Chicago Dining Guide: Monarch, Nellcote, q

One of my favorite past times is going out to dinner, and I have been spoiled lately with so many good meals around Chicago. People regularly email asking for tips on what to do, where to go, and what restaurants to eat at in Chicago, so if you are visiting soon or live here and looking for something new, definitely add these to your list.

The Monarch Chicago
Neighborhood: Bucktown
1745 W. North Ave.
773.252.6053

The Monarch is one of Bucktown's newest gastro pubs–ultra delicious food and drinks. We sat at the bar and were so glad we did–Brady, the bartender, was an absolute delight. Service is key when dining out and he made the meal special, offering recommendations, wine pairings, and he even sent out an appetizer he said we couldn't pass up.

 

And thank goodness for that! The entire meal really could have been an assortment of appetizers, shared and enjoyed. We had the fries with truffle mayo, soft pretzels with beer cheese, and the pimento cheese and white cheddar served with crostinis and hot sauce. Definitely recommend mixing the cheese with the hot sauce before digging in.

I ordered the duck confit open-face sandwich because I loooove duck confit. Unfortunately, with the pickles on top, this dish was a bit too salty for my taste. Tasty. But salty... and the shrimp puffs were a tad too shrimpy for me. Now the glazed beef short rib... THAT was to die for. Highly recommend it. I've also heard terrific things about the burger and the salmon, but I haven't had a chance to try either. Definitely next time I go back!

Nellcote
Neighborhood: West Loop
833 W Randolph St.
312.432.0500

Finally made it to Nellcote. Loved everything. Started with the bread order–which was delish. Then split the roasted half chicken and the mashed potatoes. By the time the Sunnyside Up Organic Egg pizza with fontina, mozzarella, arugula (which was bananas good), I had one small piece and took the rest to go I was so full.

Chicago q
Neighborhood: Streeterville
Type of Food: upscale bbq
1160 N. Dearborn Street
312.642.1160

Friday, February 22, was our official one year anniversary of The Everygirl. Danielle and I took the whole day off and it was glooorious! It also happened to be the birthday and post-day-birthday of two special people so the four of us went to Chicago q for a celebratory lunch! (You may remember we featured head chef LeeAnn Whippen on The Everygirl!) Sparkling rose, a great pinot noir, fried shrimp and grits, a half slab of bbq ribs, a bevy of desserts... I left there so so stuffed. Literally went home and took a two hour nap it was that good of a food coma.

I mentioned this in The Everygirl feature but I absolutely love the interior design of q. It's very Nancy Meyers. Kind of has that sophisticated beach housey feel. How cool is this massive back-lit art installation on the wall? LeeAnn has great taste.

Have you ever been to any of these Chicago restaurants? Which are your favorites? Any good ones I should try?

Restaurant Design Done Right

In preparation for the launch of The Everygirl, Danielle and I needed to get a photo of the two of us for the "About Us" page. Given the 25 degree temperature outdoors, we needed to shoot inside and wanted the location's decor to be both interesting and pretty. Because everyone has already seen inside our homes, we switched our mindset to shooting at a restaurant or coffee house. Cafe Kafka in Barcelona, pictured above, would have been the picture-perfect setting. Unfortunately, three round-trip plane tickets for us and our talented lady photographer, Maura Stoffer, just wasn't in the weekend budget. But we made due and settled on the über charming though slightly less posh local option: The Bourgeois Pig Cafe in Lincoln Park.

 

Like Cafe Kafka, it too has pressed tin, crown molding, bookshelves, mismatched chairs, unique lighting fixtures, not to mention some of the yummiest sandwiches in the city. Best part is it's right in our backdoor. Be sure to stop in next time you're visiting Chicago! And for my fellow Windy-City dwellers, if you haven't been, go. Today. You won't regret it!

LCY in NYC: Cafe Cluny & Pastis

Friday night out in the Big Apple. I put my girl Danielle back on the subway (officially her second time on the rickety train) and we ventured downtown, arriving in the West Village around 6pm.

The original plan was to mosey around, pop in and out of shops, and snap some perty photos before our 8pm dinner reservation. But after twenty minutes or so, our toes were frozen in our ballet flats and the soft glow from the French corner bistro, Cafe Cluny, tempted us. So in we went and lattes we sipped. It was delightful.

Cafe Cluny

284 W 12th St 

New York, NY 10014

212.255.6900

Shortly thereafter, we ventured over to the cobble-stoned Meatpacking District where we'd be enjoying dinner at what is officially my favorite spot in New York City. Pastis. Last time I was in town I ate there twice, and it was the first reservation I made when planning this trip. I have an addiction.

Pastis

9 9th Avenue 

New York, NY 10014-1203

212.929.4844

We showed up to the crowded restaurant an hour early, but fortunately snagged two stools at the subway-tiled and mirrored bar. White wine helped us pass the time until the rest of our party arrived, and we sat to dine. I had my favorite steak sandwich with Gruyere cheese, and split an order of the onion soup with Danielle. Just when I thought the night couldn't get any better, I look up and who do I see? Ryan Reynolds. I stared at the handsome face intently to make sure, but yes. Yes, it was Ryan Reynolds tucked into his fitted leather jacket and newsboy cap, placing a to-go order with the hostess while keeping his face downward. I can only assume the order was for him and Blake, who was lazily sitting at home waiting for her meal. After all, look at the size of the to-go bag. I was giddy and speechless and giggling all at the same time. I've only seen a handful of celebrities in my life, and most at a distance. But if I had to choose one to see a few feet in front of me, Ryan Reynolds is that choice.

Long story short: I love French restaurants. Go to Pastis next time you're in New York. I'm now craving that steak sandwich. And Ryan Reynolds is handsome.

View more photos from the night at Danielle's blog, Breakfast at Toast!

LCY in NYC: To ABC Carpet & Home and Back!

Where to begin! I FINALLY made it to ABC Carpet and Home. And it is just as overwhelming and amazing as you'd expect. The six-floor mecca of interior design and home goods kept Danielle and I busy for hours last Wednesday when we arrived in New York. Nothing impressed me as much as the collection of Aquasilk rugs we were presented with when we stepped off the elevator on the sixth floor. I couldn't help but stop and laugh, it was that great. The colors and sizes of these hand-woven beauties were unlike anything I've ever seen. Even the famously beautiful Madeline Weinrib showroom couldn't quite compare to the dramatic Aquasilk pieces. Saturated pinks, yellows, and turquoises layered one on top of the other, with steep price tags ranging from $5,000 up to $30,000 (at least that was the highest one I saw - wouldn't be surprised if it went up from that). Still, it was pretty fantastic seeing Weinrib's black and white Endless rug that is captured on her homepage up close and personal.

A few other items of note:
1. Loved seeing the Tom Dixon copper globe pendants in person! They are large and in charge.
2. Oh, how I wanted those blush pink porcelain plates... especially loved them paired with the charcoal grey version of the same style. Alas, $40 for a salad plate just wasn't in the cards.
3. Until the day when my dining room table is surrounded by a collection of Wegner wishbone chairs, anytime I see one, I will sit in it and have my photo taken. That's love.

While there, we also dined at ABC Kitchen, an entirely organic offering of sandwiches, pastas, pizzas, and entrees. I had the portobello sandwich and Danielle had the margherita pizza. Both were delish. As were the fries. The place settings were simple and charming, a combination of rustic white pottery and vintage-looking gold-rimmed china. The best part was that all of the plates, linens, and furniture in the restaurant are available for sale in the store. I'd definitely recommend enjoying a meal there, but be sure to make a reservation at least a few weeks in advance. We got there right when it opened so we were able to get a walk-in table, but within 20 minutes the entire restaurant was full.

The remainder of the day was spent walking through the city in the rain, popping in and out of some of our favorite shops picking up new goodies. You can read all about that on last Friday's post!And you can view more photos from ABC over on Danielle's blog.

Have any of you been to ABC Carpet and Home? What was your favorite part of the store?

*Note: All of the super pretty photos were taken by Danielle. The others are from my iPhone.