Sushi Dokku - Dining in Chicago.

SUSHI DOKKU
823 West Randolph Street
Chicago, Illinois 60607
Email: info@sushidokku.com
Phone: +1 312 455 8238
Fax: +1 312 455 8237
http://www.sushidokku.com
*Winner of the Michelin bib gourmand Chicago in 2014*


I had the opportunity to experience this restaurant in the first few days of being new to Chicago.

Tucked away in near west side near university village (UIC), more well known as 'Little Italy', we stumbled upon this place by accident.

The original plan was to try out a restaurant called 'Girl and the goat', but we couldn't get a reservation which suited our time so we ended up walking down the street and stumbled upon Sushi Dokku.

Walking through the door, I was taken by the brightly lit sushi bar on one side and the dark rows of dining tables on the other. In Japanese fashion, everything was set out to be uniformed and simplistic, a balance of form and function. In other words - Zen.

We sat at the bar right by the cooking stations. To make things easy, we all ordered the same dishes - the special of the day 'Clam ramen'.

Everything in this dish is well balanced. The broth was intense enough to cut through the rest of the ingredients but also allowing all the different tastes to shine through - a characteristic I highly regard when it comes to ramen as the flavors can quickly become muddled together if not layered correctly. The ramen noodles was also cooked to perfection.

The best part was seeing the chef cook it in front of us. We saw how meticulous he was with his measurements and timing, the layering of the ingredients and the final presentation as he personally served it to us.

I'll definitely be back to try their Nigiri, Sashimi and Maki rolls. I'm also impressed by their Sake menu which is always a great indicator of an outstanding purveyor.

This was a quick visit so we kept it simple and light, as the guys had a marathon to run the next day.

I highly recommend Sushi Dokku if you're after the next generation modern style Japanese cuisine.

Getting there:
Simply hop on a Green line or a Pink line CTA 'L' train and get off at Morgan-Lake, then walk three blocks towards N Green St on Randolph and it'll be right on the corner, you can't miss this little gem.

Hub 51 - Dining in Chicago.

Hub 51
51 W Hubbard
Chicago, IL 60654
312-828-0051
http://www.hub51chicago.com


Located in River north a few blocks down from the magnificent mile, Hub 51 is the suit and tie version of your regular American bar types, but with the familiarities like sport on the flat screens, craft beer on tap and seats by the bar.
Dubbed the 'eclectic American restaurant', Hub 51 boasts a fine menu with well curated ingredients. From the appetizers and the entrees, all the way to the drinks menu which cleverly targets the majority of Hub 51's clientele which are mostly trendy young professionals and business people.

So, after thoroughly reading through the menu, we decided to order salad.

We realized that this could be frowned upon, ordering a salad, especially at a venue like this, but our waiter was extremely excited for us to try it - quite the opposite of what we were expecting his reaction would be.

We ordered the Sonoma salad and the Asian chicken salad.

The Sonoma salad included baby spinach, grapefruit, avocado, walnuts, sunflower sprouts and seeds, dried cranberries and mustard vinaigrette. We also added grilled salmon which made this salad extra spectacular.

The asian chicken salad included peanuts, lemongrass, kaffir lime and red onion. The chicken is prepared southeast asian style, which means that it's grounded then cooked so that it absorbs the scent of the herbs and juices in the salad to create an explosion of flavors once it hits your palette. 

I was thoroughly impressed by these salads which is a great indicator of an outstanding chef, and I can't wait to see how the entrees are like upon my next visit.

The service was also top notch and the venue was trendy, relaxing and comfortable which suits everyone from singles, couples and groups.

I highly recommend Hub 51 if you're looking for a trendy bar with quality food and service.

On the train from Kansas City (free writing)

I arrived at Union station in Kansas City at 7am this morning. The line for Chicago was already long, with more people adding up as the minutes went by. 

We only boarded the train at 8am, almost 20 minutes behind schedule.

I fell asleep for the first hour or so after becoming comfortable in my seat. How could you not, they were basically reclining chairs. 

Missouri came by fast, along with the first stop for a quick cigarette break. Not for me though, I needed a coffee.

I regret not grabbing a Parisi coffee at Union station, and also not grabbing breakfast in the dining car on the train, so the hell am I going to miss out on lunch!

I got up off my seat, picked up my bag and headed for the dining cart. Disappointed, I saw no patrons. 

Asked the lovely gentleman, clearly from Chicago by the way he spoke, he directed me down stairs to this lonely little dark corner canteen with an impressive menu printed on an A3 sheet of paper - I had no idea you could reheat so many items.

I ordered a Hebrew National hotdog, 100% kosher, with sweet relish and mayonnaise. A cup of coffee with half and half, and a bottle of water. 

She packed up my order neatly in a cardboard box, I gave her my money then walked up to the lounge car to enjoy the scenery. The sides and ceiling of this car were all glass, allowing a vast amount of natural light to beam through, the perfect dining experience especially with the seats facing out wards.

A country man [from Fort Maddison, Iowa] and his son is sitting behind me, talking to an amish couple about gaming [hunting], the labour market and how someone should come up with a country song about a red barn, because everyone likes a red barn. 

However, his knowledge about this land is impressive. He's a well travelled man. He loves pointing out the scenery to us, explaining the geography and the history behind the towns, plains and ridges as we passed them.

There's a few Amish people on this train. Some with young families and some traveling with relatives and partners. Most would do a double take on me. 
Wait till start talking, yep, I'm the funny looking man that also sounds funny, trying to get home to Chicago.

P.s. I highly recommend traveling via rail in America. It's cheap, convenient and you get a chance to relax and take in the lovely scenery. It's a great way to meet people too. 

Washington DC and Kansas City in 5 minutes

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

I had the opportunity to experience my first Thanksgiving ever with the most awesome bunch of people on this earth in a beautiful town called Kansas City.
I absolutely loved Kansas City, everything from the food, the people and its industries, which includes world-class-specialty-grade coffee roasters and craft beer breweries.
Not to mention the amazing restaurants, jazz bars and cafés - this place is my idea of paradise.


Also, I spent my birthday weekend in the capital, Washington DC with the most amazing Mallette (whom you've probably read about before in my previous blog entry 'Why Diabetes?') which was absolutely wonderful.
Fun filled with amazing scenery, great food, good coffee, and fun activities like salsa dancing, ice skating and intense games of chess, also including a cute puppy and an espresso machine.

But, instead of words, let me give you a quick preview of my Birthday weekend and Thanksgiving via a YouTube video montage.
Enjoy!

Land of the free

It's two degrees Celsius outside, I'll be seeing Jason Mraz at 8pm, but before then I'll be having dinner with my cousin at this amazing restaurant called Mercadito on Kinzie street, a couple of blocks away from the famous North Michigan Avenue, aka the Magnificent Mile.

I'm actually inside Ghirardelli Chocolate Company having one of the best hot chocolates I've ever experienced. 

I'm happy. I can't explain this feeling, but it feels like I'm at ease. I'm rested. I'm stable. 

Everything makes me smile. Everytime the wind blows and I'm freezing my ass off, I chuckle. When I see a yellow school bus drive pass, I imagine having children of my own. 

Even when I hear the train announcements, I feel as if I'm heading home.

Now don't get me wrong, I love Australia, a lot.
I gave Australia everything in my twenty-five years of service there. I've worked so hard for the land that's girt by sea, and I still have so much more to give. I've had great experiences there, and I've had bad experiences there - Just like anywhere.

It's just that at this very moment, in the land of the free, I'm at ease - my mind, body and soul. 

I don't wake up in physical pain anymore from working so hard to keep the bills paid and the Australian tax office happy. I'm not stressed all the time wondering how I'm going to take my business into the next level so I can stay of top of my game to satisfy my staff and customers, and I'm not caught up in the rat race for once. 

For once, I can be a twenty-something year old, (even though I just turned thirty-one) and I feel like I have so much to catch up on.

So as you could already tell, America is my escape - and it's tempting to just keep running.

I have family here. I have friends here, but most importantly, I have a clean slate here.
I'm a different person here. I'm someone whom I've always wanted to be; relaxed, disciplined, and motivated to build something new. 

Although as romantic as everything may sound, I still have huge responsibilities back in Australia, 

but let me live my fantasy for another two months. 

My feet will touch the ground again soon.

With love and respect.

Do not focus on the finger or you will miss all the heavenly glory - Coffee edition.

I love American coffee.
Yes, you read correctly - I love American coffee (that includes Canada as well).

Give me a Latte if I see you rocking an espresso machine.
Give me a house blend with Irish cream if I'm at the train station.
Give me a double-double if I'm in Canada.
Give me a freshly brewed if I'm at Starbucks (best believe I do have a Starbucks reward card as well).
Give me a medium roast with creamer if I'm at the local diner.
Give me a filter coffee if I'm at the restaurant.
Give me coffee, just give me coffee and I will enjoy every drop of it.

Why Duke? But aren't you into coffee? Then why are you drinking such horrible coffee?
(FYI - Australians love telling the world how terrible American coffee is).

My answer is: I love coffee - unconditionally.

Coffee has more meaning to me than which notes I'm tasting on my palette, or which estate, or origin it came from. Obviously, those are very important if you're passionate about coffee, but why not allow yourself to see more than what's in the cup?

Perfect coffee not only requires the perfect crop, science, chemistry, equipment and the Barista behind it, but it also needs a time and place to complete the experience.

I'd happily take a drip coffee with half and half while I taking in the beautiful scenery of downtown Chicago, or a pot brewed, hand-ground coffee made at a village on the mountains of northern Thailand, rather than drinking a latte made with fully washed, AA grade single origin beans from a Kenyan micro lot farm while I stare at garbage bins lined up on some dirty laneway in Marrickville, Sydney.

Sorry if you don't agree with my ideologies, but life is too short to be a snob. Open up your mind and the world will open up to you.

Otherwise, what Bruce Lee said in 'Enter the Dragon':
"It is like a finger pointing away to the moon, but do not focus on the finger or you will miss all the heavenly glory."


In conclusion, why not come in to Duke's Lounge at 153 Avoca Street, Randwick 2031 NSW Australia for a 360 degrees coffee experience. We have a nice dining room to enjoy your speciality grade coffee in, we use only A2 milk, we have great music and the barista is also decent looking.

It all started in Chicago

Chicago is a beautiful city rich in history, diversity and culture.
The people are friendly, the restaurants are world class and the infrastructure is incredible.
It's been a month already and I still have plenty to do and see.

My family in Illinois, even though most aren't blood related to me, have taken care of me like their own child/brother/cousin and friend. Never in my life have I felt so loved and welcomed.

The other pieces of my heart that beats further north across the great lakes - Toronto and Mississauga.
I feel an incredible bond towards the North. I'm absolutely head over heels in love with everything up there. From the Tim Hortons to the loonies and toonies.
Rachel, her gorgeous sister and most beautiful mum took me in like family, and their friends made me felt like I've always grew up with them. Since I've been back in Chicago, I always think about them all the time. It makes me feel loved.

The rest of my soul is spread across the US, with beautiful people like Tara who took me on an amazing journey in Kansas City through all the things I'm passionate about; coffee, food and music.
And her wonderful family who've organized for me my first ever Thanksgiving, and taking me to my first NFL game. It was an experience I'd never forget.

Mallette and her gorgeous parents, having me over to celebrate my 31st birthday in Washington DC. Taking me around town, dancing and ice skating. We even finished a chess game we had started in Sydney at this gorgeous coffee shop in Chevy Chase - It was all so perfect. Although, the greatest birthday gift of all was Mrs. Asmuth's counsel and guidance in which made me the Realtor I am today - Forever grateful.

...and of course spending the week before christmas with Chris and Bunge down in New Orleans, they reminded me of what it means to love what you do and live life with passion. But most importantly, being able to keep a promise Chris and I made together when our paths met in Sydney was something so magical.

Thank you.
I love every one of you with all my heart.


So, besides being a tourist, visitor and researcher here, I've discovered that there's more to this journey;

I grew up with very little family - my childhood was a bit of a mess to be honest.
But, I feel like I've been given a second chance to redo this 'family' thing. This gift that I've received is more valuable than anything I could ever wish for. I didn't even realize how important this missing piece of my life was until I landed here - fallen into the arms of these amazing people I will forever call family.
I now have brothers and sisters - I have everything here that I missed out on as a kid.
I've found a missing link in my life I never knew was broken until now.
Never in my life have I been so welcomed, accepted and embraced - For once, I feel whole.

I'm forever grateful to have this opportunity to rediscover myself.

... And it all started in Chicago.

Update:
As of May 2015, I've since travelled back to Bangkok and found my sister - meeting her for the first time after 20 years at a surprise birthday dinner we've had planned for our dad nonetheless!

We always knew about each other, but through changing circumstances of my life I had completely lost contact with my dad, which meant I lost her too. It wasn't until a few years ago after I opened up my café that my dad found me again through my website and contact me via email.
...I guess he never stopped searching.