https://www.facebook.com/186069455525365/

Bites with Bessy Food & Travel Blog by Bessy Tam, Kingston (2026)

01/01/2025

HAPPY NEW YEAR 🎊 from Jamaica 🇯🇲 blessed to be back with college friends for my dear friend's wedding, enjoying the sun out of the Chicago cold 🌞 what's your New Years Resolution? ✨

15/10/2023

$25/$30 All-You-Can-Eat (2 hours): 🍣 22 nigiris , 47 rolls, 20 apps, & 10 soup/salads 📍 Chinatown

𝙁𝙤𝙡𝙡𝙤𝙬 @𝙗𝙞𝙩𝙚𝙨𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝𝙗𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙮 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙤𝙙 & 𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙫𝙚𝙡 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝘾𝙝𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙜𝙤 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙗𝙚𝙮𝙤𝙣𝙙 🌍

What a STEALLLLL . This is on the 2nd floor in Chinatown. Honestly such a hidden gem

I'm generally wary of AYCE spots , especially when it comes to sushi . But this place really has fresh items and the service is on point. So much so that I ate maybe 30+ pieces 😂 I was SOO HAPPY

𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀
- Huge menu. I counted 22 nigiris , 47 rolls, 20 apps, & 10 soup/salads
- fresh nigiris, especially ones I love like Tobiko or seared Aburi salmon
- pictures on the table as menu
- convenient to access from the train or buses + street parking
- booths + large tables, comfortable to sit and large space (since it's a 2nd floor)
- something for everyone: veggie & cooked items available
- Perfect for date night, family outings, large family/friend gatherings
- you get a sushi boat 🚢 if you have 4 rolls or more!

𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴:
- $29.99 4pm onwards or weekends
- $25.99 for lunch 11:30-4pm
- $2.5 for each plate you don't finish, including rice
- AYCE 2 hours from the moment you get your first dish 👍

𝗡𝗼𝘁𝗲; the mochi ice cream was not included, it was $4.99 for two. Otherwise you get ice cream as a part of the ayce package

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗲 𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱:
- Fire dragon roll 49
- Crunchy crunchy roll 36
- Soft shell crab
- Gyoza
- Ramune soda : lychee, melon, strawberry, or orange
- Aburi Tuna (seared)
- Aburi Salmon (seared)
- Tuna
- Salmon
- Mackerel
- Eel
- Masago or Tobiko (orange)
- Yellowtail
- Spicy Scallop
- White Tuna
- Squid
- Black Pepper Tuna
- Red Snapper

𝗗𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘀:
Mira Sushi, 📍 2108 S Archer Ave , Chicago, IL 60616
Opens at 11:30
Closes 9:30 (Sun-Thur) or 10pm (Fri & Sat)

Shout-out to Suhel our awesome server!

19/09/2023

OG GARLICKY CRAB FEAST you HAVE TO TRY 📍 Wicker Park

I don't know why I haven't been here in the past but I am SO UPSET I haven't

Got the premier crab feast for two (menu at the end), with

- king grab legs
- lobster tails
- mussels
- corn
- garlic crab fried rice (I have high standards for fried rice, this literally tastes like my favorite restaurant in Hong Kong) . Nice & dry with chunks of crab meat
- garlic Cajun noodles
- a double sasuage

Also ordered the fried Calamari and two drinks

They have happy hour too! Not for crab feast but still includes grilled items

Their grilled oysters are now back on the menu!!

Make sure to check it out and let me know what you think!

03/07/2023

🔥NEW SPOT ALERT🔥 is finally here in Chicago! 📍 West Loop

This spot is 🔥 in South Florida with a handful of locations. They just OPENED 2 MONTHS AGO in west loop and it was just SO MUCH FUN

Yes, I got lost trying to look for the secret door 😂

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁:
- DJ with the most 🔥 music
- Incredible cocktails like spicy margarita & pico piccante (fresh with cucumber)
- Amazing Tacos - get the Jalapeno Brisket, Birria, and Shrimp Tacos (large shrimps tasting hella fresh)
- Cool Speakeasy vibes of course with really awesome decor
- Yuca fries are a MUST
- closes super late at 12am , even 3am on Saturdays so you can party it up

𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 & 𝗗𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘀:
- Sunday to Thursday 4-7pm Happy Hour
- Taco Tuesdays $11 for 3 Clasico Tacos
- around 9pm every night , Bodega turns into a nightclub. I was already dancing by 7pm really while eating tacos

𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗲
- $6-6.5 for each taco
- $16 cocktails
- $6-10 sides
- $10-16 quesadillas
- $16 protein bowls
- $12-16 burritos

What are you waiting for? I'll post the menu and stuff on and

𝙇𝙞𝙠𝙚 & 𝙛𝙤𝙡𝙡𝙤𝙬 @𝙗𝙞𝙩𝙚𝙨𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝𝙗𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙮 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙖𝙢𝙖𝙯𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙛𝙤𝙤𝙙 & 𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙫𝙚𝙡 𝙙𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨 𝙩𝙤/𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝘾𝙝𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙜𝙤

📍Bodega Taqueria y Tequila
912 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60607

SHACK (outside)
Sunday – Wednesday: 11 am – 12 am
Thursday: 11am - 1 am
Friday: 11 am - 2 am
Saturday: 11 am – 3 am

LOUNGE (speakeasy)
Monday - Wednesday: 4 pm - 12 am
Thursday 1 pm - 1 am
Friday 11 am - 2 am
Saturday 11 am - 3 am
Sunday: 11 am - 12 am

_________________________

30/06/2023

BEST GNOCCHI OF MY LIFE 🍄 📍 West Loop, Chicago

If you're obsessed about gnocchi like I am, you have to go to this spot. hands down this is the best gnocchi I had in my life.

If you try it, PLEASE LET ME KNOW! ❤️

Pasta Veneta opened just 6 months ago and is located in west loop, 5min west off of Fulton. Lot sof restaurants in the main west loop Randolph strip are expensive so it's good they're a bit further away with a huge patio and a bit less rent-pressured prices!

Highly highly highly recommend the Gnocchi
- fresh mushroom, butter and sage
- super soft and fluffy
- each gnocchi melts in your mouth, they are HUGE fluffy pillows
- rich and incredible flavors topped with cheese, making it slightly creamy but not too overpowering
- big contrast compared to other restaurants that make tonato-based & slightly chewier ones

Highlights:
- Chef is french-trained
- all housemade pastas
- huge patio
- large selection of wine
- amazing staff, like Renee the manager!

What we had (~$100)
- white wine
- Focaccia with olive relish
- Nicoise salad with seared tuna, organic egg, baby potatoes & green beans & tomatoes
- Spicy tomato penne (added meatball)
- Gnocchi butter sage + fresh mushrooms
-tiramisu

13/06/2023

Must-go seafood boil 🦀 🦞 in Logan Square!

Theresa opened this spot in 2016 after craving some Cajun crab. But she couldn't find any good spots so she opened one herself! This is Vietnamese inspired Cajun, with locally sourced Cajun + buttery garlicky goodness 🧈

We got the Snow crab legs + crawfish + large shrimp. Comes with green beans, potatoes, and corn 🌽

☝️Pro tip 1: add garlic noodles! Soaks up the bomb sauce for a delicious meal

☝️Pro tip 2: get the shrimp head-on, they use the really tasty large shrimp that has roe in it too, which makes the sauce even more flavorful

☝️Pro tip 3: bring your own booze! They have a delicious mixer , I loved the peach and mango ones! They have strawberry too. I loved them as is, but you can add tequila , gin, or vodka etc

Don't forget their apps, got the spicy hot Cheeto elotes+ hot Cheeto Mac & cheese balls

Their house made-to-order popsicles are INCREDIBLE so they deserve a separate reel ❤️

__________________

📍 2519 Milwaukee Ave
Street parking available!

Always check out their site, they have lots of deals happening all the time, like the fathers day one coming up

03/06/2023

Weekend pampering sesh with mask bar 📍 west loop, Chicago

Had the best time learning & diy-ing masks with my friend on a Saturday 🌅mask bar does small batch skincare with the first every diy mask bar

such a fantastic weekend activity going through their cleansing oil, steaming, clay masks, face mists, face oils and butters, and gua sha

I don't think I've ever learned about beauty routines properly so this was also a fast track to educate myself about each step of the way. This helped me add certain steps to my routine

1️⃣First started with .daze konjac - that my friend said is sold in Costco. The peach flavor was AMAZING And my friend swears by it. She'd say, "I swear my skin looks better the next day"

2️⃣Then the cleansing oil is really nice and creamy. They say this should be the longest process in your routine. 1 pump for normal wear i.e. sunscreened face, 2 pumps for if you have makeup

3️⃣The clay mask came next after a hot towel light steaming process. it helps with blood flow and gentle exfoliation.

You can mix from 3 liquid mixers cherry juice ( vitamins + antioxidents) , Coffee ( caffeine+brightening acids) or walnut milk ( pressed inhouse + Great oils )

You can also choose from 3 clays: Sea kelp ( minerals + sulfur that's calming), Matcha ( brightening + blood flow), charcoal (cleansing)

4️⃣I swear my skin felt really amazing the next day, especially because we spent 5min+ steaming our face with the masks and worked through their 6 different oils/butters depending on your skin: lash & brow oil, lavender mint "all over butter", Dark matter coffee eye butter, face oil, Heavy face oil (avocado oil), face butter

5️⃣I ended up buying a gua sha as well, as we learned about the 120+ lymph nodes we had our body and how it helps reduce puffiness and increase blood flow , moving the tool outwards and downwards (starting with the neck, then the chin on the rigid side)

So nice! Book it with a friend ❤️

25/05/2023

Grab and go seafood to satisfy your 🦞 🐟 cravings 📍 Gold Coast Chicago

Opened last summer, this spot is the perfect grab & go restaurant especially for lunch or quick dinners 😉 got the

🦞 Lobster roll (comes with truffle tots)
🐟 Tuna bowl with spring salad
🍲"Chowdah" with heaps of clams
🥬Tangy Louisiana slaw

They make everything on the spot, even their housemade drinks: 🥤iced tea that has a slightly flowery taste which I loved and gingerade!

Their chocolate chip cookie is really gooey and chewy. The flatter kind 🤤

____________________
Create your own bowl :

Protein (original, large, double):
daily catch, grilled salmon, seared tuna, crispy panko cod, shrimp, curry fish cakes, grilled chicken, spicy sesame cauliflower

Base:
Greens & grains, power box , veggie box, salad, tacos

Sauces:
Sesame soy Sriracha, ginger lime, garlic & herb

22/05/2023

What's new Chicago? Timeout market in west loop has 3 new things for you to try

Save this

1. ASIAN PARASOL by half Chinese half swedish Emily , to celebrate spring & Asian American heritage month

It's made so so fresh with citrus flavors + topped with sesame oil. Amazing balance of sweet, tartness, & savory notes. You HAVE TO get this!

2. FIRE CAKE DONUTS by Jonathan Fox.

First started in 2013 River north because his wife wanted to have donuts after going to the salon downtown. They focus on "simple done well" donuts made with quality Illinois ingredients, seasonal farm fruits, and chocolate imported from France.

Did you know? His favorite is the vanilla, made with fresh vanilla beans !

3. DEMERA Ethiopian food by Tigist Reda. She was born and raised in Ethiopia and lived in Chicago for 20 years! The restaurant is really famous next to the Green Mill jazz club. I've ALWAYS wanted to try this, now we finally had it

Loved the:
✔️Doro Wot: Bone-in Amish chicken in berbere sauce
✔️Siga Alicha: cubed beef stewed in alicha sauce
✔️Kik Alicha: Split yellow peas + garlic, onions & tumeric
✔️And split red lentils!

Reminds me a bit of Indian food, filled with spices. They give you rolls of Ingrid bread

_____
PS Emily also shared the delicious cocktail recipe (save it!): 2oz orange ketel, ¾ amaretto, ¾ lemon juice, ½ ounce ginger syrup, ½ ounce simple syrup , ½ ounce orange juice, toasted sesame oil

17/05/2023

It's PATIO SEASON 🍷 Most romantic wine bar yet with their amazing rotating farmhouse cheese, selection of 30+ wines, raw oysters, and happy hour deals

𝗧𝗮𝗴 𝗮 𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂'𝗱 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 ❤️

Located at the heart of Roscoe Village Chicago, Volo wine bar opened up in 2018 as a non-pretentious and yet classy wine bar that's here to bring you seasonal small dishes, charcuterie, and delicious new American classics

🦪 I particularly loved their oysters & mussels as they were SOOOO plump. The mussels had a fantastically rich yet not overpowering wine + butter + garlic sauce , perfect to dip our warm bread in 🤤

🦆 Also loved the nicely tender & dry brined duck confit that came with a delicious red wine glaze paired with lentils.

🧀 And their cheese board with rotating farmhouse cheeses (goat, sheep, or cows) paired with their homemade brandy cherry jam that was SOOOOOO good. They have 30+ wines on their list!

Everything:
- Champagne
- Aperol spritz
- 2 raw oysters
- Cheese board
- Spicy chicken yakitori
- Duck confit

Come here for dinner with girl friends, for celebrations, even book this for weddings (holds 100 people), and dates . It's just BEAUTIFUL! you'll ever believe looking front he outside how big their patio space is
__________________
Happy hours 4-6pm
$1 Off Oysters
$6 Select Small-Batch Wine On Tap
$7 Spritz Menu
$1 Off Flatbreads
$1 Off Volo Sangria
$1 Off Craft Beers

Book on
📍 2008 w Roscoe Street (walkable from Brown Line)

15/05/2023

The BEST charcuterie spread ❤️

Simply the best, I cannot have other cured meats anymore ! been spoiled to a T with this amazing company - snacking on this after dinners, when I work, and with friends 😂

Brooklyn cured started in 2010 in New York City when founder Scott Bridi branched off after 15 years in the industry. They boast a huge product line of salami, dry-cyred meats, sausages, and deli meats that are:
✅ No antibiotics
✅Pasture raised on family farms
✅No Nitrates
✅Of a variety of flavors

Salami:
Bourbon & sour cherries
Belgian ale & lemon zest
Rye whiskey & orange zest (favorite ❤️)
Mezcal & lime (favorite ❤️)
Za'atar (pork & lamb salami)

Pre-sliced charcuterie:
Finocchiona (fennel) (favorite ❤️)
Hot sopressata
Sweet sopressata
Chorizo

Pre-sliced beef:
Bresaola (favorite ❤️)
Spicy bresaola
Smoked beef salami
Spicy beef salami
Tuscan red wine beef salami

Gilbert and Bernard pates
Pork free :
black truffle (favorite ❤️)
bistro style with cognac and black pepper
White truffle mousse

Coarse pork pates
Port wine & citrus
Pink peppercorn (favorite ❤️)
Wild mushroom pate (favorite ❤️)

Support small businesses! Find them on Instacart, fresh thyme market, Amazon, and more!

Bites with Bessy Food & Travel Blog by Bessy Tam

01/01/2025

15/10/2023

19/09/2023

03/07/2023

30/06/2023

13/06/2023

03/06/2023

25/05/2023

22/05/2023

17/05/2023

15/05/2023

Address

Website

Alerts

Shortcuts

Share

Category