 There are five crucial questions a journalist must ask (and answer) when researching and developing a story: Who, What, Where, When, and Why. These Five W's, along with a bonus "How" for further clarity, will preclude each blog post to provide proper insight into this weird, wild nomadic journey. The Five W's + H: Who: Christina the Oncology Nurse, DJ the Writer, Sophie the Destroyer of Blinds What: Top 5 places to drink up Where: Chicago (River North area), Illinois When: June 2020 - December 2020 Why: After a brief hiatus in Rowlett naively hoping the plague would get better (Narrator: It didn't), we decided to head back out on the road in search of greener pastures. We've always wanted to spend the summer in Chicago, so the timing worked out about as well as it could given the circumstances. + How: While not exactly a breezy (heh) drive, Chicago is much closer to the Dallas area than you might think—particularly for us given our penchant for lengthy expeditions. Our northern trudge lasted about a day and half (roughly 15 hours of drive time) and approximately 950 miles. We passed through Little Rock, Arkansas and Memphis, Tennessee; tight rope walking through the narrow corridor where Missouri, Arkansas, Tennessee, Kentucky and Illinois all bunch together. (Note: As we start to turn the corner (hopefully) and near the end of Covid-19, it's important to remember the 500,000 (at least) people who have died from the virus here in the United States alone. Even though Chicago's Covid-19 infection rate stayed under five percent the majority of our time there, we were only able to dine (outdoors, of course) at about half of the restaurants on this list. One of our favorite restaurants in the Windy City was unfortunately closed permanently due to covid (RIP Beacon Tavern), but—as of this writing—luckily the rest are still alive and kicking. All of the restaurants listed below feature outdoor eating areas (Chicago weather permitting) and/or offer to-go ordering. While we are nearing the light at the end of the tunnel, please continue to mask up, socially distance and stay safe out there.) Five Places to Drink Up: Chicago, IL (How Christina, Sophie and I cruised into Chicago) Laurel Room (640 N LaSalle Dr Fl 8 Chicago, IL 60654) Dined-In Only Quotable: "This eclectic eatery features breathtaking city views and a deliciously diverse menu." With picturesque patio seating coupled with a distinctive and delectable menu, the Laurel Room is a great place to grab some grub and soak in the Chicago skyline. The California-influenced sister restaurant of the award-winning Pacific Standard Time (located eight floors down from the seasonal Laurel Room) features a mix of Mediterranean and Asian-inspired cuisine. From the jump the house-made roti bread and hummus hits the spot, yet has you yearning for more. The bread is toasted to perfection, while the hummus comes fully equipped with myriad flavors and topped with minced, pickled cauliflower for an extra helping of tang and spice. The Tempura Fried Cauliflower, another must-have starter, comes loaded with spicy east Asian flavor and is drizzled with honey to provide a nice balance. This dish is massive so come with an ample appetite, or be sure to bring backup as you may need reinforcements. My main course main squeeze is the Black Pepper Tofu: loaded with thick chunks of seasoned tofu, sautéed leafy spinach and spicy peppers that aren't for the faint of heart—or stomach. It's another huge helping with more than enough for two. Pair any of these excellent eats with the Hibiscus Margarita (Christina's favorite) filled with hibiscus-infused tequila. The PST Old Fashioned (Duh who's favorite) with single barrel Buffalo Trace bourbon, Angostura bitters and Demerara simple syrup is a winner as well. UPDATE 3/1: Another great restaurant bites the dust as it appears the Laurel Room (and Pacific Standard Time) unfortunately closed just a few weeks after this section of the blog was written. Doc B's (55 E Grand Ave Chicago, IL 60611) Enjoyed Takeout Only Quotable: "Neighborhood restaurant featuring upscale American fare." Down the street from our State and Grand digs, Doc B's is so good it required a weekly (sometimes more) checkup. Regrettably, we were unable to physically eat at this restaurant due to plague, but its close proximity assured takeout was still hot and fresh following the block walk back to the apartment. The California Style Kale & Artichoke Dip is a great way to kick off your meal. Perfectly salted tortilla chips made in house circle Doc B's cheesy, hearty and addictive take on the baked artichoke dip classic. While not exactly my cup of tea, Christina's favorite Doc B burger is the Veggie Burger (pictured above). A house-made quinoa and black bean patty is topped with melty Monterrey-jack cheese, Doc B's delicious Kale Slaw and a teriyaki glaze that culminates in the ultimate veggie burger—or so I've been told, by a highly credible source, at least. My undisputed, reigning U.S. chicken sandwich champion is The Number Six (pictured above) at Doc B's. Cajun, buttermilk battered fried chicken unites with roasted garlic dressing and a hot habanero-honey sauce on a golden bun topped with two crunchy pickles. The sweat/heat combo is a sensation to behold, and is the genesis of my infatuation with this sandwich. Lou Malnati's Pizzeria (439 N Wells St Chicago, IL 60654) Experienced Takeout Only Quotable: "The best deep dish pizza in Chicago." There are many pizza shops competing for the title of best Chicago deep dish pie. My fat ass tried them all and I can tell you, without hesitation, that Lou Malnati's Pizzeria—the oldest family name in Chicago pizza—has the best deep dish pies in Chicago. Every pizza here is made from scratch, and every year Lou's personally selects California vine-ripened tomatoes to create the restaurant's signature sauce. What sets Lou's apart is the flaky and buttery homemade crust (the best of the Chicago deep dish giants, I may add), a secret family recipe that makes this pie the Page favorite. The create-your-own small deep dish with garlic, onion and hot Giardiniera (spicy pickled peppers, celery and carrots) is a savory and spicy heavenly concoction. If you haven't already completely tossed your diet out of the window ordering a deep dish pizza in the first place, you must do so unconditionally by selecting the butter crust option. The already nearly perfect crust is taken to the next level with this addition and should not be missed. Your body may succumb to heart disease from consuming a regular diet of these piquant pies but hey, at least you'll die happy. Hampton Social (164 E Grand Ave Chicago, IL 60611) Dined-in Only Quotable: "Chill patio vibes, simple menu selection and quality cocktails in Streeterville." With a central location, robust outdoor seating area, and trendy ambiance; Hampton Social was likely the ultimate hangout spot pre-plague. Unfortunately some Chicagoans didn't get the pesky "deadly pandemic" memo and it was still poppin' while we were here, but I digress. Hampton Social's vast rooftop patio makes it ideal for Chicago's typically mild summer weather, but it appears we took some Texas heat with us up north. Chicago had a record 29 days of 90-degree temperatures or higher from June 1 through the end of August, and the average high was an absolutely scorching 76.5 degrees (I know, Texans, that's a winter day for us) which is the highest ever recorded for Chi Town. Now that you're privy to Chicago's summertime meteorological report, let's get back to the restaurant itself. I'm not a big frosé guy, but I'll admit on a 90+ degree day in the middle of a brick wall building-created city oven, them shits are delicious! The Hampton Frosé—made with good ole down home Austin, Texas Titos vodka, Proverbs Rosé and Giffard Peach Liqueur—helped to establish my own personal oasis in the middle of a concrete desert one calescent Chicago August day. Of course what better to go with your meal enclosed in a dry sauna than some Roasted Brussels Sprouts. Herb goat cheese, zesty chili honey and almonds top these roasted chunks of deliciousness, and we scarfed them down handily in spite of the heat. The Lobster Roll on a buttered and perfectly toasted hoagie bun is one of the freshest and best I've had throughout our voyage. Get it Manhattan Style if you're into warm buttery goodness. Our rooftop patio dining experience had to be some sort of record, as we had an appetizer, an entree each and four total beverages in just 30 minutes. As we got up to leave, the server—who was absolutely integral in getting us in and out in just half an hour—even apologized to us on the sun's behalf. Now that's some proverbial Texas hospitality to go along with that Texas-like heat. Steak 48 (615 N Wabash Ave Chicago, IL 60611) Dined-in and Enjoyed Takeout Quotable: "The ultimate formal steakhouse dining experience with some welcome twists." In contrast to our hot, sweaty sit down at Hampton Social, we decided to brave the elements on a windy, nippy November night in Chicago for a pre-birthday dinner at Steak 48. Despite wind chills in the 20's, we did not regret our decision at what would end up being our final night out before leaving Chi-Town. First things first, the outdoor terrace at Steak 48 features a glass-encased fire pit that kept our table warm enough that we nearly forgot we were sitting in sub-freezing temperatures. After being greeted by our friendly and knowledgable server, it was time to try one of the four (!) Old Fashioned options. First up was The French (H by Hine cognac, Demerara brown sugar, Angosturo bitters, muddled cherries, fresh orange peel) which was on the lighter side for an Old Fashioned with a fair amount of sweetness without going overboard. Next was the Orange Rye (Swap Bulleit Rye for cognac and Solerno blood orange liqueur for the brown sugar in The French above), which was my favorite of the two with a more hearty, less sweet and classic Old Fashioned taste. Steak 48's appetizer section is where the meal got interesting. The Fried Deviled Eggs are your standard fare coated with Panko bread crumbs and deep-fried to perfection with spicy sriracha aioli drizzled on top for good measure. The vanilla tempura Asparagus Fries with tomato hollandaise dipping sauce is an eye opener as well, with the sweet and salty treat disappearing rapidly following its prompt table delivery. As for the main course, the 28-day wet-aged Petit Filet Mignon is one of the most succulent, tender filets I've had on our journey. Seasoned to perfection and grilled just right, these eight ounces of deliciousness were devoured quickly upon arrival. It being only a few weeks from my birthday and all, we had to get some dessert—right? S'mores in a Jar is exactly what you're picturing in your mind's eye right now, only better! Toasted marshmallow and double chocolate graham cracker tag team your taste buds, power bombing them straight down to tasty town. Bonus: The Smith (400 N Clark St Chicago, IL 60654) Dined-in and Enjoyed Takeout Quotable: "Closed street outdoor dining allows you to have a tasty meal in peace, or level up and cater your very own Thanksgiving feast." You know a place must be pretty good if the city decides to close down sections of an entire street in a buzzing metropolis so that you and a few of your restaurant peers can open safely. The Smith is that place.
While we did have a couple of lunches at The Smith—and the Salmon main course, Sicilian Cauliflower starter and French Onion soup are all delectable in their own right—I want to talk about the Thanksgiving for two (add a half if you include the pieces of turkey we accidentally dropped that Sophie scarfed up) we had last November. The Smith's Thanksgiving meal kit was fully customizable and came refrigerated with detailed heating instructions to make sure we didn't screw anything up. Here's a run down of what was on our plates (pictured above): Thanksgiving Sides
The Main Event Christina is a vegetarian so she wasn't able to partake in the succulent Roasted Turkey Breast, but Sophie and I were and clearly we were both big fans. The turkey breast was pre-chopped into small cutlets and laid out in a brine to avoid the ultimate turkey taboo: bone-dryness. Salt and cracked pepper lined the roasted skin on each piece for extra tastiness, and heating was a breeze. Overall we were able to have a quick and easy Thanksgiving meal, while only needing to add our preferred sides of some crescent rolls, mushroom gravy and some pre-made stuffing from Whole Foods. As far as plague holidays go, this one was actually pretty solid.
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