I know I owe you all a restaurant review from my birthday dinner at Tango Sur but I just got back from the most fabulous Sunday night dinner and I couldn’t wait to tell you about it.
First of all, the funniest people go out in the city on Sunday nights. From men in bright red fedoras to women in skyhigh heels, who knew Sunday night was hopping in Chicago? That’s one thing I’m really starting to learn (and LOVE) about the city — any day can be a weekend if you want it to be. There are so many delicious places to choose from, and the best part is that they’re actually accessible to the masses. There are food/drink specials every day, the portions are made for normal sized humans, and it isn’t impossible to try some of the greatest dishes without a reservation a month out.
Take, for example, my dinner at Sunda last night.
A bunch of us were closing the store last night and one of my coworkers remembered it was industry night at some local places. It’s one of the perks to jobs that center around customer service — we all stick together and give each other nice discounts 😉 So after the doors were closed and the store was locked up, we headed to Sunda, an Asian restaurant located in the River North neighborhood. I was so excited to go out with the girls I work with because almost everyone is an undeniable foodie, aka drinks were had, appetizers ordered, entrees split and dessert sampled.
We started out with a glass of Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand which had the perfect amount of sweetness for me. I initially ordered it because I thought it was the cheapest (spoiler alert: it was not) but it was so good that I ordered a second glass without thinking twice.
We were also smart to order two appetizers (if you even count edamame as an appetizer. Does anyone else think it should be served automatically at Asian restaurants the same way that chips and salsa are at Mexican joints?)
Regardless, the edamame was edamame.
But the Crispy Brussels Sprouts Salad was LIFE CHANGING!
This definitely ranks in the top five best dishes I’ve had in Chicago. Brussels Sprouts, red cabbage, carrots, chilies, fried shallots, with a (get this) minced shrimp nuoc cham vinaigrette. Get in my belly, you heavenly goodness!
For our entrees we all went in different directions. I thought I’d be a little outside the box and ordered a dish called “Longetivity Garlic Crab Noodles.” I’m not sure what exactly qualified this as a “longevity” dish but it sure was good.
Lump crab, lo mein noodles, toasted garlic and shallots. Very garlicky and very crabby, just how I like it.
My friend got the chicken pad thai and while I’m glad I stepped outside my comfort zone this time, next time I’m back I’ll definitely be getting that. It was so flavorful and full of fresh veggies, which is always a plus.
The other girls are all sushi fanatics so they split a few rolls. I wish I could tell you more about those but I’m just not a sushi gal (but they sure were pretty!)
And last but certainly not least was dessert: The Sunda Sundae
Avocado Ice Cream, Sweet Corn and Cheddar Cheese Ice Cream, Ube-Macapuno Ice Cream, Red Mung Beans, Jackfruit, Coconut Gel, Sweetened Condensed Milk, Fresh Berries and Toasted Coconut.
I can tell you right now that in any other situation I would probably not like about 50% of what’s listed above. But we followed our server’s advice and mixed the whole thing together into one giant mess and ate it all combined and it was awesome! So many flavors that I’ve never experienced before and they all worked so well when combined. Such a creative dessert!
Because I know suggesting that you buy a plane ticket to Chicago simply for some Brussels Sprouts and Avocado Ice Cream is a little excessive, just know that if you’re ever in the area, Sunda and all its deliciousness will be waiting for you. And if you need a date, you know who to call.
Questions:
- Ever had avocado ice cream? Because I KNOW you haven’t had cheddar cheese ice cream before!
- What’s your favorite dish from one of your local restaurants?
- Are you (or have you ever been) a Sunday night goer-outer?
i had a big lunch 
I love avocado ice cream!
Crispy brussel sprout salad? I would be all over that! Brussel sprouts are massively underrated in my opinion.
They really are! They can take on so many great flavors. This salad tho — oh ny gosh. A whole new level
Oh those Brussels sprouts!!! I am drooling over them right now! And I adore avocado so why not ice cream!
One of my fav places to go to right now is that Mexican restaurant I reviewed a few months back. We went again at new year and it was so good!
The ice cream was so unique. And i love a good mexican restaurant!
Sunda really is an incredible restaurant, and I love the creativity that they put into their dishes, as well as the level of execution. That dessert sounds like something out of Chopped! I’m not sure if I really want to try it, or I’m really ok not trying it!
I was expecting good food but not such awesome creativity!
Ok YUMMMM. Yes I think edamame should automatically be served but I never mind spending the extra $4 for it because it’s that good. And that brussels sprouts salad DOES look life changing 😀
Haha yeah we always get it too. Idk what it is about soybeans and salt but it’s the perfect appetizer!
totally with you on the edamame bit — should be a given. never had avocado ice cream, but i love all things Brussels sprouts and am on a constant mission to try to make everyone in my life eat them. it’s sort of become a joke with my friends. you’re not a sushi gal?! gahhhh that’d be the first thing i order for sure. mmmm looks delish.
I know I officially fail as a foodie because I just can’t hop on the sushi train! But brussels sprouts? My JAM!
This sounds awesome – can we add it to our list of places we need to go? First is Blue Door. And I could not agree more about how edamame should be included with the meal at asian restaurants.
I walked past Blue Door the other day and it was so hard not to go inside — but I NEED my first time to be with a Blue Door expert! I’ll send you and Susie and email this week setting something up (finally!)
Those ice cream flavors sound so crazy! I would have to try them but I don’t know if I would like them!
It was nuts! But it ended up tasting incredible all together 🙂
Those brussel sprouts look amazing! I have some in my fridge right now and maybe I will make them in some fancy way. Probably not, but it’s nice to dream. I have no interest in that cheddar cheese ice cream, but I’d definitely have some avocado.
So good meeting you today! Hope to see you again soon!
I’m so happy we met too! I’m sure I’ll see you around Sweat a lot 🙂 My favorite way to make brussels sprouts is to roast them with coconut oil, balsamic glaze (from TJ’s), and salt/pepper. Delicious! I also wouldn’t ever in a million years have picked up cheddar ice cream haha but it pretty much tasted like cheesecake.
Holy crap, that brussels sprouts salad looks amazing! I also totally want to try avocado ice cream, but not cheddar cheese cause that sounds weird. I had no idea avocado ice cream was even a thing, but I really want to find some now.
It was basically like cheesecake ice cream haha idk what it was but all mixed together it just worked! The Brussels sprouts tho….good lord! I could have licked the plate, but it was a fancy place 😉
I can get down on the avocado ice cream….but I just can’t with the cheese!! It has nothing to do with my dietary choices either, that just sounds…SO WEIRD!! I would try it though if I ate cheese. You never know until you try! HA.
It was SO weird. But so interestingly tasty 🙂 You never know until you try, exactly!
Oh yum- I LOVE your choice- As much as I love sushi, crabs and carbs are amazing. hahahaha lol I just realised they can be rearranged to be the same thing.
Hahaha carby crabs and crabby carbs!
So we just went to Sunda a few weeks ago. It was AMAZING! LOVED the brussel sprout salad too. So funny because Tengo Sur is my bro’s favorite place. Glad you guys enjoyed your dinner. Loved the pics. None of mine turned out because it was too dark.
Haha yeah very few of mine turned out…but in the moment it was such romantic lighting! I absolutely love Tango Sur!
I want to come visit you in Chicago & go out for good food!!
You’re welcome anytime! I’m starting to become a bona fide expert in the food scene! Just kidding but I could definitely show you some realllllllly great places!