Plymouth Bar and Grill

Great Location and Rooftop

It was a beautiful day in Chicago, which made going to a rooftop for lunch a perfect option.  The whole crew from work went out to lunch and I have to say, the Plymouth really accommodated us, right down to 20 separate checks.  The service was really very good! 

Everyone enjoyed their lunches, I personally got their wings, 10 for $8.99.  They were meaty and perfectly cooked, though their sauce lacked zing.  But I didn't mind because the chicken was quite good.  

I will definitely go back for lunch, maybe an after dinner drink or two as well!  

Tokyo Lunch Boxes & Catering

DO NOT EAT HERE

I ordered spicy shrimp roll at the 300 S Riverside location in Chicago and I paid $6.50 for it.  I ate a couple pieces and noticed it was hard on the inside.  When I looked into the rolls i saw that there was NO SHRIMP!!!  It was all panko breading with a bit of hot sauce.

I lived in Japan and eat sushi regularly, usually spicy shrimp is Shrimp and hot sauce.  Shrimp tempura roll has some breading but at least it has shrimp!  

I will never eat there again and hope to spread the word on this place. What a total scam!  Now I am out $7.

Tokyo Lunch Boxes & Catering:

'via Blog this'

Miss Ricky's

Comfort Food in Style 

Miss Ricky's is the new eatery in the Virgin Hotel Chicago.  It is great because it is simple and has the basics in comfort food.  The menu is simple with all the staples in diner food and 24 hour breakfasts.  On the fun side, the screens were showing old Godzilla flicks which brought a few smiles.

I started off with the Shrimp and Crab dip.  It was really good.  The dip was full of big chunks of crab and shrimp.  Strong cheese and just enough salt.  They brought out more crusty bread if needed as well, so that made it perfect!

Next step was the Tres Leches French Toast with roasted pineapple and maple syrup.  I liked this because it came out with just the right amount of sweetness for my tastes.  I am diabetic, so I shy away from these things but I could not resist.  It hit the spot and the mix of pineapple and maple syrup was perfect.


The service was prompt, friendly and very attentive.  It was a team effort of three people and I totally enjoyed the experience

The only disappointment were the bloody marys.  Touted as outstanding, I found them to be rather bland.  There was plenty of vodka, but no kick.  It was essentially vodka, tomato juice, a celery stalk and a salted rim.  Nothing to write home about.

For $12, I expected to be wow'd, but it didn't happen.

The riesling was good (for $9) and the coffee was great.

I recommend this place for a date, it was quiet and you could have a conversation.  An app, an entree, three drinks and coffee was $63 with tax.  For the Loop, I have to say, it was a pretty good deal.

Im going to give it three stars, mainly because the drinks disappointed and nothing really WOW'd me.  However, this place would rock a brunch.  I plan to try that some time and I may change my rating.  But if I am going to go to the Virgin after work, I prefer the Commons.  Better food, great drinks and the same excellent service.

The Italian Village

OLD SCHOOL ITALIAN

One thing I really get into is old school Italian places.  Sabatinos's is a fav, and I can add lunch time at the Italian Village. 

I got a half order of the Spaghetti with Arrabiata sauce, which was a perfect size and really good. No cheese at the table, which was a little disappointing, and no one asked if I wanted any. I was guessing that they just didn't do it there.  

My friend got the Grilled chickem salad, which was a big size, and really good, with big chunks of blue cheese.  

Great stop for lunch, waited about 10 minutes for a seat, so not bad.  The interior is dark and really stepping back in time.  The one complaint was that the service was a little inattentive.  Coffee was never refilled and only checked on my soda once.  Overall a good experience and some quality food.  I would go back for lunch, i haven't had a dinner experience there yet.     

The Commons Club - Virgin Hotel Chicago

This is the Way to do it Right

Last week, I had the opportunity to try The Commons Club at the Virgin Hotel in Chicago.  Hit it up with a few friends and I totally enjoyed it!  

First, the setting is very cool, makes you feel like you are hanging out in a plush living room with an open kitchen at one end.  Comfy couch seats and elegant settings.  I was impressed.  

Everything there was well priced and a great value - you cant go wrong!  Fun drink menu and all the usuals as well, which will not break the bank.  2 drinks and apps set me back.... $35 (my part of the split).  

For food we had the wild mushroom flat bread....which was truly amazing.  Perfect mix of flavors and I accompanied it with the marinated olives, which I fell in love with. A bit of oil, ginger and garlic flavours.   

Next up, the chips and dip.  This was great!  Long cut plantain chips with a side of jalapeno and cilantro chutney .... OMG, I wanted to lick the bowl!  

Last up was the Vegetarian Asian Paella.  This was good, but the pickled mushrooms kind of overpowered the rest of the dish which has rice, quinoa and a marinated tofu.  It was quite good, you kind of got used to the mushrooms after a bit.  

Overall, I had a great time and totally loved the experience.  I would recommend this for a first date, happy hour with friends or just a place to hang out.  

Thumbs up on this one!  Sir Richard, my hat is off to you.  Cheers!   

UPDATE

Last night I  their Mussels, they were awesome!  However, you need to ask for more bread to get all that sauce up!

Below was a trio of Shrimp Rolls, Tuna Tartar and Red Snapper.

Of all those, the Tuna was my favorite,  Spicy and sweet, with a nice kick to it.  It really was good, but I could have eaten two orders!

Hot woks Cool sushi

Afternoon Sushi Fix

When you get a craving for sushi, you can not deny that urge and must satisfy it!  

In the Loop, near the Sear Tower, there are a few choices, my preferred is Hot Woks Cool Sushi on Adams. 

For $13.95 I get the 3 roll lunch special.  Decent size, good fish and a nice variety to order from.  

Lunch gets crazy in this place, so dont expect to get in and out fast.  If you have time to spare, it satisfies that sushi urge very well!  Evening time, I found it to be a bit more quiet, but overall, a great spot to meet friends or an after work date.    Itadakimasu yo! 

Good Hot Dog

Good Hot Dog!

Headed out on my quest for a good dog in the Loop.  Came across Max's.

At first glance, it isnt much, but the experience was pretty good.  For a dog, fries and a soda.  The dog was good, fresh toppings, which I love, my only gripe, the bun was not steamed.  Overall, good dog and the fries were pretty good too!  I am hoping to try a burger next!

Overall!  I recommend it! 

Ronny's Original Chicago Steakhouse

Not bad for the Price

I went here back in June 2014.  Had a couple decent steaks which were cooked fresh, lobster, baked potato, garlic bread and a couple of beers.... $60

In downtown Chicago, that is one helluva deal!  

Date place?  Maybe not, unless y'all have been going out for a while.   You cant really go wrong here, for a good value, decent eats and no hassles.  Typical Chicago?  Yes it is.  I recommend it for a decent meal that won't drop a giant Food Bill in your lap.   

Metropolitan Club of Chicago

Afterwork Afterglow

Recently I became a member of the Metropolitan Club in Chicago.  So far, my experience has been really positive. 

My membership includes my breakfasts and lunches, my gym membership and the use of the space.  After work on Friday is the best, to unwind, relax with a $1 wine (first glass), $5 wine to follow and decent priced scotches.  Great apps and a very relaxing atmosphere.  You cant go wrong with this place. 

Not long ago, I had a wonderful birthday dinner with a very special woman.  We had a private dining room on the 67th floor.  A wonderful coursed dinner, wine, appetizers, deserts and coffee.  A personal waitstaff to take excellent care of us, all for a reasonable price for a special occasion (under $300).  

The picture is my usual Friday afternoon view, unwinding after work with a scotch.  Now, if only this place had a cigar room!!!

McCormick and Schmick

Wacker Drive Location

It wasn't busy and there was a ton of waitstaff all grouped up in the middle of the place.  The problem is that you couldn't get their attention and they seemingly avoided eye contact on purpose. 

Took two tries to get water and had to literally jump up and wave to flag someone down for a drink. 

The food was fast and good but the overall service with such a huge staff and almost no customers was poor.

 

Not a place I would take a client or a date.  Happy Hour prices were cheap....but it wasn't worth it

Boni Vino - Loop

Lunchtime Italian

So, there was this dingy Italian joint under the EL tracks on Van Buren that I have walked by for years.  I finally thought to stop ion and check it out.  

The inside is pretty 70s old school and the the greeting at the door, "just da two of youse?" was classic.  It sparked my interest right away, because I love old school!  

The wait staff was great, very attentive and friendly....We were her sweethearts!  

Let get down to the food!  Now, if you are looking for some basic home style Italian, this is the place.  I had a bowl of mostaccioli and sausage, my co-worker had the same with meatballs.  We were not disappointed.  for about $10 you got a good sized lunch!  

The sauce was tasty and the sausage grilled just right!  The bread was eh... but I'm not there for the bread.  I have to say, I totally enjoyed the experience and the food.  The plus...they are open LATE, like until 2AM.  In this part of the Loop, that says a lot, but most places just survuve on the lunch crowd.  This place must have something!  Check it out!

A Fellow Blogger's review:  http://elstopfoodhunt.com/2012/04/16/beneath-the-loop-track-boni-vino/

Luke's Italian Beef - Loop

Hot Dogs in the Loop

So, my quest for the best Hot Dog continues and Luke's is a convenient lunch stop for me at work.  On Jackson just east of Franklin, Luke's is a popular stop and it gets packed at noon, so go early or late!  

The dogs are average, the wiener was over cooked and a bit bland, the onions had that rancid taste like they sat around for a while.  Everything else was just about average.  For the price tag, I think you could bo better, but the problem is that in my part of the Loop, there aren't a ton of Dog Shops.  

Granted the Fries are really good and come in a huge portion, the other items on the menu make Luke's a great place to go.  Just not the dogs.  I would usually get the beef or some pizza!  So I recommend it for everything else, but if you are a huge Hot Dog fan like I am, this may not be the place to go for a dog.  

Westminster Hot Dogs - Loop

Sausages!!!

This isn't your typical dog shop.  They make their own sausages here and the taste tells it!  

I got there at about 11am, before the lunch crowd and ordered the Spicy Italian combo.  Let's start off with the fries, because you know that is the first thing you taste.  Their crinkle cut Fries Rocked! Perfectly cooked and salted.  That is a good tell of how good a place will be.  

The sausage .... I have mixed reviews, but it will be positive!  The sausage was great!  Perfectly cooked, with snap and juice!  It wasn't too spicy, but had some great flavor.  Serves with cheese and a tomato pesto sauce.  yum!  My only complaint, was that it was served on a hot dog ben, but at least it was a Rosen's!  That sausage wold have been the perfect lunch if it was on a a proper sausage roll.

The sausages are all made there at the shop, fresh daily, with no fillers or preservatives.  So you are getting a quality sausage, which in my mind, totally justifies the slightly higher FOOD BILL.  $8 or so for a combo, not too bad for the quality, this isn't your typical joint, this stuff is top quality and very worth the trip!  

Overall, I loved it a lot and plan to go back and try the dogs!!!