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Lizzie McNeill’s: Irish Fare With a Side of WiFi

Feb 8th, 2010
by Bridget.
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Irish stew and a Black Velvet is a great way to fight the February chill.

Irish stew and a Black Velvet is a great way to fight the February chill.

There’s nothing like some  hearty Irish  stew and a Poor Man’s Black Velvet for a little fortification  against Chicago’s biting February chill, and Lizzie McNeill’s, a pub tucked up along side the river on McClurg Court, does a decent job with both.

Lizzy’s is first and foremost a bar, and one of its greatest attributes is that it doesn’t pretend to be otherwise.  Still, friendly bartenders, a good amount of table space, and comfy chairs situated in front of a cozy fireplace make Lizzy’s an appealing place to go and stay awhile.

There’s something on tap anytime the doors are open, but the cook is only there in the evenings starting at 5:30ish, so don’t come looking to snack before then.  The food sticks to your bones, and if it’s meat that you’re craving, you’ll find some. The grub isn’t standout, but it hits the spot. The menu is standard, and you can’t go wrong if you get fries.

Everything on the menu comes with a side of wifi, giving Web surfers a nice alternative to coffee shop chains.  Simply ask the bartender for the network passcode, and you can happily surf, sip, and sample the evening away.  If you are going with laptop in tow, go earlier rather than later.  Lizzy’s gets pretty busy at night with locals and tourists alike, and when they arrive you’d be better off at Starbucks if you still want to write in public.

Lizzie McNeill’s
400 North McClurg Court
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 467-1992
Get directions

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Posted in: Irish, Streeterville, Uncategorized.
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Super Bowl Sunday Eats
This week’s Twitter round-up

Feb 5th, 2010
by Tammy.
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guacamole & chips

There’s a football game on Sunday and everyone’s got ideas about what to nosh. From a side of beef to super white tuna, here’s what you’re chowing down on during the big game:

Have a question for the Twitter community? Leave a comment or send us a tweet!

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Posted in: Twitter Round-Up.
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David Burke Restores My Faith in Red Meat

Feb 2nd, 2010
by chicagobites.
2 comments
The "Burker" at Primehouse, named after the chef, gives Kuma's a run for its money.

The "Burker" at Primehouse, named after the chef, gives Kuma's a run for its money.

David Burke has restored my faith in red meat.  His menu at Primehouse, a restaurant located in the James Hotel, is simple but inventive, featuring steak that is quite literally a cut above the rest. You can taste it in each and every succulent bite.

In recent years, I’ve leaned toward the seafood side of the menu with a few key exceptions, like lamb or unusual game specialties,  because somewhere along the line red meat stopped tasting good to me.  More times than I care to admit, I’ve worked my way through a plate of gristle or fat only to be rewarded with disappointment and an outrageous bill.

But Primehouse is different.  All of the meat served there comes from cattle that is grass fed, and there’s a huge difference in the taste of the meat.  Tammy always told me that was true, but I’d never tasted it for myself. The prices are in line with other Chicago steakhouses, but in this case, I have no problem opening my wallet to pay for a simply excellent main course.

In fact, I was so impressed with the 55-day aged ribeye that I had during my first visit, (it literally made my eyes roll back into my head) that I went back for lunch a few days later to try the burger. One of our Twitter followers promised that it would “change my life,” so I couldn’t resist.

I’m not sure I’d go that far, but I will say that it was certainly one of the best burgers I’ve ever had. Where Kuma’s is all about tantalizing topping combos, Primehouse focuses on what it does best and makes the meat itself the centerpiece.  Its 40-day aged “Burker” is topped with garlic spinach, crispy shallots, and bacon mayo on a potato bun. You can add cheese if you want to, but it’s not needed — messing with the formula is an insult.

Also worthy of a shout-out is the Caesar salad. Prepared table-side, it’s fresh, light, made-to-order, and there isn’t a bit of cream dressing in sight.

The sides I’ve had at Primehouse are hit and miss.  Sometimes the cheese on the truffle fries is melted to perfection, and sometimes it isn’t.  Still, the fries are tasty and the side dishes pale in comparison to the meat regardless.

Primehouse is worth a stop for sure. Who knows? Maybe I’ll see you there. Writing this is making me hungry!

David Burke’s Primehouse
616 North Rush Street
Chicago, IL 60611-2712
(312) 660-6000
Get directions

Ceasar Salads are made table-side and hit the spot.

Caesar salads are made table-side and hit the spot.

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Posted in: River North, Steakhouses.
Tagged: · · ·

The Hunt for Pierogi
This week’s Twitter Round-up

Jan 29th, 2010
by Tammy.
1 comment
Pierogi!

Pierogi!

Our friend Gordon (@gordondym) had a taste for good pierogi, so we put out the call through Twitter. As always, there were some great suggestions:

  • @GreenGrocerChic We get a fresh delivery of pierogi every Monday, but they sell out fast. If you call ahead we can set some aside for you.
  • @richqb I hear Kasia’s has awesome pierogi. Chicago and Hoyne, I think? Got my own?
  • @creamwine Belmont close to Paulina.
  • @aschie30 By far, Smak-Tak (Jefferson Pk) has best. Light & flavorful. More traditional, but good version @ Podhalanka (Wicker Pk)
  • @mlindzy Best is at Kasia’s Deli on W Chicago at Hoyne. Cannot be beat!
  • @swimmerpoet Where to get great pierogi in Chicago? Podhalanka Restaurant on Division
  • @maggiehendricks Cooked? Big Apple, Angel’s, White Eagle. Uncooked? Pierogi Factory Outlet

Thanks to everyone who shared! Have a question for the Chicago food community? Leave a comment or find us on Twitter (@chicagobites).

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Posted in: Twitter Round-Up.
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Movies and Cheese Plates — A Match Made in Heaven?

Jan 4th, 2010
by Bridget.
2 comments
The lounge and bar area at the ICON theater in the VIP balcony.

The lounge and bar area at the ICON theater in the VIP balcony.

I went to the new ICON theater on New Year’s Eve, an upscale movie complex in the West Loop that offers assigned stadium seating and better munchies than the average theater concession stand.  In a festive mood, my friend and I splurged and spent an extra five bucks for VIP tickets.

What does a VIP movie ticket get you? First off, it grants admission to the upper balcony — a place where the under-aged are not allowed to tread.  That’s  because the only way to get to the balcony seats is by cutting through a swanky modern lounge complete with splashy red velvet booths, great city views, and a full bar.

There’s a full menu available in the lounge — pizza, sandwiches, starters, and cheese plates — and service is fast. Most things take about 10 minutes from order to table.  I recommend arriving for your movie early so that you have time to enjoy the space and the view before the show.  Don’t worry about scarfing down your food. Although food will not be delivered in the theater once the movie starts, you can take your order in with you.

The VIP seats themselves are awesome  –  super comfy, wide, and clad in leather with extra leg room. And the way the seats are arranged, nobody will block your view. There’s a cocktail table nestled between most chairs for your food, which is served on real plates with real silverware wrapped in cloth napkins. There’s even a spot for a wine bottle, should you choose to buy one to share. :)

I was soon in foodie heaven — not because the food we had was spectacular (in fact, take a pass on the pizza) — but because I was nibbling on a better than decent, fairly reasonably priced (Roughly $7) cheese plate, and sipping a glass of Alamos Malbec, all while watching Sherlock Holmes on the big screen! How cool is that?

It’s very cool. And so worth an extra $5 for a VIP ticket! Another perk is that parking is free until the lot ticket booths are up and running… so get thee there sooner rather than later.  You won’t be disappointed. The ICON lends going to the movies a sense of occasion.

Kerasotes ShowPlace ICON
150 W. Roosevelt Road
Chicago, IL
312-564-2104

Note: All seating is reserved. Tickets can be bought online via Fandago, or at the theater, but wheelchair accessible seats and companion seats cannot be reserved online and must be purchased over the phone or on site. Only managers can take credit card information over the phone, so ask for one directly if you call. The wheelchair seat is just a space for the chair, so if you want to transfer, be sure to reserve an additional companion seat.

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Posted in: West Loop.
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