What would a Chicago trip be without a proper sampling of new restaurants as well as some tried-and-true family favorites?
Despite the lovely 10-degree weather we had in early January, accompanied by just a small foot of snow, I made it to several new spots and some oldies but goodies.
New to me: The Dawson, Eataly, and the NEW Urban Belly (twice). Oldies: Trenchermen and Farmhouse.
The Dawson is a pretty place to have a delicious craft cocktail. I can’t wait to see what this place will be, come summer and patio season. Its location near Emmit’s, Richard’s and Piccolo Sogno, not to mention one of my all-time favorites, Paramount Room, will make it the perfect place to stop over for a cocktail while waiting for a table at one of the other local spots.
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The food is good; almost too good for a restaurant that is this casual and laid back. I agree with TimeOut’s assessment that the menu has a bit of an identity crisis. But the concept is good, and I think The Dawson has serious potential to become a West Loop-ish mainstay.
Eataly. Still working out the kinks in early January, which doesn’t necessarily bode well for a place run by, well, very experienced professionals (Mario.) The service here is top notch and I see it as a tourist destination for years to come, but I couldn’t wrap my mind around what would make me come back to this place. Probably not the $15 pint of gelato and while the pasta was of Babb0 quality, I would just as soon hit one of the Rosebud spots or Trattoria Isabella where I won’t have to wait 30 minutes for a plate of ravioli.
That being said, I am in support of any foodie destination/department store such as this one, and I’m sure this first trip to Eataly will not be my last.
Urban Belly. I wanted to find something wrong with the new location because I so miss the old Belmont/California spot. But, despite now charging for booze, Urban Belly is every bit as good—even better, in fact—than its former northside self.
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If you like rice cakes (which I do), the Pad Thai is one of the best bites of food in Chicago and every dumpling on the menu should be sampled at one time or another. The location is still enough off the beaten path that it’s not overcrowded. Or maybe that was the 8 degrees and wind chill we braved to get there. Either way.
Trenchermen. The disappointment of my trip. Service has gone downhill, prices were way too high for the quality of the meal and service, and it just made me sad for a place that holds such fond memories for me. Out with the old, I guess.
Farmhouse. Standard. They took the dumplings out of the chicken soup since I was last year, and I’m OK with it. Every bit as much a good Sunday night go-to as it always was. Happy to hear the Farmhouse team is trying its hand at the Evanston crowd and has big plans for a new cider establishment in 2014.
Happy New Year!
