Chicago: From Sushi to Hot Dogs and All That Jazz!

When I'm lucky enough to be in Chicago, food is usually the first thing on my mind. This time around, I skipped the deep dish and enjoyed new and diverse experiences during a week in September.

Sushi Taiyo

Inventive, imaginative and satisfying. Also my first saki experience...perhaps an acquired taste?

We started with the Tuna Tartar - not to be missed if you're dining here. And then on to some rolls:  

• Ginza Roll (steamed lobster, spicy mayo, cucumber, jalapeno topped with tobiko and wasabi tobiko)
• Tochigi Maki (spicy tuna roll wrapped in slices of mango and avocado with a sweet and spicy sauce)
• Rainbow Maki (toasted salmon, tempura crunch wrapped with pieces of tuna, salmon, yellowtail, and eel)
• Red Dragon Roll (salmon, avocado and spicy mayo topped and marinated tuna)

Perfect combinationof ingredients and a place to revisit...because there's so much more to their menu.

Quay Restaurant & Bar

The menu is short and sweet with something for everyone. For me, it was the Seared Sea Scallops (butternut squash puree, toasted pumpkin seeds brown butter vinaigrette, braised caraway cabbage). I polished off every bit of it. And the butternut squash puree and braised cabbage has smokey bacon crumble mixed in, a surprise not mentioned in the description. Perfectly seared scallops and perfectly portioned. We also tried the Kale & Artichoke Dip and Shrimp Sliders (mmm...pretzel bun) to get it going.

Fulton Market Kitchen

They describe it perfectly..."The Intersection of Art & Cuisine". It was my pleasure to be a guest among good company, eclectic and creative pop art and exquisite food. Mixology fans will love the cocktail menu. I had the What's Up Doc (Grey Goose Vodka, Carrot, Ginger, Lemon, Mint) and the Eight Ward (Rittenhouse Rye, House Grenadine, Lemon, House Orange Bitters, Orange Peel). Both packed a pretty good punch! Our tapas do not appear on the menu, so aren't we special! And they were amazing mise en bouche, which included Portobello Sliders on Pretzel Buns, Pan Fried Fish served on a tablespoon, Beef Tartar, Fish Tacos, Chicken Satay and the melt-in-your-mouth Chocolate Creme de Pots served in an espresso cup. Tucked away in the meat packing district, it's truly something to discover.

Cantina Laredo

Classy and elegant, we got cozy at our round table beside the contemporary fireplace and enjoyed fresh Tableside Guacamole with warm Housemade Tortilla Chips. Their signature Casa Rita Margarita is a perfect combination of Giro Silver Tequila by Sauza, Cointreau Orange Liqueur and fresh-squeezed lemon and lime juices . My entree of Camarones Escondidos (grilled chicken breast stuffed with shrimp, topped with sautéed spinach and chipotle-wine sauce) was oh-so-good...I just had to share some with everyone at the table. I ordered a Cantina Mojito (Don Q Cristal Rum, fresh mint, lime, cane sugar) for dessert (hehe) with a side of Gran Centenario Tequila (smooooth). The best Mexican meal I've had outside of Mexico. 

McCormick & Shmick's

A steak and seafood USA restaurant chain with 2 locations in Chicago. The Wacker St. location gives you a prime view of the Trump building from the bar. My spirit of choice for the evening was a lovely La Marca Prosecco. The table shared some amazing Long Island Blue Point Oysters (and I love me some oysters!) and I really enjoyed my Asparagus Salad and Swordfish Casino (with lump crab, roasted red pepper, bacon, mushrooms spinach sautee) from the seasonal menu. Creme Brulee for dessert was the perfect end. And our souvenir menu to was customized with a welcome message for our party as arranged by our hotel concierge...sometimes it's the small things that count. 

And I couldn't leave Chicago without a hotdog moment. This one was from Uno at O'Hare International Airport. 

Love you Chicago! I'll be back. ; )

~ S ~

Tony's I-75 Restaurant...Got Bacon?

If you ever happen to make a road trip to Northern Michigan on the I-75, it's worth a pitstop off the highway in Birch Run, MI to grab a bite...make that a big bite...at Tony's Restaurant.

Recommended by a colleague, we ventured off the I-75 on our way to Traverse City, MI, found Tony's and bit off more than we could chew! Should have clued in when all the servers had "Got Bacon?" on their back. 

If you order a BLT, it comes with a pound of bacon. My turkey club came with a 1/2 pound of bacon and a 1/2 pound of turkey. We're talking BIG food! And if you like bacon (and every pork eating carnivore does), then you'll love this place. The bacon is GOOD!

Not in the mood for bacon? Then maybe try the Reuben like my travel pal did on my 2nd trip through. Or the Ranchero or Poutine that we had on our way back! 

The epitome of excessive food and over indulgence, but consider it a right of passage if traveling on the I-75....and the food is awesome and served with a smile!

~ S ~

A glimpse at the menu

Got Bacon?

The Reuben (front) and Turkey Club (back)

A closer look at the Turkey Club

The Ranchero

Tony's homage to Canadians - The Poutine!

I Haven't Stopped Eating!

It's been years since my last blog post. And believe me, it's not because I've stopped eating. Everywhere I go, there's something delicious and memorable! So much to share, so little time. Here are a few honourable mentions over the last few years...(within North America!).

Carlo's Bake Shop - Hoboken, NJ

My brother ventured out from Mississauga, ON to the popular Cake Boss pastry joint in Hoboken NJ and brought me back a chocolate chip cannoli. I was impressed that the dessert survived the road trip and was just as yummy as you would imagine. But my local favourite for take home desserts is La Rose bakery in Milton ON...and the cannoli are my favourite ; )

Mazaj Lounge - Mississauga, ON

Love this place! The food and service are great. And the best part...it's a shisha lounge. Great place to relax, socialize, nibble and puff away on some great herbal flavours. My favourite is the iced mango coconut after sharing a shawarma platter with friends.

Craft Beer Market - Calgary, AB

This is a Canada West joint with locations in Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver. They boast Canada's largest selection of draft beer. I loved the STIEGL RADLER - AUSTRIA ("A deliciously refreshing blend of Stiegl Goldbräu and real grapefruit juice. The sweetness comes from the fruit with no artificial sweeteners or flavours.") and the RED RACER IPA TAQUITO SKILLET ("Natural Alberta Chicken taquitos topped with pico de gallo, cheese, bacon and two poached eggs"). A perfect brunch! And all ingredients are locally sourced.

Fritomania - Orleans, ON
We drove about 1/2 hour from Ottawa to Orleans for what my friend promised would be the best poutine in the area...and she was right. Any food lover knows never to underestimate the side-of-the- road food hut or truck. Worth the drive to Orleans.

Paradiso - Oakville, ON
A new choice for a girls night out dinner in honour of a dear friend's birthday. We really enjoyed the live jazz duo, great service and even better food. We passed around cornmeal crusted calamari and hummus with flatbread (Spring Menu). I really enjoyed the Roasted Chicken Tagliatelle (served with penne on the Summer Menu) with herb roasted chicken, sundried tomatoes, artichokes and kalamata olives tossed with fresh arugula in garlic infused xvoo finished with crumbled feta cheese. We shared the Creme Brulee Trio for dessert...and the wedge of complimentary Pumpkin Pie Cheesecake topped with caramel, strawberries and birthday candle ; )

That's barely cutting the surface of the last few years. But I look forward to bringing you highlights from more food adventures! Find me on Instagram @shara.cheeranjie for even more foodie moments : )

~ S ~