Author: cia

Where to eat in Chicago

Chicago was cool, both literally and figuratively. I was bummed to pack my winter jacket in New York on Friday when it wasn’t even cold, but as soon as the wind hit us when we stepped out of O’Hare, I was thankful I didn’t put fashion ahead of function.

Friday night was all about Persian food at Noon-O-Kabab. Four of us split the lamb shank and the koubideh kababs with eggplants, borani, hummus, warm pita bread and a bottle of Shiraz. The entire meal was a nice welcome greeting. I haven’t seen Anna and Mike since we all met up in Manila last year.

Saturday was Colombian at Brasa Roja where we watched the lady behind the counter shovel charcoal into the rotisserie pit. Our chicken was all salty goodness together with the arepa (Colombian corn pancakes but Salvadorian pupusas are so much better), plantains plus rice and beans and the bowl of broth peppered with chicken neck and liver.

We also stopped by Izumi for some Japanese to tie us over until dinner. The blue fin otoro and their uni were very satisfying. They also had flying fish roe in black, which I’ve never seen before. We also ordered a flight of sake and a glass of plum wine.

Sunday brought us Scandinavian brunch at Tre Kronor: salmon quiche, corned beef sandwich, crabcakes and a hefty onion soup. Their Danish pastries were to die for.

Dinner was with other anesthesia residency applicants at Meritage, a New American spot that served pretty impressive monkfish and barracuda.

Monday was Mexican at Lindo Michoacan for some awesome chorizo and carne asada tacos. We had to eat something while waiting for the boy to finish his actual interview at the hospital.

The tacos alone made us crave “gourmet” hotdogs at Hot Doug’s.

We stayed with Anna in Albany Park and we were within walking distance from a lot of restaurants offering ethnic cuisines. Chicago is just like New York City in that way–the streets are just cleaner.

Where to eat in Chicago:

Noon-O-Kabab, 4661 N Kedzie Avenue, 773/279.8899
La Brasa Roja, 3125 W Montrose Avenue, 773/866.2252
Izumi Sushi Bar & Restaurant, 731 W Randolph Street, 312/207.5299
Tre Kronor, 3258 W Foster Avenue, 773/267.9888
Meritage Cafe & Wine Bar, 2118 N Damen Avenue, 773/235.6434
Lindo Michoacan, 3148 W Lawrence, 773/539.6627
Hot Doug’s Inc, 3324 N California Avenue, 773/279.9550

Le Parker Meridien Burger Joint

118 West 57th Street between Sixth and Seventh
212/245.5000
about $25 for two, with two drinks, without tip

Behind the heavy curtains next to the front desk of Le Parker Meridien hotel is a hole-in-the-wall burger joint that serves no-nonsense burgers, French fries, milkshakes, beer and soda. They proudly declare that “If you don’t see it, we don’t have it!” The staff has a no-nonsense attitude to match the burgers they serve. They call out your name and you get your burgers wrapped in paper, your fries in a brown bag and your drink in a plastic cup. Thank you very much.

Le Parker Meridien burger joint has been one of those (not-so)-secret New York City places that has been written numerous times throughout the years but still enjoys a certain anonymity. And when you’re finally there, you can’t help but feel glad that you’re a part of something so New York.

XO Cafe & Grill

96 Walker Street on Centre
212/343-8625
about $20 for two, without drinks, without tip

If you only have $5 to spare, XO’s congee is pretty good. I order my usual favorites: sliced pork or fish.

With decent congee on the menu, I don’t know why they try to westernize everything else. XO is probably the only place in Chinatown that serves spaghetti as an alternative to rice. Their rice dishes are only good when you’re in a drunken stupor and they will definitely make you wonder why you ordered them in the first place after several hours.

Everything comes in some kind of thick brown sauce that reminds me of a poor man’s stew, cornstarch and soy sauce galore. But at least they’re civilized enough to be served with two stalks of green vegetables.

Chick Peas and Broccoli Salad

Adapted from an Everyday Food recipe using cannellini beans

Ingredients:
1 can of chick peas, drained and rinsed
1 head of broccoli, cut into florets and blanched
1 seedless orange, peeled and cut into bite-size pieces
2 ribs of celery, thinly sliced
3 scallions, thinly sliced
1 tsp rosemary, chopped
2 tbsps red-wine vinegar
1 cup of plain low-fat yogurt
salt and pepper

1. In a medium bowl, combine vinegar, yogurt and rosemary. Add the rest of the ingredients and toss. Season with salt and pepper. Refrigerate before serving.

Chicken Breasts with Pepper-Potato Ragout

Adapted from Everyday Food

Ingredients:
3 pieces of chicken boneless chicken breasts
2 red bell peppers, julienned
1 big red onion, cut in one-inch pieces
half a pint of grape tomatoes, halved
a handful of red potatoes, quartered
1 tbsp fresh rosemary leaves
half a cup of parsley leaves
salt, pepper, olive oil

1. Rub chicken pieces with salt and pepper. Heat oil in a deep skillet over medium-heat. Cook chicken until brown on both sides, about 20 minutes. Transfer to a plate.
2. Add onions, rosemary, peppers and potatoes to the remaining oil and toss until potatoes are a little brown while scraping off the brown bits off the bottom of the pan. Add half a cup of water and simmer until potatoes are half-cooked, about 10 minutes.
3. Return chicken to skillet and add tomatoes. Cover skillet and cook potatoes another 10 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through. Turn off the heat and stir in parsley.