Two peak doughs: scallion pancakes at Emperor’s Choice in Chinatown, and 1979 Multigrain from Publican Breads outpost in Oak Park.

Tempura Maitake Mushrooms with dipping sauce and hot Chinese mustard. Special appetizer @ Renga Tei tonight.

Santander wrote:1979 Multigrain from Publican Breads outpost in Oak Park.

Me too! It made my lunch yesterday a pleasure!

zorkmead wrote:

Santander wrote:1979 Multigrain from Publican Breads outpost in Oak Park.

Me too! It made my lunch yesterday a pleasure!

One more Near West, then: homestyle wonton soup with on choy and fried garlic and the "curry duo" appetizer with fresh roti at Habrae, Forest Park. Their curries trend sweet, but the aromatics just outright punch you in the face. The pre-mixed stuff everywhere else can't hold a candle to their shreds of kaffir lime leaves, pounded lemongrass and galangal, whole anise, and beyond. I find the whole place a Thai wake-up call and wish they were busier.

Santander wrote:One more Near West, then: homestyle wonton soup with on choy and fried garlic and the "curry duo" appetizer with fresh roti at Habrae, Forest Park. Their curries trend sweet, but the aromatics just outright punch you in the face. The pre-mixed stuff everywhere else can't hold a candle to their shreds of kaffir lime leaves, pounded lemongrass and galangal, whole anise, and beyond. I find the whole place a Thai wake-up call and wish they were busier.

Sweet Thai curries are definitely not my preferred style, so I'll navigate with caution, but next time I'm on the strip lookin for a Thai feast, Habrae it is. Yum Thai recently fell back in major favor with the fam (and me too) but "punch in the face" sounds right up our alley. Tks!

Pork Katsu at The Best Cutlet (or Choigodang). Nothing fancy, just a Fried Pork Cutlet with white rice and a salad (Korean cole slaw?). Simple and delicious.

The Best Cutlet
952 Harlem Ave
Glenview, IL 60025
(224) 432-5163

It is the Chicago Gulf Shrimp from Frank's Chicago Shrimp House.
https://up2www.com/uploads/20_05_24fran ... se2-01.jpg
https://up2www.com/uploads/20_05_24fran ... se2-03.jpg
Red Hot Ranch gets the majority of fried shrimp coverage, but the fried shrimp served at Frank's {#2} is just as good and costs less. Perhaps the reason why it is not better acknowledged is because the stand's soft drinks are from Keurig Dr. Pepper (not Pepsi-Cola). {More about that in the 'Something to drink' Rubric.}

Tried something new for lunch and it blew me away - I never would have guessed squash could taste so good. I enjoyed it so much I had to tell someone!

Acorn squash and tofu roasted with honey / ginger / soy sauce and topped with garlic oil, scallions and sesame seeds:


- zorkmead

Had a meeting at the Chicago Youth Hostel, so grabbed lunch at the little Cuban place next door: Cafecito. Ordered a ropa vieja sandwich. Really fabulous. Actually made the long drive seem unimportant. This place is apparently best known for its Cubano sandwich, but I can't imagine having anything other than the ropa vieja, now that I've had it. Apparently, they have more than one location. The one I was at was:
Cafecito
26 E Congress Pkwy Ste 1
Chicago, IL
https://chi.iheartcafecito.com/

Almond croissant from Fat Peach Bakery. Just a tad unconventional but the perfect laminated croissant pastry.