The Chicago Traveler

October 24th, 2008

Chicago Pizza & Oven Grinder Co. Goes to Pot

The Chicago Pizza and Oven Grinder Company brings together two things Chicago is famous for: pizza and Capone.
The Company is located across the street from where the Saint Valentine’s Day Massacre of 1929 occurred, and rumor has it that the three-story brownstone served as a lookout point for Capone’s gangsters.
The restaurant has a cozy atmosphere, […]

By Matt B -- 0 comments

October 21st, 2008

Chicago’s Ten Best Pizzas 2008

There was a bit of dispute over my last Best Pizzas list, as I expected there would be. It is a Chicagoan debate that has gone on for generations and will continue probably forever. So, just to add more fuel to the fire, here is another list of Chicago’s ten best ‘pies’ (courtesy of Citysearch […]

By Matt B -- 1 comment

October 15th, 2008

Voluptuous Volo

Oh Volo… where do I even begin? Your radiant décor? Your chic food? Your comfortable, social atmosphere?
Owner Jon Young (co-creator of Kitsch’n across the street) and chef Stephen Dunne are behind this Roscoe Village wine bar, which has been featured on The Food Channel. The restaurant bears striking design with dark brown walls, dim lighting, […]

By Matt B -- 0 comments

October 14th, 2008

A Piece Offering

I am and always will be a deep-dish pizza fan, but I can admit that the pieces of Piece can win me over.
No, this isn’t Chicago pizza by any definition; thin and hand-padded, these ‘pies’ are made with minimal toppings. Here, the crust and sauce are the primary ingredients. Slip into a booth and order […]

By Matt B -- 0 comments

October 2nd, 2008

Going All the Veerasway

I have to admit, as much as I enjoy visiting new restaurants, I have a hard time trying new foods and flavors. When I find something I like, I stick to it. So my approach to Indian cuisine was cautious at best, considering many of its spices and curries are “exotic” by American standards. I […]

By Matt B -- 0 comments

September 18th, 2008

On with the Shochu

What’s your favorite cocktail? Gin and tonic? Rum and cola? Vodka and fruit juice? Sure, these classics are great, but perhaps your mixology menu could use a refresher. Have a taste of Shochu.
Shochu, a restaurant bar in Lakeview (formerly Platiyo, three doors north of Andalous), is named after a popular beverage in Japan. The alcohol […]

By Matt B -- 3 comments

September 16th, 2008

Ten Best Romantic Spots 2008

Romance shouldn’t be reserved for just Valentine’s Day. As the temperatures begin to cool down, you can keep your relationship hot by visiting one or more of the ten best romantic date spots (courtesy of Citysearch and Yelp).

10. Shanghai Terrace. With elegant art and a beautiful view, this Asian restaurant offers delicious sophistication.
9. Cyrano’s Bistrot […]

By Matt B -- 0 comments

September 9th, 2008

Keep Company at Juicy Wine Company

At Juicy Wine Company in River West, wine lovers browse through the retail space and select their preferred combinations of vintages and complements (pate, olives, and cheese). You can take these purchases home or head upstairs to the lounge. Here, hipsters gab in semicircular booths and small tables while a DJ spins on an elevated […]

By Matt B -- 0 comments

August 28th, 2008

Fresh Faces in Food

The restaurant scene in Chicago is constantly evolving, always keeping up with people’s new tastes or trends. Here are a few restaurants that have only been around for a year or so, but they have already made a name for themselves in the dining biz.
Chalkboard, a contemporary American restaurant in North Center, is just that: […]

By Matt B -- 0 comments

August 27th, 2008

Wine and Cheese Pizza at La Madia

Who says pizza is unrefined? Certainly not La Madia, a River North restaurant whose motto is “Art of Pizza, Love of Wine.”
You’ll know this isn’t any ordinary pizza place when you see the floor-to-ceiling wine wall behind the bar. Groups of friends and romantic couples fill the striped booths and the pizza bar surrounding the […]

By Matt B -- 1 comment