Asian Noodle House

If you want a good bowl of ramen or pho in the suburbs, Asian Noodle House in Hoffman Estates hits the spot. Ang and D have gone here a couple times and we finally went as a family. A family that eats noodle soups together, stays together haha. We each had own bowl. I ordered the pork bbq and shrimp wonton ramen. The flavors in this ramen were well balanced and I got that warm, fuzzy feeling while slurping away. Other menu items include your typical Chinese foods, which we tried in another returned trip and it was pretty good. They don't have a website, but look them on Yelp for reviews.

 

Del Seoul

Have been wanting to try Del Seoul for quite some time and in the past 6 months, I've been there three times already and you know what that means...can't wait to go back for my fourth and more! Yes, it's that good. Located in Lincoln Park, Del Seoul is Korean street bbq, where they put their own twists on it from the traditional to modern. I've heard their tacos and fries are delicious and what they are known for, so I had to get those in each of my visits. I've ordered the sesame-chili shrimp, kalbi and spicy bbq pork tacos topped with their own slaw; and their dumplings, which was ok. You must get their fries with their garlic aioli, so crispy! I really like their tacos especially the shrimp and spicy bbq pork. Plus, what's not to like when it's wrapped in a warm corn tortilla?  Another perk to eating here is walking down a couple doors and grabbing a delicious cupcake at Molly's for dessert, Boston Crème pie is my fave :-)

 

 

Hearty Boys

Started off 2013 with brunch with a couple of friends at Hearty Boys in Lakeview. The menu offered Southern style comfort foods, which I heart. Each of us enjoyed our plates along with the bottomless mimosas, cheers! I'd like to come back here during their dinner. I had the Chesapeake Bay Benedict with Maryland crab cakes. YUM.

 

A look at back 2012

I know it's a bit late, but better late than never.  2012 has been filled with many tasty adventures, but it's whom we share those food filled experiences with and for me that's none other than...*look up at the title of my blog* Thanks to another year for coming along on the adventure... where to next?





Viaggio

Mae and I finally made it to Viaggio in the West Loop, after reading it's Yelp reviews months ago. This is one of the best Italian meals I've ever had. So authentic, rich and full of flavor. We also discovered a new favorite Pinot Grigio, Benvolio. They offered complimentary sweet peppers to snack on with some crunchy bread. We started with a highly recommended dish from reviews, the meatballs with romaine salad. The salad was so simple with juicy and moist meatballs placed on romaines tossed in red wine vinegar and extra virgin olive oil. My main course was the Rigatoni with Sunday Pork Gravy of slow cooked pork in San Marzano tomato gravy served with a scoop of ricotta cheese. Let me tell ya', this dish was filling and felt very home like, loved it. Mae opted for their daily special of their pork chop with creamy poletna and tomato sauce. One word...Delizioso!

Pizzeria Via Stato

Happy Birthday Mom! Yes, the celebration continued. Took the Monday off after Thanksgiving to take her to the city and visit Chicago's ChristKindle Market in Daley Plaza. It was a chilly day, but what more to spend it with her and a mug of spiced wine. Started the day with lunch at Pizzeria Via Stato. We had small plates of their mixed greens salad with walnuts, dried cherries, parmesan dressed with a walnut vinaigrette; veal meatballs with provolone in a tomato sauce, fonduta of spinach, pecorino and crostini; and a white pizza with cracked black pepper bacon, caramelized onions and an egg. I love a farm fresh egg on pizza! We really enjoyed the food here, tasty and filling for a chilly afternoon. I'd like to come back here to try their other pizzas.

Isla Pilipina

We celebrated my mom's birthday a day earlier for dinner at Isla Pilipina, which was the Sunday after Thanksgiving. This was a first for the whole family, but I came here once earlier with a friend the year before. Since then, I've been raving it to my family and trying to plan a dinner, but with different schedules and it being in the city, it was difficult. Finally, we visited on this special occassion. Isla serves traditional and authentic Filipino cuisine in a small 40 seating, BYOB space, but it's food is packed with flavor and to my taste, it's so close to my mom and family's cooking. Reservations are recommended because this place fills up quickly with long waits. It makes me proud to see a Filipino restaurant cooking up such delicious food that other nationalities are lining up to eat here. I'm telling you, it's THAT good! We ordered sweet and sour red snapper, Bicol Express of slightly spicy combination of meat , shrimp, squid, and mussels drizzled in coconut milk; Beef Kaldereta of angus chuck roast cooked in tomatio and pepper based gravy with potatoes and peppers; Daing ng Bangus of sun dried boneless milkfish, marinated and deep fried; Pancit Bihon of pan fried rice noodles sauteed with chicken, mixed with shredded vegetables; Lechon Kawali of deep fried pork belly served with Filipino style gravy. My family genuinely enjoyed the food here and were surprised too on how good it was and how the flavors were right and at times better. See you soon!