The Promontory-Chicago Restaurant Review

When The Promontory opened a couple of years ago, I immediately wanted to go. Mainly because it's in my favorite neighborhood, Hyde Park.  Also because of the concept of a restaurant, bar and concert venue all in one place. 

While in my hometown this summer I went there with a couple of friends.  The atmosphere was laid-back. I felt comfortable sitting there chatting with my friends well after the meal was over.  They didn't rush us out.  The staff were friendly and service was excellent. 

The food was very good.  My friend had the salmon and crab cakes. My other friend and I had the lamb burger with chickpea fries.  Yes, chickpea fries!  I had never heard of chickpea fries and was nervous and excited to try them.  The meal was delicious and if I never have potato fries again that would be ok because the chickpea fries were better than I imagined they could be.  

Lamb Burger with Chickpea Fries

I haven't attended a concert there yet, but it seems like every night there is someone performing there.  I like having a neighborhood place where I can just hang out and listen to music on any night.  The concert list is here. 

Salmon and Crab Cakes

The Promontory also gives back to the community with #hashtaglunchbag. On the last Saturday of every month they feed the homeless. Everyone is encouraged to come to The Promontory to help assemble and distribute 1000 lunch bags to Chicago's homeless.  When I'm there next year, I will make sure to attend #hashtaglunchbag.

Celebrate New Year's Eve at The Promontory with their NYE Tasting Menu. Find out more here.

The Promontory is located at 5311 S Lake Park, Chicago, 312-801-2100.

Hours

Dinner Nightly

Sun–Thurs: 5pm–11pm
Sat–Sun: 5pm–1am

Weekend Brunch

Sat–Sun: 9am–3pm

Weekday Lunch

Mon–Fri: 11am–3pm

Box Office

Thurs–Sat: 5-10pm

To find out more about The Promontory, go to their website.  You can also follow them on Twitter,  Instagram or Facebook.

Urban Herbivore:Foodie Friday

I live in Toronto and one of the biggest malls here is the Eaton Centre.  Recently while shopping there, the family and I stopped to get something to eat.  The kids went to Subway, but the husband and I wanted something different.  He had heard good things about Urban Herbivore, so we thought we would give it a chance.

You can custom make your own bowls by choosing from these fresh ingredients!

The Urban Herbivore is not your typical restaurant.  They take pride in offering foods with no chemicals, preservatives or additives.  Everything they make is from scratch.  It's plant-based food. Their packaging is biodegradable, the cutlery and straws are made from corn. Even the lids and bowls are made from sugarcane. 

And they have cupcakes too!

These things alone make it worth to eat at Urban Herbivore, but you know what else makes it worth it, the food. It is delicious, nutritious and amazing.  I have only had two meals from Urban Herbivore, but the next time I'm at The Eaton Centre I will go back to try more.  The bowls (Moroccan and Coconut Curry) are so good.  And they give you so much food that I split the bowl.  I have half for lunch and the other half for dinner. It is filling and makes you feel good about what you're eating.  

Moroccan Stew

If you are in Toronto and want to have some delicious and healthy food, especially after a marathon day of holiday shopping, I highly recommend the Urban Herbivore.  You will not be disappointed. 

Here is a link to their menu! 

To Find out more about Urban Herbivore you can follow them on  

Twitter 

Instagram

Facebook

Foodie Friday: Batter & Berries Chicago Restaurant Review

Cluck-N-Gaufre (Goof)

I love Chicago and great food!  Chicago has thousands of restaurants, but there is one I had to get to during my last visit. Batter & Berries is that restaurant.  I heard so many great things about it.  It was also featured on Chicago's Best.

I went there with my mom and a couple of friends. The restaurant was very crowded, but it took only about 15 minutes for us to get a table.  I ordered the Cluck-N-Gaufre (Goof) or sweet potato waffles stuffed with chicken. I enjoyed my meal.  I was so stuffed I couldn't finish it all. The flavors of the waffle, the chicken and the butter together was heavenly.



My friends ordered the Lobster Omelet and raved about how delicious it was. Sadly, I didn't get pictures, but I did try some of my mom's Fish and Chips. The fish was crispy and well seasoned.  The chips were delicious.  The food was great, but the service was better. Our server Tim was fun and attentive.

Fish and Chips

Batter & Berries is located at 2748 N Lincoln, Chicago. 1 773-248-7710. Hours of operation is Mon-Sun 8am-3pm. If you get there right before 3pm you will still get served and they don't rush you to get out. My mom, friends and I were there from 2pm until almost 3:30pm.  Felt very much at home there.Take a look at the menu. They are always adding new and delicious dishes!

Healthy Food: Protein Bar (Chicago) Restaurant Review

When I heard about the Protein Bar opening in Chicago I was anxious to visit.  I'm always excited to try a new restaurant and as a person who works out a lot, protein is very important to my diet.  Also it's great to have a healthy food option in downtown Chicago. We visited Chicago in March 2014.  I was able to get to Protein Bar two times.

Protein Bar was clean, very well lit, the wi-fi was great and the service fantastic! The first time I went there I tried the Guac N Roll. A Bar-rito filled with roasted chicken, veggies, and a cilantro lime dressing.  Satisfying meal!  It has 540 calories and 30 grams of protein!

Guac N Roll

The next time I went to Protein Bar I tried the Spinach and Pesto Bowl and the BGT Drink.  The Spinach and Pesto Bowl was a lot better than I thought it would be.  It has quinoa, basil pesto, roasted chicken, spinach and Parmesan cheese. The bowl is 480 calories and has a whopping 38 grams of protein.  The BGT Drink contains milk of your choice, I chose almond, Matcha Green Tea, vanilla whey protein and banana. The BGT Drink has 240 calories and 19 grams of protein.

Spinach and Pesto Bowl and BGT Drink

There are several locations open in Chicagoland.  Most of them are downtown Chicago. Hoping that they will expand to more neighborhoods. If not full restaurants maybe they could have Protein Bar Express restaurants located in grocery stores.  I think a partnership with Mariano's would be great!;-)

I highly recommend Protein Bar.  They are located around Chicagoland, Colorado and Washington DC. Check out their website and connect with them on Twitter and Facebook!

Update 4/3/15: Since I originally posted this restaurant review, Protein Bar has added more locations in Chicago and have expanded their menu!  Can't wait to get back to Chicago and try more things!

Caribbean Food: The Real Jerk Restaurant Review (Toronto)

We've been living in Toronto for several months now.  I've walked by this restaurant with the clever name dozens of times, but never went in until a couple of days ago.  The Real Jerk Restaurant specializes in Caribbean food.  I ordered the 1/4 chicken. The chicken wasn't dry and it was seasoned well. It had the classic jerk flavor.   It was smokey and spicy, but not too spicy. The entree included the chicken, rice and peas, plantains and coleslaw.  Everything was delicious.  The entire meal was filling and satisfying.

1/4 chicken meal

The staff were friendly and greeted me as soon as I walked in.  My take-out order was ready and waiting for me when I arrived. The Real Jerk has a bar inside the restaurant with plenty of seating.   They have events there every week. I will definitely return to try more things off of the menu. 

Gerrard Location Hours

The Real Jerk Restaurant is located at 842 Gerrard in Riverdale 416-463-6055. That's the location I went to.  The other location is The Real Jerk Beaches 416-690-8752.  It's located at 1004 Kingston Road. The Beaches hours are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday 11:30am-10:00pm, Thursday 11:30am-11:00pm, Friday and Saturday 11:30am-12:00am. Reservations are accepted.  To find out more about The Real Jerk Restaurant follow them on Twitter and Facebook.  Also check out their website for the latest events at TheRealJerk.com.

Honey Butter Fried Chicken (Chicago) Review

From the first time I heard those four words Honey Butter Fried Chicken I have wanted to visit that restaurant.  I finally got the chance while visiting Chicago on a very cold day in March 2014.  I made my way from my mom's house on the far south side to Honey Butter Fried Chicken on the northwest side of the city.

As I entered the restaurant I noticed it was packed with people.  There was also a long line for takeout orders.  I stood in the line trying to see the menu.  I finally decided on the four piece meal.  I saw the price and was a bit shocked, but I decided to get the buttermilk biscuit and a side of kale and cabbage slaw.  The price for all of that was $22.  I had to wait about 15 minutes for my meal, but I enjoyed the atmosphere and the staff were very friendly.

4 piece meal with corn muffins

It was a long trip home and I was very anxious to eat the food.  I had heard so many good things about it.  Finally home and I open the box.  I was surprised at how big the pieces were and that it was only white meat.  I share the meal with my dad.  Unfortunately the chicken got cold and I had to reheat it.  I put the honey butter on it.  It was good, crunchy and seasoned well. Probably would have been better right out of the pan.  Very pleased that the chicken was boneless. My dad loved the corn muffins that came with the chicken.  I thought the buttermilk biscuit was delicious.

Buttermilk Biscuit and Honey Butter

The kale and cabbage slaw was good and I loved the yogurt cumin dressing.  I would go to Honey Butter Fried Chicken again, but because it is a bit pricey it would be on special occasions.  I do want to try some of the brunch items.  My next trip to Chicago I will make it a priority to eat there again.  They give you plenty of honey butter.  I had enough left over to put on my toast and in my oatmeal. So good!

Kale and Cabbage Slaw with Pomegranates Yogurt Cumin Dressing

Honey Butter Fried Chicken is located at Located at 3361 N. Elston Ave. Chicago, IL 60618
(773) 478-4000.  Their hours are Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday 11am-9pm.. Friday and Saturday 11am-10pm. You can connect with them on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook!