Mussels elsewhere, not Hopleaf?

I really like the mussels at Hopleaf, and for a while now I've thought they were so good that I could tolerate the rude waitstaff there, but I've had it. There must be other places in the city to have tasty mussels. Suggestions?

I've enjoyed the mussels at Le Bouchon. I remember that the excellent fish soup at Blackbird had mussels, but I think that's all I've had in Chicago...

Extra kudos to someone who could point me to a place in Chicago that serves mussels in a curry sauce. Otherwise unexceptional, Bistro Du Coin in DC does mussels in curry sauce very commendably.

One suggestion I have for you is before going into the restaurant at Hopleaf is to sit at the bar and have a few Delirium Tremens. After a few of those, even Archie Bunker would seem charming...

If that doesn't work you could give the Mussels @ Tizi Melloul a try: (not in curry sauce, but still very good.)

Tizi Melloul
531 N Wells St
Chicago, IL 60610
(312) 670-4338

http://www.tizimelloul.com/


~GS

I had good mussels at Hot Chocolate, a long time ago.

I took a nice picture of mussels at May St. Market, and I think they were good.

Mike G wrote:I took a nice picture of mussels at May St. Market, and I think they were good.

If they were anything like mine, they most definitely were. He generally doesn't serve them as a standalone dish, but rather as an accompaniment to a soup, correct?

I really liked the mussels at Kuma's Corner.

riddlemay wrote:I really liked the mussels at Kuma's Corner.

And correct me if I'm wrong riddlemay, but aren't these served in a mild curry flavored sauce?

More about Kuma's

Kuma's Corner
2900 W. Belmont
773-604-8769

He generally doesn't serve them as a standalone dish, but rather as an accompaniment to a soup, correct?

I think that's right, someone else had these so my memory is hazy.

Greasy Spoon wrote:...SNIP... you could give the Mussels @ Tizi Melloul a try: (not in curry sauce, but still very good.)

I want to second this. They are cooked dry, on a hot cast iron dish/pan and have harissa or some other tasty spices on them. I seem to recall that they came with a dipping sauce, but may be wrong. In any case, they were some of the best mussels I have ever had.

I've always liked the mussels at Mon Ami Gabi. You can get them in an appetizer size or as an entree.

I remember the mussels at Catch 35 being quite tasty, served in a thai lemongrass broth. They don't give you a huge bowl of them, but they are pretty plump and juicy.

West Town Tavern has a mussel appetizer that is really good. A little spicy, really plump and juicy mussels when I had it. Alternatively, you can sometimes find 5 lb bags of mussels at Costco for $10 to make your own at home.

The mussels in pasta at Fiorentino's Cucina Italiana were some of the best we've had in Chicago. They were large and plump and juicy and sweet which has not been our typical experience with the large mussels here.

LTHForum,

Just a quick public service announcement.

One of the community standards that we've developed here is to try and provide an address or a link to more information when you're mentioning a restaurant in a thread for the first time. This helps make threads like this much more valuable when people come back in the future looking for places to get great mussels. Thanks!

Best,
Michael

Mon Ami Gabi
www.monamigabi.com
2300 N Lincoln Park West
(773) 348-8886

Chicago Catch 35:
35 W. Wacker Drive
312-346-3500

Naperville Catch 35:
35 S. Washington
630-717-3500
http://www.catch35.com/

West Town Tavern
1329 W. Chicago Ave
312-666-6175
http://www.westtowntavern.com/

Fiorentino's Cucina Italiana
2901 N. Ashland Ave., Chicago
(773) 244-3026

I enjoyed the mussels at Cafe Bolero... simple white wine sauce, but delicious.

Cafe Bolero
2252 N. Western Ave

Vermilion has excellent mussels in a curry sauce. I think this dish is exactly what you are looking for.

eLroyMcCoy wrote:Vermilion has excellent mussels in a curry sauce. I think this dish is exactly what you are looking for.

Vermilion
10 West Hubbard
Chicago
(312) 527-4060

I used to like the mussels at Convito Italiano in Wilmette - their online menu says they have two options, basically one with a tomato wine sauce and one with parsley. I think I had the parsley-based one, nice acidity against the sweetness of the mussels.

LuLu's Dim Sum and then Sum has mussels as well, "steamed with a tamarind, chili, lemongrass & cilantro sauce" which didn't agree with me very much, but were interesting.

I haven't had either for quite some time, but there are two ideas.

Convito Italiano
1515 Sherman Rd.
Wilmette
847-251-3654

Lulu's
Dim Sum and Then Sum
804 Davis
Evanston, IL 60201
ph 847 869-4343

My wife and eye had some excellent mussels at Coopers on Belmont (the old Lakeview Supper Club/Menagerie space). Your choice of beer or wine broth; we went with the beer, and it was wonderful. Bonus side of wonderful frites were included. They've got a great (bottled only) beer list, too.

Coopers
1232 W. Belmont Ave.
773-929-2667

Davis Street Fishmarket in evanston does mussels in a blue cheese sauce. They're fanstastic. They also have a couple of other styles but the blue cheese is great.

Glenn's Diner has a great mussel appetizer as of last week. Steamed in a garlic butter sauce with wine & seraved with toast points. Not quite Hopleaf but fantastic all the same.

ab wrote:I enjoyed the mussels at Cafe Bolero... simple white wine sauce, but delicious.

Cafe Bolero
2252 N. Western Ave

I second this recommendation.

Alas, mussels have turned against me and I can no longer eat more than a few without horrible stomach pain later. I miss them so.

My husband and I are huge mussel fans - our favorites in Chicago are:

Mon Ami Gabi
2300 N Lincoln Park West
(773) 348-8886
www.monamigabi.com

Bin 36
339 North Dearborn at Marina City
312-755-WINE (9463)
www.bin36.com
(with leeks, fennel, champagne cream)

Angelina Ristorante
3561 N. Broadway
773-935-5933
www.angelinaristorante.com
(in tomato saffron broth)