Col-Ubas Steakhouse Thirsty Thursday

By far the best part of the meal, as at most LTH events, was the company. We got to meet Foodie1 and her s.o. and the others met a few of my friends.

There were some fantastic highlights, the Jamon Croquetas (ham croquetts) were salty, hot and delicious....I believe KMan would have made a meal of those if left alone.

Next the meal was a little heavy on the plantains....several jokes about plantain themed dinner.

However when the several over-sized platters of Picada Col-Ubas arrived a hush came over the table. The platters were a combination of New York strip steak, rib-eye, chicken breast, pork skin and pork sausage, served with Arepa (corn bread with cheese) fried plantains, fried cassava, baked potato, beef ribs and Chimichurri. The higlights for me were the tiny round Columbian potatos, the marinated rib-eye and the salty sausage. Some of the meats, particularly the chicken, suffered from over-cooking.

Many at the table also enjoyed the blood sausage, which was filled with rice and served "busted" like I have had a boudin noir. Although I provided them with the opportunity, I am a bit disappointed they didn't show their chops with more dishes like this...unless that was all they had.

For dessert, as if it was needed, we had a bread pudding served with wipped cream.

Too much food, many bottles of wine (and one of Havana Club Especial) and good company, what's not to like.

Thanks to all who joined in the effort to make it a nice evening.

Place: Col-ubas Steakhouse
5665 North Clark Street
(773) 506-1579

pdaane wrote:Thanks to all who joined in the effort to make it a nice evening.

Peter,

Sorry to have missed TTT, sounds a wonderful evening. Looking forward to the next TTT.

Enjoy,
Gary

Very enjoyable evening. I'd rank the restaurant as a decent neighborhood place -- perhaps not a destination but if it's only a five-minute walk (as it is for me) it's an nice option to have. The pork sausage and the croquettes were my food highlights as well (I also liked the arepa, potatoes, and yes, even the plantains), but as always it's the company and the conversation that make the evening.

The croquettes and the blood sausage were big hits for me, as was the company of course. And who knew they could make rum out of corn - in Kentucky, no less?

Sorry, no risque limmericks this time around. However, I did bring a box of Kama Sutra chocolates from Bon Bon.

Here is what one reviewer on Centerstage said about bon bon:

i think i have found heaven!

this quirky little shop is like the movie 'Chocolat' personified... From its gold-chic Egyptian/Mayan decor to the owner's adorable daughter, a funky pierced gal who gushed for almost half an hour about chocolate ...i was hooked even before i sampled the product!

I was going to make a crack about only buying the box upon condition that the owners daughter demonstrate how I could "do" piece number 6 without hurting my back ...but, she really is adorable and does gush about chocolate.

Check out some of their wacky flavors on their website: http://www.bonbonchicago.com/ Oh, and a picture of the Kama Sutra Chocolates


bon bon
5410 N. Clark St., Chicago
Tel: (773) 784-9882

All this talk about how great the company was and kama Sutra chocolates should leave no doubt that this is code for "diner beware".

Nonetheless, thanks pdaane for setting up this fun event.

(BTW, the company WAS alot of fun)

Yea, sometimes not only is it not all about the food, it's not at all about the food.

That being said, the idea of Thirsty Third Thursday's is a truly great one, and I had a lot of fun. Looking forward to the next one.

Thanks pdaane,

trixie-pea

Well, I have finally lost my LTH virginity last night at the TTT and ironically, the kamasutra chocolates served as a reminder. (haha!)

The most surprising dish for me were the bursting pieces of blood sausage... After taking a bite, my BF and I turned to each other and agreed they tasted like a a filipino comfort food mixed with rice and stuffed in a sausage casing. The filipino dish is "dinuguan", or "chocolate meat" - a phrase used to make the dish more appealing to non-filipinos.

The dish isn't for weak stomachs because it's a stew of various meats, liver, vinegar and beef blood. (Yep, an aquired taste, but pretty good if you can get over the blood thing.) Anyway, I digress.

I'm thankful to finally meet others who are passionate about food and cooking as I am...and can feel my pain of being dragged to restaurant chains when travelling abroad. I'm looking forward to mingling and meeting others in upcoming events!

Thank you Peter for hosting such a wonderful evening and then some.

~ J.

I enjoyed the evening tremendously, especially the chance to talk with pdaane, trixie-pea, PIGMON, Bob S., foodie1, and Louis. Happily, I continue to discover that LTH-ers are some of the most sincere and interesting people around. My favorite part of dinner was the yucca -- VERY crunchy, and the blood sausage. The February-theme Kama Sutra chocolates were delicious, with an undertone of honey (?), though, frankly, a bit puzzling in terms of the acrobatics depicted. No questions regarding the success of the evening, however. Thanks, pdaane, for setting it all up.