The state of the Roscoe Village restaurant scene

I'm a relative new comer to Roscoe Village but I've now lived in the neighborhood for almost two years and wanted to start some discussion on the (admittedly limited) options available to Roscoe Villagers (when they dont feel like travelling, of course).

Roscoe Village has a little bit of everything. A great sandwich place, a sushi bar, fine Turkish cuisine, tapas, Thai, bar food, Guatamalan, Italian, and some good old fashion American brunch. While there are certainly some gems in the neighborhood several other of these places, IMHO are either overrated or overpriced (or both). Particularly, Piazza Bella. How that place is continually packed and on a wait every night ranks right up there with Stonehendge in terms of world mysteries.

Anyway, instead of going through each place one by one, I thought I'd ask if anyone had any favorite dishes at any of the RV regulars. And also if anyone knows if there are any plans for the space that La Mora used to occupy. Or the one that Hot Dougs used to occupy for that matter. Or when the new Man Jo Vins is going to be open.

I'm a huge fan of Volo, their roasted marrow bones in particular.

Kaze is good when I'm in the mood for that sort of thing.

jesteinf wrote:I'm a huge fan of Volo, their roasted marrow bones in particular.

Kaze is good when I'm in the mood for that sort of thing.

So those are two restaurants that I would put in the "overpriced" category. Maybe "overpriced" is the wrong word because I know they both have great food so instead I'll just say "really friggin' expensive"

What places do you like in Roscoe Village?

Turquoise
Victory Banner
El Tinajon
Village Tap (for beer)
Orange (kinda)
Kitch'n (kinda)
Costello's

Commbrkdwn wrote:Turquoise
Victory Banner
El Tinajon
Village Tap (for beer)
Orange (kinda)
Kitch'n (kinda)
Costello's

You've named every place on Roscoe except for the two named by jesteinf. Is there any place you don't like?

I'd add Terragusto as a great neighborhood spot. I haven't been disappointed with anything I've been served there, but they are especially well-known for their pasta dishes.

There is a big difference between overpriced and really expensive. FWIW, I don't think Volo fits either of those adjectives.

Roscoe Village has a little bit of everything. A great sandwich place, a sushi bar, fine Turkish cuisine, tapas, Thai, bar food, Guatamalan, Italian, and some good old fashion American brunch. While there are certainly some gems in the neighborhood several other of these places, IMHO are either overrated or overpriced (or both). Particularly, Piazza Bella. How that place is continually packed and on a wait every night ranks right up there with Stonehendge in terms of world mysteries.


I agree wholeheartedly with your Piazza Bella assessment. The food is a little better than Pompei; the prices are a little lower than Trotter's! Sola is a very nice option on Lincoln, just North of Grace (3868 N.). They have terrific Brunch on the weekend. [/quote]

I've been told by a good friend who lives close on Ashland that Kaze is her favorite sushi spot in the city. I have yet to go there (she owes me a dinner date) but I do like Volo for what it is: a groovy wine bar that serves tasty food. I may not go there just for the food, but it compliments their wine list well, and the patio is friggin' sweet...if you can get one of those bungalow booths.

I agree that Village Tap is great for beer, but it's just your basic neighborhood beer pub. I haven't tried the other spots, but someday...

I think the original poster was maybe looking for some hidden gems? There aren't really any hidden gems but there are some good places.

-Frasca, not as bad as people want to think because it's from the people who own Dunlay's. I've always liked the food there.
-Four Moons- one of the most interesting bar menus in the city. It's almost like the polish owner and the mexican cook put things on a piece of paper. But it's all pretty good in a low key atmosphere with a decent beer selection. Friendly staff.
-Fernando's- good solid americanized mexican food with a strong side of Cubs talk with it.
-El Tinajon- decent guatamalan food.
-Turquoise- really good the one time I was there. Fantastic bread.
-Riverview- decent burgers in your normal LP sports bar atmosphere.
-Kitch'n- yeah probably overpriced but does it well. The chilaquiles with a side of bacon will soak up any booze consumed the night before.
-Costellos- decent sandwiches. I've always had an issue with not likeing their bread though.
-Vicotory's Banner- was the greatest place for when I was dating a vegan. Actually never really noticed it was a veggie joint.
-Delivery- here's what I like about the hood. It's close enough to Lincoln Square, Lakeview, and Lincoln Park that they'll deliver to you. That means Apart Pizza, Pete's Pizza, Pequod's, all the Lawrence thai joints, all within an hour of a call.
-Liquor Stores- West Lakeview liquors is phenomenal for the size of the store
-Bars- We frequent Mulligans. A friendly neighborhood joint. The owner Bob recenlty passed but it's always a great place for a shot and a beer, darts, and in-depth Chicago sports talk.
-Others- I've never been to Kaze, Volo, or Terragusto but have never heard a bad thing. I've never had a good meal at Piazza Bella or Thai Linda.

I've been told that John's Place (same as the one on Webster) is opening in the La Mora space.

pizano345 wrote:I think the original poster was maybe looking for some hidden gems? There aren't really any hidden gems but there are some good places.

-Frasca, not as bad as people want to think because it's from the people who own Dunlay's. I've always liked the food there.
-Four Moons- one of the most interesting bar menus in the city. It's almost like the polish owner and the mexican cook put things on a piece of paper. But it's all pretty good in a low key atmosphere with a decent beer selection. Friendly staff.
-Fernando's- good solid americanized mexican food with a strong side of Cubs talk with it.
-El Tinajon- decent guatamalan food.
-Turquoise- really good the one time I was there. Fantastic bread.
-Riverview- decent burgers in your normal LP sports bar atmosphere.
-Kitch'n- yeah probably overpriced but does it well. The chilaquiles with a side of bacon will soak up any booze consumed the night before.
-Costellos- decent sandwiches. I've always had an issue with not likeing their bread though.
-Vicotory's Banner- was the greatest place for when I was dating a vegan. Actually never really noticed it was a veggie joint.
-Delivery- here's what I like about the hood. It's close enough to Lincoln Square, Lakeview, and Lincoln Park that they'll deliver to you. That means Apart Pizza, Pete's Pizza, Pequod's, all the Lawrence thai joints, all within an hour of a call.
-Liquor Stores- West Lakeview liquors is phenomenal for the size of the store
-Bars- We frequent Mulligans. A friendly neighborhood joint. The owner Bob recenlty passed but it's always a great place for a shot and a beer, darts, and in-depth Chicago sports talk.
-Others- I've never been to Kaze, Volo, or Terragusto but have never heard a bad thing. I've never had a good meal at Piazza Bella or Thai Linda.

Exactly the kinds of thing I was looking for. I'd never even heard of Fernando's.

rmtraut wrote:I've been told that John's Place (same as the one on Webster) is opening in the La Mora space.

Also what I was looking for!

I remember eating in a cute little joint with a fireplace - was it called John's American Bistro or something? Does anyone remember this place? It was really good, as I recall, and on Roscoe or Damen, near that intersection.

Commbrkdwn wrote:I'd never even heard of Fernando's.

Commbrkdwn- If you've never heard of Fernando's, I wonder if you have also never heard of Paulina Meat Market? They are across the street from each other. IMHO, Paulina Meat Market is the best thing about Roscoe Village. It's not a restaurant, but it's hard to find better meat in the Midwest.

I think Pizano's description of Fernando's is accurate. Very americanized, but then again, they've been around for over 25 years, when Mexican food of any variety was considered exotic in the neighborhood. I've been going pretty much since they opened, mainly out of loyalty and because it feels like home to me (I was about 4 when we first went). The folks there are friendly, they have great chips that satiate your hunger as soon as you sit down, the rest of the menu is good not great, and, according to the drinkers I go with, their margaritas are excellent.

Paulina Meat Market
3501 N Lincoln
773.248.6272
http://www.paulinameatmarket.com/

Fernando's
3450 N Lincoln
(773) 477-6930

Love,
John

Pie Lady wrote:I remember eating in a cute little joint with a fireplace - was it called John's American Bistro or something? Does anyone remember this place? It was really good, as I recall, and on Roscoe or Damen, near that intersection.

Could it be Brett's Cafe Americain? It closed a year ago and an Orange opened up in its location. Discussion here:

http://lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?t=12998

Definitely know about the Paulina meat market although for some mysterious reason I havent been there yet. I bought a grill/smoker recently though and once the whether warms up a little bit I'm headed that way.

IMO, by far the best hidden gem in the area is Cafe Orchid.

Four Moon (not Moon's) Tavern is also quite good, especially for brunch.

I posted about several of these places here.

Full Moon has a nice vibe but I've never understood the enthusiasm for the food. Entirely serviceable, nothing exceptional.

Ideal Machine wrote:

Pie Lady wrote:I remember eating in a cute little joint with a fireplace - was it called John's American Bistro or something? Does anyone remember this place? It was really good, as I recall, and on Roscoe or Damen, near that intersection.

Could it be Brett's Cafe Americain? It closed a year ago and an Orange opened up in its location. Discussion here:

http://lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?t=12998

Yes, that's the one. It's a shame it closed. But I do love me some Orange...

Definitely Four Moons. Make sure you try their house Amber as well. I've always had great meals there...although the menu may be better suited to a cold winter than the spring/summer fare. Still great, though.

rmtraut wrote:I've been told that John's Place (same as the one on Webster) is opening in the La Mora space.

Anyone know if theres any validity to this rumour? I just checked that place out online and it looks delicious. I would love for it to move in to the La Mora space

Commbrkdwn wrote:

rmtraut wrote:I've been told that John's Place (same as the one on Webster) is opening in the La Mora space.

Anyone know if theres any validity to this rumour? I just checked that place out online and it looks delicious. I would love for it to move in to the La Mora space

See http://www.chicagomag.com/Radar/Dish/Ma ... tle-Dream/

pizano345 wrote:-Bars- We frequent Mulligans. A friendly neighborhood joint. The owner Bob recenlty passed

Whoa... I had no idea. Need to find more information on this...

jglynn wrote:

pizano345 wrote:-Bars- We frequent Mulligans. A friendly neighborhood joint. The owner Bob recenlty passed

Whoa... I had no idea. Need to find more information on this...

If you search Legacy.com you'll find his obit, or go to mulliganspublichouse.com. I've known Bob for almost 20 years, and he was one of the good guys! He'll be missed.

chgoeditor wrote:

jglynn wrote:

pizano345 wrote:-Bars- We frequent Mulligans. A friendly neighborhood joint. The owner Bob recenlty passed

Whoa... I had no idea. Need to find more information on this...

If you search Legacy.com you'll find his obit, or go to mulliganspublichouse.com. I've known Bob for almost 20 years, and he was one of the good guys! He'll be missed.

Thanks. I went right to the Mulligans site after seeing rmtraut's post. Such sad news. Bob and I tended bar in the same hood back in the late 80's, early 90's. We had many a shot at each others bars. I really wish I had known earlier. He had a huge heart and actually helped me find a place to stay back in 91 when i decided to be a ski bum in Vail. Definitely one of the good guys.