Category Archives: Dinewise Chicago

Rockwell’s Neighborhood Grill Epitomizes the Neighborly Concept

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Rockwell’s Neighborhood Grill
4632 N. Rockwell St.
Chicago, IL 60625
(773) 509-1871
www.rockwellsgrill.com

Prices: moderate; large portions and good values
Hours:
4 p.m. – 10 p.m., Mon.-Thurs.
4 p.m. – 11 p.m., Fri.
10 a.m. – 11 p.m., Sat.
10 a.m. – 10 p.m., Sun.

By Lee Barrie and Cindy Kurman
Story originally appeared in StreetWise Magazine

When summer kicks in, there is no better place to relax and enjoy Chicago than a favorite neighborhood restaurant. What should a great neighborhood spot be like? It should be comfortable, homey, and friendly and serve some darn good food with a unique twist. It should also have some comfortable outdoor seating and—if you’re a dog lover—a place for your beloved pooch to enjoy your company (or vice versa).

Fortunately for North Siders, Rockwell’s Neighborhood Grill—on Rockwell Avenue, one block north of Wilson and just west of Lincoln Square—is just such a place. We go there often, for all the reasons we mentioned. Indoors, the restaurant is woodsy and comfortable: very Chicago. The bar area is great for single diners and beer lovers can enjoy a changing selection of artisan bottled beers.

The restaurant serves up a good variety of casual fare, some with a Southwestern or Cajun flare. Our standbys are the Blackened Fish Tacos and the Carne Asada (skirt steak). We haven’t had better fish tacos anywhere in Chicago—these are not breaded and fried and they’re served with really good taco chips (or you can substitute the hand-cut fries) and a tasty aioli. The very tender, char-broiled Carne Asada is served with Mexican vegetables and guacamole salad. It’s reminiscent of the wonderful creation that was served at the old Hubbard Street Grill—if you ate at HSG, you’ll know what a compliment this is.

Perusing the menu, you’ll see starters such as Nachos served with homemade salsa, a delicious Artichoke and Parmesan Hummus served with homemade pita chips, and Southwestern inspired starters such as homemade Chicken Flautas and Texas Toothpicks—strips of lightly battered jalapenos and onions fried and served with homemade ranch dressing. If you’re in a comfort food mood, try the hand-cut Cheddar Fries with Wisconsin cheddar, bacon, chives and jalapenos.

There is a wide salad selection that includes a delightful Chopped Chicken Salad, Romaine lettuce topped with grilled chicken breast, avocado, bacon, tomato and cheese, and the Southwest Veggie Salad featuring black beans, corn and guacamole.

Sandwiches are standouts. Red meat lovers will enjoy the big and juicy half-pound Angus beef burgers and the French Dip sandwich. On the lighter side, the Hot Smoked Turkey Hoagie, Grilled or Blackened Chicken Sandwich, BBQ Chicken Sandwich and a nicely prepared Veggie Burger will definitely hit the spot.

Entrées include the fish tacos and Carne Asada mentioned above, plus a Sage-rubbed Grilled or Blackened Pork Chop, Chicken Monterrey (chicken breast topped with grilled green peppers, onions and melted jack cheese, Fajitas (beef, chicken or veggie) and a nice lemon-peppered, Teriyaki Glazed or Blackened Salmon Filet.

Lest we forget: there’s a terrific Kid’s Menu: cheeseburgers, corn dogs, chicken strips, grilled cheese sandwiches, PB&Js. If your kids are budding foodies, they’ll like the Grilled or Blackened Tilapia Fish Sandwich and the Beef, Chicken or Veggie Burritos.

Rockwell’s Neighborhood Grill is also open for breakfast on Saturday and Sunday. Traditionalists will love the French Toast and the Big Breakfast Platter (3-egg omelet with lots of stuff). Specialties include the Cajun Bourbon Street Tacos with scrambled eggs, Andouille sausage, jack cheese, green peppers and onions, the Breakfast Burritos and the Tejas Tacos (scrambled eggs with jalapenos, jack cheese and tomatoes).

Note: DineWise is a weekly column appearing in StreetWise magazine. Lee Barrie is on the StreetWise board of directors and he and his wife Cindy own Kurman Communications, a Chicago-based public relations agency specializing in lifestyle, restaurant and hospitality strategic branding, marketing promotions, media relations and social networking. If you’d like your restaurant to be featured on the DineWise blog and in StreetWise magazine, please contact DineWise@kurman.com.
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Cheap eats: Hiro’s Cafe in Lakeview-all you can eat sushi worth visiting

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Hiro’s Cafe

2936 N. Broadway

Chicago, IL 60603

(773) 477-8517


Hours: 5 p.m.-11 p.m., Monday, Tuesday and Thursday;

11:30 a.m. – midnight,

Friday and Saturday; noon-11 p.m. on Sunday.

Closed on Wednesday.

Prices: Buffet: $17.95

By Lee Barrie and Cindy Kurman

Story originally appeared in StreetWise

Here’s a twist on your typical Sushi experience: A sushi all you can eat buffet feast for $17.95—a price that can’t be beat. Many of us sushi lovers find that, while the food is wonderful, the price tag—if we order the quantity we really want—can be considerable. The folks at Hiro’s Café have found a way to offer very good sushi, plus traditional Japanese entrées and some Korean offerings, at a price we can more than live with.

This storefront eatery is casual and pleasant, not overly chic but not drab, either. It has a lounge-like atmosphere and is conversation friendly. The service is friendly and the vibe is upbeat.

The center of attraction is the large buffet menu, which was just added about two months ago. It’s not the kind of buffet where you go to the line and take what you want from a large display. In fact, the buffet is a virtual one—it’s a special menu with an ample choice (more than 50 selections) of standard maki rolls, nagiri and sashimi, plus some specialties, like fried albacore, “samurai sexy”, “smokey bear” and “sangria”. The specialties are particularly delicious. Appetizer selections are also included on the menu.

Here’s how it works: You can order two maki at a time, and you can keep on ordering as much as you want. It’s a great way to enjoy new things and come with a group so you can share. The buffet menu changes frequently so there is always something new to try. As an added plus, it’s BYOB and there is a nearby liquor store if you need a quick bottle of sake or wine.

Beyond the buffet menu, on the regular menu you’ll find a wide range of Japanese and Korean classics and some more complex maki choices. Your meal will end with a complimentary fresh orange, which is a nice refreshment after such a fulfilling food journey.

Note: DineWise is a weekly column appearing in StreetWise magazine. Lee Barrie is on the StreetWise board of directors and he and his wife Cindy own Kurman Communications, a Chicago-based public relations agency specializing in lifestyle, restaurant and hospitality strategic branding, marketing promotions, media relations and social networking. If you’d like your restaurant to be featured on the DineWise blog and in StreetWise magazine, please contact DineWise@kurman.com.

Photo courtesy of Laura Hansen
Examiner.com
BestoftheBestDiningChicago.com

Fat Willy’s Knows How to Satisfy a BBQ and Burger Crave Better Than Most

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Fat Willy’s Rib Shack
2416 W. Schubert Ave.
Chicago, IL 60647
(773) 782-1800
www.fatwillys.com

Hours :(open for lunch and dinner):
11:30 a.m. – 10 p.m., Sun. – Thurs
11:30 a.m. – 11 p.m., Fri. and Sat.

Prices: entrées: $12.95 – $24.95


By Lee Barrie and Cindy Kurman
Story originally appeared in StreetWise

Ah, barbecue! There are days when nothing else will hit the spot. Fun, comfort and good eatin’ all wrapped up in one meal. We happen to enjoy a good dry-rubbed slab of Chicago baby backs and Fat Willy’s, right across the street from the Kerasotes City North 14 movie multiplex, is one of our favorites. The popular restaurant has been around for a few years and is as busy as ever.

What we like about Fat Willy’s is the combination of good service, hearty portions and the quality of the barbecue. They pay attention to details and the preparation is superb.
We dined here recently with some good friends and their food lovin’ teenage sons. We had a great time and the teens were more than delighted with their feast. But keep in mind that this is no dieter’s paradise. The food is rich and you can quickly accumulate mucho calories, so moderation—in other words, sharing—is a good idea at Fat Willy’s (be prepared for a $3 sharing charge, however). A roll of napkins is on the table and you’ll use plenty, but that’s part of the fun.

The dinner menu begins with a variety of rich but tasty appetizers. We loved the baked artichoke dip, smothered in garlic cheese and served with bite size rounds of garlic toast. The BBQ chicken wings are meaty, not too hot and served with three types of BBQ sauce. The chili cheese fries are what you would hope for—indulgently gooey and delicious. If you want to cross over into fried food, the Jalapeno Corn Fritters are truly decadent, with a touch of bite but not overly hot. Other decadences include a hand dipped corn dog (kids will love ‘em) and amazingly plump doughnut-inspired onion rings.

Although we didn’t order soup in the hot weather, Fat Willy’s does offer a robust Andouille sausage gumbo, with nice chunks of okra. Again, it’s got bite but is not too spicy. Fat Willy’s signature chili is what you would expect—a nice smoky flavor paired with rich cheddar; jalapeno salsa served on the side.

On to the barbecue! Fat Willy’s serves several cuts. They are dry rubbed, marinated, smoked and finished on the grill. The full rack of baby backs is generous, and served with fresh cole slaw, soup or salad and choice of side dish. The ribs have a modest amount of sauce, which is how we like them, but there are three BBQ sauces on the table to enhance your food, if you desire. The Kansas City style ribs are larger, with the same preparation. If you’re a rib tips fan, you can get these as well.

Additional entrées include a very moist and tender sliced barbecue beef brisket, which our friend loves, and a clean but smoky flavored barbecue chicken which is smoked over Applewood and hickory. If you’re a mac and cheese fan, Fat Willy’s is the place for a hearty, baked-to-order dish. This is a great dish to share; no one will be disappointed unless you didn’t order enough. If jumbo shrimp are a favorite, you can order them either breaded and fried or marinated and grilled.

The meals come with a choice of side dish and there are several good choices. The baked beans were excellent and, as corn bread fans, we enjoyed Fat Willy’s rich take, with some jalapeno and cheddar thrown in for good measure.

If you’re in the mood for a sandwich, Fat Willy’s offers rich, hefty choices. Our teenage dining companions went simply wild about the BBQ Burgers. These ¾ pound monsters were thick, juicy and when ordered medium rare, they came out tender and pink on the inside, the way they’re supposed to be. Other sandwich choices include a hearty BBQ beef brisket sandwich, a non-greasy smoked chicken sandwich and a satisfying pulled pork sandwich.

Fat Willy’s doesn’t skimp on dessert, but you should plan ahead if you’re going for it. There is a very good New Orleans chocolate pecan pie, a rich and moist chocolate brownie served with ice cream and a creamy peanut butter chocolate pie made with an Oreo cookie crust.

There is a nice kids’ menu, and other extra touches include homemade lemonade and yes, some nice salads, including a cobb salad and a roasted veggie salad.

You can park in the movie theater ramp for $2 or there is some limited street parking.

Note: DineWise is a weekly column appearing in StreetWise magazine. Lee Barrie is on the StreetWise board of directors and he and his wife Cindy own Kurman Communications, a Chicago-based public relations agency specializing in lifestyle, restaurant and hospitality strategic branding, marketing promotions, media relations and social networking. If you’d like your restaurant to be featured on the DineWise blog and in StreetWise magazine, please contact DineWise@kurman.com.

Bittersweet Pastry Shop brings charm, pastry of France to Chicago

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Bittersweet Pastry Shop
1114 W. Belmont
Chicago, IL (773) 929-1100
http://www.bittersweetpastry.com/

Hours:
7 a.m. – 7 p.m., Tuesday through Friday
8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday and Sunday
Closed Monday

Prices:
Tarts: $20-30Cakes: $24-$100 (for custom cakes) Cookies: $15/lb Scones, croissants, muffins: $2.50-$3 Ice cream, $3 Bittersweet brings the joy of the French Patisserie to Lakeview

By Lee Barrie and Cindy Kurman
Story originally appeared in StreetWise

When we travel to France or the French Caribbean, each morning we head to the local patisserie to enjoy some fabulous croissants or brioche and café au lait. What makes patisseries so noteworthy is that they are everywhere. Even the small towns have their local, colorful patisserie—it’s “everyman’s” way of having breakfast, as well as the place to go for wonderful baked goods that are perfect any time of the day. The patisserie is a celebration of baking talent, ingenuity and aesthetics, making it the perfect place to go for a tasty and stimulating start to the day.

Luckily, Chicagoans don’t have to travel further than the Lakeview neighborhood to enjoy an authentic French patisserie experience. Acclaimed pastry chef Judy Contino opened Bittersweet over a decade ago and has built a fiercely loyal following—for good reason. The glass display cases are filled with delicate and delicious goodies, made with skill and tender loving care, just as in France.

We stopped in for breakfast recently (Bittersweet also serves lunch) and took stock of all the wondrous things that make Bittersweet so special. Our journey started by comfortably sitting down at a handsome marble top table and peering about the room. The ceiling fans and the clean, white walls make for a comfortable, unpretentious décor. Classical music permeates the room—it’s serene and welcoming.

On the wall is a handwritten breakfast menu board. Signature breakfast items include the quiche du jour and homemade granola, both served with fruit. Other choices include apple French toast and a vegetable frittata panini.

The breakfast goodies are amazing. We shared two homemade scones, one apricot and one ginger-peach—as good as scones get. The breakfast pastry display is a sight for tired eyes. Gorgeous croissants, scones, brioche, pecan rolls, tea bread and muffins. It’s almost impossible to decide what to choose. On weekends, when traffic is heavier, there are even more croissant varieties to choose from.

To accompany the scones, we enjoyed cappuccino made with the excellent Italian Illy coffee. The friendly staff is more than happy to make your espresso beverage the way you like it. Try a mocha or a café au lait. Other beverages include hot chocolate and fresh orange juice. A variety of unique carbonated beverages are also available.

The display cases feature beautifully executed baked goods; there is a steady stream of customers buying these items to go. You’ll find cookies, biscotti, cupcakes, coffee cake, tarts, bars, macaroons, cakes, custards, mousses, tartlets, truffles, and breads. Bittersweet’s cakes are legendary; call a day or two in advance and you can order a personalized birthday cake, made to order.

Walking around Bittersweet, we smiled at the special attractions making this patisserie more than a simple bake shop. There is a gelato display case with several flavors of ice cream and sorbets. Add hot fudge or caramel sauce for decadent joy.

Along the walls are shelves and tables displaying packaged foods and children’s gifts. There are Bittersweet-branded nuts and snacks, perfect accompaniments to the pastries.
You’ll find packages of the spectacular Terry’s Toffee, made in Chicago. There is an assortment of bottled French fruit syrups which, when combined with club soda or seltzer, make for a wonderful homemade soda pop, or use them as an ice cream topping.

What a pleasant morning adventure! Try making Bittersweet a regular part of your morning breakfast or weekly pastry-shopping routine. You’ll know the meaning of joie de vivre (in Chicago). Bonjour, nous amis.

Berry Chill’s Yogurt Couture Puts Frozen Yogurt Back on the Hot List

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Berry Chill
http://www.berrychill.com/
625 N. State St., Chicago, IL
(312) 266-2445

132 N. LaSalle St., Chicago, IL
(312) 553-2445

500 W. Madison (Ogilvie Station), Chicago, IL
(312) 993-9644

Hours:
State: 8 a.m. to midnight, Sun.-Thurs.; 8 a.m.- 4 a.m., Fri. and Sat.
LaSalle: 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Mon.-Fri.
Madison (Ogilvie): 7 a.m.-7 p.m., Mon.-Fri.; 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Sat. and Sun.

Pricing (with three toppings):
Cup: small $3.99-$4.99; medium $5.49-$6.49; large $7.49-$8.49
Blast or Blender: small $5.49-$6.49; large $7.49-$8.49

By Lee Barrie and Cindy Kurman
Story originally appeared in StreetWise

Okay, we know that frozen yogurt had its heyday back in the 80’s with TCBY and other such shops. So why all the fuss now? The answer is simple – today’s frozen yogurt, is wonderfully represented by Berry Chill, a growing collection of whimsical contemporary stores in Chicago. Berry Chill’s frozen yogurt is deliciously and healthfully made – and filling – to the point where it could substitute for a light meal when you’re on the run. And please let healthfulness be a deciding factor: Berry Chill is filled with active cultures and is lactose and gluten-free.

The joys of Berry Chill derive from both the yogurt and the many toppings you can add to personalize your treat. Start out your adventure by choosing your choice of yogurt flavor. Usually there are four flavors to choose from and all have the texture of soft serve and a delightful tanginess that reminds you this is really yogurt, not ice cream or some other concoction. The standard flavor is a refreshing vanilla that goes nicely with all of the toppings. The other flavors vary from month to month. Usually they are a fruit flavor, such as mango, strawberry or peach. For July, the special flavors are Peach Mango, Pina Colada and Strawberry Banana.

Then choose your toppings. They fall into four categories: 1) fresh fruit, 2) candies, cookies and nuts 3) popular cereals, and 4) treats from local bakeries. Depending on your mood and what time of day it is, you may go in any one direction or choose toppings from all four categories.

The fresh fruit selections, combined with some granola or trail mix topping and sliced almonds, can turn your treat into a healthy light meal, with whole grains and anti-oxidants. Fruit choices include fresh blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, kiwi fruit, strawberries, mango, or watermelon.

The popular cereal toppings include the adult favorite, Kashi Go Lean! Crunch, and kids’ favorites such as Lucky Charms, Fruity Pebbles, Cap’n Crunch and Golden Grahams.

The candy, cookies and nuts toppings place your Berry Chill treat squarely in the dessert category. If you crave Girl Scout cookies all year, you’re in luck. Berry Chill offers bits of Thin Mints, Tag-a-Longs and Samoas. Other sweet-tooth choices include mini-chocolate chips, M&Ms, mini Oreos, shredded coconut, peanut butter covered pretzels, and sprinkles.

Finally, Berry Chill showcases toppings from local bakeries and food makers. Currently you can find toppings from Sarah’s Pastries and Candies, Milk & Honey Granola, and Leonard’s Bakery.

If you’re in the mood for something other than a dish of yogurt, try a BC Blast or BC Blender. Both are made from a flavor of yogurt and three toppings, but the Blast is served chunky style and the Blender is served like a smoothie. The Fro-J is another refresher, made from a choice of yogurt and fresh squeezed orange juice.

We couldn’t help but notice that the State Street location is open until 4 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights. If you’ve been out clubbing till the wee hours, Berry Chill is a great way to wind down your evening. Chill.

The Berghoff and Berghoff Café continue one of Chicago’s longest restaurant legacies

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Berghoff Café Chicago
17 W. Adams
Chicago, IL 60603
(312) 427-7399

Hours: 11 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Monday – Friday
Prices: $4.25 – $13.05

By Lee Barrie and Cindy Kurman
Story originally appeared in StreetWise

Unquestionably, the Berghoff is one of Chicago’s most illustrious restaurants, with a history going back to 1882. The restaurant actually started as a brewery and the namesake beer continues to be its signature offering. This large, multi-room German American restaurant got major publicity two years ago when word got out that it was closing. Actually, this wasn’t quite accurate.

Fourth-generation owner, Carlyn Berghoff, opened the Berghoff Café Chicago, a casual cafeteria-style cafe downstairs and opened 17/West in the original space. But soon after, she realized how important the Berghoff legacy is and so 17/West is now known simply as the Berghoff and the Café operates downstairs as planned. Both the Café and the Berghoff offer many family favorites plus more contemporary comfort fare.

The Berghoff Café is open Monday through Friday during the lunch period and is an excellent place to enjoy a wide range of German specialties, signature sandwiches, Panini, salads and pizza. Guests can order at the counter and seat themselves in the spacious dining rooms or simply stop by for carry out.

The Café’s specialties include the traditional Weiner Schnitzel and Sauerbraten. They are hearty and perfected over the year. For a taste of Chicago history, you must give them a try; you won’t be disappointed.

Italian dishes include the Chicken Parmesan sandwich with homemade potato chips, the Italian Combo sandwich with Genoa salami, provolone cheese, pepperoncini, capicola and Italian dressing, Cheese-filled Tortellini with pesto, a pasta of the day, an Italian Salad with Genoa salami, provolone cheese, capicola, and Italian vinaigrette, and either Pepperoni or 4-cheese Pizza.
At the carving station, you’ll find hearty, tasty sandwiches, including Corned Beef, Roast Beef, Roast Turkey, Turkey Meatloaf, and their traditional Bratwurst, all served with a Berghoff pickle; sauerkraut is optional.

The Café has not left out Chicago’s latest sandwich preference, the Panini. Choices include Black Forest Ham with brie and apricot wasabi, Corned Beef or Turkey Reuben, with Swiss cheese and sauerkraut on rye with Thousand Island dressing, and the Grilled Portobello & Asparagus on olive bread with goat cheese and roasted peppers.

Additional salad selections are spot on with today’s tastes: the Berghoff Café Cobb Salad, with turkey and choice of dressing; the Pear Salad with Mixed greens, pear slices, candied walnuts, sun-dried cherries tossed in a Champagne vinaigrette. Grilled chicken is optional; The Asian Salad with chicken breast, tossed with Napa cabbage, radicchio and wonton ribbons in a sweet peanut vinaigrette; Caesar Salad, with fresh Romaine lettuce, croutons and parmesan cheese. Grilled chicken is optional.

While you’re in the Café, don’t forget to stop upstairs to take a look around the Berghoff. Its historic ambiance is still a wonder to behold. We’ll talk about the main restaurant at a later date. In the meantime, grab a delicious casual lunch at the Café. Better yet, grab a colleague or shopping mate and enjoy it together.