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.
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Sunday, September 14
Have no plans for this long weekend? Longman and Eagle to the rescue; they're cooking up a pig roast and Windy City Soul Club provides the music for What's Happening!!, an outdoor dance party which will take place this Sunday at 6pm at L&E, 2657 N Kedzie. The event is FREE! Celebrate labor the right way.
— Robyn Nisi
A few weeks ago, I sampled the offerings of Door to Door Organics. It's fun to get a CSA box delivered, as it takes out the hassle of navigating from table to table at a crowded farmers market. I ate some of the best sweet corn ever--straight from Harmony Valley in Viroqua, Wisconsin (pictured). Door to Door operates both as a traditional CSA and as a Peapod-like business; you can pick what you want, rather than find ways to use up all that (insert name of common produce item you just don't love so much). The growing season is not over yet, so if you're interested in checking it out, you can get a $10 discount on your first produce box order by using the code word "gapersblock" when you check out.
Additionally, we're giving one of our lucky readers the chance to receive their OWN free box of goodies from Door to Door Organics! Send an email to us by this Friday, September 2 at noon with a haiku about your love of seasonal, fresh produce. The winner will get their work published on our site, which (frankly) is incentive enough to enter.
UPDATE!
Charles T. has won the contest! Here's the winning haiku:
Strawberry rhubarb
Saturday morning sun fresh
Heirlooms off the vine
Thanks to all who entered.
— Robyn Nisi
To celebrate the grand opening of the second Crumbs bake shop in Chicago, there will be a cupcake giveaway today (8/31). 1,000 cupcakes will be passed out at the newest location (134 N. LaSalle St) beginning at noon. Later this fall, Crumbs plans to open three more locations in the city. So come celebrate the opening and get yourself a cupcake, before there are only the "crumbs" left.
— Katie Johnson
By now, many of you have heard of canning, putting up, etc. Well, it's that time of year to start thinking of ways to have fresh tomatoes in mid-January or enjoy strawberry preserves that are actually red and not reddish-brown!
According to the ever-authentic Wikipedia, canning is a method of preserving food in which the food contents are processed and sealed in an airtight container. Canning provides a typical shelf life ranging from one to five years, although under specific circumstances, a freeze-dried canned product can last as long as 30 years in an edible state. The process was first developed for the French military by a chef and inventor named Nicolas Appert in 1810. The packaging prevents microorganisms from entering and proliferating inside.
I know what you're thinking. Wait, what about botulism? Can't you harm someone (or even worse, multiple people) if you take canning into your own hands? The key to preventing any of that from happening is having a little patience and a little time.
I can a lot. I wanted to conquer any fears, so last summer, I learned the process by taking a class at The Chopping Block in Lincoln Square (who will be holding a Summer Canning and Preserving demonstration this Saturday at 10am).
I will admit that canning is a tedious process, but once you do it a few times, everything will just flow. Take a look at this video from the (in my humble opinion) source of canning, Ball:
That video should give you a brief synopsis into what the process entails. Although the video doesn't "scream" fun, it actually is. The best part is that it's so rewarding to have these things on hand--that you made with your own hands! It's also great to give these edible gifts to friends & family. They will love you for it.
Yes, you may feel like an older individual (say, like your grandma), but this is a new generation of canners. I think it's on its way to losing the stigma.
— Ryan Frieson / Comments (1)
Bloomspot can help! Over the next few days, the site is offering $40 for either a Coffee 101 Class (which includes history, selection, and brewing perfection) or a Barista Basics class (which includes pulling espresso and steaming milk), both an $80 value, at Ipsento Coffee House and Roaster in Bucktown. So if you've ever felt the urge to try on a barista hat for a day, but aren't quite ready to ditch your day job to do it, here's your chance to try it on for size.
Ipsento Coffee House is located at 2035 N Western Ave Chicago, IL 60647. 773-904-8177.
— Katie Johnson / Comments (1)
As you may know, Logan Square Kitchen has been going through a rough couple of weeks. Owner Zina Murray reports that their administrative hearing this past Thursday was somewhat of a success. The business was found to be "not liable" for fines issued earlier this month during an inspection from the City; however, Murray was turned down when she asked for a new report to be issued in light of the fines being pulled. She's starting an online petition to the Chicago Department of Public Health to demand improved leadership and better-trained employees, as well a staff ombudsman to facilitate dialogue between the City and businesses, especially in matters of correcting issues arising from inspections.
— Robyn Nisi
Are you feeling a bit unsure of what to do with your Monday and Tuesday nights now that "MasterChef" is over? Never fear, the MasterChef Wrap Party is here, to tide you over for at least one more night. Local Chicagoan (and top-four "MasterChef" contestant), Suzy Singh, is hosting a "MasterChef" wrap party this Monday at the rooftop of Zed451, 739 N. Clark St.. In collaboration with Chef Patrick Quakenbush, Singh will be creating some special menu items for the night including vegetarian Indian nachos (served with papad, shaved paneer and spiced sour cream) as well as Moroccan lamb and paneer skewers (with Spiced Daal and a Mango Cucumber Relish). And as if you weren't already anxiously awaiting the five-o-clock work bell to ring, there's even a specialty cocktail drink for the night -- a spiked Bourbon Lemonade with a Garam Masala rim. Alright, and Monday night dinner plans are done. The event runs from 6pm to 10pm.
— Katie Johnson
This Saturday welcomed Time Out Chicago and West Town Chamber of Commerce's Food Truck Social. I got there a little later than I originally planned, but the timing actually turned out rather perfect. It was a cool and breezy night, the ideal atmosphere to squeeze in one last street fare event before the dog days of summer are officially over for the season. Getting there later in the evening meant a surprising amount of vendors were either sold out or had already closed up shop (even though the event was still going strong for another couple of hours). To me, that just meant I had a more selective amount of options. With a playground of food trucks at my disposal, it made the decision of which one to try incredibly easy. If you were open and had a line, I was making a beeline for you.
— Katie Johnson / Comments (1)
Kristin Canty was mad. Her young son had allergies to everything--food, mold, etc. He was an asthmatic and was often sick. His doctors told Canty that the boy was "allergic to the world" and would be resigned to cautious living. Like any mother, Canty searched for remedies on her own, and came across an interesting solution; switch her son's milk from the standard grocery store brand to the raw variety. That should be an easy product to buy, right?
— Robyn Nisi
Picture by Andrew Huff from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool. Submit your pictures of eating outside in this beautiful weather!
— Robyn Nisi
Chef Koren Grieveson and her portrait by Tim Anderson
All photos and video by Andrew Huff
Last Thursday, Aug. 18, the Chicago Artist's Coalition hosted a fundraiser event called "Starving Artist" -- essentially a benefit for the CAC -- where four of Chicago's top chefs were paired with four of the city's top artists to collaborate on a "unique sensory experience," inspired by each other's work. One sixtyblue pastry chef Hillary Blanchard-Rikower was paired with Lauren Brescia, avec's Koren Grieveson was paired with Tim Anderson, Girl & The Goat's Stephanie Izard was paired with Richard Hull and Province's Randy Zwieban was paired with Judy Ledgerwood.
Each artist's work was displayed next to the respective chef's station, where guests could sample the appetizer-sized dish prepared for the evening. The artworks and "experiences" at each chef's restaurant were offered in a silent auction, while works by CAC members graced the walls. In addition to the chefs' dishes, desserts from Alliance Bakery were served in the Bolt Gallery in back, and drinks from Koval Distillery, Tito's Vodka, Haymarket Brewery and several wineries were pouring all night. The event showcased the the CAC's new Fulton Market space to its fullest extent, both as a gallery and studio space and as an event venue.
I spoke with the chefs about what they made and what they thought of the collaboration. Over in A/C, arts editor Kelly Reaves shares interviews with the artists.
— Andrew Huff
By Monica Reida
After being inspected 19 times in the two years since its opening, Logan Square Kitchen owner Zina Murray is challenging the Chicago Department of Public Health over a recently issued ticket for violations.
A ticket and fine was issued to Murray--which she says on her blog was for $500 while Jose Muñoz, Deputy Commissioner for Community Affairs with the CDPH, says was actually $250--during an August 2 inspection, when a new supervisor accompanied their usual inspector. During the inspection, the supervisor found several violations: alleged black mold growing on both interior walls and an interior water tray; a freezer owned by another food establishment; and the threshold of an exit door being too low and causing light to come in through a door corner.
Murray believes that these violations were the result of nitpicking on the part of the inspector and had no grounds to be written up. "She made some decisions that I didn't think were appropriate and I challenged her on that," she said. In the blog post, Murray says that she feels as though she received the ticket as a result of questioning the supervisor's actions.
— Drive-Thru / Comments (4)
Those of you following the Chicago foodie scene may already know about Nice Cream's recent struggles with the Chicago Department of Public Health. Despite this puzzling and unexpected set back, Nice Cream owner Kris Swanberg isn't sulking away, but is taking a stand and has launched a Kickstarter champaign to help her raise the money she needs to remain in operation. While the initial goal of raising $5,000 has already been met, the more help the better. Plus, with 46 days left in the campaign for continued production of delicious ice cream, and a minimum donation of $1, there's really no reason not to support the cause. So be "nice", donate now.
— Katie Johnson
A couple spots just opened up for TONIGHT's Lagunitas dinner at Fork. The five course menu features a house-smoked salmon starter; watermelon, tomato, pesto salad; broiled garlic mussels; smoked baby back ribs with mac and cheese; and is finished with bananas foster. Check it out. Talk about well paired. And for 50 bucks, did you honestly have something better to do tonight? Dinner starts at 6pm.
Fork
4600 N Lincoln
773.751.1500
— Joanna Kanakis
"Meatloaf" and "bakery" aren't two words typically found in proximity to each other, at least not in my world. Who'd ever have thought you could consume an entire meal by devouring a cupcake (or as they're referred to at The Meatloaf Bakery, "loafies"). True, savory cupcakes have been on the rise for some time now, but this takes the concept to a whole new level. With the "cake" portion comprised of well, meat, and the "frosting" typically some variation of whipped potatoes or spaghetti, these meatloaf cuppers are sure to fulfill your meat and potatoes craving. And what's more, Bloomspot is offering a 50% off deal. (Offer expires in 3 days.) If purchased, you will enjoy $20 for $40 worth of TMB products. Well, what are you waiting for?
(Pictured - The Omega-3 loaf; Wild caught Alaskan salmon; rich and fluffy with a hint of lemon, parsley and dill. Topped with wasabi mashed potatoes and served with fresh lemon-dill yogurt sauce.)
The Meatloaf Bakery is located in Lincoln Park at 2464 N Clark St Chicago, IL 60614. 773-698-6667.
— Katie Johnson
You've all seen the big pink truck driving around town in a hula skirt but did you know that it's actually green, not pink? After visiting the oil spill in NOLA, Todd (of Tiki fame) decided he needed to greenify his life a bit. He converted his Tiki Transit to run on used fry oil and now, he needs to replenish his fuel line with your help.
On Friday, September 9th, Trader Todd's is hosting an oil drive party in their beer garden. If you show up with your own used cooking oil in hand, Todd will swap you for a free basket of fries. They will also have $8.99 all-you-can-eat fish fry and $3 Green Line beer. Steel drums will be ringing and mai thais flowing as Todd demos his oil conversion system from 5-8pm.
— Joanna Kanakis
The Institute for Justice Clinic on Entrepreneurship kicked off a new campaign to get residents talking to their lawmakers about the importance of mobile food truck legislation reform.
Even if you see food trucks roaming around your neighborhood or downtown, their battles with the city's laws are far from over. Current requirements for mobile food trucks (e.g. trucks cannot stop within 200 feet of brick and mortar restaurants, and cannot work before 10am) are downright nonsense; proposed laws are even more baffling, and would make this growing industry obsolete in most places of the city where their business could succeed. Interested in learning more? The IJCE is holding a "strategy session" on Tuesday, August 30 from 7:00-8:30pm at the University of Chicago Law School, 6020 South University, Room V for advocates, chefs, mobile truck owners, foodies, hungry citizens and the like.
— Robyn Nisi / Comments (2)
In the mood for some grillin' on the barbie? The Green Grocer Chicago will be hosting their 3rd annual Summer BBQ this Sunday (8/21) from 12-4pm. The event will feature pasture raised meats from local farms, as well as River Valley Ranch mushrooms (from WI), Seedling Farms fruit (from MI), and beers from Goose Island, Two Brothers and Bells. Music will be provided by The Congregation band. Green Grocer is located at 1402 W Grand Ave. Event runs from 12pm - 4pm, suggested donation of $7. 312-624-9508.
— Katie Johnson
For you avid BHB fans out there, you may remember that the very first brick and mortar location opened by punk rock baking super-heros Michelle and Vinny Garcia was right on Chicago Avenue (where Chickpea is located now). Since then they moved into the Roscoe Village neighborhood as well as opened up a storefront in Oak Park. (You can expect to see another storefront popping up in Elmhurst in mid-September!) Can you believe it all began 8 years ago? Anyways, their story has come full circle and they are once again opening a bakery on Chicago Avenue, this time as a bakery slash diner & cafe. For any latecomers, don't worry, you'll be a part of the fan club soon enough, trust me. But with the grand opening on Monday (8/22 - bakery opens at 6am, the cafe at 7am) and the buzz and anticipation reaching the unbearable meter, expect to start queueing up.
— Katie Johnson / Comments (4)
Image by oceandesetoiles from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool, which wants you to add your pictures so that it has something to focus on while those damn Air and Water Show rehearsals go on outside.
— Robyn Nisi
Through Tuesday (9/20), you can enter Tasting Table's "A Taste of TT" sweepstakes. The daily email alert site for the adventurous foodie is giving away a hand selected bunch of sweet treats from across the country including local favorites ByM Desserts and Truffle Truffle. Enter daily for your chance to win. Sweet! (Do those caramels have you drooling yet? Well, what are you waiting for, enter now! And tomorrow. And the day after that. And the day after that...)
— Katie Johnson
As the end of summer looms on the horizon (noooo, look away! White shoes forever!), it seems an appropriate time to reflect upon some of the other summer drinking options... You know the ones. The kinds you find in a cooler at a friend of a friend's backyard get together when you arrive hours after the peak of the party has faded and all the good beers have been finished off. The kinds you find on the "seasonal specials" menus of bars that are really not terribly interested in offering seasonal specials. And in the case of MGD 64 Lemonade, the kinds that have been not only discontinued but recalled by their parent brewer and now only exist in keg form in a few select (?) joints around town. That's right, gentle reader, I drink them for you. And I have learned some things.
First off, do not drink MGD 64 Lemonade. Just don't. Unless you're missing the cloying, plastic taste of Crystal Light in your light beer. Maybe if Miller had gone with a regular, full calorie shandy concoction, things might have turned out better -- but when you try to add lemonade or lemon soda to a beer capped at 64 calories, you have to get creative. And creative, in this case, means adding lemon "flavor" and sucralose. And not even Splenda -- some off-brand, unnamed version of sucralose. The first sip is not bad -- it doesn't really taste like anything. Just weak, beer-esque, lemon-ish sweet water. But the in the second and following, the weird-science sweetness gets increasingly more oppressive. At 2.8% ABV, it's not even going to get you drunk enough to not care about how it tastes. A good, old-fashioned Miller Lite will be kinder and more quenching for your summer drinking purposes, or even, and I can't believe I'm saying this, a Mike's Hard Lemonade (5.2% ABV). Pinky swear.
Anheuser-Busch seems to have fared better than Miller Coors in the flavored, summery beer category. Bud Light Lime (4.2% ABV) is pretty drinkable -- sort of like a blander version of a pre-dressed Corona...Light. The lime flavor isn't nearly as chemical as in the MGD 64 Lemonade. But the best/least-chemical option of all might be Bud Light Gold Wheat (4.1% ABV). An improvement on regular Bud Lite, it still doesn't measure up to even a more mass-produced wheat beer, like Blue Moon (a Miller product). But it delivers the (featherweight) citrus-coriander one-two punch of better, smaller batch beers, drinks easily, and won't leave you wrinkling your nose and wondering what they hell you just put in your mouth. At a late party or limited bar, sometimes that's all you can ask for.
— Andie Cavedo / Comments (3)
It must've been all the tequila I consumed a couple weeks ago. I am officially on the tequila wagon.
We gave you a heads up on Roots Pizza when it opened but it took me until last night to finally make it over and check out this Quad-City version everyone's been raving about. And now I get it. Toothsome, malty crust, spicy house-made chorizo, and thickly grated mozzarella the pizza isn't for the faint-of-heart. But you already knew that.
What you may not know is that Roots has been instilling some of their own liquors with local ingredients and serve them on a cold tap system. Last night, I sipped on one of their watermelon-jalapeno tequila shots. It took me back to that Green City Market BBQ of 2009 and one man's incredible soda. Light sweet, cool watermelon with a boozy touch of tequilla is followed up with a chilly burn of jalapeno. It's perfect and only $3. Mix it with a little soda water and you've got yourself some pop for grownups. Check it out this weekend, they won't be serving it much longer as our days get cooler and summer draws it's end.
— Joanna Kanakis
Koval Distillery is opening their doors next Thursday, Aug. 25 to host two tours of their facilities for good people like you and me, ending with a whiskey tasting complete with light snacks--all for charity. Rock for Kids will receive 100% of the $20 admission fee. The special tours will begin at 6:15pm and 8:30pm.
— Robyn Nisi
I am loving my CSA through Harvest Moon Farms, but my fridge is getting very full. The nice thing about signing up with a CSA is that you're always getting new and interesting produce to cook. But the drawback is you have to cook almost every single day. There have been a couple days where I've slacked off, getting take-out and playing Pokemon all night instead of cooking up something for lunch the next day. All of a sudden my fridge looks like a jungle piled high with greens and squash and herbs.
Wasting these greens is not an option to me. They're all too delicious to let my guinea pigs eat by themselves and throwing rotten food out always makes me a little sad. Instead of weeping over my trash can I've been cooking and baking my leftover produce into dishes for my friends. I love cooking for other people more so than cooking for myself. Cooking comes from the heart - it takes time and effort (and some skill) to make something tasty and I like to think it enhances the quality of the food. So this edition of Cooking Some Awesomeness includes recipes meant for sharing - for potlucks, for parties, for any occasion.
— Amy Dittmeier
This Sunday, August 21, Big Star is hosting an "Everything but the Kitchen Sink" sale. Out on their sidewalk at 1531 N. Damen Ave. from noon to 4pm, Big Star and its sister restaurants (Publican, Avec, Blackbird and Violet Hour) will be selling their extra and unused plates, cutlery, beer mugs, chairs and more in order to benefit the Garfield Park Conservatory. Proceeds of the sale will help the Conservatory recover from severe damage due to a massive hail storm.
So if you've ever walked into the Publican or Blackbird and wished your dining room could look a bit more like theirs, pop by and see what you can find.
— Joanna Kanakis / Comments (1)
It's crunch time folks! Tonight and tomorrow on Fox, 8pm, the "MasterChef" finale week begins. With four contestants remaining, the competition is getting fierce! Want to watch the show with some friends? Stop by Sweetwater Tavern and Grille, 225 N. Michigan Ave., from 6pm to 10pm tonight and tomorrow (Aug. 15 and 16) for the official viewing party. Local Chef Suzy Singh (one of the remaining top four "MasterChef" finalists!) in collaboration with Sweetwater's Chef Jose Serrano, will create some Indian inspired special menu items for the night, including a Bombay Turkey Burger and the Curried Away Veggie Burger (both served with Indian Salad, Tandoori Masala and Curry Ketchup).
— Katie Johnson / Comments (1)
Photo courtesy of Food Network
Jeff Mauro, a corporate chef for Chicago-based mortgage company Guaranteed Rate and former stand-up comic, won the latest season of "The Next Food Network Star," earning himself a TV show in the process. His show, "Sandwich King," will air Sundays at 10:30am local time beginning Aug. 21.
Mauro will also be involved in promoting the first-ever book produced in conjunction with the series: Food Network Star: The Official Insider's Guide to America's Hottest Foods Show. He and fellow contestant Vic "Vegas" Moea will be at Macy's, 111 N. State St., Aug. 27 at 2pm for a book signing event. (Wonder if "Hearty Boys" Dan Smith and Steve McDonagh, the first winners of "Next Food Network Star," will also be there.)
— Andrew Huff / Comments (25)
Tomorrow is the 34th anniversary of Elvis Presley's passing, when the poor bastard was found in his bathroom at Graceland, dead of a reported heart attack. You might be sad about Elvis today--what would he have been like were he still alive? Would Elvis still be wearing jewel-encrusted belts? Hanging with new BFF Jack White? Who knows. One thing the King would likely be doing is visiting Hot Doug's, which is paying homage to him through their Elvis-inspired t-shirt ($17). And as always, you can order the Elvis dog off the sausage emporium's menu--a simple Polish dog for a simple man.
— Robyn Nisi
Image by Debbie Carlos from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool, which confronted its ex-boyfriend on a very special episode of "Cheaters" last weekend. Submit your pictures so that we can move on from that fool Larry.
— Robyn Nisi
The Fifty/50 is offering $500 (yes, with two zeroes) to the carnivore who comes up with the best, most creative name for their new burger. The clock is ticking though - you only have until Friday at noon to enter. From their Facebook wall:
"Wanna win $500 in cold hard cash? Name The Fifty/50's new fall burger! It's a 9oz "Triple Secret" burger patty topped with sausage gravy, Applewood smoked bacon, fried egg, and maple drizzle on a toasted oatmeal bun with your choice of fries for $13. Like us on Facebook and post the name of the burger on here. Submissions for the name must be made by noon Friday!"
To re-cap, that's sausage gravy, bacon, a fried egg and "maple drizzle". FYI - "The Ron Swanson" has already been suggested and, we have to say, that's so good we wish we could have thought of it.
— Andrew Carlin / Comments (1)
Last night's Taste of the Nation was a great opportunity to sample wares from many of the city's best restaurants for a good cause--supporting anti-hunger charities, which earned $250k from the event. While last year's TOTN at the Aragon was sweltering, this year's venue change to Navy Pier was a cool, relaxed time. Corn was a winning ingredient: of my samplings, highlights include Terzo Piano's corn and duck salad, as well as Hoosier Mama Pie Company's sweet corn pie with roasted tomatoes (which is currently on sale at their shop--get it now). The evening capped off with a prime view of the regular Wednesday night fireworks show and a rousing Journey medley by the resident cover band that rocks the Pier, which entertained guests as they left. Pics after the jump.
— Robyn Nisi / Comments (1)
When I lived in Athens for a bit, I always got a kick out of asking for skim milk at the kiosk down the street from my apartment building -- since the label for skim was green, you'd ask for "green" milk. It sounded a lot better in Greek: "To prasino gala, parakalo." So I smiled inwardly when I saw the sustainable semi-chain (they already have two suburban locations) Prasino is set to open in Wicker Park as early as this coming Monday -- though you can get an early look at a CS-sponsored event tonight. From the looks of it though, Prasino will put the chintzy plastic news-stand kiosks and cardboard milk cartons I keep mentally associating it with to shame. Occupying the first floor of that new construction they've been putting up FOREVER across the street from Moonshine, the newest addition to the Division dining scene will be sleek and modern, with eco-aware touches like burnished wood surfaces, corrugated cardboard lamp shades, and chairs upholstered in recycled polyester. (Urban Daddy has a pretty sweet slideshow.) According to their website, the building should be as energy-friendly as it is aesthetically pleasing.
The menu seems to reflect the building's aesthetic as well, with options like micro-brewed kombucha (which I'm not familiar enough with to be excited about); breakfast dishes like "Paris" eggs benedict with ham, brie, a pretzel croissant, and truffled hollandaise (pretzel...croissant? OK, that's kind of exciting...); small plates including a lobster-stuff avocado with chili buerre fondue (...FONDUE?); and a grilled Thai curry pork loan entree (OK. Officially kind of excited). Despite the Greek name and the presence of a few Mediterranean menu items, Prasino's palate ranges far and wide, from French to Tex-Mex style offerings. While they do have green eggs and ham, they don't have green milk. But everything else sounds pretty tasty.
— Andie Cavedo
Mrs. Fields is opening a new store at 242 S. State St. today (Thursday) and is giving away free cookies or a 16oz. latte all day long. The celebration continues Friday, August 12 through Monday, August 15, when you can choose either a cookie OR latte for just $0.99. Pop by and you can be singing the ABC's like this girl:
The store will be open Monday-Friday: 7am-9pm, Saturday 10am-8pm, Sunday 10am-7pm.
— Joanna Kanakis
Earwax Cafe has closed again, and this time it's for good.
According to Metromix, the Wicker Park institution, which closed temporarily in February before getting a last-minute reprieve from former Landmark Grill chef Kurt Gutowski, did not open this weekend. A source tells the Wicker Park-Bucktown Insider's Guide that employees were informed of the closure last Wednesday. The cafe's published phone number has been disconnected; a sign on the door simply says "closed" and directs inquiries to the cafe's email address.
I stopped by this afternoon to check on the cafe, and spoke briefly with a real estate agent who was showing the property. She did not want to speak on the record, but confirmed that the cafe is closed and that the owner, Cindy Murray, is seeking tenants to take over the space. An email to the agent and Murray for more information has not yet received a reply. The Wicker Park/Bucktown RedEye blog reports that emplyee paychecks allegedly started bouncing back in June.
It's sad to see Earwax Cafe fade away. One of the few remaining vestiges of "Old" Wicker Park, it was key to lending the neighborhood its artsy feel. Vegetarian diners will no doubt find Native Foods Cafe, which opened last weekend just down the block, a suitable if more corporate substitute for Earwax's tasty veggie and vegan options -- but it feels a little like saying that fans of a favorite indie boutique will find Urban Outfitters an acceptable alternative.
— Andrew Huff / Comments (11)
The Chicago Artists Coalition is pairing four of Chicago's top chefs with four equally prominent local artists for a unique event on Thursday, Aug. 18, from 7 to 10pm at the CAC's new space at 217 N. Carpenter St. Starving Artist, will showcase both culinary and visual artistry as artists and chefs collaborate to create original work inspired by each other's aesthetic.
The pairings will be:
— Andrew Huff
Vegans rejoice. Tomorrow marks the official opening of the California-based Native Foods Cafe on Milwaukee Avenue, with three other Chicago locations soon to follow (creating around 200 jobs -- bonus!). All menu items are under $10 and feature plant-based vegan foods, including owner Chef Tanya Petrovna's homemade tempeh (the only restaurant chain in the US to make their own). The Wicker Park location will also feature a "starving artists" room where local artists can display their work in exchange for free food. Aside from refreshingly tasty health conscious food, the 75-seat Cafe will also feature six local beers, including Two Brothers, Metropolitan, and Bells. Starting Tuesday, Aug. 9, you can visit the very first Chicago location at 1484 N. Milwaukee.
— Katie Johnson
Perhaps a notch too far... Logan Square's Boiler Room had to close for dinner service Saturday due to a small electrical fire. According to Eater Chicago, the restaurant closed just before the dinner rush because a transformer blew in the alley behind the business, causing the electrical fire. Luckily, no one was injured and damage was minimal. Patrons were back to enjoying their infamous "PBJ" special (a slice of pizza, beer, and a shot of Jameson for $7.50) as usual on Sunday. Phew, that was a close one.
— Katie Johnson
It's crunch time folks. We're down to the final six contestants on Fox's "MasterChef." And one of those contestants is Chicago native Suzy Singh. With the finale fast approaching on August 16th, you'll want to get your "MasterChef" fix in while you still can. Monday and Tuesday night (Aug. 8 and 9), you can catch Singh in person for a viewing party at Benchmark. Singh has collaborated with Benchmark's Chef Geoff Silverwood to create some special menu items for the night including butter chicken tacos and paneer tacos topped with sauteed spinach, both served with apricot chutney and a spicy mango pickle. Is this making you hungry yet? Do yourself a favor, head over to Benchmark on Monday or Tuesday night for some good eats, some nail biting TV, and a chance to meet and mingle with Singh herself. Your taste buds will thank you. Benchmark is located at 1510 N Wells. Event is from 6pm to 9pm -- the show airs at 8pm.
— Katie Johnson
Go to Lolla, get some deals. According to Eater Chicago, a handful of Chicago eateries are offering deals this weekend if you show your Lollapalooza wristband. Some such deals include $1 hot dogs all weekend at Bangers & Lace, half off a Ra'ckin' Roll at Ra Sushi, and half off appetizers at Theory all weekend, to name a few. Talk about a win-win!
— Katie Johnson
There are plenty of arts events tonight, but this First Friday also includes some culinary artisans. Counter Culture Coffee, 177 N. Ada, hosts an evening coffee (of course) beer from Strange Pelican and 5 Rabbit, and ice cream from Sweet Ape. And OK, also some art by Matthew Gasawy, Bird Wizards, Leanne Bazetta, Tyler Kaschke and Daniel Giles. Swing by between 6:30 and 10:30pm; more details on Facebook.
— Andrew Huff
Another deviation from shandy-land in this week's entry! Still not an IPA for you hop-heads out there, sorry. But this is an interesting one -- I'd never had (or heard of -- not an expert here, guys, I just like drinking beer in the summer...and fall and winter and spring) Schmaltz Brewing Company until I came across their Coney Island Albino Python, a "white lager brewed with spices" in the cooler at Rootstock earlier this week. I usually gravitate more towards draft beers in the summer for some reason, but wasn't feeling the two options on tap, and decided to give this bottle a try. My first thought was, oooh! cool label! And my second thought was, this beer is TALL. At 22 oz. (and only $9!) and 6% ABV, this is a beer for the seriously parched. Not too heavy, not too cloudy, it departs from the typical summer white beers in its earthy, almost grassy flavor profile. No hibiscus flowers or lemon slices here, thank you. Albino Python is brewed with, yes, orange peel, but also ginger and crushed fennel (I'm assuming seeds, not stalks, but who knows), which gives it a spiciness more on the dark and sour side than the sweet. You may feel a bit dirty when you order this drink out loud, as I did, but it's worth the faint blush, and goes very well with fries at the bar.
Rootstock never disappoints, in either its beer selection or menu. I also tried a sip of the Brauerei Hirt Hirter Privat Pils (a 5.2% pilsner), which was exactly my usual taste in summer beers, all crispness and bright with a hint of lemon sweetness; and one of the draft selections (which now I can't recall! I didn't take notes! See, sooo not a professional) which was incredibly layered in flavor -- just like Rootstock's food. The cheese and charcuterie plate is always a good call, with current features like rabbit rillette, a chicken liver pate crowned with pink peppercorns, barely-solid bloomy Kunik cheese, and tangy Sofia goat's cheese from Indiana. And small plates can either be shared, like the fat, doughy, pizza-ish "crusts," or hoarded all to yourself, like suckling pig with tomatoes, peaches, and sweet corn.
— Andie Cavedo
After a long afternoon of repeatedly refreshing my browser several weeks ago to get into Next's ticket system, my tenacity paid off last night. Enjoy.
Street snacks: roasted banana, prawn cake, sweet shrimp and garlic, fermented sausage, and steamed bun. The banana packed flavor, and the shrimp was wrapped in a mint leaf that set the stage for an incredible meal.
Hot and sour broth, pork belly, tomato, ginger. The chunks of pork belly were like little treasure chests of flavor. Good stuff.
Chili, shallot, garlic, salted duck egg, green mango, white radish pickles. This is where things got dicey for me, as it was full of heat and spice landmines. The chili sauce and radish pickles were the high points.
Catfish, caramel sauce, celery, coriander root. I expected much more from this dish, given the flavors. Next!
— Robyn Nisi / Comments (1)
Underneath the busy, boldly colored main dining room of Mercadito sits a cozy Mexican sauna-esque private room, with raw wood and tequila bottles lining its perimeter. Tall booths surround a high center bar from which come the quirky, delicious workings of Head Bartender Paul Sauter and Chef Patricio Sandoval.
Every fourth Monday night from now to December, Mercadito is opening up their private room for a series of Spirit Dinners. Four course sharing menus are developed by infusing the "spirit of the evening" into each dish, then pairing it with a cocktail using the same spirit.
At Monday night's Tres Generaciones Tequila dinner, we worked our way from blanco (unaged) to reposado (aged 2-12 months in bourbon barrels) to anejo (aged 18 months). With each course arrived a taster of the tequila itself, a dish infused with said tequila and a cocktail made with, you guessed it, tequila. Maybe because Three G's is actually ridiculously good tequila and maybe because Chef Patricio knows his Mexican style cuisine inside and out, none of the food, nor the entire evening really, felt unnecessarily "boozy." After a slight misstep in some overly saturated jicama that appeared in our first course of mango guacamole, the rest of the meal went off without a burn. Not one cocktail, not one dish screamed BOOZE! (Which, when you consider the shot of choice for your uber-boozy friends, tequila usually makes a good standing.) Tres Generaciones isn't the kind of tequila that leaves your throat burning. Instead, a knowledgeable Tres G's rep (Armando Zapata to be exact) chartered us through the unknown waters of burn-free tequila. Bartender Paul poured variations of Mercadito standards: Three G's blanco with averna, grapefruit, ginger beer and cayenne and the reposado with muddled fresh pineapple, chile guajillo and pico piquin. These were served alongside Chef Patricio's tequila-braised pork carnitas tacos and an incredibly inventive preparation of red snapper. The fish was served whole, backbone removed, leaving two filets, both still attached at the head and tail, then was was fried and plated it like an eye of a needle, with a sumptuous mound of tequila-coconut rice and plantain salsa at its center. Check the whole menu including drinks here: spirited_201107_menu-1.pdf.
Get yourself boozed up, not boozed out at one of their upcoming dinners:
August 29: Grand Marnier
September 19: Belvedere Vodka
October 17: Fortaleza Tequila
November 21: Hennessy Cognac
December 19: El Tesoro Tequila
Tickets are $55 each. For reservations call: 312.329.9555.
*Mercadito is still running their Tacos for Strength program that we told you about back in March. This month's taco was created by Chef Ryan Poli: marinated grilled shrimp, watermelon & tomato salad with pickled red onion.
— Joanna Kanakis
Amy Franceschini and Daniel Tucker, the authors of the marvelous book Farm Together Now, host a potluck and book discussion tonight at Logan Square Kitchen, 2333 N. Milwaukee Ave., at 7pm.
— Robyn Nisi
If you're getting thirsty, there are plenty of events coming up that can help you. Here are just a couple of beverage events during August.
Espresso & Pulled Pork
The Chicago Home Barista group is hosting a get-together this Saturday, Aug. 6 at Ipsento, 2035 N. Western Ave., starting at 5pm. There's no cost to attend, but you'll be expected to contribute a side dish or something. Sign up and RSVP here.
Oak Park Micro Brew Review
This fourth annual event boasts being the largest zero-waste beer festival in Illinois. I don't know how much competition they have for that title, but with more than 90 beers from more than 30 breweries available to try, it's certainly the largest festival this month. It'll feature the Illinois Craft Brewer's Guild's "Replicale" project, in which 15 or more Illinois brewers all brew the same style beer in order to "showcase the nuances in brewing technique and system design." It's being held in downtown Oak Park on Marion Street between Lake Street and North Boulevard from 3pm to 7pm on Saturday, Aug. 20. Standard tickets are $35 online, $45 at the door; see event website for more details and other ticket options.
Belgian Fest 2011
Goose Island hosts its annual festival of locally brewed Belgian-style ales at its Clybourne brewpub, 1800 N. Clybourn Ave., on Sunday, Aug. 28 from noon to 4pm. Sample beers from more than a dozen breweries and talk with the brewers. Tickets are $25, with proceeds benefiting Growing Power.
— Andrew Huff
Say it ain't so. Thanks to the alert from TastingTable Chicago, you won't miss out. TT's partner - the daily offer site, Bloomspot Chicago, is featuring a Graham Elliot giveaway today. In exchange for your email address and zip code, you will be entered to win a $500 gift certificate which will get you access to the Repertoire Menu, with wine pairings, for two. The River North restaurant's haute cuisine with a sense of humor offers such unique dishes as the deconstructed Caesar salad with a brioche Twinkie, to a chocolate cake laced with the flavors of old-fashioned sodas: root beer, birch beer and don't forget sarsaparilla. So, what are you waiting for? Enter now.
— Katie Johnson
Hopeleaf owner Michael Roper announced mid-last week that funds have been secured for the project to expand to more than double the Andersonville mainstay's size as well as be open for lunch. So, what does that mean for you? Keep your eyes peeled in late fall or early winter for the new side to open. To that I say, "Hip hip ho-Hopleaf!" Can't wait!
— Katie Johnson
The housing boom--and crash--has many victims scattered among the neighborhoods in Chicago. Empty homes, unfinished condos, and boarded-up windows are all too common; currently the city has around 20,000 vacant homes and over 50,000 vacant lots. What follows when neighborhoods are affected by problems like these is increased crime, litter, and stress on the community due to the shared responsibilities of keeping the area clean and orderly.
While Mayor Emanuel's city council is making headway in requiring maintenance in bank-owned properties, the city still has a lot of forgotten lots that become part of the scenery. For many residents, letting vacant land in their neighborhood sit idle is no longer acceptable.
— Robyn Nisi / Comments (2)
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...
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