My love for Pequena began when I moved to Fort Greene. It was just across the street and filled with Mexican tchotchkes, how could I resist? Here’s the deal – not everything is great, the servers can be snarly, and the place can get crowded. However, if you are patient, order a regular margarita and the plantain and black bean quesadilla, you will leave happy. The tostadas are also a win, but don’t bother with the chicken.
Category Archives: Eats
Dwelltime
Great coffee takes time, if you don’t have time, this is not the place for you. Though I’ve never stopped in Dwelltime to clack away on a laptop, it seems like a wonderful place to do so (unless it’s the weekend where they don’t allow laptops at the tables). I recently tried the strawberry jam and rosemary scone. It’s perfection! Don’t share it with anyone, you’ll be sorry.
Washington, D.C.
A weekend in D.C. condensed:
Pizza Paradiso – This place is solid. The pizza and the beer list are sure to please!
The Fainting Goat – I wanted to be more excited about this restaurant, food was okay.
Ted’s Bulletin – we went for the homemade pop tarts, I liked the donut better.
Oyamel – super Mexican spot, tasty food and modern decor
Bayou – Louisiana cooking, food was heavy, but overall good. If you like Abita, they have lots!
Batter Bowl Bakery – I got the sunny side egg dish and I left feeling hungry. If I spend $10 at breakfast, I should be full.
DC Brau – drink it!
Table Donkey Stick
Cold, tired of walking, and hungry, we found Table Donkey Stick. The restaurant was full, but we managed to get a table quickly. They were still serving the Valentine’s Day menu (a la carte), we ordered a few items and a bottle of wine, all PHENOMENAL.
Kumamoto oysters wrapped with cured pork – heavenly
Cheese plate with sunflower seed bread and honey – they could have just given me the bread and I probably wouldn’t have even noticed the cheese was missing, it was that good
Aged Duck entree and Cheesecake were also great, but the other two were out of control awesome! You must eat here!
The Radler
They have pretzels so I had to go. Unfortunately, I’ve had better (Bronwyn pretzels dominate all pretzels). I was also unhappy with the side of three mustards. They all had the same consistency with only mild flavor variations (my guess is they will improve with time and tweaking). But let’s talk about beer, tons of great options at The Radler! The space is ample and gorgeous, great for large parties.
Antique Taco
I can’t say anything bad about Antique Taco. I’m in love with the place – the decor, food, everything about it makes me content. The food is delicious, honest, and simple. I haven’t gotten to the cheese curds just yet, but they are on my bucket list. They also have Half Acre beer, yielding oh so many points in my book!
La Columbe and Glazed & Infused
La Columbe and Glazed & Infused, right across the street from one another in Wicker Park! This was fantastic news to me! If you haven’t been to either, go now! La Columbe is a must for coffee and if you’re a doughnut lover, you cannot go wrong with Glazed & Infused. What’s in the bag? A Maple Bacon Long John.
Coppervine
Coppervine saved my Valentine’s Day this year! Though our table’s location (heavily trafficked) and size (tiny) was not ideal, at least we were able to get a reservation (Grass Fed decided to close with only a few days notice to make a new reservation and I’m still mad). I was intrigued by the drink pairings offered on the fixed v-day menu (beer, wine, and cocktail) and ready to get out of the frigid February temps of Chicago.
The meal was decent. I felt they stretched themselves thin, serving too many options and not mastering any of them. The cheese plate would be my top pick of the dinner. I would go back for the regular menu, their playfulness in pairing is exciting and unique, certainly cause for a return trip.
The Gage
house crafted sausages
The Gage is conveniently located across from Millennium Park. The 300 seat restaurant feels like a cross between an old school steakhouse and an Irish pub. Portions here are generous (I couldn’t take the sausage plate down) and the beet plate is better than expected.
salt roasted beets
SmallBar – Division
What better way to begin a trip to Chicago than with fried cheese curds from a bar that shares my name? SmallBar is empty on a Thursday afternoon; a welcome contrast to a full aircraft of screaming children.
Rundown:
- Beer list is excellent
- Curds are okay
- Burger – fine, not spectacular
