I had been hearing about the Chicago branch of Mario Batali's Eataly since it opened last year, but I so rarely get to downtown Chicago without a mission that I hadn't made the trek. Lucky me, one of the stores I had to visit is a block away so lunch at Eataly for me! Hurrah!
This place is ENORMOUS. It has retail, classes, restaurants, markets, cafes and a wine shop. I went to the La Birreria, which is basically the bar with lots of local beers and a good selection of wine and small plates. Since it was lunch I thought it the way to go.
First off: WOW. Worst service I have ever had in Chicago. I was floored, as I am used to amazing service in this city. I was the only person sitting at the bar and there was maybe 1 other table, and I was ignored for a good 5 minutes. Dubious, to say the least. I almost gave up but was finally greeted by a bartender. I ordered a glass of Prosecco, the Rucola salad and the Prosciutto Crudo pizzette. I wanted to get it all in fast in case no one talked to me again (which BTW they didn't).
The salad came first: lovely. A pile of fresh wild arugula, grana padano and a balsamic vinaigrette. After a full day of running around the southern suburbs of Chicago this was exactly what I needed (well that and the Prosecco. Yeah, I am a lady who lunches: what of it?). Crisp, rich depth of flavor with the cheese and perfectly peppery arugula.
The pizzette came out quickly afterwards: ADORABLE. Fried dough with raw prosciutto di parma, stracciatella and cherry tomatoes. I cannot think of a better size pizza for one, it was the perfect amount of food. The stracciatella is made in house daily, and man oh man was it divine. They do have a tasting plate of all the cheeses, I am going to have to do that at some point. All of the cheeses! For me!
In summation: The food at Eataly is fantastic. They really need to get someone in there to fix the Front of House, though. That is extremely off putting.
I did a bunch more running around for work and then ended up at Parson's Chicken and Fish in the Logan Square neighborhood (this is where I lived when I was in Chicago for 2 minutes back in 2011). I have been hearing about this place for a while, kind of the hipster fried chicken joint. So, I obviously had to try it.
I decided I wanted to get take out, it had been a long day and I was feeling like a night of Law & Order and take out was on the menu. I got to Parson's and sat at the bar. The bartender and I bonded immediately, as we both have pie tattoos (yay pie!) and I ordered up my take out. While I sat there though, I thought I should probably have a snack and a cocktail as I waited. I ordered up a half dozen oysters and a frozen negroni.
FROZEN NEGRONI. This is genius. At Parson's they have a couple of those frozen drink machines that you see in Vegas. I have never had one that has been this delicious. Bitter and full of boozy goodness, not overly sweet like most of those drinks tend to be. The oysters were blue points and perfect. My take out order got to me swiftly, so back to the suburbs I went!
I ordered the Parson's Hot Chicken: which is 2 pieces of fried chicken with the hot hot goodness, white bread and fresh pickles. I also got a side of hush puppies and a slice of pie that the restaurant gets from Bang Bang. I love me some spicy chicken, so I was really excited to get down with this. It was not too hot, not too sweet, and the chicken was still juicy and perfectly cooked. It had a great kick, don't get me wrong, it just wasn't burn your face off hot. The hush puppies were good: but I think would have been way better if not to-go. They lost some of their crispy goodness in the trek to the hotel. The pie, not surprisingly, was divine. Key lime happiness. I sure like me some Bang Bang.
In summation: I can't wait to go back to Parson's and eat there. The service was great, and everyone working and eating seemed really happy to be there.
The next day I had lots of work to do but had to make time to see my girl Bridgid. There is a newish ramen place we both had been dying to try: so off to Wicker Park we went!
Furious Spoon just opened this year right on Milwaukee Ave in the heart of Wicker Park. It is a small place with some giant communal tables and a perfectly honed menu. It's ramen, plain and simple. There isn't 1 million items on the menu, just cold ramen, hot ramen, as few sides. Boom. Ramen. This makes me really happy. There is no hemming and hawing: just pick your ramen and slurp it up. Fantastic.
I ordered the Furious Ramen (how could I not) which consists of spicy miso, pork belly, white pepper chicken, a poached egg, marinated mushrooms, garlic relish and fury sauce. What is fury sauce you may ask? It is a house made apple chili sauce, and it has some kick! I didn't even need the Shichimi (which I love). This ramen had such complexity and depth, it was so healing. I have had a rough summer and this is exactly the thing I needed to sooth my soul. Bridgid had the Vegetable Ramen as she is a vegetarian. I tried it, and it was delicious. Big chunks of roasted garlic make this ramen special.
In summation: Yes and yes. Can't wait to go back. I see that they are opening a second location in Logan Square with a rooftop patio: so I will for sure have to check that out!
We then walked over to Stan's Donuts, as I cannot pass up an adorable sign or pastries. Stan's is actually a place originally from LA: starting in 1963. It has recently made its way to Chicago, right in the midst of the crazy intersection of Damen, North and Milwaukee. They have a crazy array of donuts and delicious Intellegentsia coffee. I got a cinnamon sugar pretzel twist and a meyer lemon bismark for the road.
Both were delicious! Not the best donuts I have ever had but certainly not the worst. The cinnamon pretzel had a really cool texture, almost like a paratha. The meyer lemon curd was divine.
In summation: if I am in the area and hankering for a sweet I would totally stop in! I do want to try one of the peanut butter pockets. Next times, Stan's!
More to come from door county!
