Adrie Reinders

Le Lan, 749 N Clark, Chicago, IL 60610

During a network event called “Big Idea Forum” which I visited, I received a recommendation to have dinner at Le Lan’s – originally a French/Vietnamese restaurant which was now more French Asian fusion. Intrigued, I walked over to the restaurant later on.

The peaceful interior decor and earthy colours are noticeable the moment you walk in. The seating is comfortable and  tables are far enough apart so that you do not feel all squashed together. A number of gorgeous wall paintings complete the picture.

To start with I had the “pork belly & pink shrimp spring roll” which turned out to be an excellent choice, delicate in flavour and perfectly balanced in textures. As a main dish I chose the dish of the week “Braised Beef Short Rib with Apple Chile Pure”. The taste of the dish was excellent, but the meat a little too firm for my liking. I like my short ribs almost done to the point of it falling apart when you merely look at it. I followed with a final course of “Molten Chocolate cake with Orange Zest ice cream” which was just as delicious as it sounds.
The waiter, Chester, was friendly, professional and very knowledgeable about each dish he served, something you unfortunately encounter less and less these days.

All in all a super experience and definitely a restaurant I will return to.

Food: 8.5
Comfort: 8
Service: 8.5
Price/Quality: 8.5

Yesterday evening I went to Andy’s Jazz club – one of the oldest Jazz clubs in Chicago. For over 30 years, local Jazz performers have been up on the stage at Andy’s – with styles ranging from Traditional and Swing to Bop, Fusion, Latin and Afro-Pop. When I walked in, Jeannie Lambert was up on stage singing some slow blues ballads – great for settling into the evening. After that I listened to Bob Perna with his Big Band. Bob is a seasoned performer, bandleader and trumpeteer. Excellent music to listen to.

Wherever I am in the US, if I get the chance I will visit the jazz club in the town I’m staying at – which means I have seen quite a few by now. I like the Jazz as well as the informal atmosphere that exists in most Jazz clubs. Andy’s is a true Jazz club – perfect atmosphere, a little NY loft style. It seats about 200 people and there is speedy and friendly service if you want something to drink or eat. The food is exactly what it should be at a Jazz club too – hamburgers, french fries, pizzas etc.

Jeff Chrisholm is a great host, who takes customers first
Definitely a place to visit if you are in Chicago – www.andysjazzclub.com:

Atmosphere: 8.5
Service: 8
Food: 7
Music: 7.5

Dinotto, North Road, Chicago IL60614

The way to describe this evening was: “interesting”. A local Italian restaurant, looking very welcoming on the outside. You know in advance that most Italian restaurants have a similar service and interior, a bit “standardised” even but the food is almost always good and fresh.

This time, during my dinner, Gordon Ramsey’s “Hell’s Kitchen” cropped up in my mind. Nothing was right – the basket of bread that landed on our table was full of at least a day-old-bread, the soup which was meant to mushroom was vague in flavour to the extreme, the delicate grilled portabella mushrooms that were served, were doused in a undefinable liquid and were black and burned. When I sent them back to the kitchen, hardly touched – nobody came to check why.
My main course, a Veal Milanese which I usually love (and a dish that is very hard to get wrong) was boring, flavourless and the texture was all wrong. Even the biscotti that were served with the undrinkable coffee were old and soft.

On the walls they had some recommendations by Zagat dated 2006 and 2007 – so it may have just been a very bad day, or they had an inexperienced chef stand in for the real one…but for me it was hopeless and a place to avoid in future.

Interior/Comfort:  6
Service:  6
Food: 5
Price/Quality: 5

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Perennial, Chicago

It is always hard to find a restaurant that borders between casual and formal, where at the same time you can eat well and don’t have to sit all dressed up in your suit and tie.
I found just such a place last night in Chicago – Perennial. A comfortable place, with a calm interior, a place where you sit and talk amongst yourselves as the booths are laid out spaciously and you feel at home. There’s no pressure to turn around the tables quickly, so you can settle down to eat and enjoy the food in peace and quiet. The food was good, I had carpaccio followed by the chef’s special that day, short ribs. Both were great, the short ribs excellent – it really is one of my favorite dishes.
Service was friendly yet professional -  and our waiter Matt did a great job.

the location of Perennial will be absolutely great in spring and summer – as the restaurant is located right on the edge of Lincoln Park.

For more info:  www.bokagrp.com

Food:  8.5
Comfort: 7.5
Service:  8.5
Price/Quality: 8
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