Taverna Violi is the new kid on the block at Oak Brook mall, having taken over the space that was formerly Mon Ami Gabi. Let’s just take a moment to shed a tear for the loss of that superb restaurant at Oak Brook! OK, moving on! Violi is a Greek Taverna, and this is not your regular old Greek diner. It’s most definitely a step up from even the old standard restaurants in Greek Town, and is a worthy replacement…
Pasta Veneta is one of the newest restaurants in the poppin’ west loop area, and I visited here recently with my cousins. This place prides itself on making fresh pasta, and it shows. There is a sizable appetizer menu, but the mains are all primarily pasta based. The space is very open and very fresh and new, with a casual, bistro-type of feel. There is a very heavy straight-line/geometric shape thing going here, which is really cool. The lighting was…
We were excited to try Galit, one of the newest Michelin-starred restaurants on the block, earning their first star just last April. Galit is a pretty casual-ish Middle Eastern food spot, with an extensive Middle Eastern wine selection including some of the big names like Chateau Musar from Lebanon among other lesser-known wines. The space is pretty large and has bankettes, tables, as well as a long bar-like table along the bustling open kitchen. I love open kitchens, and I…
Bronzeville Winery recently opened on the south side of Chicago, not far from where we live, to a lot of hype, so when they were offering a special restaurant week menu, we decided to book a reservation and check the place out. Bronzeville Winery, more accurately a wine bar or wine-focused restaurant, is a very hip place in a brand new building on South Cottage Grove. Their drink menu not only specializes in wine, but also props up and supports…
I have eaten at The Gage Restaurant in Chicago for either lunch or dinner at least 20 times. This restaurant is on Michigan Avenue, and, while on one of the most touristy streets in Chicago, right across from the Art Institute, The Gage remains stalwart, providing excellent food and service. We ate here most recently with Eli and Clara after seeing the Christmas Concert at the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, just two blocks south of the restaurant. This is a bit…
Elske is easily one of my favorite restaurants in Chicago. It earned its Michelin star almost immediately after opening, and has retained it since then, which has been about 5 years or so. I have visited this restaurant probably about once a year since it’s been opened, and we came here to celebrate our first indoor dining experience after getting vaxxed after COVID. They literally opened up that weekend, and I’m pretty sure they opened just for us. At least,…
This is my Ode to Oriole in Chicago. My amazing husband brought me here for my birthday this year. Oriole is a two-star Michelin restaurant on the near north side of Chicago, and for me, it probably deserves a third star. I didn’t really want to do a full review of the place, it was my birthday after all, but I did take a ton of photos of my experience here, and I wanted to document it on my blog…
Every year, I take Brian out for his birthday to a fancy steakhouse here in Chicago. Chicago is known for its steakhouses, and there are no shortage of restaurants to choose from. GT Prime is one of the only ones we haven’t visited yet, and getting reservations early on a Tuesday evening was easy. The restaurant itself has a very moody, yet bright vibe, with black-brown floors and tables and walls, but bright bronze-gold accents and lighter brown leather chairs…
My two local cousins and I all have birthdays in July and August, so every year, we usually book a nice summer outing to celebrate each other and enjoy a nice evening out. This year, we chose to check out a relatively new restaurant in the West Loop neighborhood called ROOH which calls itself, “Progressive Indian Cuisine in a Vibrant Atmosphere;” and vibrant, it is! Every corner of this place is seriously insta-worthy and I took a TON of photos!…
Oh, Roister, you have never disappointed me! This was my third visit to Roister restaurant in Chicago and I went with my brother to celebrate his 40th birthday! Roister’s Chef is Grant Achatz, of Alinea fame. The Chef was actually on hand on this evening working in the kitchen. I like to think he made a special appearance for my brother on his birthday. It was interesting that he was at Roister, and not his three-Michelin-starred Alinea, however from glancing…