COCELLO // Plates on Plates on Plates

So Dillman’s flipped the potato pancake track + brought some italian into the mix. Yes -  we are talking jewish cuisine + boutique italian merging as ONE. Sour cream + Marinara living in perfect harmony. How PC of them. We feel like we live in a better world just eating here. So we're patting ourselves on the back, then we see about two dozen good looking dudes wearing tortoiseshell glasses. Didn’t get that memo? Well go get yourself some @ Labrabbit on Ashland or else you won’t be getting into this establishment. Rad glasses, cozy couches + lots of cool looking people, that’s the vibe. We can dig. So we order some girly cocktails + grill the poor waiter on everything from portion sizes to gluten free options… He basically falls in love with us. Cocktails were appealing to look at plus they they tasted mighty fine, great. The grub. Now this is where your world is going to be blown right open guys. Some of the best Italian I've had in a real long time. No offense to Italy, but this kids got it. 

Some high points...

Ravioli w/ the egg bursting out. Get it. We almost had a seizer right there… In front of a .5 dozen people… Wearing tortoiseshell glasses.

Spring mix salad w/ ricotta. Flavorful + refreshing… Perfect light dish before you gorge yourself with buttery polenta + tiramisu.

Speaking of tiramisu… Get ready to have a lady tingle (ladies) because wow. It’s kinda like seeing someone who is all wrong for you... BUT you just keep coming back because the other “stuff” is killer. Yeah, this enormous tiramisu is like that. Hand us anotha. AND MOTHER OF JESUS - JUST LOOK AT THAT COOKIE. Geezalou this place.

OLD FIFTH // A Little Garish

This Fatbrain is basically brainless today, but can still muster up a tad of energy to talk about food.

Old Fifth! More like Old N' Shabby - good one, we know. This place is basically doing nothing right. The High Plains Drifter - not just a Clint Eastwood movie. It's also a whiskey cocktail and a real delight, so I guess they did that one thing right. The 5 in the frothy egg white topper was a little garish though, could have done without that. The service was just fine. The nachos needed more stuff. The TVs, lord Jesus. Those suckers are plastered on every open piece of wall space. Look we get it. It's a sports bar for sporty dudes + women who want to spend time with said dudes, another concept lost on us. We think the real concept here is - why not drink a  boatload of whiskey drinks until everything on the menu tastes like an angel sprinkled awesomeness all up on it. The lighting is also a big ol' mess. Ghouly gals like whoa. You know that Seinfeld where, you know, came true that night. The final piece of our Seinfeld life puzzle, in place. But the company - oh the company! Guess it doesn't really matter where you are when you dig the people that your with.

We refuse to dissect the menu... here are some photos. Eastwood, What's even going on with that old savage these days?

Hubbard Inn // It ain't that great

It's been a while, so sorry to bust through the gate all negative nelly.

Hubbard Inn - It ain't that great. I want to stay positive and zen-like, but I can't tell a lie. The mushrooms on the flatbread were decent, but let's be honest, decent isn't a compliment and three mushrooms do not make a meal. It was a lunch rendezvous, so maybe they just threw us some scraps because we weren't ordering cocktails like drunken sailors. The salad - boring. The hot tea - no honey. The person with me - didn't know I was taking mental notes on how minty the salad shouldn't have been.

I want to like this place in spite of the fact it was featured on the show 100 days of summer - really that's the best we got? No! The place did have a delightful ambiance, probably would go back for a cocktail in the eve.

QUICK BITE. QUICK POST // Hannah's Bretzel

Color me impressed and covered in pricy (totally worth it) chocolate. I walk past Hannah's Bretzel all the time, but never step my Vans inside. This is for one reason and one reason only - I eat Greek yogurt and an apple everyday at lunch. I'm Fatbained, not stupid and calories at lunch add up. I'd rather do most of my heavy feasting and sweet eatin' at night. But today is Friday so I was like, come on now, live it up a little, throw caution to the wind and get a damn sandwich already. Caution was thrown, a sandwich was gobbled, everyone left happy including my wallet and waistband. 

EAT// Wild Alaskan Smoked Salmon Wecken
YOU WILL LOVE IT - If you are a fake vegetarian who eats fish and has a soft spot for smoked salmon

NOT SO // Standard Market Grill

We are still reeling from last night's plantains foster episode over at Handlebar, but we will do our best to give Standard Market Grill the attention it deserves. As we weaved our way through the restaurant we were pleasantly surprised when we saw all the delightful looking items on everyone's plates. Sweet potato fries piled high. Fresh salads with lots of stuff in giant bowls. Free cucumber water!? Woah a really smart chick must have been responsible for this concept. So yea we are HAVING AN UNHEALTHY ATTRACTION TO THIS ESTABLISHMENT, but who cares. We have fat brains and everyone will just have to deal. It's an order off the menu at the front desk and take a number situation, but they do have waiters that come around to ask if you want more wine or whatever, so it's cool. We were practically famished when we arrived, so it's hard to remember every little detail, but everything was super delish and filling. I wish there was a dessert menu, but the free cookie at the end was a very nice touch.

SHARE // Crunchy Shrimp Lettuce Wraps
The peanut sauce, oh yes

EAT// Tuna Cobb Salad OR The Crunch Seared Tofu 
Oh so crunchy and fresh and the champagne vinaigrette is killer

BIG FLAVORS // Tiny Lounge

Tiny Lounge has it goin' on. They serve-up perfectly proportioned sharing plates and upscale cocktails without the Downtown price tag. This little gem offers a variety of tasty items to choose from, so even vegetarians can indulge. I fell in love and just about proposed to that sweet potato empanada - the chimichurri sauce, wowza. John and I usually swoon over everything here, but our very favorite dish is the mussels - you can get a half portion if you just want a little. I have been been dying to try the fried Wisconsin cheese curds, but that's a conversation for another day. Now back to the important stuff in life - cocktails. I am telling you people, the Whiskey Sour is so good you will do a little jig right there in front of the Golden Angel. All in all, tiny is in and over-sized entrees are out. It's also situated in our very own neighborhood, SCORE. Lincoln Square can I get a what what?

DRINK // Whiskey Sour 
Hands down, best WS we've had the pleasure of tasting
 
SHARE // Island Mussels, Sweet Potato Empanadas & Curried Cauliflower
Mmmm mmm mmm. Can you please sell that chimichurri sauce in to go containers?

STILL HUNGRY // Catfish Tacos
Refreshing, crunchy and delish

CAN I GET A TACO DE PESCADO // Big Star

OK so yeah we have the nerve to review Big Star. Let's be honest, a place so killer that patrons will gladly wait three hours to enter doesn't need reviewing. We can't help ourselves though, we want to shout TACO DE PESCADO from the rooftops or better yet, the yellow taco truck situated next to the restaurant. Big Star is so feakin' delicious that we basically black out during the consumption part of the meal... And when we come to, we order more.

SHARE // Chips and Guacamole  AND Ensalada De Big Star  

The chips are limey and the guacamole is extra guacy, let's swim in that salad

EAT // Taco De Pescado 

Feels like you have been transported to California, but better, this kids got it

DRINK // La Paloma

Goes good with more fish tacos

REPEAT // Taco De Pescado 

Or else you will be sorry you didn't order more