Category Archives: Illinois

November 7, 2010
2:19 PM
by: Uhockey

Hearty and Floriole, Chicago IL

The phrase “accidental expertise” was applied by them, not me – and when I say them I’m referring to The Hearty Boys, Dan and Steve. Never professionally trained but known by millions due to stints on the food network, a … Continue reading →

Posted in Breakfast, Chicago, Coffee, Croissant, Dessert, Floriole, Food, French Toast, Hearty, Illinois, Macaroon, Vacation, Waffles

November 6, 2010
11:19 PM
by: Uhockey

Everest, Chicago IL

Next to Charlie Trotter’s iconic restaurant, Everest stands as perhaps the most well known elder statesman in a dining scene dominated by cutting edge technique and “hyper-modern” cuisine. While both styles clearly have their place in 21st century dining, Chicago’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Bread Basket, Chicago, Dessert, Everest, Foie, Ice Cream, Illinois, Pork, Souffle, Tasting Menu, Vacation

November 6, 2010
5:54 PM
by: Uhockey

The Purple Pig and Sweet Mandy B’s, Chicago IL

Making our way through Millennium Park I anticipated the long lines, hour plus waits, and loud environment without a system reservations – given its prime location, quartet of well respected chefs, and recent appointment by Bon Appétit as one of … Continue reading →

Posted in Chicago, cupcakes, Dessert, Food, Illinois, Pork, Sweet Mandy B's, The Purple Pig, Vacation

November 6, 2010
12:18 PM
by: Uhockey

Big Jones, Chicago IL

For breakfast on the third day of our trip to Chicago I planned in advance – while I’m willing to wait in long lines for great food I’d much rather make a reservation and avoid it. With most Chicago brunch … Continue reading →

Posted in Big Jones, Bread Pudding, Breakfast, Chicago, Coffee, Cornbread, cupcakes, Dessert, French Toast, Ice Cream, Illinois, Pancakes, Pork

November 5, 2010
11:08 PM
by: Uhockey

Schwa, Chicago IL

If you’re reading this site you are likely aware of Schwa, Chef Michael Carlson, the obscure reservations system, and even the GQ Article that vaulted the restaurant above other temples of molecular gastronomy as “The Most Revolutionary Restaurant in America.” … Continue reading →

Posted in Chicago, Dessert, Illinois, Italian, Octopus, Pork, Schwa, Sweetbreads, Tasting Menu, Truffle, Vacation

November 5, 2010
9:13 PM
by: Uhockey

Great Lake, Chicago IL

Dinner on Friday was to’ve been Bonsoiree but that all changed when Schwa called me and changed things up on Thursday. Frustrating as it was at first, what resulted was not only a swapping of dates between Schwa and Bonsoiree, … Continue reading →

Posted in Chicago, Great Lake, Illinois, Pizza, Pork, Vacation

November 5, 2010
5:55 PM
by: Uhockey

Coco Pazzo, Chicago IL

Despite a large breakfast, after five hours of wandering SOFA, sitting in lectures, and chatting with persons far more creative than myself I was getting hungry – thankfully my lunch reservations had been made far in advance…nearly 2 miles away … Continue reading →

Posted in Bread Basket, Chicago, Coco Pazzo, Dessert, Foie, Food, Illinois, Italian, Pork, Vacation

November 5, 2010
11:16 AM
by: Uhockey

Southport Grocery and Cafe, Chicago IL

After a wonderful first day in Chicago that unfortunately ended up with us missing out on the Frightened Rabbit show at the House of Blues because it was sold out I woke up early for the gym and let the … Continue reading →

Posted in Bread Pudding, Breakfast, Chicago, Coffee, cupcakes, Dessert, French Toast, Illinois, Pancakes, Southport Grocery and Cafe, Vacation

November 4, 2010
11:14 PM
by: Uhockey

Bonsoiree, Chicago IL

The circumstances that led my sister and I to a table at BonSoiree on the evening of November the 4th are a bit complex but I’ll try to explain. When I originally booked the trip I knew I would have … Continue reading →

Posted in Bonsoiree, Chicago, Crab, Dessert, Foie, Gnocchi, Ice Cream, Illinois, Pork, Tasting Menu

November 4, 2010
4:37 PM
by: Uhockey

Henri and Pizzeria Uno, Chicago IL

In September of 2009 I ate at The Gage prior to U2’s opening date of the US tour at Soldier Field – it was a great meal in the most unlikely of spaces for someone who doesn’t fancy bars, beer, … Continue reading →

Posted in Bread Basket, Chicago, Foie, Henri, Illinois, Pizza, Pizzeria Uno, Pork, Vacation

November 4, 2010
12:00 PM
by: Uhockey

Jam and Sugar Bliss, Chicago IL

The day started like any other in Ohio – early alarm, a trip to the gym, and my typical breakfast…four clock hours later (5 minus 1 accounting for time difference) I found myself seated at a table at Jam in … Continue reading →

Posted in Breakfast, Chicago, Coffee, cupcakes, Dessert, French Toast, Illinois, Jam, Sugar Bliss, Vacation

February 19, 2010
4:54 AM
by: Uhockey

Vie, Western Springs IL

For the last meal of my vacation I volunteered to take my aunt someplace nice – we’d originally planned on Graham Elliot but their seasonal menu change left little to my Aunt’s liking and as such a change was needed. … Continue reading →

Posted in Bread Basket, Coffee, Dessert, Foie, Food, Gnocchi, Illinois, Pork, Truffle, Vacation, Vie, Western Springs

February 18, 2010
6:43 PM
by: Uhockey

Topolobampo, Chicago IL

Shortly after his big win on Top Chef Masters my sister and I found ourselves at Rick Bayless’ Frontera Grill for brunch – while some of the food was excellent some of it was merely average and the restaurant seemed … Continue reading →

Posted in Bread Basket, Bread Pudding, Buttercake, Chicago, Coffee, Dessert, Food, Ice Cream, Illinois, Pork, Sweetbreads, Topolobampo, Vacation

February 18, 2010
1:40 PM
by: Uhockey

Fritz Pastry and Toast II, Chicago IL

Waking up early as ever on Thursday morning with multiple plans for the day (free day at the Shedd, discount at the Field museum) I made my way to the gym for a great run and by the time I … Continue reading →

Posted in Bread Pudding, Breakfast, Chicago, Coffee, Croissant, Food, French Toast, Fritz Pastry, Illinois, Macaroon, Pancakes, Toast II, Vacation

February 18, 2010
1:17 AM
by: Uhockey

Alinea [2] Chicago IL

When I first ate at Alinea on August the 1st 2009 I stated it was the best dining experience of my life (http://uhockey.blogspot.com/2009/08/alinea-chicago-il.html), trumping an extended tasting at The French Laundry that cost twice the price…I knew at some point … Continue reading →

Posted in Alinea, Chicago, Coffee, Dessert, Foie, Food, Ice Cream, Illinois, Octopus, Pork, Tasting Menu, Truffle

February 17, 2010
10:49 PM
by: Uhockey

Trotter’s to Go, Pasticceria Natalina, Swedish Bakery, Chicago IL

It was a great trip to New Orleans but it turned out that a direct flight back to Columbus was $400 more than a layover in Chicago – or, if I could work things out in time, a two day … Continue reading →

Posted in Bread Pudding, Chicago, Crab, cupcakes, Dessert, Food, Illinois, Pasticceria Natalina, Swedish Bakery, Trotter's to Go, Vacation

September 12, 2009
11:44 PM
by: Uhockey

The Gage, Chicago IL

Despite all the food-ventures of our visit, the main reason for visiting Chicago this time around was to see the opening date of U2’s American leg of the 360-tour. Wanting a high quality but somewhat early and quick dinner before … Continue reading →

Posted in Bread Basket, Chicago, Food, Illinois, The Gage, Vacation

September 12, 2009
4:19 PM
by: Uhockey

Frontera Grill, Chicago IL

“Food and Wine loves him. The Beard Awards love him. Chicago seems infatuated with each restaurant he and his partners open. The preceding refer to two persons in the Chicago culinary landscape and it was with those thoughts in mind … Continue reading →

Posted in Breakfast, Chicago, Coffee, Dessert, Food, Frontera Grill, Illinois, Pancakes, Pork, Vacation

September 12, 2009
1:05 PM
by: Uhockey

Lula Cafe, Chicago IL

Bongo room, M. Henry, Over Easy, Orange, Yolk…and then? Lula of course. Perhaps the most highly praised of the Chicago Breakfast/Brunch scene, but also the location with the most variable menu and obscure location, I will admit the small organic … Continue reading →

Posted in Breakfast, Chicago, Coffee, Dessert, Food, French Toast, Illinois, Lula Cafe, Pancakes, Vacation

September 11, 2009
10:41 PM
by: Uhockey

L2o, Chicago IL

An obvious fan of food blogs, French chefs, and seafood I will fully admit that I’ve been a stalker of Chef Laurent Gras’ L2O Blog and Facebook page since shortly after the restaurant actually opened for business – hype, smart … Continue reading →

Posted in Bread Basket, Chicago, Croissant, Dessert, Foie, Food, Ice Cream, Illinois, L2o, Lobster, Macaroon, Pork, Souffle, Sushi, Tasting Menu, Truffle, Vacation