Chicago Restaurants ‘I want to go to there’ part 1

I’m no food expert, but I do think I’m a bit of a food snob or foodie, but on the lower level of the foodie scale. I’m more of a snob toward big food chains, processed food or food that is boring. So since it’s been a long time since I’ve blogged I thought I’d share some of my favorite eateries in my area of the city. I would like to say I stay in my neighborhood because I’m saving the planet, but the reality is I hate driving, waiting for food, and traveling far.

What I’ve learned about eating out:

Don’t order the cheapest thing on the menu.
Check out the specials.
Read restaurant reviews.
Ask the waiter what they recommend.
Share with a friend, both eat half then trade plates, then you both get to enjoy more than one dish.
Learn about food, not only will it help you order, but make you aware of how it’s made. Watch cooking or travel shows.
Don’t order food that you can make, order things you would never make.

The “I want to go to there” list part 1:

Logon Square/Avondale

Lula café http://www.lulacafe.com/ I started going to Lula after living in the city for 3 years, I’d heard about it but figured it was too expensive for a poor art student. Also in those days I really didn’t know how to order and what was good to eat. The first few times I went I was not impressed I didn’t understand what the big deal was…that was because I ordered off of the regular menu and tried to choose the cheaper items. Then about 2 or 3 years ago I started ordering their weekend specials and it was awesome, then I tried their dinner specials and it blew me away. Lula’s isn’t cheap, but not excessive expensive, and they also use local food. I go there a lot now it’s one of the few fantastic places near where I live. Not only is the quality great, but Lula’s has introduced me to foods I’ve never heard of and flavors that are completely foreign and intriguing.

Nha Trang 3711 W. Belmont I’m not going tell you this place is fantastic it’s just a decent Vietnamese restaurant in an area that doesn’t really cater to that culture of food. I always get the rice noodles with beef. shrimp and/or Vietnamese egg rolls and sometimes I get the Vietnamese pancake. The food is tasty and rather healthy. I usually get take-out but eating the food in usually taste better.

Hachi’s Kitchen http://www.hachiskitchen.com/ While there really isn’t sushi competition for this place in Logan Square, it still doesn’t stop them for being more than just good. It’s decently priced and the quality seems good to me, but I’m no sushi connoisseur. I like the atmosphere, you can dress up or be casual there it makes no difference. It’s never too crowded but I’m also a person who eats sort of early.

Buona Terra http://www.buona-terra.com/ Is a few buildings North of Hachi’s and is a nice place as well. It’s a little more stuffy and appears super fancy, but you can still walk in dressed casually and they welcome you. The best thing about this place is their Thursday night Prie five menu. You get an appetizer, entrée and desert all for $21.95! It’s a bargain for a place like this. You still can order off of their regular menu, so that $22 steak can be yours plus desert and appetizer at no extra cost!

La Cocina Boricua 2420 W. Fullerton This family owned gem has tasty Chuletas (pork chops) and Cabrito en Fricase (baby goat slow cooked). I haven’t had much else on the menu, but I like this cozy, friendly place. The prices are pretty standard, not expensive but not cheap.

Longmen & Eagle 2657 North Kedzie Avenue This new gastropub is a welcome addition to the Logan Square eateries it takes the place of the former The Winds Cafe. The atmosphere is relaxed while high class all at the same time, yet you can come dressed as you please. It’s a whiskey bar but has a great selection of beer. I didn’t drink anything on my visit there but my partner enjoyed a beer. The food is pricey, and portions are small if you order from the appetizers and plates menu. We ordered from the plates menu so could justify ordering more and trying more things. We had a wonderful asparagus salad with a 60 minute egg, the wetzel pretzel with is cheese and a soft pretzel, scallops with pulled pork and meatballs. I think next time I go I’m getting the wild boar sloppy joe that sounds awesome. The place itself is small and the tables are too small for the large plates they use it’s almost like they choose the dishware before know that their tables were going to look like. The waitress we had was lovely she was so nice and you could tell she really appreciated the menu and was happy to answer any questions. We also felt no pressure to leave, people took their time ordering and talking. While this isn’t a place I’d go to all the time I’m glad it’s in Logan Square it a wonderful addition.

I’m not going to list Hot Doug’s since that place is too famous.

Wicker Park/Bucktown

LOKal http://www.lokalchicago.com/home Just went here for my Birthday and it was the most amazing dinner I’ve ever experienced. The service was friendly, not to pushy and helpful. The atmosphere was Eastern European modern, but it was the food that I really cared about. I shared the meat lovers trio and it came with fillet mignon with horseradish, crusted rack of lamb with a plum wine reduction and short-rib on a Swedish potato pancake with grain, veggie and salad as sides. I also shared the pierogies with bourbon date sauce. It was all amazing and I highly recommend this place, heck Rick Baylis was spotted here!

Sultan’s Market 2057 W. North Ave. I’ve been going to this place for oh like 7 or so years. It’s a standard place that is good for a quick-lunch or for a relaxing long eating experience. My standard was a falafel sandwich. My favorite guy doesn’t work there anymore which makes me sad. He always cut up the falafel just right and if I got soup he’d slice up an extra falafel and fan it out all pretty since he knew I liked them. Anyways it’s still a good place and the prices won’t break the bank. It’s a gem in a neighborhood that’s gotten way to excessive and fancy for my blood.

Mana Food Bar http://www.manafoodbar.com/ Is a fabulous vegetarian eateries. I’m not vegetarian, I love my meat, but this place is delicious and healthy. Their menu isn’t boring, they really stray from some other vegetarian choices. I would say a lot of their items seem Asian inspired. They got things like Bi Bim Bop (which was a bit to salty for me), sesame noodles, sliders, sweet potato pancake and red quinoa. They offer small and large sizes so you can try a few things in one sitting. It’s not a cheap place, but order wisely and if you are with people share and it will be a great experience.

Humboldt Park/Ukrainian Village

Feed http://feedrestaurantchicago.com/ This place is hip country with chickens as it’s theme decor. It’s best known for their rotisserie chicken, but they do offer other things and have a pretty good brunch. Their sides are not all equal in taste, but regardless of some inconsistencies I still like this place. I’m a sucker for atmosphere and this place as a good feeling.