Here's a quick roundup of where I've been and what I've had:
- Ethiopian Diamond - A group of colleagues started an International Dinner Club and our first stop was a yummy Ethiopian restaurant in Rogers Park. I really enjoyed the meal because it was so contrary to what a normal after-work dinner is like. We sipped on traditional honey beer and shared a huge platter that was basically like a giant Lazy Susan covered in nearly everything on the menu. The best way to try out new food -- simply ask for an array of everything! Here's what one of the diners had to say:
"Ethiopian food is definitely a ‘get your hands dirty’ kind of meal! I think it’s a culture change, but a relationship builder. Typically, an after work dinner involves proper etiquette and half-heartfelt smiles. The night brought us literally closer as we reached over the table to grab a bite of the chicken with spinach using a piece of bread." - Meze - This new spot in the West Loop is sure to please! I heard there was a $3 tapas menu from 4-7 pm on weeknights and $15 pitchers of sangria, so I had to check it out. The sangria was excellent...and our waitress kindly didn't charge us more despite the fact that we ordered three pitchers and one or two of them were definitely ordered after 7 p.m. The tapas also exceeded my expectations. The menu ranged from sliders to quesadillas to Papas Bravas to Thai veggie wraps. Literally everything under the sun. The portions, even for the $3 menu, were large and the variety proved to be a crowd pleaser. I definitely recommend this spot for groups small or large.
- Homemade Pizza Company - I discovered the BBQ Chicken pizza from Homemade Pizza Co and I had to rave about it. I normally don't love BBQ Chicken pizza..but this sauce was just right. It was a little more sweet than spicy and tasted delicious with the crust. Yum. I also love their salads, especially the one with walnuts and apples...and hey, they require no prep at all :)
- Balsan - Last but certainly not least, Balsan, the casual restaurant in the Elysian Hotel. This place has great ambiance, great service and excellent food. I haven't licked my plate clean in quite a while and I literally couldn't get enough of the food here. The beet salad was definitely one of the best I've had and the portion size was huge. It featured roasted, quartered red and yellow beets, field greens and nuts. For my entree, I had the trout (random, I know) covered in a citrus glaze and citrus fruit. I don't think I've had trout in quiet a long time, if ever, but I'll be ordering this one again! I also recommend any of the desserts...and of course, a glass of wine to go along with them. After dinner, we checked out Bernard's, the bar within the hotel. Not to sound like Anchorman, but I felt like I was in a small library filled with leather-bound books. The plush chairs and cozy atmosphere make this the perfect spot to end the night.
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