Stowaway Kitchen

The River North District aka RiNo has changed quite a bit since frequenting the area eight years or so ago. There are more shops and high-rises with really awesome murals around every corner.

I am glad this place is still around. Stowaway opened just as I was losing interest in the area. I have always heard good things, but every time I attempted to go the parking situation reared its ugly face. I lack the patience of driving around the block 10 times. So, I inevitably moved on. Until today.

Food

I opted to swing by for brunch, and quickly ordered a 12oz whole milk latte. Presentation was on-point, and the espresso was a nice blend that did not over power the milk.

I ordered an Oyako-don as my main dish. Now, the recommended dish is the Scram Sandwich which is ham, sriracha mayo, soft scrambled eggs, arugula, and tomato chutney on a brioche bun. In hindsight, I should have ordered that sandwich after seeing it brought out multiple times to other tables. Eh. I am a sucker for donburi bowls. Oyako-don is a rice bowl with chicken, onions, and eggs simmered in an sauce or broth.

Flavor and Texture - 40/60

The best part about the oyako-don was the savory broth. The chicken had definitely been marinating in that broth for a long time, but the chicken itself left a lot to be desired. It was not as tender as I would have liked. The pickled ginger complimented the savoriness of the dish as a whole, and left a nice crisp taste after a few bites. The egg itself could be off putting for some as it did not mix well with the broth. A mushy texture was the result.

Quality/Skillfulness - 5/10

Ingredients tasted fresh, and there was some time commitment for the broth.

Value - 5/10

For the price...I have had better donburi bowls.

Dining Experience

Service and Setting - 3/5

The service was great and the atmosphere was modern. The location is okay. If you made a day trip to visit RiNo and walked to most places you can add this place to your list of stops. However, parking may be a turn-off for most people.

Presentation - 3/5

Latte art was clean. There was effort put into making the oyako-don eye-catching, but scrambled eggs and broth make it a little difficult.

Legitimacy or Creativity/Uniqueness - 2/5

Not a lot of places are open to serve oyako-don for breakfast, so that in and of itself is unique.

X-Factor / Memorability - 2/5

Could I have waited another eight years? *Shrugs*

Total - 60/100

3.5 Stars - Good, worth a try. A place to stop if on a day trip in the RiNo area.