Bite Cafe – Ukrainian Village: A Sundae to Get You To Sunday

I will get to the food at Bite Cafe in Ukrainian Village in a second but I must tell you every Wednesday they feature an ice cream sundae.  My friends and I were celebrating a belated birthday and really went for it ordering main courses. There was no possible way to eat the sundae special I had been eyeing but the waitress said she was bringing it to us, we “had” to try it. It was the best sundae I’ve at a restaurant in Chicago.

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

Dinner:

-Grilled Tofu- Curried Pumpkin Quinoa, Peas, Scallion, Pumpkin Vinaigrette

-Mussels and Fries- Shallots, Garlic, Leeks, Bacon, Smoked Paprika Butter, White Wine

-Roasted Portabella Sandwich- Roasted Red Peppers, Arugula, Fresh Mozzarella, Balsamic Glaze

-Parisian Gnocchi, Seasonal Vegetables, Herb Brown Butter, Parmesan

-Beet Salad- Arugula, Frisee, Goat Cheese Croquette, Orange, Kalamata Olive, Pistachio Vinaigrette

-Salmon with red wine mushroom risotto and vegetables (special that night)

Told you we ordered a lot…every single dish was flavorful, cooked perfectly and made with very fresh ingredients. My favorite of the night was the Parisian Gnocchi.  The sage cooked in herb brown butter coupled with pillow-like gnocchi = perfection. There are several more items from the dinner menu I would like to try. Also looking for an excuse to go to brunch.  I will definitely be going back on a Wednesday…who’s in with me?

Say Adiós to Ice Cream? | Nice Cream Chicago

Image Via Nice Cream Facebook Page

I first tried Nice Cream at Logan Square Kitchen and it immediately stood out from other trendy ice creams for its sheer freshness and flavor. You can taste every ingredient and they all taste real. I had heard they do custom flavors so I contacted the owner, Kris Swanberg, about creating a flavor to two for a birthday gift. I didn’t end up getting the ice cream but Kris was great to work with.

When I found out that Nice Cream was in trouble and might have to cease operations I felt bad for Kris and other local ice cream makers and wondered if this meant the end of local handmade ice cream for a while. On their Kickstarter page Swanberg states, ”We have recently learned Nice Cream, together with all other small-batch artisans, may be subject to strict state regulations which appear to be intended for large-scale manufacturers…The regulations that would change the kind of ice cream we make and could potentially end artisan ice cream in Illinois.”

Revolution Brewing Company will be holding a fundraiser for Nice Cream this Sunday, August 28th at 5pm. There will be plenty of beer, food and Nice Cream along with a silent auction.  Go eat and drink in the name of Nice Cream!

Revolution Brewing – 2323 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60647

nice cream chicago

Image via Chicago Metromix