NNTP-Posting-Date: Fri, 06 Apr 2001 16:44:04 CDT X-SessionID: EMqz6-20074-C4-9695@uchinews X-Hash-Info: post-filter,v:1.4 X-Hash: dbbb57b7 e5960ed1 e3ba630c 75ab6f60 36c07ac5 Date: Fri, 06 Apr 2001 15:44:06 -0600 Xref: usenet.INS.cwru.edu chi.eats:9909 A while back I went to Villa Kula with a very diverse group who wanted dinner and jazz. I really didnt think Id like the place much but have to admit I was pleasantly surprised. I think everyone in our group liked it a lot. Ive never been for tea but would willingly return. The space, which used to be a beauty parlor, comprises three small rooms nicely fitted out in dark wood with some stained glass accents, in arts and craft style. On a recent Saturday night it was full but not crowded; each room has only several tables. A somewhat diverse crowd, mostly thirtyish, everything from jeans and motorcycle jackets to suits. Our group spent about 4 hours there and had a very relaxing, pleasant time. Since there were no tables open in the front room, we started at a back table for before-dinner drinks. There is a full bar though this is clearly not the focus of the place. About a dozen decent wines by the glass (example: Ravenswood zin is $6.50) and maybe another dozen by the bottle, mostly in the $25-35 range. Some interesting drinks containing fresh-squeezed blood orange juice, untried by us. They make a tea-infused vodka "martini" with Chambord. Although I usually take a dim view of such things, I have to say a few sips of my friend's drink were not unpleasant. The bartender let me sample some tea-vodka straight up which was again much better than I expected. If you're a big fan of tea and of vodka, this may be for you. Much of the regular menu consists of creative salads and sandwiches but a full, small menu of appetizers and entrees is offered at night (better call to be sure of hours if you want a real meal). There were salmon, steak, chicken, and pork dishes but vegetarians would likely be very happy here. In fact, the best dish was probably the vegetable Wellington, one of the better veggie plates I've tasted in a while. The sweet potato ravioli in sage-cream sauce with chestnut puree was very good but not stellar. It was overly rich and probably would have worked better as a side dish. At our table a NY strip steak and a pork tenderloin dish disappeared without complaint. Most entrees were around $15, including creative accompaniments, and were nicely presented. Desserts are all made in-house like everything else and were generally very good. Since I only had a taste of this and that I cant remember any specifics. I could definitely see going for a pastry and pot of tea. On Saturdays, Erwin Helfer, who's been playing blues and jazz piano in Chicago for about 40 years, is teamed with John Brumbach on saxophone. It's a very intimate setting with no amplification and the sound is very good (at least in the front room). I believe they have music, usually piano jazz or blues, Friday through Sunday evenings. Villa Kula 4518 N Lincoln Av Chicago IL 60625 773-728-3114 (Im pretty sure Xoinx has been closed for quite a while now.)
Chicago, IL