Dining on Broadway

[rating=4]Did I grab your attention? Being a theater reviewer, anytime I can use Broadway to grab attention, I take advantage. This review is for a restaurant that is located on Broadway ( yes, Virginia, Chicago does have a Broadway) in the Edgewater neighborhood. It has been awhile since I have been on the street near the Armory, as I am normally around for Red Twist on Bryn Mawr. There are several ethnic restaurants in the area, one which is very diversified in its residents, so it makes sense.

Last night, Jane, Frank ( my co-host on the radio) and I went to a very intimate Indian restaurant with a very catchy name, The Mango Pickle. Should you google that name, you will find that you can buy this product in bottles and it is a spicy additive. Our knowledge of Indian fare is just so, lots of curry and very spicy food. Jane had never had Indian food before, Frank, the world traveler had been to India, so he knew what he was tasting and my days on the board of the Devon-Northtown Chamber led me to many an Indian restaurant on Devon Avenue. The owners always showed me the less spicy items on the buffet.

Our hosts at The Mango Pickle, Marisa  Paolillo and Nakul Patel offered us a sampler dinner made up of some of their signature dishes so that we had an opportunity to try several items to share with you. Finding the restaurant was easy and parking right on the street ( metered) was readily available. This intimate restaurant has neighboring restaurants that are also ethnic, Ethiopian and Mexican and along the street many more spaces. It appears that Edgewater is on the rise and many young people are calling this area, home.

As many of you know, I am a vodka drinker, with my very dry martini. Mango Pickle does NOT have vodka on their menu of delightful sounding cocktails, and being one who does not like the “other clear alcohol” a/k/a gin, I opted to have a special drink, their Bollywood Old Fashion ( bourbon, Amara, Angostura bitters and chai spices). It was zesty and tasty. So much so, that Frank and Jane also tried and enjoyed one as well. Their menu is not the traditional Indian cuisine that we see offered in every strip mall that has an Indian dining spot, they still embrace the flavors of their country. I must tell you that I enjoyed everything they offered us and while Jane found some of the items spicier than others, she found enough items to feel that the experience was a pure delight.

The space is colorful, cozy and has a feeling of home. The bench seating that lines the walls is filled with pillow so that the diners can be as comfy as they want. Marisa ( who is the head chef) uses fresh ingredients that go with the season, but of course they use a lot of Mango Pickle ( a spice that will give you a savory memory). Our menu incuded:

Chutney Flight: three chutneys, two pickles, fried whole wheat puri, spinach paratha, microgreen salad

Cashew and Cilantro Rice Cakes

Paneer & Saag: mixed local greens, mushrooms and masala- note: I am not a mushroom person, but in this case, I ate them all! They were a tasty treat , for sure.

Potato-three way:Bhaji (north), coconut kurma (south) and sukhi bhaji (west) oyster mushrooms. Another surprise flavorful dish!

Their famed “butter chicken” charcoal grilled ( again with mushrooms), a pure delight with their 5 spice rice ( not spicy at all) and then some delightful leg of lamb ( which is not a standard menu item, but a special offering at this time of year.

The meal was served with pairings of tea, all tasty , but in particular the chai that we enjoyed as we partook of their carrot Halwa cake that is probably the best carrot cake I have ever had.

The menu has other items on it as we watched the plates go to the tables surrounding us, and they also have a special prix fixe menu with three courses that are based on the seasonal offerings. While they do not have vodka, their bar does have some great offerings and wines that pair up with their menu. This intimate space is one that may be hard to get in, so if you are thinking of trying is I suggest that you call 773-944-5555. To learn more about them, visit www.mangopicklechicago.com

Again, this is not your typical Indian restaurant, so look at visiting the Mango Pickle Chicago as a new dining experience and one that will make you forget all the ones of your past!

Mango PIckle Chicago is located at 5842 N. Broadway in Chicago. During the warmer weather, they do have a small sidewalk café area.