I think I have posted about Buonaro's before, but I want to give a heads up to a recent trip we had. I think the restaurant is as good, if not better than before. I also think that people there know what it takes to be a good restaurant and channel Ron's spirit through each dish. It is a great indie restaurant.
The family is still there with Regina working behind the register and the daughters working the room. I think when we were there Tina stopped by and chatted us up. Ron would be proud of herjavascript:void(0) schmoozing. And I say that with a warm spot for Ron. The staff remembers us and chats with is like we are family. And I feel like I'm a part of the family there.
The food is as good (or a little better) than when Ron was alive. The kitchen as did the staff when Ron was sick, but it came back with a great chef and he has found his niche.
I still miss Ron. When I think of restaurateurs, I will always think of him. But go there and enjoy.
Bypass the chain 'Italian' restaurants in downtown Naperville. Take a short drive to 5th Ave and try it again. I think this is one of Naperville's hidden gems.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Friday, February 11, 2011
Blue Ginger Sushi - Woodridge, IL
I love sushi. I really do. My wife is indifferent to it, but my oldest son loves it as well. When he comes into town, we gang up on my wife and go for sushi. Recently we went to Blue Ginger which is on 53 near the Seven Bridges Golf Course. Frankly this is a A+ place. And why? Because when we left, my wife says, we should try this again.
The restaurant is very hip and very modern looking, but not so fussy that it makes you feel out of place. They have some crafted drinks that are very good and worth it. But the food. This is a fusion style sushi which means that they have traditional sushi, but they also have sushi for non-sushi eaters. Since I think every dining group has a sushi lover and a sushi disliker, Blue Ginger offers enough of a difference to make it worth a trip. I figure if one of you hates hates hates sushi, you wouldn't be reading this anyway.
This is worth a try. Like most sushi places, it isn't cheap, but frankly, it wasn't that overly priced. My fear in a sushi place is I'll drop a hundred bucks and want to stop for a burger on the way home. This isn't like that.
Blue Ginger is at 6320 South Route 53, Woodridge, IL. It is in the Seven Bridges Golf Course area (north of Hobson). Their web site is here.
The restaurant is very hip and very modern looking, but not so fussy that it makes you feel out of place. They have some crafted drinks that are very good and worth it. But the food. This is a fusion style sushi which means that they have traditional sushi, but they also have sushi for non-sushi eaters. Since I think every dining group has a sushi lover and a sushi disliker, Blue Ginger offers enough of a difference to make it worth a trip. I figure if one of you hates hates hates sushi, you wouldn't be reading this anyway.
This is worth a try. Like most sushi places, it isn't cheap, but frankly, it wasn't that overly priced. My fear in a sushi place is I'll drop a hundred bucks and want to stop for a burger on the way home. This isn't like that.
Blue Ginger is at 6320 South Route 53, Woodridge, IL. It is in the Seven Bridges Golf Course area (north of Hobson). Their web site is here.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Sugar Toad
We went to the highly respected restaurant, Sugar Toad, in Naperville, in Naperville? Frankly, it was very very good and I would recommend it, but as I look back at other fine dining experiences, it was good and bordered on great.
First the food. Restaurants should know that if the service is fabulous and the room was awesome, but the food sucks, people will not come back. The food was fabulous. It was not froo-froo fussy with foams and whips and weird combinations of tastes to make it a gastronomic experience. However, it was visually stunning, beautifully prepared, complimentary flavors that were at times unique, and perfectly flavored and salted. We had the four course tasting menu and had the chef do a pescadarian (fish and veggies) menu. First we are fish eaters, no meat and I love to see what happens when we ask. The kitchen handled it with glee it seems. We did ask to have the beet salad included in as one of the courses, since in looking at the menu, it was one we both were very interested in. It was a hit.
The service was very good, but I kept finding them being a beat off the timing of the meal. The room was not full and yet the timing wasn't perfect. It may be the kitchen, but I really know the staff and the expeditor is more responsible for the timing of the courses than the kitchen.
The room is smaller than I expected with more bar than dining room. The Arista Hotel, where the restaurant is located, is one of those fancy chic-type places. Lots of modern looking design, light on inviting. There was a huge meeting across the lobby from the restaurant and there was a roar from it that carried across the lobby through the front door and down into the dining room. This isn't the restaurant's fault, but either close your doors or better sound proofing in the front of the room or something, because I don't like to have to raise my voice to talk across the table. The room also had a mural that covered what looked like a potential area for the restaurant. As I looked at it, it looked interesting, but the more I thought about it, it looked out of place. A white wall would have looked better.
Our meal was about $250 with tax and tip. Yup, it was expensive. And the big question is would I go again? Yes. And I recommend it to someone who likes interesting food. It is not a steak and potatoes place. It is not Charlie Trotters (thank god). I think Chef Sneed (now a consultant) and the Chef de Cuisine Rhyne do a great job of finding a balance between creating simple and elegance.
First the food. Restaurants should know that if the service is fabulous and the room was awesome, but the food sucks, people will not come back. The food was fabulous. It was not froo-froo fussy with foams and whips and weird combinations of tastes to make it a gastronomic experience. However, it was visually stunning, beautifully prepared, complimentary flavors that were at times unique, and perfectly flavored and salted. We had the four course tasting menu and had the chef do a pescadarian (fish and veggies) menu. First we are fish eaters, no meat and I love to see what happens when we ask. The kitchen handled it with glee it seems. We did ask to have the beet salad included in as one of the courses, since in looking at the menu, it was one we both were very interested in. It was a hit.
The service was very good, but I kept finding them being a beat off the timing of the meal. The room was not full and yet the timing wasn't perfect. It may be the kitchen, but I really know the staff and the expeditor is more responsible for the timing of the courses than the kitchen.
The room is smaller than I expected with more bar than dining room. The Arista Hotel, where the restaurant is located, is one of those fancy chic-type places. Lots of modern looking design, light on inviting. There was a huge meeting across the lobby from the restaurant and there was a roar from it that carried across the lobby through the front door and down into the dining room. This isn't the restaurant's fault, but either close your doors or better sound proofing in the front of the room or something, because I don't like to have to raise my voice to talk across the table. The room also had a mural that covered what looked like a potential area for the restaurant. As I looked at it, it looked interesting, but the more I thought about it, it looked out of place. A white wall would have looked better.
Our meal was about $250 with tax and tip. Yup, it was expensive. And the big question is would I go again? Yes. And I recommend it to someone who likes interesting food. It is not a steak and potatoes place. It is not Charlie Trotters (thank god). I think Chef Sneed (now a consultant) and the Chef de Cuisine Rhyne do a great job of finding a balance between creating simple and elegance.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
A food trip to San Francisco and Berkeley CA
I know this is about Naperville, but sometimes describing paradise is more important than telling people why they live in a wasteland of food.
My wife had to go out for business and her son lives in Berkeley. So this is a great opportunity to see SF as well as spend a little time with Son 1.0 and of course eat. Through a friend who seemed to like to eat, we found a place the first full day we were there. This for me was after a very long day of walking all over Northern San Francisco. I've never seen a place where every hill is up, except when you have to go to the top of the up, and there are two or three downs and ups. We ate at a small place called "Swell". It was a modern seafood type place with a slightly Asian flair. Featuring both raw and cooked seafood, and of course I tried as much as I could. Nothing bad. See the menu at http://www.swellsf.com.
The next night was also in San Francisco and I wanted to try Chinatown. I'm not sure where Son 1.0 found it, but it was different. We tried Lucky Creation. This is a little different than most in that it is a vegetarian restaurant. We tried "chicken" in curry sauce (very very good), Sliced "Pork" with vegetables and a clay pot vegetable dish. A little funky in the decor, but frankly we ate a lot and spent about $50 for three with two beers, pot stickers and another appetizer.
The next night we moved to Berkeley and were now off the company dime for one person. Friday night was a treat. The Cheese Board Collective was to be closed on Saturday (May Day!) and tonight's pizza was corn, mozzarella and feta cheese, cilantro and red onions. Because of the occasion, we invited the starving student/friends of Son 1.0 to come out. They brought beer (they know good beer here) and ate on the Do Not Use The Meridian area between the two halves of the street. When we arrived there were 20-40 people in line, when we left there were 40 to 50 people in line and it was moving. If you don't know about the Cheese Board, it is a collective (no bosses, everyone is a part owner) that has been doing bread and pizza for 40 years. They have the best (I mean the best) cheese case I've ever seen both in quantity and quality of cheeses. A food trip to Berkeley requires a trip to the Cheese Board. Here is a link.
The next night was on our own and so we went to "Bistro Liaison", just on the edge of the "Gourmet Ghetto". It is crowded, with great decor. Yelpers (who I read and make fun of them) seemed to think it was ok. I liked it as did my wife. We had no reservations, but we got into a small table in the corner quickly. We were asked to free up the table by 7:30 and although we did, there was no one waiting. The food was quite good. I had Trout Almandine, while Joette had the fish special which was Ling Cod. Again all very good, a bit expensive, but we were there to enjoy. A link to Bistro Liaison is here.
Our final day started at "La Note", which is my favorite place. Excellent breakfast food on a superb back patio. Light and fluffy eggs. Perfect. If I could steal a restaurant and move it to Naperville, this is my first choice. Here is its link.
Our final restaurant was also an old favorite, The restaurant is an Indian restaurant named Ajanta. It is listed as Alice Water's favorite places and I can see why. We love Indian cooking and are spoiled by the wonderful and underused Indian places in Naperville. But every time we go to the Bay area, we like to stop in here. Very good food with the right amount of oil and heat. If you are interested, follow this link.
Overall, the food in San Francisco and Berkeley area is outstanding. Everything from Alice Water's Chez Panisse to Thai takeaway hole in the wall.
My wife had to go out for business and her son lives in Berkeley. So this is a great opportunity to see SF as well as spend a little time with Son 1.0 and of course eat. Through a friend who seemed to like to eat, we found a place the first full day we were there. This for me was after a very long day of walking all over Northern San Francisco. I've never seen a place where every hill is up, except when you have to go to the top of the up, and there are two or three downs and ups. We ate at a small place called "Swell". It was a modern seafood type place with a slightly Asian flair. Featuring both raw and cooked seafood, and of course I tried as much as I could. Nothing bad. See the menu at http://www.swellsf.com.
The next night was also in San Francisco and I wanted to try Chinatown. I'm not sure where Son 1.0 found it, but it was different. We tried Lucky Creation. This is a little different than most in that it is a vegetarian restaurant. We tried "chicken" in curry sauce (very very good), Sliced "Pork" with vegetables and a clay pot vegetable dish. A little funky in the decor, but frankly we ate a lot and spent about $50 for three with two beers, pot stickers and another appetizer.
The next night we moved to Berkeley and were now off the company dime for one person. Friday night was a treat. The Cheese Board Collective was to be closed on Saturday (May Day!) and tonight's pizza was corn, mozzarella and feta cheese, cilantro and red onions. Because of the occasion, we invited the starving student/friends of Son 1.0 to come out. They brought beer (they know good beer here) and ate on the Do Not Use The Meridian area between the two halves of the street. When we arrived there were 20-40 people in line, when we left there were 40 to 50 people in line and it was moving. If you don't know about the Cheese Board, it is a collective (no bosses, everyone is a part owner) that has been doing bread and pizza for 40 years. They have the best (I mean the best) cheese case I've ever seen both in quantity and quality of cheeses. A food trip to Berkeley requires a trip to the Cheese Board. Here is a link.
The next night was on our own and so we went to "Bistro Liaison", just on the edge of the "Gourmet Ghetto". It is crowded, with great decor. Yelpers (who I read and make fun of them) seemed to think it was ok. I liked it as did my wife. We had no reservations, but we got into a small table in the corner quickly. We were asked to free up the table by 7:30 and although we did, there was no one waiting. The food was quite good. I had Trout Almandine, while Joette had the fish special which was Ling Cod. Again all very good, a bit expensive, but we were there to enjoy. A link to Bistro Liaison is here.
Our final day started at "La Note", which is my favorite place. Excellent breakfast food on a superb back patio. Light and fluffy eggs. Perfect. If I could steal a restaurant and move it to Naperville, this is my first choice. Here is its link.
Our final restaurant was also an old favorite, The restaurant is an Indian restaurant named Ajanta. It is listed as Alice Water's favorite places and I can see why. We love Indian cooking and are spoiled by the wonderful and underused Indian places in Naperville. But every time we go to the Bay area, we like to stop in here. Very good food with the right amount of oil and heat. If you are interested, follow this link.
Overall, the food in San Francisco and Berkeley area is outstanding. Everything from Alice Water's Chez Panisse to Thai takeaway hole in the wall.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Alinea named top US restaurant
One of Chicago's 'top' restaurants, Alinea, has been named as the top American restaurant by the top 50 restaurants in the world. NOMA, from Copenhagen, was first. The reason I'm telling you this is so that you will know and you will know not to go there. I've never been, nor will I go. Alinea is known for its "Molecular Gastronomy". Makes you want to go just for that! Molecular Gastronomy based on rethinking the science of cooking and reviewing all the myths etc about cooking and food. This part I like. The part that Alinea is involved with is the reinvention of food. I like food. Real food. I do not want to go to have a "PB&J" which is a peeled grape (with stem) covered in peanut butter and then wrapped in a thin brioche. Maybe 10 of these, but at Alinea there is one perfect on a plate. Grant Achatz, who is the chef, worked under our own Charlie Trotter and taken the food to a new plane of existance. At one point, he took a hot dog and pulverized it and captured the vapor. You squirt the vapor into your mouth with a bite of brioche and probably some foam of condiments and you have a Chicago hot dog.
Lots of foams and freezing of stuff you might not think about freezing. One article said he and his wife went and spent $750. His wife can't remember ever chewing. After then left, they went to a hot dog stand.
If you have too much money and are willing to eat foams, a lot of suspended spoons over a broth, frozen items that probably aren't meant to be eaten frozen, items on antennas etc etc.
In respect, I understand what Achatz is doing. He is asking people to reconsider the food they eat by altering what you see and how you taste it. I am impressed with his and his staff's ability. I don't necessarily have to have a plate of food with protein, veg, starch. I happen to like tastings, but I do believe that food should be eaten and if I eat at a restaurant (and spend a few hundred), I would be relatively full.
I am probably a heathen and an outcast for those thoughts. But I hope this trend towards tastings and molecular gastronomy will fade and chefs can get back to making real food again.
Lots of foams and freezing of stuff you might not think about freezing. One article said he and his wife went and spent $750. His wife can't remember ever chewing. After then left, they went to a hot dog stand.
If you have too much money and are willing to eat foams, a lot of suspended spoons over a broth, frozen items that probably aren't meant to be eaten frozen, items on antennas etc etc.
In respect, I understand what Achatz is doing. He is asking people to reconsider the food they eat by altering what you see and how you taste it. I am impressed with his and his staff's ability. I don't necessarily have to have a plate of food with protein, veg, starch. I happen to like tastings, but I do believe that food should be eaten and if I eat at a restaurant (and spend a few hundred), I would be relatively full.
I am probably a heathen and an outcast for those thoughts. But I hope this trend towards tastings and molecular gastronomy will fade and chefs can get back to making real food again.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Cheap Eats - Eggsperience, Naperville
This is a local chain of breakfast/lunch places in the Chicago area with one recently opening up in Naperville (75th near route 59, near Whole Foods). Ok it is a breakfast place. But it isn't pretentious or too loud, not too fancy, not too hip, not too cheap looking. We like it and think most people would. The decor is wake me up yellow. If I want fancy restaurant, I can pay for fancy restaurant. This is just right for a morning. Service is very good and food came out fast, again one more important thing with breakfast. The food is very good and the mix of items is pretty basic, but nicely handled. My wife wanted something a little different on the menu and they said sure. I like that in a quick, fast place.
My only downside is the coffee. It seemed strong, like very strong. Like too strong for me. If I wanted espresso, I can order it (which they have). They give you a pot (again I like that) and a carafe of water (gotta like that too). The first pot smelled burnt to me, like it was overcooked. We complained and the server brought us another pot. It was ok, but so strong. She said they do have really strong coffee. The next visit we just didn't order coffee, but that was afternoon. I'm not sure what to do the next time.
This is a keeper. Quick, casual, not too loud (we could sit in our booth and talk normally even with a full house). Food is great, service is great and fast. And it is breakfast. We haven't tried it for lunch but it looked pretty good on the menu.
Here is there web site: http://www.eggsperiencecafe.com/
My only downside is the coffee. It seemed strong, like very strong. Like too strong for me. If I wanted espresso, I can order it (which they have). They give you a pot (again I like that) and a carafe of water (gotta like that too). The first pot smelled burnt to me, like it was overcooked. We complained and the server brought us another pot. It was ok, but so strong. She said they do have really strong coffee. The next visit we just didn't order coffee, but that was afternoon. I'm not sure what to do the next time.
This is a keeper. Quick, casual, not too loud (we could sit in our booth and talk normally even with a full house). Food is great, service is great and fast. And it is breakfast. We haven't tried it for lunch but it looked pretty good on the menu.
Here is there web site: http://www.eggsperiencecafe.com/
Monday, March 15, 2010
Pizza Fusion-Naperville Closed?!?
I just read in the Naperville Sun that the Pizza Fusion on 75th Street closed. I'm a little shocked because I thought the food was very good, it had a good hook (organic, gluten free etc), a great location, pretty interior and adequate parking. So why did it close. We were there about a month ago and it was packed on a Friday or Saturday night. It wasn't a big space and probably that was a problem, but frankly it looked like it would do well.
It is one thing to say that a hook like being organic and all might not work in Naperville. But thereshould be enough people that will go for that. Naperville isn't a very trendy eating city (OK, it isn't trendy at all). The important point to me was although it was a nice hook, but the food was very good. I have a taste for a PF pizza right now.
So I doubt it was for lack of business or a bad location. I can only assume either Naperville can't really support a place like this or some bad business management. It is too bad, it was a cute, fun restaurant with good food. I'll miss it.
It is one thing to say that a hook like being organic and all might not work in Naperville. But thereshould be enough people that will go for that. Naperville isn't a very trendy eating city (OK, it isn't trendy at all). The important point to me was although it was a nice hook, but the food was very good. I have a taste for a PF pizza right now.
So I doubt it was for lack of business or a bad location. I can only assume either Naperville can't really support a place like this or some bad business management. It is too bad, it was a cute, fun restaurant with good food. I'll miss it.
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