New European, Restaurant Reviews

Lula Cafe Review: A Logan Square Favorite and Rightfully So!

Lula has been part of the Logan Square community for 17 years prior to the more recent explosion of restaurants, bars, and cafes.  I have had the pleasure of coming here for both brunch and dinner multiple times.  While I am more of a fan of their dinner options, their brunch is also delicious and affordable.  The environment is quaint and cute within a somewhat eclectic and charming space.  Their patio is always packed full of diners on balmy summer nights.  Their service has always been accommodating and the servers are knowledgeable and proud of their food.

by chiveg
Mushrooms, Recipes

Grilled Mushroom Recipe

Just make sure you have some good balsamic for the marinade and heat it on the grill enough for it to get that charred grilled flavor.  Impress your guests at your next grill out and they won’t remember that you had a vegetarian barbecue!

by chiveg
Brussel Sprouts, Recipes

Grilled Brussels Sprouts Recipe

Do you love grilling but are a vegetarian or vegan?  While grilling in the Midwest tends to be meat-centric, you can go all out with delicious and satisfying plant-based options like Brussels sprouts.  Just marinate the vegetables like you would need to marinate the meat and plan ahead a tiny bit so it can marinate for at least 30 minutes. 

by chiveg
Fusion, Restaurant Reviews

Mini Mott Review: Simple Menu, Fun Flavors

I’m happy to see a relatively affordable, quick, gourmet option in Logan Square where you can get a veggie burger for $10.  I also appreciate that they are open all day and until 12am on weekends for us night owls!  Take your meat loving and vegetarian friends to Mini Mott and enjoy the relaxed, unpretentious vibes and flavors.

by chiveg
Italian, Restaurant Reviews

Rosie’s Sidekick Review: Classic Italian Subs with Real Vegetarian Options

You might have noticed a small shop that opened up in Logan Square by Mi Tocaya called Rosie’s Sidekick.  What is it all about?  Rosie’s Sidekick is a small, Italian sub shop that opened up a few months ago and aims to offer affordable Italian subs to the Logan Square community.  While Logan Square has a plethora of restaurants, it is definitely in need of more affordable, quicker restaurants so I was happy to see Rosie’s Sidekick open.

by chiveg
Beets, Recipes

Beet Tartare Crostini Recipe: Perfect for a Moody Dinner Party

Hosting or going to a dinner party?  Not sure what to make?  Want to bring something different from the usual cheese and crackers?  A beet tartare crostini will not only impress your guests, it will also please your gut.  While beets do take time to prepare, they are absolutely gorgeous and vibrant (oh and healthy) – I wanted to make a unique and fun appetizer for a dinner party I went to so I figured why not make a twist on a traditional beef tartare?  The beet tartare crostini was not only beautiful to the eye but also extremely pleasing for the palate.  

by chiveg
Travel

Travel Blog Post: New Orleans Part 2, A Pescatarian Culinary Journey with Some Dancing

So what can I say, New Orleans is a weird city.  I couldn’t live here, but I could live with the weather and all of its delicious food and cocktails.  I appreciated the more relaxed vibe and how walkable of a city it is.  It is easy to find what you’re looking for in NOLA, whether it’s a higher-end small plates restaurant or a binge when you’re hungover brunch spot.  There are so many bars to choose from and with a selection of bars open till 5am or even 24 hours!  If you’re looking for opulence or a chill night away from the tourists, you will be able to find your spot.  Gritty and decadent, New Orleans is a melting pot of cultures, traditions, and flavors that will keep you coming for more.

by chiveg
Recipes, Tofu

Tasty Tofu Étouffée Recipe

My recent trip to New Orleans was quite inspiring when it came to trying and exploring new and dynamic flavors.  I was exposed to amazingly delicious Creole and Cajun cuisine (and I learned that these are distinct from one another as well) and wanted to explore making a vegan version of a New Orleans classic, Crawfish Étouffée.  The étouffée sauce is traditionally made with butter and a meat or seafood stock, but I used soy butter and a veggie broth instead.  I also made it with pan fried tofu instead of crawfish. 

by chiveg