Category Archives: Streetwise

Athenian Room is a Greek DePaul / Lincoln Park Neighborhood Standout

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Athenian Room

807 W. Webster Ave.
Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 348-5155
Hours: 11 a.m. – 10 p.m., Monday-Sunday
Pricing: sandwiches & salads: $4.75-$8.50; dinners, $8.50-$14.75
By Lee Barrie and Cindy Kurman
Story originally appeared in StreetWise

All you have to say is “Greek Chicken” and visions of Athenian Room dance in our heads. We’ve never met a harder working team than the folks at Athenian Room, who serve up fresh and tasty Greek cuisine to a steady stream of loyal customers. This venerable Greek restaurant at the corner of N. Halsted and W. Webster caters to a wide demographic—from its affluent neighbors nearby to budget-conscious DePaul students—simply because it does what a great neighborhood eatery should do—serve memorably delicious food at a very reasonable price so that patrons will come back frequently. The décor, with tiled floors and Greek-styled brick and stucco walls, is comfortable and unpretentious.

A neighborhood spot should also offer great take-out service and Athenian Room is as busy with take-out as it is with dine-in customers. They know their customers and treat them as part of the family.
Athenian Room’s signature dish is the Chicken Kalamata Style, served with a Greek Salad and to-die-for Greek fries (steak fries soaked in a special herbed vinegar sauce). A half chicken is seasoned and broiled and served piping hot. We’ve eaten this dish dozens of times and we’ll never get tired of it. Never. When we get it to go, the aroma from the bag practically begs us to dig in before we arrive home. You’d be surprised how many times we’ve savored our chicken at home while indulging in a great episode of Law and Order or CSI, with our dog begging for a chicken morsel or two.
It would be unfair to talk only about the chicken. The menu offers a nice selection of Greek specialties with great burgers thrown in for good measure. For starters, you can choose from such delights as the Taramosalta (Greek caviar) or the Spanakopita (spinach pie in phyllo dough, and the traditional chicken lemon-rice soup.
The salad selections are fresh and delectable. The specialty is the Greek Salad (large or small) with a wonderfully herbed oil and vinegar dressing. You can also order a large salad with tuna, with chicken breast shish kabob or gyros.
If you’re in a sandwich mood, the Athenian Room offers juicy Gyros (pronounced yeer-ose) with or without cheese, served in pita bread, or several versions of a Shish Kabob sandwich such as chicken breast, cheese chicken breast, pork tenderloin and cheese pork tenderloin. Don’t forget to order the Greek fries on the side. The Charburgers can be ordered with American or Feta cheese. They are served with the Greek fries, lettuce, onion, tomato and pickle.
Main courses are grouped into Kalamata style and Athenian style. The Kalamata dinners are similar to the sandwiches, but the portions are larger. All of the dinners are served with Greek fries, pita, tomatoes, onions and Greek Tzatziki sauce (yogurt, cucumbers, garlic, olive oil and herbs). The Athenian dinners include the Greek Chicken, a tender Skirt Steak Alexander Style and Chicken with Bar-B-Que Sauce.
If you have room for dessert the Baklava is a freshly made treat.
The Athenian Room features a spacious, dog-friendly outdoor seating area in the warm weather. Parking can be a challenge but valet parking is available.
Don’t wait too long to join the throng of Athenian Room regulars. Ah, the aroma!

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.

Best Business Lunch in Chicago at Gene & Georgetti

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Gene and Georgetti
500 N. Franklin St.

Chicago, IL 60610
(312) 527-3718
http://www.geneandgeorgetti.com/

Hours:
11 a.m.–midnight, Monday through Saturday.

Lunch Pricing:
Salads, $4.75-$14.50;
Entrées, $13.50-$25.75

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

Nowhere in Chicago is a restaurant’s history more laid out for you than at Gene & Georgetti. This venerable Italian steakhouse, at the same location since its founding in 1941, lives in the heart of Chicago’s old Italian neighborhood and its legacy shines in the smiles and laughter of its many regular customers.

Owner Tony Durpetti proudly displays a magnificent two-wall mural of his old neighborhood at Franklin and Grand—complete with Gene & Georgetti in its original form. In the mural you’ll see a small, seven year old boy standing in front of the restaurant’s door. The little boy is none other than Durpetti. Little did he know at the time that, years later as a returning soldier, he would meet Marion, his wife to be, who just happens to be the daughter of restaurateur Gene Michelotti. He also couldn’t have foreseen that many years after that, in 1989, he would take over the restaurant around the time his father-in-law passed away. He hasn’t changed a thing that’s important. Many of the employees have been there for decades. He takes good care of his staff and his customers.

A visit to Gene & Georgetti is also a tour of celebrity history. The walls on the first level (there are three levels) are covered with memorabilia of the many stars and political leaders who have visited this proud establishment: Frank Sinatra, Bob Hope, Lucille Ball, Barack Obama, Russell Crowe, Dennis Farina, Andy Garcia, Keanu Reeves, Daley One, Daley Two, Vince Vaughn, Will Ferrell, Tom Selleck. The list goes on and on.

Although you might think that Gene & Georgetti is simply a nostalgia trip, you’d be dead wrong. The restaurant remains as crowded as ever. It’s informal, boisterous and homespun with just enough formality to remind you that they are serious about what they’re doing. The wait staff is highly professional and efficient.

We visited for lunch recently—it’s a special place, indeed. There is a familiarity and friendliness that permeates the dining room. The staff is busy and in motion, but not harried. They know how to run this place and everyone does their job well. The décor is mahogany and white tablecloths. This is a come as you are restaurant. It’s one of Chicago’s great places for a business lunch or a place to take time out from a busy day to shoot the breeze over great food.

The menu is much more eclectic than you might think. Yes, Gene & Georgetti is known for its exceptional steaks, but you can have something completely different every day, if you choose. The menu is rich with time-tested dishes. The quality of the steaks is first rate: the meat (all Prime) is wet-aged in-house under very controlled conditions. It’s buttery tender and the flavor is rich and juicy. The Prime Rib portion is large and luscious.

But Gene & Georgetti has so much more going for it. Take the salads. They are perfected. The dressing is delicious but not overwrought, and the ingredients are as fresh as can be. Choose between the signature Garbage Salad, Julienne Salad, Caprese Salad, Chicken Caesar or Romaine Walnut Salad. Add some dry bleu cheese to any salad, if you wish.

The entrees are traditional Italian American. Classic. Flavorful. Choose from Chicken Vesuvio, Boneless Chicken Limone, Chicken or Veal Parmigiana, Filet Florentine, Veal Scallopine, Veal Marsala. If you’re in a seafood mood, choose broiled whitefish or salmon, Shrimp De Jonghe, Mussels Marinara or Breaded Shrimp. They are all excellent.

Pasta dishes are classic but not boring. Spaghetti and meatballs, Ravioli with Meat Sauce, Mostaccioli with Meat Sauce or Marinara Sauce; Linguini alla Marinara or Linguini with Clam Sauce (the best we’ve ever tasted), Angel Hair with Tomato Sauce and Basil.

Choose a side dish, big enough to share. There is fresh asparagus, sautéed spinach or broccoli, fresh broiled mushrooms, sautéed mushrooms and sweet peppers and more.

You’ll also want to check the menu for the daily specials. They include appetizers, sandwiches (amazing corned beef) and other varied items which offer regular customers some special treats. The desserts are rich, classic Chicago: Carrot Cake, Flourless Chocolate Cake, Cheesecake and Spumoni.

At dinnertime, you’ll find an even wider selection in every category. Along with the steaks, the broiled lamb chops are to die for.

Don’t forget to say hi to Tony for us. If he’s not too busy, perhaps he’ll give you a personal tour of his beloved mural. This place has aged as well as the steaks. Enjoy.

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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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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Kan Zaman’s Lebanese Cuisine Stands Out from the Crowd

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Kan Zaman
617 N. Wells
Chicago, IL 60610
(312) 751-9600
www.kanzamanchicago.com

Hours:
11 a.m.-10 p.m., Monday-Thursday
11 a.m.-midnight, Friday
Noon-midnight Saturday
1-10 p.m. Sunday

Pricing:
Appetizers, $4.95-$10.95;
Lunch Entrées, $8.95-$10.95;
Dinner entrées, $10.95-$19.95

By Lee Barrie and Cindy Kurman
Original story appeared in StreetWise

Chicago’s neighborhoods are filled with restaurants that are—from the outside—innocuous enough to simply pass by without a second thought. They’re typically not using a publicist to spread the word and so you only notice them when a friend you trust gives you the heads up. This is especially true among Middle Eastern restaurants. There are many of them around the city but most stay under the radar.

We were pleasantly surprised when a high-powered husband and wife chef team suggested Kan Zaman, a Lebanese restaurant in River North, telling us it was one their favorites in Chicago. In a neighborhood filled with stylish, chic eateries, this place is less noticeable but worthy of the recommendation.

We should say at the outset that we like Middle Eastern food and we enjoy it on a fairly regular basis. It has a comforting warmth and enough interesting spiciness to tickle the palate without overdoing it. It’s also a healthy way to eat, in moderation of course. We’re not experts, but we’ve been in enough Middle Eastern restaurants to have a point of comparison. Kan Zaman stands up to the competition in a big way. The food is accessible but very good.

Entering on Wells Street, we liked the casual, comfortable seating and the warm room colors. The front windows open wide, bringing in the fresh air and sunshine. A nice display of Lebanese artifacts and artwork envelops the dining room. There are Western-style table and chairs on one side and cushion-laden Middle Eastern style seating on the other side. Take your pick.

We started our meal with the Vegetarian Combo, offering a taste of many appetizers, most of which we have tried at other places. We were pleasantly surprised at the quality and quantity of food. The Hummos had just the right amount of sesame tahini, the Baba Ghannouj was flavorful and smoothly textured; the Tabouleh was nicely herbed and chewy. The Falafel was crispy, tasty and not greasy. The Spinach and Cheese pie was subtle and flaky. For our main course, we chose to share a Shawarma dinner. As we ordered, we wondered if that would be enough food. No problem—the portion was very large and we noted how excellent the preparation was. The spiced lamb and beef was moist, tender and fresh.

The Kan Zaman menu offers a large selection of mainly well-known, popular dishes. There are nearly a dozen and a half choices for appetizers alone. In addition to the Vegetarian Combo, other interesting selections include Sautéed Mushrooms in a special marinara sauce; Lubia (sautéed fresh green beans in olive oil with tomatoes); Foul Modammas (fava been dip with garlic, hot peppers); Dolma (stuffed grape leaves), and Grilled Cheese (Lebanese cheese sautéed with olive oil topped with crushed pistachios, tomatoes and calamata olive). Hot appetizers include Kibbeh (deep fired bulgur spheres stuffed with ground beef and onions); Arayess (seasoned ground beef and lamb with garlic, onions and tomatoes); Makanek (spiced beef and lamb baby sausages sautéed in garlic and lemon-pomegranate sauce).

Salads are an important part of Middle Eastern cuisine and Kam Zaman doesn’t disappoint, with six familiar choices. Choose the simple Lebanese or Feta salads or go a step further with the Jerusalem Salad, Chicken Salad, Shawarma Salad and Fattoush.

Pita sandwiches are served with delicious Lebanese fries (seasoned with Lebanese thyme). Choices include Falafel, Shawarma (beef and lamb), Chicken Shawarma, Kafta Kabob (ground beef and lamb), Shish Tawook (marinated breast of chicken kabob), and Hummos.

Lunchgoers can enjoy very reasonably priced specials from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Excellent choices include a variety of kabobs: Beef, Lamb, Kafta or the Combo. The Mediterranean Sautée offers a choice of chicken, lamb or beef with sautéed vegetables, potatoes, onions, green peppers, tomatoes and mushrooms.

Dinnertime entrée specials that are worth a try include the Lamb Chops (baby lamb chops charbroiled and served with fresh tomatoes), Quail (juicy marinated charbroiled quails, served with tomatoes, onions and green peppers); Vegetarian Moussaa (sautéed eggplant, potatoes, green peppers, onions, mushrooms, fresh tomatoes). Seafood lovers will enjoy the Grilled Salmon, Shrimp Kabob and the Shrimp Sautée.

If you’re in River North and want to dine simply but well, we like this place. It’s been around for a long time and, now that we’ve been there, we’re not surprised. It’s also BYOB, so bring along a nice bottle of your favorite.

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.

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

Argyle worthwhile destination: Hai Yen, a great choice

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Hai Yen

1055 W. Argyle St.

Chicago, IL 60640

773-561-4077

http://www.haiyenrestaurant.com

Most dishes under $10


Hours:

Mon., Tues., Thurs.: 10:30 a.m. – 10 p.m.

Fri.: 10:30 a.m. – 10:30 p.m.

Sat.: 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 p.m.

Sun.: 9:30 a.m. – 10 p.m.


By Lee Barrie and Cindy Kurman

Story originally appeared in StreetWise


West Argyle Street is known as Chicago’s place for authentic Vietnamese cuisine. On a recent Friday night, two restaurants were busy. We chose one of them: Hai Yen, located at 1055 W. Argyle. Delicious and inexpensive, it was a great choice.


We were greeted by friendly staff helping guests navigate the robust menu of Vietnamese and Chinese delights. The menu is nicely divided into categories so it’s relatively easy to pick out an assortment of dishes, all of which are large enough to share: appetizers, salads, soups, noodle soups, rice dishes, fried noodle dishes, vermicelli rice noodle dishes, traditional favorites and an assortment of chicken, beef, pork, seafood and vegetarian entrées. There are so many choices that it would take several trips to fully explore the menu. For the uninitiated, the servers are happy to point out the most popular dishes, so it won’t be a total guessing game.


On this particular day, we enjoyed the Banh Xeo, a Saigon-style crepe made from rice flour and filled with shrimp and pork, accompanied by lettuce and fresh herbs—mint, basil and others. We piled the herbs on the crepe and made a wrap; very fresh and aromatic. We also enjoyed Goi Cuon, large spring rolls.

For a salad course we ordered the fresh and crunchy Goi Ngo Sen (Lotus Root Salad) featuring shredded lotus roots, chopped cucumber and onions in a light, tangy dressing. Our rice dish was the flavorful Chinese specialty, Com Tom Thit Ram Man, shrimp and pork braised in a traditional brown garlic and lime sauce.

With these four dishes we were quite satisfied, but we had to at least try one of the very popular frozen fruit drinks, basically a smoothie made with fresh fruit and tapioca. There were some exotic sounding flavors—Durian, Sapoche and Guanabana—but we were politely advised that these Southeast Asian fruits are an acquired taste so we chose the popular Banana/Strawberry. It was excellent; the large tapioca balls added a distinctive texture.


Food adventurers, start your engines and visit Hai Yen. You’ll thoroughly enjoy the quality and variety of this delicious, but not too spicy cuisine, amidst the friendly, fun-loving crowd.

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.

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.

Evergreen is a Chinatown spot that satisfies

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Evergreen
2411 S. Wentworth Avenue
Chicago, IL 60616
(312) 225-8898

Hours:
Open 7 days 11:30 a.m. to midnight, Sunday-Thursday
11:30 a.m. to 1 a.m., Friday and Saturday

Prices: $8-$14 for regular entrées; up to $30 for special fish or seafood dishes

By Lee Barrie and Cindy Kurman
Story originally appeared in StreetWise

Discussing what is the best Chinese restaurant in Chicago’s Chinatown is like debating which is better, Mac or PC. There will never be a clear winner because different folks like different experiences. Plus, there are just too many choices in Chinatown for any one restaurant to gain the majority vote. So, what one should hope for in a visit to Chinatown is high quality, but not necessarily superlative, food and an enjoyable time strolling through the neighborhood’s gift shops, bakeries and food markets. When we recently accompanied our friends to Evergreen restaurant, based on their recommendation, we had very good food and a quite pleasant experience.

Evergreen is handsomely, but not necessarily stylishly, appointed. The dining room is large and able to handle big groups. The menu is divided into numerous sections featuring fare most Americans would be familiar with plus some enhanced house specialties. An additional green-colored menu presents dishes that are a bit more authentically Chinese. All in all, there is a very large selection from which to choose.

We started with a variety of shared appetizers. The traditional egg rolls, hot and fresh, were delicious. We also ordered some tasty fried wontons which were of homemade quality and surprisingly non-greasy. Other good choices were the pot stickers and chicken lettuce wraps.

For main courses, we ordered three entrees and a side of Szechuan stir-fried green beans. Our server informed us they had no green beans and suggested pea pods instead, which turned out to be a fine substitute. When in a Chinese restaurant, we always hunt for the Crispy Shrimp and Walnuts, which is usually not on the menu. At Evergreen we were excited to find it. With its slightly sweet juxtaposition of chewy and crunchy, it’s a unique recipe. Evergreen’s rendition was as good as any we’ve had, which is quite a compliment.

We were surprised when our foodie friend ordered Cantonese-style Chicken Chow Mein, but once it was served we totally understood: It’s a beautifully presented dish that’s infinitely better than the chopped-up concoction you get at your typical Chinese take-out. Finally, we shared a Crispy Duck with Taro Root. This dish, from the green “authentic” menu, featured a nice breaded boneless duck breast and resembled a shepherd’s pie. Sandwiched in between two layers of duck meat was a layer of mashed taro root, which has the texture of mashed potatoes but a unique, pleasing flavor.

We had no room for dessert, but with several Chinese bakeries on the street, finding a delectable sweet while strolling nearby is easy. Enjoy the neighborhood.

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.

Essence of India offers refined, superbly interpreted South Asian cuisine

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Essence of India
4601 N. Lincoln Ave.
Chicago, IL 60625
(773) 506-0002
http://www.essenceofindiachicago.com/

Hours:
Lunch: noon-2:30 p.m., Friday-Sunday
Dinner: 5 p.m.-9:30 p.m., Mon., Wed., Thurs., Sun.; 5 p.m.-10:30 p.m., Fri., Sat.
Closed on Tuesday.
Entrée Prices: $8.95 – $15.95

By Lee Barrie and Cindy Kurman
Story originally appeared in StreetWise

Chicago’s storefront Indian restaurants are numerous. Although many are concentrated in the Rogers Park neighborhood, there are some gems to be found in other areas. One of our favorites is Essence of India, a three-year old neighborhood spot in Lincoln Square that has been consistently popular since it opened.

We consider Essence of India to be a particularly well thought-out and proud establishment. The décor is simple and warm, with silk tablecloths and interesting artifacts. The service is humble, gracious and attentive. The food is traditional but is prepared in a refined way that brings out the best in the dishes. The recipes may be familiar but the quality and tastiness of the final product is well above the norm. At Essence of India it is always a satisfying and fun dining experience.

First, a word about the Naan bread: it’s as good as you’ll find anywhere—tender and hot, fresh from the oven. So enjoy it plain or in such varieties as garlic, lamb or onion.

The appetizers are perfect for sharing and provide a great opening for the adventure to follow. Our favorite is the Vegetable Samosas, an appetizer consisting of two deep fried crispy stuffed pastries with potatoes and green peas, is delicious and creates a perfect opener. Another appetizer that we love is Jhinga Karahi, deep fried marinated shrimp.
If you would like to share more appetizers, order the Vegetarian or Non-Vegetarian Samplers, each with a variety from the appetizer menu.

The entrée choices showcase Essence of India’s exacting, balanced sauces in a variety of textures, flavors and levels of heat. Our entrée favorites include the Chicken Malai Kabob, the house specialty of boneless marinated chicken on a skewer and prepared in the tandoori clay oven. We also like the Lamb Palak, lamb and fresh spinach leaves cooked in a pungent spicy sauce of ginger, coriander, garlic and garam masala.

Vegetarians will delight in the menu; there are fourteen vegetarian entrées to choose from. Our favorite is the Mutter Paneer, a combination of cheese and peas cooked in a creamy sauce. Often, we’ll spoon this dish on top of some yummy basmati rice and enjoy the hearty combination.

If you’re a tandoori oven fan, you have seven items to choose from, including the Chicken Malai Kabob mentioned earlier, plus Tandoori Shrimp, Chicken Tandoori, Lamb Chops and Murg Tikka, a yogurt marinated boneless chicken barbecued in the tandoori oven.

Among the chicken dishes, the Butter Chicken (Chicken Makhani), tandoori chicken simmered in a tomato sauce with butter and spices, and The Murg Lajwab, a chicken curry, are excellent. We also enjoy the spicy Bhuna Chicken, simmered in a masala sauce with onions, garlic, tomato, ginger and green chilies. An interesting twist is found with the Achari Murgh, chicken cooked with ground spices such as cumin, rye, fennel and fenugreek.

If you’re a lamb aficionado, you will have six choices. Our favorite is the Gosht Korma, cubes of lamb cooked in a sweet saffron sauce with raisins and almonds.

In the fish section, we fancy the Goan Fish Curry, a spicy dish of catfish cooked in a coconut curry sauce and the Jhinga Masala, shrimp cooked with onions, ginger and spices.

Don’t underestimate the value of the rice dishes: the entrée sauces are so delicious you’ll find yourself spooning them onto a bed of rice so you can continue to delight in them even after the meat or vegetables are devoured. There are several rice choices, so you’ll have a great time, and you’ll be satiated, without a doubt.

We can’t even talk about dessert, because we’ve always been too full to try it. Our suggestion would be to go for something on the refreshing, palate cleansing side.

After a meal at Essence of India, you’ll understand why it has become a place we return to when we want a food experience that leaves us smiling and glad we came, each and every time. If you think you don’t like Indian food, I would reserve judgment until you’ve been here. You’ll likely be pleasantly surprised.

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.

Michael Lachowicz brings new meaning to sandwiches at Wally & Agador’s Gourmet Cafe

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Wally & Agador’s Gourmet Cafe

3310 N. Halsted St.
Chicago, IL (773) 325-9664

Hours: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday;
11 a.m. to midnight Thursday through Saturday.

By Stephanie DeMeester
Story originally appeared in StreetWise

Many people claim to offer gourmet sandwiches, which sometimes makes us question how they may define “gourmet.” Take high quality, artisan ingredients and the classic French technique of a solid three-star chef hailing from the likes of Le Francais, Les Deux Gros and Restaurant Michael, and ask the chef to make you a sandwich. The result? Wally & Agador’s Gourmet Café by acclaimed chef, Michael Lachowicz which celebrated its grand opening Friday, May 8.

Lachowicz, chef/owner of the acclaimed Restaurant Michael in Winnetka, Ill. has taken his best fine dining entrees, and created their gourmet sandwich counterparts at his new Boystown retail shop. The best part? The sandwiches range from $7-$12 each, and include a side salad or housemade chips.

Wally & Agador’s, named after his two “diva” dogs, is the ideal way to enjoy truly gourmet food at a budget friendly price. The menu includes a number of diva inspired sandwiches prepared with classic French technique, as well as a number of freshly made deli creations and rotating entrée selections from Restaurant Michael’s menu which vary each week.

Favorite sandwich selections include the Wham Sammich, slow-cooked “sous vide” leg of lamb, thyme, garlic and black pepper mayo served in a warm baguette with fresh Laura Chenel Goat’s cheese and eggplant “caviar” ($10); The Elton John, chicken sausage studded with dried huckleberries with truffle sauce, shallot jam and pommes frites ($11); and the Esther Williams, lobster and scallop sausage nestled in butter lettuce leaves with tarragon mayo in a soft potato roll dusted with Old Bay © seasoning ($12).

Save room for dessert because Wally & Agador’s has two sweet namesake sandwiches: The Wally, peanut butter, marshmallow fluff and sliced bananas on a batter-dipped croissant ($7); and The Agador which switches out the peanut butter for Nutella. Yum!

Wally & Agador’s only has four tables (seats for 16), so carry-out is a popular option. Wally & Agador’s would be ideal for your next office party and delivery is already in the works. With friendly customer service and outstanding, truly unique sandwiches, Wally & Agador’s is perfect for the diva in all of us.