By Jerry Nunn
Summertime is the time to eat out in Chicago. Our recent Windy City Times reader survey says that in the last 30 days, 63% went out to restaurants 10 or more times. There are at least 5,700 restaurants in the Chicago area, and the list is growing all the time.
When I am off work I, like many other people, just want to cut loose and let someone wait on me.
I went to check out Caliterra restaurant, located on the second floor of the Wyndham Hotel at 633 North Saint Clair Street. Chef Rick Gresh prepared a tasting for me and it was amazing. The style is modern Italian inspired cuisine. My server, Tom, was attentive, knowledgeable and experienced. Everything I wanted after a hard day's work.
Now let's talk food. The ginger caramelized scallops were heavenly. For a main course I tried the smoked beef tenderloin. This was recommended medium rare and was tender and juicy. I finished with the chocolate mousse bomb, which you have to see for the presentation alone. Caliterra was a little tricky to find, but well worth it.
Afterwards I continued on to check out the Taste of Chicago. With missing Donna Summer ( I heard she was fabulous ) , it was all down hill from there. The crowds were hot and bothered. All manners were out the window. After being pushed around and not seeing Morris Day, I decided to head back to the 'hood.
I finished the night by dropping into Kit Kat lounge, meeting some people with margaritas on the patio, and returning home to air conditioning!