Miss Asia

Type: BYOB Asian restaurant
Fancy Shmancy Factor: 2.5/5
Price: Entrees range from $6-$13
Quality for price: 3.5/5
Ambiance: Casual, warm and friendly
Other: got nothin' here...

This city is definitely not lacking in Asian BYOB places, but we both agreed that Miss Asia has a little something on most of them. While some places might be big on value or ambiance or variety, Miss Asia has it in all these categories. From the outside it might look a little cheesy (and the name sounds like it belongs in the food court of a mall), but inside it has a simplistic and warm-feeling charm. This might be because it is situated a bit below the street or because the lighting and color scheme are reds and oranges, but we felt comfortable as soon as we walked in. There was only one other table in the restaurant, so we had our choice of where to sit. We brought a bottle of Evolution, which is a really nice white wine from Oregon that is a blend of nine different grapes, and they took the bottle and opened it for us, which is always a nice touch in a BYOB place (a lot nicer than plopping a wine key in front of you, or worse- informing you they don't have anything to open wine, which has actually happened). The menu is very extensive and it took us a while to go through the entire thing. We ended up getting Panang Curry and one of their signature dishes, the Charcoaled Chicken which was a half of a chicken with sticky rice and a spicy dipping sauce for under $7. The Panang Curry was good, pretty standard as far as other thai and asian places. Our only complaint with the food was that the Edamame we ordered as an appetizer was really salty. I mean, really salty. Other than that, the food was excellent, especially for the price. This would be a perfect place to bring a first date or if you've been dating for a while and want to try something other than Joy's Noodles for a BYOB asian place. Grab your bottle of wine and walk a few blocks south on Broadway towards Diversey to experience this cozy little restaurant with a lot to offer any couple on a casual date.

Ah, The Cheesecake Factory...

Type: Big Ol' Chain Restaurant, serving an eclectic mix of Italian, American and Mexican fare
Fancy Shmancy Factor: 2.5/5
Price: Entrees generally range from $10-$20
Quality for price: 3.5/5
Ambiance: Their website describes it as 'upscale', but we're going to lean more towards 'family'
Other: They also have cheesecake...

We've had this giftcard for Cheesecake Factory burning a hole in our pockets for quite some time. The trouble is, in this city locals don't usually make this place a destination. We steer clear of it and leave their huge portions and familiar menu items for tourists walking around Michigan Ave and shopping at Water Tower Place. It's not that we're 'too good' for Cheesecake Factory. In fact, whenever I've been there with people from out of town I've enjoyed the food and the experience. First of all, there is almost always a wait. We went there last Saturday around 3:00pm-well after lunch time and well before dinner-and still had to wait over 30 minutes for a table. Second of all, with almost 150 locations across the US, why wouldn't we go somewhere that you can't get in the suburbs? Anyway, we had a giftcard, we were downtown and we were hungry. The wait time they gave us was 30 minutes, which ended being a tad over that, but nothing unacceptable. This place is always packed and there usually isn't room to sit and wait anywhere. The ambiance is nice, not quite 'fine dining' as their website suggests, but it's a lot nicer than some other family restaurant chains.

Our server, Shannon, was great and told us about a delicious special they were serving at the Chicago location for the first time. Kristen ended up ordering it and Shannon was not kidding: this was pretty darn good. It was an angel hair pasta with breaded chicken breasts, shaved prosciutto and a cheesey cream sauce. I got the skirt steak which was also really good. We topped it off with a piece of a layered red velvet cheesecake for dessert, which was also outstanding. This place is tried and tested. Their food is good. Their portions are big. Is it a little overpriced? Yeah, you're sitting under the John Hancock building in one of the country's top shopping destinations. Should you bring a date here? If she's from a farm in Nebraska and just moved to the city, maybe. Better yet, bring her parents when they're in town and you've been dating for a few months. The four of you can talk about your 'plans for their daughter' over some giant plates of pasta and decadent cheesecake...

Quartino

Quartino

626 N State St.

Chicago, IL‎ 60610

(312) 698-5000‎

Type: Italian/Wine Bar

Fancy Shmancy Factor: 3.5/5

Price: small plates $7-10, pastas $9-10, pizzas $10-12, specialty dishes $14-21, wine (1/4 bottle) $4-20

Quality for Price: 3/5

Ambiance: Old World Italian, lively, romantic, versatile

Other: Restaurant industry employees discount (25%)

We haven't actually eaten at Quartino yet. Unfortunately, when we met another couple here for late night drinks on a Thursday night, we had already had dinner and had barely enough room in our bellies for cocktails. But after watching a friend's husband eat Beef Carpaccio and Grilled Organic Veal Skirt Steak, we decided we would be back. Soon. Yet we were so impressed with the menu and ambiance of this Italian wine bar that we had to review it now.

When we walked into Quartino, it was bustling with noise and movement but we managed to find a hightop table in the back of the bar and inexplicably, did not struggle to hear or understand each other over the music and other customers. The entire restaurant had a feeling of being "alive" and we picked up on this excitement immediately, especially when we checked out the wine list. The wine selection is extensive and accomodating to all price ranges. In fact, we brought home a Quartino postcard which reads: "Where wine is cheaper than water." But between the wine selection and the other cocktails (try the refreshing Aperol Spritz), why would you even consider ordering water?

Besides the wine list, the menu contains an impressive selection of pizzas, pastas, and small plates. There is even an entirely separate Salumeria menu to choose from. Don't know what Salumeria means? That's okay, neither did we! Basically, the Salumeria menu allows you to step away from fancy prepared dishes toward cured meats and cheeses without losing an ounce of class. Whether you choose to eat like you're in a fancy restaurant or a deli, you'll be blown away with the ambiance and character of the place. The dim lighting and beautiful plate preparation makes this an ideal place for just about any date. First dates, double dates, anniversary dates...you'll find the perfect amount of Italian romance vibe you're looking for.

We'll be sure to update again once we've actually consumed the food at Quartino. Warning: it will probably be pretty horrific since we'll likely split at least two small plates, a soup or salad (or both), a couple entrees (perhaps a pasta and a specialty dish), and a couple wine carafes. Disgustingly, we'll excuse our gorging by saying that we've both had long weeks or we are doing our part to help boost the economy and we'll decide that if we can still button our pants, clearly we should keep going and get gelato or pastries (again, or both).

We'll post all the details of our gluttonous adventure once we awake from our inevitable food comas.

Couture Cafe

Couture Café
2568 N. Clark St.
Chicago, IL 60614
773-857-2638

Type: Crepe/Sandwiches/Coffee Shop
Fancy Shmancy Factor: 1/5 trying to be a 3/5
Price: $7-9 per panini or crepe, breakfasts $5-7, desserts $5-8, specialty drinks $4-5

Quality for price: 2/5
Ambiance: Casual, Modern
Other: BYOB, “Stimulus Plan” specials, free wi-fi

[Dan] Last Saturday we decided to take advantage of a rainy fall day (because who doesn't feel like going for a walk when it is cold and misty out?) and check out World Market. After some shopping, we were both famished. However, we happened to walk by Border's Books on Clark and Diversey at the exact moment that David Cross was doing a book signing. Being huge fans (although apparently not huge enough to know he was in town to do a book signing) we couldn't pass up the opportunity to check it out. After burning quite a few calories laughing during his Q&A and waiting in line to get a book signed, we grew even hungrier. Kristen had been to Couture for crepes before and wanted to try their lunch fare (with the proviso that we also get sweet crepes for dessert).

Upon walking into Couture Cafe, it's hard not to be struck by the lack of anything resembling ambiance or character. A small casual cafe located on Clark street in Lincoln Park, Couture's focus seems to be entirely about their crepes, which they do very well. As far as a good spot to bring a date for lunch or, heaven forbid, dinner, may we humbly suggest any other spot on Clark Street. And then maybe stop by Couture for Intelligentsia coffee and a delicious sweet crepe...

The cafe is set up pretty standard, although it's not quite sure if it wants to be a full-service restaurant or a counter-service cafe. We walked up to the counter to order, but other patrons just sat down at a table and one of the employees brought them water and menus and took their orders at the table. In any case, the place is mostly white walls with some very large 'pop art' paintings. Sure, the furniture is pretty 'hip' and modern, but otherwise it is reminiscent of an apartment that someone just moved into and hasn't had time to decorate or make it feel like a home yet. There is something vaguely temporary-feeling about the decor. However, there is one huge plus if you're bringing a date there and you've either just met or have been dating for a long time and have just completely run out of things to talk about: Magazines. Lots of magazines inside the actual tables. Aside from the dessert crepes, it's probably one of the biggest selling points of Couture. The tables are glass tops with about eight inches of space for magazines underneath. So if you're sitting across from your date and the conversation starts to slow or become awkward you can look down and point out, "Hey, Jude Law is pregnant!" Or "What do you know, according to 'Vogue' men are three times more likely to want to sleep with you if show any interest in them whatsoever." On second thought, better not mention that headline if it's a first date...

But if you're not in the mood for "couture," and are looking for higher culture reading material, turn away from the fashion magazines and you'll find assorted books to choose from on a shelf behind a couple of cozy couches. Or just bring David Cross' new book, like we did, and read it aloud together. Let us offer a tip, though, especially if a mom and her two daughters sit down right next to you at the clearly-only-meant-to-sit-two-customers table: monitor your volume at the particularly lewd or crass parts. They probably want to eat their Snickers Wannabe crepe or Pear and Brie Salad sans Cross' scathing (but hilarious) critique of politics, the media, and society in general.

[Kristen] The fact that so much of this review has focused on reading material proves that we were clearly not blown away by our meals. In fact, I ordered a Grilled Chicken and Hummus crepe, but when our food arrived, it was a Chicken and Avocado panini I received. In partial defense of the wait staff, they did offer to correct the mistake, but having already waited too long for a couple of sandwiches in the nearly empty and not-at-all busy cafe, I decided to eat the panini. Dan's panini had pesto, which I find usually improves any food it accompanies, yet neither of us were particularly impressed with our lunches. One upside is that all sandwiches and crepes include a spring salad tossed in a light house vinaigrette. But light was definitely how we felt after finishing our meals and we craved something heavier to fill us up so we turned to the sweet crepes for dessert.

We deliberated between the Nutella crepes (and decided against them since we consume it almost daily already), the Fresh Berries and Cream, and The Smores and finally settled on the French Pear Crepes. These were so delicious that they almost made up for our previous disappointments and were the closest we came to actually feeling like we were in France (which we loved, as we are both francophiles). The crepes were filled with pastry cream and served under slices of pears poached in two different kinds of wine (Chardonnay and Merlot), and finished with a red-wine reduction syrup and french vanilla ice cream.

Thanks to the sweet crepe, we left satisfied, but we won't be rushing back any time soon. We've decided that this would be a good place to bring a date you are still trying to get a feel for or don't know very well but again, stick to the sweet crepes and coffees (or smoothies and fresh squeezed juices, if that's your thing). The couches and reading material would make Couture Cafe an excellent location for a study date. Bring a laptop and enjoy the perk of free wi-fi Internet. Another plus, since the employees don't seem to be in a rush to do anything, you will not feel any pressure to give up your table to new customers and can stay and eat until you finish your work, or until you get a stomach ache, whichever comes first. Come during lunch or on weekday evenings to take advantage of their "Stimulus Plan" specials so that even though your tummy may suffer, at least your bank account won't.

The most memorable part of our trip to Couture Cafe was reading Cross' book, I Drink for a Reason. And since our experience at Couture gave us plenty of reason to drink, we can't help but wonder if everything might have seemed a tad less mediocre had we known it was BYOB and brought along a bottle of wine or framboise. Ahh, well, next time we'll know.....to go to La Creperie instead.

Jai Yen Review

Jai Yen
3736 N Broadway St
Chicago, IL 60613-4105
(773) 404-0555

Type: Sushi/Asian
Fancy Shmancy Factor: 1/5
Price: $5 per roll, $3-5 per piece for sushi, $7-12 for Specialty Rolls
Quality for price: 4/5
Ambiance: Casual

Since our first official date was going out for sushi, it only seemed appropriate to choose a sushi restaurant for our first review. A few Sundays ago was one of our first days off together in quite some time. After spending Saturday night at the Windy City Wine Festival consuming the equivalent of about six bottles of wine between the two of us and then heading to Lincoln Square to meet friends at the German Fest, we woke up Sunday morning (earlier than we should have, as is our custom) craving what all reasonable hangover victims crave: IHOP breakfast. Before you stop reading, NO, this review is not about the International House of Pancakes. Because, really, what negative thing could you ever say about IHOP? Four kinds of syrup right on the table and your own personal fake metallic coffee pot! And, in addition to the promised pancakes in the restaurant name, you can get BELGIAN waffles or FRENCH toast, lending the chain its "International" billing. And as for the "house" part, doesn’t that grease-stained handprint on the pleather booth make the restaurant feel curiously like home? Okay, this really is turning into a review of IHOP, so let’s get back to the present.

It’s Sunday at 5:30. We have tickets to see a friend in Taming of the Shrew at No Exit Theatre (great show, by the way). We’re looking for something elegant to match our feeling of sophistication (two tickets to Shakespeare and we get delusions of refinement). Unfortunately, our wallets don’t share our delusions and can’t support anything in the way of fine dining tonight. Compromise: Sushi at Jai Yen.

[Dan's Take]: I’m always a bit nervous taking Kristen to sushi places (see the food profile on her in the previous post), but I’m also trying to groom her to be a sushi connoisseur as I frequently crave the raw little buggers and it’s nice to share it with someone. We brought a bottle of Kendall-Jackson Chardonnay, which is a great wine for the price if you get it on sale at Jewel. With sushi, I usually like my wines to be on the sweeter side, but hey, it’s all that was in my fridge.

When we arrived, there were about three other tables between the dining room and the modest outdoor seating. Apparently, we were there before the dinner rush. We decided to sit inside and were seated promptly just off the main part of the dining room in an area that would have been perfect for a larger party, but was also nice since we were the only two people there. About halfway through the meal, they did seat a three-person birthday party in the same room, which was unfortunate. Not so much for us, but more for the girl who only had two people show up for her birthday party.

[Kristen's Take]: The thoughtful staff at Jai Yen must have felt sorry for her, too, and decided to help liven up the party because the relaxing, subtle house music we enjoyed with our wine and appetizer were replaced with classics such as The Macarena and no less than two songs by Shaggy. For the sake of keeping this entry only moderately long instead of intolerably so, I will choose not to comment on the fact that Shaggy has managed to have more than one hit song and that the Macarena has achieved such transcendent status.

Are we the only ones that get the feeling at some of the smaller-operation ethnic restaurants that there isn’t a clear person who is ‘the server’? There was someone who sat us, someone who filled our water glasses, and someone who graciously opened our wine for us. We ordered the Crab Rangoon from a couple of different people hoping that one of them was the designated person to put in the order to the kitchen. We were relieved when it came out to the table and only once. Crab Rangoon is a hard one to mess up, but this one stood out even from a very standard appetizer. The four pieces were hot and crunchy with just the right amount of filling and made us forget about the initial confusion. One of the great things about Jai Yen is that it's very reasonable and the sushi is quality. We ordered Spicy Tuna and Philly Maki rolls as well as one of their specialty rolls and four pieces of Sushi. With tax and tip our bill was still under $50 (not including the wine we brought). We both agree that Jai Yen is a good place to bring a date for a casual, good sushi meal if you're not looking to break the bank. Maybe not for a first date if you're really looking to impress someone with ambiance, but if you've been together for a while and aren't looking for the white glove treatment it's a great place for reasonably-priced sushi (and a bizzare music scene).

Our Food Profiles (as written by the other person)

Kristen's Take on Dan:

At the grocery store (one of our favorite places), Dan can usually be found in one of two sections: 1.) cheese or 2.) wine. (To take care of the obvious pun, my mister is hardly ever whiny but more often than not, incredibly cheesy.) If he buys either of these two items, I know I have a happy camper on my hands, especially if they are on sale. Because good food is one thing. But good food at a great price is nirvana for this one! Really. He keeps his receipts to brag about his savings and once left me a four minute voicemail message detailing the cost breakdown of his purchases and the amazing deals he scored.
And speaking of "scoring," it took Dan and I quite some time to 'score' each other. The romantic cliche' of "love at first sight" doesn't really apply to us. But like a fine wine or carefully-aged cheese, sometimes it takes a little while longer to develop delicious and complex flavors. Such was the case with us, but once we discovered our mutual adoration of all things edible, we began heading down a path that would lead us to creating this blog. So, I suppose, something more like "love at first bite" might apply...
Our food compatibility is quite phenomenal really. We both tend to avoid olives, mushrooms, raw onions, and tomatoes (yes, I realize those are all vegetables) and love just about any kind of meat. Dan is better at handling spicy foods than I and likes curry, which I avoid when possible. Besides wine, cheese, any kind of meat, whatever is on sale, and somewhat-spicy foods, Dan likes to eat ice cream (the latest is vanilla with Framboise poured over it--so good), bacon, sushi, falafel, and pretty much anything I leave on my plate when I'm full. He is also a fan of the delicious Chocolate hazelnut spread I always have in stock. I tend to eat it on bread with blackberries, whereas Dan eats it on anything with anything.
What I admire most about Dan's tastebuds is his enjoyment of seafood. I've been rather sheltered when it comes to eating aquatic animals and he is gradually helping me to open my eyes to the world of gilled, scaled, and shelled dinners. In fact, our first date was also my first time eating sushi. But then, I think he'll want to tell that story himself....

Dan's Take on Kristen:

What I really like about Kristen's taste in food essentially comes down to this: She'll try almost anything (as long as it doesn't have ham in it. It's not a religious thing, she just can't stand ham...I know, I can't figure it out either...). Having lived in Chicago longer (and just lived longer in general) I've probably been exposed to more different types of food, but Kristen has never shied away from trying something new. The first restaurant I took her to in the city was Agami, a nicer sushi place in my neighborhood. I asked her if she had eaten sushi before and she assured me that she had and liked it, so I didn't think this would be a big deal. Once we got to the restaurant I asked her what kind of sushi she liked and she told me the only things she's really had were cucumber and avocado rolls... "Um...that's not really sushi..." I tried to explain. "See, sushi is traditionally fish-based. So..." Yeah, she'd never had sushi. So I decided to order. Now, this just happened to be the weekend that Kristen's doctor made her wear a heart monitor for reasons I won't get into here. So let me set the scene: First date. We're at a table for two with a bottle of sparkling wine. Low-lighting. Talking, laughing. We finish our appetizer and the food starts to arrive. They set the sushi down first, a few pieces of super white tuna, some snapper and a couple of others. Then they bring over the maki rolls. Nothing fancy, just a couple of basic rolls (that actually had fish inside). Our server asked if there was anything else we needed. "No, this looks great, thank you." There was a moment of silence while we both looked at the plates and then all of the sudden this loud beeping starts out of no where and it's coming from Kristen's side of the table. A bit confused at first, she quickly became embarrassed when she realized her heart monitor was going off because her heart rate was too high. She excused herself to the bathroom and I haven't let her live it down since...

One thing I should mention about Kristen's food taste is her love of ranch dressing. I've known people who love ranch dressing before, but not to this extent. At least she has the self control to swear it off for months at a time, only to binge on it again when the time frame expires...

She's a much better cook than myself. She can come up with some amazing dishes with whatever happens to be in her refrigerator at the time. She hardly ever uses a recipe, which is also pretty amazing. She loves making paninis (a lot of them with avocado) and crepes with lots of delicious fillings.

I also think I could take a little bit of credit for her newly found appreciation for wine...but I don't like to brag... :)