Dolce - Filipino, Italian with a smidgen o Sushi

LTHForum,

Filipino, Italian and a smidgen of sushi sounds like the punch line to a culinary joke, but Dolce, while not a serious restaurant, is a pleasant, if mildly glitzy, bar/restaurant with tasty moderately priced food reflecting the two owners heritage, Italian and Filipino.

Started with Kuya Rolls, 9 crispy pork and veg filled Filipino lumpia served with a side of sweet and sour sauce.

Kuya Rolls



Sticking with the Filipino side of the menu Oscar's Tocino proved an appetizing combo of lightly grilled tocino, sticky rice and panko breaded plantains. Plantains were a bit of a misstep, meant to be maduro, ripe sweet plantains, they were unripe and unsuitable for the preparation. When pointed out they were apologetic and, without our asking, comped the Kuya rolls.

Oscar's Tocino, "Sweet Filipino sliced pork served with white rice and fried plantains breaded in panko"



Venturing into the Italian side of the equation we, I had the pleasure of Kenny Z's company, spit an Eggplant Parmesan sandwich. Not an expert on eggplant parm sandwiches, I've had one counting Dolce's, I enjoyed the loosely constructed bomber. Bonus- at $5.95 with fries its a good value especially given pleasant surroundings, including a friendly attractive bartenderess.

Eggplant Parmesan sandwich



Positive first impression, friendly owners and staff, free WiFi music on the weekends and reasonable prices. I'd venture Dolce turns more club than restaurant as the evening progresses, but food is served at all times.





Credit to eagle eye Kenny Z for spotting the subtly signed Dolce.

Enjoy,
Gary

Dolce
4114 North Kedzie Avenue
Chicago, IL 60618
773-866-1910
http://www.dolcechicago.com

G Wiv wrote:we, I had the pleasure of Kenny Z's company, spit an Eggplant Parmesan sandwich.

Man, Kenny's just as hardcore in person.

cilantro wrote:

G Wiv wrote:we, I had the pleasure of Kenny Z's company, spit an Eggplant Parmesan sandwich.

Man, Kenny's just as hardcore in person.

and the eggplant parm wasn't even that bad. You should see what I do with Bennison's bread.

Gary and I got to Dolce right when they opened, so we enjoyed a quiet space and had plenty of opportunity to chat with one of the owners. I live just a couple of blocks from the place, and people sometimes ask me where to get something decent to eat late at night on weekends. I usually recommend The Golden Nugget, but since - according to the owner - Dolce's kitchen stays open 'til the whole place closes, it will be added to the list. I can't really see craving the food we had, but it tasted fresh and the people were nice - probably enough to eventually get me back in.