Rotiserrie Chicken and Mole on Wells * CLOSED * :(

As usual, I hastily grabbed some of Erik's mole from across the table. But this time I deservedly dropped a big glop on my blouse. While attempting to clean it with ice water and a disintegrating napkin I realized just how complex and greasy mole is.

Pollito's mole is bitter and spicy and delicious and both Erik and Benet get the mole plate every single time.

I'm partial to the tortilla soup. Avocados and crunchy tortillas swim happily in the balanced broth- it's not too salty, not too oily- while the sometimes dry, skinless chicken cubes lie dead at the bottom. I advise getting some dark meat on the side. Look at that perfectly seasoned, crispy skin! 

The mashed potatoes perform their duty as a vehicle for Pollito's divine homemade gravy-- totally worth it.

Some days the pablano macaroni salad is the best thing on the plate but lately (perhaps for the last 6 months) it has been overcooked and mushy (but we're still holding out hope!).


Loud, comically bad music and greenish fluorescent lighting were part of my reason for the low atmosphere rating, but their location on the dingy strip of Wells, covered by el tracks and next to one of the worst smelling alleys in Chicago makes Pollito's a tad more charming.

Rating, each category out of 5:

Taste           * * * * *

Value           * * * * *

Atmosphere  * * *

Service         * * * * 

Links: Pollito's on Yelp

Blog Business Lunch

At our very important blog business lunch in the Financial District last week Erik and I have decided to blog all the diners, cafes, and restaurants inside historically significant buildings, like the Pittsfield (there can't be THAT many can there?).

Case in point: Cavanaugh's. It's located mid-block within the glorious 1891 Monadnock building, the tallest load-bearing masonry building in the world. Unfortunately it's in the "atmosphere over food" category.


Go to admire the dark wood bar, the Monadnock's cast aluminum stairways- the first of their kind ever made; the cobbler that still uses hand crank tools; the ridiculously expensive Milliner; the custom suit maker, the old men sitting at the barbershop, and the cute guys at Intelligentsia and the architecture firms that populate the building. You can't lose.

Cavanaugh's has a second entrance on Federal Street, one of the Loop's many 'alley-streets'. Check out the the chapel-like structure and its scary heads across the street. It was once a restaurant named after the patron saint of hunters, St. Hubert.

Rating, each category out of 5:

Taste           * *

Value           *  
Atmosphere  * * * * *
Service         * * * * 

Links: Cavanaugh's Website, Yelp

Toni Toni Toni

Go get a Croque Monsieur at Toni's Patisserie & Cafe at Randolph and Michigan Avenue.  

That was going to be my whole review but then we tried the delicious macaroons, a tomato parmesan tart, and the Cuban sandwich. 

The tomato parmesean tart had a basic, dense, buttery crust I wish I could perfect at home.

And of the Cuban, Erik says, "It was an excellent sandwich, even if you don't like sandwiches," which is aimed at me since I claim to not like sandwiches. It's my hyperbolic way of saying I'd like a hot lunch without a bunch of bread please. The Croque Monsieur is more like a ham pizza so I'll allow it.

Rating, each category out of 5:

Taste           * * * * *
Value           * * * 
Atmosphere  * * * *
Service         * * * *

Links: Toni Patisserie & Cafe Website, Yelp

Here's some blog reading tunes: 

A Sad Public Service Announcement

It happened last November. Beard Papa, the Japanese bakery with the awkward name and world's best cream puffs has closed their Chicago location. We had the pleasure of enjoying it for two short years, and I have no regrets. I brought them everywhere- to Delilah's for whiskey and beer for a friend who'd just been mugged, to birthday parties as welcome gifts, to dinner parties when I had no time to whip up a dessert, and sometimes I ate one for breakfast in my cubical. They are memories that will not soon fade.

I miss you eggy pastry shell. Sometimes I still long for you, vanilla speckled custard. 

The closest remaining locations are New York and Toronto.

Chicagoist Article, Beard Papa Website

Belated Public Service Announcement

The M Burger in the Thompson Center food court sells Do-Rite Donuts and Intelligentsia drip coffee. That's one whole half block closer to the Blue Line Clark & Lake stop than their flagship location on Randolph and Dearborn.

The raised yeast Cinnamon Crunch doughnut is even more delicious than the monkey bread of your childhood. 

Links: Do-Rite Website, M Burger Website

It's not lunch, but it may affect your ability to eat lunch.

Sausage Fest at the Sausage Place

I don't mind that Westminster Dogs is always only full of dudes, and neither does Erik. 

I love a lobster roll bun, but the 'Southwest' chicken sausage was a tad mealy and the casing was tough. On previous trips my Chicago Dog had a stale bun and the 'Steak Fromage' was cold in the middle. Couple that with lots of fluorescent lighting and a "counter" made out of shallow Home Depot bookshelves and there's no mystery why there are only a few ladies frequenting this joint.  

And as Erik said, "Doug Sohn has absolutely nothing to worry about."  

Rating, each category out of 5:

Taste           * * *

Value           * * 
Atmosphere  *
Service         * *

Links: Westminster Dogs Website, Yelp

Ba Le with Jen Le

Finally! Ba Le is open! And my favorite Vietnamese friend Jen approves.

The Banh Mi bread is perfectly crusty and French. 

Both the beef and chicken Pho are equally delicious. 

The BBQ pork rice bowl was so good, I had it twice last week.  

There's THREE fish options on the menu.

And if that's not enough check out what epicurean Erik Glass blurted out, "I bet we could eat here every day."

I've been told by multiple sources to stay away from their bland-ass spring rolls, but the bar has been set so low (by the only other Loop Vietnamese place Saigon Sisters) that I might give them a shot.

Rating, each category out of 5:

Taste           * * * *
Value           * * * 
Atmosphere  * *
Service         * * * *

Links: Ba Le Website, Yelp

More Middle Eastern

Falafill is a trusting and generous establishment. They give you the base, meat or falafal, and get this-- the toppings are self-serve! Toppings like hummus and couscous and baba ghanouge. The mezze bar is a meal in itself! Falafill is the opposite of Roti- where onions are in the same category as feta, olives, and cucumber salad but you only get two.

Don't miss the Toum and all its garlicy mayonaisey glory.

Rating, each category out of 5:


Taste           * * * * 
Value           * * * * *
Atmosphere  * * * *
Service         * * * *

Links: Falafill Website, Yelp