Category: Chicago

Resident Foodies: Review of Maison Marcel bakery in Lakeview

admin

Plain brioche and sugar brioche

Resident Foodies say: Exciting news: Maison Marcel, a French bakery, opened its first bakery in the United States–in the Lakeview neighborhood of Chicago (in the building formerly housing the Melanthios Greek restaurant and very close to the recently opened Mariano’s). Arnaud Brochard is the French baker behind the menu of baked goods. We tried the plain brioche, which was heavenly, and the pistachio eclair, which was delightful. We can’t wait to make our ways through the rest of the menu.

The owner, Xavier De Yparraguirre, explained to DNA info, why he selected Chicago and Lakeview: “In New York, the market is saturated: Too much French, too much bakery, too much everything. Here, I can feel the people are more open about different kinds of food, different concepts. We can make a place here. I rode everywhere in Lincoln Park, Logan Square, West Loop. And it was like destiny. I fell in love here with Lakeview.”

Croissant

Pistachio eclair, croissant, and brioche

Paris-Brest

Resident Foodies: Robust rosa kale spinach salad at Left Coast

admin

Resident Foodies say: We ventured out to Left Coast, a cute cafe that specializes in organic, locally sourced food, juices, and smoothies. Today, we tried the Robust Rosa salad, consisting of kale, spinach, roasted broccoli, red onion, roasted tomato, toasted hemp seeds, avocado caesar dressing. It was fresh, healthy, and very tasty. We also tried the Light My Fire cold pressed juice (kale, spinach, romaine, cilantro, jalapeño, bell pepper, lime, sea salt) and the Fairways and Greens smoothie (spinach, apple, banana, avocado, spirulina, matcha tea, agave, lemon juice). Both were creative combinations, perfect for those who love veggie juice.

Resident Foodies: Four Belly ramen in Lakeview

admin

Veggie shuyu ramen

Resident Foodies say: We finally made it over to Four Belly, which touts itself as selling Asian street food. Today, we had the veggie shuyu ramen, with veggie broth | soy sauce | spinach | menma bamboo | cabbage | scallion | nitamago egg | red pickled ginger. It was tasty! What we loved most was how many ramen noodles were served in the bowl. It was practically the entire bowl! Very thin ramen strands, but a ton of them. It’s the most filling and satisfying bowl of ramen we’ve had in Chicago.

We also had the grilled sweet corn served in house coconut milk. It was yummy, though probably not as good as the one at Sunda restaurant. That’s more of a fine dining place, though, while Four Belly is at a much cheaper price point.

Resident Foodies: Mortar and Pestle pancakes in Lakeview

admin

Resident Foodies say: We went for breakfast today at Mortar and Pestle in Lakeview. We had the vanilla pancakes typically served with orange and thyme Butter, maple syrup, and powdered sugar. Today, though, we went sans butter and sugar. The pancakes were very good, but nothing too special. The menu, though, is very eclectic, with plenty of items, such as foie gras with eggs or on French toast, that you probably can’t find elsewhere. They also serve chicken and waffles on the weekend.