"About Last Night..." Gia Gets Unzipped

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

The light of the candles flickered. The soft, sexy sounds of Cafe del Mar played in the background. It was a magical night. "Are you ready?", "yes, I'm ready", "is this what you wanted?", "absolutely" I said with a smile. It was love, love at first sight. Insert a record SCCCCRRRATCH now, as the only love I was feelin that night was for the man-size, ginormous, hunkilicious, ELVIS burger from Stanley's Kitchen and Tap. "Mmmmmmm, sooo gooood" was all I could say as I literally clapped when Cydney brought this dish to the table. But first, let me rewind and tell you about Stanley's Kitchen and Tap IN THE EVENT THAT you did not see my 30 second spot on the Game Time Dine Season Premier!

Stanley's is a place you go when you want to feel like you're just hanging out at a neighborhood joint. It's like eating at home, minus the cooking and clean up factor. The place is chock full of things to do from brunches, theme nights, the famous Burger Bar, and if you're a Long Horn fan this is your place! But the extensive menu is what makes this place feel so great. You'll find Chef Jaysen's menu to be full of yummy comfort food such as macaroni and cheese, a variety of amazing sandwiches, and extraordinary dishes like his famous shrimp and cheese grit creation which is outstanding. The drink and desert menu is equally broad with drinks like Sucker Punch, Texas Tea and Spiked Milkshakes. Famous for the fried chicken I couldn't resist this choice either on this particular lovely night. I stared the Elvis burger down and enjoyed the Angus beef with pimento cheese and tiny, crisp onion rings. I should have been embarrassed at the amount of food consumed, but when it's this good you just subtly unzip, or unbutton, whichever is your thing, and keep the good stuff coming.

Check it out - there's something fun going on every day of the week!

In fact, I'll be there again Saturday so don't delay - I'm going for brunch. I'll be the girl, in loose sweatpants licking my fingers from the fried chicken (not really on the pants...you know me better than that!).

Stanley's Kitchen & Tap is located at 1970 N. Lincoln Ave. Chicago, IL 312.642.0007

In these photos: Gia Claire, Professional Bloggess, Cyndey, Fabulous Server at Stanley's

See you next week! check me (Gia Claire) out on Facebook, Twitter or email Gia@efete.net

Labels: dating and dining in chicago, new restaurants

"About Last Night..." Gia says "Not so much"

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

They say Mado is a French term for "baby", or "honey"....well...listen here "mado", this was not my favorite.  Sure, I could blame the fact that I didn't like the dress I was wearing, or the table we sat had the sun glaring through, or maybe it was the simple fact that I was just too hungry.   Regardless, mado did not deliver in the way I expected. 

The energy was low, and one could argue that it felt more like being in someones dining room than an actual restaurant.  This could be a plus for some.  There was a large family style table placed in the center of the small restaurant and when we walked in it was like everyone stopped to look up...like we were disturbing their family gathering.  There was some exposed brick and local artwork which is always nice and modern but I just wasn't feeling it.

Boasting support of Midwestern farmers and a Mediterranean flavor I figured I would just dive right into the menu and see what kind of tasty goodness I could find.  We started with freshly baked sourdough bread with mustard and pickles, and wood grilled sweet corn with a smoked paprika butter.  Honestly, I think we could have chosen more exciting dishes, but I just went with the flow.  Usually bread is served whilst waiting for the food, but in this case, there was a charge so had I brought my Grandmother, she would have stashed the extras in her purse.  But I digress...

A combination of entrees from the wood grill and the rotisserie, we chose the hanger steak and Gorgonzola polenta, and the chicken with roasted summer squash and margoram.   Hmmmm....the steak was nicely flavored but the polenta was overpowered by the Gorgonzola.  The chicken was extremely juicy and tender, but a half plate of bland summer squash was just not hitting the spot.  

The good news is I didn't overeat.  The bad news is that I stopped at the Dunkin Donuts down the road.  

Like I always say...sometimes you just gotta roll with it.

In this photo:  Gia Claire, Professional Bloggess

Mado is located at 1647 N. Milwaukee 773.342.2340

Labels: dating and dining in chicago, Mediterranean dining

"About Last Night..." Gia turns up the heat!

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

By definition, Vermilion means a vivid red.  But in this case I would say it means H.O.T.  The restaurant is a place you could almost pass up walking down Hubbard, but once you step inside you are transported to a modern, beautiful eclectic blend of Indian and Latin cuisine...who would have thought riiiiight?

Vermilion is the color, trendy and hip is the scene.  Bursts of red blanket the walls with beautiful women on canvas dancing as your eyes float from picture to picture.

And the sexy, pumping beat of Cafe del Mar playing in the background.  Perfect.  Just perfect.

Take note, however, this place is not for the spice haters.  It will have you reaching for the water with each passing bite (which in my case, means restroom breaks every ten minutes, lovely).

It's difficult to articulate this experience because it was as unique as it was delicious (and for once, an almost perrrrfect date).  But I digress.

Let me give you a run down of tapas delights that crossed my lips that night.  Though I can't really tell where the starters began and the entree ended, it was all blended into sweet and hot flavors hitting different taste buds on each bite.  Menu items included wild boar jibarito, blue corn crusted scallops, coconut chili mussels, Juhi ki pani puri (which, personally, I just like saying over and over), and lobster Portuguese.  I can honestly say that the spice and flavor of these items were all unique yet similar in the fact that they were hot, sweet....or sweet then hot. Every bit made you stop and go hmmmmmm.  (see face below).

My personal favorite was the Juhi ki pani puri, and though YES I kept saying "Juhikipanipuri" almost in song, it was the most delightful little flour shells filled with spiced potato and chili mint.  You first pour a little juice into the cup and sip and crunch...how cool is that?  No wimps though...this is one bite food.  

After what seemed like four hours and ten courses I kept looking over at the large portrait of a beautiful woman dancing wearing a tiny little bikini with killer abs, that before this meal may have resembled my own.  I could see her staring at me saying "put down the fork...put doooowwwwn the fork".  Who knows? maybe it was the Chardonnay talking.

Go to this place as soon as you can - enjoy the experience - enjoy the flavors.

But ladies, sit with your back to these beautiful portraits, I mean, really, who needs the pressure?

In this photo:  Gia Claire, Professional Bloggess

Vermilion is located at 10 W. Hubbard, Chicago, IL 312.527.4060

Labels: dating and dining in chicago, indian cuisine, latin indian fusion

"About Last Night..." Gia Gets Served

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

OH. MY. GOD.  (to steel a quote from my twelve year old niece). I had the most amazing experience at Cibo Matto at the WIT Hotel.  John Schadl (shown in pic) knows how to treat a lady, and anyone else looking for something to write home about.  Open for only weeks the beautiful fresco on the ceiling was barely dry.  When you walk in you are greeted by a line of wait staff all dressed like soldiers in white waiting to serve.  I fumbled with my chair and within seconds I was assisted by one of these friendly gentleman.  The lights were mellow and romantic with soft jazz playing low enough to tap your foot AND have a conversation.   When you look up at the painting by local artist Todd Murphy you are intrigued by the feeling of spring with cherry blossoms and beautiful people floating around.  It's refreshing and light.

    

When Chef Todd Stein came to present the Contemporary Italian menu it was full of unique, seasonal choices with starters we chose, such as Crudo di Hamachi which had great texture and flavor, and fried zucchini blossoms stuffed with whipped ricotta.  It was like eating flavored air - so delicious.  For the Primi course I chose the Corzetti, pasta coins, sweet corn, oyster mushrooms and charred red onion, which was a wonderful blend of smoky and sweet.  For the Secondi (main course) I opted for the Halibut.  This Halibut was grilled to absolute perfection. If I could make it like this at home I would probably never eat out again.  The flavor was smoky and the texture was hearty yet flaky.  This was the kind of meal you could eat three or four courses and not feel overwhelmed when you leave (or maybe that's just me).  When our server Brent recited the desert menu there was ONE thing I couldn't resist.  It was a salted carmel ice cream.  Are you kidding me?  I was almost licking the bowl like a two year old. OUTSTANDING!

One last...and very important thing.  If I was standing next to you I would have you lean in and I would whisper this...when you dine at this fabulous establishment you will receive, from John, a teeny tiny yellow ticket which gets you VIP access to the roof top at the WIT.  But shhhhhh...you didn't hear it from me.  And P.S. the roof top is ALL THAT - a must have experience.

Arrivederci! 

Shown in photo:  John Schadl, GM at Cibo Matto, and Gia Claire, Professional Bloggess

Cibo Matto is located at 201 North State Street (at the WIT Hotel) 312.239.9500

Labels: dating and dining in chicago, fine chicago dining, italian cuisine

"About Last Night..." Gia spends Sunday with a Sangria

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

A casual twist on a Sunday afternoon date found me in a wonderful explosion of color and flavor nestled in the Blackstone Hotel on Michigan Ave.  Mercat a la planxa.  I heard many wonderful things about Chef Jose Garces unique blend of flavors and seasonal Sangria it seemed the perfect afternoon stop before a walk through Millennium Park. 

While I don't consider myself much of a Sangria gal, I couldn't help but sample the light flavor of this sparkling goodness with cherries floating and bumping into the ice adding a delicious sweet flavor with every swirl.  No doubt, this girl was hungry, so as always I started with a light appetizer.  Arroz a la Cazuela, which translates to Chicken, Chorizo, and Tiger Shrimp soup with artichoke salad and piquillo aioli (true...a lot of fancy words which undoubtedly will fill my little blog up just in translation alone!).  However, this soup was more than light, and certainly more than good.  It was outstanding.

Known for my appetite and uncanny way of handling even the largest of portions I ordered the Australian Sea Bass with smoked pine nuts, celery root and basil emulsion, and the Setas Al Horno (wild mushrooms, con fit potatoes shallots & parsley).  Disappointed at first by the small and artsy portions (admittedly, really hungry), I took a moment to admire the artwork. After a one second pause it was without hesitation that I devoured the light, flaky sea bass as each bite swirled through the celery root and emulsion.  I was also delighted with the rich buttery flavor of the mushrooms and potatoes.  

A strange, yet cautionary note from my experience...beware the almost pitch black bathrooms. Yes, I realize this is odd to remark, but I was both intrigued, and a bit lost in the black stalls with single shining headlight.  Thank goodness I only had one Sangria or I would have had to leave a trail of popcorn to find my way out! 

A location definitely fit for a light and lovely date.

Mercat a la planxa is located at 638 South Michigan Ave. 312.765.0524

Labels: blackstone hotel dining, dating and dining in chicago, south loop dining