It was a refreshing start this month as I went back to Katana to try their new menu. I just can’t get enough of this Japanese eatery since its inception.
I love their space and have never turned down an invite to dine-in or attend an event there. Service at Katana is impeccable and and the atmosphere so relaxing.
My friend accompanied me as we also celebrated a bittersweet farewell for him; all over creative cocktails and delicious food.
The Plumdog Millionaire is just one example of ingenuity at its best. For someone that doesn’t usually drink gin, I quite relished this gin-focused concoction with Umeshu plum sake, Soho lychee, honey turmeric syrup and fresh lemon juice. My friend also raved about the Katana Old Fashioned he ordered and suffice to say, we both had a great start.
What was also great about this dinner is that Chef had planned the menu for us so there was no perusing and decision-making necessary on our behalf. We just sat back, relaxed and caught up.
The Sunomono is always just a nice way to commence, as these marinated cucumbers came coated in spicy sesame and were definitely addictive.
Then we slowly ventured into the raw stuff with a very appetizing platter of the Diced Hamachi with chopped Serrano chilies. Such delicious sushi grade fish!
The Toro Tartare was absolutely breathtaking, as a quail egg was mixed in table side over the toto and tuna tartare along with Ostera caviar and uni. All the good stuff from the sea with the freshest taste and buttery texture.
That dish was filling, but the warm platter from their robata which came next was still definitely welcome. Skewers of Suzuki (Chilean Sea Bass), Sake (salmon), shrimp and zucchini made for a colorful assortment.
And we also got to try a bowl of their warm Shrimp Fried Rice (Cha-han), which was yummy.
There was no room for the maki after all that meat, but there’s always room for dessert. The Mochi platter came with a variety of green tea, orange and chocolate ice cream and totally hit the spot. As did the Chocolate Lava Cake!
Despite multiple visits to this fine establishment, every visit leaves a new impression. Katana gets full points for innovation and for a menu that’s constantly improving. I simply can’t wait to go back!
This month Veggie Grill opened another location in West Loop and it’s their coolest venue yet. Not only is it spacious but also has the nicest layout. Comes with all the awesomeness this establishment anyway offers, but also new are self-help kiosks to skip the line and order through your VG app. I’m all about saving time!
For pescetarians, a plant-based diet is a stone’s throw away, but even as a meat-eater you would appreciate the way Veggie Grill has managed to make its vegan fare appealing, by creating delicious chef-driven dishes.
Even their drink choices are innovative, as I sipped on a cold cup of their refreshing Matcha Horchata. Their Strawberry Lemonade is also quite wonderful, I must say!
I had way too much food for one person as I tried several things on the menu, but who’s counting or complaining, right?
The new Paleo Zucchini Noodles with Beyond Sausage was so much better than even the traditional noodle recipe. The spicy Italian sausage added a zing, while the basil pesto gave it a flavor burst. Perfectly portioned too!
The Beyond Burger “Cheesesteak” Sandwich was another impressive one. Thinly sliced pieces of burger meat with a tantalizing onion and green pepper mix, and provolone cheese on a hoagie roll. So fulfilling and comes with fries too.
You didn’t expect me to leave without trying their “Crab” Cake Sandwich? Crispy “crab cake” with spiced tartar sauce, and all the fixings on a toasted, sesame seed bun. I love my fish but this was pretty good! Ordered it with the Sweetheart (sweet potato) Fries this time around. Sweet n crispy n addictive!
I’ve never left a VG location without getting their Buffalo wings, so I didn’t break tradition. The best imitation of a meat dish that I’ve ever seen. And that zesty buffalo sauce was lip smashingly good!
As a special treat, they had me also try their featured Turkey Dinner Sandwich. Made with Gardein meat and pea protein and seasoned with lots of rosemary. A festive sandwich made even more festive with a side of mashed sweet potatoes. If you didn’t have Thanksgiving on your mind already, now you do!
While I ate, the restaurant was baking fresh Pumpkin Cakes and brought them iced and ready to serve at the table. Couldn’t have asked for a better way to finish dinner!
Seriously, this place rocks! Veggie Grill is now doing $1.99 delivery for any orders over $10, and if you download their app, you get an additional $5 off your first order! What’s more? They donate 33% of any of their fundraiser sales to school groups, non-profits and other community groups.
A philanthropic eatery that serves great food and also cares about the environment, is exactly what this planet needs right now!
Chicago is truly so fortunate to have not one but several locations of this fine Japanese establishment, Roka Akor. I recently dined at their River North location with my closest girlfriends and it could’ve easily been one of the best nights this month.
Roka Akor presents a chef-driven menu thats Japanese-inspired but modern in approach. Their menu highlights everything from fresh cut meat, grilled seafood, sushi and signature maki. And a drink menu that takes care of all palettes, from sake, and wine to cocktails and whiskeys.
It was a Friday night and the plan was to enjoy dinner before a night out on the town. Let’s just say that dinner managed to get us in the right spirits all around.
So many highlights, including a delicious nigori that I had have several caraffes of.
You know I never pass up on steamed edamame and we devoured that bowl. Steamed soy beans with the perfect amount of sea salt is just the way to ignite a sushi appetite.
The Yellow Tail Sashimi was especially tasty with the shallots and Serrano chilli, and the sliced fish was divine.
The Grilled Octopus was unique with Meyer lemon, and squid ink aioli. Never had that combination before, and always will, from now on!
The favorite bite for all had to be the Shrimp and Lobster Dumplings. These need no explanation, they were fresh, tender and filled to perfection where both the shrimp and lobster flavors existed in proportion.
Since our server had such great suggestions, we also decided to rely on the Chef’s 3 Kind Sashimi Selection Platter, which came with melt-in-your-mouth pieces of sake, hamachi and toro. What vibrant colors on the fish too!
I don’ usually think to order tempura, but the Assorted Vegetable Tempura was a nice crunchy snack to have on the side. Light and airy and fairly addictive!
We ended with a bang with the Japanese Mushroom Rice Hot Pot which came with shaved black truffle and it was everything we could have asked for.
With full bellies but not overstuffed, we set out on our girls night adventure, grateful for a great meal and remarkable service! Get your reservations in now!
New venue alert in the Gold Coast that has me super excited! The Stockton Restaurant & Lounge is just the place for you this winter. It’s a sophisticated and high-end lounge serving globally-inspired eats, original craft cocktails and even late-night entertainment some nights week. And incase your’e wondering, the name pays homage to famous musician Julia Stockton Rush as well as the infamous Rush Street where it’s located. Now that’s how you name a restaurant!
The space is expansive and can easily seat around 200 guests with access to a lush terrace with lots of greenery. The terrace may have to wait until the Spring, but dining there doesn’t have to!
So, what did I eat and drink there? Where do I even begin?!
After we settled in with the yummy Peach Froze they had waiting for us and then our cocktails, the Stockton Margarita for me and the Blackberry Smash for my friend, we’d both had enough sweet n spicy in us to jumpstart our appetites.
We actually passed up on the Seafood Tower to try their highly recommended Alaskan King Crab Platter which was perfect for two. A pound of fresh crab legs with the meat ready to be scooped out marinated in chili oil and cilantro. I’ve always enjoyed my seafood with a zing and that’s how I ate it growing up in India. I’ll go back for this one.
A Cold Plates Section on the menu with delicious starters including a Truffle Burrata and Truffle Tuna Sashimi swimming in ponzu was mind blowing. Loved the roasted garlic with the burrata as I always like to point out new combinations I’ve never tried before.
The Best Bite however were the Crispy Rice Cakes. And I kid you not when I say that I could not stop eating these. I may have broken the cardinal rule and filled up on them too. Mini bite sized appetizers with tuna, spicy mayo, unagi, wasabi tobiko and chives.
We definitely ordered from their sides. The Spicy Cauliflower and Brussel Sprouts were amazing picks for us. In the former, I really enjoyed the Chardonnay soaked golden raisins and in the latter, the crispy shallots. Most recipes are so consumed with adding dates or figs to brussel sprouts, but I actually think they make a better pair with fried onions! Just sayin.
And because it has been so cold, I justified a warm bowl of their Lobster Mac with cavatappi (one of my favorite pastas), gorgonzola, grana padono, fontina, pecorino with herb parmesan, and a topping of Panko bread crumbs. The boat dish wiped clean as we tried to pick on the burnt cheese on the sides. We were not giving up!
While we didn’t order anything from their Vegan menu, I was impressed that they had one dedicated just to vegans, and also vowed to go back and try the Chilled GF Pasta next time.
But, we did get to try their Vegetable Dumplings. They were as good as other good dumlings but I quite enjoyed the tofu meat stuffing. Made it heartier.
I had been saving room for their sushi all along. When the fish is that good, the sushi grade fish also had to be! The Torched Salmon Roll was such a delight with sweet potato and crispy shrimp intertwined to make a hearty and flavorful roll. Seafood heaven if you ask me.
Dessert entailed Cinnamon Roll Pancakes and apparently we got the last order for the night, so you can only imagine how popular these are. And a giant slice of their carrot cake which was nutty and sweet.
The Gold Coast food scene has been blowing up and places like Stockton are only contributing towards making it one of the city’s hottest food neighborhoods!
Check It Out & Cheers!
So what if it’s not warm outside, I still very much welcome a dinner by the river (as long as I’m inside). River Roast made it possible this month for me to enjoy a grand meal with my good friend, as we took in the gorgeous water views.
James Beard award-winning Chef Tony Mantuano makes sure that the menu appeals to one and all, and offers some of the most soul pleasing dishes. Creative draft and craft cocktails and a whole selection of Midwestern beers on tap.
At first we ordered our libations; the Hemingway Daiquiri and a glass of French Brut Rose for my friend. After which we settled into a Mulled Wine that came in a thermos and was perfect for two. It had all the right elements to keep us warm; cloves, cardamom and nutmeg.
Then we indulged in some oysters (half-shell) and covered both coasts in our selection, which got us refreshed to begin our dining journey.
Their Cheese Platter looked too good to pass up, so we got a selection of three of cheese, Red Rock, Trillium and Sneek which also came with nuts, fruit preserves and a delectable mustard. Luckily we had the sense not to fill up on this!
The Shrimp and Crab Toast had to be had. Buttery brioche with avocado and shrimp mousse. Holy yum!
The Blistered Shishito Peppers were such a crunchy treat to nibble on as we caught up and enjoyed the restaurant’s Friday night vibe.
That you don’t always have to have meat to enjoy a roast is proven right here at this restaurant. All Roasts are carved table-side and we ordered the the Fire Roasted Whole Fish and the Acorn Squash each. The fish that night was Branzino (Mediterranean Sea Bass) with fire roasted salsa verde and it was flaky, perfectly seasoned and perfectly cooked.
The Squash was such a surprise, especially to someone who doesn’t usually like it. Savory-sweet squash cooked tender and stuffed with farro (my favorite grain), cranberry, apple, seasonal vegetables and an aromatic parsnip puree Thanks to this dish, it still felt like fall!
On the side, we tried their White Cheddar Mac and Cheese, Super Club Mushrooms (also served on brioche) and the Broccolini. All were delightful, although the carbs went first.
The Grand finale was their robust Lobster Burger. I have been advocating for more seafood burgers menus and felt like my prayers had been answered! Unabashedly, I took huge bites of the patty with hunks of Maine lobster meat, and ate it with the same gusto that meat eaters do with a cheeseburger. It felt good!
Dessert did not disappoint either! Their Key Lime Pie was classic and I’m a fan of that graham cracker crust now. The S’mores Ice Cream Sandwich had the best torched marshmallow fluff I’ve had.
Too full for words and so ready for bed, we made our way out of the restaurant. Now I need to get ready to return for their Blues Brunch soon.
Flora Fauna- Friendsgiving With A Purpose
Giving with glamor was what this event was all about. Hosted by the beautiful Parmita Katkar one Sunday afternoon this month in the gorgeous space of Flora Fauna restaurant in River North.
An event to benefit the girls of The Banyan Tree School in one of Asia’s largest slums, Dharavi. to give them better access to health and sanitation.
The event saw amazing women entrepreneurs and sponsors with meaningful businesses come together to help raise funds for this cause. I felt proud to be associated with this event but also for all the wonderful connections I made that afternoon.
And I don’t want to forget about the fun. Food and drinks flowed freely, followed by a delectable brunch with lots of vegan dishes. But of course, I beelined for the ceviche, which also rocked!
The swag was unbelievable. We left home with bags full of goodies from the generous sponsors. Excited for my new, all eco-certified makeup from Couleur Caramel, and to try a new beauty regimen from the Open Formula products , a company whose goal is to make skincare products affordable for all.
Thrilled to discover Mavely, an app that helps women navigate through all their necessities while shopping, sharing and earning back!
These ladies know how to do good and do it in style!
For an establishment that’s been around since 1993, Buca di Beppo sure knows how to integrate innovation with authenticity. After recently visiting their Wheeling location for a menu tasting, and having the most delicious dinner, family-style, it is proof that sharing is indeed caring. No wonder they’ve managed to have over 100 locations worldwide. The world definitely needs more of this restaurant.
Buca di Beppo states that their mission is to capture fun and provide the feeling of a true Italian gathering. That is exactly how my colleagues and I felt during our dinner there. The hospitality is unmarred, and the setting is eclectic enough to accommodate any type of meeting.
Even their walls are covered with family photos and photos of Italian-American icons to keep the whimsical theme. There is Pope Room, dedicated to the pope ofcourse, which was fun to explore. And since we sat at the Chef’s Table (in their kitchen), we got to watch all the action including partaking in it. (Pictured below).
The cocktail, beer and wine menu is pretty big, as are the size of their drinks. The Roman Tiki would’ve been enough because all my heart needed was that Cruzan Mango Rum, but after all the pasta a glass of Meiomi (pinot noir) seemed in order.
The food menu is inspired by dishes enjoyed in various villages throughout Italy, so you know you’re getting authentic fare. We had a robust start with The Buca Trio and the 3 appetizers we picked were all equally great.The Spinach Artichoke was a gooey blend of Italian cheeses and so yummy, the calamari so crispy and the Fried Mozarella went perfectly with their marinara sauce.
If you’ve been to the restaurant, you know the portions are huge. And yet, you’ve ever fully prepared for the gluttony about to ensue. Eve the small Spicy Shrimp platter was enough for a village and was just terrific! Golden fried shrimp & pepperoncini tossed with a spicy sauce of chilies and garlic. Yum, but you’d better get your spice resistance up for this one!
My guests got to try their World Famous Meatballs and seemed quite pleased. Half-pound meatballs topped with their homemade marinara sauce and creamy ricotta. What could go wrong for a meatlover?!
We each had a different choice for entrees so we decided to go solo on that one. Loved my Shrimp Fra Diavolo with crushed red pepper with penne in a spicy rosa sauce. Yes my tongue was on fire, but it was well-worth it.
I ordered a plate of their Cheese Manicotti for the table. Vegetarian pasta is always such a treat when done well. The ‘tenderest’ pasta shells came stuffed with spinach, ricotta and Parmesan with alfredo and freshly-made marinara sauce. Lets just say, leftovers were split evenly amongst us so we wouldn’t fight.
How could we also leave this Italian haven without trying the pizza?! We decided to do their Bianca with white sauce, fresh mozzarella, provolone, garlic, oregano and garlic-infused olive oil.And it was a table favorite!
From their Shareable Sides section, my favorites had to be the Roasted Garlic mashed Potatoes and the Green Beans. Simple and satisfying all around, but boy did those taters have flavor.
I did get to try their Salmon Sorrento which was doused in a lemon butter sauce and was just divine. Similarly, the Eggplant Parmigiana was perfect. The breaded eggplant slices cooked to perfection and layered with mozzarella, parmesan and lots of herbs. Such a comforting casserole dish and would easily last you a few meals!
I forgot to mention that the Caprese was the most gorgeous presentation Ive seen of the simple ingredients of fresh mozarella, tomatoes and basil.
And the Italian Creme Cake was absolutely the right choice for dessert. Six layers of rich lemon cake and marscapone cheese filling, served in a pool of raspberry sauce and topped with whipped cream. We were all well into our food comas as we took our last bites from of a very lavish meal.
You should definitely think about your next family dinner or holiday party here. You won’t be disappointed. And, they also have an amazing Kid’s Menu and a Gluten Free menu (celiac friendly), so keep that in mind.
Do not miss out on the Buca Experience and with 100 locations to choose from worldwide, you’re in luck!
Hot venue alert everyone! La Celia Latin Kitchen in Avondale just re-concepted and is making quite the strides. Cutest little restaurant with colorful decor and pictures of Celia Cruz, who also happens to be one of my favorite singers. I stared at a beautiful heart painting all evening, what a wonderful thing that was.
La Celia is a latin-focused restaurant bringing dishes and flavors from Latin America and the Caribbean; the menu truly has so much to offer. Owner Jorge Pizana’s owner journey from Mexico to Chicago, working in the hospitality industry to opening his own restaurant, is very inspiring. And the highlight was reconnecting with a dear friend I had lost touch, with who accompanied me to dinner.
While the restaurant is BYOB, I will happily replace anything alcoholic with a refreshing glass of Aqua Fresca, especially La Celia’s mango one. Their horchata was authentic too.
Lots of small and shareable plates on the meny, so we started with an appetizer called, Tamal de Mango which were two giant tamales with a creamy goat cheese filling in the center,, chipotle and pico-mango salsa. Never seen or tasted anything like it before.
The Ezquites with lime mayo and cotija cheese were phenomenal. The piquin chili ad lime-mayo gave it so much tang, and I was eating it up.
Loved the salad version of their Pulpo a la Plancha and just what my seafoodie heart desired. Full of flavor and cooked to perfection; grilled octopus pieces with Yukon gold potatoes, onions, tomatoes and red pepper flakes. Simple and simply irresistible.
Jorge highly recommended their Patatas Bravas and the tomato aioli it came with was enough to get all the senses flowing. Deliciously done.
They even make fresh empanadas everyday which I couldn’t partake in because they were all meat that day. But, I’ll be back as soon as they introduce seafood or vegetarian ones! Are you listening Jorge?
This certainly was a night of firsts; from reuniting with my friend to trying never before dishes.
Have you had Chicharron de Queso? If the answer is no, you’ve been missing out. It’s a crispy cheese tortilla cooked on a flat top grill and then folded. Looked like a giant crepe and was full of cheesy flavors. This is why I could never become vegan. I only hope more restaurants in Chicago begin offering this or I’m in trouble.
The Platillos section had tons of seafood offerings. We ordered the Huachinango Mojo de Ajo which was Whole Red Snapper cooked with the mojo de ajo sauce and served with white rice and fire roasted jalapeno salsa. Lots of fried garlic pods scattered throughout too. The sheer size of this dish had us both a little intimidated at first, and yes we had leftovers. There truly isn’t a better fish to absorb all the flavors than snapper. What a striking dish!
While we were full, we certainly were not going to turn down Jorge and Chef’s invite to cook us a Molcajete Mariscos (Mexican Seafood Stew) on their hot lava stone, and watch it being made live. All the seafood in the sea was laid out on a table and then cooked with garlic, tomato salsa and melted cheese. Incredibly satisfying for a pescetarain I tell you.
This one’s not on their menu, but I hope for your sake it is soon! That had to be the cherry on the top from dinner, although we weren’t done by any means.
How could we without dessert? Jorge brought out their famous Crepes bathing in my favorite Dulce de Leche sauce with caramelized bananas and we scarfed it down as if we hadn’t eaten all day. No shame in the game right?
La Celia will surely gain its much deserved popularity soon. And before it catches on, I hope you get your reservations in. Also, it is not a place you can visit just once, just saying!
One of the loop’s best restaurants invited me and a guest to dine in at their restaurant this month, and I was thrilled. I’m talking about South Branch Tavern and Grille, a contemporary restaurant and event space that sits right on the Chicago River giving patrons full views of the city and water. I’ve experienced their giant outdoor patio in the summer, but when you’re on the river even indoors is nice.
The restaurant features modern American fare from burgers to seafood. Knowing how packed it gets at lunch hour or happy hour, I was a little relieved to go in for dinner and be able to fully take in the atmosphere .
The beer, wine and cocktail selection is plenty. They have three kinds of Mules features, so if you’re into bourbon you’re in luck. I however was in the mood for a more seasonal cocktail so I requested to start with a Cranberry Mojito with actual dried cranberries. It was Thanksgiving week after all!
So many amazing appetizers to choose from that it did make it a little tough to pick. Good problem to have I guess.
We decided to start with the spicier Bang Bang Shrimp. If you’re going to start with seafood, make sure its got a little zing, right? Beautifully plated, fried shrimp with Sriracha, scallions, toasted sesame seeds and a chili aioli.
While we were on a seafood start, we also got their Tuna Poke Nachos which were yummilicious! Nicely piled plate of crispy wonton chips with ahi tuna, avocado, onions, jalapeno, cilantro, soy glaze and wasabi cream. Asian-inspired nachos will always be my favorite and more restaurants ought to do them. This was my favorite bite here.
I don’t know that I have the ability to pass up on guacamole if its on a menu. But here, its made with pine nuts and chipotle oil and had one of the most unique tastes I’ve experienced with guac.
The New England Clam Chowder was just phenomenal and also weather perfect. The broth tasted like the ocean and had the right consistency.
We realized we needed to get some greens so what did we do? We ordered their Crispy Fried Green Beans. A little veggies with grease didn’t hurt anyone. These were incredible and served with a zesty horseradish aioli.
Loved that they had The Impossible Burger, and it was one of the juiciest ones I’ve had. The pimento cheese on it was nice on it too.
A vegetarian burger looks good with a Lobster Roll on the side. The roll had Maine lobster pieces, shaved romaine, micro celery and lemon aioli on a buttered New England bun. Yes I was in heaven.
Then there was dinner! The Shrimp Scampi was terrific and it had been a while since I’d had angel hair pasta and that classic white wine sauce. Dreamy, creamy and heavenly. But also a garlic lover’s delight.
So was the Chilean Sea Bass which came miso-glazed with sesame ginger soba noodles and pickled English cucumber. Fish was cooked well and the noodles were perfect.
The Scallops were another treat and I’m a fan of parsnip squash with this pillowy fish now. It also had a light basil oil drizzle over it, which was just beautiful.
I know you’re waiting to hear about dessert. We inhaled their warm Baked Cookie Dough in a skillet, so really it was a ‘pizookie!’ Straight out of the oven, with a nice gooey center filled with chocolate, and a dollop of ice cream consistently moistening the cookie as it melted. At that point, I just felt lucky.
Chef Josh Haskey has this menu nailed. The crowd kept pouring in and we ourselves didn’t want to leave. I’ll easily go back here for dinner any day of the week! Thank you South Branch for such a wonderful experience!