Jason
Oud Junkie
Posts: 734
Registered: 9-17-2005
Location: Louisville, KY
Member Is Offline
Mood: Loving my oud
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Anything oud related going on in Chicago this week?
I'm staying in the city Tues - Friday in the Grant Park area. I'd like to hear some oud playing if possible... I haven't checked Boulos' schedule yet
I'd say that would be my best bet.
Also, any good Greek or middle east restaurants I should check out? I'd love to find some great falafel. You can't get that kind of thing in KY hehe
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John Erlich
Oud Junkie
Posts: 1470
Registered: 8-26-2004
Location: California, USA
Member Is Offline
Mood: Oud-Obsessed
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Hi Jason,
Yes, check with Issa Boulos--he has been pretty good about responding to my e-mails, too. He probably knows what's going on around town.
Also, there is:
-Amir ElSaffar, and Iraqi-American who sings traditional Iraqi maqam music and plays santour (as well as jazz trumpet): http://www.amirelsaffar.com/index.html
- Hicham Chami, a Chicago-based qanoun player originally from Morocco: http://www.hichamchami.com/hichamchami/index.html
- Xauen Music is based in Chicago, too: http://www.xauen-music.com/xauen-music/home.php
I don't personally know anything about Near Eastern food in Chicago, but Chi-town has the largest Assyrian community in the USA, which means there
should be some good Iraqi-type food to be had (something pretty rare in most of the US). You can always check Zabihah.com for listings and reviews.
Restaurants that go to the trouble of serving only Halal ("kosher" for Muslims) food are usually pretty good and authentic--but not always! For
Chicago, see: http://www.zabihah.com/_region_intro.php?id=51
Good luck,
Udi John
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Jason
Oud Junkie
Posts: 734
Registered: 9-17-2005
Location: Louisville, KY
Member Is Offline
Mood: Loving my oud
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Thanks for all the help John... I've found a lot of interesting stuff in the links you sent me. I think this will be a good trip
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Beas.One
Oud Maniac
Posts: 68
Registered: 12-5-2006
Member Is Offline
Mood: Content
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Jason,
I HIGHLY recommend this Persian restaurant in Chicago. The food is absolutely delicious and the prices are very reasonable.
Reza's Restaurant
432 W Ontario St (Cross Street: Kingsbury Street)
Chicago, IL 60610View Map
(312) 664-4500
Fax: (312) 664-9661 Directions: El: Brown Line to Merchandise Mart; bus: 65 to Kingsbury
In Short
This lively restaurant offers an extensive, exotic menu that boasts nearly 50 dishes. Hummus, baba ghanoush and falafel are favorite starters. Persian
soup is a hearty combination of kidney beans, lentils, chickpeas, noodles and mint in a yogurt-based broth. Entree highlights include two huge lamb
shanks dripping with tomato-based sauce, plus fessenjan (Cornish hen) simmered in sweet-and-sour pomegranate sauce with finely crushed walnuts.
The Extras
A lunch buffet is offered Mon-Fri 11am-3pm for about $10, which includes soup, salad, vegetarian dishes, shish kabobs, lamb and more. A weekend brunch
buffet is pricier but more extensive.
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