Gapers Block published from April 22, 2003 to Jan. 1, 2016. The site will remain up in archive form. Please visit Third Coast Review, a new site by several GB alumni.
✶ Thank you for your readership and contributions. ✶
Thursday, April 25
Why be nice when you can be naughty every day of the work week at the Holiday Sweets Fest at the Farmstand. Located at 66 E. Randoph St., the Farmstand is featuring holiday goodies from local bakeries and confectioners starting on Tuesday, December 1 until Wednesday, December 23. Each featured company will showcase their treats from noon to 2pm on a select day.
— Shanna Quinn
Perhaps you've had your fill of Thanksgiving fare. In case you need a change from the tryptophan (or whatever graced your holiday table), Devon Seafood Grill (39 E. Chicago Ave.) is shaking up their offerings with a new "Low Tides" menu, which is a four-course tasting meal featuring items like seared scallops with crispy pancetta and crispy potato wrapped grouper. Normally priced at $35 (or $50 with a wine pairing for each course), you've got a window of opportunity to try the menu for just $25 ($39 with wine) during a special preview on December 1-3 after 4 PM.
To take advantage of this offer, call the restaurant for a reservation at (312) 440-8660 and mention that you saw the event on Gapers Block.
— Jill Jaracz
The NYT visits a few new (and old) places around town--Xoco, DMK Burger Bar, Big Star Taqeria and Bar, Great Lakes and Kuma's Corner-which means that you're gonna have to plan your next trip to these places as if you're waiting for Walmart to open the day after Thanksgiving. Dammit.
— Robyn Nisi
Advent begins tomorrow, and nobody knows how to celebrate the countdown to Christmas like the Germans. Chicago's Christkindlmarket opened this past week in Daley Plaza, and, as always, plenty of good food is for sale: typical German fare such as wursts and pretzels as well as roasted nuts and hot chocolate. But for a real traditional Advent treat, try the stollen at the booth run by Dinkel's Bakery. The dough for this rich pastry, which is studded with fruit and nuts, is sometimes folded over from both sides to resemble the swaddling clothes the baby Jesus was wrapped in before he was laid in the manger.
— Dana Currier
Many of us were looking at something like this yesterday. Today, however, is a whole new ballgame of leftovers and antacids. Picture by Mel Hill Photography.
— Robyn Nisi / Comments (2)
This week I would like to introduce Emily of The View from the 32nd Floor. I hope everyone has a Happy Thanksgiving!
The first apartment that I rented in Chicago was on the 32nd floor, with a gorgeous view overlooking Lake Michigan. I started writing my blog while I lived there.
What brought you to Chicago?
I've been able to call Illinois home for most of my life. I had a brief 6-year stay in New Orleans, Louisiana where I was exposed to some of the best food I've ever tasted. I came to Chicago when I graduated college and I can't imagine myself living in any other big city.
What do you do when you aren't blogging?
I spend my days raising money and planning events for the American Cancer Society here in Chicago. You can find me at the gym about 5 days a week doing both spinning and weights classes, which is a good thing since I love to spend so much time in the kitchen. I love Sunday afternoons when the Chicago Bears are on; it gives me a reason to make a big pot of soup and sit on the couch all afternoon to root for my team.
— Whitney Merritt / Comments (1)
When it comes to Thanksgiving meals, cooks nationwide demonstrate the same focus that Montgomery and Eisenhower did for Operation Overlord. Planning the dinner courses and their courses of action with a critical eye and hard heart, woe betide to the poor fool who, like the Germans at Normandy, stands in their way.
The sheer variety of ways to prepare a turkey boggles the mind. Do you brine it or not? Roast it or fry it? Traditional sage and thyme, or go avant-garde with a rub of butter and chipotle powder beneath the skin? Baste it? Legs tied for presentation, or untied for more even cooking? Stuff the bird and risk salmonella? It's enough to drive a cook crazy, even before the drinking starts.
And that's why instead of turkey, I prefer the standing ribeye roast.
— Cliff Etters / Comments (1)
Turkey? Check. Trimmings? Check. Wine? Egads!
If you haven't gotten the wine you'll be serving (or bringing to) Thanksgiving dinner, hit up Randolph Wine Cellars (1415 W. Randolph) this evening. They've extended their daily Happy Hour tasting to 5:30-8 PM, and they'll be showcasing some Thanksgiving-friendly wines in a variety of price ranges. Best of all, the tasting is free.
— Jill Jaracz
— Robyn Nisi
For those of you who might be looking for a twist on the tradition for the upcoming Turkey Day, here's a sweet potato recipe that's not topped with marshmallows. I made this baked custard when we did our last backyard grilling of the year, a few weeks back. We slowly roasted a big, fat sweet potato on a cooler corner of the grill, and instead of making this ginger yam/sweet potato salad that we are addicted to, I made it into baked custard. The sweet potato can be baked in the oven, of course--it can even be microwaved or boiled, though the latter two methods just don't compare to the slow-roasting on charcoal when it comes to earthy sweetness.
— Yu Kizawa / Comments (2)
If you're shopping for a hot dog-eating art lover this holiday season, you might consider picking up one of Hawk Krall's hot dog art prints -- specifically his Chicago Dog or his "Depression Dog" modeled on Gene and Jude's.
— Andrew Huff / Comments (2)
When I saw the inside of LM Le Restaurant, I thought for sure I had been taken back to a series of miserable jobs I've held that required traveling a few times each year to staff conventions. Tired from running between meeting rooms for 10 hours straight and ravenous, I would take the path of least resistance and hit up the hotel restaurant, which always had a ridiculous name ("The Fountain Room," "Fontinas"), to quietly eat a $20 cheeseburger and let my swollen feet return to their normal shape. LM's interior--high-backed leather seats, deep orange-hued curtains, white tablecloths and interesting, high-end plates and flatware--made me think I was in for an overpriced, forgettable meal. I'm glad to report that I was schooled.
I visited for brunch one Sunday, and my friend and I were seated immediately. The small menu meant easy pickings on our order of an omelette and eggs Benedict--although we had a very hard deliberation between the sourdough pancakes with elderberry preserves, the Croque Monsieur, or the cheeseburger/fried egg combo. Each of us received a croissant and small pots of preserves (yum), which went down well with the Julius Meinl French press coffee at our sides.
Both of our dishes were great--I especially loved the breakfast potatoes, which were a small row of coin-sized and deeply browned spuds. LM takes great care with their food, and the portions were larger than I had expected with French fare. The service was great, the prices affordable, and the back of LM--which boasts a high-ceilinged patio that come summer, should be packed with customers--was a treat to visit and something to look forward to visiting again.
LM
4539 N. Lincoln
773-942-7585
Serves brunch and dinner.
— Robyn Nisi / Comments (2)
Murphy's Red Hots started in the mid-Eighties when Bill Murphy decided to create a more family-style hot dog place that represented a Fifties vibe before the Fifties vibe became chic. With his wife and daughter helping him man the small restaurant in Lakeview, the three started grilling up Vienna Beef hot dogs for the budding neighborhood to enjoy. Little did they know but their creation and care would take off, making Murphy's one of Chicago's most notable hot dog stands. Bill Murphy's hot dogs were so incredible that you can now find the restaurant in Japan. The Manabe company found Murphy's back in the '90s and wanted to bring the signature America food to Japan and Murphy agree. Now, there are two sister restaurants overseas serving up "Chicago-style" hot dogs. Vienna Beef has also entered Murphy's into their Hall of Fame, which to me is like the Oscars of the hot dog world. This above all things drove my decision to eat at Murphy's for this week's edition of The Dog Show.
— Amy Dittmeier / Comments (2)
With only a few days left before Thanksgiving, there's not a whole lot of time for executing an elaborate "tablescape." For an easy, natural-looking centerpiece, fill a glass vase (any shape will do, really) with cranberries and nestle a small candle inside. Surround the vase with a few small pumpkins and gourds, and you're all set. Now all you have to worry about is the food...
— Dana Currier
I recently stumbled upon a great food blog, Orangette, and I quickly noticed that the author, Molly Wizenberg, recently had a book published. A Homemade Life is unlike any book I've ever read and makes me want to spend all of my time in the kitchen cooking, eating and drinking.
Each chapter is based on a recipe and Wizenburg's stories leading up to the recipes are incredibly well written - entertaining, reflective and full of personality. I haven't tried any of the recipes yet (they all sound great) but I'll be sure to let you know when I do. Right now, I'm almost half way through the book and can't wait to try the Banana Bread with Chocolate and Crystallized Ginger.
If you're looking for a good read and you like to cook (or even just eat), definitely pick up A Homemade Life.
— Kaitlin Olson / Comments (2)
With Thanksgiving right around the corner, I'm sure you're making a list and checking the refrigerator twice before heading out to the grocery store in preparation for your turkey dinner. But before you run out the door, check and make sure you have the ingredients to this power breakfast treat: Cranberry Pistachio Biscotti along side a cup of Earl Grey tea.
— Shanna Quinn / Comments (2)
The newly hatched Chicago News Cooperative profiles a few of the customers at a food bank in Ravenswood.
— Robyn Nisi
News broke this week that Woodridge-based Pabst Brewing Co., the company that produces Pabst Blue Ribbon, Schlitz, Old Style and other old-school brands, is putting itself up for sale. Apparently, the move is being forced by the IRS because the company is owned by a charitable foundation, which is against federal tax law.
A grassroots effort to buy Pabst through crowdsourcing is underway: if you want a piece of the theoretical action -- the asking price is $300 million, and less than $6 million has been pledged so far -- go to BuyABeerCompany.com and pitch in. (Thanks, Tankboy!)
— Andrew Huff
Nacional 27 runs a special called "Nearly Free Fridays" from 5 to 7pm each week: for $2.27 per person, you get access to a tasting table of tapas and paella in the bar and lounge. That's a pretty great after-work deal that helps keep you from getting overly sloshed on their incredible cocktails. And with holiday season upon us, it's a good incentive to get together with colleagues or friends for some cheap holiday cheer.
As an added bonus, Nacional 27 is sweetening the deal just for Drive-Thru readers: Mention Drive-Thru or Gapers Block when you order the $2.27 tasting and you'll receive a complimentary seasonal mojito! The offer is good until the end of November -- so essentially Nov. 20 and 27. Enjoy!
— Andrew Huff
This week I would like to introduce Rebecca of Homemaker's Habitat.
What brought you to Chicago?
I've lived in downtown Chicago for about 8 years but grew up in Rockford, IL, which is about 90 minutes northwest of the city. After college there was no question in my mind that I would move to downtown Chicago because I love the pace of the city, the eclectic neighborhoods and, of course, the amazing food!
What do you do when you aren't blogging?
I work in public relations, so my day job keeps me pretty busy. At the end of a long week though, my husband and I love nothing more than spending a quiet night at home, creating an amazing meal and enjoying a glass of wine.
— Whitney Merritt / Comments (1)
Since May 2007, Dani Albers has worked as a baker for Floriole, the Green City Market fixture of French-inspired pastry and soon-to-be Lincoln Park cafe started by Sandra Holl. Albers lives with celiac disease, an incurable condition whereby gluten triggers one's immune system to attack the small intestine, preventing the proper absorption of food. All forms of wheat and related grains like barley and rye contain gluten proteins. In a traditional pastry kitchen, gluten is as prevalent as butter and sugar. I emailed with Albers to find out what it is like to have celiac disease in her line of work.
Sharon Bautista: Were you an avid baker before your celiac diagnosis five years ago?
Dani Albers: I was. But the need for a cookie (among other things) that didn't taste like sawdust kicked my baking hobby into a higher gear. It was really the catalyst for going to pastry school.
SB: What was your professional experience prior to joining Floriole?
DA: I graduated from the French Pastry School in Chicago in 2006. I joined Floriole as a part-timer just a few months out of pastry school, and now I'm working full-time. I've had some brief experience working in a handful of kitchens around the city.
SB: How, if at all, does having celiac affect your work day-to-day?
DA: A part of working in any kitchen is taste-testing. I obviously can't taste everything we make and have to rely on other cues to know that my product is turning out the way it ought to: color, texture, aroma, feel, etc. Sometimes I just have to ask someone to check something for me. I probably gravitate towards working on the flourless products because I know I can be fully involved in their development.
— Sharon Bautista / Comments (1)
Most gardeners in Chicago have readied their vegetable plots for a long winter sleep. However, students from Near North Montessori School (1434 W. Division) will be busy this winter revitalizing a nearby half-acre parcel of land at 1102 N. Wood St. to create a dynamic year-round garden and outdoor classroom.
The project started a year and a half ago, when administrators from the school approached the Chicago Botanic Garden to explore the feasibility of an edible garden on school property. Anna Viertel, the Botanic Garden's School Garden Coordinator, worked closely with Near North Montessori staff to develop plans and identify possible sites. The vision for a garden quickly grew to that of a student-driven vehicle for interdisciplinary, experiential learning and civic engagement that would ultimately be a replicable model for other schools and communities.
Despite significant help from the Chicago Park District, locating and securing a parcel of land viable for food production proved challenging until the fortuitous loan of the vacant Wood Street lot by the Rappe family, whose grandchildren attended Near North Montessori. The school secured permission from the Rappes to build the garden in the open space and promptly began consulting neighborhood residents about the project this past summer. In September, Viertel transitioned from the Chicago Botanic Garden to assume the new full-time position with Near North Montessori of Urban Farm Manager. Clearing of weeds and diseased trees from the site will begin this Friday.
— Sharon Bautista / Comments (1)
Coffee isn't cheap anymore.
— Robyn Nisi
— Robyn Nisi
Kellogg's announced a shortage today in the supply of its Eggo Waffle. The company promises on its web site that, "Eggo is working around the clock to bring everyone's favorite waffles back to store shelves as quickly as possible. We hope to regain full distribution of Eggo products by the middle of 2010." 2010?! This might not be big news for some, but for others, who rely on a steady supply of frozen waffles and Nutella to get their kids off to school, this sounds a little worrisome. If you are such a person, fear not: the freezer aisle still holds frozen waffles from Van's Natural Foods, which come in healthy organic, wheat-free and hearty-oats versions. There are in-house organic waffles sold by Jewel, Dominick's and Whole Foods. But the truth is, these other waffles don't toast to the same golden hue. And the kids pining away for Eggos say the pictures on boxes of other waffles just don't look as appetizing.
— Lori Barrett / Comments (1)
L2O (2300 N. Lincoln) is hosting a three course plus dessert dinner at 6:30pm on Thursday the 19th of November. Presented by ChicaGourmets!, diners can experience James Beard nominee Laurent Gras' offerings paired with fine sake selections.
Dinner is $112 per person, all inclusive. Reservations can be made here for this and other ChicaGourmets! events.
— Cliff Etters
With creations like Bacon Salt and Baconnaise, it's no surprise the brains behind J&D's continue to push the envelope with their bacon-y creations...literally. Mmmvelopes are now available for purchase - yes, a mmmvelope is a bacon-flavored envelope. Why lick paste when you have savor the smokey taste of bacon? Kosher. No refrigeration necessary. Wow.
— Shanna Quinn
Ree, the Pioneer Woman, has become a household name in the food blogging community. A city girl that fell in love with an Oklahoma cowboy and now tells the story about living on a cattle ranch in the middle of nowhere, raising her 4 punks. I started reading her blog 2 years ago and fell in love with her humor, her pictures and her recipes. Ironically, Ree was planning to move to Chicago, with an apartment rented on Goethe in the Gold Coast to attend law school. Then she met the man who is now her husband and stayed in Oklahoma. I'm telling you this story because Ree will be in town (at the Barnes & Noble at Old Orchard in Skokie, to be exact) at 7:30pm Thursday to sign copies of her new New York Times best-selling cookbookThe Pioneer Woman Cooks.
— Whitney Merritt / Comments (1)
Remember Urbis Orbis? The seminal Wicker Park coffeeshop and "third place" closed a little over a decade ago, but you can revisit it and its colorful staff and clientele through this short documentary just posted on YouTube.
(Thanks, Anna!)
— Andrew Huff / Comments (13)
The New Yorker's latest food issue gives Chicago's Lutz Cafe a shout-out in an article on "spit cake," or Baumkuchen. To make this "king of cakes," a baker must brush layer upon layer of batter onto a spit, creating an elaborate ring of cake that looks like the inside of a tree trunk when sliced. According to the New Yorker article, the cake is so hard to make that it is only sold during the holidays at Lutz, and it sure isn't cheap.
— Dana Currier
The second outpost of Delightful Pastries, Dobra Bielinski and Stasia Hawyrszczuk's European-inspired enterprise, opened in Old Town last Friday. Unlike the Jefferson Park location, the Old Town space is a cafe that is at once expansive and cozy. It already seemed, early on Sunday morning, to be part of the morning routine of people from the neighborhood who settled in for pastry and coffee with their families and newspapers.
One of the most notable additions to Delightful Pastries' offerings with the new store is an array of hand-crafted chocolate confections. All made from Callebaut chocolate, opening weekend selections included dark chocolate pistachio cherry bark, milk chocolate salted almond bark, milk chocolate passionfruit apricot truffles and Swiss Rockers (milk chocolate hazelnut praline truffles). Bielinski will debut additional chocolates in the coming weeks.
— Sharon Bautista / Comments (2)
Patient Hoosier Mama pie fans spilled out onto Chicago Avenue on an unseasonably warm mid-November Saturday afternoon. With the line extending outside and past the picture window of the cozy West Town retail space, proud owner Paula Haney asked waiting customers what inspired them to stop in on this day of all days. No common thread emerged from the varied answers that could account for the day's exceptionally brisk business. Simply, word continues to spread that Haney and her quickly growing team are crafting outstanding pie. Now there is another reason to indulge in their creations: Ruth & Phils Gourmet Ice Cream.
Starting this week, customers eating in the Hoosier Mama shop can get their slices of pie à la mode, while folks carrying out pie can bring home pints of Ruth & Phil's French-style ice cream. Alison Bower, owner of the Lincoln Square-based ice cream company, yesterday offered free samples of two flavors to the long line of pie fans: Madagascar vanilla bean and sour cream-cinnamon. Both flavors offered an exceptionally smooth mouthfeel and reserved sweetness which made them natural accompaniments to pie. Now it is almost impossible to imagine Hoosier Mama's double-crusted bourbon- and vanilla-infused pear pie without the headiness of Ruth & Phils vanilla ice cream, or the traditional apple pie minus the spicy tang of the sour cream-cinnamon.
— Sharon Bautista
Wooden Spoon: The Thanksgiving Cliff Notes class will leave you with a veritable Plymouth feast. This $65 class will focus on stuffing, a vegetable, and cranberry sauce, but you'll also help put together the turkey with gravy and, of course, pumpkin pie.
Tuesday, November 17 at 6:30pm
5047 N. Clark / 773.293.3190
Chopping Block: The Chopping Block has something for everyone this holiday. The following classes are all located at the Lincoln Square location (4747 N. Lincoln / 773.472.6700), but their Merchandise Mart spot offers classes, too. Prices range from $25 to $100:
Sunday, November 15 from 10am-2:30pm: Thanksgiving Crash Course
Tuesday, November 17 from 4-5pm: Kid's Cooking Class - The Great Pumpkin
Tuesday, November 17 from 7-9:30pm: Vegetarians Eat Thanksgiving, Too!
Wednesday, November 18 from 10am-2:30pm: Thanksgiving Workshop
Saturday, November 21 from 10am-12:30pm: Harvest Pies
Gallery 37 Center for the Arts: Gallery 37 is participating in the World Kitchen Series and is offering a $30 Traditional Thanksgiving class - one of the best deals in town. With turkey, gravy, dressing, and sides on the menu, the day couldn't get any more traditional.
Saturday, November 21 from 11am-2pm
66 E. Randolph / 312.742.8497
Sur la Table: So I can't say that my family typically serves Dungeness Crab and Heirloom Bean Brandade, and Roast Turkey Breast Stuffed with Sausage, Fennel and Raisins on Thanksgiving. But, hello - YUM. If nothing else, you'll impress your guests with ingredients they've never heard of. Here are two upcoming classes - both $69 - that will help with your Turkey Day prep:
Friday, November 19 at 6:30pm: Everything But the Turkey
Saturday, November 20 at 6:30pm: All-American Thanksgiving (which includes the aforementioned deliciousness)
52-52 E. Walton / 312.337.8544 or email Cooking025@surlatable.com
Have you tried any other holiday cooking classes in the area? Let us know!
— Caroline Kraft
We get jaded with age. The older we get, the harder we are to impress. "Ah ha!" light bulb moments grow fewer and farther between. Moments that when you see or hear something so smart or so innovative, you can't help but smile and think "what a great idea" or "how smart is that?" When that same idea is geared toward helping the underprivileged and underserved, it's all the more impressive.
Enter Michel Nischan, champion of the farmer, James Beard award-winning chef and New York Times best-selling author. On the forefront of the NY culinary scene for two decades, he was the force behind Heartbeat at the W Hotel, where he originated his "Cuisine of well being" after his child was diagnosed with diabetes. He later partnered with actor Paul Newman at the Dressing Room: A Homegrown Restaurant in Westport, CT, where he holds court today.
Nischan is an advocate of organic, sustainable cuisine and all its social implications. He's a nationally recognized authority and one of the leading champions of this movement. I'm honored to call him my friend and colleague and can attest that whenever we work together, he's responsible for numerous "ah ha!" moments.
— Alan Lake / Comments (2)
Rick Bayless never rests. He just topped several other master chefs on Bravo's competition, then opened a new street-food restaurant. Next up: He's hitting the stage with local ensemble 500 Clown for The Madam Barker Holiday Variety Show at Prop Thtr. The burlesque show, which runs for the three Fridays from November 27th to December 11th, will feature Bayless in the last two shows. Along with the holiday-themed music, dancing, magic and comedy, Bayless will be on stage creating edible concoctions.
Tickets are $10, available at the door only, so expect the same sorts of lines you find at other Bayless businesses around town--though the 11pm start time might cull the crowd a bit.
— Lori Barrett
Are you looking for a great bakery for your holiday pies? Do you want to sample the goods before you commit? Want to support a great organization for Chicago's homeless and at-risk youth. Well you are in lucky. Blue Sky Bakery & Cafe is hosting a pie tasting on November 21st and 22nd from 10AM-3PM. $5 gets you a sample of pumpkin, apple and chocolate pecan pie with plenty of hot coffee, cider or tea to wash it down with. Orders for whole pies may be placed with 48 hours notice by calling the bakery at (773) 478-2233 or by e-mailing orders@blueskyinn.org. Prices range from $14 (pumpkin) to $20 (apple or chocolate pecan). A pumpkin cheesecake pie with gingersnap crust is also available for $24. Click through to learn more about Blue Sky Inn.
— Whitney Merritt
Glenn's Diner is known as the place to go for fish, and it's true that the seafood menu at this Ravenswood diner is full of great fresh dishes. But brunch at Glenn's is equally tempting, especially because they take reservations, even for Sunday morning, so you can scoot right past the line and tuck yourself into a cozy table without waiting.
On a recent weekend, I ordered a special: the Mediterranean hash. My plate was full of red and yellow peppers, red onions and spinach sautéed up with scrambled eggs. The "house-made potato pancake" that comes with all the egg dishes is moist and flavorful. And there were indeed seafood-centric options on the specials board, such as eggs Benedict with crab, so those craving fish don't have to go without.
— Dana Currier
I've been in a cranberry rut lately with my desserts, so yesterday in preparation for a dinner with friends, I hit went online for inspiration and something without berry or crumble in the name. Right away I found it, at one of my favorite sites, 101 Cookbooks: Beeramisu, or tiramisu made with beer. (follow the link for the recipe.) Fall is always a good time for cooking with beer. Especially something like Beeramisu, which doesn't require a lot of prep time or ingredients.
After two trips to the grocery store, one to double the amount of mascarpone I'd initially bought, I began to assemble my dessert. When I popped open the bottle of beer I realized there were going to be three kids eating with us, so I decided it would be best to boil the alcohol out of the beer. I made a mistake with the beer. I didn't want to buy a six pack of stout or porter, so I bought Grimbergen, thinking it would be sweet and spicy enough. But when it came time to pour the beer over the lady fingers, I added a shot of coffee, as the recipe says to. I thought I could skip the coffee, and perhaps with a darker beer I could have, but not with a Belgian blonde.
Since tiramisu, or Beeramisu, doesn't need to bake, it's a quick dessert to make. I layered lady fingers with the beer-coffee mixture poured over them, alternating with a creamy blend of mascarpone and whipped cream. When I served it I worried that my lady fingers looked a little dry, but my 6-year-old dinner guest assured me that, no, those lady fingers looked soggy. They tasted soggy, too. In the end it was hard to actually distinguish the beer taste, but the dessert was a hit. My husband even ate a spoonful at breakfast this morning. Next time, I'll try a richer, darker beer and leave out the coffee, for a more beer-thentic experience.
— Lori Barrett
Drinking and shopping goes together like peanut butter and chocolate, right? The Chicago Chapter of the Ladies United for the Preservation of Endangered Cocktails (LUPEC) certainly thinks so, and to that end, they've paired with twelve boutiques in the West Loop for an evening of shopping and cocktails tomorrow night from 5-9 PM. Each boutique will feature a different classic cocktail (for ages 21+), where you can sip and learn about the drink's history, and shop from unique clothing and accessory lines. LUPEC will also collect donations to benefit Greenhouse Shelter.
The partnering boutiques include: 2 Sisters Boutique (1167 W. Madison), Spex & Spex Luminaire (1130 W. Madison), Smitten Boutique & Magnificent Milestones (1041 W. Madison), Fig Tree (1037 W. Madison), Tribeca Boutique (1035 W. Madison), Takohl Gallery, (110 N. Peoria), Bess & Loie (1015 W. Lake), Koros Art + Style (1039 W. Lake). Pick up a map from any participating store, and create your own tour of imbibing enjoyment.
— Jill Jaracz
What brought you to Chicago?
I was actually born in Lake Forest but moved away when I was very little, only to come back to Chicago to attend Northwestern University in Evanston (Go Wildcats)! I fell in love with the city after a summer internship my junior year and decided to move downtown and find work after graduation this past June. I love living where all the action is and experiencing city life!
What do you do when you aren't blogging?
I work in public relations at a big agency in the city, so a lot of my time is spent planning client events. I also work a lot with social media at my job, tweeting on behalf of brands and monitoring what people are saying about our clients on blogs, Twitter, and other digital mediums.
When I'm not blogging OR working, I can be found running around the city, playing the occasional round of golf (though I wish it was more often) and vegging out in front of the TV with my favorite shows (too many to name).
— Whitney Merritt
— Robyn Nisi / Comments (1)
Pause Café has apparently been sold. The venerable coffee shop on Berwyn closed over the weekend and will reopen as Kitchen Sink Café (1107 w. Berwyn) in early December. The new owners, Jeff and Ally, are former Pause Cafe baristas and plan on keeping many of the things that made Pause a great spot, they will continue to serve Metropolis Coffee and offer free wifi for customers. Jeff and Ally plan on stepping up the food menu with gourmet sandwiches and panini, some breakfast items, fresh salads, hot soups and fruit smoothies. The shop its self will be getting a makeover, most of the décor was being sold off during a weekend garage sale, yet some items remain such as the old phone booth, e-mail if interested.
— Christian Scheuer
Big Bowl (60 E Ohio) is hosting a Thai Luncheon at 12:30pm on Saturday November 14th. Writer and cook Nancy McDermott will be taking diners through a culinary tour of Thailand focusing on various regions and techniques.
Presented by ChicaGourmets! and Big Bowl, you can make reservations here for this and other ChicaGourmets! events.
The luncheon is $39 all inclusive.
— Cliff Etters
Just a few last thoughts on eating Halloween this year, before the candy corn goes totally stale... Intrepid DT Editor Robyn Nisi clued me into dinner at Lula Café for what has become an annual tradition -- dressing up the entire establishment as another restaurant. This year, Lula briefly closed for zombification on Halloween, only to re-open to immediately lengthy lines as a spooky version of Hot Doug's -- real-life Doug Sohn included, chained to a desk at the front of the line to take orders. The illusion was so complete I had to ask our slightly decaying waitress if the entire Hot Doug's crew had been locked in the walk-in and forced to whip up a service of specialty dogs (or pay the price! or something...). But the entire menu was planned and executed in-house, with Doug's approval before he agreed to lend his name and t-shirts to the staff.
— Andie Cavedo
Istanbul Restaurant (3613 N. Broadway) is hosting a Turkish Feast tomorrow night. The reception starts at 6:30pm with dinner served at 7pm.
Owner-Chef Yasar Demir is presenting each course with a wine pairing. Starters of hummus, baba ghanoush, and ezme are paired with a 2008 Saint Clair Vicar's Choice Reisling, and an entree of chicken shish kebab or beef kebab are being served with 2006 Zwei.1 Zweigelt.
This dinner is presented by ChicaGourmets!, and you can find a PDF of the event menu and more information here.
The dinner is $39 all inclusive, and is limited to 40 diners.
— Cliff Etters
I don't know why hot dogs are my favorite food. Putting Freudian analysis aside, these cylindrical encased meats have been invading my food dreams from a very young age. Growing up in and around Chicago has only fueled this insane love for hot dogs because here it's almost a cultural staple. If you're getting a hot dog in Chicago, it's comprised of a poppy seed bun, one all-beef hot dog (usually Vienna Beef), yellow mustard, chopped raw white onions, green relish (the more abnormal the color the better), tomato wedges, sports peppers, a dash of celery salt, and a pickle on top to seal the deal. When I've taken out-of-staters to my favorite hot dog joints and shown them this amazing meal, they've usually shirked away in pure fear. Hot dogs shouldn't be feared as that strange mystery meat at sporting events and family cook-outs. They're a culinary delicacy that can be dressed up or down for the occasion. In Chicago, it's usually the latter. I say embrace this culinary piece of heaven, and learn the best places to go in the process.
The Dog Show is something for hot dog aficionados and casual eaters alike to find and experience Chicago standards in the art of hot dogs as well as fresh new finds. Though the Chicago hot dog has a standard build there are plenty of restaurants in the area that add their own flair to it. The Dog Show isn't all about finding the best Chicago style hot dog, though that is an added bonus. We're ready to try any encased meat on a bun that's been concocted in the Chicagoland area. Since Chicago has more hot dog stands than McDonalds, Wendys and Burger Kings combined, there is more than enough fodder to explore and sift through. Twice a month I'll dive into the dish that started as a simple meal for poverty-stricken locals during the Depression and evolved into a cultural icon.
— Amy Dittmeier / Comments (5)
I'm not one to blindly follow trends -- and I do see a little truth in talk that the current bacon mania is a bit overblown. But I've come across a bacon product that rises above the hype. And it's one you can make yourself, just in time to impress your friends and family at the holidays.
My friends, I'm talking about bacon jam.
— Andrew Huff / Comments (2)
Oak Park residents no longer have to travel to Roscoe Village to get their Bleeding Heart fix. The "local, sustainable, punk pastry" bakery opened a new location in Downtown Oak Park at 1010 North Blvd in Oak Park. The store will offer cupcakes, scones, tarts, croissants, tea cakes, cake balls, parfaits, cookies and brownies, as well as coffee and tea. Check out their Flickr pictures from the opening here or follow the store's tweets.
Bleeding Heart Bakery-Oak Park
1010 North Blvd
Oak Park, IL
708.358.0559
— Whitney Merritt
Lard may not be the ingredient you add to every meal you make, but it does have its uses. And Cesar Torres had a hard time finding some. So once he did, at Paulina Meat Market he created this little video where he asks the butcher (who sold me some great veal sweetbreads a few months ago) where it comes from.
— Cinnamon Cooper / Comments (2)
Come out to the LooseLeaf Lounge on Friday, November 20 at 7pm to 9:30pm for the Cob Connection Benefit -- don't miss this opportunity to support urban farming and a locally-owned business! The Cob Connection explores systematic quality of housing and food by integrating community involvement, social responsibility, and environmentalism into training programs in urban agriculture.
A ticket will give you your choice of sandwich (with a side of chips or veggies), salad, tea or coffee, dessert, plus one raffle ticket. All fresh greens are supplied by Cob Connection and dessert is provided by The Chicago Diner. Additional raffle tickets will be available for purchase.
Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the door. To purchase tickets in advance email Lester@LooseLeafLounge.com or call (773) 809-5371. Better yet, why not swing by the LooseLeaf Lounge at 2915 North Broadway in Lakeview to register in person --and grab a cup of tea while you're at it!
— Shanna Quinn
We're not paid to hawk Groupon, but today's deal is worth noting: $40 worth of Swirlz cupcakes for $20.
You're welcome.
— Robyn Nisi
The latest North Avenue restaurant / lounge now has an "open" sign on the front door and a quick phone call confirmed that they are open for business (with what sounded like a good crowd for a Wednesday night). LOKaL's precise menu features soups, salads, and plates to share, many with an Eastern European flair. Flyers posted on the windows highlight jazz on Mondays and DJs spinning on Tuesdays, helping make the transition from evening restaurant to late-night lounge. With a minimalist menu to complement the sleek décor, LOKaL looks to be a uniquely flavored addition to the ever-growing Bucktown/Wicker Park food scene.
LOKaL is located at 1904 W. North Avenue and is open daily for lunch and dinner, as well as weekend brunch.
— Caroline Kraft
This week I would like to introduce Jessi of To Kiss the Cook.
What brought you to Chicago?
I was raised in Memphis by a pair of northeasterners, made my way to rural Ohio for college and then took the tunnel burrowed under Indiana by many previous generations into the city of Chicago. I always knew I wanted to be in a city (better food) but until three days before I moved here, I thought I'd be in Boston. Au contraire. This city, which was supposed to be a two year incubator before New York, San Francisco, Boston, London etc. has now been home for going on five years. I am satiated in wanderlust by living right on the blue line, a straight shot to O'Hare. This comes in handy every 3-4 weeks.
— Whitney Merritt
— Robyn Nisi
I love Zaca Tacos, too.
Taken from "Journal of Ordinary Thought," published by Neighborhood Writing Alliance, Fall 2008. Page 45.
— Robyn Nisi
City Provisions, Chicago's green, locally-focused catering company, is kicking off the return of its monthly Supper Club on Nov. 16 at 7pm with Koval Distillery, the first boutique distillery located in Chicago.
The dinner will consist of five courses, paired with cocktails mixed by Ultimate Elixir's mixologist, Anige Jackson, and will be held at West Loop Studio, a historic top-floor loft at 17 N. Elizabeth St.
The dinner will consist of five courses, paired with cocktails featuring Koval's spirits. The price is an all-inclusive $75 per person.
I had the opportunity to attend one of the monthly Supper Club events and can assure you it's something you won't want to miss. What more can you want than good drinks, good company and extraordinary food?
Call 773-293-2489 to make your reservation.
— Kaitlin Olson
In 2009, food blogging, social media and Yelp were gaining popularity, and America's revered gastronomic magazine Gourmet shuttered after 68 years in business. Former Cook's Illustrated editor-in-chief Chris Kimball followed with an editorial, stating that "The shuttering of Gourmet reminds...
Read this feature »
312 Dining Diva
A Girl in Her Kitchen
Bake & Destroy!
Blue Kitchen
Check Please! Blog
Chicagoist Food & Drink
Chicago Bites
Chicago Dining Examiner
Chicago Foodies
Chicago Gluttons
Chitown Tap
Dining Chicago
Dish
Dr. Vino
The Feast Chicago
The Food Chain
Food Loves Writing
Food on the Dole
Green Sugar
Grub Street Chicago
Guys Drinking Beer
Hungry mag
The Kitchen Sink
Lottie + Doof
LTH Forum
The Local Beet
Mariobatalivoice
One Hundred Eggs
The Paupered Chef
Pro Bono Baker
Sauceome
She Simmers
Smart Cabbage
Serious Eats
Sky Full of Bacon
The Stew
TOC Restaurants & Bars
Two Bites in Suburbia
Zagat Chicago
Join the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
Drive-Thru is the food and drink section of Gapers Block, covering the city's vibrant dining, drinking and cooking scene. More...
Please see our submission guidelines.
Editor: Robyn Nisi, rn@gapersblock.com
Drive-Thru staff inbox: drivethru@gapersblock.com
Subscribe in a reader.