Date night pre-baby was so easy. We might be sitting around on the couch on a Friday afternoon, look at each other, and say: “Want to do something tonight?” We could scan the internet for the newest it place downtown, call up friends to see what they were up to, or go to our favorite neighborhood sushi place Triad. Now going on a date means a pre-planned event complete with setting up a babysitter, usually making reservations, or seeing if we can line up some long-lost friends to join in. I say long-lost because it sometimes feels like we fell off the face of the planet since having a baby. Well, fell off the evening planet anyway. You can find us at the grocery store, gym, work, Target, zoo, walk in the park planet. I digress. Last week or so we actually had a spontaneous date night (THANK YOU LISA! shout out to my babysitter) and we went to Chez Joel on Taylor. The one French place in Little Italy.
picture courtesy of http://www.lasplash.com/publish/FoodAndBeverage/cat_index_chicago_food/Chez_Joel_Restaurant_Review.php
Anyway, it’s off the beaten path located at 1119 W. Taylor and is an intimate, cozy place to go for lunch or dinner. Their website said they do brunch now too so I’m totally going to have to check that out. I had rabbit the last time I went served with potatoes and carrots. Truly delicious and I have had rabbit in France. David had chicken (kind of bizarre choice for my meat eating husband) but it was also amazingly juicy, tasty, everything you could hope for. I have to mention that everything is beautifully presented and portions are not “chic small” but not disgustingly big either. Pretty perfect I have to say. So come on over to my neck of the woods and give it a go. David and I are happy to join you if you want company… as long as you let us know at least a week in advance so we can arrange for a babysitter!!
P.S. DEFINITELY get dessert. They always have something chocolate and amazing on the menu (my favorite) and they have light, fluffy, delectable creme brulee– David’s favorite.
I need to check out this restaurant. I continue to hear good things.
PS I don’t mind the spontaneous phone calls