Belgian Brouhaha
Empanada Boy and I had a great dinner last night, but before I tell you about that, I have a confession to make. Remember my post about Empanada Boy’s proposal? Remember how I said it would take me at least two years to get used the idea of getting married? Well, after about one month I decided it wouldn’t be that traumatic after all. EB and I will be getting married in August, 2008— August 3, to be exact. So, I guess I exaggerated a bit.
But I am not exaggerating when I tell you that I had one of the best meals of my blogging career last night at the Hopleaf. The Hopleaf is a pub that serves an excellent selection of Belgian and American craft brew on tap with an even more extensive list of bottled beers. Almost as great as the beers is the menu, made up of Belgian specialties from steak frites to bouillabaisse.
EB and I once began a meal there with a Scotch egg— a hardboiled egg wrapped in meat, breaded and fried. We both ordered Belgian ales: EB tried the earthy and deep Kwak, and I opted for the malty, spicy, fruity Triple Karmeliet. EB’s was delicious, but mine may have been the best beer I’ve ever tasted.
Most of the Belgian ales run $7 a piece, so it’s smart to keep food costs down. Besides, I’m the Mango Lassie, and I don’t do $20 entreés. EB and I started with an appetizer of fried smelts. These came with delicious pickled onions and peppers and tasted like a saltier, crispier version of fish and chips. The accompanying aioli was extra garlicky and charged with lemon juice, which brought the whole dish to another level.
The menu here is pretty evenly split between surf and turf, but we couldn’t stay out of the water. For our entreé we ordered mussels for two Belgian style (only $10 per person!). A large covered pot arrived at our table. When the server lifted the lid, steam came out, revealing a massive pile of tender mussels with crusty bread on top. These divine shellfish were cooked in Wittekerke white ale with shallots, thyme, bay leaf and fennel. They came with a side of perfectly crispy Belgian-style frites. Just having completed a 10-mile rollerblade, we were hungry enough to finish off the whole pot. I was full, but I couldn’t help wishing for a big ladle to drink the rest of the broth down.
Luckily, I was able to fend off the urge with a few last sips of my delicious Belgian ale. Here’s to a great meal with my favorite dining companion!
Hopleaf Bar
5148 N. Clark St.
Chicago, IL 60640
773.334.9851
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Empanada Boy said,
September 24, 2007 @ 10:56 pm
This was a ML grand slam! So delicious, from start to finish. The only reason we haven’t gone there for the blog until now is because the Hopleaf is almost always packed to the gills with a lengthy wait for a table. It was nice to go late on a Sunday for a more low-key experience, fewer people and no wait. I guess there’s a reason why it’s always so packed!
Popover said,
September 25, 2007 @ 8:38 am
Dear ML and EB: August 3, 2008 works for us! All our best. As they say at the Hopleaf: Prost!
Flav said,
September 25, 2007 @ 10:08 am
All I can say is yum! That meal sounds amazing. No one appreciates a delicious brew more than me… except maybe EB. Good thing hes going to be around for a while now so we can appreciate them together!