Dining Out- Week of January 15th, 2005

1/15/05 In Chicago

M. Henry
Andersonville


Blackberry Bliss Cakes
Hotcakes stuffed with blackberries, vanilla mascarpone cheese and topped with an oat and brown sugar crust.

The first forkful was of the defying thick hotcake and it was dry. The next was of the whole concoction and I wondered where the mascarpone was. Lifting the top revealed some stage foolery. All the mascarpone was in the center and the edges were lined with the berries to give the illusion it was stuffed with them. Some even distribution of these two helped the taste/moisture and brought this from a 3 to a….

3 ½ out of 5 stars


The familiar language barrier at the Mexican panaderia Roman Bakery prevented knowing what I had. The rectangular pastry was a nice assembly of nutty wheat filled with a sweet potato puree.


The Blueberry Blintz wasn’t the treat at J.B.’s Deli. Rather it was Gordono’s Pharmacy in which it is located; small octagonal floor tiles making an elaborate pattern, pressed tin ceiling, wooden cases, old light fixtures, sausages hanging and caged pharmacist’s quarters in the back.


RL (Ralph Lauren)
Magnificent Mile


Chicken Hash
Rotisserie chicken, black truffles, potato, corn, seasoning, poached eggs

The selection was made after the waiter told me this ‘comfort food’ is something he has four times a week. Light in taste, but for the sake of flavor impact.

Décor: Estate library
Service: Started out stellar with great menu feedback and then plummeted.

3 ½ out of 5 stars


Chocoholics beware! The boutique Vosges Haut Chocolate showcases their wares like fine jewelry. I found the Black Pearl Truffle to be amazing how the ginger, wasabi and sesame seeds worked with each other. The Honey Truffle was golden sweetness.


Wow Bao
Water Tower Place

BBQ Pork Bao
Biting into dough exterior of this steamed bun of Southern China origin found a tangy center with discernible tangs of garlic, scallions, chili paste and hoison.

The neon signs have always beckoned me but the long lines have kept me away from Garrett popcorn shops. A half hour is what it took to find the trademarked CarmelCrisp ® addicting.


Icosium Kafe
Lincoln Park

Crepa Iberica
Crepe filled with home made olive tapanade, Roma tomatoes, pistachios, pineapple, mixed greens, ricotta, cilantro, scallions.

What a delight with a wide complex range of flavors, textures and temperatures. Savory, cold, tropical, crunchy, hot, spongy, tart, dairy. Marvelous.

Décor: Middle Eastern comfy.

4 out of 5 stars


While in Lincoln Park the never ending quest of sampling Chicago Dogs led to The Clark St. Dogs. A winner was found in an atypical seasoned dog, soft steamed bun and the appropriate toppings for a Chicago that provided chill and crisp.


Sensory overload at Bittersweet. I felt dizzy after stepping into this elegant shop. Ice cream and sorbet and muffins and bread and cookies and tarts and pie and cake and scones and candy and bakery of all sorts. Sampling eggnog ice cream and tropical fruit sorbet I settled on the captivating and unique Licorice Ice Cream. Neatly served in a mini take out container associated with Chinese which had the interiors brushed with chocolate Next was a try at muffins for my nationwide search for the best of. And since it was an hour to closing it was 2 for 1. Alas, the Banana Nut Muffin and Sour Cherry Muffin were arid and bland.

1/18/05

Terra Cotta Café
Brookfield

Spinach Dip Sandwich
Surprisingly enjoyable for such a simple three ingredient item. Soft sandwich sized Italian bread, tangy ranch dip with water chestnuts and crisp healthy baby spinach.

3 out of 5 stars

1/20/05

Piano Blu
Pewaukee

Duck Tostadas
Pulled braised duck on fried tortillas covered with corn relish, mozzarella and cilantro-avocado dressing

This is one of those dishes that each ingredient has great tastes on their own. But together they maintain those tastes AND mix together for new ones that keep you exploring them as they dance around your mouth.


Tuna Tartare
Diced yellow fin tuna in fried wonton taco shells drizzled with wasabi mayonnaise served with Asian slaw and ginger.

Fantastic. Mexican/Sushi arrangement with them presented as tacos with pickled ginger. What a delight to bite through the crunchy wonton into the soft, cold, fresh, raw tuna accented resplendently by the wasabi mayonnaise. And no, the mayo wasn’t spicy, just enough wasabi to give it liveliness.


Cheesecake and banana wrapped and deep fried served with homemade vanilla ice cream and real whipped cream

Yes, it was as good as it sounds. Crunchy cinnamon shell holding the mushy interior.

Décor: This is Pewaukee? Two levels with the first featuring bands playing jazz and blues. Elegant casual throughout with dim lighting, dark woodwork, posh draperies, fireplace, leather chairs.
Service: Great measure of courteousness, personality, input and follow ups.

4 ½ out of 5 stars

1/21/05

forty8
West Allis

Thai Chicken Salad
Field greens, seared chicken filet, peppers, fried wontons and Thai peanut dressing

The peanut dressing was the highlight of this assortment. Just the right taste and weight to compliment the fresh greens and smoky chicken.

Smoked Turkey & Gouda Cheese Sandwich
Smoked turkey breast, smoked Gouda, avocado and radish sprouts on honey-wheat.

Just a simple sandwich. I think it would’ve been better warm which I’ll find out with the leftovers.

Berry Mango Madness
Berry and mango bread pudding glazed with berry sauce served with berry sorbet

Too bitter and tart. Good sorbet.

Décor: Higher end bar, but they could improve it with new chairs/stools

3 out of 5 stars