Restaurant of the month 

You've gotta try this place!

Irazu

1865 N. Milwaukee Ave. Chicago IL
(773) 252-5687
Monday - Saturday 11am-9pm
Closed on Sunday

Type: Costa Rican

Food: Tasty, tasty. wow, never had Costa Rican food and I'm glad that my friend Silvia introduced me to this place! Try the Casado which is a traditional dish in Costa Rica. Choose the rib eye steak (it's seasoned to perfection) which is caramelized with onions, served with white rice, black beans, sweet plantains, an over easy egg & cabbage salad. And don't forget to add the Gallo Pinto (the white rice and black beans are cooked together with vegetable and spices). Could there be any more food? I had enough left over for lunch the next day.

Ambiance: Feels like a small road side cafe. Totally low key and no frills. The food is the star here. It's also BYOB which is an extra bonus.

Chicago 

Places to try in the Windy City

Cafe Bolero

Type: Cuban

Food: Great food! You can order tapas or go for straight up entrees. My friends and I did both and enjoyed our food immensely. Ceviche was great, so were the mussels. They even had a vegetarian option, which was nice.

Ambiance: No frills restaurant. Very friendly, lively people. They have nightly entertainment in the back room which we didn't see. Either make a night of it or head over to the nearby AMC to catch a flick.

Chicago Reader review

Cafe Iberico

Type: Spanish

Food: The dependable go to tapas place. Love the croquettas, tortilla espanola and of course the queso de cabra (baked goat cheese with fresh tomato sauce)! A great value!

Ambiance: Always fun to go there with a group of your friends. You'd think with such a huge restaurant there wouldn't be a wait. Think again. The place is always packed no matter what day it is.

Check Please review
Chicago Reader review
Chicago Sun Times review

Las Tablas

Type: Colombian

Food: One of the best. Though the reviews below would have you think otherwise, definitely check this place out. The portions are huge! Would suggest the Matrimonio. It's a huge plate of strip steak, chicken breast, plantain, yucca and a small baked potato. More than enough to fill you up. My favorite though has to be the Lengua en salsa de alcaparras (aka beef tongue in spanish capers sauce). Amazing!

Ambiance: It's a BYOB and there's always a wait on weekend evenings. Like some of the reviews say, service can be a bit lacking on a busy night. Weeknights are better. Give this place a try. Witt's is just down the street in case you want a nice bar to chill out at afterwards.

Chicago Reader review
Chicago Sun Times review

Carnivale

Type: Latin

Food: Flavor that assaults your tastebuds! My friends and I decided to go the family style route which is a great idea. More dishes to share and try! Ceviche tasting was great, Ropa vieja and empanadas appetizers were delicious. Heard that the guacamole is to die for. We all shared two entrees, a special (salmon) and the pernil. Both were delicious! Can't wait to go back!

Ambiance: The owners proudly declare that the restaurant as "Featuring 'Latino flavors with the spice of life,' Carnivale is a reflection of Latin culture and community, as explosive and passionate as the people themselves." They aren't kidding. One of my friends affectionately refers to this place as loud and latin. There's a spacious bar to wait and enjoy your raspberry mojitos and an even more huge dining area. Wonderful bright colors, infectious latin music playing in the background and tons of people having a great time. If you're looking for a quiet dinner, don't go to Carnivale. Service was attentive, cheerful and helpful.

Chicago Reader

Bistrot Margot

Type: French

Food: Great value and great food. Steak frites is delicious and served in a huge portion! Worth a try. Haven't been back in a while so can't say whether or not it's still good. ;)

Ambiance: Cozy dining area. Walls are dark and place is dimly lit which lends to the overall intimate feel of the place. Service is friendly and knowledgeable.

Chicago Reader review
Chicago Sun Times review

Stanley's Kitchen

Type: Comfort food

Food: Man, oh man...two words: breakfast buffet. Served on weekends, this is a great place to help that hangover, catch a game or warm up on a cold winter day. There's even a DIY bloody mary bar. Choose from omelettes, to biscuits and gravy to mac and cheese. Yum.

Ambiance: Your typical bar type atmosphere. There's always a wait. Seats in the bar area are first come first serve while room in back requires you to wait to be seated.

Chicago Reader review

Toast

Type: American

Food: Wow, a different twist on breakfast. Love the eggs benedict (regular, crabby or veggie) and the bloody mary's are great. The french toast is immense and covered with fresh fruit.

Ambiance: Both locations are small and quite cramped. There's always a wait so be prepared. They don't take reservations so you have no choice but to wait. Reviews have commented on service being slow and rude, which I have yet to experience.

Chicago Reader review

Bistrot Zinc

Type: French

Food: Tasty french food. Love the duck and the mussels. Yum, yum! Great price and value for the food.

Ambiance: Small and intimate restaurant located in a noisy bustling State Street. Dining area is clean and simple, reminiscient of a typical bistro in France.

Chicago Reader review
Chicago Sun Times review

Kitsch'n

Type: American

Food: Another funky twist on breakfast. True to its name Kitschn serves up some funky breakfast treats. Love the Green Eggs and Ham, Chilaquiles, and Phat-Jacks to name a few. Don't forget a side of apple-maple-sage chicken sausage. Wash that down with a tasty bloody mary. ;)

Ambiance: A great neighborhood restaurant in the quaint Roscoe Village. And another one with huge lines for their weekend brunch. Decor is an homage to the 70's and a site to see. Small cramped indoor dining area but lovely patio out back.

Check Please review
Chicago Reader review

Bob San

Type: Japanese

Food: Wonderfully fresh and tasty sushi and for a great price as well! Loved the oyster shooters too.

Ambiance: The usual hip, trendy warehouse type decor. The staff is extremely helpful and friendly!

Chicago Reader review

Coast Sushi

Type: Japanese

Food: Another great Japanese restaurant in Chicago. The sushi here is fresh and there are some unique signature dishes like the Po Boy and Volcano Maki. It's BYOB which is another bonus!

Ambiance: Dimly lit dining area gives the place a very initimate feel. Staff is friendly and overall the place has a hip, trendy vibe.

Chicago Reader review

Red Light

Type: Pan-Asian

Food: Have a lovely mango martini to accompany your fabulous Asian entree. I recommend the jumbo prawn curry. It's packed full of flavor and spices...beware it's extremely spicy!

Ambiance: Dramatic decor starts from the outside with a red flame protruding from roof. Inside is the same where red lights hang from the ceiling and an open dining area gives off a fun, sexy vibe.

Check Please review
Chicago Reader review

Tizi Melloul

Type: Mediterranean

Food: Wonderful Prince Edward Island mussels along with fabulous humuus is a great way to start the evening's meal. The chicken bisteeya (traditional moroccan pie) is delicious!

Ambiance: You have to see it to believe. The bar is a minimalist lounge but the dining area is filled with various Moroccan touches from wall decorations to lights, to pillows.

Chicago Reader review
Chicago Sun Times review

Milk and Honey Cafe

Type: American

Food: Light breakfast and lunch fare. Delicious fresh food. Had the smoked salmon, tomato on a toasted bagel with herb cream cheese. Bagel arrived toasty hot and cream cheese had fresh herbs mixed in. Couldn't ask for anything more satisfying!

Ambiance: Simple and neat. Sparse dining room that is still cheery and bright. Outdoor patio is definitely better especially on a warm sunny afternoon. It's perfect spot to spend a lazy Sunday afternoon.

Chicago Reader review

Sushi X

Type: Sushi

Food: A best kept secret from former Sushi Wabi chefs. Fabulous, fresh sushi. Try the Yellow Jacket: hamachi, shitake, avocado, wasabi mayo, and mango on the outside. Amazing...you can even substitute or add on additional ingredients for extra. The portions are huge and dishes are reasonably priced!

Ambience: Sneeze and you could miss the restaurant. The building is all black with no discernable sign. The inside is the same minimalist decor with seating for maybe 20 max. Fun anime is projected onto the screen accompanied by the usual downtempo soundtrack. Staff is extremely friendly and warm. (BTW, they deliver too.)

No review available

Books about Chicago 

Just in case you need more info on where to eat!

eat.shop.chicago (eat.shop guides series)

by Anna H. Blessing

Amazon Price: $12.95 (as of 07/09/2008)

Usually ships in 3 to 5 weeks

Time Out Chicago (Time Out Guides)

Amazon Price: $18.95 (as of 07/09/2008)

Usually ships in 24 hours

BYOB Chicago: Your Guide to Bring-Your-Own-Bottle Restaurants and Wine & Spirits Stores in Chicago (BYOB Guides)

by Jean Iversen

Amazon Price: $9.95 (as of 07/09/2008)

Usually ships in 24 hours

Los Angeles 

Great food in the City of Angels

In 'N Out Burger

Type: Burgers

Food: No nonsense hamburgers. The best there ever was and is. Make sure to get your burger "animal style" that is with pickle, extra spread and grilled onions. If you're really hungry you can order the 4x4(R) which is 4 patties and all the fixin's you could ask for. French fries are awesome as they are made from real potatoes every day.

Ambiance: No frills, clean white diner-ish place. Be prepared for a long lines as this is a SoCal fave.

The Little Door

Type: Mediterranean

Food:

Ambiance: Blink and you could miss the restaurant as there aren't any signs visible from the street. Inside you are transported to a different place. An outdoor garden

L.A. Times review
Yelp reviews

Mei Long Village

Type: Chinese

Food: My favorite restaurant in L.A. You can't go wrong here. All my favorite Shanghainese dishes are here: Lion's Head meatballs, stir fry shrimp, and a whole bunch of other dishes I unfortunately don't know the english names to.

Ambiance: Located in a strip mall, parking can be a bit difficult to find. Dining area is quite small and there could be a wait. Nothing fancy about the decor, it's pretty plain and nondescript.

The Hat

Type: Deli, Hamburgers

Food: Straight up great pastrami dip sandwiches. You will roll away from this place stuffed. Also recommend trying the wet fries (with gravy) or the chili fries.

Ambiance: Your typical no nonsense fast food joint.

Yelp reviews

El Tepeyac

Type: Mexican

Food: The biggest burrito you've ever seen. The restaurant doesn't have a website but burrito enthusiasts around SoCal religiously eat here. The Hollenbeck is a good choice to start off with.

Ambiance: Quaint old school restaurant with a nice patio. Nothing fancy about the place, it feels comfortable and homey.

L.A. Weekly review
Yelp reviews
L.A. Times review

Versailles

Type: Cuban

Food: Three words: Famoso Pollo Versailles. The best garlic chicken ever! On top of that you get some wonderful rice and beans to hit the spot. I don't know how many times this restaurant saved my life while I was working the graveyard shift in L.A. :)

Ambiance: There are 5 locations so ambiance can vary. From what I remember, the places are pretty simple and nothing too extravagant.

L.A. Weekly review
L.A. Times review
Yelp reviews

Ocean Star Restaurant

Type: Chinese

Food: The best Dim Sum all around. I've been going to this place every since I could remember. They have the largest variety of dishes and the carts never stop coming. They even have specials of the day that you can partake of. Sheer heaven.

Ambiance: The wait can be atrocious as the line tends to spill out the front door. But it's worth the wait. The dining area is immense so be prepared for a sensory overload. There's tables upon tables and the noise level is quite high. But that's what makes this restaurant a fun one to go to. :)

L.A. Times review
Yelp reviews

Books about Los Angeles 

Just in case you need more info on where to eat!

eat.shop.la (eat.shop guides series)

by Kaie Wellman

Amazon Price: $12.95 (as of 07/09/2008)

Time Out Los Angeles (Time Out Guides)

by Time Out

Amazon Price: $14.96 (as of 07/09/2008)

Hungry?: A Guide to LA's Greatest Diners, Dives, Coffee Shops, and Cafeterias!

Amazon Price: (as of 07/09/2008)

New Orleans 

Scrumptuous food in the Big Easy

Acme Oyster House

Type: Seafood

Food: Loved the oysters and had a wonderful gumbo. Tons of spices that added a perfect kick. Granted there probably are better places around, but if you're staying near the French Quarter, might as well drop in.

Ambiance: No frills diner, plastic tablecloth type of place. It's racuous, lively, and energetic. Being that it's in the French Quarter...it better be! BTW, be prepared to wait, there's always seems to be a long line.

Open List reviews

Mr. B's Bistro

Type: Cajun & Creole

Food: Went with a group of co-workers and we all tried different entrees from the Filet Mignon, to Mississippi Braised Rabbit to the Pasta Jambalaya. Needless to say we all cleaned off our plates, satisfied.

Ambiance: A bit fancy, given its location in the French Quarter. The place gets packed quickly so be warned.

Open List reviews
Yelp reviews

Muriel's Jackson Square

Type: Contemporary Cajun & Creole

Food: Delicious food, duck was mouthwatering and prepared to perfection. Definitely more upscale fare than the aforementioned restaurants.

Ambiance: Beautiful restored building that is equally beautiful inside as well. Brick walls and antique decorations give place a cozy feel. The mood is more relaxed and quiet. The restaurant feels like you are in a friend's home just hanging out. The courtyard bar is fabulous for an after dinner drink.

Open List reviews

Cafe Du Monde

Type: Coffee

Food: Plain and simple: cafe au lait and a wonderful beignet.

Ambiance: What trip to New Orleans would be complete without stopping here. Sitting can be hard to find as it's always packed w/tourists but you can always take away your food and pick a nearby spot that overlooks the river.

Yelp reviews

Books about New Orleans 

Just in case you need more info on where to eat!

Time Out New Orleans (Time Out Guides)

by Time Out

Amazon Price: $15.56 (as of 07/09/2008)

Hungry? Thirsty? New Orleans: The Lowdown on Where the Real People Eat and Drink (Glove Box Guides)

Amazon Price: $12.95 (as of 07/09/2008)

Washington D.C. 

Good eats in the nation's capital

Straits of Malaya

Type: Malaysian

Food: Curry Chinese eggplant w/chicken was tasty. So was the rice noodles in mushroom sauce and chicken. Made me miss the Chinese food back in L.A. :)

Ambiance: Place was packed and service was little to be desired. It was extremely slow to almost non-existent. Not sure if the staff was too overwhelmed for the busy weekend dinner crowd. Luckily the food was good or else I wouldn't be recommending them.

Washington Post review
Yelp reviews

Zengo

Type: Latin-Asian

Food: Fun and unique attempt at fusing two cuisines. The sushi rolls (volcano, lobster and angry zengo) were delicious! The ceviche sampler was great as well. All in all was very impressed. Left a little bit hungry still, portions aren't that big and probably eating family style with 5 other people didn't help.

Ambiance: Funky, hip space. Very open and lots for vibrant red and browns filled the decor. Upstairs dining area is open and lends to a very fun, casual atmosphere.

Washington Post review
Yelp reviews

Books about DC 

Just in case you need more info on where to eat!

Time Out Washington DC 3rd Edition ("Time Out" Guides)

by Time Out

Amazon Price: (as of 07/09/2008)

eat.shop.washington dc: The Indispensible Guide to Stylishly Unique, Locally Owned Eating and Shopping (eat.shop guides series)

by Anna H. Blessing

Amazon Price: $11.96 (as of 07/09/2008)

Hawaii 

Aloha!

Holy Smokes - Hawaiian Meats and Seafood

66-472 Kamehamea Highway (across street from McDonald's)
Haleiiwa, North Shore, Oahu
Open daily from 11 am - 8pm

Type: Seafood/BBQ

Food: HOLY SMOKES is right! This is one damn good place to eat! Shrimp trucks are popular on Oahu, but this one is hands down the best. Giovanni's, Fumi's, Romi's pale in comparison. The owner, Charles only uses the freshest, meatiest of shrimp (unlike the aforementioned trucks) and fire grills them in your choice of 3 mouthwatering sauces: butter scampi sauce, spicy cajun sauce, or a sweet coconut sauce (with freshly grated coconut). Besides shrimp he also grills steaks and fresh fish. He takes pride in his culinary creations and it shows.

Ambiance: There's limited seating outdoors near Charles' RV so there might be a bit of a wait, but it's worth it. Plus, you're in Hawaii, there's no rush, sit back and relax!

Matsumoto's Shaved Ice

Type: Cold treats!

Food: Yummy shaved ice! You get choice of 3 flavors including mango, lychee, passionfruit, bubblegum, honeydew, to name a few. You can also add vanilla ice cream or red beans to your creation!

Ambience: Feels like the local country store. Place has been around since 1951, founded by a cute Japanese couple. Be prepared to wait in line as it usually streams out into the parking lot. While you're enjoying your ice peruse the shop and take in their extensive line of t-shirts and tanks.

Comments, suggestions.... 

Let me know what you think? Have new places to recommend?