Tasty Chicago–

JAAA!!  It’s late-night in Chicago…just saw some great theater…we are hungry…so we head on over to a joint called “avec” in the West Loop to fill our bellies. . .let’s check it out.

“avec” is run by the same folks in Chicago who run Publican, another delectable dining spot, but we pop into ‘avec’ because supposedly David Chang eats here when in town. . .David Chang only eats good stuff…we want good stuff…mmmm, aaaaahh!

Fortunately this place does not let us down…we ingest the chorizo-stuffed dates–really tasty. . .the slow-roasted pork shoulder–melt-in-our-mouths-good. . .and a whole roasted fish–a snapper tonight that is crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. . .all of this is washed down with a fun white from Sicily. . .we are happy.

Definitely consider doing some gobbling at ‘avec’ the next time you are in Chicago. . .the place is chill, the staff are helpful and friendly, the kitchen is open late, and the food and drink are well-worth the effort to get in here.

To see more magical images from around planet Earth simply click on a location of your choice in the category menu on the ‘About’ page of this blog. . .do it. . .you know you want to.

It’s lovely out there.

See…this…play–

BOOM!  We just checked out the new play at Steppenwolf here in Chicago. . .it’s called “Downstate”. . .it’s great!  See it if you get the chance.

‘Downstate’ upholds the tradition of Chicago theater, and Steppenwolf in particular, tackling gritty subjects with superior actors performing at the very highest level. . .this creates a sense of magic and transports all of us to a higher plane of human existence. . .mmmm, aaaaahh–we love great theater!!

Be warned, Downstate is heavy stuff to deal with. . .the play is about 4 convicted pedophiles living in a halfway house somewhere in downstate Illinois.  There is lots of graphic talk, heartfelt emotive talk, human talk, struggling with guilt and fear and disgust and confusion and desire, and finally a few attempts to regain control of lives that have gone way off the rails of acceptable “normal” human behavior.

The Steppenwolf upstairs theater is where this is playing now. . .holds about 400 people…no bad seats in the house…GREAT set…FABULOUS writing by Steppenwolf company member Bruce Norris…and, of course, totally topnotch performances by the entire cast that includes K. Todd Freeman, Tim Hopper, Francis Guinan, Glenn Davis, Eddie Torres, Cecilia Noble, and a few others. . .if you love great theater, then you must see this show.  Simple, powerful, moving, and enlightening.

The director is Pam McKinnon, and her work is the special sauce that pulls together this fascinating stew of humans struggling to move forward.

The current Steppenwolf production is the world premiere of this powerful play…they are taking it to The National in London in the winter…and I will not be shocked to see this baby playing somewhere in New York next fall.  Again, go see it wherever and whenever you can.

Though it is especially nice to see theater at Steppenwolf…there is a restaurant/bar for hanging out before and after the show…the facilities are clean, organized, and comfortable…and the entire staff are switched on and ready to help with anything you need to fully enjoy your experience here.  Steppenwolf ROCKS…see something here…support live theater…it makes you a better human.

It’s lovely and thought-provoking out there.

Magical breakfast joint–

MMM!  This place serves up extremely tasty breakfast and all-day diner grub. . .it’s the Little Goat Diner…let’s check it out.

The Little Goat Diner is located on the corner of Randolph and Green Streets here in the West Loop section of Chicago. . .it is part of the food empire created by Stephanie Izard, the chick who runs Girl And The Goat right across the street–one of the tastiest dining spots on planet Earth…really, it’s that good.

Little Goat is the low-key super-tasty venue in the Izard empire that serves things like kimchi bloody marys–spicy and totally delicious…bottomless black coffee–rich and hearty…housemade corned beef hash–mouthwateringly good…crispy bacon, runny eggs, soothing sausage gravy, AND bibimbop breakfast bowls full of pickled veggies and more runny eggs. . .MMMM…AAAAHH!. . .we want to eat this stuff every day!!

Everything here is wonderful: the vibe, the setting, the decor, the people, the music, the beverages, and the food. . .please pop in here for breakfast, lunch, or dinner the next time you are hangin’ in Chi-town. . .you will love it–I gar-ron-taaaayy!!

To see more amazing images from around our teeny tiny planet simply click on a location of your choice in the category menu on the ‘About’ page of this blog. . .do it. . .so much to see and sooooo little time.

It’s lovely out there.

#1 burger in Chicago?

KABOOMY!  We are told that this place serves up quite possibly the number one burger in all of Chicago–the joint is called Au Cheval…let’s check it out and see what’s what.

Au Cheval is located on West Randolph Street in the West Loop section of town right across the street from Girl And The Goat. . .this is prime feeding territory cuz GATG is GREAT!

Anyway, back to Au Cheval…this place is simply a slick, cozy, and happenin’ pub offering fabulous beverages and tasty pub grub…the music is at a good volume…the vibe is relaxed yet a bit scintillating…and the smell is alluring with the kitchen right behind the bar cooking endless burgers, strips of bacon, and fried chicken. . .damn, we are glad to be here–mmmm, aaaahh!!

The burger is thee thang here…it comes in “single” and “double” sizes–but the single has two patties and the double has three patties. . .under-promise, over-deliver…we like this–jaaaa!!

Before the burgers we start with a couple of appetizers: a chopped salad and an order of the chopped liver. . .served up choppitychoplikketysplit.  The chopped salad is refreshing, hearty and delicious. . .the chopped liver is served with a side of lardo and a pile of lovely buttery toast–this baby is DELECTABLE…I inhale it all with no problem at all…almost makes me forget about the chopped liver at Katz’s in New York…almost.

Next up are our burgers…my wife does the ‘single’ and I do the ‘double’ with bacon and a fried egg–yowza!  Both of these babies are extremely tasty and mouthwateringly good. . .my double has three thin patties of meat, gooey cheese, pickles, some kind of special sauce, thick delectable bacon strips, and a sunnyside fried egg…all served on a sweet shiny brioche bun…I add some mustard, mash it all together, and eat it joyfully until there is not one morsel left except the drippings that I clean up with the wonderful side of french fries that we have wisely included with our meal.  We wash all this meaty goodness down with a bottle of Portuguese tempranillo. . .veddy niiiiiiice!

I even have room for dessert once I hear that they are serving housemade strawberry sorbet…one order is two large scoops that we ingest with no problem at all…delicious.

So, is this the number one burger in all of Chicago?  I don’t know.  Is it an extremely satisfying meat experience served up in a cozy and happenin’ atmosphere?  Yes, it most indubitably is. Personally, I prefer one thicker 6-ounce patty of high quality meat cooked a perfect medium rare. . .this three-patty burger is served medium with a lot of meat and drippiness that I can live with, but it is not my favorite way to enjoy a burger.  Yet, with all of the extras that come with this baby: the wonderful bacon, the wonderful egg, the wonderful cheese, the special sauce, the sweet bun, etc., the Au Cheval burger is well worth the experience, and I definitely want to eat it again and again and again. . .and do the fried chicken as well the next time we pop in here–EAT IT ALL!

You can expect to wait to eat here…just put your name on the list, go somewhere up the block for a drink or three, and you will be seated in just under 2 hours. . .ah well, all part of the happenin’ experience and worth it, I would say.

I send you drippingly juicy and savory vibes from Au Cheval in the West Loop of Chi-town. . .feel them. . .they will make your end-of-the-night shower more enjoyable and necessary than usual.

It’s lovely out there.

Tornado Steak House–

HMMM!  We have heard a lot about the Tornado Steak House in Madison, Wisconsin. . .time to check it out for ourselves and see what’s what…jaaaa!

The Tornado Room, as many people call it, is a classic Wisconsin supper club: lots of retro colorful lighting, dark bar, wood paneling, cozy booths, gallons of alcohol being served, friendly staff, and lots of meat on the menu.

We roll in early without a reservation and are told that we can sit in any booth in the front bar area. . .we score a nice one in a corner–fabulous!  We order cocktails…lots of people start arriving for their reserved tables and booths in the back–this place is poppin’!

For dinner we dive into a New York strip steak and a rack of lamb with sauteed brussels sprouts and crispy hash brown potatoes on the side.  The NY strip is cooked a good medium-rare, but it is not a great cut of meat–it is chewy and mealy…disappointing.  The rack of lamb is cooked a nice medium-rare and actually quite tasty–not bad at all.  The hash browns are cooked perfectly–Wisconsin knows how to do wonderful fried potatoes, no problem here. . .but the brussels sprouts are luke warm and without flavor–add some salt and pepper to the cooking process next time, and these babies will be better.

We wash everything down with a tasty Robert Sinskey cabernet so the evening is not entirely lost.

Please feel free to try the Tornado Steak House the next time you visit Madtown here in central Wisconsin. . .it’s good, but not great. . .we enjoy the supper club thing here in America’s Dairyland, and now we understand that it is all about creating spaces for brief respites from the hard work that is going on everywhere in this state, not necessarily a world class meal, just a cozy and comforting atmosphere to take the edge off.  By George, I think we are getting it…I think.

To see more magical images from around our teeny tiny planet simply click on a location of your choice in the category menu on the ‘About’ page of this blog. . .dive on in. . .so much to see and sooooo little time.

It’s lovely out there.

Rock-n-roll dude-n-food–

POW!  Henry Rollins is in Madtown…jaaaa!!  We gotta see him, and we gotta ingest some delectable grub. . .so we do so.

Henry is touring around the country sharing slides from his world travels and filling us in on his adventures, thoughts, experiences, and overall approach to enjoying the passage of time. . .veddy nice!

Afterward, we are hungry. . .we hit The Weary Traveler on Willy Street for burgers and such…we hit The Old Fashioned on Capitol Square for eggs and such…and we hit the Tornado Steakhouse around the corner for, you guessed it, steaks and such.  Everything is delicious and washed down with various glasses of bloodys, chasers, and wine. . .mmm, aaaahh!

Madison, Wisconsin continues to offer just enough good stuff to keep us interested and satisfied. . .how much longer can this last?  Answer coming soon.  Meanwhile, Go Badgers!

I send you full-belly vibes from various haunts in Mound City–the heart of America’s Dairyland. . .feel them. . .they will help you sleep deeply this evening and every evening.

To see more stupendous images from around our teeny tiny planet simply click on a location of your choice in the category menu on the ‘About’ page of this blog. . .do it. . .you know you want to.

It’s lovely out there.