On the recommendation of an Assyrian friend, I have eaten at Venus several times over the past year. Each time I go, it seems to get a little better (and a little more expensive). Plus, they have added the store. My friend pronounces it like "Venice", so for months I thought that was the name of the place. I couldn't figure out the whole Iraq/Italy connection. Anyhow, it is not the best Assyrian food I have had, but it is fairly good, and the owner is so friendly and genuine, you really want the place to succeed. So whenever I am passing by and hungry, I try to stop in.
In fact, coincidently, I had dinner there last night. What is weird, I told my dining partner, I wish I had a camera phone so I could take pictures of the food to post on this forum. Then today I see this thread, complete with pictures of Vimto and Chicago cheese, which I was also fixated on. ( I wonder if that is the cheese they put in the Borak? If so, it is just like Mozzarella.) It is probably best that I didn't have a camera. They would have freaked out if twice in one day, customers started photographing their food.
I find the menu at Venus just a little odd. It has items listed as entrees such as Potato Chops, Borak and Kibbeh, that probably work better as appetizers or side-dishes than entrees. They are good, but they are things that you don't really want to eat a whole plate of. Much better for sharing.
The actual appetizers at Venus are decent enough (and mostly priced at $2.99). The Hummus is well presented (as the photos show), but a little bland. It is much better served with Gus (beef shwarma) on top (which is also listed as an entree). The Baba Ghanouj is smoky and fresh with a definite garlic presence. They also make Lahim Beajine (which is called Lahmejune in Armenian). This is like a little pizza covered in ground meat, tomatoes and onions and is fairly ubiquitous throughout the middle east and central Asia. I really love this appetizer and wish more places would serve it. Alas, I find the Venus version to be somewhat soggy and sparsely topped (but still very edible).
They also make 3 types of Borak there (again listed as an entree). These are not unlike a thin and crispy egg roll, filled with beef, cheese or potato (which is not on the menu) and deep fried. They are very crunchy and tasty in a deep fried way, but not terribly interesting (the beef ones are best). They come six to an order, which is way too much deep-fried action for an entree. They should offer a sampler of two of each kind as an appetizer instead (I am sure they would accommodate such a request). The potato chops are a very common Assyrian dish, potatoes stuffed with a beef mixture (which I think is the same as they use in the Beef Borak). Again, these are probably better to share (IIRC there are four to an order).
Another entree they offer, which is often seen as an appetizer, is Kibbeh. The Venus version of this dish is interesting (called Kibbeh d'Mousil). On the owner's rec we ordered it "boiled" instead of fried. Rather than the usual deep-fried egg-shaped lump of bulgur stuffed with ground meat, it was a thin pancake of cracked wheat topped with a thin layer of a seasoned ground beef filling, then topped with another layer of wheat. It was more like it was steamed than boiled. I had never had it cooked like that. It was unusual in a good way. The wheat was somewhat pasta-like and the steamed filling reminded me of White Castle sliders. Not bad actually. Not very pretty, but flavorful.
What Venus seems to do pretty well is basic grilled meats. That may be why the owner steered you towards the combo platters. Whenever I see a group of Assyrians eating there, they are passing around big platters of rice topped with various meats. For me, the highlight of Venus is the Gus (Beef Shwarma), but I am a sucker for anything cooked on a rotisserie (I like my meat dizzy). On occassion though, the Gus has been a tad dry. That is why I like eating it on top of Hummus. The Chicken and Kufta kebabs are pretty good also. The lamb is just OK. I have had better, but it is certainly edible, and for the price, I can be a little forgiving. I have not tried the Cornish hen. Nor have I had the Falafels, but the sauce sounds interesting.
I did once have the Venus Chicken, which came in a spicy sauce of stewed tomatoes (much like the catfish). Compared to most of the other entrees at Venus, the dish was surprisingly peppery. However, I see they have changed the description of "Venus Chicken" on the menu, so it may no longer be the same. One menu item that has caught my attention is called "Chilifry" which sounds just like the chicken dish I described, but made with Lamb. That might be good. I will ask about it the next time I am there.
I really have to mention the Lentil soup. I didn't have any last night, but the times I have had it, it was phenomenal. Perhaps the best I have ever had. The owner told me it is his mother's recipe, but (don't tell his mother) he thinks his is better. They used to serve a cup of it with all the entrees, but now it only comes with the combo feast. It is worth ordering ala carte for $1.85 (BTW it is vegetarian).
Anyhow, I love Assyrian food. Unfortunately, many Assyrian restaurants in Chicago have closed. Like I said, Venus is not the best I have had, and I wish they made some more stews like Kurush and Tashrib. However, the food is pretty darn good, and cheap, and the place is very friendly and comfortable (Assyrians are some of the friendliest people in the world). Because it is close by, and I want it to be successful, I will continue dining there on a semi-regular basis. If it continues to improve, I might even recommend going out of the way to eat there.