Corner of Foster and Clark area restaurants

As I took a left and drove North up Clark Street toward Las Islas Marias (see separate post under that heading) from the corner of Foster and Clark, I noticed several interesting restaurants and bars in the first 4 blocks or so. I know I don't have any names or other info, but can anyone comment on that area from the corner of Clark and Foster north for about 4 blocks...looks like some potential good eats there. I would love to know more about possible culinary adventures in that area.

Specifically, I'm talking about the 5200-5600 north blocks of Clark Street starting on Foster and heading north.

Thanks.

Here's a little on Svea for starters. Though the more interesting food is the middle eastern stuff, mostly.

Try searching here for discussion of Hopleaf, Tanoshii, and Hama Matsu. Probably others can add to this list.

Not restaurants, but for shopping, see the following thread for discussion of Swedish Bakery and Wikstrom's Deli:
http://lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?t=2211

Amata

Also, searching the forums for Andersonville will (to borrow a phrase) shine a laser focus on that stretch.

Along with Mike's mention of the Middle Eastern options and Amata's list, Kopi and Taste of Heaven are both fine coffee shops. Kopi has better coffee and Taste of Heaven has much better pastries, so you can decide by your priorities.

Saturday night I had dinner at Arkadash, the Turkish restaurant at the northern edge of that stretch. Mostly I can confirm that the joint is jumpin' to the point where a single diner wandering in for a quick meal is not particularly respected by the management. Were the food better, I would regret my decision not to return.

[edited to correct spelling]

Having just walked up and down a good portion of Clark in the 'hood today, I didn't notice a whole lot of new things, truth be told. I suppose that, to those not often up here, Sushi Luxe would be new. We did notice two signs announcing future arrivals: one at the apparently no-longer-extant Cafe Boost announcing the arrival (next year!) of "Hamburger Mary's" (sounds delightful, doesn't it?). Then, another block or two south of that but on the east side of Clark, a sign for a new "Latin cuisine" place called something inventive like, "Ole, Ole." With those few exceptions, I am unaware of anything else new in the neighborhood.

Did we miss anything else?

Gypsy Boy

There is a fairly new Italian at 5343 N. Clark St., across the street from the Swedish Bakery, named Calo Ristorante. I haven't eaten there, but it looked very nice, including cloth tablecloths. I looked at the menu in the window and it also looked good.

Jesper wrote:There is a fairly new Italian at 5343 N. Clark St., across the street from the Swedish Bakery, named Calo Ristorante. I haven't eaten there, but it looked very nice, including cloth tablecloths. I looked at the menu in the window and it also looked good.

Jesper,

Calo has been around making overcheesed pizzas since the '50s. They gussied up their banquet room around 5 -6 years ago and put in a different more "upscale" menu, but the food is coming out of the same kitchen. Draw your own conclusions.

RE Calo, there is a newish upscale looking Italian joint a bit further north, with the required-by-law dark wooden fittings that scream Merchant Ivory go to Tuscany. I don't recall the name. But I believe it is in the vicinity of M Henry, which, for the OP, is a place much admired by folks who like extravagant sweet creations for weekend brunch (maple praline french toast in bourbon sauce with candied cherries - sort of thing.) I haven't been there as it's not my thing, but several people have told me they love it and the lines seem to be long. (I much prefer the long gone but not forgotten Dellwood Pickle.)

There is also Rioja, recently transformed from Atlantique by the same owner. Looks handsome but I haven't been there either.

There's also Tomboy in that stretch, which has its fans. And "T's" - a bar with a reputation for good burgers, among other things. Much frequented by local actors. Whether that's a pro or con is in the eye of the beholder.

Also there's La Tache, which opened to some real buzz but hasn't been talked of much of late. I get the impression that their price point was always a bit above their overall execution, but that' a 2nd hand impression.

Augie's does reliable, inexpensive greasy spoon breakfasts.

Angel's combines the American b'fast standards wtih a weekend buffet with some very interesting, flavorful Mexican specialties. They also do a full dinner menu, but I have only been there for breakfast. Very family friendly.

That's about all I can add to what's already been mentioned off the top of my head.

There are at least 3 new restaurants on the north end up by M Henry, I haven't been to any of them but they have caught my eye:

1. Col-Ubas a Columbian Steak Place

2. En-Thais or some play on that, a new Thai restaurant

3. The new Italian joint with the black awning, Leonardo's or some Italian name.

These are all on the east side of Clark.

A little south, there is a sign saying a Latino place called Ole Ole is coming.

BTW the owrd on the street is that Angel's landlord is tripling their rent and that they are looking to move. (Tripling! Is that even legal?) Although their food is just okay, not bad, not great, they have one of the loveliest back patios in the city. Where else can you sit under real pear & apple trees and enjoy a cold beer?

Mike G wrote:Here's a little on Svea for starters. Though the more interesting food is the middle eastern stuff, mostly.

FINALLY went to SVEA on Saturday. had the Viking breakfast - could barely finish it. so good, for $9 which i think is the priciest thing on the menu. two eggs, two pieces of swedish sausage, home fries, toast, two swedish pancakes with lingonberries. I think that's it. more than enough to get you through your day!

Sunshine Cafe is also in this stretch of Clark.

Since this resurfaced, I thought I'd annotate (for posterity?) There's a lot more in here, so I'm just trying to list places that didn't come up otherwise (and I'm still sure I missed several.)

Rioja is closed; that space is currently Il Fiasco.
Augies is closed.

A few others:

Gilly's Place
5553 N Clark St, Chicago, IL
(773) 769-3200

Pasticceria Natalina (a GNR)
5406 N. Clark St
Chicago, IL 60640
773-989-0662

Anteprima
5316 N. Clark St
Chicago, IL
773-506-9990"

Huey's
1507 W Balmoral Ave, Chicago, IL
(773) 293-4800

Reza's
5255 N Clark St, Chicago, IL
(773) 561-1898

Andie's (that thread also does a bit of a run-down of this neighborhood.)
5253 N Clark St, Chicago, IL
(773) 784-8616

Middle Eastern Bakery & Grocery
1512 W Foster Ave, Chicago, IL
(773) 561-2224

Il Fiasco
5101 N Clark St, Chicago, IL
(773) 769-9700

tried Il Fiasco - seemed a bit pretentious. and the waiter hovered like CRAZY. this was on a Tuesday night when the place was dead though. decent food, nothing extremely special. just average higher class italian fare, in a bar type atmosphere.

Huey's is a fall-back for quick and good eats. i'll usually go for the double steamed cheese dog, or italian beef. sometimes char-cheddar burger. fries are great.

still haven't tried Reza's, though we mean to. Andies I tried on Montrose, was OK - haven't tried the one up here yet. Probably time to give it another try, I hear it's better than Reza's.

Anteprima looks a bit pricey for being so new, and small.

briansemerick wrote:tried Il Fiasco - seemed a bit pretentious . . . a bar type atmosphere.

Hmmm . . . I didn't get the sense that Il Fiasco was pretentious in any way, and I'm surprised you would have found it pretentious given that you also found it to have a "bar type atmosphere."

briansemerick wrote:Anteprima looks a bit pricey for being so new, and small.

Are you saying that the prices that restaurants charge for food should be based upon how long they have been in business and how large they are? I just don't see the relationship, except to say that I'm sure more than a few restaurants offer certain "introductory" prices to initially lure customers in, until they've established themselves. But if you're using high quality, fresh ingredients, I don't see why you should be forced to give your food away. In any event, Anteprima is not cheap, but I find the prices very reasonable given the quality of the food.

Gilly's has been closed for months and Angel's is poised to re-open as Frida's. I am just hoping that the not-doing-it-in-jest-cross-dressing waiter/esses from Angel's reappear. I think Frida (Kahlo) would have approved. I also hope the pear and apple trees are still in the back yard.

Now if Wikstrom's Deli would ever reopen . . . I am missing "fish fridays" and their cold meatloaf sandwiches and the stern but warm on the inside counter lady.

bjt

I may have missed it but no one has commented on my favorite restaurant at Foster and Clark -- Jin Ju, just north of Foster on the east side of the street. I love Jin Ju. Yes, my love is partially for the sojutinis but I also love their Be Bin Bop and their fun waiters.