Restaurants Thread

[Hards Alumni]

Wife asked me to go to a Russian restaurant last time we were in Dubai.  It's called Sakhalin.  Awesome.  They are in Dubai, Istanbul and Moscow.  Went to the original one in Moscow last week and it was also amazing.  Fine dining, great caviar, amazing seafood, raw bar, sushi, first rate service.  Excellent wine list.  Definitely a treat to try if you're in one of those cities and have the budget. 

You uhhhhh went to Moscow last week?

[Skatastrophy]

Wife asked me to go to a Russian restaurant last time we were in Dubai.  It's called Sakhalin.  Awesome.  They are in Dubai, Istanbul and Moscow.  Went to the original one in Moscow last week and it was also amazing.  Fine dining, great caviar, amazing seafood, raw bar, sushi, first rate service.  Excellent wine list.  Definitely a treat to try if you're in one of those cities and have the budget. 

Hmm, I'd have trouble with the optics of going to a Russian place unless they were outspoken on Ukraine. Since they have a location in Moscow, I'd imagine they keep their mouths shut.

[MU Fan in Connecticut]

Hmm, I'd have trouble with the optics of going to a Russian place unless they were outspoken on Ukraine. Since they have a location in Moscow, I'd imagine they keep their mouths shut.

Go to a Polish restaurant instead.  The food is similar but better and the politics are more agreeable.

[WarriorFan]

You uhhhhh went to Moscow last week?

Why not?  Moscow is one of the most beautiful cities in the world and it really dresses up well in the winter with walking streets and New Year markets and glintwein stalls and many other attractions. 

[Hards Alumni]

Why not?  Moscow is one of the most beautiful cities in the world and it really dresses up well in the winter with walking streets and New Year markets and glintwein stalls and many other attractions. 

Well, the level 4, do not travel issuance from the US Government.  That's the highest risk that exists.

I have nothing against Russians, and St. Petersburg and Moscow are on the list, I just can't fathom going there now.

Let me know how the trip to Mogadishu goes next month.

[WarriorFan]

Well, the level 4, do not travel issuance from the US Government.  That's the highest risk that exists.

I have nothing against Russians, and St. Petersburg and Moscow are on the list, I just can't fathom going there now.

Let me know how the trip to Mogadishu goes next month.

Next month is Ouagadougou.

[Galway Eagle]

Wife asked me to go to a Russian restaurant last time we were in Dubai.  It's called Sakhalin.  Awesome.  They are in Dubai, Istanbul and Moscow.  Went to the original one in Moscow last week and it was also amazing.  Fine dining, great caviar, amazing seafood, raw bar, sushi, first rate service.  Excellent wine list.  Definitely a treat to try if you're in one of those cities and have the budget. 

On a us passport or do you go in via a dual citizenship you have?

[JWags85]

Next month is Ouagadougou.

10/10, no notes.  Well played.

On a us passport or do you go in via a dual citizenship you have?

That was gonna be my next question.  I know WF is one of our expat members, and he's talked about numerous other previous trips to Russia, so its not like he's new to visiting the country.  But definitely interested in that piece.

Well, the level 4, do not travel issuance from the US Government.  That's the highest risk that exists.

I have nothing against Russians, and St. Petersburg and Moscow are on the list, I just can't fathom going there now.

Let me know how the trip to Mogadishu goes next month.

I mentioned in the travel thread previously, I had a friend from college/coworker at the time who went to Russia in 2014.  Went with a few friends, one of who was Lithuanian or Latvian (don't recall which) who was very familiar with Russia and sort of set up their itinerary.  My friend was well traveled, studied abroad in Europe for a year and traveled extensively when doing so, and she came back saying her trip to Russia was amongst her favorite places she'd visited, by far.  History and scenery absolutely blew her away.

 Glowing reviews to the extent that a trip I had tentatively planned with a buddy to Japan in the next 18 months got shifted to planning on Russia instead.  We got about 50% planned and had a few dates we were debating...and then Russia got a lot less appealing to visit

[WarriorFan]

10/10, no notes.  Well played.

That was gonna be my next question.  I know WF is one of our expat members, and he's talked about numerous other previous trips to Russia, so its not like he's new to visiting the country.  But definitely interested in that piece.
I mentioned in the travel thread previously, I had a friend from college/coworker at the time who went to Russia in 2014.  Went with a few friends, one of who was Lithuanian or Latvian (don't recall which) who was very familiar with Russia and sort of set up their itinerary.  My friend was well traveled, studied abroad in Europe for a year and traveled extensively when doing so, and she came back saying her trip to Russia was amongst her favorite places she'd visited, by far.  History and scenery absolutely blew her away.

 Glowing reviews to the extent that a trip I had tentatively planned with a buddy to Japan in the next 18 months got shifted to planning on Russia instead.  We got about 50% planned and had a few dates we were debating...and then Russia got a lot less appealing to visit

Not to worry, just fly in/out of Domodedovo because most of the drone strikes are in the north arounds Sheremetyevo. 

[WarriorFan]

On a us passport or do you go in via a dual citizenship you have?

All on a US passport, but I'm shopping for another one to add for ease of entry to some countries.  "Visa Reciprocity" is diminishing the value of the US passport (for travel purposes - it's still the most valuable in general!).

[Galway Eagle]

All on a US passport, but I'm shopping for another one to add for ease of entry to some countries.  "Visa Reciprocity" is diminishing the value of the US passport (for travel purposes - it's still the most valuable in general!).

Wow impressive, wouldn't have the guts to go there on my US passport.

[manny31]

I can appreciate one sampling the culture of another country. Am absolutely fascinated by Russian history, but when viewed through the lens of judeo-christian ethics, I think the current Russia regime is on the wrong side of history...Not interested in supporting them directly or indirectly..

[Galway Eagle]

I can appreciate one sampling the culture of another country. Am absolutely fascinated by Russian history, but when viewed through the lens of judeo-christian ethics, I think the current Russia regime is on the wrong side of history...Not interested in supporting them directly or indirectly..

Good thing we are on the right side of history through a lense of judeo-Christian ethics.

[Mutaman]

Comparing that   Le Bernadin, honestly, to me is a boring restaurant.  It's a pretty static menu of classic dishes executed with absolute laser precision and perfection.  But unless you're a food critic or food snob, it's not going to stun you compared to other great seafood restaurants or dishes.  I enjoyed my meal there but it wouldn't even begin to sniff the top 25 meals I've had in my life (and those aren't 25 meals at bougie notable restaurants). 

If you go to Le Bernadin,you'll be sitting wit a bunch of Republicans.

[Galway Eagle]

Can anyone recommend between Topolobambo and Ever?

[Hards Alumni]

Can anyone recommend between Topolobambo and Ever?

I gotchu

I recommend Topolobambo and Ever.

Now, remind me where these are.

[Galway Eagle]

I gotchu

I recommend Topolobambo and Ever.

Now, remind me where these are.

Ever, 1340 w Fulton st, Chicago, Illinois.

Topolobambo, 445, N Clark St, Chicago, Illinois

[Hards Alumni]

haha I'm just fartin around, I don't know crap about those places, but you asked for a rec, so you got one!

[MU82]

Never been to Ever, but I had maybe the best restaurant meal of my life at Topolobampo.

[Skatastrophy]

Can anyone recommend between Topolobambo and Ever?

Topolo and Frontera are both worthwhile stops. Very good food, and Rick Bayless is very good at explaining Mexican cuisine to Americans.

Ever and Oriole are notable restaurants competing with other excellent restaurants around the world.

These aren't really in the same category of 'notable.' But at some point, we're talking about experience more than food.

If someone were coming to Chicago for a once-in-a-lifetime meal, I'd recommend Oriole, then Ever. Skip Smyth and Alinea. Indienne over Topolo, personally. Elske over Indienne or Topolo, but I've heard Elske is hit-or-miss.

[Galway Eagle]

Topolo and Frontera are both worthwhile stops. Very good food, and Rick Bayless is very good at explaining Mexican cuisine to Americans.

Ever and Oriole are notable restaurants competing with other excellent restaurants around the world.

These aren't really in the same category of 'notable.' But at some point, we're talking about experience more than food.

If someone were coming to Chicago for a once-in-a-lifetime meal, I'd recommend Oriole, then Ever. Skip Smyth and Alinea. Indienne over Topolo, personally. Elske over Indienne or Topolo, but I've heard Elske is hit-or-miss.

Appreciate it. Didn't care for Elske or Smyth (relative to expectations for Smyth). Loved Indienne. Oriole didn't have reservations so leaning topo.

[JWags85]

Topolo and Frontera are both worthwhile stops. Very good food, and Rick Bayless is very good at explaining Mexican cuisine to Americans.

Ever and Oriole are notable restaurants competing with other excellent restaurants around the world.

These aren't really in the same category of 'notable.' But at some point, we're talking about experience more than food.

Yea, Ive always described the Bayless restaurants vs Ever/Alinea/Oriole to people as the former you leave going "that was a fantastic meal, so delicious" and, depending on your familiarity with Mexican cuisine, if you've traveled to Mexico, etc.. "wow, that was incredibly authentic yet not same old same old".  Whereas Ever/Alinea/Oriole, if done right, you leave going "holy crap that was incredible/hard to compare to anything else" which is what they are going for.

[Skatastrophy]

Yea, Ive always described the Bayless restaurants vs Ever/Alinea/Oriole to people as the former you leave going "that was a fantastic meal, so delicious" and, depending on your familiarity with Mexican cuisine, if you've traveled to Mexico, etc.. "wow, that was incredibly authentic yet not same old same old".  Whereas Ever/Alinea/Oriole, if done right, you leave going "holy crap that was incredible/hard to compare to anything else" which is what they are going for.

100%

I've been to better fine dining Mexican restaurants, but they are in Mexico City so it's cheating.

A great date night in Chicago right now is Istmo. Really good Oaxacan food. With drinks like $120 for two people https://maps.app.goo.gl/muvgfDkira46ftju7?g_st=ac

[Galway Eagle]

Thanks for the tips guys, Topo absolutely killed it last night. Did the agave pairing and was blown away. As a whiskey/whisky drinker I'm no stranger to picking up differences drinking neat hard alcohols but I've never really tried with mezcal and it was awesome.

[MU82]

Thanks for the tips guys, Topo absolutely killed it last night. Did the agave pairing and was blown away. As a whiskey/whisky drinker I'm no stranger to picking up differences drinking neat hard alcohols but I've never really tried with mezcal and it was awesome.

Glad you enjoyed it. We're going to Chicago in late summer and hope to make it back to Topo. And for lunch, we love Xoco - Bayless' little torta shop around the corner!