, but what can you do?) Each element of the dish perfectly complimented and balanced one another. And I’d recommend ordering it with a side of rice for maximum deliciousness.
And being a Vietnamese restaurant, we just couldn’t leave without trying their Pho. Although not my favorite dish of the night, it definitely held its own. The pho broth was really dark, MSG free, and had a hint of spiciness. Not your standard pho broth, but definitely perfect for those cold winter days ahead.
Finally, in order to get our 2-3 servings of vegetables for the day, we got a side of the bok choy that is cooked in oyster sauce and sprinkled with fried shallots. Trust me, you’ll have even the pickiest of kids eating these leafy greens.
Ba Bay’s unique menu and cozy ambiance is just what Eastern Market needs!
(Tip: When you Google Ba Bay, make sure to specify it’s in DC and that it’s Vietnamese, otherwise Google thinks you’re looking for Baby items. Oh, you were looking for baby items? Congrats! That works too.)
Address: 633 Pennslyvania Ave
Phone: 202-547-0002
Price: $8-20
Suburban downtowns vary in size, quality and character. For example, my suburb of Glenview has a rather stagnant downtown, though the village government has high hopes that the new library, which opened this fall, will help bring business in. Most people go over to the Glen instead, which is basically an outdoor shopping center in one of those McMansion-type settlements–new, shiny, upscale, and devoid of uniqueness. Highland Park, on the other hand, has one of the best downtowns in the northern ‘burbs–lots of walkable restaurants and cute boutiques, plus an art-film movie theater to boot.
Northbrook I consider to be somewhere in the middle; it’s nothing fancy, but there are a few culinary highlights, a little store here and there (including WineStyles), an ice cream place, a nice big park and a train station. You can walk to a small but nice variety of restaurants along Shermer Rd., including Little Louie’s Red Hots, Lou Malnati’s, the Landmark Inn and Kamehachi, along with a personal favorite of my family’s, My Pie Pizza.
But when my husband and I are going out for date nights, our favorite local eatery here is a tiny little storefront just north of the railroad tracks, called Trattoria Oliverii. It’s part of a local chain, and it looks quite unassuming from the glass front with the name splashed across (there’s no actual sign). The interior is cozy and rife with what they call Old World charm; in the summer, there are a few tables set up outside on the sidewalk to create patio dining.
Most importantly, the food here is excellent. The bread is crusty and warm, the bruschetta is divine, and Trattoria Oliverii specializes in classic Italian favorites well-cooked and served in hearty, delicious portions. Veal, chicken, pizza, seafood, salads and Italian desserts (tiramisu, cannoli) create a well-rounded menu. My personal default dish here is Scampi Champagne, linguine with shrimp and onion cooked in a creamy Champagne sauce. But I’m often tempted by the specials as well.
There’s no real reason you can’t take your whole family here–we’ve done that, too. But the atmosphere here feels low-key and romantic, making it a pleasant place to take your significant other for a night that won’t break the bank or make you worry about getting back in time for the babysitter. I think of it as the perfect date location for that period in your life when you’re not worried about the game–you’re just looking to relax and spend time with someone you care about in a comfortable place with good food.
Trattoria Oliverii
1358 Shermer Rd., Northbrook
(847) 559-8785
www.oliverii.com
After months of calming vicious customers who couldn’t believe my restaurant’s turkey burger was only served one night a week, I’ve finally given the infamous alternative to red meat a try. Of course, now I’m determined to find the best one in town, and I began at The Grey Dog.
Grey Dog’s a simple, casual neighborhood dig close to Union Square. It’s a popular spot for NYU students and West Villager’s grabbing a quick bite or joining a group for coffee. The menu’s short and sweet featuring a few salads, appetizer’s, sandwiches and burgers. They offer three or four soups a day and late night snacks as well. But best of all, is their turkey burger.
The burger’s an ideal portion, not overly thick, and just moist enough. I add swiss cheese for a little something extra, but the flavor is rich and satisfying. I’m a light eater, so I use half the bun, but I devour the fries. Note: you get more when you take it to-go. The Grey Dog’s interior is raw wooden with tables that represent different places to travel. It’s dimly lit and moderately loud, but has proven a great place for a long conversation.
The soups are warm and comforting, the sandwiches are ample in size and consistently delicious, and the quesadillas and nachos are scrumptious for splurging. The Grey Dog also features delivery, catering, and breakfast. The servers are social and welcoming, and the crowd’s young and hip. It’s enough steps away from Union Square for a little peace, but central enough in the NYU hood for traffic.
I highly recommend this stop if you’re a turkey burg fanatic or leisurely exploring the area. If you live nearby it’s great for an easy night out. This is my go-to when I’m in the West Village, and I’m too awake to eat in but too tired to eat nice. Every offering’s pleasing, and you’ll leave full and contented.
Location: 90 University Place
Subways: 4/5, 6, L or N/R/Q to Union Square
Prices: Affordable, $10 a person (even for the turkey burger)
Website: thegreydog.com
I have completely lost my appetite–in all of its entirety. It is a terrible affliction to befall an unpaid, amateurish food blogger that I believe to be directly correlated with my ever-mounting, grad school-induced stress. And on that note, I promise to quit complaining about my student status after December 15, but until then, it’s making for pretty great food fodder, no?
Anyway, I think it was a wee bit of an overstatement to say that I’ve completely lost my appetite. I do crave one thing, and that thing is bagels. Specifically, everything bagels with scallion cream cheese. I think I’ve eaten one every day this week…
The first time I ordered this clever combination was actually during my first weekend in Park Slope . A bageltique amateur, I didn’t realize what a potent combination people thought this to be as the bagel boy proceeded to exclaim, “Scallion and everything!? You ain’t f*ck*ng around, lady!”
At the time, I didn’t realize what a lucky Lucy I was to have a La Bagel Delight directly around the corner from my humble abode as I slinked off with my savory-to-the-max breakfast. From what I’ve gathered, this shop (like many others I’ve reviewed) is a Brooklyn institution. Oozing with BK charm, the employees are crass, the coffee is strong and the bagels are gigantic.
While everything+scallion=delicious, for the weak of heart, they also have a tamer variety of homemade (!) cream cheeses (among them, strawberry, blueberry, veggie, pumpkin, sun-dried tomato and basil, tofu blends, etc.) and bagels (pumpernickel, regular, whole wheat, onion, cinnamon-raisin, etc.). Their bagels are perhaps the most perfect I’ve ever had. Not only are they meals in themselves, but they are crunchy and tough on the outside and irresistibly chewy on the inside; I have no idea how they do it. With their rapid turnover, you are almost guaranteed to get a warm bagel every time, making toasting totally unnecessary. But the thing that makes La Bagel so special is the fact that they put toppings on both the top and bottom–a key determinant of a good NY bagel.
While they are delicious, the immense amount of cream cheese they top their circular delights with is enough to schmear about 4 or 5 bagels. Thus, I kind of need my appetite depression to pass soon because I might have my own bagel around my midsection before all is said and done.
Bagel Price: $3.25
Location: 252 7th Ave., Park Slope (others are listed on their website)
Nearest Train: B/Q at 7th ave., 2/3 at Grand Army Plaza
Phone: (718) 768-6107
I’m a brunch-a-holic, and the only way to trump my last recommendation, Fetch, which catered to canine’s, is to combine free drinks and live music, plus distinct dishes. Nolita House offers widely appealing specials each day, but they’re best known for their signature Boozy Bluegrass Brunch, a must-see in NYC. Take it from me, you cannot top this brunch.
Every Saturday and Sunday Nolita House has a live local bluegrass band performing from 11:30-3:30 and drinks are free with every meal. You can choose from Mimosa, Sangria, Champagne, or orange juice to accompany your lively, loud and upbeat experience. The energy this weekend was contagious enough for a party of six to order shots before noon, and I saw worse last year when SantaCon pub crawler’s stopped by.
If drinks and loud music wouldn’t draw you in, the unique menu is worth a try, especially if you’ve stuck to benedict’s and homefries every weekend. The brunch menu allows for traditional brunch options and unconventional options. After typical brunch every Saturday and Sunday
for months, my boyfriend and I were both eager to change things up. Everyone around us tried the Huevos Rancheros or the Vanilla Brandy French Toast, both of which looked tempting, but we were in the mood for eggs. I tried Mediterranean Baked Eggs over ratatouille and he got New Orleans Style Shrimp and Grits.
Both plates were unlike anything we’ve tried before. My dish was uniquely satisfying, an odd combination of tastes made perfect on flatbread. It was good enough to go outside my comfort zone and a lot prettier than scrambled eggs on a bagel. His was surprisingly good as well, and I don’t typically like grits. The shrimp was decent in size and perfectly prepared, and the grits were topped with eggs and one of three daily cheeses. Four days later he is still raving about that cheese. We paired our new finds with sangria, OJ and coffee for an odd combination we both loved.
You do have to converse loudly over the music, but it’s not impossible, and the crowd’s all the happier for it. We were sat immediately despite a packed house and squeezed into a comfy corner booth. At Nolita House you can take your time without feeling rushed, enjoy tables around you getting carried away, and leave with a full stomach. The restaurant’s decorated to make you feel at home, and I’ve never eaten there feeling otherwise.
This location’s great if you’re downtown and want to eat before or after a Whole Foods trip or day of retail. I used to frequent the New Museum and stop by Billy’s before a wholesome meal of macaroni or pizza to recharge. I highly recommend heading that way this weekend, you’ll feel the warmth.
Location: 47 E Houston St (off Lafayette)
Prices: $30-$35 brunch for two
Contact: nolitahouse.com, 212-625-1712
