Autre Monde

We finally went to dinner at Autre Monde in Berwyn.  We had heard about it from friends a while ago and then it was featured on Check Please last year.

Most of its menu consists of shared smaller plates.  So we ordered a few.

Roasted Cauliflower with raisins and pine nuts.  There was a sauce that covered this that was a little spicy.

Roasted Cauliflower

Scallop Spiedini - 2 scallops with broccoli rabe and grapefruit.  It was an interesting combination to have these ingredients together.  We were not expecting the grapefruit but the flavor of the fruit offset the saltiness of the broccoli.

Mushroom and Ricotta Tagliatelle

Mushroom and Ricotta Tagliatelle - This was our favorite dish of the night since we both love this type of pasta and this is a classic dish.

Duck Sausage Flatbread - with Manchego cheese, smoked tomato and basil oil.  This had a little kick to it as well.

Scallop Spiedini

We were pretty full after these 4 dishes so we didn't order dessert but it did seem like several people were ordering dessert around us.

Duck Sausage Flatbread

Final thoughts on Autre Monde:
Food - It was all great.  We were happy we got to try a few things - that is what we like about tapas style restaurants

Service - The food got out to us fairly quickly.  Pretty good service overall.

Atmosphere - It is a fairly small restaurant so it probably could get pretty packed on the weekends. We were there on a weeknight so it wasn't completely full.

Grapevine

Interior Space

We had just gotten home from a mini road trip and weren't in the mood to cook anything so we went to dinner locally at Grapevine in La Grange.  We had heard about this place from a couple of people and have passed it many times as it is located just across the street from the downtown La Grange train stop.

Greek Anti Pasto

We didn't know what to expect at all.  We were given menus to peruse through at a table but  we were told that the ordering takes place back at the counter.  They have too large of a menu to simply write down on boards above a counter space.

Spanakopita

We ordered a Greek Anti Pasto as an appetizer which had artichoke hearts, mushrooms, roasted red peppers, olives, lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers and feta cheese.  They also had an Italian style anti pasto as well but the feta swayed Nick to the other direction.  (He must not have read the entire description on the menu because he was hoping to see some meat like you would have in an Italian anti pasto.) Later he heard others order various types of salad at the counter and they were asked if they wanted feta with it so perhaps we could have gone in the other direction and still gotten the feta. But the vegetables and feta were very refreshing on such a hot day.  And Natalie discovered a new way to spice up lettuce by putting dill in with it.

For entrees we stuck with the traditional Greek fare, although they do offer sandwiches, pizza and other Mediterranean entrees. We ordered Spanakopita which is spinach, onions and feta wrapped in phyllo dough.  The filling was very good but it could have used a few more layers of phyllo dough. It was served with a rice pilaf which was more than enough and had to be boxed up to take home.

The other entree we had was Pastitsio, kind of like a Greek version of lasagna.  But instead of layers of long flat noodles, smaller noodles are baked together and topped with a ground beef, cheese and bechamel sauce.  We really enjoyed this dish.  Nick claims that it could have been warmer but it was such a hot day that it really didn't matter. It was served with a small salad so that was a bit of overkill with the Anti pasto we had earlier.

Pastitsio

Final thoughts on Grapevine:
Food - good value for what you get, nice carry out food to get on your way off the train
Service - after you order at the counter the food is delivered to your table.  The dishes all came out quickly.  But the entrees came out too quickly because we weren't even half way done with the appetizer when they came out (maybe that is why Nick thought the pastitsio was not warm enough because we were still eating the anti pasto).
Atmosphere - nice Mediterranean feel. Lots of space.  A little awkward to sit down and peruse the menu but it looks like they have lots of regulars that know what they want to order already or have a take out order ready.

Mezza Mediterranean Grill

We went to dinner at Mezza Mediterranean Grill in downtown La Grange.  They have 4 other locations all in Chicago and one more coming soon to the Merchandise Mart. They have Mediterranean/Middle eastern fare - including pita and wrap sandwiches, salads, traditional sides and kabob plates.

Tunisian Chicken Pita

Unlike the two other Middle eastern\Mediterranean food establishments we have recently visited, this restaurant was the most westernized. Also this meat was tender but not as moist as the other restaurants. We both ordered sandwiches and them come either in pita bread or a wrap (this was not clear from the menu); we liked the thick and hearty pita to hold all the meat in.

Here is specifically what we ordered:
We both ordered Mezza meals - a sandwich with a side and a drink.
Tunisian Chicken pita sandwich - spicy chicken, harissa mayo, red onion, avocado - again not as moist as the meat at other restaurants, but tasty

Beef Tenderloin Pita

side of falafel - 3 falafel (garbanzo beans) with sauce, served to us hot and fresh, Nick enjoyed probably better than any other falafels he has had (not too crunchy on the outside, and a warm moister center)
Beef Tenderloin Kabob pita sandwich - skewered cuts of beef and veggies, tahina sauce - better than the chicken sandwich; but probably not a classic Middle Eastern dish
side of red pepper hummus with pita - creamier (instead of thick) than the consistency of most hummus. Natalie found it mundane compared to the flare and freshness of the past two Middle Eastern restaurants.

Red Pepper Hummus

We went at 5pm on a weekday.  Not sure when they get their rush because there weren't many people there at the time.  The location is right next to the La Grange train station so they are probably trying to capitalize on the train traffic but we didn't see that happening from the trains that stopped while we were there. Unfortunate, because it seems like a nice place.  But perhaps better suited for a lunch crowd which is perfect for their 4 other locations in Chicago.

Falafel

Final Thoughts on Mezza:
Food - Good place for a lunch.  A good light summer meal. Nick was a little sad that there was no baba ganoush. We would go again but probably not dine in.
Service - order at a counter up front and get your food as you are paying - not quite fast food, but pretty close.  The falafel wasn't quite done when we paid so an employee brought it to our table.
Atmosphere - very nice decore, quite fancy looking actually for such a casual place.

Crisp and clean interior

Al Bawadi Grill

See the "tents" in the background

Pickled Vegetables & Pita Chips

Pita Bread

We went to eat dinner at Al Bawadi Grill in Bridgeview, after hearing about it a while ago on Check Please. It serves Mediterranean/Middle Eastern Food in a very interesting setting.  We were seated at a booth that was surrounded by blankets with Arabic designs to evoke a feeling of sitting in Bedouin tent.  Most of the employees were dressed in Bedouin style clothing.  At first we thought this might be a little kitschy and meant to tailor to an American stereotype of the Middle East (i.e. the Middle Eastern restaurant equivalent of an Olive Garden).  But this was a fleeting thought because the food was so authentic.

They brought out a plate of complimentary appetizers which included some hot pickled vegetables and pita chips. It was a good way to start the meal as we perused the large menu. Also as we were choosing what to order the head waiter wanted to give us some Arabic coffee but we politely declined since we are not coffee drinkers.

Hummus

Stuffed Grape Leaves

Falafel

For appetizers we ordered hummus and stuffed grape leaves. The hummus was garnished with whole chickpeas and olive oil and was served with pita bread. The hummus was nice and smooth, better than our attempts at home.  The grape leaves were stuffed with rice, garlic, tomato, parsley and other spices.  They tasted good, but Nick was disappointed that they were not served warm.
For entrees we ordered falafel and the Al Bawadi Mixed grill plate. The falafel was served warm with a tahini dip.  They were not dried out and the crust was still pliable.  But the real winner of what we ate was the mixed grill items.  The dinner included 3 meat kabobs - a lamb shish kabob, a kafta (lamb/beef) kabob and a chicken shish tawook - a grilled tomato and onions, rice and a side of babaganouj.  The kabobs were mesquite grilled which gave them all a great flavor. They were even moist and tender the next day as leftovers. Surprisingly our favorite was the kafta kabob.  Since it was made from ground meats they were able to incorporate more spices into the mixture before cooking. We also both loved the babaganouj - a similar dish to hummus, but the base is grilled eggplant instead of chickpeas.  The eggplant is pureed with olive oil, garlic, tahini and lemon juice.  It was so good, it may become our new favorite Middle Eastern appetizer.

Mixed Grill Plate with 3 kabobs and rice

Final thoughts on Al Bawadi Grill:

Babaganouj in the middle

Food - definitely exceeded our expectations. It reminded us of our favorite Middle Eastern places in Dearborn, Michigan.  Right across the street was an entire strip mall of Arabic restaurants and grocery stores, so this is definitely the authentic area to be in for this type of food.

Service - excellent! They held the door open as we entered the restaurant.  They were very attentive to our needs and explained the dishes.  The food was served very quickly and it was a great value for the amount of food.  It looked like they had a large take out business so we might try that next time as well.

Atmosphere - once we were seated we felt like there would be good food because most of the other customers were of Middle Eastern descent.  The decore and attire of the staff enhanced the experience and made it feel like you weren't in a suburb of Chicago.  Because this place is relatively easy for us to get to from home or work we will return.