Moto – Chicago

945 W. Fulton MarketChicago, IL 60607Ph: (312) 491-0058website It’s been 4 months since Swan (click for review- it’s on the very bottom) and I, along with several of our friends, went to Chicago and tried this innovative restaurant.  Why is it innovative?  It isn’t just about executing the latest trend to perfection, but rather creating the very next trend 6 months before anyone else even stumbles across the idea.  Savory foams?  So last year.  The standout for our meal was definitely carbonated fruit, which I expect to see in restaurants in NYC shortly.  Hopefully, sooner than later, as I’ve been obsessing [...]

Marché – Chicago

833 West Randolph StreetChicago, IL 60607(312) 226-8399weblink As soon as we walked into Marché, I was pleased.  The only word to describe the space is “open”, because the restaurant sprawled lazily about a large area.  Despite being fairly crowded, the noise was not overwhelming- we had no problems hearing each other over dinner, a problem common in NYC restaurants- and we were not sitting on top of people next to us.  In fact, we had an awesome table, on a slightly raised platform, in a corner, so we overlooked the entire restaurant, with the open kitchen directly to our backs.  Our [...]

Orange – Chicago

3231 N. Clark StreetChicago, ILCitySearch (could not find their website)Chicago Foodie review (amusing to read) As most brunch places I’ve been to, Orange does not take reservations.  Since it opens at 9:30 am, we were not keen to the idea of getting there when it opened, despite having read about long waits.  We arrived around 11:30 am and waited about a half hour (getting grumpier by the second… when I’m hungry, I’m cranky, and I was not the only one), which isn’t that terrible.  Immediately, Orange comes off as cutesy and fun; check the sign out!  When you walk in, the walls are [...]

La Creperie – Chicago

2845 N. Clark StreetChicago, IL (773) 528-9050weblink Our first restaurant in Chicago was La Creperie for brunch.  We’d read good things about this place, and a few of us really like crepes (like, a lot) while the minority hates them.  We were all still game, though.  Although we arrived a few minutes before their 11 am opening time, they still led us in and seated us.  The place was reminiscent of a cafe in France that I’d never been to- in fact, I’ve never been to France- but I definitely got a feeling of being transported to another country.  The [...]

Vong’s Thai Kitchen – Chicago

6 West Hubbard StreetChicago, IL weblink The place that basically stemmed our trip to Chicago: a long while ago, I’d seen on FoodNetwork an episode of… one of the shows that travels around and shows you cool things.  This place was on there, and was noted for having $1 desserts, bite sizes for after lunch, so you don’t feel grossly overstuffed afterwards.  This is a great idea.  I mean, think about it: you still get dessert, but you don’t want to throw up afterwards.  Location-wise, this restaurant was a block from our hotel, and only 2-3 blocks from Magnificent Mile, [...]