I had been to Frenchman street early in the trip for dinner and drinks at the gastro pub, The Three Muses. Very good food (fried pickle chips, Moroccan Lamb Shank Pizza, Fish Tacos), even better drinks, friendly atmosphere and great live music. So on the last night there we decided to take a break from the French Quarter and go back to Frenchman street. Wandering down the street trying to figure out where to go I heard some faint music that caught my ear. Getting closer I could tell it was an accordion and pictured a Frenchman in 1950 playing “La Vie en rose.” The sounds were coming out of a bar that looked to be Japanese…I was intrigued.

You could describe Yuki Izakaya as a dive bar I suppose. It’s got all the good characteristics of dive bar (immediate comfort, strong drinks, cool crowd, kitschy decor, dark, atmosphere of being content where you are) without the bad (dirty, greasy and beyond scary smells — although the bathrooms here need to be brighter).  Technically an Izakaya is a Japanese pub that is a casual, after work type place that also serves small plates.

Listening to the accordion, drinking one of the best lychee martinis I have had in my life and watching the Japanese animated movie flicker on the brick wall I thought, this is one of those bars you see in movies that looks impossibly cool and you just know doesn’t exist. I was in love.

I can be a sucker for some kitsch too.

Yuki Izakaya is a nice break from the New Orleans/French Quarter/Mardi Gras madness. Go for the live music and drinks but based on reviews the food is also worth it. Stuff your face; it is Fat Tuesday after all.

This dessert is as good as it is cute. Don’t let the size fool you, it should be shared. The chocolate ganache inside is very rich (in the best way possible) and the meringue  was light, airy and crisp (yes, all three!). Pretty much a bite of heaven.

This is the perfect treat for anytime but is also a nice idea for Valentine’s Day. Pick up one up and bring it home to share. This is way better than a cliché box of chocolates. Trust.

Cheap(er) Eats For Those on A College Student’s Budget

–on behalf of Nicole Adams of Westwood College

Chicago is a big city with a diverse population. As immigrants from all over the world have arrived at the Windy City, they’ve brought their various culinary traditions with them. Chicago college students and residents, therefore, have a lot of opportunities when it comes to affordable ethnic dining.  It’s nice to actually take advantage of the idea of “a little goes a long way”.  Perhaps, you can spend your remaining budget on a special night out at Blackbird, or a nice slow food establishment.  In the meantime, the question remains, where can I find the best food in town for the best price?  I have chosen an array of cuisines and neighborhoods.  Here are just a few spots you shouldn’t miss if you’re looking for a hip, cost efficient place to dine.

Image via city-data.com

If your palette longs for red pasta sauce or grilled calamari, consider Lucia’s on North Avenue. Lucia and Dominick, the friendly owners of this long-established Italian Restaurant, have managed to keep this gem a neighborhood go-to. The options are endless.  When it comes to take out, they are very fast and efficient.  This Italian eatery has it’s own deli; so don’t hesitate to order a fresh made sandwich or custom salad (most under $10).  If you do decide to cozy up and eat in the dining room, be sure to note the BYOB option and no corking fee.  I would recommend pairing your own wine from home with the Artichoke Ravioli.

Image via farm4.staticflickr.com

Sultan’s Market is another idea of a generously priced, yet tasty, place to throw down some George Washington’s.  For only $2, you can order the Baked Spinach Pie or Grandma Zarifa’s Lentil Soup.  Of course, Hummus and Curry Basmati Rice are also great items on this Mediterranean inspired menu, but one of the biggest perks is having small and large portion options.  The ingredients are flavorful and taste is authentic.  Sultan’s Market has been in Wicker Park for years, and they have recently added a new location in Lincoln Park.

Image via city-data.com

Saving the “latest for last”, it’s not easy to fight the craving for fast late night tacos. Wicker Park’s standing tradition of a 2AM Flash Taco had to make it to this post.  As the previous statement implies, it’s obvious that this is where you would most likely spend the latter part of your evening.  Flash Taco originated when two Mexican immigrants began selling delicious tacos in Humboldt Park from an ice chest.  Flash built on this idea and tradition that his ambitious parents started and Flash Taco has become the perfect place to get filling, satisfying food.  Most items are under $6, and the Steak Burrito or Chili Relleno tacos are the way to go.  Don’t forget to order a horchata to sip on while you wait.

Hopefully these suggestions will meet any time crunch and budget on your next cheap eat outing. Another suggestion, that I’ve recently found useful for finding deals on good food, is the Scout Mob app.  You can download to any Smartphone and is available and free to Chicago subscribers.  The site most recently featured 50% off Lalibela Ethiopian restaurant in Edgewater.  If you need your olive tapenade fix, there’s a 50% off deal for Atomix Coffee in the Ukrainian Village.  The deals change, but the app is nice to have as a reference when trying to meet the right match, on any occasion, for your taste buds.

Last fall a friend from San Francisco was in town for work and wanted to go to lunch. Due to time constraints and location I needed to think of place on Michigan Avenue I would want to go and want my friend to experience. The Purple Pig came to mind. It’s good enough for anyone considering themselves a foodie but accessible enough to anyone wanting a casual atmosphere. So despite the crowds and noise level The Purple Pig is cozy and easy-going once you sit down. The wait staff is very knowledgeable and happy to share their expertise and recommendations. You also feel like you could be in any handful of cities in Europe. Get there early or be prepared to wait as they do not take reservations.

There are individual tables but also communal tables that speak to what this restaurant is about, small plates meant for sharing. Depending on how much wine you have you might end up sharing with your neighbor.

With only two people it was a bit difficult to narrow down what we were going to get. There are many things on the menu that I would like but if I had to only eat what we ordered forever more, I would be okay with that.

First up: Salt-Roasted Beets with Whipped Goat Cheese & Pistachio Vinaigrette & Butternut Squash Arancini with Sage & Walnut Pesto.

I know, beets and goat cheese, ubiquitous to every menu in the last two years. The goat cheese being whipped and the pistachio vinaigrette do make it worth it getting. But I wouldn’t blame you for not ordering this. However, you should order the Butternut Squash. It was the perfect fall day dish. The squash was cooked and season perfectly with salt and pepper accompanied by this wonderfully warm sage. Let’s look at it up close:

Feeling a bit adventurous and considering the restaurant’s name we ordered the Pig’s Ear with Crispy Kale, Pickled Cherry Peppers & Fried Egg. Every ingredient worked magically together. The ear is served in thin slices so enough taste but not over powering at all.  Served up in a pig shaped bowl. Equal parts cute and off-putting.

Next up, Octopus with Green Beans, Fingerling Potatoes & Salsa Verde. The Salsa Verde was the perfect addition to this dish. Added acidity to the octopus (cooked perfectly by the way, not too rubbery) and gave some zip to the vegetables.

Dessert choices were presented and couldn’t be turned down. We went with the Sicilian Iris – Ricotta & Chocolate Chip filled Fried Brioche. Wow. Thin layer of crisp on the brioche as it hits your teeth then you sink into the softness of the brioche and gooey ricotta and melted chocolate.

The Purple Pig is also a great place for European wines, beer, house made charcuterie, and cheeses.

Image via www.choosechicago.com

The 5th annual Chicago Restaurant Week participants have been announced. This is your chance to take advantage of the special prix fixe menus starting at $22 for lunch and $33/$44 for dinner from some of the best Chicago restaurants.

Make your reservations sooner than later to snag a spot! You can find participating restaurants and more information in the link below.

Some on my wish list: Blackbird, Bistro Campagne, The Bedford, The Bristol, Deca Restaurant and Bar, Gemini Bistro, GT Fish & Oyster, Hearty Restaurant, Mercat A La Planxa, Mirai Sushi, Nightwood, NoMI Saigon Sisters, Sepia, Spiaggia and Café Spiaggia, Terzo Piano, and Wildfire.

What to do in Chicago, Chicago hotel rooms and sites – Choose Chicago.

2 Sparrows in Lincoln Park is best described as high-end comfort food serving breakfast and lunch. For those of you that have been to Nightwood, 2 Sparrows is like her sophisticated younger sister in college. Serious focus on food but very laid back, fun and if you feel like it, they make it easy for you to get liquored up in the middle of the day by providing an ample list of mouth-watering cocktails (I did not partake so can’t review but the drink menu looked really good). It is also on the louder side. Get there early as wait times can be long.

The donuts and their take on pop tarts are what I kept hearing this place is known for. The donuts did look very appetizing but probably best shared if you have more than 2 people. I was with just one friend so we decided to go for the apple/lemon thyme icing pop tart. Served fresh and piping hot it was like an apple strudel. The icing was a nice complement and did not overpower the tart. If you are someone who loves and can stomach rich food then I say go for the foie gras and cherry compote pop tart.

I had the Belly Sandwich - biscuit, pork belly, sunny side egg, pickled onions and tots. The best part of the sandwich was the biscuit. Rich, flakey and fresh. The best part of the meal was the tots. When I saw there were only four tots I thought that was a bit odd and would not be enough. However, these tots are bigger than any tots I have had and a lot richer. Four was PLENTY. They are extra crispy on the outside and nice and soft on the inside. Next time here I will be getting a side of tots no matter what I order (I am thinking it will be the Cuban: sourdough, pulled pork, pork belly, mustard, gruyere, house made pickles, sans the pork belly).

The other order was the Grilled Cheese – fresh goat cheese, gruyere, irish cheddar with an added egg. I tried a bite and one word came to my mind, amazing.  I was transported to a Parisian Bistro. Rich, buttery bread and warm slightly tangy goat cheese and who doesn’t like a fried egg?

Go for the rich comfort food and laid back atmosphere. There is a small bar so if you can skip the wait for a table and belly up for breakfast/lunch there.  They will be hosting dinners now and then with the next on January 20th. Is a Great Lakes Beer Dinner with 5 courses paired with 5 beers. The cost is $60 per person plus tax and gratuity. You can reserve by calling the restaurant.

Image via www.southportgrocery.com

Fans of Check Please!, the show that lets every day people review their favorite Chicago area restaurant, will be happy to know that the host Alpana Singh is opening a wine bar in River North.  No word of exact location or estimated opening date but I will be on the look out for more updates.  In my opinion there can never be enough good wine bars.

Alpana Singh Restaurant, Wine Bar In The Works: ‘Check, Please’ Host Patners With Bistronomic Owners.

Brunch for 2 at Mondrian w/ 2 drinks = $200

Breakfast for 2 at Oliver’s Bistro w/ coffee = $35

Breakfast for 2 at Las Olas Cafe w/ coffee = $11

By far my favorite place to eat breakfast is Las Olas Cafe. The $11 bill included 2 vegetable tortilla sandwiches, 2 cafe con leches and 2 bottles of water. But the reason to come to Las Olas is not solely for the price. It has the best cafe con leche and empanadas I have had since New Orleans (for the coffee) and Cartagena, Colombia (for the empanada).

Not only are the prices great and the food authentic and memorable the whole experience of going to Las Olas is fun. There are some tourists but most of the customers are locals. Some stay to eat but most are grab and go before work. The place is packed in the morning; I barely squeezed inside to see if I could see a menu, there isn’t one. The alternative is to walk up to the take-out window and place your order. You can see what others are getting and go from there.

You can’t be shy, there is an informal line outside and you need to shout out your order. Most people speak Spanish so if you can order in Spanish even better. It’s a bit chaotic and not the fastest service but worth the wait. I sat outside at the tables and eavesdropped on the Spanish conversations. Mostly older men swapping tall tales, it was great.

Okay, the food. The chicken empanada was spicy, freshly baked, flaky crust and generous portion. I really wanted another one but it really wasn’t necessary as I was full but wanted to taste more.

I’m a wimpy coffee drinker so when a coffee tastes like a dessert I love it. I tried the cafe con leche without sugar and I was surprised how much I liked it (I know it’s half milk but I still drink it with sugar). I have to admit I couldn’t stop thinking about the cafe con leche. I wanted it all day long…and any other coffee I had I couldn’t stop myself from comparing. I guess you could say I fell in love.

The last item I tried (on visit #2) was the vegetable tortilla sandwich. A huge sandwich they cut in two, it’s big enough for breakfast and lunch.

The consistency of the eggs is hard for me to explain but I don’t remember feeling that taste before. They were not runny but were pulled off the pan just before they were done and tasted like a farm fresh egg, no flavor lost. Pepper, tomatoes and a bit of cheese all served on a quality baguette.

They also serve lunch and I am sure the Cuban sandwiches are fantastic as well as rice and beans. Orange, grapefruit and sugar cane are among the freshly squeezed juices they offer. I look forward to coming back to fall in love again.

Made friends with this little guy who really wanted me to share.

Unfortunately the picture doesn’t do it justice but just imagine how great fresh homemade toasted marshmallow ice cream, pumpkin butterscotch, candied walnuts and cinnamon whipped cream tastes. It’s worth it to just go for the dessert. Go. Now.

This was my first trip to Bite after they remodeled. It’s very cozy with exposed brick, white, blue and brown colors throughout and local art on the walls. I would be here at least once a week if I still lived in the neighborhood. It’s also BYOB with no corkage fee.

Image via bitecafechicago.com

If you:

-Need help getting into the holiday spirit

-Still need to get some Christmas gifts

-Are hungry for some meat

-Are thirsty for some Glühwein

Then head down to Daley Plaza for the Christkindlmarket.

The first thing I do when I am there is head to the Glühwein line. Depending on the time and day it can be long so by the time you order you might be a bit cold and ready for a warm drink.

The mulled wine comes in a souvenir boot you can get refilled and take home.

Next is the food line. I’ve been to the market more than a few times so have had the pretzel (comes in about 6 types), potato pancakes, brat, Thueringer, snowballs and curry sausage. All was good and pretty authentic, although any German will tell you, not so cheap. But hey, you are here for the novelty and entertainment.

If you have a sweet tooth there is a whole shop where you can buy kettle corn, cotton candy, gingerbread, roasted nuts and much more. Now that you have stocked up on all of the essentials you can peruse the many shops for your holiday gifts.

If you get cold there is a warming tent with tables to take a break. They have a live band at night and the sing-a-long participation is directly correlated to the Glühwein intake.

Great place to bring kids during the day with educational activities offered, check the website for event calendar. It does crowded at night but if you don’t mind a crowd it is a fun party. Usually Mondays are the least crowded. The market ends on December 24th so just under a week left to go. Prost!

Some history from the Christkindlmarket Chicago website:

Inspired by the Christkindlesmarkt in Nuremberg, Germany, which began in 1545, the Christkindlmarket Chicago brings a cherished German and European tradition with international flair and local charm to Chicago. Chicago’s largest open-air Christmas festival was first held on Pioneer Court in 1996. By special invitation of Mayor Richard M. Daley, Christkindlmarket Chicago moved to Daley Plaza in 1997 and has become a stable event on the plaza ever since.