gmi3804

Hope you went to Mi Cocina in San Juan del Cabo. And French Riviera. Those were our two favorites. I expect a report in the Mexico forum!

Beautiful photos, Eliot; thanks for sharing. Now you've gone and given me another Carlos craving!

Actually, the 7-11 just may be on the Glencoe side of the border. I'll have to do some sleuthing and report back. ← 7-11 is, indeed in Glencoe, as are Blockbuster Video and Boston Blackie's (verified by all three websites), which are in the small strip mall just south. But the Walgreens website lists the town location of its store in that same strip mall as Winnetka. Hmmm.... What was the original question?!? Oh, yes. Winnetka's website shows the Hubbard Woods shopping district as Green Bay Road from Tower on the south to Scott on the north. Scott is the street which forms the southern boundary of that strip mall. Back to restaurant wish lists: I'd love to try Schwa - sounds like a wonderful concept. Di Pescara, the new Lettuce Entertain You restaurant in Northbrook Court, is perfectly respectable, a sort of cross between Shaw's and Wildfire, with some "grown-up" pasta dishes thrown in for good measure. Nice suburban-chic atmosphere (Lettuce usually does a good job at setting the stage) and a curiously short Alpana Singh-selected wine list; the choices are good, however. Saltaus has already bitten the dust, sort of, with the departure of Chef Taus as a partner. Not sure what that's all about, but his Zealous is the kind of place that doesn't get mentioned too often yet is still around. I want to spend more time at Custom House in '06!

Actually, the 7-11 just may be on the Glencoe side of the border. I'll have to do some sleuthing and report back.

Hubbard Woods is, indeed, a part of Winnetka. The border lies on the north end of the shopping center at Green Bay Road that has Walgreen's and Boston Blackie's.

A friend is going to Gallup soon and needs some good places to dine. I claimed total ignorance, so I'm putting the question out to eGulleters. Thanks!

The "service" we received the night we went was a far cry from the polished service described in the review. Certainly things may have improved (or maybe, just maybe, the review was recognized, as he's a big champion of Chef Michael?), but I'm loathe to even consider giving Michael another try, so bad was our experience there. I'll leave it up to other eGulleters to try it and report back. I truly wish anyone who does a good time, but don't say you haven't been warned.

Ron, based on our experience there, I'd have no doubts that you'd have wonderful food and service at Custom House. Please bear in mind, however, that when we went, they were doing a "soft opening" (only about two-thirds full on Saturday night), presumably to not overwhelm themselves. However, they're a very professional team and I'm confident that, a couple weeks later, they've addressed any problems they may have had. I'd say go for it!

All right, Ronnie, you shamed me into it! We dined at Custom House on Saturday, November 5, just one week after they opened with a "soft opening" (booking less than capacity). They still hadn't gotten their liquor license, so we brought a nice bottle of Matanzas Creek Journey to enjoy. We should have bought two bottles, because we really had to pace our drinking. The room is absolutely gorgeous. Subdued shades of grey, red, and cream, with dark wood trim. Not even remotely "prairie style," like the room's previous incarnation, but modern, sleek, and cozy. There are very comfortable banquettes, booths, and tables spaced nicely, and two large round tables in two semi-private corners that just scream out, "Dinner Party!" The service was flawless, even after only a week. Waitstaff was knowledgable, friendly, and solicitous. The food was exceptional (more about that later): tasty, beautifully but simply presented, and unique. Who says a restaurant can't have its act together right at opening? (Take THAT, Michael!) The menu is not unlike Craft in NYC. First courses ($6-$16) are devoted to Raw Fish & Shellfish, Raw/Cured/Marinated Meats, Roasted Meats, Salads, and Soups. For Main Courses ($18-$38), there are four to six choices in each of the following: Fish & Shellfish; Meats, Roasted (four steaks inexplicably listed here, despite the fact they're grilled); and Meats, Braised. To round things out, Sides (6-$10) include Vegetables (seasonal), Potatoes, and Grains & Pastas. We stared out with sweet Maine Crab done with the flavors of Caesar Salad with white sardines atop a bed of charred pimento; and the exquisite quail (mentioned in a previous review here) roasted with parsnips and served onion beignets (!) and caramel. Main courses included a slightly dry short rib (a bit more braising would have made the meat more succulent, but the flavors were right on) with horseradish cream puffs (!), and a superlative Roasted duck breast (medium, thankyouverymuch) with leg confit done with spiced apple and pumpkin. For sides, we shared buttered baby orange and yellow carrots, delicious salsify braised in an orange- and vanilla-scented cream, and truffled roasted fingerling potatoes. Desserts ($10) were a new revelation altogether. You know, one of those dessert menus where you can't decide what to order? We settled on a milk chocolate tart with peanut butter mousse, honey creme fraiche, and peanuts - it was like the BEST Resse's Peanut Butter Cup I've ever had. We also tried a transcendant coconut parfait which was served with rum-poached Medjool dates, roasted banana sauce, and toasted coconut. I must echo the previous review that this place is going to be HOT. The management, kitchen, and waitstaff obviously have the "hospitality" aspect of the Hospitality Industry down pat, and make their tough jobs look effortless. We will be returning very shortly.

Thanks for the suggestions! Ron, you will lose all track of time at Niman's website - make sure you have plenty of time before you log on!

Does Zier's carry Kurobuta pork? I'm dying to try a crown roast, but can only find one outfit in NYC, Lobel's, which will ship. It'd be nice to have a local supplier for this. Lobel's is charging $198 for the 8-10# roast, by the way, which sounds kind of high. I know this stuff isn't cheap, but didn't know if this was out of line.

This soup sounds (and looks!) terrific. I have to try it now. And oxtails are on sale this week at my local grocery store. Thanks!

That reminds me of the line in Albert Brooks's Defending Your Life about strip malls: "I've never been to one because I don't like frozen yogurt and I do my own nails." But seriously, if the mediocre experience (I didn't stick around long enough for the meal) I had at Michael the other night is as good as it's going to get, I'm afraid another nail has been driven into the coffin of decent north shore restaurants. One would think that the income level up here could support more (and better) establishments. I'm getting tired of "upscale" chain restaurants. [/bitchin' 'n moanin' - for now]

A general lack of care won't be cured with time. The experience left such a bad taste in my mouth that I've little desire to try again. It's a shame since it's so close to home and goodness knows we could use some better restaurants on the north shore.

We tried to ignore the maître d's supercilious perusal of our party of three as we settled into the requested u-shaped booth along the far wall of Michael's cozy dining room. Once seated, the offensive artificial flower arrangements which line the back wall were thankfully out of our line of sight. What we were able to see from our seats, however, answered the question of just where Northfield's Willow Inn Club's patrons had gotten to since that venerable culinary warhorse had closed. That we were able to snag a table on Saturday night lent a ghoulish tinge to that answer. There were other things to look at, as a flurry of activity played out in front of us, with waiters enthusiastically rushing back and forth, yet not seeming to be doing much, all at the same time. Much energy was spent moving wine buckets out of the way of clumsy service trolleys which had trouble maneuvering between the chairs and booths of Saturday night diners. On the trolleys sat interesting-looking food, mostly plated on the same faux-Villeroy and Boch Basket Weave-patterned plates. Twenty minutes after sitting down, our cocktail order was taken, and we were told that a wine list was busy being sought. One of the cocktails, straight-up Grey Goose, had to be sent back because of the presence of Vermouth. After waiting for fifteen minutes for the corrected drink to arrive ("We're very busy and the bartender has a lot of drinks to make," our server offered), we asked about the evening's specials. One was quail stuffed with what the waiter called "pan Pedro." We asked if he meant pain perdu and he sheepishly conceded that he did. Fifty minutes after we sat down, one of us ordered just that, asking to have the quail cooked to medium. The server informed us that, "the chef won't cook anything past medium-rare." As I had planned to order the roasted duck breast and leg confit, I asked if he'd double-check with the chef about this policy, but to please preface the question with the reminder that it was we who were going to be paying the bill that evening. In the intervening minutes, we looked longingly at the bottom of the menu, which advertised five- and seven-course tasting menus, but available only to diners on Monday to Thursday evenings. At the one-hour mark, the server re-appeared with our answer: Yes, the chef would cook to medium just for us. By that time, we'd had time to look at the all-over-the-map wine list, whose selections in the $40-$60 range suddenly jumped to the $130-and-up range. It just may be that chef-owner (or Cuisinère, as the front door plaque proudly reads) Michael Lachowicz brought some bottles with him from his previous stint at Le Français and augmented the selection with some more neighborhood-friendly options. Fair enough, but where were the in-between options? Anyway, after seventy minutes of wondering just how long the evening was going to last, we decided to make good on our promise to pay the bill and did just that. No one seemed to care in the least, except for the cheerful woman who returned our coats and thanked us for coming in and hoped that she'd see us again really soon. I doubt she'll remember us if she does, as she seemed to have already forgotten that she'd taken our coats just a little over an hour previously. Michael 64 Green Bay Rd. Winnetka, IL 60093 847.441.3100

According to this week's Dish: Sugar (108 W. Kinzie St.), a River North dessert bar that made a big splash when it opened in 2002, has closed.

Haven't been in about 2 years but it is very good. Interesting 'tasting' concept on the menu with the items loosely organized by categories that help identify how to pull flavors together. My memory fails me now so I dont' have good examples of the category names but it works. Nice wine list as well. ← Sanford is extraordinary. But as of our visit last spring, the menu had been reimagined into a more conventional appetizers/entrees layout. We wanted more corses, so they gladly did two half-appetizers for each of us. We each ordered an entree and then two desserts so that we had more of a "tasting menu" experience. Sanford is one of those places where so many things sound so good that it's hard to decide what to order, so their accommodation was much appreciated.

AND WHERE WOULD THAT BE?!? (Thanks for the wonderful report!)

Anyone? Anyone? Bueller? Bueller? Last I heard it was going into a new resort across Kuhio Hwy from the old location. Any word about the new resort?

Yes, the servers remembered our group fondly! They recalled they were a bit short-staffed that night, and apologized for it. Nice group of folks.

Morning-after mood: happy. We had a wonderful dinner at Sweets and Savories last night. We did cave in and had the seven-course tasting. Service was spot-on (we had three servers!) and the atmosphere pleasant. We started at 6:15 and ended at about 9. Nice pacing between courses, and the three desserts (there were three of us) were brought out separately so we could share each one. Highlights included (in no particular order) roast pork tenderloin with pomegranate BBQ sauce and traditional potato salad; buffalo mozzarella and cherry tomato salad with a touch of honey and a splash of "vintage" olive oil; roasted trout on oh-so-buttery mashed potatoes; heirloom red pepper risotto; white chocolate-Key lime tart. There was no reservation for out table when we were finished, so we lingered over coffee and chocolate-orange truffles. I hadn't been back since they got their liquor license, and was pleased to find a medium-sized but very attractively-priced wine list.

I seem to remember a few reports which indicate that they do -- but that the pricing can be a bit out of line if you go that direction. I'm sorry. I wish I could remember more details about that. =R= ← Yes, I believe they do, but from what I remember I agree with Ronnie -- the tasting is a much better deal. I think the dinner entrees were about $18-28, but I only looked at the a la carte menu once. I'd give them a call. ← Well, we're going tonight so I'll report back in the morning!

Does Sweets and Savories offer an à la carte menu in addition to the seven-course tasting?

You may think I'm weird, but I think it's kind of charming that places like these still exist. Not that I'd want to dine there, to be sure, but the people who go there regularly obviously don't know from good food, and they feel at home there. This sounds like the kind of place I'd like to stop by for a (very simple) drink and soak up the atmosphere and the "history", and no doubt end up smelling like an ashtray. I'll then leave to eat dinner elsewhere. By the way, Ron, you've outdone yourself with your brilliantly-written review. John Kennedy Toole lives!

I LOVE Bobcat Bite! I agree - one of the best anywhere. With Green Chile Cheeseburgers in mind, Ted's (as in "Turner") Montana Grill, the new restaurant at The Glen Town Center in Glenview, offers both beef and bison burgers (as well as a grilled chicken sandwich) in a Green Chile version. It's called the New Mexico and is surprisingly delicious. It comes with guacamole which you can ask for on the side. It's the closest I've found to Bobcat Bite's GCC. And while you're there, have the Strawberry Shortcake for dessert - they make their own shortcake biscuits. Ted's Montana Grill 1811 Tower Drive Glenview, IL 60025 (847) 729-1117