Next

Hi kids. Sorry for being MIA the past couple weeks. It's been busy busy. Awhile back my sister and I got to go to the long-awaited : Next. As you know from previous posts that Next has a unique ticketing system new to the restaurant world. Achatz has truly created a frenzy as you can see from their Facebook page. If you are hoping to get tickets the Paris season is almost over so check out their page for same-day updates. They don't come cheap. But are cheaper than Alinea. Enjoy the pictures and then we can discuss.

So I'll let you peruse the many, and I mean many sites reviewing the menu. This is merely a review in photos and a few words on my perspective of Next. I have not had the pleasure of dining at Alinea but I have heard they are incomparable. I liked Next. But to me Next was kind of like Prom. The anticipation of the night itself brews and bubbles as I did in waiting. And unfortunately I let myself down. The restaurant didn't let me down, but I expected far too much.


I really feel like I was swept away by marketing. Darn it! I'm a sucker for the new, the unique, the "next" best thing. But alas, I got to step inside the elusive doors.. the minimal decor and the multitude of staff at my disposal. It did feel special.My sister, unlike me, isn't a fool for magical food. She just plain LOVES to eat. She was certainly not swept away. And was quick to point out that the decor reminded her of star trek. And onto the food...  Am I not dignified enough for French food? Am I the only person in the world of food that is not praising the entirety of Next?? The dishes: some lovely, some not to my liking. For instance: poached cucumber? think warmish half-soft cucumber. Or the chicken which sat by it's side, yes it was what chicken is meant to taste like but so unappealing just sitting there in it's diamond encasing of butter. The salad, oh man. This microscopic salad drenched - and I mean drenched with mayo was almost revolting. Is this what French food is like? I don't know I'm a street-food-girl and not fine china and fold your napkins accordingly-kind-of-girl. 

I digress, there were some amazing dishes. The duck. My mouth waters thinking about it. It was exquisite. Wonderfully cooked: crispy on the outside and perfect in the middle. And when another (yet another staff) brought out more of the duck press sauce I almost cried.  Would it have been inappropriate to ask for a doggy bag? Clearly I am not as dignified as I would hope.

So here you have it. Next was my disappointment, not theirs. You might love it and I hope you do get to try it but just keep your expectations grounded. Just because you hit the refresh button on their homepage the 1,000th time and got yourself tickets doesn't mean you've won the lottery. It's just another dinner, surrounded by madness.

Sprout

 

My sister and I took my mom to Sprout for mother's day brunch. Sprout is Dale Levitski's creation which opened up somewhat recently in Lincoln Park. They just started doing the adult-only brunch so I figured what a great opportunity to try something new and enjoy some time with my mom. 

This was possibly the best brunch I've had in sometime. The restaurant is cozy, with an atrium in the front and huge bar in the main dining room. I like the manly decor but it did remind me of a cheesy-vegas restaurant as well. The art was somewhat standard and bland, a lot of cream and browns. 

 We started with some coffee and I ordered the "Afternoon delight". This was a cocktail made with frenet, raspberry, basil fennel syrup and prosecco. Very tasty, and very strong. I loved the coffee as well, nothing like a good strong cup to start brunch. We ordered the bacon buns to start. Wow were they tasty. Soft buns with a surprise of bacony awesomeness in the center. My only wish was that there were more of them. 1-per person was just a tease! 

My mom ordered the sausage, "Biscuts and gravy" with buttermilk, apple, fennel and onion. I don't get the quotes around most of the dishes. I mean, I get it but I don't think it is necessary. The sausage was yummy and I loved the taste of fennel. My sister ordered the curry "shrimp & grits" with edamame, carrots and cilantro. This was so yummy. Very spicy but great taste of curry with the shrimp. And I ordered the Lingonberry "french toast" with peanut butter, 5 spice, banana, pan d'Mie and a fruit salad. I loveeeed my french toast. After half-way I started getting overwhelmed by the sweetness but I switched dishes with my sister and was happy. I love sweet for brunch but this was overload.

I really like sprout. And the brunch was just perfection. The service was also wonderful, very attentive and friendly. I would love to come back!

Venus

After craving some Greek food this weekend I decided to be bold and explore a different restaurant. And I was left a little underwhelmed after trying Venus. I have a special place in my heart for Greek food and GreekTown in Chicago. It goes back to the Hellenic Festival in downtown Buffalo when I was in Middle School. Not sure why I love everything Greek (the food, the men, the music) but a good bowl of avegolemono soup always makes me happy.


Anyways. Venus was cute inside. The bar is shaped like a boat and the dinning space is very cozy. I loved the lemony zest of the olives that came out and my wine was tasty. The chicken dish was interesting. I don't think I loved it or the rice. The lamb dish was over cooked and skimpy on the 18$ portion. The half chicken however was quite good. Loved the potatoes.

They are a "Mediterranean Cypriot" restaurant and not traditional Greek. Maybe I like my traditional Greek way to much to let go of it's dishes. It's hard to open up shop in Greek town and compete with a couple of some fine restaurants so I think Venus has some impressing to do yet.

Rosebud on Rush

  

Viva al fresco dining! Well, al fresco with a heavy winter scarf and jacket. Chicago! Stop being a spaz and faking me out, warm up already! Anyways. Did you know the Rosebud on Rush st. has 5$ burgers during weekday lunch hours (11am-3pm)? Music to my ears. I checked out the deal a couple days ago and while the sun was out decided to brave the brisk Michigan Lake winds and sit outside. The patio makes for some great people watching (que ladies in lovely Louboutin's walking into the Peninsula). For start a nice olive oil and parmesan spread with warm bread. Mmm. I love me some good, really quality EVOO. And this was it. I forgot to ask what it was since the waiter promptly removed it but it was lemony and very tasty. I wish he kept it around!

A nice minestrone soup to warm me up. My company ordered a chopped chicken salad which was pretty darn good. And finally my burger. Totally hit the spot. I can't compare it to Kuma's burgers but I can say it made me completely happy in the moment. What a great deal for 5$. I liked the bread they used and the cheddar cheese was super tasty. Check it out if you are around during lunch, and here's to hoping for more al fresco dining!