Out of State but Still In Love: Rosebud on Rush

Chicago, IL

Let’s be clear. If you are hungry in chicago, your solution is far from easy. I was overwhelmed with the choices just blocks away from me. Take my advice: Just walk. Once you smell it you’ll know where to plant your tuckus and order. I planted myself at Rosebud on Rush. Sitting outside near the sidewalk I felt whimsical in my choice of dish that night: Sea Bass. My first ever experience with this fish. The server recommended it so why the hell not? 

10oz of sea bass on top of a bed of cooked spinach in a cream almond sauce. Everything in this dish made sense. Everything had a purpose and spoke to one another with incandescently clear notes. The fish itself was cooked in such a way that I envied whomever prepared it. Moist but flaky, juicy but with the perfect amount of sear. I have never tasted a fish that actually tasted milky and almost cream like. Tender soft and seemingly melting in my mouth. Once again what comes to my mind is milky, cream-like, luscious fish. With a small amount of acidity afterwards that went well with the spinach below it. The spinach doused in this sauce was natural. Although it was true as spinach could be, very earthy, however it was light at the same time. Again with a small amount of acidity that spinach offers went to and fro with the delectable comfort of the fish. However, without the almonds, nothing would have made sense. Due to its nutty and wood like taste, the almonds were the connecting thread throughout every element of this dish. Bringing that woody earth like tone, the almonds were the perfect note upon this tasteful melody. Being mostly apart of the sauce, which again was creamy but light. Although everything should have weighed me down and filled my stomach with luscious heavy comfort, it did not. This dish was simple well refined and attention to flavors were paid. Just by adding simple ingredients with staple flavors, the wood of the almonds the milkiness of the fish, this dish was comforting and sent waves of pleasure to my taste buds. 

To top off the entire evening, and maybe in a lovers euphoria due to my dish, I ordered the tiramisu. Please be advised, this is a huge ass piece of tiramisu, which I gladly dived into. All in all it is just that: tiramisu, the lady fingers however were particularly moist, oozing with rum and cocoa, which I prefer. Along with a cappuccino the night was gluttonous feast of edible pleasure. 

I could go on and on about the seating. The wonderful tea lit atmosphere the patio has to offer, that would liken to any Lady and The Tramp remake. Or our wonderful server who was as rambunctious and eager as ever to please our stomachs content. With the flowing glasses of wine and jolly atmosphere, I could go on. But it is about the food that will make me come back, and create a sigh in my heart each time I walk past this establishment. As if longing of a past lover that you never quiet got over. Rosebud has enveloped me in their warm cooking arms only to stuff me with pleasure and send me on my way. Craving their sweet embrace again. Oh we will meet again I am sure, if only in a dream. 

I have Joined the Masses

Encouraged by a stranger, I have started up this project again, but with a little more flare. Follow The Can on Twitter! @thecanreviews Where I will be tweeting random thoughts concerns and even current gobblings of food. Hope you're still eating out there, a new post is sure to come, keep an ear out.

Hot Bagel Co: They Make it Good.

One early Saturday morning after a visit to the farmers market, my Fiance and I decided to take a visit to Hot Bagel Co.

This is a fairly simple sized bagel shop with alot of personality. With the huge chalk boards with scribbled bagel sandwiches and a giant board with all the bagel to choose from. Frankly I was overwhelmed. But In a good way. I love bagels, all shapes sizes and kinds especially with various cream cheeses. Luckily a woman upfront walked over and helped us out, she gave us a run down of how the bagel sandwhiches worked. She also told us of how the bagels were made, where the deli meats come from and how the owners started up, but lets get to the real reason I am writing here: The Food.

I ordered a turkey melt with swiss (with a few extra veggies) on an everything bagel, while my fiance ordered a salami melt (with some veggies) on an everything bagel.

Damn were these things good. You really have to appreciate a bagel more when it comes served to you soft and warm and wrapped in wax paper! I have never had an everything bagel with so much aroma to it, to the garlic on the bagel to the smoked turkey and swiss, my mouth was watering as soon as I set my bagel on the table.

To be frank: It was a damn good bagel, simple and sweet. It had a nice tug on the outside which I enjoy, but inside it was fluffy and warm. Even within the bagel could I taste the flavors of kosher salt, poppy seeds and garlic. It was enjoyable to eat, to smell and even to look at. The Turkey wasn't dry nor overly moist or salty (like most deli meats are when they're ordered from Sysco) I was informed that the owners specifically order their meats from a shop up in Jersey. Personally I really do respect anyone that gives attention towards the quality of their products and ingredients. The veggies on both of the sandwhiches were veggies, nothing to write home to. But the meats were delicious, my fiance's salami melt tasted like an intalian sub due to the infused garlic flavor throughout. I am not sure how our breath was afterwards but both of us really did not care. It was a satisfying meal and both of us had trouble even finishing all of our bagel-wiches.

Hot Bagel Co. is a true gem to Oak Ridge. It really humbles me to know that I can easily get an amazing and fulfilling bagel down the street. A bagel that was made with care and intention to be the best damn bagel you will ever have. The owners are a married couple from all around, they're truly obsessed with rowing (as you can tell from the copious amounts of row gear, flags and photos on their store walls) But as soon as you step into Hot Bagel Co. Its obvious: This is an everyday mans business. The man in the back making the damn bagels? The owner, the husband. This is their livelihood, and with that comes extreme focus on the quality of their product along with the reflection of care in their food. Their bagels truly show their work ethic: Make it right, make it good.