State

Every Thursday State offers $6 entrees, needless to say, I am often there on Thursday evenings grabbing a bite with friends. The food is very tasty. My favorites are the steak salad and the flat breads. The only thing about State is that it is very much a "scene". People dress up like they are coming to club when the come to eat here because as the evening ages the restaurant becomes a club. It's kind of cool, but at the same time the club thing is way over rated. I guess what I am trying to say it that the building and restaurant lacks personality and originality, but the food is very tasty.

Eggs

I have another confession.

I kind of like eggs.

I know, for years I couldn't stand them, but now, I don't know. Something about eggs has won me over. Don't get me wrong, I don't think our relationship has progressed so that I will be sucking eggs down raw, but I do think that omelets, poached eggs and I will become better friends.

Plus, there is that whole challenge of cooking the egg. When I make the perfect omelet or poach an egg and it remains whole, I feel very satisfied eating it.

Of course, there is always one type of egg I will ALWAYS love:


I can't wait for Easter...

Cheese Souffle

I did it! I made a souffle!














I am so excited!

It was so yummy!

And so tall and fluffy!

And surprisingly easy to do!

I followed Julia Childs recipe for a cheese souffle ( I did have to cut the recipe into 1/3). It was fun! I even whipped the egg whites by hand! I am just so excited by this whole experience! I may actually start cooking seriously!

Garrett's

I have a guilty pleasure. Garrett's Popcorn!!

Garrett's has several locations in Chicago and is THE place in Chicago to find Chicago Style Popcorn. Have you noticed that Chicago has a large selection of "Chicago Style" food? I wonder why that is? Hmmnnn...

Anyhow, Garrett's is very tasty. They offer many flavor including caramel, cheese, butter, plain, and caramel with a variety of nuts. You can even have several flavors mixed. If you mix cheese and caramel you come up with Chicago style. But I have to wonder, why would you ruin the lovely caramel flavor with cheese?















This is a great treat to share with a friend, or just when you need a little pick-me-up.

It is a little pricey, $5 for a small bag, but very yummy and great when you need just a little reward from your long day of work!

Souffle

I think I want to try to make a souffle.

I'm a little frightened. They seem difficult.

Perhaps I will use a recipe from Julia Child? I am now the proud owner of "Mastering the Art of French Cooking" I could follow a recipe step by step!


















One question, sweet or savory?

Ann Sather and Giordano's Revisited

This past weekend I had a couple of visitors. Needless to say I took them to a couple of my favorite places; Ann Sather and Giordano's. Once again I was impressed with both places and just had to tell you all about it!

At Giordano's we went for the thin crust pizza instead of the Chicago style and let me tell you, it was just as tasty!!! Really, it was so yummy!!! I almost prefer it to their Chicago style!

Ann Sather continues to amaze me every time I visit. This past time I had the Salmon Eggs Benedict. It was so good. The salmon was smoked and salty and so tasty!!!!

Everyone needs to treat themselves to breakfast at Ann Sather. You will NOT be sorry!!!

Five Guys

Have you heard of Five Guys?

Well if you haven't it is my pleasure to introduce them to you. Five Guys is a Washington, DC based burger joint. The best way to describe Five Guys is: simple.

They use fresh ingredients and make your burger and fries to order. You can get whatever you want on your burger from a list of toppings. Then they call your number out and you receive your order in a brown paper bag.


Your burger and fries come out hot and you leave happy and full.













Chicago has several locations and all of them maintain the Five Guys top quality burgers, fries and service. I suggest you find a Five Guys and enjoy, with 200 restaurants opening in 2010 you are bound to find one near you!!!

Sidecar

I have a new favorite cocktail. The Sidecar.













Made with Cognac, orange liqueur, and lemon juice. It's simple, tasty and comes from Paris or London (depending on who you ask) and I am happy with either. Next time you are feeling nostalgic, European or in the mood for something new, give a sidecar a whirl!

Giordano's

Pizza!













Who doesn't love pizza? It's cheesy, packed with amazing toppings and has a great crust.

In Chicago you have a couple of choices for good Chicago style pizza. Ok, I take that back, you have several choices for traditional Chicago style pizza. So many that I hardly know where to start.

Let's start with Giordano's. It's the name all Chicagoans know. There are several location throughout the city, but the location I visit is on Rush Street. The pizza is very deep, very cheesy and takes nearly an hour to prepare. I love it.

















Giordano's is a little touristy, but the pizza is very tasty and if you aren't up for adventuring out to find "a little whole in the wall pizza joint" I suggest you visit Giordano's and give a Chicago classic a try!

Wow Bao

One of my favorite things about Chicago is the variety of food you can find here. Even in fast food there is a wide range. Wow Bao is one of my favorites! It is THE way to experience fast-food Chinese. They offer several types of steamed Asian buns including Curry Chicken and BBQ Pork and even dessert Bao! I have tried all of the Asian buns and loved every single one. They also offer a wide variety of salads and noodle dishes to accompany the bao.













One of my favorite things about Wow Bao is the drink variety. They offer several types of teas and carbonated drink but I have to admit my favorite is the Pomegranate Ginger Ale. Now this isn't they typical ginger ale, it is REAL ginger ale with the great kick of ginger. I love it!!!

Francesca's

When I was little I thought my name should have been Francesca. Why? Good question, I have no idea.

Anyhow, there is a little restaurant called Francesca's here in Chicago. In fact, there are several. A few weeks ago I took my mother and my aunt to the Bryn Mawr Location and was very pleased. It is everything a family Italiano restaurant should be. The deco alone is a reason to visit, light and modern, but welcoming.

They start you out with fresh bread and olive oil to dip it in. Yum! I love simple ingredients! You can really enjoy the taste of each!

I ordered the Pollo Arrosto alla Romano, which was basically half a chicken roasted with garlic, shallots, rosemary, lemon and olive oil and served with roasted potatoes. It was so yummy. The chicken was moist and had a fantastically delicate balance of all the flavors. It was fantastic!














We followed it with pistachio ice cream. Yum!

I rolled myself out of that tasty little place! At a moderate price point($15- $25 per entree) I will be sure to visit again! I don't know a lot about Italian food, but I know that Francesca's has a great variety of very yummy Italian dishes.

"They're flat and they're French..."

I don't have a review for you today, but in the name of all things tasty I am giving you a few of my favorite clips of Julia Child. She just cracks me up. Enjoy!

Pirate's Booty

I have a confession.














I ate Toi's Pirate's Booty. She left a bag in my apartment. I just couldn't resist trying it. Let me tell you, I am not sorry. It is very tasty and so crunchy. In fact, the crunch is my favorite part. I think I will be venturing out to Whole Foods to try all the flavors. It says a lot when I like something that is white cheddar flavored and I detest cheddar flavorings.

Pirate's Booty is my new favorite snack.

Toi, I owe you a bag. White Cheddar or something else?

Zanzibar

Every neighborhood needs a cute little cafe for people to gather. In the Edgewater neighborhood of Chicago Zanzibar is that place.

Found on the corner of Bryn Mawr Ave and Kenmore Street, in a cute little brick building, you will find a welcoming cafe that offers fair trade coffee, warm panini sandwiches, tasty pastries, ice cream treats and very friendly service.

I can't pick one thing I love the most. It is all tasty. The last time I stopped in to use the free WiFi I enjoyed a cup of harvest coffee and an almond croissant.











No matter the time of day, Zanzibar is the place to be. It is always welcoming and always has something tasty to try.

Bloody Mary

I was brave and tried some thing new.

It didn't work out so well.

But at least I tried it!

Bloody Mary is a traditional, classic drink made with Vodka, tomato juice, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, Tabasco sauce, and a garnish of lemon and or a celery stick.

I usually like traditional things, but really Bloody Marys are not for me. I felt like I was drinking a meal in a cup. It is so thick and spicy I basically chugged it so I didn't have to taste it.

Sorry Bloody Mary, we will not be hanging out again.

Cesars - Home of the Killer Margaritas

Margaritas, I love you.

No I really do. You and your traditional salt rim, Tequila base and triple-sec with lime juice have worked your way into this country girls heart. Originally, Tequila and I didn't see eye to eye, but now we are friends. In Chicago, I haven't found a better place to get a great margarita than Cesars - Home of the Killer Margarita.

They call them "killer" because a small is a large and they only go up in size from there. You can get them frozen and with several different flavors, but really you don't need to. They are delicious in their original form.

Cesars also has great dining. Focusing on Mexican cuisine you can find very yummy things on their menu. I love the Mini Wraps. Three spinach tortillas filled with chicken, steak or turkey (I go with the Turkey) and spinach, mushrooms, onions, cheese and tomatoes. Served with guacamole and chipotle dips. I will admit they are the only thing I've had on the menu because they are so good I never want to try anything else!












And of course Cesars wouldn't be Cesars without the free Tequila shots that always find their way to the table! I love this tasty dinner spot. It's great for later dining and has great prices. Entrees are anywhere from $9 to $16. Not bad for the terrific dining and drink experience you will have here!

Ann Sather

How do I begin to describe this Chicago, Lakeview neighborhood, classic?

Delicious?

Yes.

Yummy?

Yes.

Friendly?

Yes.

Unique?

Definitely.

Ann Sather, a Swedish restaurant and catering company has its original store on Belmont, only a short walk from the Redline. There are currently four locations, but the only one I have had the pleasure to visit is the Belmont location. Everytime I go I am impressed with the food and the friendly service.

Ann Sather is known for its cinnamon rolls. Large, gooey, and so yummy they are a must. I will willing stand in line forever to get one of these warm, tasty rolls.

The menu is pretty extensive with anything from Omelets to several versions of Eggs Benedict to pancakes and even some unique Ann Sather breakfast dishes including a stuffed french toast that is to die for. Filled with marscapone and topped with granola and fresh berries, I don't know a better way to start the day unless you want to try the Crab Eggs Benedict with a tasty hollandaise sauce. A tradition english muffin topped with a cajun crab cake and a poached egg. I don't eat eggs, but I love this take on Eggs Benedict.













Don't forget to get your sides of cinnamon roll and fresh fruit!













You can also stop in for lunch which is equally as tasty, but when you can get all those tasty breakfast choices why bother with lunch?

Ann Sather is one of my favorites. I will be visiting again soon. The prices are reasonable and within this girl's budget!!! Love it!!