Lollapalooza is always a fun and interesting weekend that brings a vast array of musical talent to Chicago along with thousands of enthusiastic fans and celebrity guests.  Many others come to the city during Lollapalooza to experience the restaurants and clubs that offer up special menu items, after-parties and tastings.

West Loop hot spot Nellcôte, newly opened in February 2012 after taking over the space that was formerly Marché, hosted Lollapalooza-centric events August 3-5. Festival-goers were able to keep their party going with DJs spinning late into the night. The music continued for brunch, setting a cool and classic vibe.

Throughout the weekend some famous faces stopped by Nellcôte to check out the scene.  Guests included Paul Sevigny, international DJ and brother of actress Chloe Sevigny, Danny Masterson (AKA DJ Momjeans), best known for “That 70's Show,” the cast of a new show shooting in Chicago, MOB DOCTOR, and Emmy Award-winning actor Aaron Paul, best known for his role as Jesse Pinkman in the AMC series “Breaking Bad.”  

One of our favorite Chicago actors, Michael Peña, was spotted at Nellcôte over the Lollapalooza weekend as well.  He’s had memorable performances in several films including “Crash,” which earned him an ALMA award for Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture, “Million Dollar Baby,” and “The Lincoln Lawyer.”  Peña is starring in the upcoming indie film "Chavez," which Diego Luna will direct from a script by Keir Pearson.  

September 12-16 Rockit River North 22 W. Hubbard, Chicago

September 15-16 Rockit Wrigley 3700 North Clark, Chicago

If you love wings or if you are in the mood for some amazing gourmet food then this is the place to satisfy your taste buds.

Our staff recently attended a pre-tasting at the River North location and were very impressed. Chefs Amanda Downing and James Gottwald have been busy creating a spin on the good old chicken wing that’s so popular during football season.

We sampled:

Polynesian Wings: (scallions, grilled pineapple, rum red pepper glaze)

The wings have a smokey, sweet and semi hot flavor. They are finger lickin’ great with a roasted pineapple garnish. Both sweet and hot (but not too hot) they have enough kick and are also a little crunchy. Flavor bursts in your mouth!

Rosebud Restaurant Review
22 E Chicago Ave
Naperville, IL 60540
(630) 548-9800
Open Daily 11am-11pm

The Scoop- Total Dining Experience: ★★★ ½ out of 4

We’ll go back, due to the food, service, atmosphere, attention to details, ease of parking and fun factor. Favorite item we tried − ‘Priest Stranglers’.

Don’t you just love spreading the word about a great movie, book or restaurant? I know I do. In fact, that’s just part of my nature. Rosebud restaurant in Naperville recently reopened this past February after a 14 year stint on the corner of Main St. and Chicago Ave. and they’re doing so many things right over there, I just had to write about it! They’ve actually moved down a block and are now on the corner of Chicago Ave. and Washington St.

 

Rockit Wild Hogs Chili'

We've been taste testing some of the chili, fries and mac&cheese−you're in for serious chowing down when you stop by next week.

Looking for some comfort food to warm you up during this hyper-cold weather? Stopping into Rockit Bar and Grill for their annual Chili Fest Jan. 17-21, will not only you warm up−but you may discover some interesting mixes on the dish. For starters try the 3 Wild Hogs Chili, it has a hearty flavor with gigantic white beans, ancho chillies, pepper jack cheese, wild boar, bacon and pork crackling. Wow, the flavors blend together and offer a gamy twist to the old traditional red beans and ground hamburger.

Alligator Fricassee Photo Credit: Sarah Adamson

MoeJoe’s Cajun and Caribbean Cuisine Restaurant Review
510 Lockport St.
Plainfield, Illinois
(815) 230-2790
Hours: 11am - 1am Monday through Thursday
11am - 2am Friday and Saturday
Noon - midnight Sunday

The Scoop- Total Dining Experience: ★★★ out of 4

Here’s a hidden gem of a place if you’re looking for authentic cajun upscale food. We’d go back, due to the food preparation, service, New Orleans atmosphere, attention to details and location (downtown Plainfield).

Favorite item we tried − ‘Alligator Fricassee’. Forget about booking a flight to New Orleans. With a menu that features alligator fricassee, turtle soup, crawfish etouffee, jambalaya and Southern-fried frog legs, MoeJoe's Cajun and Caribbean Cuisine is a lot closer to home and just as good as anything you'll find in the French Quarter.

If you decide to experience this downtown Plainfield eatery, save room for a final course. Dessert lovers will be in "voodoo heaven" after sampling the homemade beignets and bourbon chocolate ganache cheesecake. We certainly were.

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Photo credit: Sarah Adamson

Plainfield’s Pancake Delight, 24020 W 119th St, Plainfield, IL 60585, 815-254-1565

The Scoop - Total Dining Experience: ★★★ out of 4

Plenty of Reasons to Shout "Opa!" When You're at Plainfield's Delight Pancake Cafe

Saganaki, the popular flaming cheese Greek appetizer, is not just for lunch and dinner anymore, at least not in Plainfield.

During a recent breakfast visit to Plainfield's Delight Cafe, we heard cheers of "Opa!" coming from at least two different tables and it wasn't even 10:30 a.m. yet. The pan-seared cheese arrives table-side in a little frying pan, which they serve flambées and then extinguished with a lemon wedge. A festive sight to be sure, setting a mood for "true delight." On another recent visit, I ordered my own flaming cheese and was ‘delighted’ by the taste.

Breakfast is the main reason to dine at this lovely establishment, which opened two and a half years ago. However, the lunch and dinner menus are also extensive.

Yum Factor- Details of what we tried.

Saganaki - The taste was mellow and creamy, similar to most of the Greek restaurants in Chicago. It’s served all day. ($7)

Pancakes- There are six different options in addition to their "secret recipe" trademark special: Swedish, "fruitylicious," multi-grain, pumpkin pecan, baby apple and Dutch baby apple. Prices range from the $5 short stack to $9.

Super Fiesta Mini Enchiladas, includes 5 different types including ground beef, chicken and cheese. Photo Credit: Sarah Adamson

Fiesta Mexicana Grill and Cantina Restaurant Review
24136 W. Lockport St.
Plainfield, Illinois
(815) 609-4444
Hours: 11am - 9:30pm Sunday through Thursday
11am - 10:30pm Friday and Saturday

Superb Entrees Spark Fiesta Mexicana's Traditional Menu

The Scoop- Total Dining Experience: ★★★ out of 4

We’ll go back, due to the food, service, atmosphere, value, ease of parking and fun factor.

Favorite item we tried − ‘Enchilada Super Fiesta’

Plainfield’s restaurant scene is moving in a great direction, and one of the newest additions, Fiesta Mexicana Grill and Cantina, celebrates its one-year anniversary Feb. 1. What was once the Plainfield Supper Club has been transformed into a lively, brightly colored dining spot. Owner Dave Lopez is no stranger to the restaurant business; he owns three similar eateries in central Illinois.

The murals on the walls set the tone for what is an authentic Tex-Mex dining experience. The restaurant is more spacious than it might appear from the street, with a large front dining room with windows facing out toward Lockport Street, a bar area and two rooms are in the back. All told, they can seat about 100 diners and in the summer, an outdoor patio adds space for 60 more.

The minute you take your seat, the waitress appears with a basket of tri-colored tortilla chips -- red, green and gold -- and freshly made salsa, which we deemed not far from perfect. It's flavorful, with plenty of cilantro, whole tomatoes, jalapeno peppers, spices and onions, all of which gave it a nice kick.

Yum Factor− Details of the items we tried.

Cheese Quesadilla Appetizer− The melted white cheese was delicious, but we could have lived without the accompanying side of beans. Also, for this price, a whole quesadilla would seem more appropriate than a folded half. My suggestion would be to skip the beans and increase the size. $6

Enchilada Super Fiesta −The entree features five kinds of mini enchiladas -- ground beef, chicken, shredded beef, beans and cheese. Tomato-flavored rice is served on the side, as are beans, lettuce, enchilada sauce, tomatoes and sour cream. The dish was unique, with fantastic presentation and rich flavors to match. $11