Indie Café: Edgewater glows with the taste of impressive Thai and Sushi

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Indie Café
5951 N. Broadway, Chicago

(773) 561-5577
http://www.indiecafe.us/

Hours:
11:30 a.m.-10 pm., Mon.-Thurs.;
11:30 a.m.-10:30 p.m.,
Fri.-Sat.; noon-10 p.m., Sun.
Price ranges::

Thai noodle dishes, $7.75-$9.25;
Thai curries, $7.75-$15; Maki, $8-$19

By Lee Barrie and Cindy Kurman
We have a fabulous cousin, Harriet, who recently graduated from Carnegie Mellon’s prestigious theater administration program and now has embarked on a promising career at Chicago’s Lookingglass Theatre. To celebrate her jubilant entry into the real world, we decided to take her out for dinner. We picked her up in the car and, while we were going through the various options, she said, “I know a place, you’ll love it—the Indie Café.” Cindy and I looked at each other and smiled. A place we haven’t been to before. Perfect.

So off we drove to Edgewater, where we were thrilled to discover this upbeat and chic BYOB café that offers an excellent selection of both Thai and Japanese dishes. Cindy will always go for sushi, which she loves, but it was a cold day and so Harriet and I chose the Thai menu. We ended up sharing everything anyway, as you’d expect.
What sets the Indie Café menu apart from most menus is that it includes good descriptions of the dishes along with some photos. The Thai offering is wide ranging, with a nice selection of appetizers, soups, salads, noodle dishes, rice dishes, fried rice and curries and seafood. Dishes are labeled according to the level of spiciness and you can request more or less heat, depending on your liking. On the Japanese side, there are some creative maki, accompanied by a good choice of nigiri, appetizers, salads, soups and teriyakis. Portions are large, but not overly so. The dishes are consistently fresh tasting and attractively presented.

Among the Thai standouts was the Crab Rangoon, a Thai appetizer made with crab meat, cream cheese, water chestnut, carrot, and celery wontons. We also enjoyed the Andaman Salad, a multi-textured treat incorporating steamed shrimp, scallop, crab meat and calamari in lime juice, smoked chili paste, onion, carrot, lemon grass and mixed greens.

To try a noodle dish, we ordered Pad Thai, the ubiquitous dish that compared very well with other Thai restaurant versions. Other good noodle choices include Drunken Noodles, with fresh basil, hot chili, broccoli, peas, carrots and tomatoes, bamboo shoots, green beans and bean sprouts, and the Drunken Udon, which features wide wheat noodles stir fried with spiced seafood.

There are some creative Thai curries on the menu. We tried the Indie Signature curry which features classic Mussamun beef curry with cashews, potatoes, spices and herbs. There are several other curry selections that sound delicious.

For my entrée, I ordered the Ginger Fish (I chose tilapia, but you can also order salmon or snapper). This simple dish, steamed in soy with ginger and scallion, was perfectly balanced and even more delicious than I expected. There are numerous other fish and seafood choices, including Stir-Fried Paradise, which includes crispy fish fillet with ginger, red and green pepper, onion, scallion, cashews, and shitake mushrooms in a black bean herb sauce.

Moving to the Japanese menu, there are several tasty salad offerings, such as the signature Indie Salad, a seaweed salad with spicy mayo, crab stick and masago. Teriyakis can be made with beef, chicken, salmon, scallop or tofu. Maki choices are plentiful. Cindy ordered the very fresh tasting White Scorpion, featuring tempura crusted soft shell crab, cucumber, spicy mayo, masago (capelin roe), topped with super white tuna and avocado.

Other interesting maki include the Devil, with crispy salmon skin, cilantro, avocado, cucumber, habanero masago, chili paste, srirachi (spicy Thai sauce) and BBQ sauce; the Crocodile, with a whole piece of eel and stuffed with spicy tuna, cucumber, avocado, tempura crump, habanero masago and BBQ sauce, and the Butter Ocean, with asparagus tempura, cream cheese, smoked salmon and masago, wrapped with shrimp and avocado and topped with spicy butter. If you prefer a more traditional maki, you can order a Dragon or Rainbow, to mention a couple of options.

We were pleased with the service, the upbeat music and the colorful décor. Harriet was thrilled that she could actually take us to a place we hadn’t been to before and that it was such a winner. We’ll have to make dinner with Harriet a regular part of our routine.


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 mailto: dinewise@kurman.com.  If you enjoy reading DineWise, you may enjoy our other blog Got Buzz.  Please check it out.

Koepsels: Order online for memorable wintertime food gifts

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Koepsels Farm Market
Baileys Harbor, WI
(920) 854-2433

by Lee Barrie and Cindy Kurman
Original story appeared in StreetWise

Koepsels: Order online for memorable wintertime food gifts

Like many Chicagoans, we love to drive to Door County, Wisconsin for weekend getaways. Our favorite time of year is the autumn, when the fall colors are spectacular and the delicious foods made from local fruits and produce are ready to devour. We always stop at the renowned Koepsels Farm Market (open for 52 years) for foods to bring back to Chicago. Although wintertime in Door County is usually a place of quiet solitude, Koepsels’ owners Kevin and Karrie Oram and their children, Karina and Kami spend the indoor months busily producing their products and shipping them to online customers.
So, if you can’t visit in person, the next best thing is to go to their website (www.koepsels.com) and design your own food gift collection online. You’ll find a rich selection of jams and jellies, no sugar jams, butters, pie fillings, canned goods, pickled goods, dried goods, cheese and salad dressings, all nicely packaged. Let’s highlight the many choices.

If jams and jellies are your favorites, you can choose from a wide range of traditional and creative varieties: red chopped cherry, whole cherry, red cherry/red raspberry, cherry amaretto, red hot raspberry, blueberry/cherry, hot pepper jelly, strawberry, peach, rhubarb, red currant, boysenberry, apricot, blackberry, apple, apple cinnamon, cranberry. If you prefer a no-sugar added jam, try blackberry, strawberry, peach, red cherry, blueberry, strawberry rhubarb, just to name some.

Koepsels’ butters offer the delights of fruit and autumn veggies in a spreadable, less sugary form. Try cinnamon candy apple butter, sweet potato butter, pumpkin butter, apple butter, unsweetened apple butter, peach butter, prune/walnut butter, cherry butter.

Koepsels offer delectable fresh pies at the store, but you can make them at home using their freshly canned pie fillings, in regular and low sugar varieties: cherry, cherry amaretto, red cherry/red raspberry, raspberry rhubarb, peachberry.

There are plentiful choices of packaged and canned goods available online. Here are just a few to consider: milk or dark chocolate covered cherries, dried cherries with or without sugar, dessert cherries, applesauce with or without sugar, hot fudge, sauerkraut with or without caraway, corn relish, red pepper relish, Vidalia sweet onion relish, mild salsa, black bean and corn salsa, cherry salsa (amazing!), Vidalia onion peach salsa.

If you’re a salad lover, Koepsels’ dressings will add a festive, artisan touch, made with Vidalia onions: poppyseed, cucumber, peppercorn, ranch, summer tomato.

Finally, add some 2- or 4-year Wisconsin cheddar cheese to your package and you will bring some true north country joy to your loved ones.

We love Koepsels’ products and the friendly, helpful style of their entire staff. So if you appreciate the specialness of a well-run family food business, please keep this Door County treasure in mind.

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 mailto:dinewise@kurman.com

Dining while celebrating the holidays in Wicker Park-Bucktown

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Dining While Holiday Shopping
Part 2: Hitting the Boutique (Eateries) in Wicker Park Bucktown

by Lee Barrie and Cindy Kurman
Story originally appeared in StreetWise

In part two of our guide to eating while holiday shopping, we journey through the hip, creative and casual Wicker Town/Bucktown area. This neighborhood is teeming with stylish stores that showcase the latest trends in fashion with a strong international flavor. We can say the same for the dining scene. Wicker Park Bucktown is one of Chicago’s leading destinations for cutting edge food with a global influence, offered up with casual chic presentation that appeals to both young and old.

Of note is the fact that Wicker Park Bucktown is also an area where many of Chicago’s finest chefs have chosen to open a more casual sister to their upscale restaurants located elsewhere in Chicago. In addition, several chefs have lay claim to the area as their home base. So let’s take a look at some spots that are worth the time spent away from the boutiques.

Dinner Only: shop first, then eat; eat early, then shop—or forget the shopping and just enjoy dinner with a friend

Duchamp
2118 N. Damen, Chicago
(773) 235-6434; www.duchamp-chicago.com

With one of the more flexible menus we’ve seen in a bistro, this upscale casual eatery is the brainchild of chef Michael Taus (Zealous) and the folks from Lumen bar and lounge in the West Loop. The menu offers many small plates, large plates and sides—mix and match to suit your taste and appetite. Although the menu changes often, you’ll find such small plates as Seared Sea Scallop with ragout of cannellini beans and pancetta and Mini Braised Duck Rillette Tartines & Chilled Cauliflower Puree. Large plate selections include Amish Chicken Paillard with French feta, eggplant gateau and roasted plum tomato sauce; Braised Pork Shoulder with puttanesca ragout, wilted spinach and grilled polenta. One of our favorites is the Duchamp Havarti Cheese Burger with tomato rémoulade—the meat is a custom blend designed by the chef and it’s a foodie’s delight. Brunch is served on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Closed on Mondays.

Adobo Grill
2005 W. Division, Chicago

(773) 252-9990; www.adobogrill.com
Adobo Grill serves some of the better Mexican and southwestern cuisine in Chicago. It’s at least a cut or two above your standard fare and the dishes use fresh, authentic ingredients and employ carefully chosen flavor combinations. For starters, try the signature homemade chunky guacamole, prepared tableside, either mild or spicy. Other good choices are the Ceviche Tasting with several varieties, or the Empanadas de Camarón, corn masa empanadas stuffed with sautéed shrimp, cheese and tomatillo salsa, topped with sour cream and fresco cheese.
Entrées we enjoy include Lomito En Mole Negro, grilled pork tenderloin in Oaxacan black mole, with fresh corn tamal and sautéed garlicky spinach; Enchiladas de Pollo, chicken enchiladas basted in mole rojo, topped with sour cream, añejo cheese, and onions; black Tilapia Al Mojo De Ajo, pan seared tilapia with Mexican rice, zucchini, garlicky salsa; Pollo Al Tamarindo, grilled half chicken in tamarind-chipotle glaze with molcajete salsa, guacamole & charro beans; Arrachera Adobada, grilled flank steak in chile morita quemada adobo, frijoles puerco, grilled tomatoes & onions, and the Camarones En Pipian Rojo, chipotle marinated grilled shrimp with plantain rice zucchini fideos and guajillo-sesame seed sauce.
For dessert, go for the flan or try the Tamal De Chocolate, a chocolate tamal with vanilla ice cream, dried cherries and chocolate sauce.
Every Tuesday, The Adobo Grill offers a mix and match menu for $20, any combo of an appetizer, entrée, or dessert. Brunch is served at 11 a.m. on Sunday, with the restaurant staying open through evening hours.
Open for Lunch: eat and shop—then eat again. Yum.
The Fifty/50
2047 W. Division; Chicago
(773) 489-5050; www.thefifty50.com
This comfort food bar and burger spot is one of the most popular in the area. The $10+ Triple Secret Burger is the drawing card. Start with a sauce: BBQ, Teriyaki, Chipotle Aioli, Buffalo, Marinara, Spicy Garlic. Then add your choice of seven cheeses and then add your toppings, which include the usual suspects plus such goodies as a fried egg, pulled pork, creamed spinach and guacamole.
Other sandwich choices are hearty and satisfying: Pulled Pork, Chicago-style Reuben, the unique “Barbe Cuban” with pulled pork, and the Skirt Steak on Garlic Bread. If you’re super hungry, go for the Smoked Baby Back Ribs, Fried Chicken, Skirt Steak or Jumbo Shrimp.
Piece
1927 W. North Ave., Chicago
This high-energy brew pub is about pizza and homemade brew and it’s a great place to hang out and relax between shopping rounds. The rectangular shaped pizza features thin, hand-patted crust, made New Haven-style. Choose plain, red or white sauce and then choose from a variety of interesting toppings, such as spinach, jalapenos, black olives, anchovies, banana peppers, fresh tomatoes, roasted red peppers, sautéed mushrooms, Italian sausage, mashed potatoes, artichoke hearts, fresh basil, bacon, clams, pepperoni, meatballs, chicken, broccoli and ricotta cheese. There are also a number of tasty comfort-food starters plus sandwiches like a Meatball Sub and Eggplant Parmesan.
If you’re a beer aficionado, you’ll appreciate the quality of their homemade beers which run the gamut from a rye beer to a German-style Kolsch Bier, an American-style strong pale ale, a German-style bock and a wheat ale.
If you’re organizing a group shopping party, you can reserve an area of the Party Pit, near the front door. And don’t forget the Dessert Pizza, topped with chocolate hazelnut sauce and mascarpone. OMG.
Hot Chocolate
1747 N. Damen, Chicago
Wicker Park Bucktown is the home this restaurant owned by a James Beard nationally-nominated pastry chef Mindy Segal. We’d be foolish to say just come in for dessert—although that would be quite an experience in itself—because the savory food is delicious and creatively conceived.
At lunchtime, for starters, try the Chicken Salad, made with roasted Gunthorp Farms chicken, or the Green Bean Haricot Vert, with warm butter poached potato pickled mushrooms, Maytag blue cheese honey and chili vinaigrette. There are roughly ten sandwiches on the menu, including Prosciutto with fresh mozzarella, basil, balsamic aioli served on housemade baguette, and the Reuben, made with corned pork belly, house-made sauerkraut, gruyere cheese toasted pumpernickel bread with remoulade.
At dinnertime, starters include Bay Scallops with cider braised spaghetti squash, seared Nantucket Bay scallops, bacon, pickled jalapenos, micro cilantro and cider gastrique and the signature Pretzel: Schlenkerla-smoked, beer-poached soft pretzels, lamb neck rillettes with “pickeled” duck fat, housemade sassafras mustard. A good salad choice is the Winter Panzanella: warm roasted baby beets, toasted pumpernickel Capriole Farm old Kentucky tomme, frisee, clementines and sherry vinaigrette. Entrée choices include Short Rib with blue cheese spatzle, red wine roasted cipollini onions spiced carrot puree, crispy shallot salad and braising jus; crispy skinned Arctic Char with green lentils, pickled white leek salad, green leek puree, beurre; Cassoulet, a rustic French bean stew with pork belly, duck confit, housemade lamb sausage flagolet beans, fennel scented duck broth and duck fat brise, or the Wild Mushroom Lasagna, made with housemade pasta, wild mushrooms, sautéed spinach buffalo milk ricotta, tomato sauce shaved radish salad.
If you come to Hot Chocolate for your sweet tooth you are in for a treat, no question about it. Indulge in one of the amazing milkshakes or hot chocolate recipes. And Mindy’s signature desserts are some of the best anywhere, period. Here are two to consider: A Study In Chocolate Cake, made from chocolate buttermilk and bittersweet chocolate mousse layer cake, Valrhona chocolate cake ice cream “cupcake” with chocolate frosting, fresh honey cream and honey comb, and Ode To The Whatchamacallit, made with milk chocolate peanut butter mousse, malted caramel milk, chocolate cocoa crispies and a shot of peanut butter milkshake.
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 mailto:dinewise@kurman.com

Last minute holiday shopping at Chicago French Market

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Chicago French Market
131 N. Clinton (between Randolph & Washington), Chicago
Hours: 7:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m., Mon.-Fri.; 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m., Sat.; closed Sun.

by Lee Barrie and Cindy Kurman
Story original appeared in StreetWise

The new Chicago French Market is an exquisite place to shop for holiday foods and gifts

We were honored to be invited to the December 3 gala opening celebration of this new and fabulous year-round indoor market, which is located at MetraMarket, just north of the Ogilvie Transportation Center. The Market boasts 15,000 sq. ft. of European-inspired shops which carry fresh locally grown, artisan-made produce, meats, fish and seafood, breads, cheese, chocolates, and patisserie and gift items. Enjoy this taste of France in Chicago, bring family and friends and, while you’re there, pick up some beautiful and delicious gifts for the holidays.
Pictured (l-r): fresh produce (gift baskets are available) at Produce Express; chocolates at Canady Le Chocolatier; oil cloth gift bags (to hold the great baked goods) at Necessity Baking Company; cakes, pastries and candies at Vanille Patisserie; specialty cheeses and meats at Wisconsin Cheese Mart
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 mailto:dinewise@kurman.com

Best food gifts for the holidays

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by Lee Barrie and Cindy Kurman
Story originally appeared in StreetWise magazine

 Sure bets & local heroes
If comfort and pleasure are your stock in trade, it’s time to bestow some tasty, locally created food items upon your family and friends at holiday time. Here are some local artisans who have made a name for themselves with unique, deliciously fresh goodies.

Ugly Truffles and Damn Good Cookies
http://www.chocolategourmet.com/

Mary Winslow is one of Chicago’s custom cake artists. Her Take the Cake is one of Chicago’s finest wedding cake studios. For gift givers, she has created a line of cookies and candies that have won a nationwide following. Ugly Truffles are handcrafted candies and Damn Good Cookies are a line of assorted cookies. Don’t take the tongue-in-cheek name too seriously; these are truly delicious. Order them online; they’re shipped fresh.

Terry’s Toffee
1117 W Grand Avenue, Chicago
(312) 733-2700; www.terrystoffee.com

Terry Opalek’s artisan toffee has become a fixture at the Academy Awards banquet for good reason: the rich flavors are creatively conceived and the quality is top-notch. In addition to gift boxes of toffee, you can also indulge your loved ones with biscotti, granola and other treats. Check them out by visiting the store or order online.

Windy City Sampler
http://www.windycitysampler.com/

If you would like to share some of Chicago’s signature treats, Windy City Sampler may be just the ticket. You can create a gift basket of your choosing from among these Chi-town wonders: Ricci & Company Nut Wagon Mixed Nuts, featuring cashews, pistachios, almonds, pecans, brazil nuts and filberts; Terry’s Toffee (see above); the Fudge Pot’s chocolate fudge; Sarah’s Pastries & Candies’ Dark & Milk Chocolate Royaltine, dark and milk chocolate mixed with crispy Feuilletine wafer pieces and caramelized almonds; Gary Poppins Cheddar & Caramel Corn Mix—cheddar cheese popcorn mixed with smooth, rich caramel popcorn.

Gene’s Sausage Shop
4750 N Lincoln Ave., Chicago
(773) 728-7243; http://www.genessausageshop.com/

Gene’s is one of Chicago’s newest food boutiques. It’s a deluxe Polish deli and bakery in Lincoln Square, the likes of which you’ve probably never seen before. The beautiful space is filled with homemade foods including meats, bakery, salads, blintzes, pierogies and shelf after shelf of unique packaged foods from Europe. They will make up custom food gift baskets, so head on over and treat your senses while you design the perfect food gift.

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.

Thanksgiving in Chicago means different strokes for different folks

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By Lee Barrie and Cindy Kurman
Original story appeared in StreetWise

Chicago’s restaurant scene is filled with places to dine out on Thanksgiving Day. Most, including those that usually feature ethnic food, offer a traditional Thanksgiving meal, frequently offered in addition to the regular menu. Personally, we tend to be intrigued by restaurants that offer something unusual for Thanksgiving. After all, how many more turkey and sweet potato dinners does one really need to eat? So here is our take on where you might want to go for a taste of Thanksgiving with a different sensibility. Since many of you will be at home on T-Day, we’ve included some suburban spots for your enjoyment.

The Melting Pot Thanksgiving:
Thanksgiving from Around the World

Vermilion
11 W. Hubbard, Chicago, IL 60610
(312) 527-4060; www.thevermilionrestaurant.com

Vermilion is one of our absolute favorite upscale restaurants in Chicago and has earned high praise among the culinary media around the country. Executive Chef Maneet Chauhan presents a sensory-rich menu using both Indian and Latin American ingredients. For Thanksgiving, Vermilion offers its annual $45-per-person prix fixe “Herb & Spice” six-course Thanksgiving feast from noon to 10 p.m. (the menu is also available throughout the weekend). Dishes include Brazilian Feijoada, black bean stew with meats and a hint of garam masala spice; Indian Black Cardamom Smoked Turkey with Indian Sarson Ka Saag; Bengali Panch Puran (ginger cranberry chutney) with fennel, cumin and mustard seed, and Mexican Pumpkin Pie. The “Herb and Spice” is usually a sellout, so make your reservations early.

SUSHISAMBA Rio
504 N. Wells, Chicago, IL
(312) 595-2300; www.sushisamba.com

SUSHISAMBA Rio is a feast for the eyes and the taste buds. The décor is gloriously colorful and the menu includes both Japanese and Brazilian dishes, with some combining elements of both. For Thanksgiving, enjoy special dishes in addition to the regular menu: Braised Short Rib Gyozas, with kabocha pumpkin purée, red shiso leaf, smoked ginger soy; Plainville Farms Turkey T-Bone, with sweet potato-brown sugar fries, bacon escarole, cranberry teriyaki glaze, and for dessert, Pumpkin Cinnamon Bread Pudding, maple syrup ice cream, roast pecans, candied shiso leaf.

The Not-Your-Meat-&-Potatoes Thanksgiving Feast

The Chicago Diner

3411 N. Halsted, Chicago IL
(773) 935-6696; www.veggiediner.com

If you’re seeking out a Vegan feast, you’re Thanksgiving dreams will come true at The Chicago Diner. This North Halsted area restaurant is considered one of the top vegan eateries in the country and this year marks their 27th annual Vegan Thanksgiving, with seatings at noon, 2 p.m., 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. The menu features select organic produce grown on Illinois and Wisconsin farms. For starters, enjoy Squash Apple Bisque and Field Greens Salad. Entrée choices are Veggie Turkey with seven grain stuffing & sage gravy, Beefy Wellington with seitan-mushroom duxelle & madeira shallot reduction, and Pumpkin Ravioli with hazelnut cream sauce. Don’t forget the side dishes: ginger-garlic green beans, herb stuffing, candied yams, rosemary redskins, cranberry relish. Desserts are scrumptious: Pumpkin Pie, Death By Chocolate Cake, and Pumpkin Pecan Cheesecake. Reservations are essential and you can also order Thanksgiving dinner in carryout form. The price is $37.99 per person; $22.99 for children. Carryout meals start at $11.99 per person.
The menu says it all: Thanksgiving dishes that sound really good to us

Birch River Grill
75 W. Algonquin Rd., Arlington Heights, IL
(847) 427-4242; www.birchrivergrill.com

For Thanksgiving (from noon to 5 p.m.), this contemporary regional American restaurant is featuring such delectable items as Acorn Squash and Kentucky Bourbon Bisque, Autumn Salad with Mulled Wine Poached Pear Crumbled Bleu Cheese, Toasted Pecans and Kiln Dried Cherry Dressing; Maple Glazed Free Range Turkey Breast with Granny Apple Sausage Cornbread Stuffing, Sage Pan Gravy, Buttermilk Mashed Yukon Gold Potatoes, Brown Butter Green Beans, Rustic Cranberry-Orange Relish, Spiced Pumpkin Pie with Cinnamon Whipped Cream. The Thanksgiving menu is $24.95 per person; kids age 12 and under are $13.95.

Restaurant Michael
64 Green Bay Road, Winnetka, IL
(847) 441-3100; www.restaurantmichael.com
Chef/owner Michael Lachowicz is one of the most applauded French chefs in Chicago, having built a stellar reputation at Le Francais and Les Deux Gros. For Thanksgiving, he will meld his awesome culinary technique and amazing taste buds together with traditional Thanksgiving ingredients to serve up a Family Style Traditional Dinner: butternut squash soup with black truffle, baby green salads, brown-sugar-brine roast organic turkey, Chateaubriand, creamed mash potatoes and pan gravy, ground beef and sage dressing, Grand Marnier scented cranberry sauce, seasonal vegetables, pumpkin caramel tarts, cinnamon nutmeg ice cream with maple caramel sauce. Thanksgiving dinner is served from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. The price is right: $45 per person and 1/2 price for kids 10 and under. You can also order “Thanksgiving to go” which is a hot and ready to serve carry out version of the same menu for $49 per person. To go orders must be picked up between 1 and 4 p.m.

Fast Food Thanksgiving

Kuma’s Corner
2900 W Belmont Ave., Chicago, IL
(773) 604-8769; www.kumascorner.com

For those of you with a case of the Thanksgiving munchies, you’ll not want to miss this Thanksgiving heart attack on a bun: Kuma’s famous “Sleep Burger” is a monster sandwich featuring turkey and gravy topped with deep-fried stuffing and cranberry sauce. The Sleep Burger will keep you wide awake while you eagerly gobble it down, but you may fall soundly asleep while digesting it. You were forewarned.

The To-Die-For-Dessert-to-Bring-Home Thanksgiving

Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen
921 Pasquinelli Dr. Westmont, IL; (630) 455-9846
798 W. Algonquin Rd., Arlington Heights, IL; (847) 228-9551
http://www.pappadeaux.com/

Even if you’re not going out for Thanksgiving you can still wow your friends and family with Pappadeaux’s luscious signature Sweet Potato Pecan Pie, which is available for purchase just in time for your at-home holiday feast. Pie pre-order began November 2, and pick-up runs November 20-25. The price for one pie is $14.94 and you can buy a second pie for just $9.95. You won’t be disappointed. Call either restaurant location to order.

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.

Wishbone offers a fine casual excursion into Southern food delights

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Wishbone
http://www.wishbonechicago.com/
West Loop:
1001 W. Washington Blvd.
Chicago, IL
(312) 850-2663

Northside:
3300 N. Lincoln Ave.
Chicago, IL
(773) 549-2663

Berwyn:
6611 W. Roosevelt Rd.
Berwyn, IL
(708) 749-1295

Hours:
Breakfast: 7-11 a.m., Monday-Friday
Lunch: 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Monday-Friday
Dinner: 5-9 p.m., Tues., Wed., Thurs., Sun.; 5-10 p.m. Fri., Sat.
Brunch: 8 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Sat., Sun.

Pricing:
Breakfast: Omelettes, $6.50-$11.95; pancakes, etc., $4.95-$9.95
Lunch/Dinner: Sandwiches and Entrees, $5.95-$14.95

By Lee Barrie and Cindy Kurman
Story originally appeared in StreetWise

Anytime we hear that our friends have gone down South for a vacation or business, we immediately have visions of hearty, delicious Southern food. Calories aside, there is no regional American cuisine that is more interesting or comforting than this never-ending feast of the senses. From Louisville to Memphis, Charlotte to Charleston, Atlanta to Savannah, all the way down to New Orleans, this culinary journey is a most satisfying trip indeed.

Thankfully, Chicagoans can take this adventure by travelling to Wishbone in any of three locations: North Center and the West Loop in the city and Berwyn in the near western ‘burbs.

These colorful and rustic eateries attract all age ranges, for good reason. They’re come-as-you-are-spots, the food is reliably good, portions are large and the prices are reasonable. The seating is comfortable, a combination of booths and tables. Wishbone serves breakfast all day; lunch begins at 11 a.m. and dinner service begins at 5 p.m. The menu is extensive and there are daily specials.  For many, breakfast (it’s more like brunch), is the main draw. You can go with traditional, Southern inspired breakfast creations or choose a more complex, savory one.
Our personal favorites are the zesty Corn Cakes, with corn, scallions and a creamy red pepper sauce on the side. The cakes have the right touch of heat and sweetness and don’t need additional syrup. We also love the decadent Shrimp and Grits, with bacon, scallions, mushrooms, wine and cream over cheese grits. Wow.

Omelette choices are plentiful. If you like yours on the traditional side, you’ll enjoy the Bacon or Sausage Omelette, the Denver Omelette and the Wishbone Omelette, with potatoes, onions, cheddar cheese and salsa. A little more on the creative side are the Light Spinach Omelette, made with egg whites, fresh spinach, tomato and mushroom; the Kentucky Scrambled Eggs, scrambled eggs with corn, onion, and green pepper topped with strips of bacon. The Southern Benedict is another tasty choice, two poached eggs served on biscuit with ham and topped with sausage gravy.

If you’re in the mood for a grain-based breakfast, there are plenty of interesting picks. The Crunchy French Toast is dipped in corn flakes; the Wishbone Fruit Pancakes can be ordered with mango, blueberries, bananas, chocolate chips or strawberries. The Biscuits & Gravy features homemade biscuits smothered in white sausage gravy with plenty of sausage.

If you’d rather go with a savory breakfast entrée, you’ll be pleased with the many Southern inspired creations. Choose farm raised Blackened Catfish with Cajun spices, two eggs, home fries, black beans or grits and choice of corn muffin, biscuit or toast. Crawfish Cakes are served with sweet red pepper sauce, two eggs, home fries, black beans or grits, and choice of corn muffin, biscuit or toast, or the North Carolina Crab Cakes, blue claw patties in spicy outer banks style served with lemon butter sauce, two eggs, home fries, black beans or grits and choice of corn muffin, biscuit or toast. The entrées come with choice of side dishes and there are even more ala carte sides to enhance your meal, plus freshly squeezed fruit juices, espresso beverages and baked goods.

Lunch kicks in at 11 a.m. and dinner begins at 5 p.m.; you can design either a lighter meal or a comfort food delight—the menus are similar for both. Salad choices include Louisiana Chicken Salad, blackened chicken breast served warm on a bed of lettuce, tomato/cucumber, with a Corn Muffin; you can add fresh or sautéed spinach.

Sandwiches include the Chicken Breast Sandwich, with charbroiled or blackened breast and the Backyard Burger made from 8 oz. of naturally raised, hormone-free Meyers Angus Beef. Vegetarian choices include the Virginia Veggie Burger made with a homemade vegan patty of brown rice, lentils, black beans and roasted vegetables and the Hoppin’ John, featuring black-eyed peas or the Hoppin’ Jack, featuring black beans, either one served on rice and topped with cheddar cheese, scallions and tomatoes. If you’re ready to indulge in a Po’Boy sandwich, you can select either Crawfish or Chicken Andouille sausage.

Entrées are hearty, served with cole slaw, corn muffin and choice of two sides. Interesting choices include the Atlantic Salmon Cakes, Crawfish Cakes, Blackened Catfish and Chicken with Mango Salsa. Wishbone also offers traditional Southern specials on the weekdays, such as Fresh Turkey Breast with sausage stuffing, gravy and cranberry sauce; North Carolina Crab Cakes; North Carolina Pulled Pork in a vinegar & BBQ sauce; Herb Crusted Tilapia; Jambalaya; Chicken Fried Steak; Pan Fried Chicken and Blackened Atlantic Salmon.

Since you’ve already stretched your stomach, why not finish off the meal in true Southern style with a piece of pie? Have fun choosing: Banana Cream, Sweet Potato, Chocolate Pecan, Chocolate Mousse, Apple Cranberry Crisp, Apple, Pecan, Peach Cobbler, Bread Pudding, Key Lime Pie, Pumpkin Pie, even Brownie Pie.

Wishbone has just the right mix to keep you coming back for more and more and more.

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.

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.
Follow us on Twitter @DineWise