Noble Square » Chicago Bites

Green Zebra - Midweek Food P0rn

Posted by Tammy at 11:00 am

Sep 012010

Ravioli topped with a melody of summer veggies.

Even though I eat mostly vegetarian, it’s good to be reminded from time to time how excellent vegetarian cuisine can be. Fortunately, Green Zebra is on the scene to provide that reminder. For $55, they provide a Chef’s Tasting Menu that won’t leave anyone wondering at the end where the meat was. There are a few fish items on the menu for those craving protein, but mostly the menu is a delight of vegetarian and vegan options. It’s still the best vegetarian fine dining option in Chicago.

Chocolate Ice Cream Bar topped with nuts and caramel.

Find our previous review of Green Zebra here.

Green Zebra
1460 W Chicago Ave
Chicago, IL 60622
(312) 243-7100

Lovely Bake Shop - Croissant Quest 2010

Posted by Tammy at 7:00 am

Jun 212010

A croissant, a cup of coffee and a gaggle of friends -- what could be more perfect?

I met up with fellow Croissant Quest participants, @piratealice and @lacabezag, to try the flaky offerings at Lovely. It’s an old-timey spot that reminds me strongly of the antique stores my folks used to drag me to every weekend. Hand-embroidered aprons? Check. Wash basins? Check. Advertising signs from the 1930′s? Check. I’m sure people without tortured childhoods will love the chance to wallow in kitsch. The rest of us can enjoy the big tables, tons of outlets and for an extra buck, bottomless cups of coffee. But the floor-to-ceiling egg beater? I have no idea why it’s there.

We picked up a couple of plain and chocolate croissants, loaded up with coffee and berry-flavored lemonades, and snagged a few other baked goods before taking over a largish table for the next hour or so. Good times. A nice, trendy tattooed crowd wandered in and out for pastry, but it never got too bustling or loud.

Unfortunately, the croissants were on the wrong side of crispy. Not too offensive, but a little disappointing considering the offerings at other places. The cupcakes we tried were an even split between desert dry and spot on. And I guess that sums up this bakery: it does some things just right and everything else — from the decor to the baking — is completely overdone. Based on what we’ve tried in the past few weeks, I have to put Lovely in the middle of the Croissant Quest pack.

If you have a Croissant Quest 2010 recommendation, send us a tweet or leave comment. Thank you!

Lovely on the outside and lovely on the inside.

Lovely
1130 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Chicago, IL 60622
(773) 572-4766

Croissants are $2.25 for plain and $2.50 for chocolate.

Croissant Quest 2010 Stops (in order of preference):

Branch 27
Chicago Bites Podcast #137

Posted by Bridget at 6:00 am

Apr 132009

The grilled octopus, served in a skillet atop toasted bread with tomatoes and peppers.

West Town’s Branch 27 is the new kid on the block. But the building itself has been there awhile — it used to be the 27th ward library, which ultimately inspired the name of the current establishment. Sporting a wildly varied American-style menu, Branch 27 joins the ranks of places flanking Chicago Avenue and aims to offer an upscale pub experience at a reasonable price. Does it manage it? We took a first taste the other night. Listen in and find out.

(13.0 M)

Show Notes:
00:00 – 03:07 First Impressions — the hot guys, the dining space, etc.
03:08 – 04:55 Grilled octopus and beet salad
04:56 – 07:11 Tuna burger — a tad overdone
07:12 – 08:06 Lamb? Not so much. But good garnish!
08:07 – 09:18 Mac and cheese and fries
09:19 – 09:46 Bread pudding is not so good
09:47 – 11:09 Great drink menu — variety of wine and beer at good prices
11:10 – 14:08 Wrap-up and sign-off