Green Zebra - 1/10/2012

After hitting up XOCO for lunch we had my sister's birthday dinner at a place she had never been but that I highly recommended, Green Zebra (1460 W. Chicago Ave.). This upscale vegetarian restaurant (named after a type of tomato) focuses on seasonal ingredients as well as working with local farmers and foragers.

This was my third visit to Green Zebra and rather than order several small plates to share with the table, I ended up getting the Chef's 5 course seasonal tasting menu.

I have to admit this was a rough week so unfortunately when each dish of my tasting menu was brought out and explained I didn't retain any of the info. The good news is that the food here is absolutely fantastic. Every time I've eaten here I have not missed eating meat at all. Every single component of each dish shines through and there's always variations of fruits and vegetables that I've never tried.

My sister, who is a vegetarian, now lists Green Zebra as her absolute favorite place to eat. Success!!!

Chef's Seasonal Tasting Menu is $55 and I believe is only offered on Tuesdays.

Small/Medium plates range from $6 to $15 (I recommend the D'Anjou pear soup and the Tarte Tatin desert with blue cheese ice cream!)

Tasting Menu - 9 Adal's

Homemade Focaccia with lemon-parsley butter and piperade jam

XOCO - 1/10/2012

For my sister Sadieh's birthday lunch we went to one of my favorite sandwich places, XOCO (449 North Clark Street). This cafe is the third popular restaurant by celebrity Chicago chef (and Top Chef Masters winner) Rick Bayless. With XOCO, Bayless wanted to offer Mexican street food in a quick service setting.

Having been here a dozen or so times I order my go to, the Ahogada torta. Consisting of pork carnitas, black beans, tomato broth, spicy arbol chile sauce and pickled onions, it packs quite a bit of heat. Pair it with their Limeade and you'll be in heaven.

For a starter (or a dessert) you MUST get the homemade churros. They are insanely good.

I also recommend the Caldos (basically a mexican soup) which are served after 11a.m. The seafood and the pork belly versions are knockouts.

Tortas are $9-$12, Caldos are $12 and Churros are $3.75 for 3.

Churros with chocolate dipping sauce - 7 Adal's (when ordered with the homemade mexican vanilla ice cream for dipping this dish gets 10 Adal's)

Ahogada sandwich - 8.5 Adal's

Churros with chocolate dipping sauce

Ahogada: Golden pork carnitas, black beans, tomato broth, spicy arbol chile sauce, pickled onions