dining

Old Chinatown in Chicago

August 27, 2014 by info@3QuartersToday.com

Chicago’s Chinatown was just about what I expected.

Every big city has its own cultural diversity, each has their own neighborhood where they live, shop and gather. If you have never been to China or a metropolitan Chinatown then it’s an experience not to be missed. Now that my son is living in Chicago I have the opportunity, and excuse, to visit Chicago on a regular basis, and I’m going to play tourist whenever I can find the time. This trip we took in a boat ride, Billy Joel in Wrigley Stadium and Chinatown.

It’s easy to get to Chicago’s Old Chinatown from the Chicago CTA, just take the Red line to the Cermak-Chinatown stop and it’s only one block from the station.

From the CTA Station you turn right and go into a very modern shopping mall that looks very much like every other shopping mall, but the signs and decor is oriental in nature.But just to the left is a walled and gated shopping area and when you walk through the gates it feels like China, or what China might look like in Chicago anyway.

The signs are in Chinese characters, the smell is different, the food is distinctly authentic Chinese and you can buy everything from dried sardines, duck, Dim Sum, to Chinese herbs in the apothecary herbal shop. Some stores were trendy tourist traps with trinkets, but these are items you won’t find at Walmart or Target, so it was fun!

My favorite shop was the candy, or snack shop. Small bulk bins of wrapped candy, unwrapped dried fruits, sugared plums of all flavors, and for the more adventurous pickled duck tongue, and dried anchovies. Most of the bins had a small sample bowl for tasting, and all four of us had fun tasting and deciding what to buy.

5pcs Japanese Bamboo Chopsticks Gift Set Multi Color Design (MNT)Japanese Chopsticks Gift Set Rice Paddle Included 5 pair Japanese Style Chopsticks Gift Set Crane

We timed our visit for the summer festival and the main street and vendors, food booths packed the street. You could buy everything from straw hats to live turtles. It was noisy, it was crowed, and I expected more Chinese entertainment. On their website saw Chinese musicians, acrobats, and the infamous Chinese parade dragon. Maybe those were scheduled events and we got there at the wrong time. The stage was in the middle of the street and there were no bleachers to sit and watch.

Summer Festival in Old Chinatown Chicago

We ate at the Flaming Pot and sometimes you eat at a restaurant for the experience. Because of the crowds, their only English speaking waitress was very busy and did not have the time to fully “coach” us in how to properly prepare our food. It was very good, and a great place to go if you are in a group of people.

Plastic Ninja Chopsticks for kids – 12 pcs Fred Chopstick Kids Chopsticks Holders (colors may vary)

This is a hot pot style of dining where you chose your flavored broth, meat, and vegetables and then you dipped the food into the boiling broth to cook. About halfway through we decided to just dump everything in and fish it out with a ladle. Much easier. A variety of sauces were available for flavoring the food and in that way it was very much like Hu Hot.

Although the Flaming Pot was very clean and modern, it is apparent some of the buildings and markets in Chinatown are very unkempt and not up to standard American standards. We even saw a large rat (no I didn’t take a photo) running along side a building during the middle of the afternoon. Those things don’t freak me out. I’ve been to Europe and I understand life is not sterile.

Fortune Coin Green Money Toad/ Frog /Chan Chu – Feng Shui Chinese Charm of Prosperity Decoration Gift US Seller Brussel’s Lucky Bamboo, Fence Brussel’s CT9005CE Chinese Elm Bonsai Deluxe Coolie Hats – Deluxe Traditional Asian Conical Coolie Hats – Pack of 2

We all had fun and spent the afternoon at the festival, bought gifts and added to our cultural experience. Now I want to explore the “new” Chinatown which is located in North Chicago, I can see it from the Red Line train and it looks very authentic. Bet I can get some good food there and it’s closer to my son’s apartment. I bet they deliver.

Learn More About the History or Chicago’s Chinatown

Chinese in Chicago: 1870 – 1945 (IL) (Images of America)Chinatown Chicago, Illinois Original Vintage Postcard Ling Long Museum: the Highlights of Chinese History and Chicago’s Chinatown

Explore Other Chinatown Cities Across the Country

Chinatown Sees Yet Another Harbinger of Gentrification …

Today, the New York State Tenant Protection Unit served a subpoena on Marolda Properties, investigating allegations that the landlord had harassed tenants in an attempt to make them leave their rent-regulated Chinatown …

Explore Oakland’s Chinatown

Chinatown, Oakland: The Oakland Chinatown StreetFest will commemorate the Year of the Horse with a two-day street party this weekend. The festivities include lion dancers, live bands and other performers taking to a pair of stages, while small …

Toni On! New York: 10 Things To Eat Under $5 In Chinatown

This week, WLNY’s Toni Senecal is going cheap and scouring Chinatown for the 10 best foods for under $5. Follow along as we score Chinatown’s best cheap eats. You can catch up with Toni on her blog, and loyal Toni On! followers can score a sweet VIP …

The Great Chicago Pizza Debate and Where are the Best Chicago Pizza Places

August 26, 2014 by info@3QuartersToday.com

Best Chicago Pizza Places

4 Lou Malnati’s Chicago-style Deep Dish Pizzas (2 Sausage & 2 Pepperoni)

Mention food in Chicago and many people automatically think pizza. The discussion and debate on what is the best Chicago pizza places in the city.

I grew up in Connecticut and we had some pretty mean pizza there. You know the kind, deep dish pizza from a family owned pizza restaurant, rich in tradition and so big it had to be cut in squares?

The difference between Chicago and New York pizza is the crust and how thick the pizza pie. The Chicago deep dish pizza restaurants basically compete for bragging rights.

Start a conversation on the Chicago metro on where the best Chicago pizza place in the city is located and you can start an all out war. People are passionate about pizza in Chicago. With good reason.

Chicago: Best Pizza Places

People love to talk about food and when you mention you are from out of town the conversation normally goes like this

Best Chicago style pizza chicago — Giordano’s Meat More Meat pizza

“Are you going to get some pizza”,

“Of course, but I haven’t decided yet from where”,

“Well you can’t go wrong with Giordano’s or Pizano’s“

Those two places are mentioned the most, which makes sense, both are ranked highest on Chicago’s 10 Best Pizzas list by Thrillist.com. So on my weekend trip to see my son the deciding factor was who would deliver to his apartment. Giordano’s won.

My Review of Giordano’s Famous Stuffed Pizza

We decided to get Giordano pizza delivery.

This is a massively thick double crust pizza, you can tell it has some meat just by the weight. I judge the cheese quality by how an individual piece pulls apart from main pizza.

It should leave a string of cheese trailing back to the pizza and you should have to grab it to claim that mozzarella for yourself.

This is a massively thick double crust pizza, you can tell it has some meat just by the weight. I judge the cheese quality by how an individual piece pulls apart from main pizza. It should leave a string of cheese trailing back to the pizza and you should have to grab it to claim that mozzarella for yourself.

The crust should be soft and moist, not dry and hard. You should want to eat the last bit of crust as if it were a stand-alone Italian bread. Last but not least, the toppings should stay on the crust, not slide off (that’s a sign of a cheap pizza). On all these accounts Giordano’s passed with flying colors.

It is expensive, our large Meat & More Meat stuffed pizza pie (with tip) came to $30, but it did feed four of us with leftovers for the next day.

This pizza is so popular they will even ship Giardano pizza nationwide to anyone missing that “back home” pizza they remembered living in Chicago.

Yes, you can get Giordano mail order pizza!

Now that’s some serious pizza dedication. The price actually isn’t bad. A four pizza pack is $89 (not including shipping), packed in dry ice and delivered in two days.

Lou Malnati Pizza

Since I published this article I’ve gotten several other additions to this list and Lou Malnati’s keeps coming up as another favorite.

2 Lou Malnati’s Chicago-style Deep Dish Pizzas (1 Sausage & 1 Pepperoni)4 Lou Malnati’s Chicago-style Deep Dish Pizzas (4 Cheese)

You can also order and ship Lou Malnati’s pizza anywhere in the country. Ok, you may have to plan a little bit, but if you order on Tuesday you can have Chicago pizza for your weekend party. I

I’m actually surprised it’s not as expensive as I thought. We ate a Pizano’s in Lincoln Nebraska and paid the same for one Primo pizza as having two Chicago pizzas delivered. So if you are native Chicagoan, have moved, and crave your favorite pizza, you can still get your fix.

Favorite Chicago Pizza From People Who ACTUALLY LIVE in Chicago

What Chicago Pizza is Your Favorite? Add a comment below and I’ll add it to the list.

Giordano’s
Bacinos
Lou Malnati’s
Rosati’s
Leona’s
Suparossa
Connie’s
Pizano

Make the Best Homemade Pizza

If you can’t get to Chicago or New York then check out my best homemade pizza recipe. It’s not hard and it’s a lot of fun.

The Great Chicago-Style Pizza Cookbook Gebardi Deep Dish Chicago Pizza Kit Ironwood Gourmet 28214 Pizza Peel, Acacia Wood Beginner’s Pizza Making Kit Chicago Metallic Non Stick 14-Inch Deep Dish Pizza Pan Pan Gripper Deep Dish Model

This is Truly the Best Margarita Recipe, Ever!

October 15, 2012 by info@3QuartersToday.com

How to Make the Perfect Top Shelf Margarita

The title claims to be the BEST Margarita recipe ever, and this might seem like bragging, but I’m not.

It truly is this good. This recipe is not “just” another top-shelf Margarita recipe, but one served in a national restaurant chain. Which one? I’ll get to that, but first a little history.

I really enjoy a good Margarita, but ordering them in a bar, or restaurant is like rolling the dice and taking a chance. Shaken or stirred, on the rock, or crushed?

Margarita Salt Rimmer by Tezzorio, Glass Rimmer with 3 Compartments and Sponge, Sugar and Salt Bar Libbey Cancun 7-piece Margarita Glass Entertainment Set

Most of the time the drinks come from a premixed package and range from horribly sour, super strong and even bitter. So, I don’t order them unless I have a good recommendation. Round the Bend Steakhouse in Ashland is one that will put you on your back after just one.

So where does this Top Shelf Recipe hail? Of all places, Red Lobster! I can’t believe it either.

My husband ordered the Margarita and I ordered a peach sweet something drink. Like all good husbands, he asked if I would like a sip. Sure why not. I was more than surprised. It was a mix of sour, sweet, and salty all wrapped into one lip-smacking drink.

Top Shelf Margarita Recipe from Red Lobster

Compliment the Waiter and Bartender

So impressed, I asked our waiter if the bartender would share the recipe. When he returned we were told the main ingredient was a proprietary sour mix. Compliments can do wonders and I was full of them.

I pretty much begged that I would be willing to buy the sour mix, it was so good, the best margarita I had ever had. Do believe this helped, that and it was our waiters second day on the job and I think he was trying to score points with the staff.

The bartender came to the table, thanked us for the compliments and proceeded to tell us the mix was a concentrate and made quite a bit. I didn’t care I said. “I’d love to be able to buy some if I could.” So, for $10.00 I walked out with a quart of Red Lobster Sour Mix, the recipe, and a smile on my face.

Next stop, Hy-Vee to pick up the ingredients. ($100 later!!!, mix was the cheap part) There is a reason it’s called “Top Shelf”

I have mixed margaritas with various friends during the past year. They all start off skeptical about the accolades I pile on, but as I watch them take the first sip their faces light up and they all agree, it’s the best margarita they have ever had.

Did you know: National Margarita Day is FEBRUARY 22?

So, here you go, the recipe, compliments of Red Lobster.

Top Shelf Margarita Recipe

Margarita Ingredients

11 oz Red Lobster Sour Mix (pre-mixed 1 part mix, 3 parts water)
1 1/2 shots Sausza Gold Tequila
1 shot Triple Sec
1/2 shot Grand Marnier
Margarita salt on rim to taste.
Ice, crushed or cubes
Lime if you have ’em

Dip glasses upside down in about quarter to a half inch of water, then in margarita salt.

Hint: Don’t use the “fancy” plastic Margarita glasses from Walmart and the like. The salt will NOT stick to them. Talk about disappointing.

Mexican Margarita Glasses & Pitcher set with display rack, Hand Blown, Hand Painted, mixed colors w/ various flowers, 14 OZ Libbey 7-Piece Cancun Margarita Pitcher and Glassware Set Designs by Lolita “Margaritaville” Hand-painted Artisan Margarita Glass, 12 oz.Mexican Glasses and Pitcher, Blue Rim 10 Oz (Set of 4 Glasses) Bola or Bowl Shape Pitcher

How to Mix Margaritas for a Crowd

I rarely drink this by myself, it’s always better to share. So I mix margaritas by the pitcher. For instance, if I have one of my best friends over for a summer night drinks I’ll multiply this by four (two drinks a piece) and mix in a pitcher.

44 oz of total mix (11 oz of Red Lobster sour mix, 33 oz water)
6 shots Sausza Gold Tequila
4 shots Triple Sec
2 shots Grand Marnier
Margarita Salt Where’s the salt, where’s the Goshdarn salt!! (editted,…lol)

In a couple of months since Valentines Day (the occasion for our date) I have gone through a gallon of mix, that’s four gallons of margaritas for anyone who would like to know. But they have been shared with friends, as they should. So Enjoy!!!

Make Your Own Margarita Sour Mix

If you don’t have a Red Lobster near you or one that will sell you the mix. You can make it yourself. This is the copycat Red Lobster Margarita recipe for a pitcher of margaritas.

1/2 cup lemon juice
1/2 cup lime juice
1/2 cup orange juice
1 cup sugar (or 1 tsp stevia concentrate)
3 3/4 cups water
1 1/2 cups Sausza Gold Tequila
3/4 cup Triple Sec
3/8 cup Grand Marnier

This will make almost a half gallon of margarita mix. Perfect for an afternoon of margaritas with friends.

Margarita Items and Supplies

What do you need to have a Margarita party: sour mix, alcohol, of course, salt, REAL glasses because Margarita salt won’t stick to plastic, and of friends to share.

Fat Mama’s Knock-You Naked Margarita MixCheck Price Rokz Design Group Infused Margarita Salt, Lime, 4 OunceCheck Price Artland 5 Piece Mingle Margarita Glass set and 1 Pitcher (Set of 4), AssortmentCheck Price Margaritaville Key West Frozen Concoction Maker with Easy Pour Jar and XL Ice Reservoir, DM1900Check Price Margarita Mix – Best Powder Cocktail – Natural Ingredients – Tod’s Natural Cocktail Mix (Margarita, 6-pack)Check Price NEXT Margarita Mix, No Added Sugar, Sweetened by Monk Fruit, Hydrating SuperfoodsCheck Price

So there are your official Red Lobster recipes for their top-shelf margarita and if you are wanting more copycat Red Lobster recipes let me know. I also love their lobster bisque and cheddar biscuits.

What is your favorite Margarita recipe?

Do you like sweet, sour, salty or any of the above?

Fried Peaches

August 17, 2012 by info@3QuartersToday.com

When summer rolls around fairs and festivals bring out the fried foods. Everything is fried: cheese, onion rings, Oreos, Twinkies, and Snickers. But my favorite is fried peaches. Tastes just like a peach pie.

Since State Fair Season, and the Big E (for my east coast friends), is upon us, what is your favorite food?

Fried peaches complete with a honey vanilla dip

Welcome to the United States of Fried Fair Foods (sunburstkissesrowena.wordpress.com)

Day 232/365: Dining on Block Island

August 10, 2011 by info@3QuartersToday.com

What trip to anywhere would be complete without of photo tour of the local cuisine. Dining on Block Island is a foodie delight. If you’re wondering what to eat on Block Island you won’t starve that’s for sure. There are Block Island restaurants which range from five star restaurants to beach side concessions. My philosophy when I travel is “When in Rome, do as the Romans.” So I try to eat specialties of the area and local food. In New England, and on Block Island that means fish, clams, lobsters rolls, and later home made ice cream.

The Lobster roll from the Rebecca’s On The Beach was a pleasant surprise. Normally beach concession stands serve the traditional hot dogs, hamburgers and the like. didn’t know what to expect, but this cold mixed lobster salad (think tuna salad with lobster instead) really hit the spot. The next day we visited the main beach and I had a grilled tuna steak sandwich. Can’t get that in Nebraska.

One of the delights of the day was breakfast, which is included at your stay at the Narragansett Inn. Many places list a breakfast buffet but it’s short of the gourmet and heavy on the carbs (bagels and the like), not here. Fresh pancakes, or french toast, and the absolute best scrambled eggs I’ve ever had. Sorry Mom. I’m also a sucker for grinder salt and whole peppercorns, look, look, it’s standard on the table! I’m in heaven.

Block Island, Rhode Island – Ferry Ride Vintage Sign (12×18 Art Print Wall Decor, Wall Decor Poster)Block Island Long Sleeve Dark T-Shirt, perfect for cool nights on the beach

My friend I traveled with is gluten intolerant and even she could find gluten free options and alternatives at many of the restaurants.

Dinner at the Narragansett Inn was wonderful. I stayed true to my theme of regional food and ordered the Pistachio Crusted Cod. Would have never thought of using pistachios on fish, but paired with the tomato/mango salsa it was a blend of flavors and textures which worked very well together.

Bar Harbor Clam Chowder, New England, 15 Ounce (Pack of 6)Pure New England Bog Cranberry Honey Downeast Lobster Rolls

Dining on Block Island with Pistacio Crusted Cod — Pistachio Crusted Cod

Authentic clam chowder from MacPhails in the Old Harbor was an item to check off the list and the rainy overcast Monday made it a perfect choice.

I’m one of those people who love calamari, even the little ones with eight legs that remind me of the little sea creature they are. In my opinion it’s a reminder that my sea food didn’t come out of a box chopped up and in “cookie cutter” sizes. These beauties were found at Payne’s Dock restaurant within “stumbling” distance of the Narragansett Inn. That is if you need to stumble back after a few margaritas.

Flavormate X3 (New England Fish and Seafood Seasoning)Downeast Lobster Rolls Bar Harbor Red Clam Sauce, 10.5 Ounce (Pack of 6)

Hope I made you hungry, I know I’m hungry again and want to go back. I also enjoyed clam fritters for lunch, tuna steak sandwich at the beach, and shrimp salads. Overall I think my culinary menu of regional foods was well rounded.

So my question to you is, do you like to be adventurous when you travel and eat local foods? If you have visited Block Island where is your favorite place to eat?