Evanston Lunch Group: July 10@ Deta's Cafe

The next lunch will be on Tuesday, July 10 at Deta's Cafe, which is just over the Evanston border in Chicago. See past threads on Deta's here and here. Who's in?

Deta's Cafe
7555 N. Ridge
Chicago, IL
(773) 973-1505

It's on my calendar. Should I assume 12:30?

Should I assume 12:30?

Yes. I forgot that. Tuesday, July 10 at 12:30.

I'm in, provided that we have no last-minute schedule changes with the 'spouse...don't know yet if I'll be bringing family or batching it...

I'm in!

Thanks, h_s, for arranging it.

=R=

Hey guys,

I just signed up for the forum and I love everything I've read so far I was wondering who usually goes to these lunches? I don't know anyone yet so I'd hate to butt in if it's a small group.

Cheers!
Katherine

HI,

The people who attend are people who post on this forum. Since you just posted, then you are welcome as anyone else.

Regards,

Usually 8 ± 4 people. It's a fun, welcoming group. Hope you'll join us!

I "butted in" for the first time the last time we ate at Deta's in September of '06, and I've been an avid ELG member ever since - welcome! Join us!

Hi all,

Just a reminder that the lunch is a week from tomorrow. I'd like to give Deta's a heads-up that we're coming. Can you please let me know if you'll be there? Thanks!

My list so far:
nr706
Mhays
ronnie_suburban
Katherine_84f(?)
Cathy2
Helen
Sharona
gp60004
brotine

Hi,

I intend to come.

Regards,

HI,

Add one more with Helen agreeing to attend!

Regards,

I'm afraid I will have to miss the lunch tomorrow. I'm extremely disappointed, but I've been having some health issues and will have to spend my lunch break tomorrow back at the doctor's office. I paid a visit to Deta last Thursday and explained we were coming. I also called her today to remind her (as she asked). I told her the group would eat whatever she cooked, so in addition to burek, she said she'd also have the "special soup" and veal. My visit to Deta's last week was my first, and I want to echo what everyone has said about her as a hostess and her kitchen. I can't remember the last time I was greeted that warmly at a restaurant. The food was fantastic. As soon as I'm feeling better, I will be back. Please count me in for the next ELG gathering.

Mediterranean salad:


Cheese burek:

So sorry to miss you! I hope you feel better soon - and we'll see you at the next one!

HI,

The mediterranean salad is also known as Shopska Salad a national dish of Bulgaria.

We will miss you tomorrow!

Thank you for your efforts.

Regards,
Cathy

I would like to stop on by--I have to leave by 1:30, though, to get up to Winnetka by 2 pm.

Sharona

i'll try to pop in as well.

Hi, gang -- I'll try to be there; probably have to scoot by 1:30 or so.
>>Brent

I'd like to attend also. Sorry about this being such a late notice, but I often don't know my availability until the last minute.

I joined my first ELG today and I had a wonderful time. Deta was a great hostess and we sat outside on their quaint patio. I didn't take any pictures, but I believe many were taken by Cathy2, ronnie_suburban, and nr706. The food was delicious and I can't stop thinking of the burek and baklava!
IIRC, the menu included
mediterranean salad
chicken noodle soup (very good, even with it being such a hot day)
3 types of burek (spinach, cheese, and meat)
a sort of vegetable stew
stewed veal
rice
homemade bread
baklava (oozy buttery goodness)

It was fun to meet you all in person and hopefully I can make it to some more event soon! happy_stomach, I hope you are better and thanks for organizing this--hopefully we can meet soon as well!

Sharona

Evanston Lunch Group™ yesterday - great time, great company, great food. And a nice little outdoor patio. Many thanks to Happy Stomach for setting this up; I hope she's feeling better.

Here's some of the food:

Chopped vegetable salad with Bulgarian, feta-like cheese:


Amazingly rich chicken soup, very deep flavors:


Deta serving up the soup:


Montenegrin version of ratatouille:


Two bureks - spinach and cheese (r) and meat:


Braised veal:


For dessert, Montenegrin baklava


Deta's is a tiny gem that needs to be better discovered.

Sorry I had to get back to work and couldn't stay for the Baklava - it looks yummy in that picture.

Everything was good, even such modest items as the rice and bread. Despite the heat I couldn't' resist seconds on the veal; tender with excellent flavor. But my absolute favorite was the salad -- crisp and cool with a light dressing -- perfect for a summer day.

A fine lunch with a chance to see old friends and meet new ones.

Deta scores again!

Not only is the food very good, there was an astounding amount of it: so much so that I fed my family of 3 on the leftovers for dinner! Sharona and George R, sorry to say you missed a second dessert: peach ice cream. Deta is a lovely host. Again, welcome, Sharona - hope to see you again at the next one! Good to see everyone.

As mentioned towards the end of the lunch, I'll be setting up the next one; a number of ideas were discussed, but if anybody has any strong feelings - or any feelings at all about where to eat, please PM me.

It was a very pleasant gathering of the LTH-ELG yesterday. I'd never been to Deta's before and was glad to have a chance to try it. On Sunday, a friend asked me if I'd ever been there. I told him I had no idea what he was talking about but then, 2 days later, there I was.

My favorite item was the salad. A few of the other items, while quite tasty, didn't play as well as they might have in cooler weather. It's tough to fully appreciate items like braised veal and chicken soup -- as well-prepared as they were -- with the mercury topping 90 F.

Still, I enjoyed the food and the ambience very much -- Deta's Cafe is charming -- but, as usual, my favorite part of the lunch was chatting with other LTH'ers. I wish I could have lunch everyday with such similar-minded folks!

Anyway, I realize that nr706 has already posted pics but as long as I brought my camera along, I'd figure I'd post some as well . . .



Tomato, cucumber and red onion salad topped with crumbled cheese



Chicken soup



Assortment of Burek...meat, cheese and spinach



Braised Veal



Veggies



Baklava

=R=