From LTHForum.com:
Meritage calls it a career, announces Jan. 1 closing
"Say it ain't so: Christopher Peckat announced this morning, via e-mail, that his restaurant, Meritage Café & Wine Bar (2118 N. Damen Ave.) would close its doors for keeps on Jan. 1. Meritage has won a handful of awards since its May 1997 opening with chef Jonathan Harootunian, and has been one of the city's most consistently excellent restaurants throughout its existence. It will be missed. But the good news, sort of, is that there's still time for a farewell meal or two."
Get there before it closes. At least Meritage got to celebrate its 10-year anniversary. Plus, Peckat still owns The Ashland (2824 N. Ashland Ave., 773-549-3333) and Fixture (2706 N. Ashland Ave., 773-248-3331) in Lakeview.
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Sounding off: Designer Brunches
It's getting pretty heated over on LTHForum.com, where the fabulous foodies are debating over the price points at hip neighborhood brunch spots like Orange on Roscoe (2011 W. Roscoe St., 773-248-0999)--the popular eatery with outposts in Lakeview and the South Loop.
Here's a taste of comments:
"My bill for three for breakfast (at Orange) was in a similiar price range. 3 juices, 3 coffees, a few meats, a few entrees maybe an order of toast or something. It can get to the $60's quick."
"Sure you can cut corners, but with omelets and pancakes starting generally at $8 and specials at $10, you'd be wise to prepare for $20-$25/head whenever breakfasting nowadays at Orange, Bongo Room, and their ilk."
"I've eaten at most of these places recently, including Bongo Room, M. Henry, Wishbone, Walker Brother, and Orange on Harrison. Prices on their menus are remarkably consistent within this group, with $9 being the 'sweet spot' for most mains (with some less than that), $3.50-4.00 for a large juice, and $2-3 for coffee. I've gone over $20 only on the exceptional occasion when I have ordered more than one beverage, more than one food item, and/or an exceptionally expensive main (only a few are over $10). Based on my experience, I think that most people who order one main and one beverage will find themselves paying $12-20 including tax/tip pretty consistently. But order a large juice AND coffee, or get a dessert after your main, and yes, that's how you can end up over $20."
"Oh come on now! Everybody knows those breakfast places are more expensive than many neighborhood places, but it really depends on what you want to order. If you just want two scrambled eggs, you're better off at that coffee shop on the corner (or better still, McDonald's for around a dollar - although most people don't know that you can order eggs without meat there) rather than paying $5.95 for them at Orange or $4.95 for them at Bongo Room or M. Henry. But if you want a pancake 'flight' of four different kinds of pancakes (Orange, $10.95, one of only two items on their menu over $8.95), or creamy polenta topped with two eggs, sharp cheddar and fresh thyme, wrapped in applewood bacon and served atop a mixed greens salad (M. Henry, $8.95), or banana pancakes topped with crushed oreos served with warm vanilla bean cream and chocolate creme anglaise (Bongo Room, $8.95), then you'll need to go to one of those breakfast specialty places and pay the price. At any of these places, you can get a main for $8.95 and coffee for $2.50, thrown on tax and tip, and you're around $15; order more, and pay more. It's your choice; you can go where you want, and select whatever foods and beverages you want. . . . As soon as my local McDonald's starts selling a delicious puffed up cinnamony apple pancake for a dollar, and fresh squeezed orange juice for a dollar, I'm going to stop going to Walker Brothers. But I'm not holding my breath that that's ever going to happen."
Here's a taste of comments:
"My bill for three for breakfast (at Orange) was in a similiar price range. 3 juices, 3 coffees, a few meats, a few entrees maybe an order of toast or something. It can get to the $60's quick."
"Sure you can cut corners, but with omelets and pancakes starting generally at $8 and specials at $10, you'd be wise to prepare for $20-$25/head whenever breakfasting nowadays at Orange, Bongo Room, and their ilk."
"I've eaten at most of these places recently, including Bongo Room, M. Henry, Wishbone, Walker Brother, and Orange on Harrison. Prices on their menus are remarkably consistent within this group, with $9 being the 'sweet spot' for most mains (with some less than that), $3.50-4.00 for a large juice, and $2-3 for coffee. I've gone over $20 only on the exceptional occasion when I have ordered more than one beverage, more than one food item, and/or an exceptionally expensive main (only a few are over $10). Based on my experience, I think that most people who order one main and one beverage will find themselves paying $12-20 including tax/tip pretty consistently. But order a large juice AND coffee, or get a dessert after your main, and yes, that's how you can end up over $20."
"Oh come on now! Everybody knows those breakfast places are more expensive than many neighborhood places, but it really depends on what you want to order. If you just want two scrambled eggs, you're better off at that coffee shop on the corner (or better still, McDonald's for around a dollar - although most people don't know that you can order eggs without meat there) rather than paying $5.95 for them at Orange or $4.95 for them at Bongo Room or M. Henry. But if you want a pancake 'flight' of four different kinds of pancakes (Orange, $10.95, one of only two items on their menu over $8.95), or creamy polenta topped with two eggs, sharp cheddar and fresh thyme, wrapped in applewood bacon and served atop a mixed greens salad (M. Henry, $8.95), or banana pancakes topped with crushed oreos served with warm vanilla bean cream and chocolate creme anglaise (Bongo Room, $8.95), then you'll need to go to one of those breakfast specialty places and pay the price. At any of these places, you can get a main for $8.95 and coffee for $2.50, thrown on tax and tip, and you're around $15; order more, and pay more. It's your choice; you can go where you want, and select whatever foods and beverages you want. . . . As soon as my local McDonald's starts selling a delicious puffed up cinnamony apple pancake for a dollar, and fresh squeezed orange juice for a dollar, I'm going to stop going to Walker Brothers. But I'm not holding my breath that that's ever going to happen."
You Got Served . . .
So my swingin' hot friend Michael made his way over to Otom (951 W. Fulton Market, 312-491-5804) this weekend, and he reported back that this slightly cheaper sibling to Moto (945 W. Fulton Market, 312-491-0058) is living up to its hype.
While I was a little distraught that he didn't order the famed mac 'n' cheese (baked with truffled white cheddar and double-smoked bacon and chives, mmmmmmmmmmm), he still managed to make my mouth water with his choices: a perfectly tangy Chinook salmon cerviche with citrus bubbles, chili, cucumbers and wonton chips; an offbeat jambalaya made with braised chicken, Jasmine rice, spicy crawfish and andouille; and a savory, seared boneless quail with pickled bok choy and maple-soy glaze.
Portions, of course, were small, yet filling. And being the big-time party boy he is, he needed just enough sustenance to keep him running for the night . . .
Got any good stories of a good nightlife or dining outing this weekend? Feel free to let us know.
While I was a little distraught that he didn't order the famed mac 'n' cheese (baked with truffled white cheddar and double-smoked bacon and chives, mmmmmmmmmmm), he still managed to make my mouth water with his choices: a perfectly tangy Chinook salmon cerviche with citrus bubbles, chili, cucumbers and wonton chips; an offbeat jambalaya made with braised chicken, Jasmine rice, spicy crawfish and andouille; and a savory, seared boneless quail with pickled bok choy and maple-soy glaze.
Portions, of course, were small, yet filling. And being the big-time party boy he is, he needed just enough sustenance to keep him running for the night . . .
Got any good stories of a good nightlife or dining outing this weekend? Feel free to let us know.
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Oakenfold plays Le Passage
This just in:
Paul Oakenfold--one of the world's most famous deejays--is having dinner at Le Passage's hot new Drawing Room on Saturday. Then, after his concert that night he returns to the late-night club to spin until 5am. 937 N. Rush St., 312-255-0022.
Doing good in the 'hood
Randee and Larry Estes, owners of U Lucky Dawg and Max's Italian Beef
U Lucky Dawg (6821 N. Western Ave., 773-989-4488) hosts an all-American feast on Thanksgiving Day for disadvantaged families in the Chicago area. Owners Larry and Randee Estes will be serving roasted turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes, cranberries and vegetables as well as mini-Vienna beef hot dogs as appetizers.
The feast runs 11am-3pm. Know someone who can benefit from this event? Have them call 773-989-4488 for a reservation.
Black Wednesday bashes
DJ Samantha Ronson (center) flanked by PR divas Susie Schreiber (left) and Kiran Advani of Zapwater Communications
It’s the day before Thanksgiving, so you know what that means. It’s time to cut loose before you head home to the families. Feast your eyes on these bashes certain to whet your nightlife appetite:
Butch McGuire’s (20 W. Division St., 312-337-9080). Head here as soon as you get off (by 2pm hopefully!) as this legendary Irish bar decorates the entire venue with choo-choo trains, whimsical Dr. Seuss characters and more tinsel than you can handle. $10 after 5pm.
Chaise Lounge (1840 W. North Ave., 773-342-1840). Half-price bottles of selected wines, a heated deck with lush, Miami-style cabana seating and a deejay are exactly what you’ll need to get ready for the relatives manana.
Citizen (364 W. Erie St., 312-640-1156). Get your grub on one day early with bottomless pasta for $14.95, $3 Snow Queen Lemon Drops and $125 bottles of Snow Queen vodka. Deejays K.O. and Risky Biz spin indoors and also on the heated, tented deck.
Crimson Lounge (333 N. Dearborn St., 312-923-2473). Hot shot celebrity deejay Samantha Ronson does her monthly residency at the new Hotel Sax’s swanky lounge.
Cuartro (2030 S. Wabash Ave., 312-842-8856). Groove Parlor features deep house maestro Mark Grant and Groove Parlor founder Mario Romay. 10pm-2am.
Jilly’s Too! (1009 N. Rush St., 312 664-0009). Downtown Melissa Brown hosts her annual bash for a mature crowd looking for something beyond the usual bar scenes. She’s gathered a number of her “downtown diva” friends (including 312 Dining Diva!) for a fun party that begins with a comp champagne reception at 8:30pm. Donny Greco performs.
Y (224 W. Ontario St., 312-274-1880). Make your way to Tony Macey's pre-Thanksgiving event at this sexy lounge known for its infamous Wednesday night parties. Get there by 10pm for guaranteed admission.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Green City Market shopping for Thanksgiving
Prairie Grass Cafe's Sarah Stegner
If you've got some leisurely time tomorrow morning, then make your way to the weekly Green City Market, which is in its fall/winter edition.
I'll admit that since I started going to it last summer, I haven't looked at a vine-riped tomato or squash the same again. And now that it's moved to the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum's North Gallery (2430 N. Cannon Dr.) through December, you can get in on the good-food action as well--just in time for a heart-healthy Thanksgiving celebration.
Also, the best part of the market are the cooking demos, and tomorrow you'll be able to catch chefs Sarah Stegner and George Bumbaris of Prairie Grass Cafe (601 Skokie Blvd., Northbrook, 847-205-4433).
The event starts at 10:30am, and if you get there early you might even get a chance to sit close enough to sample some of their yummy concoctions. Oh, and the best part about it is that it's free. The market's locally and organically grown fruits and veggies, of course, are not.
'Take no prisoners' . . .
. . . is the theme for tonight's industry event hosted by Z and Trigger, who've been kings in Chicago's nightlife for a number of years. They host their latest parties every Tuesday at Manor (642 N. Clark St.,312-475-1390), and they're packing 'em in.
Tonight, they're helping to launch local liquor Kilo Kai, a spiced rum that is making waves in the industry. Get there early (10-11:30pm) for a complimentary cocktail reception sponsored by Kilo Kai and see for yourself what all the fuss is about.
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