Tank Sushi For neighborhood sushi

Tank Sushi
For neighborhood sushi

Posted by Tammy at 3:00 pm

Jul 292009

Dragon Roll is a good half-price deal.

Popped into Tank Sushi in Lincoln Square last week for a casual lunch with @geg5150. Tank is on Lincoln Avenue near the Old Town School of Folk Music, so there’s a lot of foot traffic in addition to the delivery trucks, buses and overall business of the street. I was surprised, given all that, that Tank has outdoor seating. We were game because it was a beautiful day, but questioned our decision when one of the aforementioned delivery trucks was left idling near our table. There’s nothing like exhaust to bring out the best flavor in sushi.

Despite the questionable setting, Tank did make up for it with discounts on their sushi. During weekday lunch you can try a variety of maki and nigiri for half-off. However, they tack on a 20% tip for any items ordered off the menu, I’m not sure what the exact savings is, but it was enough to make trying some of their more expensive rolls an attractive choice. The dragon roll was particularly good that day, but the yellowtail was exceptionally delicate and fresh.

If you’re in the neighborhood Tank Sushi is a good choice. However, don’t mistake it for a destination restaurant. Tank is good for casual dates, a hungry pit stop, or a lovely lunch with a Twitter friend.

Tank Sushi
4514 N Lincoln Ave
Chicago, IL 60625

Sure, it looks angelic but it's just edamame!

Patio Dining - What do you look for?

Posted by Tammy at 6:00 pm

Jul 232009

The patio at Cafe Selmarie is next to a public square on a one-way street. It's a good situation!

The weather in Chicago has finally started to catch up to the calendar, and people are moving out of the dining room and onto the city’s sidewalks. Of course, not all outdoor dining situations are created equal. We feel you should look for a few things before sitting down to eat:

Does the restaurant have a dedicated outdoor dining space or will you be sitting in the middle of the sidewalk? Foot traffic can kill a dining experience.
How busy is the street? Are there delivery trucks and buses running by every few minutes? Do you really want a side of exhaust with your meal?
What’s the light situation? Will you be squinting through your meal? Will the sun be setting on your dinner?
Does the restaurant extend their interior dining experience well, or do they start substituting plastic forks for tableware and limit their regular menu? Does the door slam every time a waiter goes in and out?
Can service keep up with another location? Does dining outside mean huge delays in ordering, getting food and then settling up the bill?

What do you look for when dining outdoors? Leave a comment or catch up with us on twitter!

Sandwiches, like this veggie stack, are good for outdoor dining.

Dorado Restaurant
Chicago Bites Podcast #143

Posted by Bridget at 9:00 pm

Jul 142009

The jicama salad is crisp and refreshing.

I was talking on my cell phone on the train recently, and when I hung up, this guy came up to me with a shy, kind smile. “Excuse me, but do you run a podcast called Chicago Bites?”

That’s how I met our podcast fan, Brett. He actually recognized my voice! I couldn’t believe it. It just goes to show you that you never know who you’re going to meet on the train.

As we chatted about our favorite restaurants and food trends on our way from point A to point B, Brett and I decided a dining experience was in order. So he and his fiancée, Julie, recommended Dorado, a little neighborhood BYOB they enjoy, and Tammy and I met them there. Tune in to hear all about it. It was a pleasure to commune with fellow foodies. Brett, I’m so glad you said hello!

(10.5 M)

Show Notes:
00:00 – 01:07 Famous among dozens
01:08 – 02:53 A neighborhood place with a menu of surprises
02:54 – 05:18 Starters: well dressed jicama salad & a guacamole blossom
05:19 – 07:53 Entrees: saucy fish, scallops, and chicken enchiladas
07:54 – 09:03 Dessert: Bread pudding and flan
09:05 – 09:45 BYOB & dining space
09:46 – 10:05 Ratings and sign-off