Book Mon Dec 28 2009

Book Review: Architecture Now! Restaurants and Bars

Food- and restaurant-related coffee table books make up an expanding genre. Last winter, Alinea, the much-anticipated cookbook by Chicago's Chef Grant Achatz, at 416 pages and almost 7 pounds, was one of the most popular holiday gifts given and received by my food-obsessed friends. Architecture Now! Restaurants and Bars contains scant reference to food or chefs, yet it may be my favorite gastronomic book of the year.

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— Sharon Bautista / Comments (0)

Book Mon Dec 14 2009

Even More for Cupcake Lovers

It's a banner day for those of you who love cupcakes--Tammy Green of Chicago Bites released an e-book today that gives you the inside scoop on Chicago's best cupcake places. Called Chicago Cupcake Crawl, it's the result of some in-depth study that Green undertook, sampling cupcakes and talking to bakers from over 30 locations around the city.

The e-book contains all you'll need to create your own cupcake tour, including maps and transportation suggestions. The $9.95 price tag includes several pre-mapped routes based on different themes, a year's worth of updates, plus coupons sent to you throughout the year. Its accompanying website is also chock-full of interactive fun, allowing you to rate the cupcakes you've sampled and read what other cupcake lovers think of the various cupcake hotspots in Chicago.

Having participated in Chicago Bites Cupcake Crawl that took place about three years ago, I'm betting that this e-book will be the ultimate guide when it comes to creating the path to a sugar high. I think I consumed a good seven or eight cupcakes in that one day and had a blast doing it. Having the scoop on more bakeries will make the quest for the perfect cupcake even more fun.

— Jill Jaracz / Comments (0)

Book Wed Dec 09 2009

Soup and Bread (in Book Form)

Remember the wildly successful and very tasty Soup and Bread series at the Hideout this past winter? All of the recipes (including ours from when we were guest chefs back in February) used last year were put into a nifty, pretty cookbook for you to buy (only $20!) and enjoy in your own home! Head to the Hideout tonight from 5-8pm for the book release party. There will be spiked cider (soup is on vacay, sorry), copies of the book (and some very nice prints) for sale, and the opportunity to participate in the 2010 SnB season.

— Robyn Nisi / Comments (0)

Drink Thu Dec 03 2009

What's This Organic Doing In My Drink?

My work as a chef has incorporated the latest industry buzzwords -- i.e. local, sustainable, organic -- for many years. On a project in Dublin we tried to not use any food product sourced from more than 100km away, quite a task for a 15 million Euro-a-year five-star hotel food program.

Sometimes our demands far outstripped the supply. The amount needed just wasn't available locally, but we at least tried.

It's with some interest then that I view the same values being embraced on the other side of the kitchen -- at the bar.

It's only been within the last few years that my bar managers have asked to join me on my frequent farmer's market pilgrimages, or wanted some quality one on one time with my turbo Vita-mix blender or candy stove.

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— Alan Lake / Comments (1)

Book Tue Dec 01 2009

ad hoc in Oakbrook

Looking for the perfect holiday gift for the home cook with everything? How about a signed copy of Thomas Keller's new book "ad hoc at home". Thomas Keller will be on hand to signed copies of "ad hoc" at the Williams-Sonoma in Oakbrook at 6PM tonight.

Note: Only copies purchased in the store will be valid for signing.

— Whitney Merritt / Comments (0)

Book Sat Nov 21 2009

A Homemade Life

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)

Book Tue Nov 17 2009

Pioneer Woman Book Tour

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)

Book Sun Sep 20 2009

Soup and Bread: The Book

I know that none of us are ready to think about winter. But if you liked last year's Soup and Bread events at The Hideout then you'll be happy to know that Martha Bayne is planning on organizing Great Chicago Food Depository fundraisers again for this upcoming winter. But if you remember any of the soups from last year, you may be happy to know that you have the ability to get the recipe for every soup created in a cookbook. To help make sure this project happens, and that it even raises money they've started a Kickstarter program to cover printing costs. Make a donation and get a copy of the book designed by Sheila Sachs, former art director for the Chicago Reader, and illustrated by Paul Dolan with a custom letterpress cover. You won't be sorry, or hungry.

— Cinnamon Cooper / Comments (0)

Feature Thu Jun 25 2009

Eating Out in the Backyard

It's economical, ecological, and environmentally-friendly. In many cases, it's downright delicious. And there is a chance that you could die. This seems to be the main thesis of the new "field-to-kitchen guide," Edible Wild Mushrooms of Illinois and Surrounding States, by Joe McFarland and Gregory M. Mueller.

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— Andie Thomalla / Comments (2)

Feature Fri May 29 2009

Smoking and Drinking

With a grey and drizzly Memorial Day in our rearview mirrors, the official backyard -- or back deck alley, sidewalk, whathaveyou -- barbecue season is upon us. And sure, you could simply pull out the Weber and grill up some hotdogs and hamburgers. But if you really want to impress your friends, take it to the next level and start smoking -- meats, that is.

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— Andrew Huff / Comments (6)

Book Wed May 20 2009

Baylesses Plan Fiesta Book

Speaking at a panel on bringing restaurant foods to the retail market at the National Restaurant Association Show this week, Deann Bayless, of Frontera Grill and Topolobampo, confirmed that she and husband Rick are at work on their seventh book currently titled Fiesta at Rick's.

The book will discuss five different styles of parties and how to throw them. Along with recipes, they will also discuss practical matters such as setting a timeline, creating a menu, and sourcing your ingredients.

Fiesta at Rick's is currently scheduled to launch spring 2010.

— Jill Jaracz / Comments (0)