Brit Chick U.'s Profile

This used to be my staple Brunch place, but is taking a back seat whilst I check out some new places.  

The brunch menu is bright and spicy with such great items as French Toast, Eggs Benedict and my favorite Tofu-Quinoa Scramble complete with mixed salad and potato hash.  Their Bloody Mary's are a meal unto themselves, so don't touch the garnish until after you've cleaned your plate.  Come early to avoid a wait or a seat at the bar which is uncomfortably high for eating.

If you are in the neighborhood and in need of a change for dinner try the tofu coconut curry, it made me crave for the homeland.  The crowd can be a little too cool in the late evening and it does get smoking around the bar, that's why I prefer the brunch crowd.

Good spicy food with an interesting drinks list and an even more interesting video display on the back wall.  Come with plenty of time to spare as the staff can get a little busy.

I love this place.  Local handmade jewelry, soaps, nick knacks and books next to well known names, this boutique store has a lot to offer.  It did lose one star for the simple reason that sometimes it's offerings can be a little too unique and possibly bizarre, that I hesitate at spending the high prices when I'm not 100% the recipient will appreciate (understand) it.  It is at the same time definitely a place you could buy something for your mum, cousin or even friends baby if you're looking to impress. The store is huge and in need of some serious exploring...good hunting!

It had been a while since I had visited the dentist's chair and I remembered this clinic when it used to be on my daily commute.  

I was seriously impressed when I entered the place, a modern loft space design with 6 foot dividing walls and state of the art equipment.  One machine read my mind whilst taking a 360 degree x-ray of my teeth and then displayed said fears on a screen for the dentist to observe.  The dentist talked over his findings with me and suggested what little course of action I needed...not all British tell are bad!

I had a thorougher cleaning and told to return in 6 months.  I have dental insurance which paid a big chunk and so was not put out as some other reviewers have been.  All this and a very friendly helpful staff.  WOW!  You do need a current patience recommendation to get your foot in the door, if needed I can hook you up.

I first came here as a middle point to meet a friend who lives way up North and now we both happily suggest this establishment without thinking about it.

The bar staff always remember what my last pint was and are able to suggest something new to try.  The food however is average bar fare and a little above what I would like to pay for it.  There is the added bonus of a photo booth, which I personally can't resist.

That aside this place is starting to compete with my local due to its easy no frills service, great beer on tap and quite location close to the Damen bus route.  Come thirsty, not hungry.

Someone tell me how I've lived in Chicago for 6 years and yet it takes a meat eating friend from Cincinnati to introduce me to this vegetarian brunch delight?!  I always struggle when meeting friends at this meal time.  The breakfast burrito I used to love but no longer indulge in (no eggs for me) still calls my name.  

No Fear, this Zagat recommended venue comes with a variety of veggie friendly items with a hint of the Far East.  I had the "Eggless Wonder #1" with marinated tofu, green veggies and brown rice.  I cleaned my plate even though my stomach was fit to burst.  My friend also loved her food, fresh fruit and yogurt and the biggest Belgian waffle this side of the Atlantic.

Delicious fresh dishes, severed by soft spoken staff in this bright little corner in Roscoe Village.  I desperately wanted to go back the next day, but fortunately for my waistline and pocket this isn't my neighborhood.

This is a restaurant I continually see gaining nothing but praise from The Chicago Reader and yet I had never managed to get to...because it's as the same as going to the North Pole for someone who realizes on public transport and lives in Wicker Park.

A very unassuming place.  The gentleman who waited on us was attentive, knowledgeable and kind.  I was the pain-in-the-butt customer who couldn't make up her mind and asked him to do so for me.  He asked 2 simple questions and then chose "Mandoo Noodle Soup" which was more than perfect.  

I had read a review that mentioned some people found the dishes to be bland, but if you want hot sauce, ask and they'll give you something even better here.

I desperately tried to finish my soup, but my companion warned me that no one person is meant to consume 1 gallon of liquid in one sitting.

The home made juices are equally as good and can substitute as a dessert.  I had the "Energy Shake" with tofu, mixed nuts, orange , apple and pear.  This off white drink sounds scary I know, but I wanted to take one home with me to have for breakfast.

Don't be turned off by its location, even my meat eating friend was delightfully surprised.

A group of 10 friends and myself recently got the opportunity to try this little BYOB which made Time Out Chicago's "Top 100 Best Dishes of 2006."

The front room looks like nothing special, which is part of this place's charm.  You could simply walk by and not notice it, but step into the back room which has a little more time and thought spent on it and you'll know great things are sure to follow.

A great menu (which is available on line in Spanish) with everything from the simplest of salads (half a lettuce appeared on a plate) to fantastic ceviche to a feast to tame the biggest carnivores appetite, finished with the sweetest of rice puddings topped with glazed pears.

Everyone ordered something different and the plates circled the table numerous times, until all were satisfied.

It was surprising to be charged $3 per bottle we opened, as on line the menu stated no charge, but we did have good stemware to drink from and glasses were continuously replaced.

Over all excellent food and service, they just need a manager with a few more years on him and they will do famously.

So I used to eat everything that breathed at one time, then I went pescatarian and finally fully vegetarian (but not quite vegan) 3 years ago.  Giving up the fish was very hard for me and every now and then (twice a year) I get a hankering for some really good and highly properly raw fish.  I have no problem spending big money on fantastic fish, but when I spend more than half my rent on fish that I can't taste because the seasoning or marinade is over whelming, I'm less than happy.

I had the appetizer special "Tuna Sashimi" which was rolled in toasted sesame seeds and pepper with just the edges seared.  Had the tuna itself been of higher grade, I would have enjoyed it more, but coupled with being sliced too thin and the over powering seasoning, it was charred tuna and nothing more.  My husband had the scallops to start which were delicious with a spinach filled dumpling and sweet pepper and mushroom sauce.

I had the chef's recommendation "Sea bass" with baby bok choy and rice, as my main course.  The fish was delicate and balanced, melting on the tongue. I personally find bok choy to be a difficult vegetable to cook to perfection, it needs so little time to be overcooked, that I can't resist it on a menu.  Sadly the chef here has my issues with the green leaf.  This could have been an exceptional dish, if they had not been lazy and used the same sauce from the scallop appetizer on the sea bass.  My husband had the "Skirt Steak" which was more fat then you would hope, coupled with the overly charred edges, it could have been better.

Dessert could have saved them, but instead accented the previous courses further.  Store bought baked cheesecake and the biggest slice of apple pie with lack luster apples...the ice cream was the best part of dessert.

We did have a wonderful time besides these slight imperfections.  It's hard when you're paying a lot of money, not to expect the outer body experience.  

I would return on a week night and sit at the bar, just to try the oysters.

As a vegetarian, I had heard a lot of good things about this place from meat eaters, yet something intrigued me to experience this classic New York diner for myself.

The first time I went I was exhausted from wondering around the Shedd Aquarium and therefore it was bound to disappoint.

I'm happy to say I got the opportunity to give it a second chance when a friend got tickets for a performance at the dance center 2 blocks away.

We choose "Eleven" on location, competition and speed of service.  I am delighted to say it passed on more than the before mentioned with flying colors.

We explained our need for speed to our server and he ensured we received everything in a timely manner without feeling rushed.  The food was exceptional.  I had the veggie sandwich which not only had the most interesting green pea and fresh vegetable patty, but came on the best sourdough bun I've had in a long time.  We washed our dinner down with a well spiced Bloody Mary, vegetarians please note it come with all the normal garnishes plus a twill of pastrami.

I will definitely recommend this place to anyone in the loop on a week night, with a hankering for something old style with a surprising hip freshness.