The hummus at Chickpea has a distinct spicy flavor and was a favorite of mine.
Chickpea is an authentic Middle Eastern option a little closer to downtown than its best competitors in Albany Park. How does this counter service cafe compare? Listen in to find out.
(16.0 M)
Show Notes:
00:00 – 01:33 Sit-down places vs. Chickpea’s counter service
01:34 – 02:54 Small, colorful, interesting space used well
02:55 – 05:27 The unexpected — cash only & no explaining to be had
05:28 – 07:43 Trio of dips to start
07:44 – 08:32 ‘Real’ Middle Eastern food? Rave reviews & low-blows
08:33 – 09:30 Lentils & rice side-by-side comparison and homemade yogurt
09:31 – 11:24 roast chicken was heavy and not as flavorful as expected
11:25 – 12:40 Ratings and sign-off
The waiter at Kan Zaman said the lamb shank would be the envy of the table. He was right.
At Kan Zaman we reclined on floor pillows as we ate. But is eating on the floor all it’s cracked up to be? Did the Lebanese menu meet our expectations? Does belly dancing enhance the ambiance or detract from it? Listen in, and we’ll tell you what we think.
(19.5 M)
Show Notes:
00:00 – 01:57 Great expectations and the joys of dining on the floor
01:58 – 04:30 Lessons about location and starters
04:31 – 06:11 Ambiance and more appetizer talk
06:12 – 06:55 Great wait staff and BYOB comments
06:56 – 09:28 Main dishes — Veggie options and two kinds of lamb
09:29 – 11:51 Dessert and a belly dancing invitation
11:52 – 14:12 Ratings and sign-off
Kan Zaman
617 N. Wells
Chicago, IL
Bridget’s Kan Zaman Ratings:
Food Quality: 3/5
Value: 3/5
Service: 5/5
Ambiance: 4/5
Overall: 4/10
Tammy’s Kan Zaman Ratings:
Food Quality: 2/5
Value: 2/5
Service: 4/5
Ambiance: 3/5
Overall: 3/10
Average price per person: $25
There was still hummus left in the bowl at the end of the evening. That sums it up.
Semiramis is casual, affordable, and frequented by locals. It’s also one of Tammy’s favorite places to eat, and it’s easy to understand why when you try the food. The chef is so talented at layering tastes that it feels like you should pay three-times what you’re charged for your meal. Everything we’ve had there is good. I particularly enjoyed the carrot juice.
I’m also happy to report that even though Semiramis is in a neighborhood that isn’t always wheelchair friendly, it has a nice accessible restroom.
All of these things make Semiramis a must stop along the Brown Line, and a Chicago Bites perfect 10!
(4.4 M)
Show Notes:
00:00 – 00:24 Intro
00:25 – 07:32 Semiramis Review
07:33 – 09:27 Sign Off
(16.0 M)
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