116536 Sat Aug 21 17:00:47 -0700 2004 8 7 Chicago Area 0 636382 Heard very good things about the food at Hopleaf bar in Andersonville, is it true? Is there something on the menu that cannot be missed? Are there other good bars and/or eats in Andersonville (I don't get up there too often). Do tell Sat Aug 21 17:00:47 -0700 2004 0 missm 1 636387 It's becoming dated now, but here is at least one earlier thread on Hopleaf. I know it's been mentioned several times since, but I can't put my finger on those discussions quickly. As to Andersonville, there is a plethora, a cornucopia, a veritable excess of excellent places ranging from Pasteur (Vietnamese) and La Fonda (Colombian) on Broadway, to La Tache (French), Atlantique (seafood), Sunshine Cafe (great Japanese home-style), La Donna (Italian), Turkish Bakery, and even Bosnian food (at Sheher, again on Broadway)...you'll have to search earlier threads, which are many--there's just too much here to describe briefly. I live in this 'hood and can't imagine having chosen a better area, foodwise. Good luck, Gypsy Boy Link: http://www.chowhound.com/topics/show/113798#618840 Sun Aug 22 10:16:11 -0700 2004 636382 0 Gypsy Boy 2 636388 I have to say that La Donna does not get my vote. I just went for the first time and had one of the most underwhelming meals I've had in a long time. We skipped appetizers and wine, it was a work meeting. But my two dining companions used to go on a weekly basis and have always raved. I had the Salmon and the Cappucino Crunch for dessert. Bland and bland. We asked if the ownership had changed hands, it hasn't, and if the chef had changed. To that the waitress kind of snorted and said, "Probably, how long since you've been here." Seems like chef turnover might have been happening a lot there lately. Anyway, I won't be returning for a not bad, but not great meal anytime soon. Link: http://leahj.blog-city.com Sun Aug 22 10:39:27 -0700 2004 636387 0 Leah 3 636407 Yeah, I totally agree about La Donna. I went there a few months ago with my family and I won't return. We started with the antipasto plate and the calamari, both of which were pretty ho-hum. I had the veal saltimbocca (tough); my mom had the tilapia (didn't taste like much at all); and my dad had gnocchi with shrimp (the best of the three entrees, I thought). all in all we didn't find it particularly enjoyable. there are plenty of other great places to patronize in andersonville. Mon Aug 23 12:57:50 -0700 2004 636388 0 cindym 1 636391 I really like the duck sandwich. Duck can ofter be too dry or too greasy, but they make it just right. It's served on really good whole grain bread with some sort of herb mayo. Very tasty! Sun Aug 22 14:29:29 -0700 2004 636382 0 dvmaster 2 636404 I agree! They do some fine sandwiches. The duck sandwich is delicious, and the ham sandwich is also very, very good. It's definitely worth a visit. The mussels are a must-have for an appetizer - the broth is sublime and the bread for dipping is very good (wonder where they get it?). Lill Mon Aug 23 11:00:28 -0700 2004 636391 0 Lill 1 636399 I am a fan of dining at Hopleaf. Besides the jaw-dropping beer selection, I really enjoy the rabbit with brussel sprouts and spaetzle. The frites and mussels are good for a snack too. Link: http://www.eatchicago.net/archives/000013.html Mon Aug 23 07:26:37 -0700 2004 636382 0 eatchicago 1 636406 Went with a group of 4 to Hopleaf on Saturday night and had a great time! The beer selection is amazing (emphasis on Belgian brews) and makes it fun even for a non-beer lover like me. We shared the tasty sausage platter and brandade (salt cod, cream and potato gratin dish) for appetizers and ordered mussels for 4--we tried all 3 varieties, Belgian ale and garlic, cream and wine with carrots, and tomato based. The Belgian ale version was my favorite, but all 3 were great. And the frites were just right and served with a delicious garlic aioli sauce. The front room looks like a typical Chicago neighborhood bar, but the back dining room with its lofted ceiling and exposed brick was really comforatable (and smoke free). A really fun night out--a huge step above your standard pub grub. Mon Aug 23 12:30:48 -0700 2004 636382 0 Leslie 1 636615 The mussels are great. Unlike other people I think they make a great entrée, if you can wrest enough bread out of your server to soak up the sauce. The cheese plate was good the last time I had it, too. Don't miss the DeKoninck on draft (order in the glass called a bolleke) for a genuine taste of Antwerp; of course you would want to have something more sturdy with your cheese, like a nice trappist brew or a saison. Oh, and don't go expecting much in the way of German beer - Belgian and American micro are the order of the day. Though they have lots of different kinds of beer, this is not a place that prides itself on the number countries it can find with a generic tasting lager to put on the menu. They look for quality and diversity of taste. The bar itself is notorious for cranky service, but it's part of the package. Fri Aug 27 22:49:59 -0700 2004 636382 0 Modibo