Foodventures: Washington, DC

My last visit to DC was 20 years ago when I first moved to the US at the age of four, an age far too young to appreciate what a fun city it is.

Of course, now that I actually care about money, the first thing that struck me about DC is the plethora of free activities; I especially enjoyed the Smithsonian, a museum so expansive and fascinating that I would have gladly paid for it. I highly recommend DC to anyone looking for a quick get away; flying into Baltimore (an hour away, where I lived for a year and a half in my childhood and is a city definitely NOT worth visiting) from Chicago was just $87 round trip!

But onto the food! By far the most important part of any trip across the country (other than friends, of course).

Parachute

To call Parachute 'creative Korean-American dining' is a misnomer; I'd prefer to call it 'American fine dining with a Korean twist', as the menu items had very little in common with the food I usually eat in the motherland. Nevertheless, the concept intrigued me enough to warrant a visit into a neighborhood that I otherwise never frequent.

The menu was full of intriguing items that embodied the creativity I often look for in a restaurant, but I wasn't too pleased with the interior; aside from a few tables on either side, most of the restaurant consisted of an extremely long table in the middle of the room at which multiple unrelated parties would sit side by side.

Foodventures: Pacific NW

My Pacific Northwest food adventure was actually two months ago; I just never found the time to write about it (things have been crazy at work these days). Nevertheless, here it is! I had such a blast travelling in the northwest US and southwest Canada over Memorial Day weekend - this was my first time in that area and something I had been looking forward to for a long time.

Owen & Engine

Owen & Engine is a British gastropub tucked away in a random part of town; it is actually right across the street from the movie theater that I go to but never noticed until a friend of mine took me there. Normally I'm not a huge fan of British food but a quick glimpse of the menu told me that I would be a fan of this place. From banh mi to paneer to one of the most decadent cheese plates I have ever seen, this place had it all.

And of course, they had a cheeseburger.

If you know me at all, you would know that I'm obsessed with cheeseburgers and all things red meat. Our server was very courteous and enthusiastic about the flavors on the menu. I took diligent notes, which is how I know that the burger patty is composed of 40% chuck, 30% short rib, and 30% brisket. A winning combination I daresay, because it certainly tastes different in a luxurious sort of way.

But I'm getting ahead of myself. Before I ate this burger we actually ordered a cheese plate for the table.

Longman & Eagle

"Never play cards with any man named Doc. Never eat at any place called Mom's. And never, ever, no matter what else you do in your whole life, never sleep with anyone whose troubles are worse than your own."

My visit to Longman & Eagle had been a long time coming; out of all the Michelin-starred restaurants in Chicago, it is by far the most affordable. I had high hopes for this place due to its high culinary standing.

The first thing I noticed is the poster above. What on earth is that quote even talking about?

Chef Week 2015: Tanta

What is the difference between Chef Week and Restaurant Week? The answer to this question - from the avid eater's perspective - is absolutely nothing. They are completely identical and equally glorious.

When my husband and I were dating he lived near a Peruvian restaurant that we used to frequent until  they seated us directly underneath a ceiling fan on a rather wintry day and served our food cold (though I ordered a cold seafood salad, so I wasn't too pissed). We never went back after that so Peruvian food held a special place in my heart, which is why I was beyond excited to go to Tanta for Chef Week 2015 per a friend's recommendation.

Restaurant Week 2015: The Highlights

I know this post is long overdue but I figured it would still be helpful - after all, Chicago Restaurant Week is not going away any time soon.

I managed to visit four participating locations this year and I intend to give each of them a quick rundown.

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Foodventures: San Francisco, CA

In early February I had a week between jobs and chose to venture into one of my favorite cities: San Francisco. Fortunately, a $120 round trip ticket from Chicago to Oakland enabled my binge-eating ways and bestowed me with an opportunity to enjoy some much needed warm weather.

My first stop off the flight was Hog Island Oyster Co. in the Ferry Building in downtown SF. The location was overlooking the Pacific Ocean but because it was nighttime I was unable to enjoy the azure hues of the sea that drew me to the city in the first place.

Facade of the ferry building

Foodventures: Orlando, FL

I was fortunate enough to grow up with the Harry Potter books as they were being released, and I was more disappointed than I would like to admit when I did not get my Hogwarts acceptance letter by owl post. Though I was old enough to know better (you must be at least eleven years old to enter Hogwarts), I couldn't help but be a part of that magical world.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter was the closest that I, as a mere Muggle, would get to being at Hogwarts. I decided to pay a visit to the newly opened Diagon Alley and attempt a food adventure (though Orlando isn't much of a foodie city).

Foodventures: Seoul, South Korea

I don't like my hometown much.

Seriously, with North Korea right around the corner, their sky-high suicide rates, insane academic competition, socially accepted anorexia, and plastic surgery addiction, I honestly wonder how anyone makes it out of there alive (literally). The five or so years I spent there around my tweens was more than enough for me.

But even I have to admit that it's a magnificent place to visit, and I am glad I managed to spend my Thanksgiving holiday in Seoul.

Foodventures: New York, NY

Last month I had the pleasure of visiting the city I would be living in had I not settled in Chicago: New York City! For me, travelling is equivalent to a binge-eating spree, with everything in between meals serving only as a way to kill time before I get hungry again. Naturally, I saw this trip as a perfect opportunity to expand my food horizons.

Unfortunately, I didn't have my camera with me at all times and was forced to take photos with my phone, which inexplicably broke down shortly after my journey; the good news is that though the photos are gone forever, the memories remain, and these undocumented places will not go unmentioned.

The Bad Apple

I love cheeseburgers.

Honestly, the word "love" does not adequately describe my feelings toward a good, juicy burger; it is really more of an uncontrollable obsession. As a huge fanatic of "ethnic" food, a burger is just about the only thing I willingly consume at an American restaurant.

That being said, I have probably consumed hundreds of burgers in my life, and it is rare that a burger meets my expectations.

The "Grizzly Adams" at The Bad Apple, however, went above and beyond.

Image 1. The Grizzly Adams

Namo Thai

Maybe it's the Asian in me, but I've always had a soft spot for food of the "Orient". For the past few years, my obsession has been Thai; I crave it to the point where I become a nuisance to everyone around me. Thankfully, this cute little place called Namo Thai has been within walking distance from my house, which has been a life saver.

My go-to Thai meal for years has been green curry with shrimp (or some other kind of shellfish) and a glass of Thai iced tea on the side, but Namo's $20 prix fixe menu encouraged me to switch it up this time. Instead of the usual appetizer-entree-dessert, Namo's 3-course deal was appetizer-second appetizer-entree, which in my opinion was a much better alternative.

Image 1. My one true love, Thai iced tea

Smoque BBQ

You guys.

This, without a doubt, is my favorite restaurant in all of Chicago.

BEHOLD, THE ALMIGHTY SMOQUE:

Image 1. THE LEGEND.

Sola Restaurant

Now that I'm working, posting regularly has been a monumental challenge. So much so, in fact, that the restaurant that I'm about to review was one that I visited over a month ago. Unfortunately, our need for money and sleep can interfere with our hobbies sometimes.

A couple months ago, I found a Groupon for Hawaiian- and Asian-inspired New American food. Intrigued, I Googled the restaurant and was shocked to find that it was within walking distance of where I lived. That's when I knew I had to pay Sola Restaurant in North Center a visit.

Image 1. The ambiance

The interior of the restaurant was lit with a grid of those Asian rice paper lamps that you often see at Chinese New Year Festivals suspended from the ceiling. Although you can't tell from this picture, there was also a faux fireplace that added to the aura of warmth. They were also playing Radiohead's "High and Dry" in the background, which is one of my favorite songs by my favorite band.

Hot Doug's

I am madly in love with the Chicago-style hot dog. I find it vastly preferable to its New York counterpart, which is immersed in what can only be described as hot dog water and garnished uncouthly with ketchup (the same cannot be said about pizza, but that is a story for a different time).

Image 1. The Fire Dog

This past weekend I had the pleasure of stopping by the one and only Hot Doug's. I had been meaning to visit since my college days, as the place was of UChicago-level fame (seeing as U of C students are generally too busy spending their days and nights in the Regenstein library - without eating, sleeping or bathing - to explore the city, something that is UChicago fame-worthy is a huge deal).

Sapori Trattoria

This restaurant review has been a long time coming; ever since I first arrived in Chicago I have been searching for the Italian restaurant to trump all Italian restaurants, and Sapori Trattoria in Lincoln Park, being the top-rated-on-Yelp restaurant that it is, definitely deserved a visit.

Image 1. I am impressed with the quality of my phone's camera

GT Fish & Oyster: Chef Week

Those of you residing in the East/West coast may scoff at the idea of having seafood in the Midwest, but really, what other choice do we have? I sure as hell am not flying all the way to San Francisco every time I get a craving for calamari.

Chicago Chef Week is March 17-21, which is essentially no different from Restaurant Week other than the fact that it's shorter and doesn't include the weekend. My friends and I decided to go to GT Fish & Oyster in the Near North Side for a luxurious lunch.

Image 1. House-made hot sauces

Tango Sur

There's a cute little Argentine steakhouse near my house called Tango Sur that I decided to check out the other day.

Image 1. Delicious bread

We were served with bread and butter upon arrival. The bread was perfect; crisp on the outside. soft and glutenous on the inside.

Bop N Grill

Back in the 90s when I was a kid, I remember Korean food wasn't particularly popular, at least not where I was; as far as I could see, the only people that ate Korean food were other Koreans. Things are different now, though, and the increasing popularity of Korean food has inspired fusion dishes which are perfect for people like me who are Korean, enjoy complex flavors and an amalgam of different cuisines, and find themselves craving a multitude of foods at the same time.

Bop N Grill - a modest establishment located on Loyola University campus in Rogers Park next to the biggest Chipotle I have ever seen - is one of those places.

Image 1. Korean-American fusion nomz.