What would be your "Check, Please" pick?

While watching "Check, Please" last night, my husband and I started debating what we would choose. I realized that many of the restaurants I might choose I would actually hesitate to recommend because I don't want them to get too popular or overwhelmed. And, of course, some of the reviewers seem to like fairly bland food, so that might be an issue as well.

Anyway, just wondering what everyone's picks would be.

I went thru the interview process with them. My pick was La Quebrada, the outstanding Mexican restaurant, with probably the best tortillas in the Chicago area. La Quebrada has locations in Chicago and Cicero.

I was not picked.

I was called by a producer/assistant after submitting a review I did on Chowhound for Spoon Thai. They asked me to pencil in a specific date last December to come to shoot the segment, but then never called back to confirm. I've also submitted Lem's on multiple occasions.

During the first season they were asking for suggestions and I submitted Deleece, which is near me on Southport just north of Irving Park Rd.

My picks would either be:

A) Friendship Chinese. Chef Alan deserves much more business (and praise) for his efforts, originality, and hospitality.

B) Hot Doug's, if it ever opens again. Doug's commitment to originality and delicious sausage made no two trips to Doug's alike.

I understand the notion of hesitating to publicize one of your unknown favorites on TV, and I am truly conflicted about the notion. On the one hand, "The Check, Please Effect" may forever change the landscape of our favorites. On the other hand, is it not our duty to stand on the mountaintop and extoll the virtues of the wonderful places in our city?

I err towards the latter. If you've found something you love, show your love and tell the world .

The Check, Please Effect on EatChicago.net

Friendship Chinese
2830 N. Milwaukee (N. of Diversey)
773-227-0970

Hot Doug's (Currently Closed)
http://www.hotdougs.com

Hi EatChi - I have to say, I've ordered delivery a couple of times from Friendship and it has been thoroughly mediocre each time. I know delivery is not the same as the nouveau chinois banquets you've described, but I have to admit, I'm having a lot of trouble imagining liking the place. That said, your trumpeting of its merits has brought me much closer to trying it again than any of the negative food experiences I've had there. So, even without the publicity power of WTTW, your reviews are having an impact.

Seth Zurer wrote:Hi EatChi - I have to say, I've ordered delivery a couple of times from Friendship and it has been thoroughly mediocre each time. I know delivery is not the same as the nouveau chinois banquets you've described, but I have to admit, I'm having a lot of trouble imagining liking the place. That said, your trumpeting of its merits has brought me much closer to trying it again than any of the negative food experiences I've had there. So, even without the publicity power of WTTW, your reviews are having an impact.

I'll vouch for Friendship too. Flavors really pop out at you, very fresh ingredients and there is definitely skill in the kitchen pumping out the dishes when you visit their location.

Isn't Friendship Cafe around Logan Square? They occasionally do special dinners which JiminLoganSquare has endorsed in the past.

Seth Zurer wrote:Hi EatChi - I have to say, I've ordered delivery a couple of times from Friendship and it has been thoroughly mediocre each time. I know delivery is not the same as the nouveau chinois banquets you've described, but I have to admit, I'm having a lot of trouble imagining liking the place. That said, your trumpeting of its merits has brought me much closer to trying it again than any of the negative food experiences I've had there. So, even without the publicity power of WTTW, your reviews are having an impact.

Next time I go, I'm bringing a camera!

(Running the risk of going too far off-topic here. Please split it off if need be.)

I have recommended Friendship to many, and I would say that half the people come back with a similar complaint (read: the delivered product is no good). I have dragged many of these people there to have dinner, and forced them to let me order. I have changed quite a few of these minds.

Alan experiments a lot. He makes a lot of his own sauces and tries to push the envelope a bit with presentation, ingredients, and style. His meny has changed multiple times in the past couple years. A by-product of his level of experimentation is that he doesn't hit a home run every time. In fact, there are a handful of dishes that I won't let near me (read: Walnut Chicken or Shrimp).

That being said, there are many dishes that I cannot live without. If you are tempted to return, please try the Smoky China Wings (big meaty chicken wings in a unique bbq sauce), Spicy Szechwan Long Beans (a classic preparation, vegetarian style), Wok-Seared Ginger Hong Kong Steak (another classic preparation, very fresh ingredients), (Ms. EC loves the Moo Goo Gai Pan and Mongolian Beef or Chicken).

I would love to organize a visit with you, Seth, and/or anyone else who might be interested.

Best,
EC

I've never been a big believer on the idea of restaurants being "ruined" by publicity. There are probably far more places that have been the victim of lack of publicity than being overpublicized. And I tend to have a hard time believing that a show on PBS (is public television really that popular in Chicago?) creates massive havoc at small restaurants all over town.

Places like DiFara's in New York and Lotus of Siam in Las Vegas are a couple of examples of well-deserved publicity that have allowed and even encouraged the proprietors to keep on creating great quality food, and not having to pander or cut corners to achieve success. I honestly can't think of a single place that I thought was the long-term victim of popularity.

Cathy2 wrote:Isn't Friendship Cafe around Logan Square? They occasionally do special dinners which JiminLoganSquare has endorsed in the past.

Not far from Logan Square. JimInLoganSquare is indeed one of the other proponents. The chef often runs a tasting menu on Sat. nights near holidays. I've never been to one (always out of town, it seems). But I have been to see the house band (comprised of cooks) playing traditional Chinese music (first Sat. of the month).

Thanks EatChicago for the specific menu recommendations - I'll be sure to try those out next time I'm looking for a place to eat in the hood. Friendship is a quarter-mile from my front door. So, believe me, I'd rather have it be good than not. I may take you up on that offer of an organized outing.

I took a group to Friendship a couple months back, after having enjoyed their delivery on one or two occasions. It was not a particularly adventurous group, and they were looking for someplace with more atmosphere than, say, Spring World. The first choice was Big Bowl; I offered Friendship as an alternative. I sent JiminLoganSquare a last-minute email soliciting suggestion, and PM'ed him the following account of our dinner. I think I was going to add a bit to it before posting to the board, but as usual when I make those sorts of plans, I forget. So here it is:

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It was perfect for the crowd. I just got a call, in fact, thanking me for the best Chinese food one of our friends had ever eaten. Very charming place, laid back, very well executed. For me, though, I'm not sure I'll go back (though I would certainly consider one of the East-West dinners). I think it was excellently prepared American Chinese food, but I'm coming to think I'm just not a huge fan of that food. And to be honest, I'm not sure I like more "authentic" Chinese, at least Cantonese, food either.

My Chinese food experience is really quite limited. Never ate it growing up, and it's never been much on my radar. After reading raves on Chowhound, I've started to branch out a bit, but I just find the vibrancy of flavors in Thai or Vietnamese food generally more rewarding. I did like the Szechwanese and Yunnanese food at Spring World, on a single visit. But three visits to this site's namesake, and a visit to Triple Crown have left me fairly indifferent toward Cantonese (with the exception of 'Little' Three Happiness' crispy skin chicken, which is phenomenal).

I feel similarly about Friendship, but again, I think it does what it does extremely well, and wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to someone I thought would enjoy it.

As far as are order, we planned to get the Dumpling Trio and Smoky Chicken Wings (or whatever). I was a bit discombobulated when two of the trio weren't available. When they said they only had pork dumplings, I switched gears and we split the sampler platter. I really enjoyed this all around, and regret that the other potstickers were unavailable. The pork potstickers were fantastic. I also really liked the wings (have you tried the spicy wings from Great Seas, by the way?). The BBQ rib was pretty good, and the egg roll was very good. I didn't like the cream cheese things quite as well.

My entree was the Red China, Kate got the Orange Chicken, others got the Hong Kong steak thing, sesame beef, chive flower chili beef, and chicken chow mein. Nothing here really excited me, though the Hong Kong steak was very well prepared. I think partly by this point, the edge on my hunger had been cut by the appetizers. My downfall with this sort of Chinese food is that a whole plate of any dish always seems like too much of that particular flavor. We probably (or at least I) would have enjoyed things more family style. Nonetheless, I appreciate the continued advocacy, and think for the group it was a perfect choice.

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With a couple more months of perspective, I have a few additional comments, well, maybe a different way of phrasing my thoughts, as this might be a little repetitive.

I do think the chef is probably talented and underrated. I would go back just for the appetizers, and I would also be interested in a group outing, eating family style, and with the kitchen given notice and a chance to shine.

The other interesting thing is that, maybe a month after this meal, Kate and I went to Opera. I thought Friendship compared surprisingly well. This speaks somewhat to my disappointment with Opera, but is mostly a hearty compliment to Friendship. Sure, Opera's address may be hipper and the interior a bit snazzier, but what came out of the kitchen at Friendship was barely, if at all, less impressive. The flavors of the sauces, the freshness of the ingredients seemed of similar quality to me. And Opera's a heck of a lot more expensive.

In a lot of ways, I think Opera and Friendship are trying to do a similar things...sort of take Chinese-American food a bit upscale and add some western accents. I'm not sure that I'm the target audience for this project, but if someone's going to undertake it, I think Friendship does an admirable job and, as I say, compares favorably to the pricier, popular Opera.

A note on Opera: again, not bad at all, but just not that impressive to me. I got the duck three ways, I don't recall what Kate got. We had some scallop appetizer in a passionfruit sauce, or some such, that was really tasty, but it was like 10 bucks for one scallop. That's the kind of value ratio that brings me down. Food was good enough, but even with a $50 coupon, it still seemed too pricey for what you get.

Cheers,

Aaron

Aaron, your comparison to Opera makes me smile since it is a comparison I have also made before. To me, Opera is Friendship with a big budget. I am a fan of Opera, mostly for their Three Preparations Duck and Crispy Hunan Red Snapper, but I believe Friendship accomplishes much of what Opera attempts for a fraction of the cost.

Friendship's goal is definitely not authenticity, nor do I belive it is to be hip or nouveau. I simply belive that the chef, Alan, just wants to do his own thing: quality ingredients, fresh sauces, bright presentations.

I can't say that I have ever gone to a Chinese restaurant and ordered an entree for myself, but I can see how that would dull the experience of dinner a bit.

After I can check my calendar with the Ms., I'll start a thread for a Friendship trip.

Best,
EC

eatchicago wrote:I am a fan of Opera, mostly for their Three Preparations Duck and Crispy Hunan Red Snapper, but I believe Friendship accomplishes much of what Opera attempts for a fraction of the cost.

Yeah, I meant to mention that Opera does do more with premium ingredients.

eatchicago wrote:I can't say that I have ever gone to a Chinese restaurant and ordered an entree for myself, but I can see how that would dull the experience of dinner a bit.

I normally wouldn't either, but among certain groups, well, almost all groups, my wife cringes at my tendency to be a menu bully, so I mostly try to resist. It's always surprising to me, though I guess it shouldn't be, how unfamiliar family-style eating is to some. I don't even mean that people don't like it, just that they don't think of it. I look forward to the outing.

Cheers,

Aaron

Aaron Deacon wrote:

eatchicago wrote:I am a fan of Opera, mostly for their Three Preparations Duck and Crispy Hunan Red Snapper, but I believe Friendship accomplishes much of what Opera attempts for a fraction of the cost.

Yeah, I meant to mention that Opera does do more with premium ingredients.

eatchicago wrote:I can't say that I have ever gone to a Chinese restaurant and ordered an entree for myself, but I can see how that would dull the experience of dinner a bit.

I normally wouldn't either, but among certain groups, well, almost all groups, my wife cringes at my tendency to be a menu bully, so I mostly try to resist. It's always surprising to me, though I guess it shouldn't be, how unfamiliar family-style eating is to some. I don't even mean that people don't like it, just that they don't think of it. I look forward to the outing.

Cheers,

Aaron

Eating Chinese food any other way except family style would seem very odd to me. I guess it's all about what you have been exposed to. Some people lead very sheltered lives and are afraid of other people's germs.

stevez wrote:Eating Chinese food any other way except family style would seem very odd to me. I guess it's all about what you have been exposed to. Some people lead very sheltered lives and are afraid of other people's germs.

I know what you mean, but I don't think it's just a germ issue. When all you know is ordering dinner and getting your own plate, I understand how "family style" could seem a bit foreign.

With regard to delivery vs. dining in at Friendship, I think they are aware of the difference. The delivery person, who kind of knows us because we order from there quite often, asked if we ever came into the restaurant (which we do occasionally), because we should and "it's very nice restaurant, please come in." To me, it sounds like they know their strong suit.

When all you know is ordering dinner and getting your own plate, I understand how "family style" could seem a bit foreign.

This happened to a friend whose cousins are farmers in Michigan. They visited her unexpectedly, so she suggested Chinese take-out for dinner. Everyone ordered a dish. When she brought everything home, she opened up the cartons on the center of the table. They quickly identified which carton belonged to whom and dumped the entire contents on their plate. There was no thought to eating family style.

Even when I eat plated food, there are forks being stabbed in each other's plates to check out the various selections for future consideration. Of course, that's acceptable behavior with good freinds, food friends and family; everyone else I just inquire how do they like it.

girlmoxie wrote:With regard to delivery vs. dining in at Friendship, I think they are aware of the difference. The delivery person, who kind of knows us because we order from there quite often, asked if we ever came into the restaurant (which we do occasionally), because we should and "it's very nice restaurant, please come in." To me, it sounds like they know their strong suit.

girlmoxie -- What you didn't mention is whether you've tried dining in at Friendship. Whether you have or not, the hunch expressed above is correct; the food is decidedly better when you dine in. This betterness includes variety (I'm sure you've run into the problem of them claiming to be "out" of particular items when you order for delivery), presentation (i.e., they don't just slop the food on the plate, they present it very attractively) and quality. Regarding quality, this is really more a matter of suitability for delivery. Some of the foods Friendship excels at just don't do so well in carry-out (e.g., pan fried dumplings, which get a bit sticky when tossed in a box and driven about town, and those tasty Hong Kong steaks, which I don't think they are even willing to attempt delivering). I suppose the pork fried rice is no better in or out (although they do make a pretty tasty version of that great form of Chinese junk food), but many of the dishes where Friendship shines just don't stand up to being delivered. Even then, however, I would note the great care Friendship does take with its deliveries -- including putting the individual food containers in a nice white cake box rather than a big 'ol leaky bag.

For Check Please I would suggest:

TAC Quick - perhaps the best and most consistent Thai in the city, haven't been since they recently added some new dishes, but definitely want to try the new dishes as well. Love how easily (and how good) it is to order and get their "Thai menu" dishes alongside their regular menu (which is quite good as well).

Other spots that come to mind:

Panang - Thai on Chicago Ave & Clark - very good and getting better (same group owns Siam Rice in the loop). Possibly the best website I've ever seen for a delivery restaurant (http://www.panangthai.com/). What I like about Panang is consistency, price, service and unlike TAC Quick, I live in delivery range (or they are easy to stop at on my way home from the loop). Note that their online ordering will allow you to make special requests, set how spicy you want each dish etc - very well done.

Zealous - my personal choice for special occasion meals. Not cheap, but worth it - one of the few meals of my life where everything at the table was truly stellar, innovative and wonderful.

Shannon

Shannon Clark wrote:For Check Please I would suggest:
<snip>

Shannon,

I just lost a bet with myself. I guessed Opart or Aion would be your Check Please picks.

Mine, you ask, 'Little' Three Happiness, 209 W Cermak.

Enjoy,
Gary