a food junkie's restaurant reviews
Chicago, IL: Al’s #1 Italian Beef
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I’ve been bugging the boyfriend to bring me to Al’s #1 Italian Beef since watching Man vs. Food a couple weeks back. Today was finally my lucky day! There are numerous locations but I believe the original one is located on W. Taylor (the one I went to and also where Man vs. Food was filmed) – right off of University of Illinois Chicago’s campus. Be on the lookout for a bright red awning as you drive down the street.
So this place offers the usual Chicago style hot dog but true to it’s name, it offers an Italian beef sandwich. Now mind you, this is no ordinary sandwich. Deeply marinated sliced/shredded beef encompasses a couple green bell peppers all wrapped into a soggy hot dog bun that’s been soaked in a special sauce. This is NOT the cleanest meal by any means but what do you expect from a soaked sandwich fast food joint? The taste is simply amazing – it’s like a whirlwind of flavors dancing on your taste buds as you quickly devour any remains of your sandwich. Very delicious. The place also offers cheese fries but, unless you’re craving more food, I’d pass on this (simple kind of soggy fries with a side of nacho cheese dip).
Price is about $7 for a regular size and $9 for a large size sandwich combo (and by combo, I mean a drink included). If you’re just going for the ride (and not much of a meat eater), you’ll be entertained by the vast amount of celebrity pictures posted to the walls – everybody from local newscasters to famous sports players.
http://chicago.menupages.com/restaurants/als-no-1-italian-beef-2/menu
Beware, this place is closed on Sunday’s!
Chicago, IL: Piece
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I bet you’ve heard all the hype about Chicago being famous for its pizza. From Georgio’s to Lou Malnati’s to any other deep dish establishment out there that is supposedly “Chicago’s best!” Now, I’m not much of a deep dish pizza fan. I have tried Lou Malnati’s three times and all three times the pizza has been too cheesy and watery…is your pizza supposed to drip liquid?
Because I’ve been missing NY so much, my friend thought it’d be a good idea to introduce me to a pizza establishment called Piece. Opened by a New Haven, CT guy (close enough to NY), this guy’s pizza is absolutely delicious. Thin crusted, right out of the hot oven, melt-in-your-mouth delicious. I normally swing for the plain pizza which consists of an abundant amount of garlic cooked together with olive oil and parmesan cheese in a red tomato sauce…hold the mozzarella cheese, please. But you can choose a traditional red base or a white base and top it with anything from clams to mashed potatoes to standard tomatoes. The portions are HUGE (no joke, it’s quite the sight to see)…the medium portion can feed 2-3 people and put them all in a food coma. In addition to the pizza, this place also offers wacky desserts like chocolate pizza, one of THE best guacamole combinations, and a wide selection of beers (some of which they brew in house).
Price is about average – $14 for a medium pizza but look to increase that with additional toppings. Guacamole and chips is a bit pricey at $8 but so worth it after you taste the seasoned chunks of avocado melting in your mouth.
You can find, what I think, is the best pizza place in Chicago in Wicker Park (1927 W. North Ave). After you put yourself in a semi food coma, you can explore the boutique stores of Wicker Park and maybe grab another beer at the local beer. This place will always have a “piece” of my heart.
piecechicago.com
New York City: Chat ‘n Chew
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Where do you go if you want to see trendy college kids stuffing their faces with comfort food? Chat ‘n Chew, of course! True to its name, this place is where college students, yuppies, and an eclectic group of locals come to chat it up and chew down on that oh so good meatloaf.
Located in Union Square (my fav part of NYC) on 16th street between 5th ave and Union Square West, stop in to this restaurant after a long day of shopping. Try the mac and cheese with a crusty top. Or swing for the traditional meatloaf or turkey dinner. Want something different? How about the TV dinner or Uncle Red’s Addiction. Craving seafood? Then get the cajun catfish po’ boy.
Prices range from about $10 for the po’ boy to $15 for the TV dinner. The food is average as is the service, but you’re definitely paying for the ambiance of being surrounded by chattering locals.
http://www.menupages.com/restaurants/chat-n-chew/
Beijing, China: Lao Beijing Zha Jiang Mian
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I call it Dan Dan mien, I guess it’s always called Zha Jiang Mian. Either way, if you haven’t had this dish, you’re in for a treat. Imagine soft think noodles with a dark sweet sauce with minced pork (I try and swap it with minced chicken). It is a true and authentic Chinese dish.
Now this place, Lao Beijing Zha Jiang Mian is CRAZY (as an understatement). During its busy hours, you find employees running around practically throwing the dishes in front of you – because obviously they have no time nor patience to deal with you. lol. However, if you want the crazy restaurant busy experience, this is one place you cannot miss.
In addition to the Zha Jiang Mian, you should also order the banana fritters for dessert. This hot (temperature-wise) bananas are deep fried and covered with hot toffee. On certain occasions I have managed to burn my mouth with the sheer excitement of eating this dessert.
Go to http://www.savourasia.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=215&Itemid=201 for more information (it’s the 2nd write-up). mmmm. delicousness.
Tokyo, Japan: Saba restaurant
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Yet another no-namer restaurant but you have got to believe me that this place is THE best place for grilled saba (mackarel). Surprisingly cheap (for Japan), you get a good portion sized saba with a couple side dishes. Just thinking of this place makes my mouth water.
It’s amazing how some of the best restaurants are hidden (or survive on word-of-mouth). You can find this place underneath the train tracks in Ueno’s Ameyoko district (http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3012.html). You might have to duck into this small restaurant as it is definitely made for Japanese people (if you’re a Western man, expect to be ducking through this restaurant). To get to the tiny second floor, you have to pretty much crawl up a tunnel of stairs – but you also get to amazingly watch how the employees of the restaurant rush up and down the st
Tokyo, Japan: some REALLY good Japanese restaurant
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Sadly I do not know the name of this REALLY good Japanese restaurant – but do not stop you from visiting this amazing restaurant. If you want authentic Japanese food overlooking the Imperial Palace (the Emperor’s residence surrounded by a moat), you must visit this restaurant. I know, I know, you’re going to have to trust me on this – but ask your concierge or tour guide and they can reaffirm the name of this restaurant (they surely should know it!).
Pricing is quite expensive (even for Japan) but you get a very tasty authentic,non-touristy meal – guaranteed to have something you haven’t had before. Location is the 14 th floor of Tokyo Asahi Seimei Hibiya Bldg. 5-1 Yuraku-cho, 1-Chome Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100. And if anyone figures out the name, please let me know!!
Not a restaurant review – but deserves a blog!
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If you have a few minutes, check out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=klX1C_Yynww. I just saw this guy play on the harp and he’s amazingly good for being only 19 years old! Okay, back to food blogging…
New York City: Alice’s Tea Cup
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Imagine a restaurant where you feel like you’re in a completely warped out-of-reality world, ala Alice in Wonderland. At certain instances, you can find the staff scurring around with wings on their backs. Little girls (and those who wish they were children again) can be seen sipping out of little tea cups and eating scones off of flowery, delicate plates (with no two being the same). Walk off the streets of Manhattan and into Alice’s Tea Cup – a brunch/high tea establishment.
Pumpkin pancakes, Wonderland waffles, Quiches, Crepes, Smokes salmon & scones, Curried chicken salad sandwich, and steak salads are just a few items on the menu you can order to accompany your tea (or any other drink you want). I do, however, recommend trying the high tea set – a combination of scones, sandwiches, and desserts with a choice of tea. There is a menu list of teas to choose from – one that’s so large you’re bound to find the one to ease your taste buds. I absolutely love the scones but more often than not, they run out by the late morning/early afternoon.
Alice’s Tea Cup can definitely offer premium pricing considering it’s great location, fun ambience, and delicious food. Look to pay about $25, at the minimum, for the high tea set (can be shared by two) or about $15 for an entree. You can also rent out this place for a tea party – but beware of the down payment and minimum number of guests. But haven’t you always wanted a tea party with friends?
Just a friendly heads-up, there is always a line on the weekends for brunch – arrive early (before 11am) if you want to avoid waiting outside! A few years back, it was a first-come-first-serve basis but it’s worth giving them a call to see if you can make a reservation. The place is small so be prepared to get friendly with your neighbors.
There are three locations but I have only been to Alice’s Tea Cup Chapter II – conveniently located near Bloomingdales on 64th street between Lexington and 3rd Ave. http://www.alicesteacup.com/
Chicago, IL: Chicago Chop House
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I literally just got back from one of the most amazing steak houses I’ve ever been too (the boyfriend agrees and is thus forcing me to write this blog while I try to fight off the food coma). Chicago Chop House. Steaks from 16oz to 64oz (yes, that’s right, 64 big fat oz – the size of an infant) – if you’re a steak lover, this is where you NEED to be. Imagine 3 levels in a historical building with old school pictures lining the walls – everything from certificates to historical pics of Al Capone to historical landmark photos. Extremely knowledgeable waiters and a line that files out the door, are just a couple reasons why this place is the best steak house in Chicago. Let me break it down…
Food: Pick a size and type of steak (Filet Mignon, Tomahawk Ribeye, NY Strip, etc.). You can also add a sauce for the steak to be cooked with. The filet mignon, oscar style (maryland lump crab sauce), is supposedly one of the more popular of dishes. I, personally, thoroughly enjoyed my 16oz NY Strip, Au Poivre (mushroom, onion glaze). The meat was the melt-in-your-mouth kind – so good that you wish your stomach, at that one moment in time, would expand so you can keep devouring the steak in front of you. Add in some of the sides, my personal fav being the sweet potato puree while others accompaniments such as creamed spinach, fiesta corn, truffle mac and cheese are just a few to choose from…luckily, the sides are to a smaller proportion. As for dessert, I got the mixed berry with a orange zest glaze topped with coconut ice cream. But, the guy at the table next to us got the 6 layer German chocolate cake (yes, 6 – and so big, he offered to share with me). Never before have I seen a slice of cake that was this large – they might as well just give you the whole damn cake cause it was about that size.
So what’s the cost for a meal like this? A 16oz NY Strip was about $40 – however you can get the 64oz porterhouse for a pinch over $100. Now in the recession, can you justify eating a small infant child in place of a car payment? It’s up to you – but, trust me, if you end up here, you should go all out.
http://www.chicagochophouse.com/noflash.htm
Tokyo, Japan: Udon
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This post is dedicated to the random udon restaurant that I probably single-handedly kept alive. As far as I know, this place doesn’t have a name nor do I know if it still even exists. But if you’re out there tasty udon restaurant, thank you for being part of my Tokyo life.
Cheap. Delicious. In your hands in less than 2 min. Tempura udon – yum! There’s a noodle shack (if you will) that serves amazing udon in a VERY extremely quick pace and the soup base is absolutely the most delicious I have ever had. If I remember correctly (and if it still exists), the establishment is based right outside Roppongi station exit 4B (or the one across the street from Almond – the cookie shop – and next door to the book/magazine store).
Back in 2000, you could walk up to the ticket machine, drop in 500 yen (about $5) and get yourself a hot steamy bowl of udon. Now, back then there weren’t even seats in this place but when I last went back in 2002, or so, they added swivel chairs (upgrade!). Hand the lady the ticket and she’ll steam some noodles and throw in some of the broth and voila! hot udon soup!
If someone is in Tokyo and reads this post, please let me know if the udon shop is still there! Itadakemasu, now eat!
