Recently in Dining Category

Rustik Restroom, originally uploaded by Zesmerelda.

Rustik specializes in comfort food and boasts a cozy, Alpine atmosphere. I had a great meal to be sure, but I was equally tickled by the camp-like restroom. The sinks! The green clapboard! Tee-hee!

Click over to Chicago Bites for a full review. :)

Mussels, originally uploaded by Zesmerelda.

We headed to Mexique to try the French-influenced Mexican cuisine of Chef Carlos Gaytan. I look forward to going back to order the ENTIRE appetizer menu and to get more of his peppery French-onion soup. Seriously yummy.

Candy Cane Soda, originally uploaded by Zesmerelda.

I've long been a candy corn addict, so I was tickled to find this Jones Soda in the discount Halloween piles at Target. The tiny cans with werewolves and creepy lettering were a perfect lure. Plus the price was certainly right -- half off anybody?

I suspected it would be sticky sweet, so I stuck it on the top shelf of the refrigerator to get it nice and cold. Still didn't help. The stuff tasted like watered-down maple syrup and was the shade of piss-yellow neon.  It completely missed the honeyed notes of the real deal.

I will continue to take my candy corn in solid form. If you want a can, I have three to give away.

Shrimp Ninety-Nine, originally uploaded by Zesmerelda.

After we saw Jackie Chen speak at Chicago Gourmet, we couldn't wait to try Red Light, her restaurant on West Randolph.

Unfortunately, we found a big discrepancy between Jackie's theory of cooking and the execution of it. Read the review on Chicago Bites for details.

Hot Dog Whirlgig, originally uploaded by Zesmerelda.

This week on Chicago Bites, we have a quick post on Hot Doug's.

It's incredibly popular, but is it worth the trip and the hype? Drop by for the review.