55a NewQuay Prom Docklands

On an early evening when it wasn't so much about having a meal, but doing something that would smash Mr Jet Lag in the chops, we had the opportunity to do some long overdue catching up with old friends and their family.  We could have done both these things just about anywhere and been happy, but we got to be double happy with this find - no plan, just a wander through the general vicinity until something shiny caught everyone's eye.  So, the first A Collection of Articles of a few where the friend part was more important than the restaurant part.  I do confess to not having considered Middle Eastern to be the answer...

Set right on the water there's lots of big windows to give as many people as possible a view out.  Not a lot happening out there this evening (if you don't count the kids sort of kind of freaking out their parents by playing just a little too close to the edge...) but being by the water, any water, is always soothing, if nothing else.  I guess it's a new building because it's all crisp and shiny, lots of wood and you'd see an odd sort of patterned ceiling if you happen to be staring straight up.  There's a small pass area into the kitchen by the host stand (I don't think there was a host, just the nearest Server at the time we arrived) so you can't really watch the chefs doing their thing, but you can wave at them on the way out - we did.  Fortunately, the pass area is big enough that you get to enjoy all the wonderful smells associated with what they are doing back there, mostly when you walk in, but at other times throughout your dinner.

Really quiet when we arrived marginally before official dinner time, but there were a couple of tables well established and having a grand time.  I'd call it medium busy by the time we packed up, which is probably ok for the Monday before Christmas in most cases.

We had two Servers.  Not because they share, but because we came in just before shift change.  Both took care of us, extra care of the kids in allowing them their own table, knew the menu, answered questions and let us take all the time we needed.  We were far more interested in chatting to our friends, so not sure if they'd have been up for a chat or not.

The menu is set out nice and straight forward, but we needed a little help from our 'serving team' to understand exactly what we were looking at, and had we been looking more towards the big dishes than the smaller ones that suited everyone's mood and needs this evening, we probably would have needed a lot more help.  I doubt there's anything we'd turn our noses up at once we knew what it was, but there's a lot of things that were completely new to us, and others we sort of kind of knew what they were but would need confirmation.  It's fun...

Our meal went a little like this:

• Bubbles - house brand, more was ordered...
• Corona
• James Boag
• Soda 
• Bread & Dips - great bread (Turkish?), sort of like a fat Pita, but better. We needed more!
  
  • Hummus
  • Beetroot - not sure what else is in it, but it's very bright...
  • Yogurt
• Moroccan Spiced Calamari - comes with a yogurty / cucumber dipping sauce that is fine, but you could do without too.
• Chermoula Crumbed Local Mussels - first time we've had them this way, and we'd do it again.
• Turkish Lamb Kofte Pizza, spicy tomato sauce & labne (Middle East yogurt) - awesome crust sort of folded into a bowl - apparently a traditional shape.
• Ice Cream - not your regulation choices... You get to pick 3.
  • Turkish Delight
  • Strawberry
  • Fig

A great evening of friends (a bit of a lightning visit which we hope we can extend next time around), food, no stress and almost best of all there was no falling asleep at the table (or on the train home). We should go back and give more of the menu ago, but alas the opportunities to do so will rarely present...

Stay JOLLY!
DDavid & Camille, Mimi, Coco

2100 West Irving Park

We've been here before, but it's not been since we moved out of the general area and never for a Brunch.  It's a bar!  It's a good bar.  It's a busy bar. They like Halloween!

It's a long sort of skinny building split up into 3 sections by virtue of the walls that hold the roof up.  100% bar looking at the front, 100% brunch buffet looking in the middle (probably gets normal tables the second the brunch goes away), 85% kids section in the back (although this delineation is probably only apparent during brunch)...  It's a bar...  Lots of TVs with the games on, a mixture of high tops and normal tables, lots of options to drag tables around for bigger groups, and seeing it's Halloween season some fun decorations around the place that certainly got the kids attention.

It's a buffet, so you don't get much interaction with your Server, but she did come by to keep an eye on our drinks or to put in an order for an omelet or waffle.  She also didn't appear to be concerned with the kids not always being in their designated seats - she must have worked the kids section before...

Our meal went a little like this:

• Milk
• White Trash Mimosa - not exactly sure what the make up was, but you get a pint and it was sort of refreshing.
• Bloody Mary with Beer Chaser - it was consumed, and it comes with a big edible arrangement as a garnish.
• Brunch Buffet - plenty to choose from, including but not limited to...
  • Eggs, Bacon, Sausage 
  • Made to Order Omelets - but don't speak to the Chef, order through your Server...
  • Waffles - chocolate is an option that's hard for the kids to pass up
  • Yogurt / Fruit Bar
  • Biscuits & Gravy - I'm going to go with pretty good gravy - perhaps sausage?
  • French Toast 
  • Carved Turkey & Beef 
  • Sloppy Joes 
  • Dino Fingers - technically, for the kids, but I may have had 1 or 4...
  • Sweet Potato Fries - a pleasant surprise
  • Assorted Salads 
  • Cookies & the Like... 

It's not our neighborhood any more so even though we had a satisfying feed, it's unlikely we'll get back for brunch anytime soon.  But, if the stars align and we need a lazy brunch (or casual dinner) in the general vicinity of O'Donovan's we could give it another go.

Stay JOLLY!
DRon, Diane, Allison, Natalie