Steak Tartar at Sepia. Tiny onion rings on top of the tartar served on a toast of some sort. Egg yolk on the side with pepper all around the perimeter.

Actually the whole meal was awesome. When was the last time you were blown away by a chicken breast? I don't think I have had a better charcuterie plate. Cocktails, wine ... seamless.

Once we started the family our dining out, let alone fine dining, has been minimal. The last two places we have gone are Ruxbin and Sepia. I am not sure I have had two better meals ever short of the long tasting menu type places like Goosefoot or Schwa. Next time you have an anniversary or something, go to either place.

Bocadillo at Pastoral. Even with a heavy hand on the mustard, such fine ingredients came together for taste sensation.

Smoked potato brioche, garlic mustard, spring onions, asparagus (grilled?), soft boiled egg today at Cellar Door Provisions. Holy smokes, this place continues to put together some of my favorite dishes and baked goods in the city

Finally managed to orchestrate a combo I've had in mind for a very long time: carryout sushi at home while watching "Jiro Dreams of Sushi." Where the sushi was from doesn't matter, really, it was good enough. It's just hard to eat sushi out without thinking about the movie and it's become painful, for me, to try to watch the movie without having any sushi to eat along with it.

The brisket platter from Smalls Smoke Shack eaten at Lizard Lounge. The brown sugar and sea salt cookie was pretty awesome too.

candied bacon at bang bang pie shop this morning for breakfast, along with one of the city's best biscuits.

Whoa!

I have not been a fan of Old Jerusalem in the past but last night, after almost 14 years of living a few blocks away I am smitten. I had an item that I do not recall seeing before, Moudardara. This perfectly seasoned plate of lentils and rice with olive oil roasted onions scattered on top was amazing. It is not fancy. It is accessible. It tastes like what someone would make in their home, the Middle East's version of the Monday wash day rice and beans of NOLA.

I took no pics! I was too busy scraping every grain and pulse off of the plate.

And Mr. Pairs4life was equally smitten with the Arayess. Bits of lamb cooked with spices, tomato and onion topping a pita and then served like an awesome thin crust personal pizza.

Old Jerusalem
1411 N. Wells Street
Chicago, IL
312- 944-0459

Had my recent morning treat after working out: Honey Badger with a cup of coffee from Bad Wolf. The sweetness balanced with the coffee is a combination that I am really enjoying. It is probably undoing any benefit I am getting from the gym, but it is totally worth it.

Birria empanada at Cafe Tola, Southport near Addison. Brilliant. Soupy, rich, gamey goat encased in perfectly crisp dough. The soup dumpling of Mexican goat stew. Complete with crisp diced onion and lime inside. I can only guess they started with chilled, aspic-like consome to get this so right.

Cafe Tola is way under-appreciated. Terrific little place that somehow suffers from its Lakeview location in a way that others (nearby Toons, Roost and Asado come to mind) don't. Coalfire north across the street might help change that.

JeffB wrote:Birria empanada at Cafe Tola, Southport near Addison. Brilliant. Soupy, rich, gamey goat encased in perfectly crisp dough. The soup dumpling of Mexican goat stew. Complete with crisp diced onion and lime inside. I can only guess they started with chilled, aspic-like consome to get this so right.

Cafe Tola is way under-appreciated. Terrific little place that somehow suffers from its Lakeview location in a way that others (nearby Toons, Roost and Asado come to mind) don't. Coalfire north across the street might help change that.

I'm a fan. The area in general has a few somewhat newly opened spots serving South American treats worth seeking out. But I don't think it's under-appreciated by the neighborhood. There's been a small line each time and the Yelp reviews (122) are all positive. I just think LTH in general has been slacking. Or at least when the event calendar is busier than the 'Eating Out In...' sections, it seems that way.

Just now at Fumare in the French Market. Ordered my usual pastrami on rye, but some angel behind the counter decided to add in an extra ounce or so of what could only be described as the 'pastrami burnt end' and put it on top of the actual sandwich to make sure it stuck out. What followed was one of the most eye-closing, knee quivering taste sensations I've had all year. My only complaint was that it made the rest of the sandwich tame in comparison.

Chicken Liver Mousse on Pumpernickel, Spring salad with pigs head and Chicken Paprikash at Bohemian House - wow great flavors then next night Trioffe Bolognese and an Eton Mess for dessert at The Kitchen ... both restaurants are doing such good food.

I forgot to post this here too: the Brussels Sprout Salad at Dunlays on the Square. Shredded sprouts, bacon, almonds, dried blueberries, manchego cheese, cherry tomatoes and lemon vinaigrette: I loved it so much I ordered a second one.

Also, yesterday: the pot roast sandwich at HQ (4114 N. Kedzie). This place needs some love; it's beautiful but every time we go it's empty. This is the first time we tried the food and it was delicious; I had the pot roast sandwich with some incredible fries. http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/hq-howar ... 3pG_8Bmddw

Gary W's porchetta that he brought to his book signing @ The Spice House on Wells.

http://www.thespicehouse.com/?gclid=Cj0KEQjww42tBRCO-sfEiO3DvYMBEiQAHeqMKFW7BRjBSXIBAsz9q3VsiIwzzLiW8mbxNZEoyFSaVjIaAtQ58P8HAQ

And in the Best Bites served in a restaurant in 2015 the butterscotch bonet at Nico! This is incredible. Ask for extra honeycomb.

bean wrote:Gary W's porchetta that he brought to his book signing @ The Spice House on Wells.

Thanks Bean! Low & Slow 2 has come out of the gate strong and the porchetta is one of the recipes/techniques that has stood out from those that have made from the book, tasted or both.

The thanks are all for you, Gary. You did a great presentation. The Spice House was kind enough to give us all a jar of your rub which inspired me to get you going on the best way to apply it. Thank you very much for sharing your knowledge.

I can't go on enough about how great The Spice House is.

the best meal i've had lately was at Reno last night. i shared a large side portion of brussel sprouts with dill, chive, bacon, parmesan, and an orange/brown butter vinaigrette. and then had potato gnocchi with corn, roasted asparagus and crumbled chicken sausage. fantastic dinner, even on a very hot night...

Gunthorp Farm whole hog BBQ, cooked over cherry and maple -- leftovers, next day, chip-chopped on a sizzling cast iron flat-top with onions and mojo Cubano using a sharp putty knife, topped with broccoli rabe and asiago on a mini French roll. The natural evolution of my Philly Italian, Tampa Cuban pork sandwich roots. And a side of Grammy Gomez's moros and yuca.
(4th of July leftovers, all.)

I had a margarita pizza at Labriola Cafe at 545 N Michigan today. This was the pizza I have had in my minds eye for a few years. 1/3 neapolitan, 2/3 new york. No wet spot in the middle. Light with burny bits on the crust. Fresh summer basil.

The one downside is lack of flavor depth in the crust, and a sign that says they make fresh dough daily. An extra day or two in the fridge would make for more flavor, imho. But a really, really good pie, best of the year so far.

#1 banh mi at Nhu Lan.

Been rather obsessed with it as of late, I had 4 banh mis in 1 weeks time. Twice at Nhu Lan, once at Bon Bon and once at Ba Le in between, to check out the competition. That along with the shrimp rice crepe in the cooler section with salad were spot on. I never really appreciated the classic banh mi before and now I don't think I can go back. Thinking about getting the #1 with pork belly added to it next time....

JeffB wrote:Gunthorp Farm whole hog BBQ, cooked over cherry and maple...using a sharp putty knife

That idea of using a sharp putty knife on your food made my day. Thank you! Alton Brown would be proud.

Premium omakase at KaiZan on Chicago Ave. Toro, wagyu, oyster shooters, chawanmushi, all of it stunningly, silkily delicious.

Chocolate soda at Sanders, Niles Center/Carpenter and Touhy in Niles. Sodie mixed with syrup, vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, cherry and a wafer, all in one of those old-timey, tall, tapered glasses. It really hit the spot. Golly I love summer.

Bread & Charcuterie @ Bread & Wine.

Last night at Publican... Highlights:

Wellpoint oysters. I sat at the "bar" and the guy shucking them did an awesome job.
Krudo. Lots of wine but I'm pretty sure it was snapper.
Fried clams. Large briney clams & onion rings that had just the right amount of batter.
Chicken liver pate... this pretty much put me over the top and I couldn't finish it but some of the best I've had.
Meeting Paul Kahan. An unexpected bonus!
...wine and samples of a couple different beers (on the house) with the oysters and pate.

I walked both ways too and from Clark and Adams so I burned a few of the calories. Another great visit to Chicago... here for the week so hopefully it coninues.

Enjoy!

JeffB wrote:Birria empanada at Cafe Tola...Cafe Tola is way under-appreciated.

Since I saw your note I've made three stops at Cafe Tola, including a couple hours ago, just to try the birria: No queda ninguno. But after spending nearly a $hundo and trying almost all the empanadas, I agree it's a gem of a place. Now if I could just figure out this social networking business and get a birria bat-signal from Tola....

Best thing I've had this week was the chorizo hash topped with a couple eggs over easy at Danny's Egghead Dinner. Another small gem in the neighborhood.

Danny's Egghead Diner
2012 W Irving Park Rd
Chicago, IL 60618
773-857-0171

The hibarito sandwich lunch plate, comes with a nice side of rice. The hibarito was better than ever, steak was more thinly sliced, giving you a better bite, less chewy. The lettuce, tomato, and cheese, perfect with the garlic crusted fried plantains. Generous with the steak, a wonderful sandwich. There might be a new cook as the side of Puerto Rican rice has improved with the addition of a diced sausage, sort of a mild firm chorizo, was tasty. The pastele appetizer, a tamale made with plantains, cooked in the broth from the meat filling, so flavorful. A fine lunch today,

Borinquen Lounge
3811 N Western
Chicago, IL
773-442-8001

For future searchers: jibarito.

Choey wrote:

JeffB wrote:Birria empanada at Cafe Tola...Cafe Tola is way under-appreciated.

Since I saw your note I've made three stops at Cafe Tola, including a couple hours ago, just to try the birria: No queda ninguno. But after spending nearly a $hundo and trying almost all the empanadas, I agree it's a gem of a place. Now if I could just figure out this social networking business and get a birria bat-signal from Tola....

Best thing I've had this week was the chorizo hash topped with a couple eggs over easy at Danny's Egghead Dinner. Another small gem in the neighborhood.

Danny's Egghead Diner
2012 W Irving Park Rd
Chicago, IL 60618
773-857-0171

Nice to see, Choey. Keep looking for the birria...