Author Archives: steve

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

Foodstuffs

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**** (4 stars)

I’m not sure whether to call this a grocery story, a gourmet shop or a bakery, because it’s all three and more. The meats are particularly good here, with good steaks; fish is pretty good, too. Oh, and the hot dogs from the deli case are the best I’ve had anywhere, perfect for a 4th of July BBQ. I also always get some bread. They have a great variety, and the employees are a hundred times nicer than they are at the bakery down the street.

Foodstuffs
2106 Central St
Evanston, IL 60201
(847) 328-7704
http://www.yelp.com/biz/foodstuffs-evanston

Great Harvest Bread

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** (2 stars)

The bread here is okay, but a lot of the other baked goods always seem like they needed a few more minutes to brown up, and a little bit more texture or crunch to make them interesting. But the real downside are the people behind the counter. I hate to criticize, but I’ve been here three times, and felt unwelcome on each visit, like my presence was inconveniencing them. I’ve spoken with others who agree, so it’s not just me. As a result, I prefer to shop down the street.

Great Harvest Bread
2126 Central St
Evanston, IL 60201
(847) 866-8609
http://www.yelp.com/biz/great-harvest-bread-evanston

Chicken Shack

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**** (4 stars)

This place makes excellent fried chicken, hot and cooked to order.  

I tried some of the sauces on wings, and when this place says something is spicy you need to believe them! Both the spicy BBQ and the Jamaican Jerk we hot enough to make me perspire. There’s a kick to the gravy on the mashed potatoes, as well. In fact, of everything I tried I think the mashed potatoes were my favorites.

Service was friendly. Because everything is cooked to order, it takes about 15 minutes, so if you’re in a hurry it’s best to call ahead.

Chicken Shack
1925 Ridge Ave
Evanston, IL 60201
(847) 328-9360
http://www.yelp.com/biz/chicken-shack-evanston

La Macchina Cafe

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**** (4 stars)

This is one of the better Italian restaurants in Evanston, despite the confusing name that makes it sound like it’s a coffee place. They do indeed have good espresso, but it really is an Italian cafe.

I tried two specials of the day. The first was the “artichoke fritters” which weren’t actually fritters, but lightly battered artichoke pieces deep fried. A better choice was the mussels in cream sauce. These were nicely done, and the cream sauce was delicious without being too heavy. A basket with two types of bread was provided, and one of them proved perfect for dipping in the leftover sauce.

There is a thoughtful list of wines by the glass, including many Italian selections, and the pours are generous.

A macchiato was the perfect way to finish off the meal.

La Macchina Cafe
1620 Orrington Ave
Evanston, IL 60201
(847) 425-1080
http://www.yelp.com/biz/la-macchina-cafe-evanston