The Other Critics

Gemini Bistro Goes Understated; Zaidi’s Overdoes It

• The allure at Gemini Bistro isn’t anything innovative; rather, it’s the execution that’s got Heather Shouse excited, from the pitch-perfect grilled cheese and tomato soup down to the ideally crackly creme brulee. A few off-kilter elements — a less-than-crispy “crispy skin chicken” and an overly loud dining room — don’t take too much away from the charm. [TOC]

• Naperville’s Zaidi’s tries to be a lot of things at once: sushi joint, steakhouse, sizzling Latin kitchen. Phil Vettel likes the sushi side of things — and a few items here and there from the rest of the menu — but finds too many mediocrities (not to mention at least one flat-out disaster) on the ambitious menu to really go all-out in his praise. “Simplify, simplify,” is his advice. [Tribune]

Gemini Bistro Goes Understated; Zaidi’s Overdoes It