My Most Memorable Experience At A Restaurant...

Yes, I might have been a little bit snobby when I moved home to Chicago after six years in New York City. New York makes you prove that you’re cool enough, hot enough, smart enough, experienced enough, rich enough – before you can say you belong, before you can call that place home. And the food scene is a playground where New Yorkers show off just how enough they are – just how accomplished and just how at home they have all become in a city that can chew you up and spit you out, pretentiously.

Ironically, in the process of trying to make that city my home, I forgot what home really feels like for me. I love New York City, but Chicago is my home. I only needed two friends and one meal at Home Bistro to remember completely.

My husband and I walked up to the storefront BYOB on Halsted just a few minutes early and three weeks after the big move. Of course we let our friends choose this spot; admittedly I didn't have a clue about the new Chicago scene. And there they were - already comfortably seated in the front window table, their waves through the glass clearly broadcasting a "Welcome home! Welcome home! Welcome home!" We were greeted by a beaming host who truly seemed to be happy to have us and seat us and welcome us to his bistro. There is a fixed price menu offered on Wednesday he explained; three courses to choose. No hurry, no worries.

We pulled the first bottle of wine out and the host was back to open it. I began to glance over the menu, an already hungry stomach defenselessly seduced by the aromas from the kitchen a mere 50 yards away. Sweetbreads, escargot, sardines, pheasant, rabbit, lamb. I kept looking. Bison, catfish, clams, pate. Suddenly I was less eager. These were not my staples, not even my delicacies. I needed a little help and some more wine to start.

With a confident humor and lots of passionate opinions, Tom, our waiter, took one glance at my scrunched up face and pulled up a chair to chat. So we poured him a glass of wine and he took us through the menu. I rarely let anyone order for me, not even my husband, but for some reason Tom seemed to know best. I happily agreed to his suggestions; each of us choosing different dishes to sample. "All smart and all delicious," Tom promised with a wink.

And he was right. Every course, every dish, each bite.

We stayed for more than two hours - sharing stories, making plans, laughing and laughing. We polished off our plates, savored the remaining sips of our last bottle of wine and promised we would do this again soon - very soon.

I sat back in my chair, took a big comfortable breath and felt like I was home. I wanted to hug the cook a big thank you. It was so good to be home.

Home Bistro
3404 N. Halsted St.
Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 661-0299