Staycation 07.01.21-07.05.21

It was a long July 4 weekend, so of course dining out was mandatory. I had to cancel Monday dinner. I was too full after lunch! All in all, it was a good weekend.

1.  Kuba Chicago (07.01.21)

Seafood Balls (flavored seafood balls with a side of house aioli sauce)

Pampano Escabeche (deep fried, lightly breaded whole fish with sweet & sour sauce served with white rice)

Kubo Coffee (Coconut Rum, Irish cream, coffee & whipped cream)

2.  Palm Court at the Drake Hotel (07.02.21)

Beautiful ambiance 

Live Harpist

Afternoon tea for one

TEA SANDWICHES

CUCUMBER, spiced tomato jam, herbed cream cheese, Pullman loaf

EGG SALAD, mango chutney, wheat rounds SMOKED SALMON, dill, capers, marble rye

CORONATION CHICKEN SALAD, curried mayo, sultanas, choux puff

SCONES & LOAVES

Raisin scones & orange blueberry financier accompanied by lemon curd, preserves and devonshire cream

DESSERTS

RASPBERRY MOUSSE DOMES on almond-pecan tarts

LEMON CRÈME CHOUX with gold crystal sugar CHOCOLATE PASSIONFRUIT TARTLETS ASSORTED SPRING MACARONS

Sparkling wine

DARJEELING MARGARET’S HOPE (2nd flush a fruity Darjeeling tea with a great character)

CHOCOLATE PASSIONFRUIT TARTLET

3.  Mercadito (07.02.21)

ceviche michelada (shrimp, tomato broth, lime)

pastor taco (ancho-rubbed pork, chile de árbol salsa, fresh pineapple) subbed corn tortillas for bibb lettuce

arroz (white rice, carrots, peas)

4.  Shanghai Terrace (07.03.21)

The Pen20 (Champagne, jasmine pearl tea, French lavender)

Steamed Pork Dumpling Shanghai Style 上海 小籠 包

Braised Beef  紅燒 牛腩 湯 河粉 (broccoli, kale, beef broth, chow fun noodles)

The Ning Sling (absolut mandarin, lychee, lime, fresh mint, passion fruit, sprite)

5.  Lure Fishbar (07.03.21)

3 BLUE POINT NEW YORK, 3 BEAU SOLEIL NEW BRUNSWICK, 3 KUMAMOTO WASHINGTON, 3 KUSHI BRITISH COLUMBIA, 4 LITTLENECKS CLAMS

SEAFOOD SALAD (shrimp, octopus, calamari)

House-made coffee liqueur (much better than most commercial coffee liqueurs)

6.  Tzuco (07.04.21)

SHRIMP HUARACHE (Oval-shaped corn masa, shrimp, fennel, nopales, black beans, guajillo salsa, avocado)

CARAJILLO (Licor 43, espresso)

7.  Quartino (07.04.21)

DUCK PROSCIUTTO (AROMATIC SEASONED MOULARD DUCK BREAST) with MOSTARDA

LINGUINE WITH CLAMS (E.V.O.O., RED CHILI & PINOT GRIGIO, WHITE SAUCE)

8.  Shang Noodle & Chinese (07.05.21)

Shang's Jjamppong Noodle (house-made Jjamppong noodle in spicy soup broth with shredded pork, cuttlefish, shrimp, cabbage, zucchini, onion, carrots, napa), substituted shredded pork for fish ball (at the former Grandee Cuisine location, only officially opened end of June)