C House - Marcus Samuelsson, Chicago, IL - Lu
Dined here during Chef Week 2012, March 22. We tried the Chef Week Menu which was similar to their regular menu. Tried to make reservation for six people at 7 PM on Thursday and they said they had no opening, but had 5 at 6:30. We were there, obviously past 7 PM and the place was empty. I didn't get why they couldn't give us the reservation at 7 PM. The food was just ok - not mind blowing and not bad. I had the Walleye tempura to start, and the Flat Iron Steak. Some of my friends tried the Butternuts squash ravioli, and the Arctic Char. I thought the Arctic Char was the best out of all the entrees. They served a cheesy warm bread as well which was nice. Desserts were not bad. I enjoyed my Pot de Creme, and my friends enjoyed the peanut butter gelato with the dark chocolate mousse. I was expecting big flavor and getting swept off my feet by a Marcus Samuelsson's restaurant. After all, he's a Top Chef Master and could really give his critique being a judge at cooking show. However, I left underwhelmed. My friends said C House isn't his flagship restaurant like Red Rooster. Yet, he put his name on it. I didn't think I should expect any less.
Blue Ribbon Bakery Kitchen - West Village, New York City, NY - Ri
My husband, my sister-in-law and I had dinner there on May 9, 2011. A part of the Blue Ribbon Restaurants brand, Blue Ribbon Bakery Kitchen is a cozy neighborhood cafe in the West Village in NYC with an interesting piece of history on their lower level. While we were eating on the street level dining room, below fresh breads were baking in a 135 year-old brick oven that used to be the communal oven for the building back in the days. The breads are served in the restaurant, sold at the Blue Ribbon Bakery Market across the street and supplied to other restaurants.
I liked the coziness of the place, but as the small dining area filled up for dinner the noise level really soared and bothersome. And if you’re looking for some good food and not expecting anything too fancy, this is a great place to go. I enjoyed the Shrimp and Chorizo appetizer David and I had, but I found my Grilled trout as just okay. David really liked his Fried Soft Shell Crab and though Michelle enjoyed her Striped Bass, she was disappointed that they took the Smoked Trout Salad off the menu. Too bad we didn’t have any of the dessert because I heard their Bread Pudding is good. Overall, though I wasn’t wowed, I think it’s a good place for a casual dinner on a weeknight and a simple brunch on the weekends.
Za - Arlington, MA - Lu & Ri
Click here to read Lu's review on Yelp!
Va Piano - New York City - Lu & Ri
My friend David, took us there March 17, 2011. The place is beautiful with a lot of natural light. The concept is almost like an upscale food court that offers fresh ingredients and cook to order Italian food. Food was okay. It didn't knock me out of the park, but it wasn't bad. I didn't like the fact we had to come back to pick up the food when it's ready. They didn't tell us when the food was ready - no buzzer, no nothing so we had to keep checking. I'd say if you can't guarantee to give me my food right then and there, deliver it to the table. David also said that it could be pretty chaotic with a lunch crowd. I could only imagine.
Sam and Harry Steakhouse - Renaissance Conference Center, Schaumburg, IL - Lu
I went there on March 1, 2011 for a business dinner. The place is nicely decorated, and perfect for business meeting function. I loved the private dining area as well and it worked great for our business meeting. Service was good, and the crab cake was yummy. Their wet aged steak however was so so for the same prices as the Ruth's Chris, Mortons of the world.
Queen Albert's Filipino Restaurant - Irving Park Rd, Chicago IL - Lu
I came here with my food club on March 2, 2011. This is one of the most confusing places I've ever been to, starting with the name. I would never thought it was a Filipino restaurant. Sandrine and Scott raved about it, but I guess they just changed their cook. The food wasn't as good as other Filipino food I've tried before. Most of the dishes had very strong smell. The restaurant is definitely a dive, and probably can find one exactly like this in Manila, complete with the karaoke of 80s music. When we were there, they played it so loud and the same bad singers kept on singing bad songs. I saw happy faces on the table when the coffee patron shots came to the table. The owner did a shot with my birthday friend, Scott. She lit the glass on fire, and they raced to suck the drink dry with a straw. I put this one in the middle shelf for now, because I trusted my friends' taste in good food. Maybe when they trained the cook better, the food will improve.
