Natasha "did somebody say steak?!" G.'s Profile

I got my Bachelor's degree at UIC, needless to say I know all about this hood...it's been 2 or so years since I've last dined at Thai Bowl and though the food is still mediocre, the service has drastically changed.

Do you want to seat yourselves? Do you want to be ignored until someone brings you water 10 minutes later? Do you want to then  wait another 10 minutes to place your order? Shockingly enough...once the food was out (another 10 minutes later) we were NEVER checked on again despite attempts at making eye contact with the three women working that night -- and no, it wasn't busy.

The jade noodles with shrimp was always my favorite dish here but after such dismal service, I did not (or could not) enjoy the food...or maybe that's changed too now. Ridiculous.

I've been here twice and can honestly say that no, I veritably have nothing to come back for. I get it -- fusion restaurants are SO hip but this place is trying way too hard, the only reason why it's still in operation is because the majority of our society is comprised of sheep.

So in turn, I'll skim on the fluff and give it to you simply, dine here if and only if you are ready to drop some coin on less than mediocre food and service --

Unless you're lost and asking for directions, perhaps only then should you set foot in here.

I have it on good authority that Crisp accommodates to my inner fat girl, true story.

Stopped in here last Friday and though I thought I wanted the Baby Buddha Bowl (their version of bibimbop) I opted for the Seoul Steak Bowl instead. I didn't love it, but I didn't hate it -- the first three bites were fantastic....and then the steak (and oil) began to really sit with me so I had to push it aside because eating it in one sitting was not going to happen.

My boyfriend ordered a whole chicken -- half Seoul Sassy and half Crisp. Holyballs. These two flavors are virtually unlike one another, Seoul Sassy is tangy and packs a punch while Crisp is sweet and spicy, the latter of which seriously blew my mind.

Four stars just for the Crisp flavored drumstick I inhaled, well done folks...well done.

Also, I love love the set up here. It's kind of like family seating, giant tables, plenty of chairs, you'll be sharing your dinner with others. Additionally, I love the stools overlooking Broadway -- people watching is always a big fat plus.

The guys working here are super friendly, we'll be back for sure.

Errands are errands, however grocery shopping is nothing short of fabulous if it's at this Jewel in the Fulton River district.

Every Monday after yoga at 6:30 I hit up this Jewel for the freshest produce, Gala apples in particular (organic Gala apples are usually on sale too)!  It's very clean, nicely organized and never a hot ass mess. The employees are always helpful and parking is a breeze.

The only downer here folks is its proximity to the Blommer Chocolate Factory -- the sweet aroma of chocolate wafts through the air like an unwelcome assassin to any woman's diet, smell fail...or win?!

On the menu it says that "Dawali" means grapes or grapevine. In foodie-speak "Dawali" means hummus from HEAVEN.

My boyfriend and I met his cousin and his girlfriend for dinner last night at Dawali and a solid 4 stars was rightly earned.

I am in love with hummus - the affair started four years ago and I'm never turning back. Suffice it to say, mama knows her hummus.  I love all flavors of hummus and I love eating it with celery, carrots, pitas, you name it. Yes, sometimes I eat it without anything else.

Dawali's hummus appetizer (large) was needless to say, perfection. I've never tasted hummus so well made and fresh and the pitas that came with it were warm and great for dipping. The hummus plate had spices and olive oil in the center so a quick dip of oil then hummus was quite dreamy on a warm pita.

For dinner, I ordered the Jerusalem salad, comprised of freshly cubed tomatoes, cucumbers and onions dressed lightly in tahini sauce. It was so good, so many flavors and textures in one generous bowl!

The four of us shared our  meals and I can't remember what's what. I tried the bread pies, the shawerma combination plate, falafels, a little more of the hummus....the baklava and the other dessert that consists of warm cheese -- AMAZING!

The service was great and attentive however, if you love hummus like I do, you owe it to yourself to try Dawali Meditterranean Kitchen!

Mama likes. Actually, La Scarola, Mama La-La-Loves!

I'd like to send a personal shout out to Adam T. and Sarah S. for personally recommending this spot to me last week. If there's one thing I take seriously, it's word of mouth reviews and Adam and Sarah definitely know what's up.

I made reservations for 4 at 9:30 on Friday night and upon walking in we were greeted like family by the owner. (Who said we were late while dramatically throwing his hands in the air -- we were right on time actually and he was just messing with us...)  We waited about 5 minutes for them to turn a table and we were all seated.

I'd also like to point out that at a fairly late hour this place was bumpin. Not elbows touching, cramped kind of bumpin, but this was clearly the place to be.

So the menu changes everyday and get this, it's freaking handwritten. There's nothing I love more than the written word, yes that love even trumps pasta. See my pictures!

We started with an order of bruschetta and calamari - absolutely heavenly. I ordered the Pasta Lorenzo (after eyeballing the dish at a nearby table) and it was spicy, hearty and everything I want and crave in an Italian dish. It came with bowtie pasta and generous, plump shrimp and pieces of chicken. Did I mention that one portion feeds a family? Okay, maybe not a family but it definitely was enough to amount to three separate meals. (I know because that's how many times it took me to finish it).

What I love love love though was that my glass of water never went empty. Actually it never went less than half way -- the servers are very attentive!

For dessert, (the most important part of any meal) I ordered the canolli and you know what, if you're still reading this review wondering how the dessert turned out you're a hotmess. Stop reading this review and get over to La Scarola ASAP.

If you need to know, the canolli was fantastic ;) DUH.

My manicurist cut me. Twice. There did that get your attention? Now go the other way.

Okay seriously, what the hell? I'm one to do my own manicures and pedicures and I take joy in doing so - it relaxes me. Today however, I was in dire need of a manicure and pedicure and stopped in here as it is conveniently located in my building.

I walked in and was greeted by the man at the desk and told him I needed both a manicure and pedicure. He told me to pick a color....so I did, actually I hovered over the polish rack for a good minute or so, because I wasn't sure which color I wanted.

"When you're ready, sit over there," she told me, pointing in the direction of the pedicure spa chairs. "Okay," I told her and went back to choosing colors.

I was in between "Sweet Memories" and "Bubble Bath," both of which are nude-hued pale pinks -- a color mind you, that I never wear but I'm feeling extra feminine these days...anyhow, about another MINUTE goes by and the same lady approaches me with, "You pick color yet?" I tell her no and look around -- there are two of us in the salon and nearly 8 employees, what's the rush?

You won't believe it but a third and final time she approaches me and asks me if I'm ready...Christ already - fine, fine, I'm ready, grabbing the bottle of Sweet Memories.

As I make my way to the spa chair three ladies are standing around it, my pedicurist, one other lady standing to my left and another just observing. I sit down and the lady on the left asks if I want the manicure at the same time as the pedicure. I wasn't in a rush but haven't had my manicure done at the same time as the pedicure but hey, I'm always down to try new things. Sure, let's do it.

Stretched in the most awkward of positions (the manicurist never moved or adjusted to accommodate me) I had the worst manicure of my life. I had no gripes about my pedicurist, she was very careful and did a great job so the one star is for her...but back to the manicure from hell I now wish I'd done it myself.

While trimming my cuticles (read: rush trimming my cuticles at lightning speed) she cut my thumb. I winced in pain and she made a sorry face followed by a confused expression, yes you cut me I glared back. 5 minutes later, while reviewing my nails before polishing them, she cut me again for good measure, this time drawing blood.

I'm done here as there's nothing else to say other than it was not worth the $40 I paid (including tip). Though the location might be convenient, I don't enjoy bleeding in the middle of a work day on what I thought was supposed to be a relaxing break from work.

This is definitely an upgrade from the Union Station location, then again we are in the Gold Coast and money here is falling from the sky. (Probably.)

I stopped in here yesterday after work and was told the computers were down -- heyO! One would think that checking in would be a hotassmess but no, this was not the case. The employees at the desk took our membership cards and scribbled something down -- our names maybe? But the line kept moving, it was as quick as the cards being slided at the computer, very nice guys.

I haven't ventured around this location too much yet but I will tell you I loved that there was a gym room right off of the women's locker room. I'm guessing it was just for women as everyone in there was a lady. I worked out in here and loved the privacy -- and loved having the option to workout with just women.  There was sufficient room for a few treadmills, an elliptical, a few bikes and mats for stretching.

I guess the only downer of this location is the $2 parking for 2 hours -- if you go over the allotted 2 hours, normal rates after will apply. Boo, you whore (a la Mean Girls...).

Cafe Iberico is thy name and bipolar, inconsistent quality Spanish cuisine is thy game.

Two out of five stars because hell yes I've experienced better (read: Mercat, Babareeba, dare I say People Lounge?). Every time I dine here it's like a whole 'nother experience. And trust me when I say, it's not for the better.

I came here tonight and shared the calamares, the patatas ali-oli, queso de cabra and a plate of seafood paella. Zzzzz, wait, am I still writing a review here? Yes, unfortunately I am. Wake up Tash, the people have to know!

The last time I came here (February of this year) the entire course was amazing, I couldn't get enough. Tonight however was another story: the calamares were tasteless, though grilled they were just doused in oil. What's weird was that the first bite of the squid was really good, when I went back for seconds I was so put off and bored by the non-flavor flavor that I was confused, did the waiter swap out the plate on me?

The queso de cabra is not well balanced, the tangy tomato sauce overpowers the goat cheese, there was no blending of flavors here folks, just a pot of tomato sauce with a dollop of goat cheese in the center. The patatas ali-oli were okay, though you can't really mess up potatoes and mayonaise right?

The paella which was the saddest thing on the table, was sorely overcooked. The shrimp and mussels were rubbery and chewy to the point that I had to stop eating. Next.

Yet another gripe was the noise level here. It's Tuesday night, come the f*** on, who are these 35+ y/o rowdy hooligans yelling at the top of their lungs at 8pm? I couldn't hear my aunt nor my waiter without straining to hear and replying in yells. Yep, I yelled all night. This is ridiculous, when you dine downstairs it's dark and and though not quiet, it's a like eating at an entirely different restaurant. That said, don't ever try to get seated upstairs.

Better yet, do yourself a favor, pull out the extra cash and get yourself to Mercat a la Planxa ahora.

Oh Dragon Star, you are in reality one of the reasons why I don't judge books by their covers. From the outside you look like a hotmess in the middle of nowhere Mundelein. But additionally, if I could I would dive head first into your BBQ Pork Fried Rice.

So truly unexpected and never failing to disappoint me, I stop in here on several occasions when visiting the mom in the burbs. I've sampled your sweet and sour chicken (sauce on the side and no, you don't have to special request that). I've had a few bites of your egg foo young -- and for someone who doesn't even like egg foo young, just wow. I don't like eating eggrolls with my meals but the owner always let me substitute it for a drink which is really nice.

Dragon Star has very friendly owners and I love stopping in here when I visit mom on a lazy weekend.

PS: No MSG and they cook with 100% cholesterol free corn oil.

PPS: You're welcome.