Recent Foodie Finds | chicago foodie girl

3.05.2012

Recent Foodie Finds

I can't believe it's already March. While February is usually intolerably long (and my least favorite month by far), it flew by surprising fast this year. Despite an emotionally rough start to the month and a wicked twisted ankle (which kept me out of the gym for three weeks - ugh!), February actually managed to end on a high note, thanks to some lovely visits to new (to me) restaurants during Chicago Restaurant Week.

I'm determined to continue the happy vibes through the rest of this month, as March can often come in a close second to February in terms of suckiness (the weather in this part of the Midwest is such a dark hole of depression during this time of the year). My ankle has finally healed enough and I'm jumping back into my gym schedule today; I have a meet-up with a friend at Bandera planned for the end of the week; later in the month Diana and I have tickets for a super-awesome event with Jen Lancaster (along with reservations at an amazing Italian place afterward) and The Hunger Games will finally be here (!!!); and by the time we reach the end of the month, it will be time for the start of hiking season! :-)

A few food highlights from February...


Strawberry Stuffed French Toast Bites at Brunch: Stuffed with strawberries and whipped cream cheese... quite delicious, but maybe a little too sweet to eat as a meal on its own. Diana and I split an order at the beginning of the meal (dinner has appetizers - why can't brunch?), which gave us each the perfect amount.


Lunch at Mercat a la Planxa: This is what it's like to share a meal in a restaurant with foodie people. Between the two of us, we had two iPhones, a Sony Cybershot point & shoot, and a fancy Canon Rebel T3i... and yes, we took multiple photos with all four devices. :-)

Serrano Ham & Fig Salad at Mercat a la Planxa: This is truly the mother of all salads... La Peral, Baby Spinach, Serrano Ham & Sherry Vinaigrette. Salty, crunchy, tangy, sweet - it has it all. It's so good that Mario proclaimed it to be the best salad he has ever tasted.
 
Peanut Butter Nutella Cupcake at Molly's Cupcakes: Mario and I ducked in there for cupcakes after shopping for new glasses across the street (they have the best frames!). Molly's is adorable, but I have a to say I was a bit disappointed with my cupcake. Each bite of the cupcake that included the Nutella was delicious, but the cake sans Nutella was dry and a bit bland. I'm not sure if we just got there too late in the day or if their cupcakes really aren't all that. I have to pick up my new glasses in a week, so I'm planning to give Molly's another try then.

Chilean Sea Bass Gyoza at Sushi Samba Rio: With parsnip purée, shaved mushroom, and black truffle-chicken jus. This was definitely my favorite part of the meal - it was so fresh & bursting with flavor. I must have uttered some variation of "this is SO good" at least ten times. Surprisingly, my main course (sushi platter) was my least favorite part of the meal - while it was good, it wasn't any better than the sushi I've had at multiple other restaurants. However, the amazing appetizer and the dessert more than made up for it.
  
Warm Fiji Apple Tart at Sushi Samba Rio: If the words apples and ice cream appear together in a dessert description, I'm almost guaranteed to order it. Apples and ice cream thrown in with some caramel and vanilla-rum? Holy deliciousness in a bowl.

ETA: Brunch and Sushi Samba Rio have closed.
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4 comments

  1. Today's Orlando Groupon: http://www.groupon.com/deals/see-eyewear-8?dl=d47388&c=all?p=0

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  2. Hi fellow Chicago Foodie! I love Sushi Samba, I just wish it wasn't so expensive!!! Also, Molly's Cupcakes are to die for! I get them whenever I visit my little brother in Lincoln Park, which is way too often than I would like to admit!

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  3. @Stefanie: Sushi Samba was amazing! I totally hear you on the price issue - I need to keep my eye out for more deals, as I'd like to go back again before Restaurant Week. I did go back to Molly's & had a different cupcake... it was 10x better than the first one! :-)

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