Rant Time!!!

OK..we are at a local breakfast/lunch place in our community. There is a group of people waiting to be seated and we see a man looking in the door assessing the situation. He leaves, a few minutes later I see him come in the back door and he and his friend seat themselves at an open booth. Ok..clever or just rude? I know how I feel about it, I was waiting and it was supposed to be our table. OH..the restaurant staff knew what happened and chose to just let it go.

ART BAR Riverwest

This is the coolest place I have been to in a long time. Art Bar is a very fun place to have a beverage. Not really a place to eat, they do have snacks but I would hang here before and or after dinner. The local art on the walls for sale is interesting and actually the best I have seen in a while. The neighborhood is a fun up and coming place that has long held the title of cool, it is just that not every one knew it. The crowd is diverse and interesting. Bartenders are hip, young yet know their craft. We went when it was not too busy. We LOVE ART BAR.

Centro Cafe RiverWest Milwaukee Wi

Here is the thing, Centro Cafe is an amazing gem. It is a small space, there will be lines..but it is worth it. I started with the Rocket Salad; arugula with lemon herb vinaigrette and shaved parm. My main course was Capellini Al Pomodoro. Very good! Fresh tomatoes, basil, garlic and olive oil. I had a side of spinach, sauteed spinach in evoo, garlic and lemon. The bread was crusty, warm and soft on the inside. Good wine by the glass list too. The only down side was it is a small space and it is noisy. The service is attentive and caring. The circuses can be interesting because of the close quarters. Diner23 gives this place 4 for food and 4 for circuses.

Chubby Hot Dogs

Special Alert! Hurry, run don't wait make your way down to Kenosha Harbor on Saturdays this summer to enjoy a tasty Chubby Hot Dog. Look for their cart..near the civil war museum. Grab a hot dog go for a stroll along the lakefront and take in the beautiful view. Enjoy and please let them know how much you liked it. The CHD crew works very hard to bring their customers one of the finest hot dogs I have ever eaten.

Mindy's Hot Chocolate on Damen in Chicago

First off this cute, busy little nook on Damen really has a good concept going. The service is helpful and attentive for the most part. The desserts are amazing good. Not a bad wine by the glass and beer list either. The food selections are very interesting and appealing..until you eat them. Chef please hold off on the salt. That is pretty much all I could taste : ( Our table had a nice assortment of apps and entrees. The mussels came with an interesting broth that we all liked. The savory monkey bread with prosciutto was very good. Pork tenderloin with pork belly, linguine with small shrimp, bacon cheeseburger with fried egg and a lamb sausage pita sandwich..again a good concept but..too salty. I really want to give this place another try so for now 3 triangles for service and 1 and 1/2 for food.

Maya Del Sol

What a gem in Oak Park! Great service and food. Try the sopas de tinga for a starter. Crispy corn mesa cups with savory chicken tinga, avocado, roasted tomatoes and fresh cheeses. The cochinita pibil is the greatest thing on the menu. Slow roasted pork in achiote marinade served with pickeled red onions and black beans. Be careful the habanaro salsa is muy caliente! The outdoor patio seating is very nice and fun. 3 triangles for food and service.

caffe DeLuca

This Italian restaurant in Forest Park is restful and fun. The food is very good and the service can be "iffy" but it all works out. For starters the steamed mussels and the garlic shrimp are a big GO! I'd leave the smoked mozzarella for another..no just leave it. The flat bread or small thin crispy crust pizzas are wonderful. Try the Napoli or the Milano very good! Chicken DeLuca is MMMM! Just to name a few tasty choices. They have a full bar and the wine by the glass is good. This neighborhood place is quaint and restful. Diner23 gives this place 3 triangles for food and 3 for ambiance.

There is a need for an update. Recent visits have proved to be even better than before. Try the Vegetable Lasagna, very yummy. Service has improved too.

Gratto Italian Tapas Glen Ellyn,IL

We had the pleasure of eating here on their opening day! Not bad for a first day. Bert the bartender took very good care of us. We visited a few more times, on a weeknight and found the food and service to be much better since our first visit. We were there again on a Friday night. The place was hopping! We were happy Bert the bartender was still there. Even though the crowd was a bit loud and pushy our experience was good. I hope this place does well, they really seem to be trying! We have yet to venture into the dining room, but for now the bar area is just right for us. I say the food and service (in the bar) gets 3 triangles.