Category Archives: Illinois

Siam Splendour

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**** (4 stars)

A pretty decent Thai restaurant that has parking, quite the novelty in Evanston. The barbecued pork skewer appetizer and the Thai salads are the stand outs, and the Pad Thai is pretty good, too. The chive dumplings were doughy and undercooked. Extensive menu, so there’s lots to explore.

Siam Splendour
1125 Emerson St
Evanston, IL 60201
(847) 492-1008
http://www.yelp.com/biz/siam-splendour-evanston-2

Thai Sookdee Restaurant

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*** (3 stars)

This is a completely mediocre Thai restaurant with one killer dish: Pad Thai. Their preparation of it isn’t even exactly traditional, but it is delicious, with medium dark noodles that really sop up the flavorful sauce. Unfortunately every thing else on the menu is quite forgettable. Our strategy is to order the Pad Thai delivered, and then add our own accompaniments.

Thai Sookdee Restaurant
1016 Church St
Evanston, IL 60201
(847) 866-8012
http://www.yelp.com/biz/thai-sookdee-restaurant-evanston

Michael

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***** (5 stars)

A really top-notch French restaurant with extremely reasonable prices for what you get. The wine pairings, in particular, are extremely attractive.

The restaurant is the latest project of award-winning chef Michael Lachowicz. During our Thursday night visit the place was almost full. What we received was a delicious five-course French meal for two people with matching wine pairings. Each course was super, and the matching wines paired perfectly with the food. We had:

   goat cheese puff amuse bouche (we were actually served this twice, which was great!)
   corn soup (paired with an Italian white)
   zucchini with goat cheese in pastry
   seared salmon (paired with a white Burgundy)
   roast pork in pastry (paired with an Argentinian Cabernet Sauvignon)
   chocolate souffle with chocolate sauce and strawberries
   chocolate truffles

Service seemed well-intentioned, but not really at the caliber of the food. This was one of the dressier restaurants I’ve been to around Evanston, with many of the men in coats and ties. That was ironic, because the owner is extremely friendly and casual, working the front desk in jeans and a short sleeve shirt!

This place has definitely made it onto our regular dining list.

Michael
64 Green Bay Rd
Winnetka, IL 60093
(847) 441-3100
http://www.yelp.com/biz/michael-winnetka

Koi Fine Asian Cuisine and Lounge

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*** (3 stars)

I’ve never cared for places that try to do both Chinese and Japanese cuisines, because they tend to do neither all that well, and Koi is no exception. On a nice summer day it’s pleasant to sit in the front room with the floor to ceiling windows open, but don’t expect to get life changing sushi here. For the price I expect more.

Koi Fine Asian Cuisine and Lounge
624 Davis St
Evanston, IL 60201
(847) 866-6969
http://www.yelp.com/biz/koi-fine-asian-cuisine-and-lounge-evanston

Pete Miller’s Seafood & Prime Steak

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**** (4 stars)

Pete Millers has that clubby feel I like in a steakhouse. The steaks aren’t particularly life-changing, but the ambiance is great, and there’s live entertainment that is pleasant without making conversation impossible. A good place for a business dinner.

Pete Miller’s Seafood & Prime Steak
1557 Sherman Ave
Evanston, IL 60201
(847) 328-0399
http://www.yelp.com/biz/pete-millers-seafood-and-prime-steak-evanston

The Olive Mountain

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**** (4 stars)

This place offers really authentic Middle Eastern food and at lunch the prices are crazy cheap. A great falafel sandwich, delicious side of hummus and a beverage is under $6. That’s nuts! PLus, it’s full table service, and the owner is always there to make sure things go right. Great restaurant.

The Olive Mountain
610 Davis St
Evanston, IL 60201
(847) 475-0380
http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-olive-mountain-evanston