Thai Lagoon

The artwork on the wall at this Wicker Park thai restaurant was pretty corny, but despite feeling like you were in a hello-kitty store, the food was good. It is not worth the visit unless you're in the area for other things, but if you are, and you happen to have a bottle of wine, stop in. We ate: chicken gyoza dumplings with soy vinegar, shrimp shumai, chicken lardnar, and sitr-fried egg noodles. The appetizers were definitely our favorite part of the meal. The entrees were good, and the portions large. All this and our total (with $3 corkage fee) was just around $30. Woah!

We came on a Friday night, around 7:30. The small restaurant was nearly empty, but really started filling as the evening went on. Once the two of us start talking, we do not stop... so needless to say we really enjoyed the fact that our waiter never once rushed us, and we never felt we were annoying him by staying for a while.

If you plan on stopping by, it would be a good spot to visit on a weeknight.

Thai Lagoon

2322 West North Avenue
Chicago, IL 60647-5315
(773) 489-5747

Mixteco Grill

The head chef at Mixteco - formerly one of Rick Bayless' sous chefs - is the mastermind behind this authentic Mexican restaurant in Lakeview.  What we ate:  guacamole, carne asada, and their conchinita pibill.

The guacamole was chunky and really fresh.  I overheard someone say it was the "best guacamole" they ever had even though I can't second that because I don't frequently order guacamole, so I don't consider myself an expert, though it was very good.  Their carne asada was made with ribeye, not the cheaper flank or skirt steak you will usually get when ordering this type of entree, and it was delicious.  Our waiter told us they only buy the best quality of meat... (I know you can't always trust waiters)...  but I believed him after I ate it.  The conchinita pibill had the right amount of spice and was also delicious. 

We heard they also have a great brunch... byom(imosas?)

Make a reservation - this place is pretty tiny. 

Mextico Grill
1601 West Montrose Avenue
Chicago, IL 60613
(773) 868-1601

BYOB Lovers Unite

Fellow foodies and BYOB lovers:

A few large glasses of wine, and frustration over not finding BYOB we wanted to go to, helped materialize the idea of a blog that highlights our experiences at various BYOB restaurants in Chicago.  Feel free to post on our blog with suggestions, and we'll be sure to add it to our list of places to visit.  In the meantime, eat, drink, drink, drink, and be merry!

Patti & Ursula