Windy City Blogger Wed Sep 23 2009

Windy City Blogger Wednesday: Lottie + Doof

By Whitney Merritt

This week, I have to pleasure of introducing one of my favorite Chicagoland food bloggers, Tim from Lottie + Doof.

What brought you to Chicago?
Birth. I was born near 59th and Kedvale and have spent most of my life in the city. I went to DePaul's Theatre School as an undergrad and Northwestern for grad school so I have lots of ties to the city.

What do you do when you aren't blogging?
I work at a university during the day but my free time I spend with friends eating good food and enjoying the city. I like antiques and we recently bought our first place so we are spending a lot of time searching for things for our home.

Favorite restaurant in Chicago?
This just isn't a fair question! I have so many favorite restaurants. Lately my friends tease me that I am obsessed with The Bristol, which is fair because I am. It is lovely in every way. Lula Cafe is another place that has never disappointed me in all the many years I have been eating there. I was at Lula recently and had a corn bisque with pine bud nectar that blew my mind. Who knew you could get nectar from pine cones? I have a really serious sweet tooth and can't wait for the Floriole space to open, it is sure to be a favorite of mine.

Favorite restaurant in Chicago, if you aren't paying?
This may be a boring answer, but Alinea was unlike anything I have ever experienced. It was performance art. And I wasn't paying so it was an even better experience!

Favorite recipe and/or post?
My favorite recipe remains the caramel cake that I posted last year. It is perfect. I am also a big fan of my macaroni and cheese. Both are so satisfying. I have enjoyed some good collaborations too, like the posts with my friend Sophie Buhai of Vena Cava and Ed Droste from Grizzly bear.

How do take your coffee?
I take it in the form of ice cream.

Cubs or Sox?
No, thank you.

What is the one thing/place/restaurant that you recommend to your out of town guests?
It isn't easy for me to narrow things down, there is so much I like in Chicago. I love Architectural Artifacts, which is a museum/store with amazing treasures to be discovered (even if I can't afford any of them). I like seeing art at the monthly shows at Vega Estates in Pilsen. Textile Discount Outlet, also in Pilsen, is great if you like textiles and fabrics. I love sitting in Wicker Park (the actual park) and watching the crazy characters that live in my neighborhood.

One (or two) things that you can't live without in your kitchen?
I can't live without my KitchenAid mixer, I use it all of the time. I also love offset spatulas, they have a surprising number of uses. My boyfriend, Bryan, is also pretty important as he helps with the piles of dishes I create!

Previous Weeks:
Week 1: Food Loves Writing
Week 2: Happy Jack Eats
Week 3: Marathon Val

Do you have a favorite Chicagoland based food blogger? Email drivethru@gapersblock.com with [food blog interview] in the subject line with the name and URL of the blog and I will check it out!