Churascarria experience arrives in River North
By Ed Lowe
Senior Writer
When we visited Rio de Janeiro many years ago, one of our most memorable experiences was the discovery of a Churascaria. That's a restaurant where a variety of barbecued and spit-roasted meats are served by waiters who carve the meat at table side directly off the skewers on which they were cooked. In addition to the wide array of meat, there was also an extensive assortment of salad greens, vegetables and appetizers available as supplements to the wonderfully spiced entrees. Dining in a Churrascaria is something that Chicagoans have only recently been able to enjoy.
Now, there's an opportunity to have this Brazilian experience in the River North area at Sal & Carvao, located at 739 N. Clark St. The interior of the 22,000 square foot restaurant has been completely redone from its former incarnation as a barbecue palace. Beautifully rendered murals by Brazilian artist Renata Castilho complement the gentle fountains that have been installed. It's a relaxing environment in which to enjoy a unique dining experience.
It's best to visit Sal & Carvao with an empty stomach because this all-you-can-eat experience requires some prioritizing of your tastes. Diners begin with the sumptuous salad and appetizer bar in the center of the main room. On the bar are such varied delicacies as gravlox and heart of palm, marinated artichoke hearts and Brazilian black bean soup. In fact, the menu offers non-meat eaters an option of ordering only the salad bar at either the lunch or dinner seatings. There are choices of salads and dressings, prosciutto and Italian sausage, chicken salad and a number of toppings for lettuce salads. That's only a tiny sampling of what's available. It is certainly one of the most extensive salad bars in the city.
But the real treat comes when diners finish this appetizer and salad course. At each place setting, you'll find a small coaster, red on one side, green on the other. This signals the servers (called "gauchos" here) that you want meat — or want a breather. There's also a pair of tongs used to take the meat as it's carved from the spit and put it on your plate. The choices are enough to make any meat lover drool. You can choose from top sirloin, rump, beef ribs, tenderloin, or from a deliciously seasoned leg of lamb. You could opt for bottom sirloin or lamb chops or even chicken breasts wrapped in bacon. Or you could taste all of the above and have as much of any that you want. By simply exposing the green side of your coaster, you are immediately offered your choice of meats.
The restaurant's name comes from the Portuguese for "Salt and Charcoal," a reference to the cooking method employed. It's a place where you will find top quality foods in a unique dining atmosphere. Dinners are priced at a somewhat pricey $48.50 plus tax and tip. The salad bar alone is $25 at dinner. While the menu and ambience is identical at lunchtime, the prices are dropped to $29.50 and $18.50 respectively. Reduced prices are offered for kids. There's an extensive wine list and deserts are available — if you have any room left to enjoy them. One house specialty is their Creme de Papaya, a blend of fresh papaya, vanilla ice cream and creme de cassis.
Reservations are available and are certainly advisable especially on weekends. The telephone number for Sal & Carvao is (312) 932-1100. Ask for Edson Pereira, the manager, or for Rogerio Charu, one of the owners, and tell them Inside sent you.
Geja's Café marks 40th anniversary with "dinner for life" contest
Geja's Café, 340 W. Armitage Ave., isn't called Chicago's most romantic restaurant for nothing. In its 40-year history the classic fondue restaurant has been the site of 120,360 first dates and 14,697 engagements. To celebrate its milestone 40th anniversary, Geja's Café will award four lucky couples "dinner for life."
To enter to win "dinner for life," past guests are encouraged to submit an essay on their most romantic Geja's Café experience, in 250 words or less, via email to gejas@gejascafe.com, by fax to (773) 281-0849 or by mail to: ATTN: Dinner for Life Contest, Geja's Café, 340 W. Armitage Ave., Chicago, IL 60614.
A panel of celebrity judges including Bill Rice, Terry Savage and Sherren Leigh will select one winning entry from each decade ('60s, '70s, '80s and '90s). The Grand Prize winner will receive one dinner per month for life, and the second, third and fourth place winners will receive one dinner per year for life. The deadline for entry is April 30.
"Geja's Café has been the setting for many romantic and memorable experiences and we look forward to reading each and every entry," says Jeff Lawler, vice president of the landmark Chicago restaurant.
John Davis founded Geja's Café in 1965 on Wells Street in Chicago's Old Town neighborhood. For six years, Geja's operated in this location, serving as a Bohemian enclave for artists and writers. In 1969, Davis began the Geja's Wine Society, one of the nation's oldest tasting groups, and the restaurant began to be known as Chicago's first "wine bar." In need of additional seating, Davis relocated Geja's to its current Armitage Avenue location in 1971, where the restaurant continues to thrive. The original 1965 bar and many of the fixtures are still a part of Geja's charming atmosphere. Today, Geja's Cafe continues to be voted "Chicago's Most Romantic Restaurant" by numerous local and national publications. In 1993, CNN featured Geja's as the "Best Fondue Dining" in North America.
Hours for Geja's Cafe are Monday through Thursday, 5 to 10:30 p.m.; Friday, 5 p.m. to midnight; Saturday, 5 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.; and Sunday, 4:30 to 10 p.m. Valet parking is available. For more information or to make reservations for the 40th Anniversary Celebration, please call (773) 281-9101, or visit gejascafe.com.
Try wienerschnitzel at Chicago Brauhaus
This Lincoln Square restaurant features excellent German and American cuisine. Specialties include sauerbraten, wienerschnitzel, roast veal shank and roast duck. There's a great beer selection, live entertainment nightly and lots of Gem¸tlichkeit! Open 11 a.m.-2 a.m. Monday-Sunday. Closed Tuesdays. Chicago Brauhaus is located at 4732 N. Lincoln Ave.; call (773) 784-4444.
Clams, oysters at Chicago Joe's
A gem in North Center for 15 years, Chicago Joe's is famous for the oysters and clams. The burgers are great and parking is a breeze. Stop by for Sunday brunch or late night bar action. Catering and delivery service are available. Chicago Joe's is located at 2256 W. Irving Park Rd.; call (773) 478-7000.
Blues and more blues
Kingston Mines is known around the world and is now celebrating their 34th anniversary. "Ain't Nothing but the Blues" here seven nights a week. Two stages open 8 p.m., show time 9:30 p.m.; 'til 4 a.m./ 5 a.m. Saturdays. The emcee at Chicago's blues center is Frank Pellegrino. "Doc's" ribs are not to be missed! Kingston Mines is located at 2548 N. Halsted St., (773) 477-4646.
Bohemian cafe
Kopi, A Traveler's Cafe, is now a mainstay of its Andersonville neighborhood. This very distinctive, somewhat bohemian coffeehouse offers vegetarian fare (great soup), along with a full complement of coffee drinks. There's also a traveler's bookstore, and a gift shop packed with imports (many from Bali) well worth the visit. Also, enjoy live performance some evenings. Kopi, A Traveler's Cafe, is located at 5317 N. Clark St., (773) 989-5674.
Indulge at O'Brien's
Step into Chicago's historic Old Town neighborhood at O'Brien's. The Garden CafÈ, with its Gazebo Bar appointed with teakwood tables and chairs and a water fountain, will ease your senses while you enjoy the lunch menu: appetizers, salads, burgers and other lighter options. Step into the main dining room and enjoy prime steaks, fresh seafood, chicken, veal and pasta entrees. Free valet parking, cigar friendly piano bar and private rooms for your celebration await you. It's open daily at 11 a.m., with a Sunday brunch. Reservations are recommended; visit obriensrestaurant.com. O'Brien's Restaurant is located at 1528 N. Wells St., (312) 787-3131.
More than pizza
Patís Pizzeria offers delicious thin-crust pizza, pasta, seafood, vegetarian entrÈes and more. Outdoor dining is available. Take out, dine in or deliveryóyou'll enjoy it no matter how you get it. Parking is free. Patís Pizzeria is located at 3114 N. Sheffield Ave., (773) 248-0168.
Simply sumptuous, sophisticated
Find an elegant yet cozy ambiance in the heart of trendy Roscoe Village. Piazza Bella's menu offers sumptuous Old World favorites with a light, sophisticated touch. Try the Lasagna Della Nonna, Pollo Parmigiana or Fettucine Alla Nettuno (with clams, shrimp, mussels and scallops). You'll love the gourmet pizza and panini. The hours are Monday-Thursday 11:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Sunday 4:30 to 9:30 p.m. Delivery is available. Piazza Bella Trattoria is located at 2116 W. Roscoe St., (773) 477-7330.
Authentic English pub
Red Lion Pub, Chicago's only authentic English pub, is an Anglophile's delight with lots of memorabilia and a real London phone booth. Come for conversation, stay for the food... it's good! It's convenient to theater, movies, readings and special events. Try Twilight Tales on Monday night, when local authors read their works of various genres: science fiction, mystery, romance and western. Red Lion Pub is located at 2446 N. Lincoln Ave., (773) 348-2695.
Rustic Southern Italian foods
To recreate the relaxed way of life and foods of Calabria, Via Carducci offers typical rustic Southern Italian foods, considered one of the best diets in the world with plenty of natural ingredients. Everything's fresh! Enjoy regional Italian wines that complement the cuisine of Southern Italy. Dine in, carry out or ask for delivery. Via Carducci is located at 1419 W. Fullerton Ave., (773) 665-1981. |
