Vinny wrote:Drinkwise, the bar at Cavanaugh's in the Monadnock Building (Dearborn/Jackson) tends to fill up at happy hour and usually carries a couple of Revolution offerings on tap. If you want dark and dank, try Brando's Speakeasy on Dearborn near Van Buren at early happy hour. Almost has a neighborhood tavern vibe, but they do start karaoke in the evenings.
Cavanaugh’s closed just before Christmas, ending a 28-year run at the Monadack Building, 53 W. Jackson Boulevard. The tavern served pub food, cocktails, and beer.
The GP wrote:Went to Wow Bao today after a long absence. Wanted to use my $15 Lettuce Entertain You birthday dollars. The Wow Bao on Jackson is the closest LEYE restaurant to my office by Union Station. I had ginger chicken potstickers and the Thai curry chicken rice bowl. I used to really enjoy that bowl, but this was underwhelming. The potstickers weren't terribly exciting but fine. I'm hoping the Thai iced coffee that I'm saving for tomorrow will be good. At least this was all free.
spinynorman99 wrote:Co-worker and I were just lamenting the loss of proximity to some favorite spots when our office relocated. Moving away from Wow Bao was not a great loss.
DKoblesky wrote:I tried the new Boxcar Betty's at Ogilvy yesterday.
I thought it had too much stuff on it.
I guess that is their thing, since there is a big illustration repeated several times in their small space showing how to eat one of their sandwiches without getting it on your shirt.
Chicken, coleslaw, pimiento cheese, spicy mayo and pickles all competing. I could not even taste the pimiento cheese, which I love.
It made me appreciate the simplicity of Chick-Fil-A and their chicken and pickle only sandwich.
I had the fries also, and they were just ok.
rober wrote:Fooda pop ups in office buildings around the Loop usually aren't that great. Garifuna Flava's Jerk Chicken is a bit dry, but still a welcome change of pace when they come through the rotation. I don't quite understand why the likes of P.F. Chang's are ever invited to set up. Rubbery two hour old orange chicken? - No thanks.
Heritage Restaurant from Humboldt Park blew the doors off my Fooda stereotypes today. Executive Chef Guy Meikle was actually overseeing the pop up when I arrived at about 11:30 - he asked me how my week was going; pleasant, easy going guy. Two ladies in front of me must have found the bubbling pot of rich, dark broth off-putting; they looked at it and quickly walked out. It made my choice simple. And I was well rewarded.
Vegetable Ramen with fresh fiddle heads, mushrooms, spring onions, shaved asparagus in a rich yellow miso broth was a knockout. Radish kimchi and cooked "à la minute" Furious Spoon noodles made it over the top for any lunch, so much more so for one I'd be eating at my desk. I added wood roasted chicken thigh which was flavorful, tender and moist - but not even necessary. At $11.13 with tax it was a steal. I look forward to visiting the stand alone restaurant over on Chicago Ave. Lunch never makes my day like this one did.
Heritage Restaurant & Caviar Bar
2700 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60622
(773) 661-9577
The GP wrote:spinynorman99 wrote:Co-worker and I were just lamenting the loss of proximity to some favorite spots when our office relocated. Moving away from Wow Bao was not a great loss.
Wow Bao used to be better. It was a regular in my rotation when my office was in the Hancock for a decent, inexpensive lunch.
Wow Bao will close its Loop location at 175 W. Jackson Boulevard on June 29 and move it to 200 N. Michigan Avenue, according to a news release. When it reopens in early July it’ll be a self-service tech-enabled restaurant, similar to the one that opened at 1 W. Division Street in December.
The GP wrote:Wow Bao will close its Loop location at 175 W. Jackson Boulevard on June 29 and move it to 200 N. Michigan Avenue
nsxtasy wrote:The GP wrote:Wow Bao will close its Loop location at 175 W. Jackson Boulevard on June 29 and move it to 200 N. Michigan Avenue
Sounds awfully close to their current locations at 225 N. Michigan across the street as well as the one at State and Lake, no?
Bumping Ajida Ramen on Wells based on today's visit (more discussion earlier on this thread - 2015). Was curious about this place when they opened but the not so positive reviews and the $15 price tag kept us away.
Fast forward 3 years and $15 isn't far off the average tab in a lot of our old standbys. When Furious Spoon opened in the Wells Market we gave it a try based on their stellar reputation - it was everything people talked about. A co-worker said he preferred Ajida, so we finally gave in and dropped by. The broth wasn't nearly as 'in your face' as Furious but the ingredients were just as top quality and the portion was generous.
All in all, 3 out of 4 preferred this version. A bit more subtle and textured, definitely more enjoyable. Looks like it's made the 'not so short' lunch spot list.