Category Archives: Evanston

Terra an American Bistro

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***** (5 stars)

This is a small plates sort of place, so we sampled some smoked salmon, hummus, Margherita flatbread and some fish tacos. It was all good, and the hummus plate, which is more like a whole Lebanese meal including falafel and olives, is a particularly good deal.

The menu is really interesting, and warrants several repeat visits. Service was well-intentioned but not quite as professional as the food. The place was very busy, due to the trendy vibe and good prices. The bar looks nice, too.

Terra an American Bistro
2676 Green Bay Rd
Evanston, IL 60201
(847) 563-9100
http://www.yelp.com/biz/terra-an-american-bistro-evanston

Kafein

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**** (4 stars)

Dumpy old furniture, cave-like ambiance, everything you expect in a college-oriented coffee house. I love it. The food, whcih takes awhile since there’s often not much staff, is surprisingly good, the coffee drinks are Starbucks-killers, and the wifi is free. My favorite coffee house in Evanston.

Kafein
1621 Chicago Ave
Evanston, IL 60201
(847) 491-1621
http://www.yelp.com/biz/kafein-evanston

527 Cafe

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**** (4 stars)

Cafe 527 is a new Asian place that had the nerve to open next door to the popular Joy Yee’s Noodle Shop. The plan seems to be working, as 527 was packed when I was there for lunch. The atmosphere is bright and the counter service is friendly. The Korean BBQ taco I had was delicious, filled with bulgogi beef, kimchee, rice and cilantro, and served on seaweed rather than a tortilla. The miso shrimp salad was also tasty, although the shrimp was the least interesting part. The crunchy lettuce and cabbage mixture was enhanced by green peppers, scallions, and edamame. It went well with a miso based honey mustard dressing. There are lots of choices posted on makeshift signs, so be sure to check out the offerings not on the “official” menu board. Definitely a great new Asian option for Evanston.

527 Cafe
527 Davis St
Evanston, IL 60201
(847) 332-2233
http://www.yelp.com/biz/527-cafe-evanston

Mumbai Indian Grill

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**** (4 stars)

This small restaurant offers quite tasty and authentic Indian food, and at least at lunch the prices are quite fair. I had the Chicken Korma. There seems to be some disagreement about what goes into Korma sauce, with some places adding spices that turn it pink or red, while others make the traditional white. This was the pink variety, and it was savory and delicious, and mild as advertised. I love garlic naan bread, so I ordered that, rather than the plain naan that comes with the lunch, and took rice instead with my chicken. Both the rice and the garlic naan were excellent, and the two chutney accompaniments — tamarind and cilantro — were perfect. A tiny salad was as also on the plate, really just some shredded lettuce that might have been lightly dressed, but it actually served well to clear the palate. The two fried bits of smashed and breaded cauliflower aren’t really my thing, but they were good with the chutneys. A lot of food for ten bucks. Service was attentive and friendly. There’s free wifi, too, due to the fact that Starbucks is next door! No complaints, and I’ll be back.

Mumbai Indian Grill
1728 Sherman Ave
Evanston, IL 60201
(847) 859-2453
http://www.yelp.com/biz/mumbai-indian-grill-evanston-3

Al’s Deli

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**** (4 stars)

Al’s Deli was founded in 1949 by Al Pottinger, a francophile, who offered European groceries, baked goods, soups and sandwiches. His sons took the business over in the 1970s, and are still there. They offer traditional french sandwiches such as brie on a baguette, plus homemade soups. The Soup au Pistou I had today was wonderful, a cup full of chunky vegetables with a dollop of garlic aeoli that turned it into something you might find in a bouillabaisse. They also make six types of enormous, tasty cookies themselves. The place is a short walk from NU, in the charming little area around Noyes and Sherman.

Al’s Deli
914 Noyes St
Evanston, IL 60201
(847) 475-9400
http://www.yelp.com/biz/als-deli-evanston

Cellar at The Stained Glass

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***** (5 stars)

The Stained Glass is one of my favorite restaurants in the whole world, so it’s not surprising that The Cellar, which is owned by The Stained Glass, is now a new favorite. It’s just around the corner and a block down, and shares much of the same culinary philosophy.

When I go to The Stained Glass, I like to graze on the appetizers, ordering everything tapas style. At The Cellar, that’s the normal operating procedure.

Everything is delicious, and the prices are extremely reasonable. If anything, the portions are too big for tapas style dining; I’m sure two people could share a couple of items such as the salmon flatbread and Short Ribs sandwich and leave stuffed, with a tab under $30.

I just got home from a visit, and already I’m thinking about when I can go back!

Cellar at The Stained Glass
820 Clark St
Evanston, IL 60201
(847) 864-8678
http://www.yelp.com/biz/cellar-at-the-stained-glass-evanston

The Stained Glass

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Tuna Tuna Tuna!

Tuna Tuna Tuna!

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***** (5 stars)

The Stained Glass is one of my favorite restaurants in the whole world, and we’ve dined at some of the best. I always visit at least TWICE if I’m in the Chicago area. We love being able to put together our own custom flights of half glasses of wine, and then match them with several small courses of appetizers. The shared appetizers such as the charcuterie are particularly good. Servers are knowledgeable and friendly, and the ambiance is great. A neighborhood gem.

The Stained Glass
1735 Benson Ave
Evanston, IL 60201
(847) 864-8600
http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-stained-glass-evanston