A Taste of Heaven Cafe & Bakery
This north side Chicago bakery has moved to Andersonville (another north side neighborhood) and boasts wonderful baked goods as well as lunch and dinner fare. When you’re looking for the real thing in a smaller scale operation, give it a try.
My rating: Breads 2.5, Cicuses 2.5, Value 3.0
Overall rating 8 out of 15
pennies
5401 North Clark Street
Chicago, IL 60640
(773) 989-0151
Bistro Campagne, by the prior owner of Campagnola in Evanston, was an instant success in the NW Chicago neighborhood of Lincoln Village. Why it took us so long to try it out is now a puzzle.
The place is French country style in every detail, and the food a cut above. Sharing an onion gratin and steamed mussels was our first step. Several good wine choices by the glass are available and reasonable. Bread served is among the best – crusty French bread served in a partial waxed paper wrap to keep it fresh – most restaurants can learn from this presentation. The French farming tradition was well served by the large glob of real butter.
I tried the wild boar stew served on buttered noodles – the flavors were blended to bring out the mildly distinct flavor of the boar – but admittedly this boar must have had an easy time in the wild. My guests had the pork chop and lamb entrees – the pork raved about but the lamb dish’s only complaint was too many onions (next time the diner should review the ingredients listed on the menu and see if variations are possible).
A shared dessert was very good but I forgot what we had.
$$ to $$$ depending on wine
4518 North Lincoln Ave.
Chicago, IL 60625
(773) 271-6100
This place in (one of) the old Italian neighborhoods has survived since 1933 with the same family ownership. Years ago it was ahead of its time with authenticity and quality, but the recent surge of new restaurants has impacted some of the out of way neighborhood spots. This one is still worth a try.
My pasta with sausage was well prepared and al dente. A red wine by the glass was a good choice (house Italian). Bread is conventional with oil and cheese, etc.
$$
2424 South Oakley Ave.
(just east of Western Ave. and south of North Ave.)
Chicago, IL 60608
(773) 254-5550
Open 7 days for lunch and dinner
Look out – you have some new converts. Our first visit to La Scarola was on a late Monday evening thinking the wait would be short. Guess we didn’t time things quite right, though the pleasant wait staff (and bartender) made waiting almost a pleasure. A good selection of reds by the glass helped pass the time.
Though the place has been around for awhile, for some reason we resisted this near north west side gem. Our starter was sausage and peppers served with good artisan bread and the usual butter, olive oil, grated cheese and red pepper sides. I like the options though tend to shy away from some of the fats whenever possible. I’ll take my fats in the sausage!
The egg plant parmagiana was a knock out – on a par with Donatella’s. Rigatoni pasta (al dente – amen!) with broccoli and goat cheese tossed with shallots and garlic was delicious with subtle flavors combined to make a memorable dish. A thrown-in side of linguini with vegetable red sauce was taken home – and it too was al dente enough to be edible the next day; what a deal.
The place is a bit cramped – but everyone is smiling and friendly. It was a pleasure to enjoy the experience with no pressing time constraint.
Next time will look at the wine list, and try a meat dish to satisfy my hunter instincts. There is a sharing charge which I don’t approve of in these days of weight watching and portion awareness.
$$
721 West Grand Ave. (just east of Milwaukee and Halsted)
Chicago, IL 60610
$5 valet parking (let’s hope it stays that cheap)
(312) 243-1740
This south side place on busy 95th Street (southwest side of the Windy City) gives hope that culinary treats can be enjoyed away from city center and the North Side. Snobs beware – the South Side has other great Italian restaurants besides those on Taylor Street and in the old Italian neighborhood around Cermak Road. High ratings in the local Daily Southtown brough me here to give it a try.
The wine list, though not extensive, offered a variety of choices, though no focus on any single style. If you want Italian red, maybe 3 or 4 bottles to choose from – with one Barolo as an example. But prices are fair and you can select a decent bottle for a reasonable price.
Bread is very good, with the usual olive oil and butter choices.
Sticking with pasta with broccoli was a good choice. The olio aglio was perfect with plentiful garlic and good oil; plenty of veggies made this a high cruciform experience. Don’t forget your dark green vegetables – keep the guy/gal with the sickle away as long as possible.
The menu is extensive, and they serve pizza (which looked pretty good) as well.
$ to $$ depending on wine
4849 West 95th Street (just west of Cicero Ave. on south side of street)
Oak Lawn, IL 60453
(708) 425-6262
Our first visit on The Day of the Dead, 2004 to celebrate a family birthday was an interesting one – we are so used to average Americanized Mexican restaurants that finding regional specialties so close to home was a pleasant surprise. Beginning with the obligatory chips, which were actually good, the side dish was a bean dip instead of red salsa – the first surprise. An appetizer of cheese and onions and spices followed – with more chips.
Several entrees were chosen including Tricha, a shredded chicken dish with tomato base and archiote spices; it was served with Mexican rice. Other entrees included a vegetarian mixture of eggplant, and a fish dish (forgot which one) – all very good. The tortilla soup rounded out the choices – great stuff.
BYOB
$
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Antique lovers, come on over! The owner of this north side institution continues to offer an extremely wide variety of foods so everyone can have what they want. This is one of my favorite al fresco spots for thin-crust deep-dish sausage pizza; sitting among scores of architectural antiques on a warm evening offers one of the best opportunities to enjoy this one-of-a-kind place. Indoor seating is also quite impressive with hundreds of antique light fixtures and statuary.
Late night hours until 1 am Sunday – Thursday and 2 am Friday and Saturday.
$$
2727 West Howard Street
Chicago, IL 60645
(the farthest north part of Chicago, a little over a mile west of Lake Michigan)
(773) 338-2166
The search for good fried chicken north of the Mason Dixon line continues. Fried chicken with a crisp crust and juicy meat is one of Ina’s specialties, though other entrees are well worth a try. The theme here is good and simple cooking, and their 3-year anniversary attests to their survival instinct in a city of many choices.
Located in the West Loop area, a pleasant surprise is free parking – try that somewhere else within 10 miles of town center.
If you’re a blue cheese olive fan for your martini, your search is over. They offer several wines by the glass and a sweet and short wine list. Michael the Mixologist infuses vodka with herbs and hot peppers and garlic and “other” exciting ingredients for his Bloody Marys which are claimed to change your whole day – maybe this activity should be scheduled for late in the day.
Ina’s is having their first annual stroll on April 17th with a walking tour of the historic Randolph Market District beginning with a buffet brunch and orientation.
$$
1235 West Randolph Street
Chicago, IL 60607
(312) 226-8227
cell-phone-free premises
My last visit in January 2004 confirmed the worthiness of their pub food, though it’s not the place to go if you can’t resist good and greasy fries and wonderful blue cheese burgers. It’s has the same owner for decades. An al fresco setting that’s casual and funky (except during fall, winter and early spring).
Look in the Sun Times for a coupon for reduced entree deal.
5910 North Broadway
Chicago, IL 60660
(773) 275-2696
Friendly place in West Loop.
$
1104 West Madison
(312) 455-0070