A regular Friday night

Last night we spent the night doing what we normally love to do on a Friday night.

(L pic from planet99, Sushi Mike's pic from mmmchicago)

First, start out at one of our favorite neighborhood haunts, Tanoshii (although it is not quite in our neighborhood) for the most affordable, fresh uni. Of course there are many other things that Sushi Mike, at Tanoshii is known for, like the fish-n-chips (which is actually spicy and tangy tartare of tuna, salmon with tobiko on fried chips. Yum!), and all his inventive rolls. But I am somewhat of a purist and love having uni, hamachi, ama-ebi, chutoro, namasake, maguro nigiri pieces. Especially uni. And we know that Mike gets in his batch of fresh uni on Friday, which we do not hesitate to lighten his load.   
At Mike's we order uni and we get uni prepared in a variety of ways. We've had uni nigiri with nori and without nori, on cucumber and my favorite way - uni on a spoon. Not too many places would cater to you that way. But Mike loves trying out new combinations as much as we do. And Uni on a Spoon is definitely a winner.

(pic from Chicago Reader Blogs)

After we stuff ourselves with sushi, we walked a couple blocks down to Pasticceria Natalina for the best cannolis and puff pastries on this side of the Atlantic. And we walked out with more than we can eat. Unfortunately, yesterday, they were out of cannolis by the time we got there. (Not surprising since unlike other places the cannolis at Pasticceria Natalina has feather-light sheep's milk ricotta filled to order and everyone loves them!) So instead, we got the lobster tail pastry with the same ricotta filling and the "tartufo" (called tartufo, but basically dark chocolate puff pastry). And Natalie gave us a freebie to take home with us, the cream puff with candied coating, which ended up being our favorite.  Will have to go back again soon for a cannoli and their rum cake, which they told us they are starting again next week. 

And pretty much comatose from all the food, we came back home and watched the 6th season of 24 on dvd. 

What a perfect night!

Tanoshii

5547 N Clark St

Chicago, IL 

773-878-6886

Pasticceria Natalina

5406 N Clark St 

Chicago, IL

773-989-0662