Panther in the Den wrote:

Panther in the Den wrote:Fresh off the press (pizza oven?)...

46FC41EE-66B6-4308-91EB-F20F9F2EB51F.jpeg

Rosati’s (opening soon)
1013 Madison Ave, Oak Park

Now open.

Looking forward to my favorite Italian Beef and Giardiniera pizza.

Me too! I love that combo.

Panther in the Den wrote:Opening in the Harrison Arts District by October 31st?

District Kitchen and Tap
(from the people who brought you Scratch Kitchen)
In the same row of store fronts that also houses Happy Apple Pie Shop (226 Harrison St).

http://mobile.oakpark.com/News/Articles ... -Harrison/

They better get going to meet that date.

Stopped by Scratch Kitchen in Forest Park to try their Thanksgiving Dinner egg roll (nice and savory!)



... and the conversation turned to District.

Opening in January.

Swung by Tacabron over the weekend. I'm hopeful this place might stick around. I got a bunch of tacos to go, but the refreshed seating area seems pretty serviceable. Beers and margaritas, etc. available.

Ordered the battered fish tacos, lengua, barbacoa, al pastor, and goat. Also added a cheese quesadilla platter for the kids - the beans served this were tasty.

I tried all but the fish and thought everything tasted pretty good. I'll probably lean towards the al pastor and the goat in the future. The salsas, both kinds, were tasty additions but I think I'd prefer more options. It might be a little pricey, but I know I'll be back.

fish, lengua, barbacoa

al pastor - goat

quesadillas

Vitesse98 wrote: {edit} And I also just noticed the other day that Obsessed Kitchen still has a Kinderhook Tap sign flying nearby...

Ummm... an ad banner for the Kinderhook Tap is still displayed on the Beermenus .com World-Wide Web site (and which still reads that the Beer Bistro has two locations).

Meanwhile in the old Novo location...

734 Lake St, Oak Park

Amerikas Nuevo Latino



... and across the street...

Live Fresko
136 N Oak Park Ave, Oak Park

... has closed.

Panther in the Den wrote:Meanwhile in the old Novo location...

734 Lake St, Oak Park

Is it too much to ask for one "upscale" restaurant in the area not doing shared plates?

bobbywal wrote:

Panther in the Den wrote:Meanwhile in the old Novo location...

734 Lake St, Oak Park

Is it too much to ask for one "upscale" restaurant in the area not doing shared plates?

The title of the thread?

Citrine
100 S Oak Park Ave, Oak Park
(708) 948-7328
http://www.citrinecafe.com/

It is ‘south of the tracks’ though.

There is a lot of Latin and Mediterranean places in the new mix.

Thought Tacabron was pretty solid! Happy to have some good Mexican in SOP, and looking forward to returning, if only to stare at the hypnotically rotating al pastor spit.

Panther in the Den wrote:Meanwhile in the old Novo location...

The title of the thread?

Citrine
100 S Oak Park Ave, Oak Park
(708) 948-7328
http://www.citrinecafe.com/

It is ‘south of the tracks’ though.

There is a lot of Latin and Mediterranean places in the new mix.

IDK, the last time I ate there I seem to recall our waiter urging us to share plates but there are obvious items on their menu that fall into the "entree" category.

Went to Citrine last night after a long lay off due to several lackluster meals. It was surprisingly good. We enjoyed the scallop appetizer though it was only served with one scallop. The wedge salad was nice. My wife's cod special was the star of the night though my filet was nicely prepared.

We also had a meal at the new Amerikas. Everything was amazing. We miss NOVO but Amerikas is just as good and less expensive.

dradeli wrote:Went to Citrine last night after a long lay off due to several lackluster meals. It was surprisingly good. We enjoyed the scallop appetizer though it was only served with one scallop. The wedge salad was nice. My wife's cod special was the star of the night though my filet was nicely prepared.

We also had a meal at the new Amerikas. Everything was amazing. We miss NOVO but Amerikas is just as good and less expensive.

I noticed recently while standing on the el platform that there is a sign on the Citrine Patio fence that says something along the lines of come see our new prices and offerings. I have not been back to Citrine in a while, mainly kept away by the premium prices and Maya, which I really like, being next door.

If I may ask, what changed on the menu and are the prices significantly different than they used to be?

The scallop appetizer was new and precisely cooked, served on a bed of shaved Brussels sprouts. My wife's cod was a new item, but it was a special. There seemed to be several new compositions. Below is a link to their menu if you would like to further see the offerings and prices:

Citrine menu

dradeli wrote:The scallop appetizer was new and precisely cooked, served on a bed of shaved Brussels sprouts. My wife's cod was a new item, but it was a special. There seemed to be several new compositions. Below is a link to their menu if you would like to further see the offerings and prices:

Citrine menu

Thanks. I'm sure I will try it again at some point. My last time there I enjoyed the food, and the service was fine, I was just a little put off by some of the inconsistent pricing and portion sizes. Some of the apps and entrees are comparably priced with other similar restaurants, while others are seemingly way overpriced. I'm not sure what the Scallop appetizer cost or how it was presented on the menu, but I don't consider Citrine a "tapas" or small plates place, so if that Scallop app was in the $12-15 range as I expect, I find a one scallop appetizer a little pretentious. I will also never understand how the Branzino is the most expensive entree on their menu.

thetrob wrote:

dradeli wrote:The scallop appetizer was new and precisely cooked, served on a bed of shaved Brussels sprouts. My wife's cod was a new item, but it was a special. There seemed to be several new compositions. Below is a link to their menu if you would like to further see the offerings and prices:

Citrine menu

Thanks. I'm sure I will try it again at some point. My last time there I enjoyed the food, and the service was fine, I was just a little put off by some of the inconsistent pricing and portion sizes. Some of the apps and entrees are comparably priced with other similar restaurants, while others are seemingly way overpriced. I'm not sure what the Scallop appetizer cost or how it was presented on the menu, but I don't consider Citrine a "tapas" or small plates place, so if that Scallop app was in the $12-15 range as I expect, I find a one scallop appetizer a little pretentious. I will also never understand how the Branzino is the most expensive entree on their menu.

That's what pretty much keeps me out of the place. I was at Quartino recently so I decided to do a quick spot check:
Braised pork skank - Citrine $33, Quartino $16.50
Bolognese - Citrine $22, Quartino $12.50
etc.

Now I understand a direct comparison of price alone isn't really fair but it does seem lopsided enough that I'm hesitant.

One visit to Tacabron suggests to me that perhaps going later in the day is a good trick - we were there for an early lunch, and there was no trompo or pots going and we clearly had reheated goat, steak, pastor, and carnitas without life, heat, or moisture. The flavors were ok. My signature tacabron taco had bones in it - fine for a birria platter but not wrapped up in corn tortillas.

Merits of the place did include the very nicely renovated dining room and the strong salsa bar showing, including an unusual cubed escabeche, very smooth upper end hot sauces, and a vibrant pico. I'd go back just for chips and this (and horchatas and other fresh aguas which they do have).

zoid wrote:

thetrob wrote:

dradeli wrote:The scallop appetizer was new and precisely cooked, served on a bed of shaved Brussels sprouts. My wife's cod was a new item, but it was a special. There seemed to be several new compositions. Below is a link to their menu if you would like to further see the offerings and prices:

Citrine menu

Thanks. I'm sure I will try it again at some point. My last time there I enjoyed the food, and the service was fine, I was just a little put off by some of the inconsistent pricing and portion sizes. Some of the apps and entrees are comparably priced with other similar restaurants, while others are seemingly way overpriced. I'm not sure what the Scallop appetizer cost or how it was presented on the menu, but I don't consider Citrine a "tapas" or small plates place, so if that Scallop app was in the $12-15 range as I expect, I find a one scallop appetizer a little pretentious. I will also never understand how the Branzino is the most expensive entree on their menu.

That's what pretty much keeps me out of the place. I was at Quartino recently so I decided to do a quick spot check:
Braised pork skank - Citrine $33, Quartino $16.50
Bolognese - Citrine $22, Quartino $12.50
etc.

Now I understand a direct comparison of price alone isn't really fair but it does seem lopsided enough that I'm hesitant.

I’ve never been to Citrine, but someone upthread noted that it’s not a “small plates” kind of place. Since Quartino is, I don’t see how this comparison is relevant.

boudreaulicious wrote:
I’ve never been to Citrine, but someone upthread noted that it’s not a “small plates” kind of place. Since Quartino is, I don’t see how this comparison is relevant.

The problem is the price points for some of the items. As I mentioned above, to me certain items are just too far out of range of similar establishments. Maybe Quartino is not the perfect comparable, but in general several of the dishes are seemingly over-priced by a significant factor.

Here is the new menu from their website: http://www.citrinecafe.com/#menu-section

Some of the prices have been adjusted slightly downwards, but there are still some head scratchers. $42 for Branzino is high when you can go elsewhere and get it for $20-30. $29 for a Pork shank now is probably still about $5 too high. Appetizers at $12-16 are expensive, especially if its 1 scallop so not truly shareable. Pasta dishes at Monteverde are $14-16 vs. $20 for the Bolognese at Citrine, I can tell you where I would rather dine.

It looks like Citrine took into account some of the talk about high prices, because looking at the current menu a bunch of them have been adjusted downwards some. I get it, rents in Oak Park are high, but at a certain price point a lot of diners will just go elsewhere.

I remember the Branzino dinner being for two people when I had ordered it in the past but that was a while ago.

I've had both the pork shank and the Bolognese at Quartino and they're definitely full servings. The pork shank is almost too big for me to finish and the Bolognese is a full plate of pasta. Looking at pick online I'd say the portions between the two restaurants are nearly indistinguishable.

zoid wrote:I've had both the pork shank and the Bolognese at Quartino and they're definitely full servings. The pork shank is almost too big for me to finish and the Bolognese is a full plate of pasta. Looking at pick online I'd say the portions between the two restaurants are nearly indistinguishable.

Sorry—didn’t realize Quartino did full portions of much of anything. I’ve never ordered anything like that there.

So has anyone hit Hecho en Oak Park yet? My wife has heard good things, but since I like Tacabron and it's closer to me I don't yet see a reason to shift allegiances so soon.

Had a nice brunch at...

Courageous Bakery and Cafe
736 Lake St, Oak Park
(708) 894-CAKE (2253)
https://courageousbakery.com

Everything was good, food, service, staff, atmosphere. Bright airy space with the large windows and the sun streaming in.

A pretty big menu for a bakery. Most breakfast items, soup and sandwich. Took a few moments to digest.


I started with the Split Pea soup. Smooth consistency, no croutons (at a bakery?) a drizzle of something or other but basically very good! Looking forward to trying their other offerings.


My Bride went with the ‘Simple’ Omelet (bacon, potatoes and cheese). She likes to make a bacon sandwich so a side of bacon was in order but the Texas Toast was too thick to fold. Might ask for thin sliced next time.


Nicely filled!


I went with Biscuits and Gravy which came with a pair of eggs. There was an interesting addition of peppers which was a nice flavor and nice thick biscuit.

It was busy when we stopped by at 12:30 and we can see why The coffee shop across the street didn’t make it. Family’s, older folks, youths visiting the mostly young staff. Very bustling.

So busy today, their usual assortment of 20 types of cupcakes was down to 3 varieties of which My Bride took home a Salted Caramel...



The atmosphere almost reminded me of Erik’s in their heyday.

Looking forward to our return visit and glad to have them in the neighborhood.

Courage for those battling blood cancer. Coffee from Common Ground Coffee Roasters. Pink Floyd on the sound system.

My Bride was out of town and I needed to do some shopping in DTOP and I was lucky that...

Café Descartes
1018 Lake St, Oak Park

... was doing another popup. Actually, talking with the owners, they are planning to do it on a regular basis on Saturdays.



Today on the menu was Kati Roll with Lentil Soup. Traditionally served with a meat kabob inside a roll, this was the vegetarian version. Mom mentioned that she is vegetarian and if the kids wants to cook...

Bold spicing with a nice amount of heat made it a very good sandwich and the lentil soup had a nice thick broth with a smooth flavor.

Every meal there has been a delight. Looking forward to stopping by on Saturdays in the future!

After my shopping was done I happened to be walking by the new...

Hecho en Oak Park
1053 Lake St, Oak Park



I figured a quick taco might be in order so I sat at the counter. Carne Asada sounded good.

The meat was chopped fairly fine and they advertise fresh tortillas. Tasty, well filled and soft. Meat was tender and the tortilla indeed fresh. About what I expected from a $3.50 Taco (no sides).

No evidence of any broiling but also not dripping from the dreaded ‘bucket-o-grease’. Salsa’s did not have much personality.

Nothing outstanding but nothing objectionable. Will be a good visit on the way to and from the theater.

They have gotten a new awning but the ownership is the same. They just switched up the concept. Menu limited but they will be adding as well as having specials.

Liquor license on the way (margaritas).

We tried Hecho en Oak Park today for lunch. So good! Homemade chips and homemade tortillas. The tacos are really good, expecially the shrimp one- it has this sauce that is amazing. Small place, but a nice addition to the Oak Park food scene. The chips come with a homemade pico gallo with mangos and tomatoes- really good. I think it is the only taco place in the area that has the homemade tortillas and they are worth the trip if you are in the area and looking for a different place to east on Lake Street.

Hecho en Oak Park. 1053 Lake Street. Phone: 708-383-6900.

Hecho. The return visit.



Stopped by with My Bride before a movie with much better results.

Carne asada, Pastor and Pollo.

Carne again undistinguished except for being very tender and the pastor and chicken were nicely marinated and rather than chopped, large chunks (pastor), or a whole piece of chicken.

Very tasty and discovered they have a nicely spiced taco sauce (ask for it).

A good visit.

Made a couple of visits to Wild Onion in the past few weeks. The first was for beer, which was fine, except they were out of tons of stuff. The second was last night, and while my burger was good, and the service was good, and the space is OK, I just don't see a reason to go back that often for such relatively run of the mill comfort food menu.

Does The Heritage in Forest Park have a thread? I couldn't find it if so. Four of us had an outstanding meal there the other night. Outstanding!

teatpuller wrote:Does The Heritage in Forest Park have a thread? I couldn't find it if so. Four of us had an outstanding meal there the other night. Outstanding!

Shhh, we need to keep this place for ourselves.

Panther in the Den wrote:Coming soon (owner mentioned 2 weeks)...

Petra Falafel
7314 Madison Ave, Forest Park
https://www.facebook.com/petrafalafel123/

The attachment 61C4285B-CA5B-4F0D-A0AA-6C2BAD786E24.jpeg is no longer available

(Sorry for the bad crop, file size limitations on the site. )

I needed a quick bite and driving down Madison yesterday I noticed they were open so I popped in.

I usually will not visit a place until they are open a few weeks and talking with the owner they had just open that day (yikes!).

Actually everything was apparently running smoothly (with the exception of the cook and owner shouting in the back room).


Started with the Falafel which came with 6 pieces and the standard tahini sauce. Very good! Nice crunchy exterior, flavorful inside, sauce undistinguished.


Moved into the chicken shawarma. Cooked on the spit and had a lot of nice crunchy pieces of the nice marinated meat. On a big bed of rice with a roasted of onion, hot pepper and tomato. The roasted vegetables really made the meal. Might try the vegetable platter just to get my fill.


The garlic sauce that came with the shawarma was awesome! I would use that stuff on everything.

All in all a very good meal for opening day. Not surprised though as talking with the hostess/casher this is another store by the owner of North Ave Falafel at North and Oak Park.

North Ave Falafel
6814 W North Ave, Chicago

Panther in the Den wrote:
......All in all a very good meal for opening day. Not surprised though as talking with the hostess/casher this is another store by the owner of North Ave Falafel at North and Oak Park.

North Ave Falafel
6814 W North Ave, Chicago

Interesting, since the first few times I had been to North Ave Falafel it was completely underwhelming and I have not been back. Has any one been lately? Maybe it has improved.