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Review Tue May 24 2011
A Table for One Can Be Fun
"I'm sure she'll be here any minute," I muttered nervously to the desk clerk at Belly Shack. A new friend and I had made brunch plans, and even though she was a fashionable fifteen minutes overdue, I was getting worried. I've eaten alone in restaurants before, but not without reading material to keep me company. I had left my book at home that day--and to get exercise, I walked the mile distance to the restaurant. In crappy flip-flops. Gulping down a second glass of ice water, I decided to brave the weirdness of eating without accompaniment and ordered the special sandwich of the day--a short rib and sausage number with Chihuahua cheese and mushrooms ($10). The braised meat was in a mildly spiced sauce that was almost like a dense ragu, and blanketed with soft microgreens (to keep it healthy, right?); this robust, well-made sandwich was truly one of the best I've eaten in a long time. I also ordered the Vietnamese cinnamon and caramel soft serve; the flavor immediately brought back the memory of a favorite cookie from childhood. Delicious stuff. When I got home, my friend had called about our missed date, and apologized for her forgetfulness. I told her not to worry; I was in good company the whole time.
Belly Shack
1912 North Western
773-252-1414
Lee / January 4, 2012 6:40 PM
Wow. You making me very hungry. Sometimes we need the time alone to enjoy oneself. I also enjoy going to a good movie by myself sometimes. Thanks for the great articles for people who love food.