Summer Craze

It has been many weeks since my last post! I'm sorry!

When summer weather hits, my mind wanders to bike rides, long naps with windows open and spending time in the sunshine. I have still been eating lots - and eating out, so I thought today's post could be a short round up of some of my recent restaurant visits. Next week I'll be on vacation, but when I get back I'll have some fun new posts about eating in Bloomington, Indiana - my beloved college town! Hope you are enjoying your summer!

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Dixie Kitchen

Before President Obama was President, he was a guest on one of my favorite shows, Check, Please! It's a weekly show on PBS highlighting favorite restaurants of Chicago residents. President Obama picked Dixie Kitchen. It's food is yummy southern comfort. I've been multiple times and have tried the fried chicken, BBQ chicken, jambalaya, and the blackened catfish. All have been very tasty, but the best part of the meal is the starter. As a free perk, the restaurant brings out warm johnny cakes with butter when you arrive. They are delicious and addictive little pancakes made with a corn muffin-like batter.

Lou Malnati's

I've mentioned before that I love pizza, and while deep dish isn't my favorite, Lou Malnati's is pretty good. They are really generous with their toppings and their tomato sauce isn't really a sauce, it's more like a pulpy-tomato, garlic and olive oil mixture, and I really like it.

Bowman's

This restaurant/bar is a great place for drinks in Lincoln Square - especially on a nice summer day. They also have a decent lunch menu. I've only had the chicken cobb wrap which was okay, but it was paired with a really good serving of french fries!

Crepe Bistro

My sister and I tried this spot after she got a deal through Groupon. It's a really odd little restaurant in the loop that features crepes as both entrees and desserts. I got a crepe with cheese, mushrooms and spinach. It was really tasty and served with a nice side salad. My sister and I split a dessert crepe served with chocolate and whipped cream - also very good! The place has an accordion player on Thursday nights and $5 martinis every day. Definitely a unique spot worth a visit.

Clarke's

This diner usually caters to a late-night after drinks crowd, especially of DePaul college students. I went before a show I was attending across the street on a week night, so the crowd was a bit different. I had a breakfast skillet with eggs, cheese, mushrooms and spinach, served over a bed of potatoes. It was okay, but nothing spectacular. This place tastes better when you're a drunk.