This Week’s Episode: Mana Food Bar, Krapil’s Steakhouse, and Big Jones

Hello there!

I loved shooting this week’s episode. I have to say it was one of my favorites! I am very open-minded when it comes to eating. I’m pretty much an omnivore. I will try anything as long as it is truly part of a culture’s culinary repertoire. No, you won’t find me eating bugs “Fear Factor”-style, but if a food I haven’t tried is part of a cultural cuisine, I will try it. (Disclaimer: of course, I may not always like it…the fish eyeballs I tried in Puerto Rico…I’m looking at you). One of my favorite things about Check, Please! is that our guests explore places they might not ordinarily try but for being on the show. So far, all of the reviewers have been game to move outside of their comfort zones. After certain episodes, they’ve told me they never tasted a certain type of food but now it’s one of their favorites. This is what is so wonderful about Check, Please! Because of the diversity of the restaurants that are featured, your palate (and mind) can really expand if you are open to it.

So this week, guest reviewer Terry Byrne, a self-proclaimed “meat and potatoes” guy from the South Side (who recommended Krapil’s Steakhouse) gets sent to Mana Food Bar, a vegetarian restaurant in Wicker Park. I was convinced he wouldn’t like it, but I was wrong! Not only did he like it, he loved it and said he is going to make it a regular spot. Wait till you see how enthusiastic Terry is about this new experience for him. He openly admitted he didn’t expect to like it and yet he was blown away, and said he “didn’t even miss the meat.” How fun is that?

Has this ever been the case with any of you? I’d love to hear your stories about a time you were completely surprised by how much you enjoyed a certain type of cuisine or the time you decided to move outside your culinary comfort zone, only to find that maybe you shouldn’t have! The best part of my job is getting to know my guests, and so I’d love to hear from all of you and your dining experiences around town!

On another note, I interviewed Ina Garten last night at the Auditorium Theatre. She was a career changer like me. Ina worked as a nuclear policy analyst in the White House before she became the Barefoot Contessa! I have looked up to her, and she has been a major inspiration in my life. I will be sure to report back next week and give you some details about our interview.

Until then, be sure to tune in this week as we visit Mana Food Bar, Krapil’s and Big Jones this week on Check, Please!

Cheers,
Catherine