North Side Review: Silver Cloud

It is really cold in Chicago. Really, really cold. The kind of cold that makes you not want to leave your apartment, not want to go to work, not even want to go out drinking. So when it came time to go out to eat this week, all of our usual favorites just seemed too wimpy to stand up to Chicago's January weather. Sushi was too cold, tapas too small... let's not even get started on the idea of sitting through a tasting menu.

When it gets like this outside, Chicagoist turns to comfort food. We've walked past Silver Cloud numerous times, but had never gone in until last night. What sold us was the traditional comfort food featured on the menu; items like grilled cheese with tomato soup, Shepard's pie and burgers of all types. Chicagoist has discussed its love of cheese before, so we were especially intrigued by the "Anti-Resolution Killer Carb Special," which includes a grilled cheese sandwich, mashed potatoes and macaroni and cheese for $9.95.

Because it is still January, we decided to play nice with our arteries, so we skipped the special to focus on the permanent menu items. Chicagoist went with the Chicken Pot Pie ($9.95 with soup or salad) which is a feat to behold. As pictured above, it is covered with a puff pastry topping, making the entire dish the size of a small child. As we broke through the topping, curls of steam escaped, and we eagerly scooped up some of the filling. While delicious, we would have liked a little less cream in the filling and a little more veggies. Though there were petite green peas and a few lonely carrots, a heartier serving of vegetables would have made the thick creamy sauce a little less overwhelming. Still, when is is snowing outside and spring ain't coming for two more months, could anything else really be better?