When I was around 10, I went through a (long) phase where I refused to eat anything normal 10-year-olds ate. Burgers? No. Birthday cake? Hell no. Pizza? Not unless it has fancy toppings on it, so basically, no. When I was first introduced to barbeque chicken pizza, it felt like it arrived accompanied by choirs of singing angels, not to mention the relieved sighs of my parents -- no marinara sauce, no spicy meat products, plenty of cheese and sticky sweet chicken. But childhood memory can be a bitch -- for a long time, no real BBQ chicken pie has lived up to mistily shrouded recollections of picky 10-year-old eater bliss.
Until I tried the Knife and Forker at the new Homeslice Wheel House, Lincoln Park's grown-up refuge from the college-student inundated pizza and beer scene. And McGee's and those snobs at the Local Option had best watch their backs. Homeslice's version is like the Platonic form of barbeque chicken pizza: shredded chicken bolstered with spicy pepperoni, dark sweet barbeque sauce and finely sliced red onion for just a touch of acidity, draped with perfectly blistered cheddar, mozarella and provolone. This, with 12 beers on tap and a cocktail menu! My childhood heart be still, my grown-up liver rejoice.
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— Andie Cavedo
Picture by Renee Rendler-Kaplan from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Event Thu Mar 28 2013
If you want to wait a few hours this Sunday before having to hightail it to Aunt Margaret's house for ham, highballs and humiliation, might I suggest the following:
Grass Fed (1721 N. Damen) has a three-course Easter lunch of lamb, salmon, chicken ($25 per person; reservations required).
Longman & Eagle (2657 N. Kedzie) is hosting an adults egg hunt (1pm, $5 admission fee per two-person team) that benefits the Comer Children's Hospital. Bring your own basket; registration required.
If you want to get all classy, Allium at the Four Seasons (120 East Delaware Place) has a rocking buffet complete with a crudo station, charcuterie, Asian fare, lotsa breakfasty stuff, lotsa other stuff and of course, candy. I want to go to there. Adults $140, kids $55. Runs 10:30am-5pm; reservations required.
— Robyn Nisi
Event Thu Mar 28 2013
Back in November, Gapers Block put together a "microbrewery crawl" to celebrate the great beers being produced in the area, taking advantage of the close proximity of so many breweries and distilleries to showcase how Chicago has become one of the centers of the craft brewing and distilling scene. It was a big hit with attendees, who clamored for another go. So next Saturday, April 6, we're doing it again.
The Gapers Block Microbrewery (& Distillery!) Crawl kicks off at noon at Andersonville's great Metropolitan Brewery and travels by foot and bus to three more stops. After learning about Metropolitan's beer and process, we'll head next door to Koval Distillery where we'll get a look at how their liqueurs and whiskey are made. We'll find out what "community supported brewing" is at Begyle Brewing and how a brewery can operate in under 500 square feet from Spiteful Brewing (whose space is so tiny that they're talking to us over at Begyle), then finish up at Atlas Brewing Company in Lincoln Park.
For $45, participants will get multiple samples at each stop, and get tours of and info about some very unique and different breweries. Capacity is limited to 60 people, and last year it sold out well ahead of time. Be a part of this unique experience -- get your tickets now!
Questions? Requests? Email events@gapersblock.com or comment below.
— Andrew Huff
Event Tue Mar 26 2013
Explore Frank Lloyd Wright's Prairie Style home in Hyde Park MCA style with drinks, bites and acoustic jazz every Friday evening in April at the new "After Hours at Robie House" presented by the Frank Lloyd Wright Preservation Trust.
Soon to be featured on WTTW's "10 Buildings That Changed America," airing Sunday, May 12, the Frederick C. Robie House, located at 5757 S. Woodlawn Ave., is a world-renowned masterpiece, named by The American Association of Architects as one of the 10 most significant buildings of the 20th century. Admission is $30 for Preservation Trust Members and $35 for non-members. Advance reservations are recommended. Visit gowright.org/afterhours for tickets and further details.
Photo credit: Matt Soria
— Brandy Gonsoulin
Event Mon Mar 25 2013
Make your reservations now: the underground dining series Feast and Imbibe will be surfacing to take over the space at Jam (3057 W. Logan) for a weekend in April (12-14) for dinner service ($75 per person, $95 with wine pairings) after the Jam crew (who will be open during their normally scheduled hours, for all you french toast fans) hangs up their aprons and heads home.
— Robyn Nisi
Picture by Christopher Methven from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Chef Thu Mar 21 2013
Not too long ago, we were reporting on the closing of City Provisions with a personal letter from Cleetus himself. Looks like we didn't have to worry about his next step for too long as Friedman first garners a spot as one of seventeen candidates for the vacant "Check, Please!" host and now gets dibs as executive chef at Fountainhead, the Ravenswood craft beer bar, in an announcement today. The new menu will be focused more on seasonality and will be rolled out over the Spring. I have only one wish for the new menu... a Cleetus named burger.
UPDATE: According to @CityProvisions on Twitter, there's already a Cleetus Burger on the new menu.
1970 W. Montrose Ave.
773-697-8204
Photo credit: Christina Noel
— Brandy Gonsoulin
News Wed Mar 20 2013
WTTW released the 17 possible replacements for current "Check, Please!" host Alpana Singh, who will be retiring from the weekly dining show at the end of its current season. Among those vying for the coveted spot are ex-City Provisions chef Cleetus Friedman, Chicagoist's Anthony Todd, and mixologist Emilie Rose Bishop of iNG. Voting runs through April 17. Choose carefully; my Friday night television watching is at stake.
— Robyn Nisi
News Tue Mar 19 2013
This time every year, passionate food nerds descend upon LTHForum.com for weeks of debate regarding their annual Great Neighborhood Restaurant & Resource Awards. Lively discussions, curated meals at nominated restaurants for a litany of greatest hits, and even more discussions lead to the culinary money shot — GNR status. I participated in at least a half dozen outings myself, and the dedicated GNR committee, many more.
"Distinctly better than the rest" is what to expect. It may be for a lone item or an entire meal. It's best to read the individual award and stick pretty close to what they're honored for. And while "great" can be an ambiguous value judgement, in this case it really means that the members of LTHForum finds there to be something very special living there.
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— Alan Lake /
TV Mon Mar 18 2013
Andrew Zimmern visits Chicago in tonight's episode of "Bizarre Foods" on the Travel Channel. Tune in at 8pm or 11pm tonight to see Zimmern visit Birrieria Zaragosa, EL Ideas, Joong Boo Market, Rare Tea Cellars and Supreme Lobster, among other spots.
— Andrew Huff
Image by Mel HIll Photography from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Feature Thu Mar 14 2013
Last year's winter was so mild that the foods I look forward to seeing in the produce aisle or farmers markets come summer were tasteless and weak--blueberries the size of raisins, pencil-sized ears of corn and peaches that tasted like gauze dominated my crisper, making for a disappointing season.
I've used my snow boots more for protection from mud than that white stuff that shuts down the suburbs this season, but I have a feeling that this year's food may be a little better, more bountiful, and sweeter. Having that in mind, starting one's planning now for spring and summer eats sounds like a smart idea, right?
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— Robyn Nisi
Event Thu Mar 14 2013
The discussion of the arts is normally left to topics that have historically been, well, artistic, but the practice of being a chef as all chefs will argue has become art within itself. Not too long ago, food was a means to an end; it was neither here nor there. Today, chefs don't cook, they craft. No longer are we satisfied if food tastes good; it must also look good. A dish has composition. Dining you might say, is the new opera.
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Rick Bayless spoke about this concept of food as art at Wednesday's Chicago Forward: The Future of the Arts, a panel discussion with Chicago creatives such as artist Tony Fitzpatrick, architect Jeanne Gang and cultural commissioner Michelle Boone. Bayless is well known for his craft of Mexican cuisine. He has elevated street food to art. At one point he said the word tamale with the most appropriate authenticity that I briefly wondered if his mouth and tongue had just engaged in a pas de deux. I can try to think street food when I think of tacos, but under his context, I just can't.
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— Brandy Gonsoulin
Beer Wed Mar 13 2013
The American Beer Classic is coming to Chicago -- specifically, Soldier Field -- on May 11, giving beer lovers access to more than 50 breweries -- as well as a couple of cider-makers and a meadery or two. Attendees will have the opportunity to sample hundreds of beers and ciders, learn more about the brewing process in seminars and demos, and enjoy live music.
Early bird tickets just went on sale for $40; the price will go up in $10 increments as more tickets are sold, until they're $70 at the door. VIP tickets are $110 and include a tour of the stadium. Designated driver tickets are just $30.
— Andrew Huff
Dessert Mon Mar 11 2013
Friday night I took advantage of a borrowed car and made my way to Jewel. Of course, a grocery store is not Studio 54, but in those quiet hours when the rest of the world is at home watching Dateline NBC marathons (lots of duped and presumed dead women, amirite?), I made a beeline for the frozen foods aisle, and there it was: Ben and Jerry's Liz Lemon frozen Greek yogurt, which is a lemon yogurt with a blueberry and lavender swirl. Yes, it's a delicious homage to Lemon and her creator Tina Fey (who cut her comedy chops here in Chicago whilst folding towels at the YMCA), sweet yet sour, creamy yet cold--but it is a missed opportunity for those of us who were hoping to see a dark chocolate-flecked Night Cheese-cake. Blerg.
— Robyn Nisi
Picture by pinkkittystudios from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
That may look like any other Portillo's you've been to, but there's a difference: this one is located all the way out in Scottsdale, AZ.
The newest location in the hot dog and Italian beef chain opened Feb. 26 to serve the large Chicago ex-pat community in the Phoenix area; my grandmother, who moved to Scottsdale 20 years ago, and her friends couldn't stop talking about it on a recent visit. On opening day, there was a line down the block, and a week later the shop is still receiving throngs of folks eager for an authentic beef with sweet peppers. The photo above was sent to me by my mother, who's visiting out there, and who reported that around a hundred people were in line behind her at lunchtime.
Wondering which Portillo's are farther away? There are two locations east of Los Angeles, in Buena Park and Moreno Valley. A second Arizona store will open in Tempe this summer.
— Andrew Huff /
Random Wed Mar 06 2013
It's reached that time where you can be caught mid-day, looking out the window/walking down the street/avoiding the spray of a bus, that you find yourself proclaiming in impassioned disgust, "I'm so over this." -- this being winter and you need a break.
And, because short of catching a plane to Florida to beat the winter blues (which, sorry, I will be doing next week), Irish beef stew and hot adult beverages offer a nice recourse. Since traipsing around Chicago during the winter in style is downright impossible, we've rounded out some casual places to visit to get rid of that inner chill.
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— Brandy Gonsoulin
Drink Tue Mar 05 2013
Dank Haus (4740 N. Western) teams up with the Chicago Japanese American Historical Society this Saturday to celebrate the new year, with samples of mochi and German delicacy fire-tong punch (think a heated, rum-soaked sugarloaf emptied into vat of mulled wine). Event runs 11am-1pm at Dank Haus; tickets $10.
— Robyn Nisi
Picture by Mel Hill Photography from the Drive-Thru Flcikr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
