Caffe Gelato

Caffe Gelato is located at 2034 W Division St, Chicago, IL 60622. This is one of the best places you must go for gelato (Italian ice cream) in Chicago.

I read all the good reviews about this place. Actually we visited this place once when Fen visited us from Malaysia. We wanted her to try some gelato, which I think we can hardly find in Malaysia. But, they were closed on winter. We went there again with Say Ing when they reopen on spring. When I first step in, I really can’t wait to try that out. They offer over 30 flavors of gelato from the classic to the creative. I know that will be too much to decide. But don’t worry, they will let you sample as many as you want.

I had a cup of small café mocha. It has a smooth, fine and silky texture. I am so happy to know that it is less fat and calorie than traditional American ice cream. Though, it is more dense and creamier. It costs USD3.50. Say Ing had the big cup of double flavor, can’t really remember what’s the greenish flavor is. And, Eric had the white one.

I also had a latte to go.

Also, there are some nice imported cookies and snacks on the wall rack, if you would like a nice little addition to serve with your coffee. Pictures hanging all around the restaurant bring out the taste of Italy. This place is one of our top lists to visit especially on summer.

Mrs. Murphy and Sons

This Irish Bistro is located at 3905 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60613

We drive all the way down to Lincoln Square from the burb for this Irish bar that recommended by Metromix. It’s not easy to find an Irish bar in Chicago. We were there for Sunday brunch.

Murphy Law’s – The best things are said after someone else wants the check. Bulleit bourbon, espresso and crème de cacao swerved chilled and straight up.
Eric ordered the Murphy Law. The intense bittersweet coffee flavor reminds me the traditional black coffee in Malaysia. (Kopi O)

Irish beer – Kinsale Irish LagerI ordered Irish beer. It’s 50% off on Sunday brunch. Cost only USD2.50. But, they do not have much selection for imported beer. Though, I can’t really differentiate them.

Grilled Chicken & Apple – Grilled chicken breast, apple, cashed bleu cheese, walnuts, dried cherries, mixed greens, and bleu cheese dressing. This nutty apple salad is really delicious. It’s a great way to have fruit and green in a dish to fulfill the nutritional requirement. It’s wealthy, healthy and satisfying salad with only USD9.50. What a bargain! I will give it 4 out of 5.

Irish Smoked Salmon Benedict - Toasted crumpets topped with two poached eggs, Irish smoked salmon, and a lemon herb hollandaise sauce. I ordered the salmon benedict as this is the only seafood dish on the menu. It served hot. It’s relatively same as the egg benedicts but serve with salmon rather than bacon. Smoked salmon is a little too salty. And, it’s not as good as it looks.

Grilled Chicken Breast – Grilled chicken, Irish cheddar, red onion marmalade, & roasted garlic mayo.This is a very big portion especially for the Sunday brunch. Finishing the whole dish will probably exceeded the recommended fat intake for the entire day. But, it really taste good, especially with the tangy Irish cheddar cheese that melted in a soft and fresh bread. I definitely recommend this to any sandwich lovers.

Alt Thai

We have been dinning at more than 10 Thai restaurant around Chicago area since we moved here.

In fact, I wanted to try Latino food at a salsa club but ended up in this Thai restaurant because it is close to the plant nursery that we are visiting (can't wait to bring those fresh & colorful flowers back to brighten up the house). This contemparary and cozy restaurant is right next to the Arlington Heights theatre.

I had the Pad Kee Mao and requested it to be spicy. The server advice me to order the medium spicy. I really doubt it will be spicy especially for a Malaysian spicy lover like me. But, I still change to medium, as I know Eric can’t really take spicy food. And, he might try some of mine. Luckily we only had the medium. I finished the whole dish with sweats and tears. (the first time ever) I can’t tell if it was good as HOT was overwhelm my sense of taste. But, it was too much veggie with only 20% of noodle.

Eric ordered the “Big Plate” for his entrée – Combination of alt Thai’s popular appetizer & rolls: Fresh asparagus & shrimp rolls, Crispy salmon rolls, Shrimp dumplings, Pork on skewers & satay chicken. Eric love the salmon rolls that comes with Thai basil makes it a unique and tangy combination. I think it’s inappropriate to have the asparagus & shrimp roll (Vietnam) and shrimp dumpling (dim sum) in this sampling plate – too variety. But, I do like their assorted dipping sauce for every single appertizer.

Thai iced tea is the best of all. Overall, I think their foods are overpriced compared to other Thai in the area. But, the presentation is outstanding.

Chicken Rice

This is our quick fix meal – roasted chicken rice. We usually buy a roasted chicken from Meijer. (A superstore that close to our house) Their roasted chicken is sooo.. good. It’s only USD4.95 for the whole chicken. If you go there after work you might have to bear with the queue.

Quick, simple and delicious!

Semi-homemade roasted chicken rice @ E & F Eatery
Rice (4 cups)
Water
Butter (4 Tbsp)
Chop garlic (4 Tbsp)
Grated ginger (6 Tbsp)
Salt (to taste)
Prepare: Heat up the rice cooker and add in butter, chop garlic, grated ginger and salt. Fry till fragrance then pour in rice & water.

Sauce for the chicken
Oyster Sauce
Soy sauce
Sesame oil
Chicken Broth (from the chicken)
Prepare: Mixed all ingredients in a bowl, heat up and serve.

I wish I can have Singapore chicken rice now….yum yum…

Cafe Ba.Ba.Reeba

Tapas is small variety of appetizer to accompany a drink – Spanish cuisine. To me, this is a new & fantastic concept. And, it’s a good place for group to taste and share the different dishes. It was our first Tapas experience. I was not disappointed as their foods were excellent and the sangria was unbeatable. We had the half pitcher of peach & red sangria one of their famous drinks. Eric said it tasted like fruit punch. This place is quite crowded where we had to wait 20 mins to be seated. Besides, they can be better by playing some music.

Cafe Ba.Ba.Reeba

Peach Sangria – White sangria

Fried Calamari

Chicken

Yanni's Greek Restaurant

I couldn’t tell whether this is an authentic Greek restaurant because it’s my first time on Greek. They have a big lamb menu. I had the braised lamb with artichoke. Taste weird. It was a big portion. I didn’t even take away the leftover . But, the Souvlakia and pork chop were OK. Baklava was too sweet for me. Though, I love the cozy ambience and the rustic fireplace. Desserts are not on the menu. But they will bring the dessert of the day to let you choose from your table. The service was friendly. Right after we stepped out from the restaurant, Eric said “No more Greek, please”. :- (

Souvlakia – Four skewered pork kebobs off the grill with free lemon juice, oregano & olive oil

Pork Chop – Two 13oz double cut pork chop

Braised Lamb with Artichoke – Braised lamb in an egg lemon dill sauce servedwith artichokes

Baklava

Mon Ami Gabi

We have a good dinning experience in this place. This restaurant consider as one of our best selections during our trip to Las Vegas, NV on winter 2007. Foods were excellent and service was good. Most importantly, we can enjoy the Bellagio’s music fountain that Eric loves it so much while dinning at the patio. The outdoor patio heaters are available on winter.

Salmon, dijon crust, pomme puree, balsamic & chive oil – The pomme puree taste so good especially serving with the chive oil. The Dijon crust doesn’t taste as good as I am expected. I will give it a 3/5 ptns.

Bacon Wrapped Pork Tenderloin, gratin potatoes & cider sauce – Eric like it so much. I love the spinach of the dish as I am not a big fan of pork.

Crème brulee, one of my favorite desserts. It taste like jelly with a smooth texture, sweet and flavorful. But, it is a little bit bitter on the top layer (the sugar crust). I think it is over heat. Overall, it taste good. This is my first time of tasting this French famous dessert.

Gabi's Cocktail - Red Lillet, filled to the top with Champagne