Hot Spot: Girl & The Goat

Chicago is a foodie haven. There are always new restaurants popping up and you are guranteed to be able to find viable options for unique foods....however, having a husband who suggests we eat PB&Js on a Friday night when we find ourselves not wanting to go out and with an empty fridge, you can probably guess (if you haven't been able to tell by other posts), how picky he is and how hard it is to get him to try new places, especially since our budget allows us to eat out just once or twice a week.

 

Girl and the Goat opened Summer 2010 with main chef Stephanie Izard, from Top Chef. Since then, it's consistantly been ranked as one of Chicago's top restaurants. This also means that it's typically pretty hard to get into. Resevations can be made via opentable.com...but should be made months in advance.  We had reservations Summer 2011 which we canceled because Ben got scared of the unique menu and I was unable to find anyone to dine with last minute. 

 

I got reservations for my birthday this year and then Ben was traveling for work...so only July 9th we did a belated birthday dinner, mainly because that was the soonest we could get in for the two month look ahead, and this was 5pm on a Tuesday for two!

 

When we finally went, I was beyond excited.

The ambiance is dark, modern, and crisp. Even through it was 5pm, the majority of tables (and walk up bar spots) were already taken. While we'd looked of an example menu prior, we tried going in with an open mind on both budget (hey, we'd been waiting forever to go here) and food options. Their foods are served tapas/family style, which makes it easy for trying several to have a taste of everything.

Prior to our arrival, we'd spent some time on Yelp and other review sites trying to decide what to order. The menu is mainly divide into three categories: vegetable, fish, and meat. It changes frequently as items are used up.  (We were heart broken that the cheese beer bites were just sold out upon our arrival).

 

The first item we ordered was bread.  I'd read several notes about the olive oil garlic butter and fresh baked bread.  While the bread was delicious, the butter had something off about it.

In an attempt to get Ben to eat his veggies, I ordered wood grilled broccoli with bleu cheese and spice crisps (kind of like Rice Krispy cereal). This was melt in your mouth delicious! Of course, it freaked Ben out, so I ended up taking home leftovers (which I accidentally left in the car for five days of 90-degree weather. I would not recommend unless you want your car to smell like garbage).

Ben's choice for a side was an obvious one: ham frites (fries) with smoked tomato aioli and cheddar beer sauce.  I'm not a huge fan of french fries (I know, I know), but these were tasty.  Slightly over salted for both of us, but that was taken care of between the aioli and cheese sauce.

Because the restaurant's name does include goat our wait convinced us that we should order a goat item. Neither of us remembered eating goat before, so the goat empanadas seemed like a goad option and they were! Crispy outside, tender inside. Yum!

However, the main item to write home about is the wood oven roasted pig face. Keep in mind that Ben is a guy who hadn't tried mashed potatoes until he was 20 years old...he was the one who suggested we order this, as it's the most popular, raved about, item on the menu.

 

The presentation is beautiful, but we were instructed the best way to eat it was to mix everything together. You guys, I have never tasted something so divine, so savory in my life! And, the best part, Ben LOVED it too! Don't be frightened by the name, this is a must-order item!

At this point we were both getting pretty full (they also have a decent craft beer list so I indulged in a beer and two for Ben, which I encouraged, hoping it would get him to eat the broccoli. No dice), but a meal is not a meal without dessert. While the dessert menu was hard to choose from, we ordered the strawberry shortcake, which included strawberry ice cream and a twist with pistachios. It was refreshing and delicious!

All in all, I can't believe how good our experience was and how long it took us to actually dine there.  For $86 we had the five food items and three beers, which was surprisingly cheap to us. The whole way home we raved to each other how good the pig face had been and the fact that we'd eaten it.

Until next time Stephanie!

 Linked up with Hunters of Happiness and Glitz and Gold for All-Things-Thursday



Hot Spot: Endgrain

My second installment of Chicago Hot Spots. Enjoy!

 

A few weeks ago Ben and I both had Friday off. Unfortunately we also needed our tires changed and it was decided to use our glorious summer Friday to do so. Lucky for me, I have a smart husband who suggested that while the tires were being changed, we walk to Endgrain for breakfast.

 

Engrain opened this summer in Roscoe Village.  It serves brunch and dinner, but the big excitement is their doughnuts.  This Friday visit was our THIRD attempt to get doughnuts and the first time they weren't sold out.  They only make so many, and when they're gone their gone, so go early (before 9am) if you're in the mood for a donut on the weekends. Friday morning we practically had the place to ourselves, save a few tables.

You may be thinking the first thing we thought, $5 for a doughnut
and coffee as a special?! Seem expensive? Wrong, it's worth it.

 

The food is a spin on American casual, with a farm to table concept.  At the far end of the bar, the daily farms from which the ingredients come are listed. However, we didn't come for the food, we came for the doughnuts.

The story of the doughnuts is all about Chef Enoch Simpson.  Famous for his foods at Nightwood and Girl and the Goat in Chicago, he used to make his coworkers in his off hours.  They were so well liked that he decided to branch out and open his own restaurant.

 

There are currently four doughnut flavors: bacon butterscotch, nutella milkstout, mixed berry jelly and honey glazed doughscuit. We opted for two coffee specials and a third doughnut to split; leaving out the berry.

 

All about palm sized, each doughnut had it own distinct aroma and flavor. I started off with the nutella milk stout. A friend had warned this was her favorite.  Having had plenty of milk stouts myself, I was surprised how much a donut could actually taste like a drink, let alone a beer.  It also had the texture most similar to a traditional cake doughnut. I could see why it's a favorite!

Next up was the bacon butterscotch. I'd tossed this into our order last minute, simply intrigued by the combination and not sure just a dought each would do the trick.  At first bite, I didn't like it. But, as I let the flavors melt in my mouth, they became the perfect blend of salty and sweet. 

I saved the best for last.  The newest addition to Enoch's doughnut options is the honey glazed doughscuit. A doughnut sliced in half with a smooth creme in the middle and it was by far my favorite.  Sweet and creamy to perfection. It literally just melts in your mouth.

We were both skeptical that spending $13 on doughnuts and coffee would keep us full or was worth the money (although it's hard enough to brunch for one person on $13 in the city!), but it was. Be forewarned that all of the doughnuts are sweet. And while we thought they wouldn't be substantial, we were proven wrong because it was hours until we were hungry again. 

 

In fact, now looking back, I'd say I highly recommend splitting three doughnuts amongst two people to try as many flavors as possible. I promise you'll finish them. 

 Linking up with Hunters of Happiness and Glitz and Gold for All Things Thursday

Hot Spot: Big Star

I'm starting a new segment on the blog, Chicago Hot Spots. Whether they're up and coming or well established, I thought it'd be fun to document some of the "popular" spots around the city as well as give me a reason and motivation to get out and try some new experiences. I'm currently thinking posts will be bi-weekly; but let me know how often you'd like to seem them (and if you have any suggestions of places you'd like to see!).

 

The first has been a staple in Chicago for a few years now, Big Star. It's been ranked on some lists as one of the top 10 taquieras in the US.  Strangely enough, it's not only known for it's food, but also for it's whiskey collection.

 

When we visited, we kept it classic with a nice cold, ice cold, pitcher of margaritas.

Tables and seating can be hard to come by. They're known for their dog friendly patio seating, but any time you come, unless it's a weekday afternoon, be prepared to wait at least an hour. I'd suggest putting your name on the list and go to a nearby bar for a drink. They'll call you when your table is ready. 

 

However, there is a way around the long wait.  You miss the excellent people watching opportunity, but the inside bar seating is first come, first serve. Grab a pitcher and wait for some seats to open.

Not only are the margaritas strong and smooth, but the food is also fantastic. Fresh made gaucamole is a must try.

Equally appetizing, but on the greasier heavier side is the queso fundido.

And while appetizers are, well, appetizing, the tacos (and margs) are the real reason to come.  All tacos are ordered individually, which gives the you opportunity to try different tastes.  I opted for taco de panza (crispy, braised pork belly, tomato guajillo sauce, queso fresco, onion and cilantro) and taco de pescado (beer battered tilapia, chipotle mayo, cabbage, cilantro, and lime). Both equally delicious. It's hard to pick a favorite!

Word to the wise, err picky eaters, don't come and order something "plain". Ben's fish taco came out literally as just a piece of battered fish and a tortilla. So sad I couldn't even bare to take a picture.