A terrific dinner Saturday night created by chefs Phillip Foss and Brian Fisher at El Ideas. An almost completely new to us menu that has some courses that were so evocative of some of the best cuisines I have eaten world wide. Everything was excellent. The whole team is working in a completely coordinated way to ensure a wonderful dining experience. My personal favorites were the crab beignet and the salad/slaw underlying the wagyu beef. Sell that by the quart! Thanks! Chefs!
Ok so best surprise of the night at El ideas- Phil Foss has partnered up with Brian Fisher on the culinary team! We followed Brian from Schwa to Entente and then Entente 2.0 and ate his fried chicken carry-out all during COVID. A first rate individual as well as a fabulous culinary talent. So thrilled to see this pairing! More to follow on the meal!
Amd the classic - always on the menu - frosty and fries
Sunday night we met up with Ron & Mary. Can't go wrong at a place that smells as stale as an old time super club in the woods in Wisconsin. I wondered how long it had been since the carpets were cleaned. But the food comes hot and well prepared and it is just exactly what it should be. It's "fried chicken night" and that is what brings Ron and Phil out for dinner at L Woods. I ordered the ribs (still miss the days when this place was Bones and I lived nearby, but time marches on.) The salads were good and the food was just what we were looking for. Sometimes reliable and predictable are just what the doctor ordered.
If you haven't been to Bayan Ko Diner recently it's time to return. The prix fixe menu is a great value. And even better is the fact that you can try many more dishes from this creative menu through the "tapas" size half portions. All our choices are marked on the menu. Highlights tonight IMO were the lumpia and the crab rangoon dip and my personal long time favorite the Cubano sliders. But, everything was tasty, and excellently prepared. The service Tuesday night from Aaron and his colleague was first rate and the welcome was as warm as if Lawrence Letrero and Raquel Quadreny were there in the house. #rundontwalk
We went across the street for dessert - our first round of Culver's frozen custard this summer.
Wednesday night- Pizz'amici! Always a great choice for the best pizza in town. It doesn't matter if you have to reserve three weeks ahead for a 9:15 pm reservation. This place has the "go-to" best tavern style around. A cousin to Kim's Uncle somewhere in the exurbs, (which we refer to as LBO - land beyond O'Hare) this place has the best focaccia in the country - maybe the world. The salads are excellent and the pizzas are made with pretty much whatever your heart desires. I went for pepperoni with hot honey and jalapeños. Phil went for sausage and sausage. First rate pizzas.
Then on Thursday night- we had dinner with Lee and Nick in the neighborhood. Sochi Saigonese Kitchen is a favorite of all of ours because the food is fab and the atmosphere casual and the service attentive but not intrusive. Menu items marked. All good. If I had to choose favorites I think it would be the spring rolls and the betel beef.
Friday Phil left for the weekend in St. Louis to visit with his mother who is in the hospital following a stroke. Brother Larry will also be there with him. I will spend Saturday night with Todd & Evie and meet Brynne! So another week is ending and we are now fully into June as today is June 5th!
stay tuned!
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