My Kind of Town…..Chicago is
Last week I headed off to Chicago for a family wedding. I used to head to “Chi-town” quite often, when I was a student at the University of Wisconsin Madison. I have always viewed this bustling metropolis as one of the most under rated cities in the US, offering its guests awe-inspiring architecture, swinging jazz and delectable dining. These gifts often go unnoticed as the jet set tend to favor New York and LA over the Windy City, which becomes inhospitable in the winter months.
This week the Windy City once again found a warm spot in my heart…I encourage you to give it a chance, if it hasn’t found a special place in your heart.
Although our itinerary was, for the most part, consumed by wedding festivities, we did sneak in some low-brow, high quality eats.
My sister came across an article a few months back in the New York Times on Mado. It is located in Wicker park, an upcoming area with some breathe taking residential apartments.
The restaurant is BYOB but they recommend Red & White, a chic wine store, down a few blocks. He staff was charming and extremely helpful as they are very familiar with the Mado menu.
As we enjoyed the Mado “urban-rustic” décor (exposed brick, oversized chalkboards with the menu written on them and distressed wooden country tables), we were reminded what a small world we live in as our waiter grew up in New York City and worked at Posto, one of our favorite pizza joints, in the city (God, foodies love company). Instantly, the chatter and Big Apple reminiscing began. We settled in, opened our bottles of wine and started to exam the menu.
Mado focuses on local ingredients, partnering with regional farmers to serve the freshest produce and meats available. In addition, a majority of the ingredients are made in house—I was amazed and I am not easily impressed!!! They cure their own meats, bake their own bread and make their own fresh pastas. After that introduction, I was excited to sample the menu.
We started with a few appetizers to share (as frequent readers know, this is always my preference). Chicken liver pâté accompanied by country bread, Grain mustard and sliced pickles; it was velvety and decedent, the accouterment’s perfectly complimenting the principal dish. Secondarily, the heirloom tomatoes with sea salt and olive oil and the corn marinated in paprika and chile oil (picked that morning) confirmed that they indeed embrace the local ingredients!
We opted for whitefish baccala, with spring onions and chiies, which was a lovely compliment to the farm fresh produce. Mado uses wood grill and oven cooking preparations — the personal touch highlights the favors of the fish and meat entrees. The hanger steak was charred, adding a grilled favor/ texture maintaining a juicy and succulent center (I love these contrasts). The polenta’s pungent bite (highlighted with gorgonzola) rounded out the dish…at this point, I was reeling!
Our server recommended the whole whitefish with cucumbers, pea shoots and mint. The fish was moist, buttery and substantial. (My perspective is that fish should be served whole, when appropriate…I love the flare, the presentation and the authenticity (if you can handle the appearance of the fish head)
Although the Homemade Vanilla Bean Rice Pudding and the Almond Cornmeal Cake with sour cherry jam and goat cheese were extremely tempting (if you have time, indulge and let me know what you thought), we needed to continue our tour of Chicago and were off to Chicago’s jazz standard, Green Mill Cocktail Lounge — a little spot owned in part by one of Capone’s henchmen and a prime hangout for the boss himself.
(OK, so, despite the time constraint, we did give in and quickly enjoyed a low maintenance, but completely satisfying dessert—the Migas Bark, thin bars of dark chocolate, olive oil and sea salt. A perfect ending…)
Jazz and Chicago are akin to Forrest and Jenny…they go together like peas and carrots…Chicago enjoys a slew of authentic blues and jazz clubs, dotting the city with their unique authenticity.
I often pay a visit to jazz club classics in New York (love Smalls Birdland, and Blue Note for instance)…all I can say is that walking into the Green Mill was indeed a unique experience — the sounds of a thirty person band illuminates the soul and makes you want to just tap your feet to the intoxicating melodies.
The décor was restored to its 1940 luster — the gold velvet high back crescent shaped banquettes lined the room, and an array of landscaped murals cover the walls, while the amber lighting set the mood for unforgettable renditions of “The Bird” and “My Funny Valentine.
This century old gem has housed the likes of Frank Sinatra and Franz Jackson.
Green Mill is a must if jazz, classic cocktails, and nostalgia is your thing.
Some other suggested highlights are: The Art Institute and the Terzo Piano café, Millennium Park and the Park Grill, Gino’s classic deep dish pizzeria, The Architectural boat tour, and 16 bar in the trump building.
Enjoy and Explore!
P.S. If Indie’s your thing, check out Sufjan Stevens – an ambitious rocker , who shares his thoughts on this fine city in a song with the simple title, Chicago (quite an anthem, in this writer’s view)
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