Fab Happenings: Top 10 Things I Ate/Drank in 2018 by Soo Park // Whole Fish Sashimi at Raisu // Photo: @fabsoopark
Eeeeek! I can’t believe January is almost over. I really had plans to get this article out earlier but, you know, life happened. We had a whole lot of sickness going on in our house this month. My little one (@fabfoodbaby) had an upper respiratory infection and I had strep. UGH! And, just when we started to feel better, we both got sick again. Please put us in a bubble.
I contemplated on ditching this article but I decided it was better to post late than never because I couldn’t pass by 2018 without giving it a high-five. Last year was the most exciting as well as challenging year of my life. I spent the year working on a major project (I can’t wait to share soon!) while running my consulting business, maintaining Fab Food Chicago, and most importantly being a wife and mom. I didn’t have enough time in the day. I rarely slept, I cried a lot, I had panic attacks, and the list goes on but it all worked out at the end. I pulled through it with lots of support and love.
With that said, I had to take a mental health break the last month or so to re-energize and refocus through yoga, meditation, acupuncture, spa treatments, and retail therapy (Shhh! Don’t tell my hubby!). I also took some time off from obsessively being on my phone and laptop and made it a priority to be present with my family. So I apologize for being MIA… as friend or on the blog or on my personal account (@fabsoopark). I needed a break. But I am rejuvenated and ready to tackle 2019. I am committed to being present with YOU.
On the flip side of all the chaos, I did get to eat a lot of incredible food, got some good travel in, met Andrew Zimmern for lunch, and more. Here are my “Top 10 Things I Ate/Drank in 2018”.
10. Korean BBQ at Pro Samgyubsal
I always get asked where my favorite Korean BBQ place is. My answer: Pro Samgyubsal in Northbrook. Yes, it’s in the burbs but trust me, it is the best in town. The meat is tender, plentiful, flavorful, and quite affordable. My video below got over 3 million views with a lot of comments about how disgusting it was that they were using scissors. I was a little offended by that since this is the way I’ve always known. It is the Korean way and super efficient in my opinion. Order their specialty, pork belly.
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Pro Samgyubsal
Northbrook || 3420 Milwaukee Ave, Northbrook, IL || P: (847) 715-9073
9. Whole Fish Sashimi at Raisu Japanese Fine Dining
My friend, Karen (@chicagofoodstories), introduced me to Raisu Japanese Fine Dining, a true hidden gem. Located in the Irving Park neighborhood, they focus on serving the freshest fish flown in from Japan and beyond. Skip the rolls and opt for the Omakase experience. Tell the chef (Simon Liew) your likes/dislikes and your budget. He will then customize a meal just for you. Ask for the whole fish sashimi which comes artistically plated.
FAB TIP: They will be participating in Restaurant Week this year and will be offering two special menus. Check out the menus here.
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Raisu Japanese Fine Dining
Irving Park || 2958 W Irving Park Rd, Chicago, IL || P: (773) 961-7299
8. Cacciucco Soondubu from Passerotto
Passerotto is a fun, Korean restaurant located in Andersonville helmed by chef/owner Jennifer Kim. I met chef Kim at Snaggletooth (now closed) and have been a #fangirl since. Passerotto is a thoughtful and beautiful representation of her Korean heritage and experiences in fine dining kitchens as well as her travels to Italy. You will find dishes like the Cacciucco Soondubu, a marriage of an Italian and Korean stew served with housemade banchan (Korean side dishes). Although the dishes take influence from Italy and the Midwest, it is still 100% Korean.
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Passerotto
Andersonville || 5420 N Clark St, Chicago, IL || P: (708) 607-2102
7. Elote Pizza at Grateful Bites Pizza Shoppe
If you are ever in Winnetka, you need to stop in the Grateful Bites Pizza Shoppe. The owners, Matt & Sarah Halack, started a catering business in 2012. They purchased a mobile wood-fire oven and grew a following from doing weddings, family parties, and special events. Due to their popularity they opened their first brick-and-mortar shop. They take pride in the ingredients they use and where they source it from. Everything is made from scratch using locally-sourced, quality ingredients. One of the most unique pizzas they have is the Elotes pizza. It may sound weird but it is life-changing!
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Grateful Bites Pizza Shoppe
Winnetka || 899 Green Bay Rd, Winnetka, IL || P: (847) 386-9141
6. Smokey the Bear at Arbella
If you’re for a laid back spot with some freakin’ cool drinks, go to Arbella. You can travel the world without leaving your seat with their globally-inspired drinks and bites. There’s nothing basic about these cocktails with names like Funky Chicken (Mexican Lollipop Rye), Alpaca My Bags (Torontel Pisco), and 50 Shades of Jade (shochu & sake). Thanks to my friend, Mistey (@madnagency), the Smokey the Bear makes it on my Top 10. I mean, who wouldn’t want a drink poured from a giant bear jar with a captivating smoke effect? Oh, and the food is remarkable, too!
FAB TIP: Happy Hour, Monday-Friday, 5-7 p.m.
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Arbella
River North || 112 W Grand Ave, Chicago, IL || P: (312) 846-6654
5. Maple-Glazed Bacon at Benny’s Chop House
OK, now. Let’s talk bacon. Typically I am not a big bacon fan (Gasp! Sorry. Don’t disown me.) but the Maple-Glazed Bacon at Benny’s Chop House has me enamored. The thick-cut, juicy bacon drenched in maple glaze is delectably delightful. You’ll never be able to eat regular bacon again. Never, again. The big decision… order one or two mouth-watering strips of the bacon. You only live once, right?
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Benny’s Chop House
River North || 444 N Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL || P: (312) 626-2444
4. Chicken & Rice at Cà Phê Đá
Chicken & Rice is one of those dishes I can eat every day and Cà Phê Đá’s (sister restaurant of HaiSous) version is very special. It’s like a hug in a bowl, a dish you crave when you’re sick and you want mom’s cooking. That’s the type of feels you get with the whole menu at both HaiSous and Cà Phê Đá. Every dish is made with love but with sophisticated techniques. Plus, the owners, Thai and Danielle Dang care about the community, workers in the neighborhood, employees, and people in general. In the crazy world we live in, we need more people like them.
FAB TIP: Wing it on Wednesdays. Get 1/2 off wings on Wednesdays.
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Cà Phê Đá
Pilsen || 1800 1/2 S Carpenter St, Chicago, IL || P: (773) 999-1800
3. Cinnamon Roll at Old West Cinnamon Rolls
We usually go to Los Angeles every year because we have a few friends there and it’s a pretty easy trip with a toddler. On our last visit, we decided to explore California beyond L.A. and found ourselves in a cute beach town called Pismo Beach. If you haven’t been, I highly recommend it. It’s a quaint town with a laid-back vibe and easy access to the beach. It was exactly what we needed and wanted after a crazy year. My insatiable hunger and keen scent took us directly into Old West Cinnamon Rolls. The ginormous, fluffy rolls with warm frosting… and bacon (I like bacon now. I am changed woman.) was exactly what the doctor ordered.
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Old West Cinnamon Rolls
Pismo Beach || 861 Dolliver St, Pismo Beach, CA || P: (805) 773-1428
2. Omakase at Omakase Takeya
Japanese cuisine is my favorite… especially sushi. So when the lovely owners of Omakase Takeya (Shoyu Hospitality) invited me to come, I immediately ran. Located at the lower level of Ramen Takeya (one of favorite ramen spots), the space is intimate with only 7 seats. It is a prix fixe menu only with around 16 courses. Price is $130 per person not including beverages, tax, and gratuity. The fish is carefully sourced and flown in mostly from Japan. Only premium rice and vinegar is used for the sushi rice. Service is impeccable and experience exceptional.
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Omakase Takeya
West Loop || 819 W Fulton Market, Chicago, IL || P: (312) 666-7710
1. Lunch w/ Andrew Zimmern
I had an once in a lifetime experience… lunch with Andrew Zimmern! As a food blogger, you can imagine my excitement. I entered his #myzimmernlist contest where I tagged my food videos and to my pleasant surprise I won!!! My dessert video from Imperial Lamian won! I couldn’t believe it. The winning prize was lunch with the chef. They flew the whole family into his home office/kitchen in Minnesota, provided us with sweet accommodations, welcomed us with awesome tee shirts (even for @fabfoodbaby), etc.
Hubby and I got to tour his new restaurant, Lucky Cricket, before it opened and was the FIRST to preview some of the menu items cooked by the chef himself. Menu included cold peanut sesame noodles, sous vide spare ribs, crispy salt & pepper prawns, and boiled dumplings. Controversy or not, this man is passionate about his craft and one of the nicest chefs I’ve met. He’s super chill and down-to-earth. My experience has been nothing short of great. Looking forward to checking out his restaurant in the near future. Tag your food videos #myzimmernlist for a chance to featured on his Instagram page.
Lucky Cricket
Saint Louis Park || 1607 West End Blvd, Saint Louis Park, MN || P: (952) 206-6830
Thanks for being patient and always supportive! 2018 was an incredible aka incredibly overwhelming year. Can’t wait to see what 2019 brings! I have some exciting news I will be announcing soon. In the meantime, share your greatest eats with me by tagging #fabfoodchicago.
Live the Fab Food Life,
Soo
Note: Some meals were not complimentary. The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the writer.
