CHI - Bouldering, Nando's, and Cookie Dough

Today was the final day of the school year which meant a Year End Show to send off the seniors and see what other programs were working on in the building. This also meant that we didn't have to be at school until 2pm so I twisted some arms and Alyx and Christel from the industrial design program happily agreed to go bouldering with me at Brooklyn Boulders because I was dying to climb. We had such a fun time and even though it's more expensive than what I'm used to, it's also a million times nicer and bigger than the Red Barn at RIT. Nevertheless the barn will always be my bouldering home and for less than $5 it's a steal. Not something I'm going to find in Chicago I'm sure.  

After a little over an hour we decided to pack things up with our noodle arms and head to lunch since it was still early. Brooklyn boulders is in between school and the west loop where the strip of restaurants is that is always a go-to success. After debating whether or not we should be eating tacos and drinking margarita's because its Cinco De Mayo we landed on going to Nando's PERi-PERi which is something I've wanted to do since the decor looks so fun from the outside and we don't have this chain in Rochester. 

LOCATION: 953 W RANDOLPH ST., CHICAGO, IL 60607

Walking in this place is just as cute inside as it seems from the outside. It's super colorful while not being gaudy and it smells really great. We checked out our menu's and I got some recommendations from Alyx and made a sharing game plan with Christel and we walked up to order. Alyx was telling me that this chain derived from Africa and the PERi-PERi is a popular pepper of that region which gets shipped to the states for this kitchen to use. Pretty cool. 

 Alyx got a wrap of some sort, Christel got chicken, and I decided on the Chicken Thigh Skewers which comes with onions, red pepper, and I chose the mango lime sauce on the chicken with a side of Peri Chips (french fries) and the special Perinaise (the PERi-PERi mayo). Christel got a side of garlic bread and we shared so we got to try a little more. 

Everything tasted so good and between the three of use we pretty much cleared our plates and were pretty full. My chicken was juicy and the mango lime sauce on top was a unique twist. I liked the idea and it was really yummy. The fries were also great and not too skinny and crispy which I like. Fries that taste like potatoes are my love and with the dipping mayo it was so flavorful. With mayo aioli type sauces I'm good to go. 

Happy, full, and not yet sore from bouldering, we continued our adventure!  

 We still had some time to wander around after we finished eating so Alyx suggested this cookie shop that her boyfriend found for her. She was raving about how these were the best cookies and she was super excited to go and grab some since we were close to the store so Christel and I agreed and we started to walk off our Nando's on our quest for cookies! 

LOCATION: 1148 W MONROE ST., CHICAGO, IL 60607

Warm Belly Bakery is this tiny little shop with a full case of these dense cookie balls. They're pretty heavy weight wise and density wise so, not having a huge sweet tooth, they're not something I would crave but like I mentioned, Alyx loves them and they are really tasty. 

Since there were a bunch of flavors the three of use decided just to go in on the 6 cookie deal for $16 and get two each. I got the fruity pebbles and the cheesecake and they both ended up being pretty good. The problem I found with the fruity pebbles was that the cereal itself got a little soggy in the processes and were therefore a little chewy in a way that wasn't super enjoyable. The cookies are also a little crumbly and super heavy so it took some time and dedication for me to get through this rock while also sharing with some people. The cheesecake was a little flatter and therefore more enjoyable. It was creamy and cheescake-y but again, chewy. Not my favorite part of the day but I honestly love trying this kinda stuff and if I'd seen pictures of this place I would've made it a trip so even though it's not my thing I'm super glad Alyx took us.   

Overall, a very nice bonding day full of climbing and food. What more could I ask for. 

CHI - Freshii Adventure

Being from Rochester, we don't have Freshii's and I kept seeing them around Chicago and clearly I love rice bowls and veggies so I wanted to give it a shot and see what was going on. 

LOCATION: 200 W RANDOLPH ST., CHICAGO, IL 60606

After a long day of school I was starving and figured I'd stop by a Freshii's I've passed several times before but apparently I have no idea what I'm doing so my gps took me to an entirely different one than I was expecting. No problem, they were still open but since it was around 7 it was empty and they looked like they were about to close up even though I had an hour or so left of time. Still, they were nice to me and one of the workers confirmed I was okay to order when I was ready. I'm gonna say that this set up was terrible at this location. I didn't know where to order, couldn't find the menu board until after I left, and felt completely stupid the whole time not knowing where to go. 

They have customizable rice bowls but I didn't know what combination would work and what would could be include so I walked up to the register and just ordered their new Thai bowl that they had listed on mini flyers on hand. Thankfully I'm not picky and actually love the idea of what's in this Thai bowl so it worked out but now I know how to works and how this location is really set up so next time won't be so awkward. 

Like I said, I ordered this Thai bowl which came with brown rice, broccoli, carrots, red cabbage, coconut, mushrooms, and a squeeze of lime on it which makes it feel super fresh. I also added steak because I'm a lover of steak with rice bowls and was craving the extra protein even for a few extra dollars.   

I took it home and let the coconut milk of the dressing soak into the rice a little adding more flavor to it and I really enjoyed the dish. It was fresh and light but had everything I needed to mix textures and feel full. 

I think for me, each of the pre-set bowls have some aspects that I don't fully enjoy so I'd have to modify some of them a little or learn how to make my own. Still, this is a really nice healthy option and of course is a really trendy way to serve food now a ways. It feels like going to chipotle only lighter and fresher just based off of the ingredients and combinations available. I like quickness of it and for $10 it hits the average price range for me well enough to splurge when I'm in the mood for it. 

CHI Final's done annnnnnndddddd.... DRINK!

Final critiques have finished and the year is over! The best remedy for long critique days and lots of emotional distress - alcohol all together on taco Tuesday no less! 

LOCATION: 1251 W TAYLOR STREET, CHICAGO, IL 60607

Alyx, an industrial design grad, proposed we all celebrate the end of the year and making it through finals with Taco Tuesday at Bar 10 Door right by school. 

As much as I enjoy taco's I don't think I've ever been anywhere for an official taco tuesday so I was pretty excited about the prospects of a $2 taco! Unfortunately, I had a bad time with critiques and an existential crisis not to mention my eyes completely dried out forcing me to peel my contacts off my eyes and walk blind to the bar.. could've been a better taco Tuesday... Still, I tried to relax and vent about the year with everyone in the program and after one very fruity malibu sunrise kinda drink I was ready for a $2 fish taco!   

(Also pictured is a chicken taco that one of my friend's ordered with mine so even though it's here I have no idea how it tasted because it wasn't mine.)

I can't say for sure why the tortilla's were this green, possibly a special touch they've done to make them a little more special but they tasted like ordinary tortilla's so that's all fine with me. The fish taco itself was incredible. I'm always excited to try a fish taco because I feel like restaurants and bars always do a great job with them and they hit this one out of the park. I seriously considered ordering a second one but after a long day I just wanted to go home. This fish taco really did the trick in lifting my mood though.

This fish was a super flaky crisp basa with I don't even know what but it was 100% amazing. Alex in graphic design said he tried all three tacos available that day and the fish was the best so I'm pretty happy with my decision and I confirmed that this was the right way to go on taco Tuesday!  

CHI - Halal Guys!!!!!

That's right! I've just gone to Halal Guys here in Chicago and I'm beyond excited!

LOCATION: 172 NORTH WABASH AVE., CHICAGO, IL 60601

Quick post today but I've been dying to get halal guys again and since I'm finally in another big city this was my shot. After a busy morning of running errands (and getting coffee) with Nina I decided to treat myself and boy was that great. 

Of course I got a chicken platter to go and I asked for extra white sauce on top (I guess they have this sauce in packets for a little extra too but I'm pretty happy with how much they gave me since I'm not a HUGE sauce person in general). 

For those of you who haven't had Halal guys this chicken platter is the thing to get for real! It comes with Rice, Chicken, Veggies (lettuce, tomato, and onion), pita, and the most incredible white sauce you could imagine. I'm not sure exactly what's in it but I'm not here to wonder, I'm here to eat.

It's not the same here as it is eating from the original cart in NYC but it's been so long since I've had this that it was still incredible to me. I ate the whole thing and with a year left to go in Chicago, I'm for sure going back. 

CHI - Chopsticks

Quick little blog post today of a little to-go Ramen store I hit on my way home. 

LOCATION: 28 E ROOSEVELT RD, CHICAGO, IL 60605

Chopsticks is this little fast food chinese place that's right off the Roosevelt line that I hit on my way home and where I go grocery shopping. It's a small little place that looks kinda clean but sparse. it's nothing impressive but since I pass it so much I was inclined to stop in especially with the posters of Ramen they have on their window front. 

Everything you order comes in travel friendly packaging so it doesn't really feel like they want you to stick around. No problem for me because I was on my way home anyways and just wanted a ramen fix. This ramen was a little pricey starting at $11 to go at the size that it was. I ordered the Tonkotsu (pork) broth which I tend to favor over Miso, with Cha Siu (pork) because nothing is better in ramen than pork.. except a runny egg, which I also ordered on top. It already comes with bean sprouts, wood ear, green onion, naruto, bamboo shoots, and corn so that was everything I could've needed to make a complete ramen dish. 

They packed it up great so that it was safe and wouldn't spill on my way home which I always appreciate. I could tell they knew what they were doing when the broth came separate for me to add to my bowl later when I was ready to eat. The way noodle broth bowls should be done honestly. Everything was perfectly cook and there was a nice balance of flavor in the dish. At the very worst it was a little salty but I would go back again if I was craving ramen on the go. However, for this price, I'd like to look around and spend the money on a real bowl of nice ramen at a restaurant.