Monthly Archives: July 2014

Dozika Restaurant

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*** (3 stars)

While the logo may suggest this is a noodle shop, I would describe it more as a sushi restaurant that also serves pan-Asian food.

There are a number of interesting bento boxes available for lunch, and I like the fact that you can essentially pick your own sushi, sashimi and roll as part of one of them. The sushi was perfectly acceptable, better than a market but not gourmet. Certainly for the price it was good. The miso soup was excellent.

Service is friendly and the atmosphere is casual but nice enough.

Dozika Restaurant
601 Dempster St
Evanston, IL 60201
(847) 869-9740
http://www.yelp.com/biz/dozika-restaurant-evanston

Libertad

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***** (5 stars)

From the outside, with its dark windows, this place looks like a questionable dive, but step inside and it’s a trendy, vibrant (i.e. loud) and wonderful restaurant.

The menu offers fewer than twenty dishes, but if what I sampled is any indication, there is plenty of variety, and a lot of amazing culinary skill behind it.

Yes, it’s Latin American influenced, but if I hadn’t been told that I’m not sure I would have guessed from the dishes I was served. I had an arugula, blue cheese and walnut salad that was superb. Then scallops on black rice that were equally superb; in fact, they were quite possibly the best scallops I’ve ever had.

They have positioned themselves as a tapas style sharing restaurant, but the servings are much larger than tapas, and two dishes was all I could manage, although I wanted to try more.

The beverage service is also noteworthy. I had a specialty margarita with a smoky character that was quite interesting, and then I tried the sangria. Wow. This was easily the best sangria I ever tasted. In addition to Burgundy, brandy, apple and berries, there was also “hum,” a botanical spirit that added an amazing complexity. It was so fantastic I found it online and sought out a place to buy a bottle on my way home (Binny’s on Dempster, if you want some).

Service was friendly and fast. The place was packed, but kitchen service was prompt and didn’t seem stressed at all.

The only downside is the noise level. On a Tuesday night there was no possibility of conversing with a tablemate in anything less than a shout. But if that doesn’t put you off, this is a truly impressive restaurant.

Libertad
7931 Lincoln Ave
Skokie, IL 60077
(847) 674-8100
http://www.yelp.com/biz/libertad-skokie

Karma Asian Food & Fine Wine

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***** (5 stars)

This is a gorgeous restaurant interior. If this place weren’t is a Doubletree in an obscure spot it would be packed.

Alone at lunch on a Saturday, we had a wonderful meal, sharing four appetizers: firecracker shrimp, crab rangoon, seafood pancakes and lettuce wraps. Each was excellent, reasonably priced, and the portions were huge. There is also a thoughtful wines by the glass list and a nices offering of sakes.

If this place were closer to Chicago I would be there all the time.

Karma Asian Food & Fine Wine
510 E Il Rt 83
Mundelein, IL 60060
(847) 970-6900
http://www.yelp.com/biz/karma-asian-food-and-fine-wine-mundelein

Mars’ Cheese Castle

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**** (4 stars)

We passed this place on a drive to Milwaukee, and although we didn’t stop, I felt compelled to return.

It was everything I expected, and more. Actually I was expecting nothing but a tacky tourist trap. But you can’t really call it a trap, since hundreds of fans return here, again and again. Why? Because of the sheer volume of “stuff” they have.

Yes, there are T-shirts and souvenirs. But really the place is about cheese, beer, gourmet foods and wine, not necessarily in that order. They also have  a ton of hot sauces.

The beer selection alone is vast. And there were many gourmet honeys, syrups, seasonings and biscuits I’d never seen before. Unfortunately the prices are pretty much at the level you’d expect, so I didn’t actually buy anything, but plenty of people were loading up.

The cheeses I tried were actually fairly bland and forgettable, but then I’m more of a European cheese person.

Mars’ Cheese Castle
2800 W Frontage Rd
Kenosha, WI 53144
(800) 655-6147
http://www.yelp.com/biz/mars-cheese-castle-kenosha

Paris Club Bistro & Bar

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**** (4 stars)

This is a classic French Bistro with a beautiful interior and a traditional menu. The highlight of their food offerings is the Spiced Duck for two. It’s beautifully browned and coated five spice, which fills the table with the most amazing aroma. Served with crepes, julienne vegetables, and a delicate (not overly sweet) orange sauce, it was some of the best duck I’ve had.

The wine list is mostly French, and there are a few nice offerings from good vintages, although you get what you pay for (and vice versa).

The next time I want duck, this is definitely where I’ll be.

Paris Club Bistro & Bar
59 W Hubbard St
Chicago, IL 60654
(312) 595-0800
http://www.yelp.com/biz/paris-club-bistro-and-bar-chicago-2

Jelly Belly Candy Company

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**** (4 stars)

On a drive back from Mars Cheese Castle (don’t ask) I happened to pass the Jelly Belly factory. Well, it’s not really a factory, just a warehouse and store. But at the store I made my sole purchase of the day: a carton of Belly Flops, defective jelly beans that sell for 25% of retail. I actually like them better than the regular ones, and they are certainly fresh. I think a lot of friends are going to be getting jelly beans next week!

Jelly Belly Candy Company
10100 Jelly Belly Ln
Pleasant Prairie, WI 53158
(262) 947-3800
http://www.yelp.com/biz/jelly-belly-candy-company-pleasant-prairie

Glenview House

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**** (4 stars)

I was in the mood for some gastropub food so I made the drive to Glenview. The menu here is interesting, walking the line between gastropub and neighborhood sports bar. There are a LOT of draft beers.

At the waiter’s suggestion I ended up just having the hamburger, and it proved to be a great choice. Lets see how it stacks up against my idea of a perfect hamburger:

Tasty patty with a crusted outside, cooked to my specified degree of doneness (medium): Check.

Bun with enough integrity that is doesn’t turn mushy, grilled or toasted: Check.

Cheddar cheese: Check.

Bacon option: Check.
Slice of tomato: Check.

Slice of raw onion: Check.

Piece of crisp lettuce: Check.

Mustard, mayo, ketchup: Check, check, check.

Wow! A home run.

Indeed, it was the perfect burger. Now I just need to return for some of that gastropub food I’d intended to get in the first place!

Glenview House
1843 Glenview Rd
Glenview, IL 60025
(847) 724-0692
http://www.yelp.com/biz/glenview-house-glenview

Badou Senegalese Cuisine

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***** (5 stars)

We ordered food delivered, and were surprised when we were contacted by the owner, who recommended some fresh dishes he’d prepared that day, and then personally delivered our food (since it was the end of the evening).

He brought many times more food than we ordered, and samples of several juices and other things to try. Everything was delicious, hot and fresh. Our favorites were the chicken pastries, but it was all great.

This is a business that really goes out of the way to please, and we will definitely patronize it in the future. Next time we’ll visit the restaurant in person.

Badou Senegalese Cuisine
2055 W Howard St
Chicago, IL 60645
(773) 293-6913
http://www.yelp.com/biz/badou-senegalese-cuisine-chicago

Superdawg Drive-In

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*** (3 stars)

This is a really neat 50s style drive-in with amusing hotdog characters on the roof, and a great history. Service is fast and friendly. The food is fine, but it’s not going to change your life. You’ll get the same Chicago dog available all over town. The hamburger is actually a bit more interesting, because although it’s a fairly typical fast food burger, it’s dressed like a Chicago dog. The fries are fairly crisp if you open the box as soon as they arrive. A good place to take a car full of kids, I guess.

Superdawg Drive-In
6363 N Milwaukee Ave
Chicago, IL 60646
(773) 763-0660
http://www.yelp.com/biz/superdawg-drive-in-chicago-2

Linz and Vail on Central

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**** (4 stars)

This place has the atmosphere I’m looking for in a coffee house, and also makes some excellent coffee. The Macchiato is perfect, not a trace of bitterness. Also some great gelato. Ignore that Starbucks down the street; this is the real deal.

Linz and Vail on Central
2012 Central St
Evanston, IL 60201
(847) 475-1381
http://www.yelp.com/biz/linz-and-vail-on-central-evanston