Apolonia (Chicago)
It had been a hot second since I went to Apolonia, and I genuinely wanted to know if it would still hit the way I remembered. I first went shortly after they opened in 2021 and had a great experience, but I hadn’t been back in a while. This time, my fellow diners and I […]
Obelix (Chicago)
Obélix: French, but with a mischievous wink If I’m in the mood for “French… but make it bold, risk-taking, and a little avant-garde,” Obélix is exactly the kind of place that makes me order like calories don’t exist and tomorrow is a mythical concept. The room sets the tone immediately: warm, rich colors (that maroon/beige/brown palette is doing overtime), […]
Crying Tiger (Chicago)
Crying Tiger has quickly become one of those Chicago restaurants people The early online sentiment tells a consistent story: bold flavors, real heat, polished service, and a welcome departure from the overly sweet, overly safe version of Southeast Asian food many diners have come to expect. It’s the kind of place that attracts both neighborhood regulars and […]
II Carciofo (Chicago)
I was genuinely excited to try Il Carciofo. Between watching Joe Flamm on Top Chef, following his career in Chicago, and seeing the success of Rosemary, this felt like a must-try. Overall, the experience was a positive one, but it also revealed a few operational gaps that keep it from fully delivering on its potential. […]
Locavore NXT (Bali)
Locavore NXT arrived with a lot of buzz and even higher expectations. As the next evolution of the original Locavore, it positions itself as a hyper-local, no-imports, deeply Indonesian take on modern gastronomy. Early online reviews tend to echo the same sentiment: wildly ambitious, visually stunning, intellectually impressive — and occasionally polarizing on the plate. That […]
Amaru
Here’s your original review—now seasoned, sautéed, and served with a little extra flavor. It’s got the warmth of someone who knows good food, the honesty of someone who’s been to a few too many mediocre places, and a touch of that “Why is this happening?” comedy à la Sebastian Maniscalco. Review: Amaru – A Latin […]
Hiro Bar Izakaya
Hiro Izakaya – Where Tokyo Spirit Meets Chicago… Kinda Let me just start by saying—I was not upset when Porto left this space. While Chicago is lacking in Portuguese restaurants, Porto felt overpriced, under-delivered on several fronts, and never quite got their shit together. So when Hiro Izakaya opened this spring, I was eager to […]