La Crosta, Park and Field, and BLVD- Rocking Right Now 8/18/17
Sometimes you're just in the mood for something different. Maybe one night you feel like getting dressed up and hitting the town while heading out to a swanky spot, while other times you want to cozy up at your friendly and delicious neighborhood trattoria. I've got 3 spots to appease whatever your mood may be. Listen to my full segment on 101-WKQX HERE.
La Crosta
Having just gotten back from Italy, Italian food is MAJORLY on my brain. And not just any Italian food will do. It needs to be LEGIT. So I made my way back to my old stomping grounds of Lincoln Park to check out La Crosta. They have authentic wood fired pizza made in their wood fire oven. They import many of their ingredients directly and you can definitely taste the difference. They actually ship in their burrata directly from Italy EVERY week! And let me tell you, it was without a doubt, the best and creamiest burrata i've EVER had.
Now for their pizza. It was superb. It cooked so perfectly in their brick oven with their chewy yet charred and crispy crust. You can tell that the tomatoes used are imported from Italy as the flavor is so intense. PLUS they actually put the stracciatella (the creamy center of the burrata) on top of the pizza! It was a burrata overload....and I liked it...a lot. It was one of the best Italian style pizzas I have ever had in Chicago.
What I really loved, was it was such a cozy and friendly place. They really make you feel like part of the familglia. Lincoln Park has definitely been coming back on the food scene and La Crosta is a perfect depiction of that. I highly recommend it for a casual night out where you expect more than your average pup food or pizza joint. La Crosta is the real deal.
La Crosta- LINCOLN PARK- 2360 N. Lincoln Ave.
Park and Field
How does Logan Square keep getting cooler and cooler? I don't know...let's ask Park and Field-Chicago's Own Vintage Sports Club. Maybe it's their all season patio (heaters, fire pits, and blankets keep patrons warm and cozy) or maybe it's their Bocce Ball courts (told you I've got Italian on the brain), or maybe it's their awesome menu. Or all of the above. We just shot an episode of Eat Travel Rock TV there this week so I don't want to give away TOO much, but let's just say this is THE place to check out in Logan right now. Come for the food, stay for the sport!
Photo courtesy of Park and Field Instagram
Park and Field- LOGAN SQUARE- 3509 W. Fullerton
BLVD
The West Loop's newest hotspot is an homage to the yesteryear golden age of Hollywood. With swanky booths, sexy lighting, and a menu with throwbacks such as Chicken ala King, you really feel as if the Rat Pack might show up and join you for dinnner. If you don't believe me just check out some of their cocktail names: Rebel Without a Cause and Norma Jean are two picks that look deelish. And if you're in a fancy mood, you may opt for their highbrow caviar service, or if you are in a casual mood, not to worry, they have an outstanding burger as well.
Photo courtesy of BLVD Instagram
BLVD- WEST LOOP- 817 W. Chicago