Caroline A.'s Profile
DateChicago, IL 60611
(312) 266-3110
Bar Toma
Category:
Italian
Neighborhood: Near North Side
Chicago, IL 60647
(773) 252-5687
Irazu Costa Rican Restaurant & Catering
Categories:
Latin American,
Vegetarian,
Caterers
Neighborhood: Bucktown
Whatever that green spicy stuff is, it is sure to clear your sinuses right away.
Bonus points for fast delivery... even to Printer's Row. And everyone loves bonus points!
Chicago, IL 60622
(773) 252-2020
Tozi
Category:
Korean
Neighborhood: Wicker Park
What I loved was the option of having beef, pork and octopus to grill. While they were all very good, it left me wanting to go to my favorite Korean dives. You know the ones.
What they brought out for banchan was a disappointment. I had seven people in my party, and I was almost embarrassed by the portion sizes. This girl loves her kimchee. Don't skimp.
The seafood paejun and chop chae were a little on the bland side. The paejun could have definitely used more crisping on the outside.
I was surprised they didn't have my favorite Korean bar foods - ddukbokhee, soondae, spicy wings, squid, etc. With Hite, Kirin and an extensive list of soju cocktails, that's something I'd definitely be into.
The K-pop music is a nice touch.
For the low price of $52, we shared a beautiful summer beet salad, stuffed sweet peppers, a cheese course and a mind blowing beef short rib dish with braised carrots, peas and turnips. It was hearty, comforting, and full of love. Just when we thought we were done, our dinner ended with peach turnovers with chantilly cream and raspberry sauce.
The staff was wonderful. Not a bit of pretentiousness here. I can't wait to come back.
Note: If you have any room left in your belly, you *are* allowed to ask for second helpings of any course. More peach turnovers please. :)
New York, NY 10018
(888) 444-5610
Distrikt Hotel
Category:
Hotels
Neighborhoods: Hell's Kitchen, Midtown West, Theater District
The staff is super friendly, rooms are clean and modern, and it is an overall comfortable environment. Great chocolate turndown service and a very lovely welcome snack of an organic brownie! YUM. Free wifi.
My only complaint is that they don't have a gym. They do give out passes to a gym two blocks away, but I opted to just exercise around the hotel.
The Distrikt is a yes if you're looking for a small and comfortable place in the city.
New York, NY 10012
(212) 334-6546
Kelima K
Category:
Bridal
Neighborhoods: SoHo, Greenwich Village, NoHo
The floor to ceiling panels of soft tulle, pristine chandeliers and plush accents turn this space into a truly magical place.
Kelima dresses are not for ordinary brides. While she does have many gorgeous classic dresses, I feel she is more geared for those who are very fashion forward, avant garde, and are looking for something completely original.
Check out her hair accessories. Love love love them!
1 Previous Review:
-
8/6/2008
Kelima K's Spring 09 Collection is up on her website. The wedding dresses are absolutely exquisite and you can see several items in her fashion line as well.
http://www.kelima...
I met Kelima when I randomly walked into her studio one Saturday afternoon. I was just starting out my dress hunt, and was looking for inspiration. I honestly thought I would buy something off the rack, but Kelima and I bonded instantly, and I knew she'd design my dress.
Kelima's designs are timeless, clean, elegant and graceful. She travels the world to find perfect hand-crafted lace in France, hand-beaded materials in India and other sources of luxury and inspiration. Here is where details count. The roughing at the bust of my dress and the twisted shoulder straps made a huge difference. The knot, which we went through a few times to figure out the right size, gives the dress a little more depth. And finally, the silk lining inside softens the shape of the dress while providing comfort and warmth for a chilly October evening.
This particular dress took about four months to complete. It is also the most comfortable dress I own.
I've written about Kelima before, and she is actually a wedding dress designer (so brides-to-be, check her out if you're interested in a custom made dress, designed just for you). She has designed dresses for New York City socialites, fashion magazine editors and a beauty-obsessed Chicago girl. ;)
I will definitely be stopping by again the next time I am in New York!
New York, NY 10019
(212) 247-8137
Casellula
Categories:
Wine Bars,
American (New)
Neighborhoods: Hell's Kitchen, Midtown West
The atmosphere is dark, romantic, and just loud enough to have a close conversation with friends or your honey. I saw a lot of couples snuggled up at the bar... perfect date restaurant!
Casellula has a very extensive wine list, and an even larger cheese selection. It is almost overwhelming. Don't know what to choose? Ask the fromagier. I almost asked him to marry me after he came back with two beautiful selections. Accompaniments are almost as important to me as the cheese, and we had ours with a burnt fig jam, strawberry preserves and a a spicy pesto spread.
Other menu highlights include stuffed peppadew peppers, chicken liver mousse and beet salad. All were pretty fantastic. So good we had double orders of each.
I will definitely be back.
Cha-An is one of the rare places where you can get real authentic Japanese food. I'm talking rice porridges, miso soups, tofu soups, pickled vegetables and fish cakes. Everything tastes fresh and clean - you can dine out guilt free!
We did indulge in dessert and got the grapefruit puff pastry looking cake, as well as the banana chocolate ganache cake. Both were excellent!
Love this place. I wish we had something similar in Chicago.
Listed in: Sugar High
1 Previous Review:
-
8/20/2007
Oh how I adore this gem.... I will visit Cha-An again and again with each trip to NYC.
The tea selection here is impressive - Greens, Blacks and Herbals, the menu is very descriptive and gives the origin of each of the varieties. I had an iced green tea float with red bean ice cube. It was very good, but definitely a dessert drink. BF had a green tea from Kyoto that I could smell from across the table. It had a wonderful color to it and he said it was very good.
I wish we came hungry, because the menu looked very appetizing. I really wanted to try the sweet potato samosas, but was too full. But we did indulge in some dessert... and it was a very difficult decision! We finally ended up with the chocolate souffle with raspberry reduction sauce - came out hot and fresh out of the oven. Rich and dense, the raspberry's tartness cut the density perfectly. The star of the evening was the Black Sesame Crembrulee. Words cannot describe the euphoria after a bite of it. It was perfection!
I am really interested in trying the Earl Grey Chocolate Mochi as well as the Green Tea truffles.
Service was excellent, and the environment is great for a date or a small group of people (maybe 2-4)?
Oh... ladies, be sure to check out the lady's room. Bidets are always fun ;)
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 944-8400
Bistronomic
Categories:
American (New),
Modern European,
French
Neighborhood: Near North Side
So I had a late dinner here last weekend, and it was lovely. The decor is very casual/slightly trendy, the lights are low and the room is dark. Tables are separated enough so that you won't hear your neighbor's conversation, which is good because I can be a little loud after a few glasses of wine.
Bread service was a bit disappointing, but everything else was great. I loved their beet salad, a lovely presentation of red and yellow baby beets, goat cheese crumbles, a little arugula and a light dressing.
I also had their duck, which was just a tad over cooked, but still tender and flavorful. The cherry reduction sauce was excellent! If you love truffles, get the wild mushrooms!
Overall, I had a nice dinner here. I don't know if I'd necessarily call it the best new restaurant in Chicago per Chicago Mag, but It was enjoyable.
Side note: The cute host was a little flirty with me. A nice touch indeed!
Chicago, IL 60622
(773) 292-1616
Rootstock Wine & Beer Bar
Categories:
American (New),
Wine Bars
Neighborhood: Humboldt Park
Lovely wine list, delicious varieties of cheeses and nice charcuterie.... exactly what I need on chilly fall nights! It's also dark and inviting, kind of sexy if you are here with a date.
If I lived in the area, I'd be here all the time.
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Chicago, IL
Yelping SinceJuly 2006
Things I LoveShoes, Grant Achatz, Christian Louboutin, yoga, running, Chopin, family, my friends.
Find Me InAsics and Diamonds
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Current CrushBebo y Cigala
Their wine list is extensive and the menu does sound quite appetizing. The vegetables and garlic/Parmesan dip is delicious, and makes you feel like you're being somewhat healthy! The thinly shaved prosciutto is excellent. However, it doesn't come with anything! Just pork on a platter. It would have been lovely with some crusty bread and stinky cheese. Please note it.
I consider myself to be a Margerita pizza expert, and ours was a bit lacking. I was underwhelmed. The crust was very nice, but the cheese to sauce ratio was off. This girl knows her pizza - you better get it right!
Service was decent - no complaints.