Flood's On Draft [02]
I wonder what the Danes think of Bushwick
Late Summer in Chicago
I’ve got a lot of love for Chicago. Growing up in the Midwest, Chicago was the big city. When I had a chance to take a job there out of undergrad, I was beyond stoked.
These were some of the best years of my life. Days spent in Wrigleyville watching the Cubs and drinking too many Goose Island 312s, nights spent in Old Town tolerating my friend group’s selection of 80-Proof as the going-out spot. And the in-between: living on a charming, tree-lined block in Lincoln Park, maximizing summer and dreading winter as all Chicago residents do.
Chicago taught me how to navigate and embrace life in the city. How I approach New York (and every other city I visit around the world) is largely thanks to the gentle introduction Chicago provided.
Return visits to Chicago are always a blast. I have friends in all corners, which makes it incredibly easy to hit the ground running when I’m back in town. August-October are the best possible months to visit — late summer when the heat has subsided, and the occasional breeze delivers a touch of crisp fall air.
People ask me all the time what I miss most about Chicago. The sappy-but-true answer is my circle of friends. And the lake. But there are a few restaurants I miss quite a bit too — places that I haven’t been able to replace in NYC. Spots I always try to visit when I’m back in town.
Dove’s Luncheonette Wicker Park, Chicago
The perfect daytime restaurant. Dove’s is a Wicker Park institution that’s been serving up Mexican-American hits for a decade. It’s a timeless diner design — stainless steel, vinyl stools, and cork menu boards. Latin grooves play on the soundsytem and the energy overflows onto Damen Ave. The food at Dove’s rarely changes, but never goes out of style. That includes the comforting burnt ends hash, and the legendary chicken fried chicken — tried and true bangers.
Yellowtail Sushi & Kitchen (Aquarium) Lakeview, Chicago
BYOB restaurants are hard to come by in New York — the margins just don’t make sense. Even more rare is a BYOB that serves really good food. Yellowtail is lightning in a bottle. Buzzing atmosphere, BYOB, and actually good sushi. It’s truly the perfect spot to kick off a rowdy Friday night. Get a bottle of wine from Bottles Up next door and dive into the aquarium.
Kasama Wicker Park, Chicago
Chicago’s most hyped breakfast spot, for good reason. Kasama’s breakfast sandwiches are silly delicious — longaniza, egg & cheese (plus a hash brown) on a chewy potato roll. BECs and bagel sandwiches just don’t hit like this. Fantastic baked goods and coffee round out the daytime offering nicely. It’s best to sidestep the absurd lines by ordering carryout and acquiring outdoor bench space around the corner. At night they transition into a (wicked expensive) Michelin-starred Filipino restaurant, which I have not indulged in to date — maybe when someone’s bankrolling this operation.
Dive Bars all over the place
I’ll shout it from the rooftops: no city has better dive bars than Chicago. Longstanding neighborhood watering holes with so much character you start to mistake it for charm. Places where you’ll hang around a beat-up pool table and chop it up with regulars. The drinks are cheap, the bartenders are probably more drunk than you. Peanuts or popcorn would be considered a frill. These are the bars untouched by father time. Chicago has the best dives in all the land. Inner Town Pub, Burwood Tap, Delilah's, Phyllis’ Musical Inn — just to name a few. Roll up your sleeves, let your hair down, drink a Miller High Life or four.
Recently Added
The newest additions to the Flood’s hit list
Rodeo Crown Heights, Brooklyn
Believe it or not, there are people out there complaining about having too many cool wine bars in New York. Lame. I stand proudly in the keep em’ coming camp.
Rodeo opened up in Crown Heights. Contrary to its name, it’s not a Texas-themed bar, although there’s a solid chance at least one patron will be wearing cowboy boots — but that’s just Brooklyn. They nailed the build-out — a minimal, naturally lit space. A funky, cherry red bar. Exposed brick, wood booths and accents, and lots of mirrors. It’s got a serious Berlin feel going on with the buzzing sidewalk patio, airy front windows, and its chilled-out demeanor. A perfect spot for an early evening, golden hour date — grab a couple drinks (like a very good Negroni), add in couple snacks (like the Ha’s Dac Biet famous onion dip) and you’re in for a good time.
La Cabra Roastery Bushwick, Brooklyn
La Cabra’s New York City expansion has been extremely tasteful. The Danish coffee roaster opened its first US location, an East Village bakery + cafe in 2021. They followed it up with a Soho outpost in 2023. And now they’ve opened the doors to their brand new Bushwick roastery. It presents itself as their US crown jewel. An industrial space softened with perfect Danish interior design. Don’t get it twisted, Bushwick still isn’t charming. But it has cemented itself as the coffee capital of NYC (Sey, Loveless, Dayglow, now La Cabra). I can’t help but laugh at the duality of having flagship locations in Copenhagen and Bushwick. La Cabra isn’t a place I choose for a quick (or cheap) cup — it’s a $10-15 pour-over, paired with the best cardamom bun in NYC kinda morning. One where you linger and take in the supremely Scandinavian vibe for a while.
Best Dishes
Some of the best things I ate (or drank) recently
French Toast — Sailor Fort Greene, Brooklyn
Brunch at Sailor is a raging hot commodity right now, flanked by this insanely decadent-looking French toast. Somehow, it’s even more absurdly delicious than it appears. Buttery and creamy inside with a crisp, caramelized exterior. Swimming in a sweet and salty, warm caramel-like syrup. Topped with airy vanilla crème. Balance that with a few savory items — like the spring onion + goat gouda cheese quiche, and very juicy lamb burger with onions and cheddar — and you just might be convinced that Sailor’s brunch is the best in the city.
Poussin Chicken w/ Pan con Tomate— Ha’s Dac Biet at Leo Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Hand up, I didn’t want to order this. I had my sights set on red meats during Ha’s Dac Biet’s last-ever popup, which took place at Leo in Williamsburg. In fairness, the theme was “The Great American Steakhouse.” But man oh man, the chicken was the big winner of the night. Looking back, it’s a rather provocative presentation butterflied like that. The chicken skin was shatteringly crisp like you’d often find pork belly. Every component — breast, thigh, drum — was juicy in a way I didn’t know chicken could be. Served over a bright, zesty summertime tomato sauce and a bit of focaccia to soak it all up. It goes without saying, but I’m beyond stoked for the permanent Ha’s opening on the Lower East Side.
Flood’s Hi-Fi
Artists and records for moving and grooving
Carlita & SG Lewis - The Moment (song)
This is a progressive house banger with an incredibly atmospheric feel and a touch of euphoria. The pulsing electro backbeat and piano-house rhythm make it easy to nod and sway along to. SG Lewis’ vocals send this one even further into the stratosphere - he’s chopped and distorted at times, but it never feels overworked. Carlita has been on fire lately, and her album ‘Sentimental’, is coming this fall — a release I’m pumped about.
Van Morrison - Moondance (album)
Easily one of my all-time favorite records. Moondance (1970) often finds its way back into my heavy rotation around this time of year — crisp afternoons spent lying in the park. If I had a backyard barbeque, I’d toss it on while making some baby back ribs, that’s for sure. It’s jazzy, sensual, rocks at times, rolls at others. Van’s songwriting is masterful and his voice wraps around you in the most comforting way. Moondance reminds me everything is gonna be a-ok.
Jon Hopkins - Music For Psychedelic Therapy (album)
Something to unpack… but my most listened-to album of 2024 has been Jon Hopkins’ masterful ambient work from 2021, ‘Music For Psychedelic Therapy’. It’s a supremely calming album that I turn to in any stressful environment — airports and planes especially. ‘Tayos Caves, Ecuador i-iii’ puts me under a serious spell with the mix of field recordings and droney spacey sounds. Don’t knock it til you’ve tried it.
Up Next
Places on my radar
Lucali Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn — but god damn I don’t want to stand in line
Carnitas Ramirez East Village, New York — eager to eat offals cooked the Ramirez way
Bar Contra Lower East Side, New York — tucked nicely in my back pocket for a LES date
Oh Kasama can get it - putting it on the hit list
Ps.. that chicken needs to chill
Need that chicken!