Another Option to "Dine" in the West Loop

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

There are so many choices to enjoy a great meal in the city that a lot of restaurants simply get looked over or don't make the cut. Some places that are decent, but won't blow your socks off, still have a place for foodies. Dine, located in the West Loop, is such a place that could be added to your dining options.

Executive Chef Chris Turano uses unpretentious ingredients and escalates them. His menu consists of American cuisine that has a lot of options. Some of the more memorable items were from the starter side of the menu, which included "Braised Veal Cheek, Caramelized Cauliflower Puree, and Mustard Seed Consomme". The "Cast Iron Seared Wild Alaskan Scallops, Soft Porcini Polenta, Parmesan, and Baby Arugula" also received high marks. Although I sampled their "Bone in Ribeye" and "Braised Domestic Lamb Shank" entrees, I preferred the "Block Island Monkfish, Wild Mushroom Broth, Beluga Lentils and Shellfish Mushrooms". The best dish of the evening came via the "Finishing Touches" dessert menu. I indulged in the "Red Velvet Cake" that had me licking the cream cheese frosting from my fingers.

Dine is a 1940's - style eatery and design essentials include vintage elements such as antiqued glass, terrazzo flooring, and over-sized printed art. It doesn't have that contemporary feel of other popular West Loop restaurants, but could be a good alternative to the contrary.

Dine is located at 733 W. Madison St. and is connected to the Crowne Plaza Hotel. For more information check out www.dinerestaurant.com.

Labels: chicago dining, chicago restaurants, crowne plaza hotel, dc crenshaw, dine restaurant, fete chicago, fete select tv, food, west loop restaurants

Moonshine's New Brews

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

The Mrs and I like hanging out in the Wicker Park area often for breakfast, brunch or lunch. That area has been bustling, since the revitalization period started to take place when I arrived in Chicago about nine years a go. We have some favorites on W. Division St. such as, Milk and Honey, Crust, and Smoke Daddy BBQ. But now I can add a new spot to our list of Wicker Park places that I had never tried before, Moonshine!

Moonshine, surprisingly has a cool and hip vibe that makes it a nice place to dine or watch the game. The menu consists of thin-crust pizzas, sandwiches, appetizers and few hearty entrees. While searching for a better brew to pair with its upscale bar cuisine, Moonshine decided to make beer in-house instead of looking elsewhere. Therefore they tapped brew master Reverend Bob Kitrell, a former Goose Island brewer, to handcraft quality beers with spirit and soul. Although I'm not much of a beer drinker, I thoroughly enjoyed the two brews that I gulped down, while watching the thrashing of Ohio State at the hands of USC.

Moonshine's current brews on tap are Sin City, Chronic, and Alpha Dog. The Alpha Dog went nicely with my fish tacos. Reverend Bob brews his beers primarily in the American tradition, using ingredients from the Midwest whenever possible. Drawing from his own experiences is what made him an award-winning Brew Master.
What makes Moonshine a great place to hang out is their music. There's nothing like kicking back a few, while listening to the DJ spin a mix of classic R&B and current hits. Good food, great brews and jammin music...nuff said!

Moonshine
1824 W. Division St.
Chicago, IL
www.moonshine.com

Labels: brews, chicago bars, chicago restaurants, food, moonshine

"To Dine For" by Maddie

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

This summer, simply filling up my gas tank has stalled my ability to
embark on the types of culinary adventures I have come to crave. My
personal hero, Anthony Bourdain, chef, author, and foodie
extraordinaire has taught me a thing or two about what defines a great
culinary experience. So, since I can't afford to travel the world on
an adventure of my own, I settled for watching the new season of his
hit show "No Reservations" on the Travel Channel (airing Monday nights
at 9 PM CST) and try to fill that void at home.

Bourdain and his crew traveled to Spain this week and in preparation,
I did a bit of "research" at my favorite place to blow a whole
paycheck, Fox and Obel (401 E. Illinois), where I picked up a few
items to assemble a Spanish influenced antipasto platter to munch on
during the show.

The first thing I included is thin slices of Serrano ham, an uncooked
and cured Spanish variety. Next, I chose two cheeses with the help of
the cheese monger – Nevat, a goat's milk cheese from the Catalonian
region (think Barcelona) and 12 month-old aged Manchego – a sheep's
milk cheese from La Mancha and officially my new obsession.

After picking up some Marcona almonds and Manzanillian green olives I
decided to look for some wine. I took the opportunity to try a
different type of grape, Tempranillo. This black grape is used in
full-bodied red wines, such as Rioja, and can be consumed while young
and have flavors and aromas of berries, plum, tobacco, vanilla,
leather and herbs.

Bourdain's eloquent and honest reporting gave me a new appreciation
for a country I've visited twice before and even transported me back
for a moment but sadly, my sofa continues to be a far cry from dinner
at El Bulli.

Labels: anthony bourdain, chicago restaurants, dining blog, efete.net, fete chicago, fete select, food, maddie, no reservations, travel, travel channel

New Fete Select TV Segment Features C-House

Located in the New Affinia Hotel, C-House features a wide range of seafood options and a rooftop lounge for Chicago skyline views. Check out Fete Select TV, as D.C. gives you an inside look at the cuisine, cocktails and vibe. Go behind the scenes in the kitchen with Seth and Toni, their Excecutive Chef and Pastry Chef. C-House is by acclaimed Chef Marcus Sammuelson. Click on Select TV and see why this restaurant is Chicago's newest hot spot.

Labels: affinia hotel, C-House, chicago, chicago dining, chicago restaurants, dc crenshaw, fete select tv, food, marcus sammuelson, michigan ave, new restaurants, restaurant reviews, rooftop lounge, seafood

Open Mic Night at Plan B

So you think that you have musical skillz? Then showcase them at Plan B on Wednesday nights for "open mic" night.

Located in Bucktown at 1635 N. Milwaukee Ave., Plan B also has weekly specials every Wednesday and Thursday. Their wings are slammin'!

Wednesday
$1 bud lt drafts
1/2 off apps and wine
open mic hosted by Chris Grant of Trippin Billies

Thursday
$1 bud products
$2 house shot
$3 house vodka
$.30 wings
DJ

For more information about open mic night at Plan B log onto www.planb-chicago.com

Labels: bars, bucktown, chicago, clubs. lounges, dc crenshaw, dj, fete, fete chicago, fete select, fete select tv, food, music, open mic, plan b chicago, restaurants, wings

Chicago Chocolate Tours

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Check out Chicago native Valerie Beck's creation of Chicago Chocolate Tours. Choose one of our four routes in different neighborhoods - the Magnificent Mile, Gold Coast, Downtown Loop, or Andersonville - and experience six wonderful chocolate shops or bakeries on each route. Depending on the route, you'll experience chocolate shops from famous favorites to hidden treasures, and from big brands to small often women-owned chocolate boutiques.

You'll be escorted by a lively and knowledgeable tourguide on a fun and fascinating walking tour to a variety of chocolate shops, where you'll sample the specialties of the house and meet the chocolatier, owner, or manager, for a behind-the-scenes talk about what makes the chocolate unique.

You'll sample more chocolate than you can finish. From truffles to tortes to tasty cocoa beverages, experience it all!

The tour is $40 person and when you take a Chicago Chocolate Tour, you will help save the world. In addition Chicago Chocolate Tours donates a portion of proceeds to CARE ( www.care.org ), an international humanitarian organization that helps women around the world exit poverty through entrepreneurship.

Sign up at www.chicagochocolatetours.com

Labels: chicago, chicago chocolate tours, chicago events, chocolate, D.C. Crenshaw, fete, fete chicago, fete select, fete select tv, food, mag mile, michigan ave, nbc 5 chicago, nbc 5 street team, truffles