Hubby and I went to Chicago for the weekend to celebrate our son's birthday with him. We had some nice meals while we were there - didn't take a single photo, though.
After the Illinois-Georgia game at the United Center, we went to Frontera Grill for a late lunch. (I couldn't possibly remember these details and went to their website and copied from the posted menu.) We shared Entrems Surtido: appetizer platter of cheesy quesadillas, crispy chicken taquitos with sour cream, tangy ceviche tostadas, crunchy jicama salad and guacamole. Son had Huevos Estilo El Bajo: two poached eggs in crispy masa boats with black beans, creamy chile poblano sauce, Mexican greens and homemade chorizo. Hubby had Pozole Rojo: a big comforting bowl of Mexicos classic pork and hominy soup/stew infused with rich red chile and topped with all the classic crunchy, aromatic garnishes. And, I had Sopa de Tortilla: a large earthenware bowl of rich tortilla soup with chicken, chile pasilla, avocado, queso fresco and homemade sour cream. I also had one of their signature margaritas. Rick Bayless was there dining about 3 tables over. We didn't try to meet him.
Then for dinner we went to Ruth's Chris Steakhouse . Someone had mentioned it here that even though it was a chain they still liked it a lot. It was so close to our hotel and it had the best overall rating on the various websites for the restaurants in River North, so we went there for a late dinner. It was also very good. We had planned to walk for a while before eating, but it was so darned cold, we showed up about an hour before our reservation and hung out in the bar. Got a spot near the wait service bartender. It was entertaining to watch him work (I was a cocktail waitress in a former life). For starters, I had the baby arugula salad and Hubby had the Caesar. Then for the entree, I chose a petite fillet Oscar style and Hubby had the rib-eye. Both were seasoned and done perfectly. We shared mashed potatoes and creamed spinach, and some wine. The funny part was our waiter. While we were by the wait station at the bar he was a regular Americano. When he was our waiter, he turned on an Eastern European accent. We thought maybe he's an actor waiting for his callback, or something.
On Sunday we went shopping and had lunch at Mity Nice Grill in Water Tower Place. I had been there before with a girl friend and it's a nice little place - very inexpensive for the area. I had their chopped salad and hubby apparently didn't get enough red meat the night before and had their Au poivre burger. Then it was back home.
After the Illinois-Georgia game at the United Center, we went to Frontera Grill for a late lunch. (I couldn't possibly remember these details and went to their website and copied from the posted menu.) We shared Entrems Surtido: appetizer platter of cheesy quesadillas, crispy chicken taquitos with sour cream, tangy ceviche tostadas, crunchy jicama salad and guacamole. Son had Huevos Estilo El Bajo: two poached eggs in crispy masa boats with black beans, creamy chile poblano sauce, Mexican greens and homemade chorizo. Hubby had Pozole Rojo: a big comforting bowl of Mexicos classic pork and hominy soup/stew infused with rich red chile and topped with all the classic crunchy, aromatic garnishes. And, I had Sopa de Tortilla: a large earthenware bowl of rich tortilla soup with chicken, chile pasilla, avocado, queso fresco and homemade sour cream. I also had one of their signature margaritas. Rick Bayless was there dining about 3 tables over. We didn't try to meet him.
Then for dinner we went to Ruth's Chris Steakhouse . Someone had mentioned it here that even though it was a chain they still liked it a lot. It was so close to our hotel and it had the best overall rating on the various websites for the restaurants in River North, so we went there for a late dinner. It was also very good. We had planned to walk for a while before eating, but it was so darned cold, we showed up about an hour before our reservation and hung out in the bar. Got a spot near the wait service bartender. It was entertaining to watch him work (I was a cocktail waitress in a former life). For starters, I had the baby arugula salad and Hubby had the Caesar. Then for the entree, I chose a petite fillet Oscar style and Hubby had the rib-eye. Both were seasoned and done perfectly. We shared mashed potatoes and creamed spinach, and some wine. The funny part was our waiter. While we were by the wait station at the bar he was a regular Americano. When he was our waiter, he turned on an Eastern European accent. We thought maybe he's an actor waiting for his callback, or something.
On Sunday we went shopping and had lunch at Mity Nice Grill in Water Tower Place. I had been there before with a girl friend and it's a nice little place - very inexpensive for the area. I had their chopped salad and hubby apparently didn't get enough red meat the night before and had their Au poivre burger. Then it was back home.