Categories
Best Bites

2014 Best Bite #25: Southern Tier Crème Brûlée imperial stout, World of Beer

Merry Christmas! For the third year in a row, I’m using each day in December to celebrate the rest of the best bites (and sips) that I didn’t get to blog about in 2014, posted in chronological order. Browse all of this year’s Best Bites, or look back at year-end Best Bites from 2012 and 2013.

Southern Tier Crème Brûlée imperial stout, World of Beer
Southern Tier Crème Brûlée imperial stout

Why it’s another 2014 Best Bite: I stopped into World of Beer for the first time with a good friend before a Northwestern football game this fall. I’d heard about their vast selection, but didn’t expect to love my beer quite this much. I chose a draft of Southern Tier’s crème brûlée imperial stout, laced with vanilla bean and roasted caramel malts. It had all the sugary splendor of its namesake custard dessert, but was toasty and dark enough to still hold its own as an imperial stout.

The details: World of Beer, 1601 Sherman Ave., Evanston.

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Categories
Chicago Restaurant Week

Restaurant Week 2014: Mon Ami Gabi

This is part of a series of posts about Chicago Restaurant Week 2014, held January 24–February 6. Check out the 2013 recap, or browse all Restaurant Week coverage.

Dinner at Mon Ami Gabi

Steak frites with sauce au poivre
Steak frites with sauce au poivre

Best Bite: When it comes to French bistro fare, steak frites is about as classic as it gets, and this version was transportive. The well-seasoned steak was a tender medium-rare, the frites were especially crispy, and the peppery sauce was rich with just enough creaminess. The mini dessert trio was just as well executed, though; and I was certainly relieved to not have to choose between mousse and crème brûlée. See full menu.

Dessert trio with chocolate mousse, crème brûlée, and meyer lemon sorbet
Dessert trio with chocolate mousse, crème brûlée, and meyer lemon sorbet

Other notes: The oven-roasted escargots were an indulgent start to the meal, but perhaps even better was dipping pieces of our still-hot baguette into the leftover garlic-herb butter. I couldn’t let those remnants go to waste! The cozy bistro environs were perfect for discussing exciting upcoming travel plans with two girlfriends, especially over a food-friendly Côtes du Rhône red.

Piping hot baguette to start the meal
Piping hot baguette to start the meal

The details: Mon Ami Gabi, 2300 N. Lincoln Park West, Chicago.

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