WHISK Chicago V2.0

WHISK WEBSITE

Good morning Gators

Some of you sharp eyed Gators may have picked up on the fact that I have reviewed WHISK before. Well some of the reasons are that there has been a menu change, more art, and Al Fresco dining. The big reason though is because I love the place and the Owners David and Rick Rodriguez. It’s my Blog. I go where I want.

2 hours in traffic but I pulled up in front of the place about 6 minutes to open. (They open at 7) I paid the parking robot, put the ticket on the dash, grabbed my camera bag, and off I went.Image may be NSFW.
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WHISK Chicago Interior

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Big Letters Big Utensils Small Place.

Sonya Greeted me warmly as I walked in. I put my stuff down and started to take pictures. (Sonya if I spelled your name wrong let me know)

The Artwork is provided by local artists and changes. The current Ron Swanson   Motif    10    LINK   is going away the end of the month. The art will be auctioned off and the profits are going to the Greater Chicago Food Depository   LINK    10   

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As I was finishing up my artistic endeavors who should appear out of the kitchen but the MAN himself. David Rodriguez (I forgot to take his picture so I have no proof) I gave him a handshake and a hug whether he wanted one or not. we talked awhile about restrauntie type stuff then David proudly showed me the Patio work in progress. It’s very cute and when the weather gets better it will be a great place to dine. I took a few pics and we went back inside.

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We talked a little more shop talk then I thought that I really must be taking up too much of his time and probably boring him so I excused him. I went back up front and got situated. Sonya brought me a Coffee which is a Custom blend for them. Dark and Strong   8    Along with the Coffee Stick. I love this.   10    It’s brilliant. You don’t have to use your spoon for your Coffee.

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Also on the table is a WHISK designer box that holds your flatware, Condiments, extra napkins and a peppermill YES a peppermill.    10    These are the things that get points with me.

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WHISK is clean, carpet free, and has 60’s Pop Rock music playing in the background   10 10 and 9

OK Time To Order

The breakfast menu is fairly short. YAY

I knew that I wanted either Corned Beef or Pulled Pork but couldn’t decide. Sonya decided for me. Corned Beef with Sunny Side Up Eggs. Yes it’s true Gators I did it again.

BRISKET HASH
House-braised beef brisket, bell peppers, fresh jalapeños, onion, and chard served on top of house potatoes, topped with two eggs any style and pepper jack cheese sauce, and choice of toast

Might as well start right off with the Eggs. Well they were nearly perfect. Yes Gators Unicorns DO Exist. Great Job David.   9    The best rating that I’ve ever given for Sunny Side Up Eggs. Excuse me a moment, I feel a tear coming on.

The Potato Cubes were crisp on the outside and tender on the inside.  The Onions, Green Red and Yellow Bell Peppers were tender Crisp. I really dislike Green Bell Peppers but they are a traditional Hash ingredient.   8     The cheese was cheesy. The Beef was Beefy, Salty and well seasoned.  This was one of the best hashes I’ve had   9     Oh and the Rye bread and house made Jam were delicious.

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There was a Watermelon Slice. Hey it’s not an Orange.

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I was trying to decide between Crab Cakes or Shrimp and Grits. Sonya said Grits so Grits it is.

DAVID’S SPECIAL
Sautéed garlic shrimp, bacon, mushrooms, scallions, wine and cream sauce served over cheesy grits

My first concern for my order was artistic. I expected that it wouldn’t be good for pictures. I was right.

Grits are just ground up dried corn. They don’t really taste like much. It’s all about the prep. Shrimp are bottom feeding water bugs that don’t taste like much. It’s all about the prep. These  make for a blank canvas that artists can create beautiful art with if they have the talent or a piece of crap if they can’t draw a straight line like me.  David took these bland Items and turned out a masterpiece. He is the Renoir of Grits.

Sonya came over and set the bowl down. The incredible aroma wafted up to greet me. I couldn’t wait to dig in but I had to take pics and notes first. It was agony.

The cream sauce sublime. The Bacon a good addition and I’m about baconed out. The Shrimp were seasoned. David has a handle on layers of flavors. They were a touch overcooked which I blame on the Hot Grits. Speaking of Grits. The Grits were silky smooth and full of flavor. I haven’t decided yet if these were the best grits that I’ve ever had. They may have been.   9    They were so good that the Shrimp were actually not necessary.

Don’t let the crummy pictures fool you. These Grits are Amazing

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SNICKERS STUFFED FRENCH TOAST
Two slices of Texas toast filled with Snickers chocolate, served with white chocolate sauce

When Sonya Suggested it I fully expected that this was going to be a letdown. The words French Toast bring feelings of joy and dismay to me. Properly made it’s a near religious experience. Done wrong, like nearly all places do, it’s criminal.  This was a tough call. The french toast part of this was about 80% right for me. It wasn’t your normal un soaked bread but it wasn’t quite there for me either. It needed a bit longer. BUT the saving grace was the rest of it. The Snicker part was right on and the White Chocolate Creme Anglaise style sauce was Yummylicious.  The Mint Sprig was Minty and Spriggy. This deal was a Strong   8    teetering on a 9   It could be an easy push over.

It’s A SNOWSTORM of Flavor

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See This? It’s a leftover bag. Something I generally have NO interest in. Not true at WHISK.

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OK That’s it Gators

A great visit at a great place.

WHISK is A Breakfast Gator Top Pick

Get in your Whip or your Hooptie and get down there. If you don’t you are going to regret it. Your’e welcome.

As for Me I’m off to my next Adventure

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