-
- English
- Français
- Log In
- Sign Up for Yelp
David "Boyfriend Emeritus" R.'s Profile
Best Meals 2008-2012
See All Lists
1. Big Jones
Chicago, IL 60640
(773) 275-5725
Categories:
Southern,
Breakfast & Brunch
Neighbourhoods: Andersonville, Edgewater
I've always been fond of Big Jones, but somehow they outdid themselves last Saturday evening with an absolutely perfect meal.
I continue to love the ambience that they create with the decor here, but it seemed especially appropriate for a very warm…More »
2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
-
7/27/2010
I learned my lesson: having decided on Big Jones for brunch around 10am, I hopped on Opentable and… Read more »
2. Cafe Beignet
New Orleans, LA 70130
(504) 524-5530
Categories:
Breakfast & Brunch,
Coffee & Tea,
Donuts
I'm pleased as punch that this place hasn't changed a bit since my last visit a few years ago. It's a long line to order, but the wait to get your food is much less, and there should be seats available. If you're lucky you will snag an outdoor…More »
1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
7/21/2008
Another great food stop in New Orleans. On a three-night visit to New Orleans last March, I ate… Read more »
3. Cafe Mogador
New York, NY 10009
(212) 677-2226
Category:
Moroccan
Neighbourhoods: East Village, Alphabet City
Travellers, do you have this habit, as I do: You're visiting a city over a long weekend. Into Saturday's itinerary you build a break, during which you return to the hotel around 5 or 6pm. The purpose of this hour is to rest from the day's…More »
4. Chicago q
Chicago, IL 60610
(312) 642-1160
Category:
Barbeque
Neighbourhood: Near North Side
They had me with the pickles and chips.
Hands-down the best pickles that have ever passed my lips. THE BEST. The housemade potato chips are damn addictive too.
How was the rest of the food? Well, very good, but it's the pickles that have me…More »
5. Custom House Tavern
Chicago, IL 60605
(312) 523-0200
Category:
American (New)
Neighbourhoods: Printer's Row, South Loop
Custom House was one of my two favorite meals of 2008 (not to mention my second-ever Yelp review). I was very excited to return and see if they could live up to my high expectations with a repeat performance. Blissfully, they did.
Cocktails first:…More »
1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
5/4/2008
My only complaint about my experience with Custom House was the slight snootiness of the maitre'd… Read more »
6. The Gage
Chicago, IL 60603
(312) 372-4243
Categories:
Gastropubs,
American (New)
Neighbourhood: The Loop
Tips for brunch at The Gage:
1. You will not need a reservation at 11 on a Saturday, even the weekend before Christmas. You may, however, need one at 12.
2. Request a table near the front so that you can enjoy the space brightened by natural light.…More »
3 Previous Reviews: Show all »
-
10/28/2010
Another autumn, another visit to The Gage. I have to make a point to come back in the spring or… Read more »
7. Gemini Bistro
Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 525-2522
Category:
American (New)
Neighbourhood: Lincoln Park
Gemini Bistro was another excellent choice for one of our periodic theater/dinner date nights. All aspects of the experience were top-notch and effortless to enjoy. Truly, this was a minor point or two short of perfect, but I'm rounding up for…More »
8. Henri
Chicago, IL 60603
(312) 578-0763
Categories:
American (New),
French
Neighbourhood: The Loop
Here was New Year's Eve number two with my inestimable treasure, as of two weeks ago now my wife. NYE #1 was fun and unique, but I wanted to make this one elegant, and at least equally memorable, to celebrate the fantastic year that we had. Matinee…More »
9. Honky Tonk BBQ
Chicago, IL 60608
(312) 226-7427
Wow, somehow this place lived up to my high expectations. That's rare. It wasn't quite perfect, but I'm rounding them up to five stars based on some intangibles such as the company and the experience: I simply had a hell of a great time.
BYO…More »
10. ilili
New York, NY 10001
(212) 683-2929
Categories:
Middle Eastern,
Mediterranean
Neighbourhood: Flatiron
I almost never give five stars after a single experience, but this one has a lot to do with the mood. I was treating my younger brother and sister to a weekend in New York in February, and all three of us had weather-related travel nightmares.…More »
11. Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 379-5637
Categories:
Seafood,
Steakhouses
Neighbourhood: Near North Side
Instead of rhapsodizing ad nauseum about my recent experience at Joe's, I'll be succinct: it was one of my favorite meals of the last several years. After two-plus years in my bookmarks list and hearing Melanie S. singing their praises, my…More »
12. La Palette - CLOSED
Toronto, ON M5T 2L9
Canada
(416) 929-4900
Category:
French
Neighbourhood: Kensington Market
Possibly the greatest date restaurant anywhere that I have seen. Too bad that I was there alone, but I still enjoyed a great meal and a very pleasant experience.
We are talking about a hybrid decor of French "country" and retro arty; a small shelf…More »
13. Laurel Restaurant - CLOSED
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 239-2222
Categories:
French,
Mediterranean
Neighbourhood: Banker's Hill
What an awesome restaurant which is doing plenty to bring in business and cement customer relationships. I would definitely be a regular if I lived or worked around the area. If you do, please go visit them and prepare to be hooked.
I went in for…More »
14. MiLa
A group of nine friends travelled from all corners of the country to celebrate a friend's bachelor party weekend. The groom is one of my best, and in fact, my oldest friend. We wanted a special Saturday night dinner to be the centerpiece of the…More »
15. MK Restaurant
Chicago, IL 60610
(312) 482-9179
Category:
American (New)
Neighbourhood: Near North Side
I chose MK to celebrate my recent engagement, which should effectively demonstrate my high esteem for this wonderful restaurant. However, I will elaborate anyway.
Service was blissful, as I expected. These are people who make you feel welcome in the…More »
1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
6/10/2009
This review is utterly futile: nothing that I write will render justice to the experience. And… Read more »
16. Mrs. Murphy and Sons Irish Bistro
Chicago, IL 60613
(773) 248-3905
Excellent, excellent Mother's Day brunch. First of all, we made a reservation but it wasn't crowded. Second, it cost only $19.95 and was more than worth every penny. Third, every other aspect was great.
The food was wonderful: omelette station…More »
1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
4/25/2009
I ate there once a couple of years ago and really liked it. I don't remember much other than that… Read more »
17. Otom - CLOSED
Chicago, IL 60607
(312) 491-5804
Category:
American (New)
Neighbourhoods: Fulton Market, Near West Side, West Loop
At my middle school, they euphemistically titled the cooking half of the mandatory Home Ec course "Culinary Arts." Believe me, there is no culinary artistry involved when your dumbass lab partner spontaneously decides that, instead of making ten to…More »
18. Pita Inn
Hands down the greatest restaurant of all time.
I ate lunch here on my wedding day. Yes indeed, my three groomsmen and I devoured a feast fit for kings about three hours before "kickoff." In fact, it was one of the wedding events that I planned…More »
1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
2/20/2009
It is utterly incomprehensible that I have missed reviewing this Pita Inn. I thought that it was… Read more »
19. The Prado at Balboa Park
Imagine a near-perfect Monday afternoon at The Prado: 68 degrees and sunny, sitting on the patio overlooking some gardens in Balboa Park, reading a book, people-watching, sipping cocktails, and enjoying some fine cuisine. This was a great little…More »
20. Primanti Brothers
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
(412) 263-2142
Categories:
Sandwiches,
Bars
Neighbourhood: Strip District
The crown jewel of any trip to Pittsburgh. It had been four long years since my last Primanti sandwich...worse than forty years in the desert.
My friends visited here three times in 24 hours. Arriving a few hours after them, I only made it two…More »
21. Sweet Baby Ray's Barbecue
It's not often that I get carte blanche on restaurant choices; however, my recent birthday was just such an occasion. I wanted barbecue and I was willing to travel. So, adios to my oldest Yelp bookmark--and a fond farewell it was!
In part, I was…More »
Recently updated lists from David R.
North North Lincoln Avenue (11)Oh, did you think that Lincoln Avenue was good for only Lincoln Park and Lincoln Square? No way. North of Foster, not only is this a lickety-split thoroughfare for the city-to-suburbs commute, but there is a rich diversity of restaurants and other businesses, many of them ethnic. You will not find Grossinger Hyundai on this light though. |
Lunch in Glenview (27)It's not nearly as glamorous as a "Lunch in the Loop" list, but if you happen to work in NE Glenview, here are some places to satisfy your midday urges.I have ordered the items in this list by the frequency with which I visit. |
Beet Me Unmerciful (25)I am a w hore for beets. I will debase myself appallingly for a taste of this wondrous root in a restaurant. Usually all that's required, however, is that I pay the dollar amount listed on the menu. |
In Search Of....Calzones (20)Like Costanza and Steinbrenner, I've always loved a good calzone, so I've set out to find the best in the city. Sadly, many pizza and Italian joints do not feature this little (or often largish) wonder. Here are the contenders from first to worst. |
Bread Pudding Makes Me Happy (19)It's my favorite non-chocolate dessert. But some places cheat by putting chocolate in it! From most to least transcendent. |
Another breakfast/brunch list (15)Eh, why not? Only the really good places, though.Baaaaaaaa! |
A La Card Chicago 2010 (23)2010 is coming along nicely, but I visited many of these places in 2009, in which case I'll have to return (if I haven't already). $10 off when you spend $25 is a great deal, and you only need to use three of them to make your money back. I managed to hit 26 last year, but then again I'm kind of obsessive.I've only listed the ones which are definitely worth a second (or third, or fourth, or in the case of Hot Doug's, twentieth) trip. |
Top Ten Chocolate-Chip Cookies in Chicagoland (10)Like pizza and sex, there are really no bad chocolate-chip cookies, but a truly excellent one is rare. |
Best of Ravenswood (25)My new favorite neighborhood, Ravenswood is not as business-dense as two of its neighbors, Lincoln Square and Andersonville, but contains numerous worthwhile spots and several standouts. All of these are within walking distance of the Ravenswood Metra station. |
Calamari (39)I rarely pass up a calamari appetizer when I see one on a menu. I just love those squiggly little bastards. It makes me feel that I am truly at the top of the food chain. In rough order of quality.This is NOT a "best of" list, so read carefully--you will find calamari both to chew and to eschew. HA! |
See all 44 lists »
"The water is evening now."
- 79 Friends
- 1294 Reviews
- 243 Review Updates
- 155 Firsts
- 48 Fans
- 297 Local Photos
- 14 Events Submitted
- 44 Lists
-
Rating Distribution
Loading...
- View more graphs »
Review votes:
4963 Useful, 3382 Funny, and 3878 Cool
Chicago, IL
Yelping SinceApril 2008
Things I LoveTruth and beauty, books, travel, my wife
Find Me Inbetween the apples and the chloroform
My HometownCentral Pennsylvania
When I'm Not Yelping...I'm trying to decide which book to read next.
Why You Should Read My ReviewsI crave validation through the approval of others.
My Second Favourite Website The Last Great Book I ReadFoucault's Pendulum
My First ConcertThey Might Be Giants
My Last Meal On EarthScotch
Don't Tell Anyone Else But...Sometimes I have impure thoughts.
Most Recent DiscoveryHector Luna
Current CrushRivers and roads