February Dinner Club at Hot Chocolate

Contrary to popular belief, Hot Chocolate in Bucktown is not just for dessert or brunch. The dinner menu is creative and delicious. The waiter was kind, patient, and genuinely interested in pleasing each of us. I shared the Cesar salad with kale (which I loved the unique addition of kale although it's not pictured) along with the vegetable risotto. Everything was very well done.


For dessert, we had a BANANA BRIOCHE BREAD PUDDING . . . which was warm on the inside with a nice contrast of cold ice cream on the outside. It was light and delicate with the perfect amount of sweetness. Who's Hungry?

Michael Jordan's Steakhouse---Mishap

If you're a seasoned reader, you know that my blog got jump-started by the not-so welcoming service at Michael Jordan's Steakhouse (if not, read my first post). Since I am down for second chances (and I was dying to try the food), I went back months later as "Table for four."


I understand that new restaurants need time to work out their growing pains, but this place needed something more like surgery. I so wanted it to be good! The atmosphere started off super chic and classy; however, I was confused when we got to our table (sans the table cloth). The waitstaff were dressed in something comparable to an Applebee's, and frankly I was confused. The prices mimicked top-notch steakhouse while the atmosphere was trying to be casual. The food was good and the service was just okay. Frankly, I am not impressed and for a $50 steak, my money is better spent at many other Chicago restaurants.

Center cut filet with a smoked sea salt garnish. The sea salt was definitely a nice touch....but like I said, expensive.

 Mascarpone cheesecake....not impressed! Fred's at barney's does this so well and this was not even close to being worth the calories. The presentation was the best part.