Sometimes a person just want to snack on something and drink a couple glasses of wine in a casual yet elegant place.
All of those things can be had at ENO Wine Bar ( 505 N. Michigan Ave., at the InterContinental Hotel Chicago Magnificent Mile; www.enowinerooms.com/ ), a cozy spot located in Streeterville.
True to its name, ENO excels in wines, with more than 500 bottles to choose from—some only available only at this site. A wine flight is an excellent way to sample three different varieties. ( Right now, it's about the roses. ) There are even sulfite-free reds for those, like me, who tend to stick with white wines because of allergies.
A recent trip to ENO proved to be a warm ( down to the fireplace ) and inviting experience I'm eager to repeat. One should not be intimidated by the menu, as the staff will practically walk you through the options. One flight I tried included a 2013 Domaine de l'Ecu, a 2013 Negro Angelo & Figli and a 2011 Aphros Ten from, respectively, France, Italy and Portugal. All were quite impressive—although I knew better than to try more.
We also tried a cheese flight ( just as impressive as the wine list ). The selections we sampled included Taleggio DOP, Caciocavallo and Peccorino alla Grappa—with both of us particularly swooning over the Taleggio.
If you want a little more to eat, there are also sumptuous chocolates, flatbreads/pizzatas ( the goat-cheese one is sinful ) and charcuterie platters.
So, the next time you're looking for a place to nosh, drink and just relax while the rest of the bustling world goes by, check out ENO Wine Bar.
BellyQ brunch
I admit that it was curiosity that drew me to bellyQ ( 1400 W. Randolph St.; www.bellyqchicago.com/ ).
Chef Bill Kim's West Loop spot has garnered all sorts of acclaim over its three years—and this columnist has gotten in line with those praising the restaurant.
A friend recently went there for lunch. ( Note: If you take the Green Line to get there, it can be an adventure. ) As testimony to its popularity, we were the first ones at bellyQ, getting there precisely at 11 a.m. However, practically a half-hour later, the place was practically packed, despite its somewhat isolated location.
We started with two varieties of dumplings—Wagyu beef and cheddar, and sweet potato and maple. The former contains horseradish as well as a Japanese pepper and, while they certainly added kick, they threatened to overwhelm the dumplings. In fact, if they were called horseradish dumplings, that might've been more fitting. The sweet potato and maple items were better and more suited for my ( apparently sensitive ) tastes.
However, the main selections really won over both of us. The beef brisket skillet is a tasty concoction of potatoes, peppers, onions, cheddar and a fried egg. And the chicken katsu bowl is even better—a combination of crispy chicken thigh, jasmine rice, fried egg and pork sausage gravy that could put a smile on Tommy Lee Jones' face. ( By the way, there are also vegetarian options such as a Vietnamese omelet with feta, spinach and quinoa. )
Lastly, we had a pair of cinnamon-sugar-dusted donuts with berry compote. The phrase "sinfully good" does not do these piping-hot desserts justice—and it was just the right amount to conclude a brunch that turned out to be more than satisfying.
Note: Urban Belly ( another Kim establishment ) is right next door—and it offers everything from pad thai to wheatberry bibimbap.
