United Airlines just reinstated direct flights from O’Hare to Buenos Aires, but for those who aren’t quite ready to undertake the 11 hour journey, Chicago’s north-of-the-Loop neighborhoods offer a wealth of different South American cuisines for modest prices.   Following is a sampling of BYOB favorites from three countries: Venezuela, Columbia, and Argentina.  

Be forewarned that South Americans are unrepentant meat-eaters; while there are at least a few vegetarian or seafood options on most menus, the star attraction is always beef.

Caracas Grill

6340 N. Clark St

773-262-9900

Inexpensive

5:00 PM to 11:00 PM Tuesday - Sunday

Closed Mondays

This tiny storefront restaurant sits on a busy, grungy street in Rogers Park, but inside, an authentically warm and communal Venezuelan scene awaits.  The grandmotherly cook comes out between courses to chat with patrons, most of whom appear to be locals.  Soccer matches play on a couple of small TVs, and conversation stops for a shot on goal.   Service is laid back but friendly, and the food is spectacular.  The light, puffy empanadas are a terrific and not overly-filling appetizer.  One must-taste entree is Pabellon, flank steak in a fragrant stew served with black beans, rice and fried plantains.   There is usually at least one delicious pork special as well.

            Venezuelans tend to drink beer with their meals, so feel free to bring your favorite brew instead of (or in addition to) a bottle of wine.

Las Tablas

2965 N. Lincoln

773-871-2414

Moderate

11:30 AM to 10:00 PM, Sunday - Thursday

11:30 AM to 11:00 PM, Friday, Saturday

Las Tablas, which occupies a couple of large, packed rooms in Wrigleyville, offers more in the way of atmosphere than Caracas Grill, with brightly colored walls and Columbian flags on display.   The menu is more extensive, as well.  Columbia is the bridge between Central and South America, and this is reflected in the cuisine, which offers fruits and vegetables not generally found on the menu in countries such as Argentina.  

Try the Picada Columbiana for two, featuring pork, steak, sausage, chicken and sides of plantain, yucca, and fried potatoes.   The delicious paella is made not only with seafood, but includes chorizo sausage and chicken.  As with Caracas Grill, either beer or wine would be an acceptable accompaniment to the hearty fare.

Tango Sur

3763 N. Southport

773-477-5466

Moderate

5:00 PM to 10:30 PM, Monday - Thursday; to 11:30 Friday

12:00 PM to 10:30 PM Sunday

            Wrigleyville’s Tango Sur, which features lovely outdoor seating during warmer months, is a faithful recreation of an Argentine asado or parilla, a steakhouse specializing in grilled meats.   Tango music plays above the din, and the servers are extremely polite when dealing with the crowds waiting for a table. 

Appetizers tend to be heavy:  Patrons who order the parillada have a whole grill loaded with chorizo, blood sausage, beef short ribs, and sweetbreads delivered to their table.   Steer clear of the overly bitter and garlicky spinach empanada in favor of the more delicately seasoned beef. 

The specialty of the house is bife vesuvio, steak stuffed with spinach, cheese and garlic.  Lomo means tenderloin, in this case, filet mignon of beef.  While more tender than the churrasco, or sirloin, the latter has better flavor.  Meat entrees are served with a simple salad of lettuce and tomato as well as fried potatoes.   For those who aren’t tempted by beef there are a few authentic and decent pasta dishes on the menu (many Argentines are of Italian descent).  Entree portions are enormous, so doggie bags are required for all but the most ambitious eaters–ask for the rest of your meal para llevar, or to go. 

As for what bottle to bring along, consider picking up an Argentine wine.  Malbec is probably the best known variety, but there are also fine Cabernet Sauvignons being produced.   Some good-value labels include Grafigna, Bodega Norton, Crios, Luca and J&F Lurton, all of whose wines can be found at discounts stores such as Sam’s and Cost Plus World Market.  (See www.samswine.com and www.worldmarket.com, respectively, for Chicago-area locations.)

This one is a nobrainer, I have live in Chicago all of my life and this is one of Chicagos best kept secrets. Hyde Park. Its a little community in it’s own right, and its still one of  the best places to live because diversity thrives here. Nesstled in the heart of Hyde Park is one of the best and hottest places to sit down and eat after a stroll on the beatuful lake front, The Dixi Kitchen has the best serving of red beans and rice I’ve had in all of my life, they also have fried green tomatoes, gumbo and fried corn bread so good it’ll make your mouth water. This place rocks and they have been serving some of the best southern cooking in all of Hyde Park for many years now. This place is a must to visit if your visiting from out of town. After filling your tummy I suggest you take a long romantic walk along the HOTT spot,  us kids from back in the day called our favorite spot, the hott spot, which is normally called the point. The point which is located right on the outter drive, behind the Museum of Science and Industry and can been seen on your way downtown, the point is a very romantic place to take your sweetie for some cuddling on the big massive rocks that sit just inches from the water, its an awsome must see and one of the most romantic palces I’ve ever been. There are many old historic buildings that still sit in the heart of Hyde park and they all tell their own story of surviving in a constent changing envrionment. Hyde part is on my A list for must see places in Chicago. 

Want to experience Chicago’s famed Lincoln Park but only have a day?

1. Stanley’s Kitchen & Tap (Armitage and Lincoln): Start your day with breakfast at Stanley’s (opens 7AM, Monday thru Friday), where you’ll find biscuits and gravy, scrambles, hash, french toast, pancakes, and a number of sides.  On the weekends, brunch starts at 10AM and includes a make-your-own-omlette bar, sandwich fixings, and a variety of pastries, fruits and vegetables.  This brunch comes full circle at the bloody mary bar.

2.  Armitage Shopping and DePaul History: After breakfast, walk up Armitage past the many boutiques and shops that range from designer consignment to local designer retail.  My favorites include: McShane’s Exchange, Lori’s Shoes, Art Effect, L’Occitane and, to top it off, a hot or cold drink at Argo Tea.  Continue north on Sheffield to Fullerton.  If you aren’t hungry yet, stroll through the comfortably small DePaul University Campus and make a stop at the Richardson Library which also houses art exhibits (Fullerton/Seminary).

3. Bourgeois Pig (Fullerton and Lincoln): The Pig is a locale favored by students, Children’s Memorial staff and others looking for a cafe that’s trendy in a not-even-trying-to-be-trendy kind of way.  The Pig’s lineup includes: sandwiches (also many veggie options), salads, soups, baked goods, ice cream, coffee, espresso drinks and looseleaf tes, housed in large glass jars lining the walls.  Wireless available, as well as eclectic music played by the staff.

4. Lincoln Park Zoo: Next, continue east on Fullerton to and through Lincoln Park Zoo, a free attraction.  This zoo is home to elephants, bears, lions, penguins and many other birds, mammals and amphibians/reptiles.  Also one of the oldest “zoological gardens” in the country, Licoln Park Zoo overlooks a popular section of Lincoln Park and Lake Michigan.  Bring a frisbee for some fun or a blanket for some afternoon rest and relaxation.

5. Victory Gardens (Lincoln Ave, between Beldn and Webster): Home to many Tony Award-winning plays and actors, Victory Gardens has a couple cozy stages on which you can see local and world talents performing primarily local works.  Great for just yourself, a date, or the parents.  If you’re still hungry (before or after), there are plenty of sandwich/pizza shops and bars in this area.  A nicer but very affordable option is Tillie’s, at Halsted south of Armitage, or Green Tea, a tiny but excellent sushi restaurant at Clark and Webster.

When it comes to matters of the heart, it’s hard to deny the
very best for your romantic paramour. 
However, in reality, wining and dining your sweetheart can be a costly
affair.  Here are the five best Chicago ways to have a
seemingly luxe – but fundamentally inexpensive – date with the one you love:

1)      As
Pepe Le Peu proclaimed, what more do you need than “a loaf of bread…a bottle of
wine…”?  How about the grass between your
toes and the sound of Bach in the air? 
The grounds at Ravinia offer
$10 lawn tickets to virtually all of their summer season performances.  All it takes is a short train ride (there’s a
$5 special) and a picnic basket, and you’re there.

2)      Bring
Your Own Bottle restaurants are popping up all over the city, so hop on the
brown bag wagon!  The cost of alcohol can
easily double the total on your dinner bill, so why not bring your own and skip
the double (or even triple) markup on the standard restaurant wine?  Here’s a tip: a lot of newer restaurants in
the city will start off BYOB while waiting for their liquor license – just call
ahead and ask what their policy is.  You
just might be able to score a table at a hot new restaurant that you may not be
able to afford otherwise!  Check out www.byob-chicago.com
for restaurants.

3)      Create
a theme and your creativity will outshine any frugality.  Check out one of Chicago’s Independent Film theaters (try the Landmark Century Cinema at Clark and Diversey) and pick out one of their foreign
films to see.  The first tickets of the
day there are only $7.  Picked a Chinese
flick?  Head up to Ecce Café (3422 N. Broadway) post-show for some pan-Asian – and
very moderately priced – fare.

4)      Want
totally free entertainment?  Take a
stroll through Chicago’s
Lincoln Park Zoo – one of the
nation’s largest free zoos.  Afterwards,
you can mosey on over to the Treasure Island (1639 N. Wells) – on Saturdays, there
are samples of artisan cheeses, breads, and meats abound – and if you ask
nicely, the bakery will give you a piece of chocolate to try!

5)     
Every girl loves to window shop, so take your lady
friend for a relaxing walk down one of Chicago’s
best boutique streets – Armitage
Ave, west of Halsted and up to Racine. 
Check out the latest duds at Cynthia
Rowley and Active Endeavors,
before treating yourselves to some quality Italian ice at Tom and Wendee’s – yum!

Ok. So you’re working downtown. You haven’t gotten a raise in what seems like years. You hate brown bagging it and you have to eat. But you can’t spend all your money on lunch. Do you starve or do you eat downtown on less than $6 a day? Is that possible?

Yes it is. And I’m here to tell you how.

If you like pizza, Baccino’s on Clinton and Adams has a carryout only lunch deal of a slice of pizza and a beverage for $3.30 (thin) or $3.50 (thick). If you’re worried about where you’re going to eat your lunch, don’t. Beginning each spring, they set up a sidewalk cafe. If you’d rather eat somewhere where diesel particles from CTA buses don’t drop on your food, you can walk two blocks to the Chicago River where you will find a myriad of places with outdoor seating and a river view. Union Station Plaza would be the closest one and my personal favorite.

For more Italian food, go to Venice Cafe on Wacker and Jackson. Not only is it great food but there is plenty of it. I usually have a hard time finishing. At the height of lunch hour the line is long, but the wait is worth it. You order your food, move down the line and by the time it’s ready, you’ve paid for it. They actually make the pasta fresh for each customer, cafeteria style service with a sit down restaurant atmosphere.

The Alonte Deli on Wacker and Jackson serves pasta with marinara sauce and French bread for $4. It also has a self service steam tray section with daily specials and soups, as well as a made to order deli section. A salad bar is alsoavailable but watch out the daily specials and the salad bars are charged by weight.

Presidential Towers is a little known jewel. Located on Monroe and Clinton,
walk past the restaurants and go directly to the grocery store. There you will find
not only groceries, but also the best selection of homemade soups made
daily. For less than $5 you can get a large soup, fresh roll (from sourdough
to rye) and a beverage (wander the grocery store for this). They also
offer an executive meal which is a hefty sandwich, a medium soup and a bag of
chips. There is a salad bar and a hot meals section where there are daily
specials from pot roast to catfish. You can order side dishes a’ la carte or
buy an entree with two sides. Though more than $6 (if you get the whole meal) and a beverage, still a bargain with generous, tasty portions.

If you like sub sandwiches, Charley’s on Clinton and Monroe frequently has
people passing out 2 for 1 coupon on the sidewalk. Team up with a buddy and you get your sandwich half price.

Are you yearning for a quiet, refined and authentic Italian lunch buffet which will not blow your budget?  I have found just the place.  Pescatore Palace Restaurant and Banquets is tucked away in an industrial area of Schiller Park on River Road (between Irving Park and Belmont Avenues) just minutes away from Rosemont’s Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, Rosemont Theatre and O’Hare Airport. 

From the moment you walk up the stairs into this haven, you are surrounded by the sensual tastes and sounds of SouthCentral Italy.  The main dining room has a quiet sophistication which welcomes you with calming shades of blue and reminders of the ocean.  You find fishing nets hung from the walls filled with crab and starfish.  You admire the various paintings depicting dreamy seaside scenes under a border of hand-painted grapevines.  You hear Andrea Bocelli’s melodic voice seranade you as you are seated by one of the courteous male waiters.  If you are lucky, you may even be seated in the bright Bocelli room which is enveloped in afternoon sun from it’s wall of floor-to-ceiling windows.  Yes, Andrea himself has visited here on a few occasions to enjoy the outstanding and authentic food. 

Master Chef, Vito Barbanente, will probably greet you himself as he ensures the buffet table is amply stocked with his day’s delicious entress.  Vito brings to his restaurant his culinary passion, hard work and dedication from his native Bari, Italy seaside town.  His fish dishes are the freshest and most flavorful available.  His mouthwatering soups fill your senses with warmth and his chicken, beef and vegetable dishes offer a subtle medley of spices and seasonings. 

The lunch buffet is offered from 11am until 2pm Monday through Friday at a price of $9.99 per person.  It includes both a hot and a cold buffet.  Pizza and bruschetta is always available as well as fruit salad and delicious desserts. 

Pescatore Palace offers an extensive and rich wine list and a full menu for those who would like to sample one of Chef Vito’s personalized creations.  The coffee is always fresh-brewed and full-bodied and the service is impeccable. 

The lunchtime crowd is mostly comprised of businessmen from the neighboring light-manufacturing establishments.  The buffet selections change every day and include fish, pasta, potatoes, vegetables, caprese and assorted salads and rich desserts.   What keeps me coming back every week is the personal service I receive and the unparalleled food I find in this quiet getaway. 

If you too are yearning to eat your lunch in smoke-free, pleasant place where you can have a quiet conversation with your friend and where you know the food will always be fresh and good, I highly recommend Pescatore Palace to you.  By the way, ‘Pescatore’ means ‘Fisherman’ in Italian.   And, if the finest fish is what you seek, Chef Vito will please your every wish. 

Food is my drug of choice, and considering Chicago has over 9,000 restaurants, I’ve fallen off the wagon more times than Courtney Love. But sometimes we fall into routine, and if you’ve had your fair share of Chicago-style everything like I have, you start to crave the foreign, the exotic, any that is different.

Well, take a seat in first class and sip your complimentary mimosa, because it is time to take a trip around the world with out leaving the city limits. Sorry, motion sickness bags not included. And if they were, would you really want to be here?
We start our tour off in Central America, specifically, Oaxaca, Mexico. Located at 6113 W. Diversey, La Taqueria Oaxaquena provides Chicago with a much needed dose of great Latin American food. Don’t be fooled by the common interior, brightly colored with Mexican art and plastic wrapped tables. The food here is cheap, but it also spicy and amazingly flavorful. They start you off with a tasty trio of salsas, each one spicier than the next. I never cried so much while eating, but I also never knew salsa could hurt so good. The entire menu is great, from the mole-rubbed chicken to the traditional Oaxacan appetizer of grilled cactus with onions and jalapenos. You’ll leave mourning the fact that you were not born Oaxacan.

Next we head on over to Ethiopia. We’ve all heard our fair share of Ethiopian jokes, and before you ask, yes, they do eat. Very well, I might add. After my first experience at Ethiopian Diamond (6120 N. Broadway), I new exactly why Sally Struthers gained all that weight while filming the “Save the Children” commercials over there. Just the smell upon entering the restaurant was enough to make me weak in the knees, and I had to be stopped from eating off of other people’s tables. All food is served on a large, thin piece of injera bread, which is also used as an edible utensil to scoop up all the stew-like concoctions served there. Favorites include atkilt wot, a stew of potatoes and carrots, a spicy lentil stew, and beef sambusas, little fried pastries filled with ground meat. The bread is tangy, almost sourdough-like, and with a glass of sweet honey wine, life doesn’t get much better than that.

As we travel back towards the Middle East, we can make a quick stop at Old Jerusalem (1411 N. Wells), a no frills restaurant that serves, in my opinion, the best falafel to ever grace the planet. They have all the usual goodies, like schwarma, pita, and hummus so good, you may never eat anything else again, just so you could savor the flavor a little bit longer. And for those with a sweet tooth, it doesn’t get much better than their baklava. A full meal for under $10 and the best falafel in the entire world? You don’t have to tell me twice!

Finally, we land on Devon Ave., the famous strip of stores and restaurants in Chicago that boast Indian (and Pakistani and Mexican) food and goods. Just walking down the street is enough to soak up another culture completely different from ours. You could try one of the fancy restaurants, but I found the best bets to be the snack shops, which are like the fast food places we have, only much better. I love Sukhadia’s Sweets & Snacks (2559 W. Devon Ave.). Not only can you get exactly what you want to eat, but it is three times cheaper than eating at any of the restaurants, and the quality is just as good. I love getting a frosty mango lassi to drink and a big plate of spicy channa masala served with crispy warm naan. If you have room left, try out some of their sweets, which are known to be a little bit decadent, to say the least. My favorite is called dudi hulva, a bright green sweet made of sugar, milk, cardamom and shredded squash.. And once again, all these good eats for under a 10 spot.

Who says you have eat to deep dish pizza when you are in the city? With so many good, affordable food choices, you can easily tour the world without leaving the city limits. And when you dream about falafels all day long like I do, it’s nice to know that my fantasy is not so far away after all.