Cooking With Ideas

Bar Louie

I have been walking past this place at Dearborn Station for a few years now. Finally, I walked in, sat down, and tried eating (and drinking) at Bar Louie. And, I have to say, I liked the food and, while the drink was a tad low on alcohol, that was not a bad thing that day, for me. In working on this piece, I did discover it is a franchise kind of place, and I have never been to any one other than the dearborn Station one -- so my review only applies there. 

What did I have? I ordered lettuce wraps with sesame chicken and (once I sent back the shrimp which were erroneously served me) I enjoyed the meal a lot. The chicken was nicely cooked, the rice sticks sauced well, and the accompanying hot sauce right at the cusp of sweet and hot. (I have no idea who if anyone would eat the dijon mustard which also came along for the ride.) The one odd thing was the lettuce leaves, which were romaine and in a few cases way too small to wrap around anything at all. I did, though eat every little bit. 

In addition to some of Chicago's own tap water, I did have a blackberry mojito. There was barely any taste or impact that could be alcohol, but the blackberries themselves were amazing and the balance of mint and lime well done. Given my goal was not to get drunk but to drink something that tasted good, I would say: nice job. 

Other issues: I was on an eating out roll, and in many cases a "sit at the bar and eat out" roll. At Bar Louie, I sat at the bar, which was not full and read.  Several things: (a) the bartenders were all women, and all trying very hard to keep the attention of the guys at the bar. Not my scene and not fun for someone who just wanted to eat (and read) in peace. It was loud enough that my order was misheard (I returned it, got no apology, but the end result -- as noted above -- was dandy); (b) did I say loud? Yes, televisions, and yes, some people, but I am not sure why it was so loud. It just was. Having said that, I was left alone to read, the lighting was good, and the food passed inspection. 

Not a place to drink or talk, but definitely a place for lettuce wraps. 

Burgers in the Windy City

I have been binging -- by which I do not mean overeating, but binge reading and also eating out an undue quantity of the time. In the latter regard, I have been to a burger place twice and wanted to offer a bit of a review here. The place? Burger Bar. The location? 1150 South Michigan Avenue. And yes, this is their second location. (See Chicago Magazine here.) 

Let's begin with the ambience. Burger Bar is kind of a cross between -- you guessed it, a bar and a burger joint. As such it has a lovely wooden bar, not so lovely tables, and televisions above the bar. The latter are not on loud, and are, yes, on sports. It is kind of a noisy place, with echoes that make me suspect that it would be hard to hear folks if you, unlike me, were not reading but actually trying to converse. As a reader, people left me alone, and the service in both cases was dandy. (It was better at the bar, but both were good at advice, kind and speedy. The bar guy was even startled at how quickly my burger arrived.) 

Burgers: I have been kind of off my food, but always need a lot of protein. So, the first visit, I had a blue cheese bacon burger. I got the grass fed burger, and french fries. The burger was good, the fries seemed as though they should be but got cold and soggy very quickly. You can, by the way get a gluten free bun (Hurrah!) and this first burger was a "build your own" and a pretty usual choice for me. My second visit I got one of their "stackable," which is a kind of meat on meat burgers thing. I got the firehouse, which was not too spicy, but featured horizon on top of the burger as well as some cheese. I have to say, this was absolutely swell. Delicious. Sinful. Alongside burger number 2, I got the housemate potato chips. These were amazing -- and much much better than the fries. I wanted more. 

Things to Drink: As a bar, it is very very focused on beer, with both local and others, including draught, bottle and beer. I got beer both visits, and in both cases a stout. I have no idea which one I got, but they were both good, the first coming in a bottle (an oatmeal stout) and the second a draught Irish style stout. I have to confess, the first time I also got a milkshake to take home and have later. It was ok, but not great. And, I have to say this: shots in milkshakes? On offer at Burger Bar, this strikes me as ruining a good thing. 

All in all: Burger Bar is definitely a place to try. And no, I did not check out the bathroom and the anonymous bathroom reviewer was not with me! 

A Place Called Cure

New Hampshire again. Portsmouth this time, for a short visit -- very short -- and then off again. I dropped off Shimer material and did a few other things. And, I ate at a place named Cure. 

I did not set off for a cure, but the menu outside drew us in -- partly because of things that were on the dinner menu that it turned out we could not have. The place was about to close, but they did allow us in to eat -- and we ate well, despite not being able to have some things on the dinner menu we wanted. They did break this "rule" to give us a lobster matrini -- and it was terrific! Not, it was not a drink (I had a blueberry cosmopolitan); it was lobster salad in a martini glass. And, as someone who is not a HUGE fan of lobster, I can say this: if this is how I had first encountered lobster, I would know already that I love it! (And yes, if you think about the sentence it makes sense.) The lobster was sweet, and neither rubbery nor slimey (two conditions I have encountered lobster in in the past). It tasted amazingly wonderful. 

I also ate a wedge salad; this one came with the requisite bacon and blue cheese, but also chopped tomatoes, cucumber and hard boiled egg. My partner had a lovely salad -- a frisee salad with lardons and a poached egg -- and I indulged in some corn and shrimp chowder, which was also amazing. 

I should also note that the ambience was nice. THere were dining options inside and outside, but we went for the incldue, which was a brickwalled, small area that felt both cozy and intimate. And, it felt homey. 

So> the Cure did cure my heart ache that day over elder care. But, it also just was terrifically tasty. I would recommend this over a number of the web finds I had looked at for lunch. 

The Dancing Lion and the Cafe la Reine

I was in New Hampshire recently and I had to eat. These things happen. So, I searched for a coffee bar (well, we did) and found an excellent one called Cafe La Reine. (At some point I got it that Manchester, NH is also known as queen city so the names of various sandwiches -- including the Freddy Mercury -- made sense to me! And I have to admit ti: the coffee was swell). 

On our first visit (and there were many), we were distracted by a place next door. The place: The Dancing Lion. No place is perfect. But, this (and the Cafe La reine)  is near perfection. They truly make chocolate that is beautiful, that is incredibly tasty, and that is available as drink, eat, and be merry. 

Several things are crucial to this valuation as an amazing place. First: the display of chocolates includes chocolate boxes. Do not think those heavy waxy ones one can buy in a supermarket. Think light, and think beautifully painted. One was so amazing I was not persuaded it was chocolate even though I was repeatedly told it was. In addition, the display included a face molded from chocolate and some bits that were based on very old molds for weddings. (The latter a bit too heterosexual but hey, nothing is, as I say, perfect.) Second: On our arrival there were two delightful dogs visiting (both poodles). Any place that is that open seems to me to be improved. 

But there are two more reasons to be positive. The chocolate espresso drinks -- iced -- are amazing. They are made with drinking chocolate and espresso. And thus, there is NO dairy. There was a certain tartness to the chocolate, which meant the drinks were not overwhelmingly sweet in the face of hot days. And, the chocolates themselves - ranging from tasting squares to small truffles -- were inventive, and amazingly different from one another. The range of chocolates being used was itself an education. And, the "kitchen sink" brownie -- gluten free -- was . . . I become redundant. 

I should also say that on our initial visit, the owner told us a lot (and I mean a lot) about the chocolates as well as advising us on various places to eat and visit in Manchester. We owe him a bit of thanks for that -- but his peers owe him even more. 

Down sides? Yes, there are two. One is that this is most definitely not a fast service place. This is in part because the folks are very very chatty and because they take their time. This is a good thing, but also a problematic thing, on occasion. Second: this place is expensive. We dropped about $65 on our first visit. (Note, it was not our last.) Was it worth it? Yes. But, if I were a local, I would buy one piece of chocolate at a time. 

Where are these places? Manchester, NH on Elm Street. Check them out if you are there! 

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Eating In New Hampshire

Bouchon Bakery

I am (was?) on a Thomas Keller roll. No, I did not say "I ate a Thomas Keller roll." I simply mean I am writing a second time about a Thomas Keller venue. (In this case, I have actually been to a NYC Bouchon as well as, more recently, the Bouchon Bakery in Yountville.) Hurrah. They are . . . . indulgent. Splendiferous. Dandy. 

Can you tell? I like them.

Here's why. First and foremost, I like the macarons. I had them first in NYC -- little ones and on occasion, on a business trip, I would sneak away with a large one. No matter what flavor (ok, I like the caramel ones. But wait, the pepeprmint? ) I like them. On occasion I do find them too sweet, and then I say to myself, but they are gluten free. (I am not, but hey, anything to pretend I am virtuous while eating Bouchon Bakery . . . .) Have you seen them? If you want to, just click here. But remember, this is JUST a visual. 

Then, I went to the Bakery in Yountville itself. Same macaroons. But: I had additional (different) treats. These included: a bacon cheddar and something else scone. A+ (well, it did not actually trump one I had that involved green chilis somewhere in the middle of no where on a road trip this past summer, but then, what could?). I also had a chocolate croissant. Now: I have to admit it -- this is a vice of mine. In this case, I treasured the darn thing and held on to it, and ate it a tiny bit past its due date (aka it was stale). Still dandy. And, I had some sort of pork bun that . . .  well, suffice it to say that I love pork. 

Finally, I have to comment on the rice krispie treat. I do. It was multicolored. In fact, it was a layer of pink, a layer of brown and a layer of white. It looked like neopolitan ice cream. I had a tiny sliver -- and wow. It was like no other rice krispie treat ever. I cannot find a picture on line -- but here's something related just to torture you. 

They have soup (which I did not sample), sandwiches (I had some delightful ham and cheese on baguette), and other things. But really: the treats are the treats. Mmmmm. 

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Thomas Keller Bouchon Collection - Thomas Keller

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Ad Hoc

I love the phrase “ad hoc” – as in ad hoc committees and task forces, in ad hoc decisions, and in many other uses. According to the web, in the form of wikipedia, the phrase is Latin for "for this." (the relevant article is here.) 

But, of course, these days it has another referent: say ad hoc in some environs (even if you google it) and people think Thomas Keller, Yountville, food, fried chicken, and more. They think Ad Hoc. 

Some time ago, I was in Yountville, a life aspiration, and had a delightful treat of a birthday meal at. . . Ad Hoc. It was amazing. Here’s what we experienced:

First: we waited a tiny bit, entranced by the various pig-related objects around us. When seated, we began the thrilling part; they really get the notion of gluten free! This was important because we happened to be there on one of Ad Hoc's iconic fried chicken nights; and yes, they made gluten free (ok, the real issue is wheat free) fried chicken. And, looking at it, it seemed identical! Apparently it tasted magnificent. They also provided gluten free versions of all the courses, including (and I was incredibly jealous, despite the perfection of my bit) an over the top amazing black pepper biscuit. Yes, I had tiny, perfect, tasty grilled cheese sandwiches for that course which tsted cheesier and butter-y-er (not a woird I know) than anything I have ever tasted. I can remember the tanginess of the cheese. But I was still (and indeed remain) jealous of the biscuit.

Let me slow down, and take you through the courses. First: salad. Because every thing is served family style when possible, the salad was huge. It was chopped romaine with a creamy dill dressing. Sounds simple. Tasted amazing. Then: fried chicken. Ok, there was more -- side dishes of green beans and mashed potatoes. The latter were nearly all consumed by my partner. (Not really, but I know she loved them.) The chicken -- well, it was fried chicken. It was great. I could not make it that well. That's why it was Ad Hoc and not my dining room. If I have a criticism, it would be this: too much food. Way too much food.

 

All this was followed by the humor and fun of the cheese course. As noted above, mine included itny tiny little grilled cheese sandwiches. I still swoon. Then there was dessert. What wonder? A root beer float. Ordinarily, I would turn up my nose at a root beer float. I just do not like root beer. But: this was Thomas Keller, this was Yountville. I tried it. I liked it. I am not a convert, but I enjoyed what I had. Yes, indeedy. 

All in all: I loved Ad Hoc. As I said, I do think the family style leads the restaurant to serve portions that are way too big (no, I am not asking for nouvelle cuisine with puny little 1980s size portions, but there is no word other than HUGE for the dishes that came out. While they were for two, I am not sure what two people on earth could have consumed all of what we received.) Think doggy bags – and really eat them thereafter.In our case, the chicken left overs made it all the way back to Chicago and were delicious as a meal at home.

Finally, I shoudl say this: we all know the story of Ad Hoc. (look it up if you do not); we know that he started mainly serving meals like those his staff at the French Laundry and elsewhere ate -- and loved -- between services. We all know it stuck. And we all know that the food is good. The real question -- and I know my answer: is it worth it? In my case, yes, The food was delightful -- and I love that I ate somewhere that I already "knew" through the cookbook. While I have not made fried chicken, I have made a wonderful chicken dish from the cookbook -- and it was swell to be there, in the flesh (as it were) dining. 

 

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Eating Out in Chicago

We have been cooking a lot in the condo, but have also been out a few times that are worth mentioning. The places are very different from each other, but all easily accessible in Chicago. 

1. Salpicon is a Mexican restaurant that a friend took us too, located in Old Town. The chef has two things going for her before I even ate a thing: (1) she was at Topolobango and the Frontera Grill (ok, I have never been there, but I am a fan nonetheless, so this meant something to me, even though she really has much more going for her than this) and, (2) as the promoun makes obvious, she is a woman chef. And I like to support them. Here's a bit from their website about her acolades:

"Chef Satkoff’s passion and unique culinary fingerprint has since paid off with countless accolades from theChicago Tribune, USA Today, TV Food Network, Chicago Sun-Times, as well as being named “Chef to Watch” and “Rising Star Chef” by the Chicago Tribune and Chicago Sun-Times, and co-hosting the TV Food Network’s show “Melting Pot.” Over the years Chef Satkoff’s star has continued to shine from publishingThe Salpicón Cookbook to being named “One of the Top Chefs of Mexico” by Larousse Gastronomique. Most recently, September 2011 saw the induction of Chef Satkoff into the Chicago Culinary Museum’s‘Chefs Hall of Fame’. In honor of her induction, Mayor Rahm Emanuel proclaimed September 29, 2011 as “Chef Priscila Satkoff Day”."

But really, the food that really did it. Every bite was flavorful, and hte blending of tastes was delightful. We began with an adventure dish involving cactus, something I had never previously tried. While it remains hard to describe in terms of texture, the taste was on the edge of lemony and the pork that came with it was cheerfully hot. I then, being who I am, followed with more pork. My partner had a dish that involved a fungus that grows on corn. And, our friend had swordfish that was lighter than air. 

Check it out here on urbanspoon:

2. Nana is located in Bridgeport, on Halstead, and I went there for a business lunch. I had a lovely lunch -- despite the somewhat difficult topic of the meeting. I had hte baked chillaquiles (turning down my all time favorite, huevos rancheros) -- and was thrilled with the meal. The corn tortilla casserole (as the menu described it) is layer upon layer of tortillas, drenched in a poblano like cream. The spice was there -- subtle and hot simultaneously. Yes, I would go there again. And, I hear that the Sunday family style meals are both fun and tasty. Check it out here at urbanspoon: 

3. Acadia is located in our neighborhood and is walkable. Yes, the South Loop has a high end (michelin rated) restaurant. We have been there twice; once we ate in the restaurant per se and once at the bar. Several things are worth noting: (a) there seems to be a real effort to make south loopers feel welcome (including special evenings for the neighborhood); (b) the food is delightful -- and not as expensive as one would think given its level of amazingness. The first time we ate there, we did the three course prix fixe -- and I was a bit hesitant about the lobster I had -- when I ordered it -- because I am not a lobster hound but wanted the corn that came with it. I was converted. We returned another night to the bar and were not disappointed. And this despite the fact that one reason we did so was we wanted the potato chips that we got with the prior meal and I am not at all sure we got them again. Hmmm. Drinks are good, with a wealth of smarts associated with them. And, they carried a finger lakes gin (Seneca Drum) until their distributor stopped carrying it. Hmmm. 

 Check it out here at urbanspoon: 

All in all, it is amazing to be regularly in a city where there are so many options. I know there are likely cheaper eats than at least two of the above, but once in a while, just once in a while -- really, really worth it. 

Toddling Regulars: Chicago South Loop

Chicago is filled with wonderful restaurants, as you all know. Below I offer a few comments on places near where I hang out these days, each of which satisfies a certain edge of loneliness when I visit. And, to be truthful, when I eat. . . 

First: Zapatista is on Wabash Avenue, and is a mexican place. (Yes, there are multiples, but I only care about the South Loop location.) I tend to head there on Saturday late afternoons for "lunch." I always have -- well, almost always -- the same thing -- a few different kinds of enchiladas. I have been known to have a margarita when with someone else -- or a mojito -- but usually have the high end drink -- an Arnold Palmer (aka half and half iced tea and lemonade). I have also had their guacamole (made to order, and available with jicama sticks or corn chips) which is almost as good as my own, and a few other specials now and then. All in all, this is a likable, fun spot and I recommend it. It can be crowded when you are not going at my "off times" -- and the outside can be a tad sunny -- which is great some days and a bit much others. I prefer the high tables in the bar. Here's the urbanspoon view:

 

Second: the Eleven City Diner. Yes, this is about at 11th street and is on, I think State Street. It aims to be a contemporary (kind of ) version of a New York City neighborhood spot. The ambience is a mix of hip and . . . deli, with various pictures of rabbis and Israel flags about. An acquaintance of mine says they yell all the time in there. I have never experienced this. I usually sit at bar or counter, and eat either breakfast (latkes with a side of crispy bacon) or dinner (mac and cheese). At dinner I almost always (ok, when I am by myself) have a chocolate phosphate. I have also been known to dine on the red velvet cake. I have to stop. Meanwhile, I did once purchase a whole one to take to a campus event. It was a tad price-y but worth it. And, be forewarned: it weighs a LOT. Carrying it even a few blocks was a challenge. But worth it. Why? The icing.  Here's the urbanspoon view:

Third: Yolk is a brunchish place and I have been there twice. The real reason I return is the fresh strawberry banana juice. The frittatas are pretty good, though I usually like everything with blue cheese in it and I might not recommend their frittata of that ilk. Service is wonderful and the serving size means I can have whatever I order for dinner as well. Here, too, we have a group of restaurants across Chicago, vut I only care about the one at 1120 South Michigan. I have only been there on Sunday in the morning(ish when it can be crowded and have always been at the counter. The coffee is pretty darn good. Here 's the urbanspoon view: 

 

None of these is truly cheap, but they are not high end spots either. In some ways, pretty routine places to eat -- and that is why I find them comforting.

There are of course many more places to eat in Chicago -- even in the South Loop --  and I will write about some in future months, but this gets me back starting to blog about. . . eating! 

Talking Turkey Times Two

So, I was recently in Cambridge, MA and had a turkey sandwich twice -- once at two different places. The first was at Au Bon Pain and the second at a more local deli also in Harvard Square. Which do you think was better?

Custom Brewcrafters

Custom Brewcrafters is a micro-brewery in upstate NY. You may know some of their beer, especially if you are a wegmans shopper, but probably not all of them unless you have been to their huge barn-like structure in Honeyoe Falls. (NOT Honeyoe.) We were out on a wander -- the same one that took us to Roots Cafe -- and this is one place we stopped. We had a beer tasting and then purchased a growler of porter for as friend.

What did we taste? We tasted 6 beers -- including the porter, a black lager, a german bock beer, an ESB and a very hoppy (and apparently very popular) beer called Caged Alpha. The tasting costs $4 (which comes back to you if you make a purchase as a discount) and they actually give you pretty much for each taste (so much that we did not consume all of the beer, in part because it was an incredibly hot day, and. . . . ). The beers were varied, and each tasty in their own way. Trying 6 did not get us to all the beers even! I can say that the ESB was delightful, that the porter is pretty light for a porter, and that I would return and try others. (THey are the makers of Canadaigua Lake beer which appears on the grocery store shelf.)

A growler? My wandering partner had never heard this term, and I admit I first heard it in Harrisburg. What is it? A bottle that holds a substantial amount of beer (though a lot less than a keg) that you can bring back and get refilled. How environmental. Here's the wikpipedia article on the notion, which tells you more specifically what a growler is. And here is a dandy little piece from the beer advocate on growlers. Learn something new every day.

Microbreweries are a growing phenomenon in upstate NY and this is one with lots of options. And yes, it is in Honeoye Falls, NY