Restaurant Blog - Chowbaby.com

by Diane Bobis

SPIAGGIA
980 N. Michigan Ave., 2nd floor
Chicago, IL 606011

312-280-2750

Expect nothing short of first-class fare and service at this glorious Gold Coast destination helmed by James Beard Best Chef Midwest Tony Mantuano. His menu combines the most elegant Italian culinary traditions with the freshest local products – and it has been honed to perfection. For the ultimate dining experience, favor the chef’s seven-course tasting menu over ordering a la carte. It features such gastronomical delights as Carpaccio all Norcina (thin slices of raw prime aged strip steak with black truffles, trumpet royale mushrooms and Parmigiano Reggiano) and Agnello al Forno con Polenta e Indiva (slow-roasted crisp lamb shoulder with creamy polenta, caramelized endive and rosemary olive oil). Please note there is a dress code: jackets are required for men (ties optional) and jeans and gym shoes are not permitted.

by Amy Cynkar

ALDO’S RISTORANTE ITALIANO
306 S. High Street, Baltimore, MD 21202
(410) 727-0700

Chef/Owner Aldo Vitale delights with this comfortably elegant, family-run restaurant in Little Italy. Constructed from a renovation of two abandoned brownstones that date back to the 1840s, Aldo handcrafted all of the restaurant’s intricate woodwork, including its mahogany bars. Influenced by his Southern Italian roots, Aldo presents simple, but fabulous dishes using natural and organic ingredients, including Tournedos Rossini, grilled filet mignon, seared foie gras and Italian black truffle, served with porcini and wild mushroom sauce with four cheese risotto. The restaurant also offers a number of intimate private dining rooms for parties of four to 40.

by Tom Wrona

ANGELO’S FAIRMOUNT TAVERN
2300 Fairmount Ave, Atlantic City, NJ 08401
609 344-2439
When the locals want a great meal without getting dressed up or spending a lot of money Angelo’s, in Atlantic City’s Ducktown neighborhood, has been the place to go since 1935. This is Italian comfort food at its best. The portions are huge and the menu is long (six steaks, nearly 20 pasta dishes, a baker’s dozen of seafood dishes and eighteen desserts). It’s a big, bright and convivial place so save Angelo’s for a date when you want to spend more time feeding each other than giving each other smoldering looks.

by Natalie Dietz & Kara Lange

PIG N CHIK
4920 Roswell Road, Fountain Oaks Shopping Center

5071 Peachtree Industrial Blvd

Skeptics may shy away from eating BBQ in a strip mall. The guys at the Pig N Chik have set out to prove them wrong. From pork to chicken to beef, all meat options are moist and smoky, with the sauce on the side for you to add. Portions of sides and entrees alike are generous. For the strong of gut, the “Redneck Nachos” are a standout menu item; a pile of crinkle-cut fries are covered in pulled pork, cheddar cheese, and BBQ sauce. They are a decadent (and affordable) heart attack in a basket.

By Jim PhillipsSAMURAI GRILL & SUSHI BAR
9500 Montgomery Blvd. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87111
(505) 275-6601

Getting four-stars from the Albuquerque Journal was no surprise to any of the satisfied customers who frequent the Samurai Grill. A sparkling display of fresh fish at the sushi bar should allay any latent Southwestern concerns about freshness this far inland. The menu includes inside-out sushi, known as roll sushi. You can enjoy moderately priced dinners, or go exotic with some of the special fish selections. Steak, chicken and vegetarian selections are also available.

Estimated cost per person: $20-30

by Lynn Marshall

BAMBOO GARDEN
364 Roy Street
Seattle, WA (206) 282-6616
Bamboo Garden is still going strong after more than 15 years. The restaurant serves what it calls Royal Chinese cuisine, according to legend, these were dishes created for the emperor during an annual seven week period of vegetarianism. Bamboo Garden is also certified kosher, and they are happy to meet any special dietary requirements you may have.
The menu is extensive; ranging from specialties like brazed portabella mushrooms in a secret sauce, to an entire section of vegetarian ‘meat’ and ‘poultry’ choices – all made from vegetable proteins. Like the emperors of old, you won’t feel you are making any kind of sacrifice eating these dishes.
Estimated cost per person for dinner is $25

Corner Pug
1046 New Britain Ave.
West Hartford, CT
860 231 0241

The Corner Pug has the feel of a classic English pub, with dark wood, candleholders sheathed in green glass and various knickknacks perched on the wall moldings. Couples snuggle into mahogany and leather booths for romantic dates and friends meet at the bar, which offers 12 beers on tap, including a fine selection of English ales. The Corner Pug serves a late-night menu until a half-hour before closing time, which is later than most Hartford-area restaurants. Corner Pug’s menu is a cross between a pub and a steak house menu, with some comfort food thrown in—skewered shrimp, St. Louis ribs, French onion soup with gruyere, shepherd’s pie, pot pies. Simple favorites like the Mac ‘N Cheese are incredible. It is very comfortable place to eat or stop in for a drink and the bill won’t empty your wallet.

by;Nicolas Gill

Whole World Vegetarian Restaurant
3269 N. High Street
Columbus, Ohio 43202
(614) 268-5751

Whole World has been a staple for Clintonville and area vegetarians for more than a decade. It was the first restaurant to really go solely vegetarian in the area and has many loyal customers. The food isn’t exotic or even original, but hearty and made with love. Vegetarian soups, Veggie burgers, Whole wheat pizzas made with sugarless dough, hummus, sandwiches, salads, pancakes, stir frys, and a number of desserts. They have a Sunday brunch as well with scrambled tofu and Veggie hash. They use local, organic produce whenever possible.

by Steve Goodman

Tropical Chinese
7991 Bird Road
Miami, 33155
(305) 262-7576
Don’t let the location in an unassuming strip mall fool you, Tropical Chinese is probably one of the best Chinese Restaurants in South Florida. It may be a little off the beaten path in West Dade County, however if you are really interested in excellent food it is worth the trip and the slightly higher prices then you expect to pay in most neighborhood Chinese Restaurants. At Tropical you will find the typical Chinese fare, all with a little extra “Miami Spice” of course –but they are particularly known for their unique Clay Pot Specials, the aroma of which wafts enticingly through the air long before you pull up to the place. One of the best? Garlic Spinach and Prawns, a delectable mix of fresh garlic cloves, shrimp, and garden fresh spinach bubbled to perfection.