Author Archives: steve

Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum

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***** (5 stars)

I’m a huge fan of BRC Imagination Arts, the designers of this experience. Bob Rogers is a master storyteller, and this facility demonstrates the power of storytelling like few others I’ve encountered.

It’s amazing how much information you can retain when it is presented in a meaningful and moving context, and that’s what the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum is all about.

Both of the automated shows are real blockbusters, with amazing effects and immersive narration that really draws you in.

The “Holovision” show Ghosts of the Library uses a live performer and many of the effects developed for BRC’s famous Expo ’86 Spirit Lodge Show (and Knott’s Berry Farm’s Mystery Lodge), plus some new effects that will delight even jaded theme park goers like me.

The Lincoln’s Eyes show uses multiple screens and a lot of moving scrims and impressive theatrical sound to very effectively tell Lincoln’s story in an unconventional way.

Don’t let these elaborate shows fool you into thinking this is shallow theme park-like entertainment. You’ll leave them with a truly deep knowledge of history, having learned many things you never knew you didn’t know about a seemingly familiar story.

Equally impressive to me was the way that Lincoln’s childhood and presidency were presented in two separate walkthrough exhibits. Signage didn’t overwhelm, but was just enough to invite reading and interpreting each stop. I wish all museum curators would learn how to do this.

Similarly, the displays of artifacts were perfectly interpreted, with just enough information to draw us in without overwhelming us with verbiage, yet with plenty of hard information that was easy to absorb. I certainly learned ten times as much as I expected to.

This museum is a delightful place to spend as little as a couple of hours, or as much as a full day. Highly recommended.

Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum
212 N 6th St
Springfield, IL 62701
(217) 558-8934
http://www.yelp.com/biz/abraham-lincoln-presidential-library-and-museum-springfield

LaBinnah Bistro

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**** (4 stars)

This is clearly the best (and only) fine dining restaurant in Hannibal. It’s located in a quaint old house, and decorated in a pleasant amalgam of Victorian and eclectic.

The menu is extremely diverse, and it’s hard to define the cuisine. A few things about the restaurant are unusual. First, nearly every thing comes on bread. We had an artichoke and spinach appetizer served with bread, a sort of pesto appetizer served on bread, a lamb chop (weirdly served on top of bread) and one of four different salmon preparations (weirdly served on bread). I admit the bread does sop up the juices, so it can be tasty, if a bit soggy. But I’ve not seen entrees served this way before. Perhaps it’s a Turkish twist, since there is a Turkish element to some of the dishes.

And speaking of Turkish, the homemade baklava was a superb dessert, lighter than most baklava, and not overly sweet, but perfectly flakey.

Another somewhat odd thing about the restaurant is that you pay at a register counter in the back, which is completely at odds with the elegant atmosphere of the dining area.

Anyway, service was very friendly, and we enjoyed the meal in what is definitely Hannibal’s best restaurant.

LaBinnah Bistro
207 N 5th St
Hannibal, MO 63401
(573) 221-8207
http://www.yelp.com/biz/labinnah-bistro-hannibal

Mark Twain Cave

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***** (5 stars)

This cave may not be filled with spectacular stalactites and other formations, but it is rich in history, since it is the cave from the Tom Sawyer novel (and four other Mark Twain books). Walking through its labyrinthian passageways really brings the book into focus, and the guides do a great job of identify various locations mentioned in the book.

It’s a very easy cave to traverse, with flat floors, no steps, and no climbing. It’s also a cool 52 degree respite on a hot summer day, so bring a jacket!

Mark Twain Cave
300 Cave Hollow Rd
Hannibal, MO 63401
(573) 221-1656
http://www.yelp.com/biz/mark-twain-cave-hannibal

Tamari Japanese Kitchen

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***** (5 stars)

This very stylish and excellent Japanese restaurant is in an unlikely mall location.

The real test of a Japanese restaurant is in the quality and visual appeal of the sashimi, and Tamari passed with flying colors. The tuna sampler appetizer was a great example. I was expecting some piles of tartare, but instead received nine pieces of sashimi, including creamy white tuna, lightly seasoned albacore, and superb big eye tuna.

They also have the usual novelty rolls, fried food and noodle dishes, which were all good, but the sashimi is where it’s at.

Efficient service and a great vibe make this the go to spot for sushi in the southwest ‘burbs.

Tamari Japanese Kitchen
639 E Boughton Rd
Ste 105
Bolingbrook, IL 60440
(630) 863-7288
http://www.yelp.com/biz/tamari-japanese-kitchen-bolingbrook

Mark Twain Boyhood Home & Museum

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***** (5 stars)

We began our exploration at the museum itself. The ground floor of the museum provides a fairly elaborate interpretation of some of Twain’s books, including Tom Sawyer, The Innocents Abroad, and his time in the gold rush territory of California. While these displays looked nice, they didn’t do a great job of conveying their message, especially to their intended audience, which seemed to be children.

The upper two floors of the museum did a much better job, displaying artifacts and artwork from Twain’s life and books. For those with the patience to read the detailed signage, there was a lot of interesting information here.

The museum ticket is available as a package that also grants access to other buildings down the street, and that’s definitely worthwhile. You can tour the homes that provided the inspiration for Tom, Huck and Becky, and all were interesting.

Mark Twain Boyhood Home & Museum
120 N Main St
Hannibal, MO 63401
(573) 221-9010
http://www.yelp.com/biz/mark-twain-boyhood-home-and-museum-hannibal

Sayat Nova

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**** (4 stars)

Most of the items I tried at Sayat Nova were fine, but not stellar. The hummus appetizer was a bit grainy but okay, and it was served with fresh warm pitas. The number 2 combination at lunch features a nice assortment. I really liked the salad dressing, and the stuffed eggplant was good. the Plaki was pretty thin and rather flavorless.

But the Spinach Boereg was phenomenal–a perfectly flaky philo triangle filled with scrumptious sautéed spinach. I would definitely go back just for this one item, and probably try some kebabs or other items, too.

Service was very friendly, and the decor is neat, although I ate on the sidewalk because it was a beautiful day.

Sayat Nova
157 E Ohio St
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 644-9159
http://www.yelp.com/biz/sayat-nova-chicago

Peet’s Coffee & Tea

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***** (5 stars)

For those who actually like coffee (as opposed to those who drink Starbucks swill diluted with sugar and dairy products) Peet’s is one of the very best coffee chains. This location is particularly nice, and the outside seating is particularly, particularly nice, located in the Wrigley Building’s breezeway, where you can watch the tourists on their way from Michigan Avenue to the Trump and the Riverwalk. It’s a great place for an iced coffee on a hot day. Or visit the Ghirardelli  chocolate store next door, and have that with your hot coffee indoors on a cold winter’s day.

Peet’s Coffee & Tea
400 N Michigan Ave
Ste 120
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 625-5531
http://www.yelp.com/biz/peets-coffee-and-tea-chicago-16

Quartino

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**** (4 stars)

There is an overabundance of Italian restaurants in Chicago, and many have little to recommend them. Quartino is different, though, in that it takes a tapas approach to Italian food, emphasizing small plates of antipasti.

The best way to experience this is through their Salumeria Tasting, which lets you choose seven items to your taste, including veggies, cheeses and meat, all accompanied by several additional sides.

Everything I tried was tasty and delicious, and it was a good way to experience a broad range of offerings.

Of course they also offer pizza, other entrees, and an extensive dessert list, and they brag that they have wine that is cheaper than water.

My server was very friendly, and I enjoyed a relaxed meal in one of their spacious dining rooms. There is also a large outside dining area.

Quartino
626 N State St
Chicago, IL 60654
(312) 698-5000
http://www.yelp.com/biz/quartino-chicago

Bistrot Margot

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*** (3 stars)

I guess if The Colbert Report can drop the pronunciation of the final “t” then so can Bistrot Margot.

This is a perfectly average French bistro with a classic bistro menu. The most notable thing about it was that I happened to be there on a Wednesday, when they have a three course special that allows you to select any appetizer, entree and dessert for $29, a good deal.

I chose the escargot, the bouillabaisse and a berry cake with vanilla ice cream. None of them were particularly noteworthy, but they weren’t bad. The bouillabaisse broth could have used more flavor and fresher shellfish, but otherwise everything was fine, just not great.

Service was friendly, and the outside eating area is pleasant. No need to make a special trip here, but if in the area and you have a French craving, it might be worth a try.

Bistrot Margot
1437 N Wells St
Chicago, IL 60610
(312) 587-3660
http://www.yelp.com/biz/bistrot-margot-chicago

Mezcalina

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***** (5 stars)

At last! My search for a great, authentic Mexican restaurant in downtown Chicago is complete. Mezcalina is the real deal.

It’s located off the bucolic but hard to find Lake Shore East Park (go down a four story spiral staircase at the end of N Park Dr south of Wacker). The space (and even the dishes) are shared by the Black Coffee Company. Beautiful large murals grace the walls, and a decorative bar runs along one side.

Of course there is a full bar with a wide range of tequilas and mescals, but I tried a bottled sangria soda, a non-alcoholic concoction that tasted a lot like sangria.

Complimentary tortilla strips are served with two excellent salsas, a red and a green.

I started with the ceviche tasting, which featured shrimp, octopus, and the day’s special, corvina. All were good, but the octopus was outstanding, tender and bursting with fresh flavors, the best octopus ceviche I’ve had.

Nearly all of the menu is authentic Mexican (with the exception of nachos) so of course I tried the tacos. A bargain at only $3 each, they are served on traditional corn tortillas (single ply, though, not double as in Mexico). Each was served with handfuls of fresh cilantro, a wedge of lime, and raw or pickled onions, according to type.

The carne asada was a bit chewy, but the pollo mole was wonderful–tender, moist and suffused with the rich, dark, slightly bitter sauce. But the pork pibil was the most remarkable, with layers of complex flavors from the marinade, and huge hunks of tender shredded pork. Definitely the best pibil I’ve had anywhere.

I sat at the bar, and the bartender was friendly and helpful.

This is definitely a place I’ll be returning to often. Yay! Real Mexican food in Chicago!

Mezcalina
333 E Benton Pl
Ste 100
Chicago, IL 60601
(312) 240-5000
http://www.yelp.com/biz/mezcalina-chicago