Sunday, August 11, 2013

Wilmette Chop House.....a VERY pleasant surprise!

After about one year of business, this place is definitely doing something right! My husband and I went in response to the Groupon that was offered and our expectations were highly exceeded as we indulged in some of the best food, drinks, and service that is to be found in the North Shore....and beyond. Even the water glasses added a special touch that made our dining experience unique and more pleasurable. The "team service" was appropriate and professional, but not stuffy.

As a "steak person," I was not expecting to have this little unassuming chop house deliver me one of my top 5 best steaks of all time (better than the Del Frisco's meal I had downtown last weekend).

The seafood special of the night (rainbow trout) was done perfectly and paired with a delicate and comforting tarter (potato and veggies as well). We also enjoyed the shrimp cocktail and chef rob salad which were both something I would do again. Rob himself came out of the kitchen and approached different guests inquiring about their meal. I would have gone for the bread pudding, but it was gone by the time I made up my mind...maybe next time :)

Although I appreciate their efforts to "shop locally and sustain globally," the bread was the weakest part of the meal. As the first impressionable food item brought to the table, it ought to be better.

Pictured below is a poor representation of the meal, but proof of how I did not anticipate liking this place enough to want to write about it. I hope you try it and feel the same way. It's DELICIOUS!!!

Gold Coast BBQ at "Chicago q".......oversold?

Maybe the hype of this new hot-spot was a little overdone, but this place was an honest "just ok." (wao wao...in the debbie downer voice).

BBQ in Chicago is done properly in many places, not many of which are in the Gold Coast, so this started off on the right foot opening its doors in the former Tsunami sushi location. The decor and atmosphere were very appropriate. The mint julep and homemade bread n' butter pickles served at the onset of the meal were the only things I favorably remember.

The "just ok" part was a result of the not-so-good service, the overpriced food and the stereotypical Gold Coast staff....not to mention, the food was nothing to brag about. I wanted to like this place since I highly respected the person who suggested it, but the Chowhound Chick's group consensus was "not very impressed!"

Our server added several items to our bill (likely by accident) and when we kindly pointed them our to her, she proceeded to give us attitude as if WE accidentally charged ourselves for food we did not order...AS IF!!!

I don't know about you, but if you're going to have crappy service, the food needs to be much better! Pictured below is the brisket/rib combo (st. louis style....a little gamey), a mint julep and the homemade bread n' butter pickles.






Tuesday, July 2, 2013

Dr. Dawg....Glendale, Wisconsin's Perfect Guilty Pleasure

This place will give you the meat sweats....simply because it will be too hard to choose if you want the burger, beef or dog. Tough decision!! The burger has 4 KINDS OF MEAT...including the 2 secret weapons (short rib and brisket). The beef and the hot dog are the best replicas outside the city of Chicago. It's no surprise "Dr. Dawg" himself is a Chicago native. The freshest ingredients with a little bit of grease make this place my perfect guilty pleasure. I hope you try it and don't forget to invite me :)


www.drdawg.net