Sometimes when one door closes, another one really does open.
I was still mourning the recent closure of Urban Café on Irving Park Road when the Julius Meinl Coffee Bar & Patisserie opened down the block (1416 W. Irving Park Road). I felt much like I did when I was about 10 and picked out a new hamster to replace our family's first hamster, which died after only a week: a little guilty and wistful, but, on the whole, selfishly happy to have a tiny, fuzzy poop-machine once again - or, in the case of Julius Meinl, an elegant neighborhood coffee-and-pastries stop.
Continue reading this entry »
— Mandy Burrell Booth /
Your home, that is. The venerable Chicago-based steakhouse chain has launched a mail-order business in partnership with Allen Brothers, their longtime meat supplier. They offer the same steaks, burgers, seafood and other meats as are served in the restaurant -- as well as the trademark pewter pig lamp -- so now you can order a pack of filets for that client without having to call Omaha.
— Andrew Huff /
It's too small to cost $4.39. That's what a friend told me about Upton's Naturals' breakfast sandwich. And that's exactly what I told Dan Staackmann, the co-owner of Upton's. We happened to be hanging out when he asked me for honest product feedback. Then he told me to check the stores that Friday, and the sandwich would be bigger. Was he kidding? No, he told me. That was about two weeks ago.
The sandwich is now quite significantly thicker -- all three layers, including two patties of sausage-style seitan and one of egg-styled tofu with a chipotle Vegenaise sauce. You'll find the breakfast sandwich -- along with other ready to eat items from Upton's and other vegan vendors - from my friends at Green Grocer as well as at Whole Foods South Loop, Lincoln Park, Lakeview, and River Forest. Another improvement: a new English muffin on the breakfast sandwich avoids high fructose corn syrup. You can also make your own at home, with a tip Dan told me on forming Upton's seitan into patties.
— Chris Brunn /
Itinerant chefs, caterers and small businesses looking for space to test out new food concepts have multiple of options in Chicago.
Kitchen Chicago has been around for years, but they moved into a new space at 324 N. Leavitt Ave. about a month ago that is both more functional for chefs and more versatile as an event space. Their new kitchen includes two full cookspaces -- one oriented toward pastries -- as well as a climate-controlled chocolate room; there are plans to possibly add a demo kitchen for small cooking classes. Through two sets of double doors is a soaring event space: the building was once a foundry, and this huge room is the upper half of what was once flyspace for massive cauldrons of molten iron. Kitchen Chicago have kept the industrial chic look but finished it with hardwood floors, large cylinder lights and several big, rough-hewn wood tables. There's a loft space at one end that's bigger than many apartments. The room has already been used by Chef Stephanie Izard from one of her Drunken Goat dinners.
Logan Square Kitchen is new on the scene and also offers a private event space and a shared commercial kitchen, both in a small storefront at 2333 N. Milwaukee Ave. The business is dedicated to environmental, economic and social sustainability -- you can ask them what that means in practical terms at their open house this weekend, 10am to 3pm both Saturday and Sunday.
Up in Evanston, Now We're Cookin' offers a shared kitchen for professionals -- as well as a demo space that's been used by Grant Achatz among others. And Splice Kitchen plans to open a 24-hour professional kitchen in the West Loop sometime this year. According to Time Out Chicago, Washburn Culinary Institute runs an incubator kitchen in its South Side campus.
— Andrew Huff /
Random Tue Sep 22 2009
In most of the United States, not far at all. The image above is a map of all 13,000 McDonald's restaurants, with color indicating distance to the nearest Golden Arches. Unsurprisingly, The area around Chicago is particularly bright; if you zoomed in on Chicagoland, the dots stay pretty damn dense:
View Larger Map
Where's the spot farthest from a McDonald's? Glad Valley, SD, at 145 miles by car.
UPDATE: Stephen Von Worley, the creator of the McDonald's map, has produced a follow-up focusing on the Midwest (really, more like the Great Lakes region). Fun fact: there are 424 McDonald's within 50 miles of the Sears Tower!
— Andrew Huff /
You may not get a free lunch, but on Thursday you can get free samples of lunch and breakfast food (and brownies) from Panera bread. In celebration of their new fall menu, all Chicago area Panera cafes are offering samples of the Power Breakfast sandwich; BBQ Chopped Chicken salad (with fire-roasted corn, tri-colored tortilla strips, all-natural chicken and a BBQ ranch dressing); Napa Almond Chicken sandwich (made with celery, almonds and grapes); and two new brownies, one blonde and one fudge. Tastings are available from 6 am to 9 pm at all Panera locations.
— Lori Barrett /
Central Illinois Farm Beginnings helps new farmers plan and start their farm business while being economically and environmentally sustainable. The farmer-led program includes business planning seminars, on-farm training, and one-on-one mentorships. Applications for the 2009-10 season, which starts October 10, are due September 14. CIFB is organized by The Land Connection and the University of Illinois Extension.
— Chris Brunn /
Dana Joy Altman, a local food writer and former co-manager of the Green City Market, knows there are lots of people who want to cook more, using fresh foods and seasonal ingredients (and not just the masses inspired by a brand-new interest in Julia Child). To help steer people toward the best ingredients and the best way to organize their newly-stocked refrigerators and pantries, she's offering a pantry rehab service. The rehab, which is available for only the next few months, costs $1,500--but before you blanch at the price, consider that it includes groceries and new containers to store them in (you decide whether they come from Goodwill, Target or some other kitchenware source), and eight hours of learning and shopping with Ms. Altman. She'll also make sure you have the cookware and utensils necessary to prepare your healthy meals.
Ms. Altman also knows that not everyone has $1,500 for her service.
Continue reading this entry »
— Lori Barrett /
On Chicago Public Radio's eight-forty-eight, South Side reporter Natalie Moore reports on this past weekend's "farmers market," held by Wal-Mart in Chatham. According to her report, the retail giant sold an impressive four days' worth of produce in just three hours. I briefly considered going to the Saturday event to see what it's like, but instead visited my sister-in-law (the allure of their new cats were too big). Thank God CPR was there.
Moore also interviews Rhymefest, a Chicago-based hiphop musician on the possible role of Wal-Mart in the South Side. His take on the proposed Wal-Mart, as a savior in food desert, is an interesting contrast to that of a woman quoted in the earlier piece, who says the characterization of the neighborhood as food desert is an offensive misnomer.
— Yu Kizawa /
Tribune reports that Wal-Mart is bringing a "farmers market" to Southside neighborhood of Chatham, with the hope that the gesture will create more favorable climate to the recently stalled plan for the second store within the city limits.
The "farmers market" will be held this Saturday, July 25, from 10 am to 2 pm, at 83rd and Stewart, where the new store is proposed. Interestingly, neither the Trib story nor the chain's flyer for the event lists any details on who is going to be selling what, come Saturday. A "farmers market" without any identifiable farmers??? I briefly tried to get an answer for this, but quickly gave up when the only phone number provided turned out to be a generic customer service phone number. (This is why I'm not making my living as a journalist.)
Continue reading this entry »
— Yu Kizawa /
Then I shall recommend this place. Nestled in the southwest-side McKinley Park neighborhood is Bobak's (5275 S. Archer), a sausage slinger and grocery store that is worth the trip if you want to go to the mountain of all things meaty. At first the place looks like a normal grocery that is heavy on the Polish foods--not everything here has labels written in English, which makes buying soda or yogurt a delicious crapshoot--but the entire north wall of the building is nothing but sausage and other meats. Bobak's sells normal sausage and ham, but my eyes stopped at a kiszka (ooh!), a headcheese (ehh!) and a Lithuanian-smoked sausage that sounded super intriguing. Being a major beet fan, I felt guilty skipping past a display of house made frozen borscht, but the poppy seed cake from Bobak's bakery told me that I did nothing wrong as I enjoyed a piece a few hours after my trip. I listen to sugar when it talks.
— Robyn Nisi /
Chicago filmmaker and environmentalist Dorothee Royal-Hedinger is traveling the country examining the sustainable food movement with OrganicNation.tv. She's been home for a bit, and decided to check out Doc's Juice and Smoothies, a Bucktown spot that touts its organic ingredients. Only they might not be organic, as Royal-Hedinger and partner Mark Andrew Boyer discovered.
However, as we were leaving, Dorothee asked the barista if the drinks were indeed organic, and she replied, "No, but they're all-natural."
Since leaving the store, we've made numerous attempts to contact Doc's owners or managers to clear up the discrepancy, but our emails bounce back and none of the listed phone numbers appear to be in service. I'm not sure why Doc's is so blatantly false advertising (even the URL is docsorganic.com), but I do know that I probably wouldn't have forked over seven bucks for a drink had I known that it contained conventional ingredients.
So, the question is, should Doc's change its name? Are they "greenwashing" their product, making customers believe they're getting one thing when it's actually something else? What do you think?
— Andrew Huff /
Starfruit, the frozen kefir cafe, is opening a second location in Lincoln Park on Thursday. The grand-opening will have a live DJ and activities for kids served along with the kefir smoothies and parfaits. And, on Thursday only, each kefir purchase comes with a free topping. For Chicago parents facing a day with bored kids at home waiting for their teachers to finish filling out report cards, a little face-painting and frozen-treat outing might soothe a lot of pre-report card angst. The cafe is at 2142 N Halsted Street.
— Lori Barrett /
Smash Cake, the bakery named for a birthday cake meant for a one-year old to smash, had its grand-opening party on Saturday. The space has been open for about a month, offering cupcakes kids can decorate themselves, sandwiches, soup, coffee, tea and juice. As with sister store Bleeding Heart Bakery, everything is organic, and the store sells not only foodstuffs, but a lifestyle as well. At Smash Cake, there are homemade aprons covered with little skulls and crossbones for kids to wear as they decorate their cupcakes or take part in crafts activities. Similar aprons are available, in children's or grown-up sizes and fabrics, from designer Kerry Vitali. Her cards are displayed, as are the cards of other local designers and printers, along with sample party invitations, so you can plan and prepare for an indie kiddie party in one stop. Artwork is for sale as well. Currently one wall is covered with paintings by Derek Erdman, featuring bright images of neckties, ice-cream cones and school buses.
Continue reading this entry »
— Lori Barrett /
Dessert Fri May 29 2009
If you're like me (meaning, you have little to no self control when it comes to sweets), you've been guilty of making an emergency run to Whole Foods not for organic wheat germ or Acai berries, but for one of the way-inappropriately sized Carol's Cookies sold in their bakery. (Toffee Crunch is my fave.) Recently, I learned Carol's has been making these half-pound beauties in the Chicago area since 1979 - the year of my birth. Coincidence? I think not.
To celebrate its 30th anniversary, Carol's recently put out a call asking loyal fans to submit ideas for the company's next cookie flavor. (Yes, the winners get free cookies. Stick with me here.) To participate, visit Carol's Web site or join the new Facebook fan page, "Carol's Cookies Giant Cookie Club." The contest starts June 1 and runs through Aug. 12, 2009.
After reviewing all entries, Carol's bakers will select the top five flavors and spend four weeks perfecting the recipes at the Carol's cookie factory. The five finalists' recipes will be judged on Sept. 15, 2009, at the Carol's factory by Carol Goldman (yes, the Carol), and foodies Katrina Markoff of Vosges Haut-Chocolat, Marc Shulman of Eli's Cheesecake, Bryant Keil of Potbelly's Sandwich Works, and restaurant critic Sherman Kaplan from WBBM AM 780 radio.
The winner will receive a year's supply of free cookies, as well as virtual applause from the online universe. Oh, and the champ also gets to be guest baker for two days at Carol's Cookies Highland Park bakery. The runners-up even get some cookie dough. So what more can I say, people: Cookie it up!
— Mandy Burrell Booth /
Review Tue May 26 2009
Being on bed rest for 23 hours a day has really put a damper on my ability to prepare healthy meals for myself. Therefore, I'm feeling particularly glad that I recently learned about The Stock Option, a local soup delivery service. I've been enjoying the soups at home, but I may continue to use the service once I go back to work.
Every day, owner Jack Price (a former insurance salesman who began The Stock Option when the recession started taking a toll on his old line of work) prepares a soup of the day, using lots of fresh produce and organic ingredients. Customers email or call before 10 a.m. for lunch delivery or before 2 p.m. for a dinner delivery. You receive 16 oz. of soup, along with bread and sometimes other garnishes, for $6 (which also covers taxes and delivery).
Continue reading this entry »
— Leah Williams /
My taste buds are slowly acquiring an affinity for spicy foods, and at the National Restaurant Association Show, I've been able to taste a wide variety of spicy and tangy sauces. However, the Original Juan Specialty Foods booth got me.
This Kansas City-based company produces small batches of sauces under a variety of labels, including Cheesecake in a Jar (kind of like Nutella, but cheesecake-flavored), Fiesta quesos, and the Pain is Good line of salsas, bean dips, seasoned snacks, and sauces. Their typical batch size is 136 gallons, and they produce no more than 300 gallon batches, which makes their facility ideal for a co-packing or private label arrangement (this means that if you wanted to take your sauce recipe and mass produce it, or create a store brand, this place can help you out).
The Pain is Good products were aptly labeled mild (aka "wimpy"), medium, zesty, and fiery and showed where they'd be on their heat gauge. Their 100% Pain hot sauce registered as "Meltdown," due to the Habanero peppers used in it.
After tasting a fiery option and not feeling much heat, I had to try the really hot stuff. Full of bravado, I grabbed a tortilla chip, poured some 100% Pain on it, munched away, and walked away from the booth. About ten yards away, the heat kicked in, my mouth caught fire, and I had to blink back the tears from the pain. Then I went into survival mode trying to quell it, but water, of course, didn't help. Neither did bread. Thankfully, after a couple of minutes of torture, the kind folks from the Census Bureau pointed me to a Mexican soda booth, and with that I was able to put out the flames.
If you want to feel the heat, look for the Pain is Good line in specialty food stores. Jewel also sells some of their product line. You can also buy their products online.
— Jill Jaracz /
Rumors of Bennigan's demise have been greatly (or partially) exaggerated. The restaraunt chain did file for bankruptcy last summer, but some franchise owners have reopened their shops on their own. Among these newly reborn Bennigan's is the restaurant on South Michigan Avenue, across from the Art Institute and currently the only Bennigan's in the city of Chicago. On Monday, the restaurant launched a "Break Fuel" menu, a selection of wings, fried mushrooms, mini burgers and deep-fried egg rolls, or Stogies, filled with Buffalo chicken or Philly cheesesteak. It's a little surprising that all of the new menu items are fried (even the banana in the Kahlua banana-split-shot), except for the burgers, but in a slight nod to the ever-growing population of health-conscious diners, the kitchen has created a lighter batter for the chicken tenders and zucchini planks. To lure Michigan Avenue office workers, museumgoers and other sightseers, a sidewalk patio will open later in the spring; and if the weather still refuses to warm up come June, the view inside includes 22 new flat screen TVs.
— Lori Barrett /
TOC reports that the second outpost of Logan Square's Lula Cafe will be named Nightwood. The restaurant will start with dinner and late night service only, with plans to also open for brunch down the road. Nightwood will open mid-May at 2119 South Halsted.
Bad news for Lula's neighborhood friend Chundy's, which according to a post at LTH Forum, has closed its doors after being in business less than a year. Chundy's occupied the space formerly inhabited by Golden Rise Bakery.
— Robyn Nisi /
Stop by Ben & Jerry's today to receive a free cone. Participating Chicago area locations include:
Ben & Jerry's Navy Pier
700 East Grand Ave.
Ben & Jerry's Navy Pier Kiosk
600 East Grand Avenue
Ben & Jerry's Oak Park
1025 West Lake Street
Ben & Jerry's Evanston
1634 Orrington Ave.
— Gemma Petrie /
Plans are afoot for a Roundy's supermarket to be opened near Ravenswood and Lawrence in a parking lot (owned by a nearby Sears store) that is currently west of Metra tracks there. The space could be further developed for more retail and a condomimium project. The Milwaukee-based chain is also planning to open stores in the Old Town, Bronzeville, Lakeshore East and River West areas.
— Robyn Nisi /
News Tue Apr 07 2009
Knowing just how hard it is for some people working in the Loop to make it up to encased meats emporium Hot Doug's, Nico Westlund, a nationally ranked bike messenger, and his friend Gary Michaels have launched Hot Doug Drop, a service that lets you email or fax in your order and have it delivered to one of two "drop" locations in lobbies of the Mercantile Exchange, 20 S. Wacker Dr., and Chicago Board of Trade, 140 W. Van Buren St., at 11:30am and 1:30pm. The service was launched a couple weeks ago for the benefit of friends who worked at the trading centers. "I used to deliver Bari Foods, and saw how much the people at the BOT appreciated having Bari in the middle of the day," Westlund said. "The idea of having Hot Doug's at a boardroom meeting is so appealing." The service was expanded beyond friends at the end of last week, and its Facebook page already has 170 fans.
Hot Doug Drop is unaffiliated with the restaurant, and charges $1 per dog for delivery. Hot Doug's owner Doug Sohn is not pleased.
Continue reading this entry »
— Andrew Huff /
I
f you like cheese the way I like cheese, you don't mind traveling some distance for it. And if the end of that sojourn is one of the least likely places to buy cheese you could imagine, so much the better.
The Great American Cheese Collection warehouse is exactly this place. Tucked in a tiny meat-packing enclave near 47th and Talman, and marked only by a small green chalkboard promising "Cheese" with an arrow toward the door, this chilly garage space is a dairy lover's oasis.
Continue reading this entry »
— Robyn Nisi /
On the heels of the hubbub over Intelligentsia's move to Clover-brewed coffee, Asado Coffee Co. opened quietly on Irving Park Road just west of Southport Avenue. The shop is also brewing coffee by the cup to order, but the method is more old school: Kevin, the owner and barista, pours hot water through a cone filter filled with coffee grounds roasted in house. The resulting 8-ounce cup is some of the best I've ever tasted - strong, but smooth, with no hint of burnt beans.
On my first visit, I had a cup of Ugandan coffee, with notes of cinnamon and nutmeg. The second time I stopped in, Kevin was brewing Sumatran beans, which I liked even more for their deep, spicy, dark-chocolate and roasted nut flavors.
A cup is $2, and fresh-roasted whole beans go for $7 per half-pound. You can feel good about purchasing both because Kevin gets his beans from two direct trade groups who have relationships with the coffee farmers and pay fair wages.
I, for one, feel good knowing that my neighbors and I now have two great, new(ish) coffee shops -- Asado and Urban Cafe -- within a couple blocks of what used to be a dingy stretch of Irving Park Road.
— Mandy Burrell Booth /
Perhaps in time for the warm weather that's due any day now, another Korean frozen yogurt shop is rolling into town. Red Mango, which has set up shop in Evanston and Naperville, has a cheery HELP WANTED sign covering a storefront window on Clark Street, just above Diversey--probably at the exact latitude in the city's grid system as YoBerri, a few short blocks away on Halsted Street. Last year, after the suburban locations opened, both Time Out Chicago and Chicago magazine named Red Mango the best probiotic frozen treat. Now we have to wait and see which will arrive first: the "fresh" and "bright" frozen yogurt or the fresh and bright spring we're waiting for.
— Lori Barrett /
Forkable, a Chicago food blog, recently posted about her adoration for Chicago Food Corp., a local Korean market. Her photos are vibrant and her top ten list of Asian ingredients has me reconsidering my weekend plans.
Chicago Food Corp.
3333 N. Kimball
(773) 478-5566
(Photo credit: Forkable)
— Gemma Petrie /
Event Mon Mar 16 2009
Lakeview candy store Candyality, which is on a mission to associate each customer's candy choice with his or her personality, thus creating a candyality, is holding a Jelly Belly Trunk Show on Saturday, April 4th . There won't be Jelly-embellished frocks and totes to fight over, but Candy lovers will get to sample Jelly Belly flavors, and decide whether Very Cherry is the new black or if Jalapeno really is hot. The Jelly Belly Mobile will roll into town, as will Mr. Jelly Belly himself. No word on whether Earwax and the other edgy, flavor-forward beans will make an appearance.
The trunk show is from 11am to 4pm; Candyality is at 3425 N Southport Avenue.
— Lori Barrett /
Despite the people camped outside known Obama faves Topolobampo and Spiaggia last night hoping to catch a glimpse of Michelle and her husband, the First Couple decided to eat at Table 52.
— Robyn Nisi /
Event Thu Feb 05 2009
For all the brahs out there looking for a sizzling gift for their lady friends, Isabella Fine Lingerie in Lincoln Park is hosting its first Beers, Brats and Bras shopping event on Sunday from 11am to 5pm. The shop's web site notes that many a fine woman in town has purchased a bra from Isabella already, so they just might have a dossier on your lady's sizes and styles. If not, the store has some expert fitters on hand who can narrow down anyone's size or style, particularly if a guy happens to have a photo (shot from the waist up) of his intended lingerie recipient. Guys too busy on Sunday can still shop for bras with brew in hand during Isabella's extended hours, next Thrusday and Friday from 5 to 8pm.
Isabella Fine Lingerie is at 840 W Armitage Avenue (773-281-2352).
— Lori Barrett /
If your business if feeling the pinch during this recession, catering firm Big Delicious Planet has a deal for you. Starting Monday and running through March 20, you can get a tasty, nutritious lunch for just $13 per person plus tax (minimum of 12 people; delivery extra).
I've had a couple of these lunches at Coudal Partners's offices (Big Delicious Planet is run by Heidi Moorman Coudal), and they've been consistently great -- the barbecue options in particular. Contact Heidi or Christen at 312-455-1019 or
kitchen@bigdeliciousplanet.com by noon the day prior.
Check out the first week's menus after the jump.
Continue reading this entry »
— Andrew Huff /
Drink Wed Jan 28 2009
Starbucks announced today that it's closing 300 more stores and laying off 6,000 workers. No word yet on which Chicago stores are closing, if any, but we'll keep you posted. Follow local blog Starbucks Gossip for employee reactions and more news.
We've also learned that local chain Intelligentsia has changed the type of chocolate it's using in its mochas and hot chocolate, and the new stuff is not vegan. There has been no official announcement, but baristas have been telling customers as they order as a precaution. Vegans, consider yourself warned!
— Andrew Huff /
Drink Sun Jan 25 2009
On Friday, Chicago's newest craft brewer, Metropolitan Brewing, debuted its beers at three local bars: Hopleaf, Handlebar, and Risque Cafe.
I got a jump on the rest of the city on Thursday, when Gapers Block hosted a "staff-tivity" at the brewery in Ravenswood. We got to sample two of Metropolitan Brewing's delicious beers, the Dynamo Copper Lager and Flywheel Bright Lager, while noshing on sandwiches and fries complements of Hopleaf. I loved the Dynamo, a beautifully balanced beer with a crisp finish -- very drinkable. The Flywheel is a bit sweeter up front, but still has a smooth, dry finish befitting a German lager.
Entertainment was on point: to help celebrate Metropolitan's kick-off, the Neo-Futurists are using the brewery as a stage for the aptly-named "Beer," running Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays between Jan. 31 and March 7. We got a sneak peek at the show, which tells the story of 10-year-old Boon, who passes out drunk after drinking his stepfather's crappy beer, and awakens to find himself and his puppet buddy, Puke, in a mysterious brewery. To get home, they must learn how to brew delicious beer. It's a great idea -- the Wizard of Oz meets Willy Wonka, for beer-lovers -- made that much better by staging it at a real brewery.
So, to recap, here's an idea for a fun night out next Thursday: check out "Beer," and then go drink some (of Metropolitan's) at one of the lucky bars featuring Chicago's newest brew.
— Mandy Burrell Booth /
I've always been on the fence about the pronunciation of pecan. The pie seems to be "peee-con," but the cookies seem to be "peee-can" (sandies). Ben & Jerry's, however, has taken a stance, and is proudly proclaiming "YES PECAN!" For the month of January, butter pecan ice cream will be called "Yes Pecan," and for every scoop sold in scoop shops this month (or, for the next nine days), B&J will donate the proceeds to the Common Cause Education Fund. You can use the handy scoop-shop locator to find those amber waves of buttery ice cream near you.
— Lori Barrett /
This is a bit of an old news by now, but I'll post it anyway: sometime in late December, my husband and I went to dinner at Uncommon Ground on Devon. We checked our bulky down jackets, and when the hostess handed me the coat tag, it was weird. It was a credit-card sized thing with cute design on it, in brown-and-baby-blue color scheme. It didn't look like a coat tag at all. In fact, it had a name of a restaurant on the back, with a little description. And that restaurant wasn't Uncommon Ground. Why would they use a gift card for a completely different restaurant as a coat tag? We puzzled over it during our hearty dinner (Millman burger for me, bacon-wrapped meatloaf for hubby). Are they owned by the same people? Are the two restaurants teaming up to beef up marketing (pretty clever, indeed)? When we left, we were still pretty mystified.
As it turned out, the "coat tag" was a piece out of à la card, a deck of 52 cards, each dedicated to an independent, chef-driven restaurant in Chicago. You buy the whole deck for $30, and each card is redeemable as a $10 gift certificate at the restaurant it describes. Uncommon Ground is one of them, of course, and among the impressive assortment are Hot Chocolate, Hot Doug's, Spacca Napoli, Naha and Smoque, covering a pretty wide range of cuisines, neighborhoods and prices.
It's a formidable task to conquer all 52 restaurants in a year (the deck expires on December 31), but even if I can't go through all of them, it seems like a fun excuse to try out restaurants that we've been meaning to go to forever and never have. Or, as Mike Sula at Food Chain points out, you can hand out individual cards to "friends and minions."
— Yu Kizawa /
An inside source tells us that Orange on Harrison, which announced it was closing back in September and then never did, really will be closing after Sunday's brunch service. The owners plan to open a new Orange outpost near Fullerton and Clark in March.
— Andrew Huff /
After filing for bankruptcy, cookie manufacturer Maurice Lenell will be permanently closing its Norridge (4474 N. Harlem) and (temporarily) shutting down its online store on Tuesday, so get in there and stock up on pinwheels while the getting's good. And before the building becomes a motherfuc*ing Costco.
— Robyn Nisi /
Drink Mon Dec 15 2008
Baby, it's cold outside -- but that doesn't mean we must suffer. River North spot mk warms up customers with free hot toddies every time the temperature dips below 20 degrees. I'd say tonight qualifies.
Here's the recipe:
1½ oz. whiskey
1 oz. honey
1/3 oz. lemon
3 oz. African amber tea
Coat the bottom of a mug or an Irish coffee glass with honey. Then add whiskey and lemon juice. Boil water and add the tea bag to make hot tea. Pour the steaming tea into the glass and stir.
Commence thawing!
— Mandy Burrell Booth /
Time Out uncovers a very twisted tale surrounding the surprise closure of Mantou Noodle Bar. It seems the owners of the restaurant have been subleasing the space but not paying their rent. Chef Rick Spiros had a crazy profit deal that was basically unworkable, and the owners changed the locks and hired a lawyer.
Sounds like shades of Sweet Occasions/Sweet Thang to me.
Meanwhile, this week's Time Out features their annual 100 Best Things We Ate feature. (Mantou's not in it, natch.)
— Andrew Huff /
I am a big fan of Flourish Bakery Cafe, the year and a half old bakery located on Bryn Mawr underneath the red line el tracks. It's the closest bakery to me that sells real, good, crusty bread. Its bright, candy-colored interior is cheery and warm, and the cupcakes and sandwiches are perfectly good, if a little on the pricey side. Usually, I go just for the bread, though. I buy a big loaf and live off it for a few days, knowing that fresh bread is best eaten quickly.
Continue reading this entry »
— Dana Currier /
Logan Square's Golden Rise Bakery, which abruptly closed earlier this year, has reopened as Chundy's, a restaurant that is still affiliated with the former tenant. The menu is varied, with an interesting specials list--items such as chicken Biryani, vegetable beef curry and Mauritian chicken stew join standard menu items like basil chicken salad sandwiches, and chef salads. Their website is frequently updated with charming commentary. Chundy's is located at 2957 W. Diversey, and is open Tuesday-Friday 11am-9pm, Saturday-Sunday 8am-9pm.
— Robyn Nisi /
The Jockey Club, a longtime D.C.-area restaurant that was once a favorite of Bogart, Sinatra and Jackie Kennedy, has been resurrected just in time for the new presidential administration, and they're hoping their Camelot-era charms will attract a certain Chicago-based power couple, as "Both Barack and Michelle are hip, urban dwellers who enjoy good food and good wine."
— Robyn Nisi /
Looking for a good holiday cookie recipe? Check out the Chicago Tribune for winning recipes from the paper's annual Holiday Cookie Contest.
But what if you can't bake - or just don't feel like it this year? Chicago's bakeries can be your secret weapon for holiday parties. I surveyed friends and co-workers, asking them to tell me their favorite cookie in Chicago. Here are their picks:
Continue reading this entry »
— Mandy Burrell Booth /
News Tue Nov 18 2008
Earlier this year, Wicker Park's Sweet Thang bakery lost its lease and had to close its doors, Chef Bernard Runo promised to reopen in a new location. And indeed it did, at 2142 W. Roscoe Ave. in Roscoe Village.
Unfortunately, the new Sweet Thang is nothing like the old one. Runo appears not to be involved, as the new location apparently doesn't bake its own cakes and pastries, and prominently features a Chocolate Shoppe ice cream counter.
Wait, does that sound familiar? Oh yes, sounds exactly like the offerings of the late Sweet Occasions chain. And in fact, the new Sweet Thang is in fact a reincarnation of Sweet Occasions, which abruptly closed over the summer in what was later revealed to be a scandal involving unpaid employees, extravagant spending and more. In the comments on a post about the store closures on Edgewater Crime Blotter, a former employee made passing mention of one of Sweet Occasions' owners, Andy Singer, "concentrating on the purchase (with what money, I don't know) and opening of Sweet Thang in Roscoe Village." Reviews in Yelp -- which have been almost universally negative since the new location opened -- seem to confirm it.
Unfortunately, history appears to be repeating. Paychecks began bouncing, and after being confronted on the matter, Singer has closed Sweet Thang.
The employees aren't taking it lying down, however. They have teamed up with the Chicago Interfaith Committee on Worker Issues to stage a protest and press conference on Thursday, Nov. 20 at 3pm in front of the store, demanding payment (full press release follows after the jump). Maybe they can get some money for all the unpaid Sweet Occasions employees, too.
[photo credit: Rachelle Bowden]
Continue reading this entry »
— Andrew Huff /
The Thanksgiving 365 sandwich with turkey, brie, and cranberry-horseradish chutney at Hannah's Bretzel called my name at lunch yesterday. It's delicious - and seasonal, if turkey has a season.
It got me wondering what other local spots offer the early bird. A quick Google-search revealed a few:
According to Metromix, Jerry's (with West Loop and Wicker Park locations) will have a Thanksgiving-inspired sandwich on the menu from Nov. 24 to 26, with herb-roasted turkey, mushroom and roasted apple stuffing, turkey gravy, basil, fresh mozzarella cheese, cranberry sauce and Cholula hot sauce on your choice of bread.
The Pilgrim is a regular on the menu at Uncle Sammy's in Lincoln Park. It's got turkey, raisin herb stuffing, cranberry sauce and mayo.
The Goddess and Grocer offers the Turkey Twist year-round, which certainly qualifies as Thanksgiving-esque, with its turkey breast, cranberry mayonnaise and caramelized onions. From Nov. 24 to 30, they're also offering the Thanksgiving Sandwich, with roasted turkey, stuffing, lettuce, tomato and cranberry sauce on whole wheat.
Know of any others?
— Mandy Burrell Booth /
Old Town Oil occupies a sparse storefront along a busy section of Wells Avenue that my mother claims was "quite wild" back in the day. They specialize in 100% extra virgin olive oils and aged balsamic vinegars. A lone employee greeted us at the door and asked, "Would you like to try some oil?"
I made my way down the line of olive oils in the center of the store, savoring the rich flavors of blood orange, basil, and porcini varieties. I then began to work my way around the perimeter, sampling the outstanding balsamic vinegars in flavors like, red apple, oregano, and pomegranate.
The excursion had been prompted by running out of olive oil the evening before, but I didn't have the heart to purchase any of their exquisite oils to simply cook with (nor could I stomach the price for such a use). Instead, I bought my favorite of the vinegars, a 12-year Fig Balsamic Vinegar (375 ml for $16.95).
The vinegar makes an outstanding salad dressing, but is equally delicious drizzled over fresh fruit or cheese. Each bottle is filled and sealed to order and would make an excellent gift for a Thanksgiving host or your favorite holiday cook.
Old Town Oil
1520 N Wells St
(312) 787-9595
(Photo from: Old Town Oil)
— Gemma Petrie /
President-Elect Obama and his wife Michelle hit up the Mag Mile's Spiaggia Saturday night. For those of us who can't afford such high-end dining, Obama also digs Austin soul food purveyor MacArthur's, where the average tab is around $10. So which restaurant is catering his inaugural ball?
— Robyn Nisi /
Global dairy exporter Fonterra, who moved its corporate headquarters from Pennsylvania to Rosemont earlier this year, has announced that it will open its research operations near O'Hare in Rosemont.
— Robyn Nisi /
Can chocolate and art create hope and generate inspiration? That was the unlikely question posed on the young artists who participated in the Create Chocolate, Create Hope contest. Held by ethel's Chocolate Lounge, the contest asked the participants 1) to create a graphic design to appear on the surface of ethel's limited edition chocolate collection and 2) to write an essay on the possibility of chocolate and art creating hope.
Last Thursday, four winners of the contest--Emily Poniatowski, Kate Riley, Miguel Delgado and Dennise Isidoro--were at ethel's location at 871 W. Armitage to present their designs to all gathered--family, friends, and the media (which is what I fall under). All four of the winners are aspiring artists--either in school or working on their own. As such, they were visibly excited to see their own designs neatly printed on little square pieces of chocolate, as an employee of ethel's marched around the room with a tray of chocolates with winning designs.
Continue reading this entry »
— Yu Kizawa /
Bar Tue Oct 21 2008
It is just my luck that an excellent new bar moves into Logan Square just when I move out. Though, if the brains behind the Whistler had it their way, the establishment might have opened months ago.
In Chicago, the build-out of a business needs to be complete before the city will begin inspections and issue business, tavern, or alcohol licenses. After such an enormous personal investment, I can't imagine the horror of being denied such permits. A misguided Logan Square resident convinced dozens upon dozens of neighbors to sign a petition to block the bar, claiming it would be an unsavory addition to the neighborhood.
Thanks to some legal representation and lots of door-knocking, the owners (who also happen to be Logan Square residents) convinced the community to give them the go-ahead. After just a few weeks, business is going well. The low-lights, blue hues, church pews, and wood bar create a stylish watering hole. The space is small, but the outdoor patio can increase capacity in more forgiving weather. The bar doubles as a no-cover music venue for live music (Sunday - Wednesday) and DJs (Thursday - Saturday).
The cocktail menu changes seasonally. When I visited we sampled the Rosemary Gin & Tonic, Hibiscus Sour, and Sazerac. All were delicious and offered at the very reasonable price of $8. The bottled beer menu includes selections from craft breweries like Bell's and Great Lakes and -- perhaps best of all -- they also stock $2 Pabst cans.
The Whistler
2421 N Milwaukee Ave
(between Fullerton Ave & Richmond St)
— Gemma Petrie /
A second Sonic America's Drive-In location is set to open in Algonquin, or, as I like to call it, Schaumburg 2: Retail Boogaloo. The new location will open in late November along the bustling retail corridor of Randall Road. Sonic has plans to open more locations around Chicago, including Vernon Hills and Lake Zurich, with as many as a dozen in the next few years.
I was quite surprised to see this second location, as I was just at the Aurora store on Saturday after a road trip. I've made the trek a few times now and have been pleasantly surprised by the food. Yes, it's fast food, but it's good, and they have tater tots.
— Christian Scheuer /
Earlier this month, Potbelly Sandwich Works introduced a new sandwich, it's first in five years, a Clubby club sandwich with 30% more meat (turkey, ham and bacon). Now, Jimmy Johns is rolling out a new sandwich as well, it's first new sandwich in more than four years. The creation, the #17 Ultimate Porker, features freshly-sliced applewood smoked ham and bacon, plus lettuce, tomato and mayo on bread baked in house. According to Jimmy John Liautaud, founder of Jimmy John's Gourmet Sandwiches, the shops don't "rely on gimmicks, promotions and new menu additions to fool people into coming in and buying our sandwiches." But the time was right for a new addition, "another option for people like me who like the taste of ham and bacon together and want it served freaky fresh and freaky fast," said Jimmy John via press release.
The sandwich chain wants its customers to help come up with a slogan for the Ultimate Porker. The company says: Jimmy is running a campaign, and the Ultimate Porker is his running mate, representing change for the people. From now until October 24, sandwich (and pork) lovers across the nation can submit a campaign slogan for Jimmy and Porker on their road to sub-premacy at sofastyoullfreak.com. The top ten slogans will then be posted on the web site and voted on. The writer of the winning slogan will get a fully catered Election Day party. So, vote early, vote often, and do so with a sandwich in your hand.
— Lori Barrett /
I made my annual trip to Poplar Grove, a little town east of Rockford, to visit Edwards Apple Orchard, a combination of a country store, fruit orchard, pumpkin patch and pie diner that is now rolled into what I feared would happen: huge crowds dotted with strollers, minivans and Packers sweatshirts. Edwards is the kind of place that looks cut out of a movie, with its colorful flowerbeds, homespun signage and red barn. I've been coming here for many years, when as a student at a nearby college, I would drive the half-hour to Edwards for a quick Friday afternoon reprieve from campus life. While my visit to Edwards this past weekend was full of overwhelming foot traffic, I still recommend it as a great day trip for city dwellers. Why? The donuts and the pie.
Ah, the pie. A double-crusted, cinnamon-dusted work of art. Edwards sells individual slices only, with three topping options: a la mode, as-is, or with a melted slice of cheddar cheese. All three are solid options, although I had a difficult time adjusting to the idea of putting cheese on apple pie, as I had never seen it done before. Edwards caught some bad luck earlier this year, when a tornado destroyed many of its buildings; everything has been rebuilt to be bigger and better. The cider cellar, with its milk jug seats and gingham tablecloths, was now large enough to accommodate more visitors, but the constant line out the door was telling about how successful the food at Edwards is, especially if you like donuts.
Edwards makes sugar-dusted, apple cider cake donuts that made an imaginary tear slide down my cheek, not for the moment I bit into it, but for tolerating the lesser donuts I've been forced to eat in the past. Adding to the appeal of the warm, light donuts was its lack of availability--if you were looking to take some home with you, you were given a number and told you couldn't buy more than 6. Six? Would that get me to the Illinois Tollway? I passed on the opportunity, as sometimes too much of a good thing is a bad thing.
Edwards Apple Orchard, phone (815) 765-2234. 7061 Centerville Rd, Poplar Grove, IL.
— Robyn Nisi /
The Tribune reports on the closing of the Old Barn, a Burbank restaurant that was in business for 87 years. W.C. Fields and Al Capone were customers. You can't say *that* about Applebee's.
— Robyn Nisi /
Chef Mark Seaman of Marked for Dessert will lecture on the history of French pastry this Saturday (10am-noon) at Kendall College; the event is sponsored by the Culinary Historians of Chicago (admission is $5, $3 for students and free for CHC members; RSVP required). If you're even more interested in pastry, Seaman will be hosting a second event at his store on Thursday the 16th to further wax poetic on pastry, make crepes, serve up some of his creations and talk about the pastry tour of France that he will be leading next spring (admission is $75).
— Robyn Nisi /
Drink Mon Oct 06 2008
Half Acre Beer received the new tanks and other brewing equipment at its new brewery at 4257 N. Lincoln Ave. in North Center this morning.
The equipment was purchased from Ska Brewing Company in Durango, Colorado, and shipped here on four trailer trucks. The fermenters looked a bit like space capsules on the flatbed when I arrived at the brewery to watch the unload for a little while.
Continue reading this entry »
— Andrew Huff /
Oak Brook based McDonald's planned roll out of the new premium coffee cafes has hit a big snag, the current economic crisis. Bank of America was the primary lender to franchisers and has apparently reached its limits in regards to loans for the new cafes, rumored to cost 100K per location. McDonald's had planned to open 14,000 of the new cafes by April of 2009 but it seems that the rollout will be pushed further into the summer.
— Christian Scheuer /
Ethel's Chocolates is offering a limited edition box of tea infused chocolates. The warm combination of silky chocolate with spicy teas creates a decadent seasonal treat. The box includes: Earl Grey, Citrus, Spiced Chai, Sweet Rose, Jasmine, and Tropical Green. The Earl Grey flavor was the favorite in our house. A box of 24 retails for $32. At over a buck a chocolate, the collection is a bit pricey, but the flavors will be a fun change of pace for chocolate lovers.
— Gemma Petrie /
Among the recipients of this year's group of MacArthur Foundation Fellows/Genius Grant recipients is Will Allen, the proprietor of Growing Power, a Milwaukee-based produce and meat seller whose crops are raised by inner-city teenagers. A huge number of Chicago restaurants are customers of Growing Power (A Mano, May Street Market, Bleeding Heart Bakery, Vie). Although Allen's wallet is pretty full today with his $500,000 prize, all local Whole Foods stores will be donating 5% of tomorrow's purchases to Growing Power.
— Robyn Nisi /
Although the economy woes of late have made beer sales fluctuate wildly in New York, they've driven Wicker Park's Fifty/50 to cut a deal to beleaguered AIG and Lehman Brothers employees: their food and drink tabs will be given a 50% discount Sunday through Thursday until the end of the month.
— Robyn Nisi /
It looks like there's a new store opening in the space that was Sunflower Market on Clybourn (1910 N. Clybourn, to be exact). It's called Urban Fresh, by Jewel--a smaller-scale grocery score that will offer ready-made meals, produce, organic foods and other convenience items with a healthy spin. Earlier this week the New York Times had an article about similar markets opening up around the country, all coming from larger chains like Safeway and Wal-Mart; even Whole Foods is planning cozier stores for harried shoppers.
European chain Aldi is also planning to open new (and smaller-than-average) stores in the Chicago area, and similarly, instead of dozens of brands of bread or cereal, Aldi mostly sells only one, often their own brand, making shopping easy and less expensive.
— Lori Barrett /
Chef Thu Sep 11 2008
One of Food Network's newer (and, if you ask me, more likeable) stars, giggly Cleveland-based chef Michael Symon, will be at The Counter, the new "build-your-own-burger" joint on Diversey, next Thursday, Sept. 18, from noon to 6 p.m.
The first Chicago outpost of the chain opened this Monday at 666 W. Diversey Pkwy. Symon's visit is more than a well-timed PR gimmick: Proceeds from the location's sales on Sept. 18 will benefit the Big Shoulders Fund, an organization that helps support Catholic schools in some of Chicago's low-income neighborhoods.
In case you haven't heard, The Counter claims diners can choose from 312,120 possible burger combinations, by selecting among a variety of proteins (Angus beef, chicken, turkey, veggie and seafood), 10 cheeses, 28 toppings, 18 sauces and three types of buns.
Symon has a penchant for pork. Might I suggest he order a beef burger on a classic hamburger bun, topped with Black Forest ham, honey-cured bacon, horseradish cheddar, and apricot sauce?
— Mandy Burrell Booth /
I just got a sample of Froose, a new beverage for kids that aims to be a whole food rather than a sugary liquid. The little juice boxes were created by a mom who grew concerned about the way her son was eating less yet gaining weight. Once she figured out that it was the sugars in the juice killing her son's appetite and filling him with empty calories, she teamed up with some scientists to find a way to make a fruity beverage with whole grains.
Continue reading this entry »
— Lori Barrett /
Today is the grand opening of Counter Burger, a create-your-own burger joint (part of a California-based chain) on Diversey Parkway in Lincoln Park. Diners get to choose their protein (beef, turkey, chicken and veggie patties), then pile on toppings, cheese, sauce and a bun--or for carbophobes, no bun. Company lore says these choices add up to 312,120+ different options. And, unlike lots of other casual-dining chains, Counter Burger has a full bar.
Of course, plenty of burger options (beef, chicken, turkey, veggie and fish, even) have been on offer just down the street at Dukes. This friendly, loungey space shouldn't be overlooked; the burgers are actually a few dollars cheaper at Dukes. But only Counter Burger has been mentioned on Oprah.
Counter Burger, 666 W. Diversey Pkwy
Dukes, 2616 N. Clark St.
— Lori Barrett /
America is obsessed with Michael Phelps, the swimmer from Baltimore who's racking up gold medals in Beijing. From ruminations on his large feet and paddlelike hands to shock and awe at the amount of calories and carbs he ingests each day, the buzz on Phelps is building faster than a speeding swimmer.
Here in Chicago, local salad spot Dream Salad is planning to offer free salads from 11 am to 2 pm on Friday, August 22, if Phelps wins eight gold medals (which will top Mark Spitz's record of seven)--and if customers show up with a business card. Dream Salad owner Rich Levy is a former high-school swimmer, and he's excited that Phelps has reenergized the sport. (Dream Salad is part of the Salad Spinners chain, but the offer is only valid at 200 E. Randolph Street.)
Free pizzas would be more in line with Phelps's 12,000-calorie a day diet. The guy eats at least a pound of pizza a day, but not a lot of salad. Any pizza purveyors out there willing to sweeten the pot?
— Lori Barrett /
Kanye West does it all: a rapper, producer, style icon, social critic, and now...FATBURGER owner. What?
Chicago's favorite son plans to open a Fatburger restaurant in Orland Park next month, followed by a second location in Beverly early next year.
— Robyn Nisi /
As I stared at my menu Sunday morning while sitting at a table at Lula Cafe, I looked around the restaurant to see if anyone was eating the specials I was interested in ordering. Having debated the merits of a sweet versus savory breakfast, my friend and I decided to split a sweet item to complement the eggs we had both ordered. An item on the special menu jumped out to us: the arborio rice porridge with chevre, peaches, anise hyssop anglaise and candied pistachios. But the woman sitting at the table next to me had ordered the porridge, and it was just sitting there untouched as she ate a pecan roll sitting between her and her brunch date. "Was it bad?" I thought. "She should totally send it back if it's that bad." Because let's be real--I've eaten great meals and not-so-great meals at Lula (and hope that luck doesn't extend to their forthcoming second location in Pilsen).
A waiter came along at the end of their meal and removed the porridge, fully intact, still decorated with a few peach slices, and on a one-way trip to the garbage can. I thought about my mother's instructions to eat food even if it tasted like coal because of starving babies in Biafra. "Come on," I thought to myself. "At least take a few bites, you bought it."
A few minutes later, our own bowl of porridge arrived. A slight river of green liquid (anise?) traversed the heap of white, creamy rice. The first bite confirmed that the woman who rejected the dish earlier was an utter fool. The creaminess of the chevre and creme anglaise, coupled with the sweet crunch of the arborio rice and the candied pistachio, was an unexpected treat and a reason to hope this dish is on the menu again. Our eggs seemed bland and uninspired next to this great dish.
— Robyn Nisi /
Half Acre Beer Company met with members of the Northcenter community last night, and officially got the go-ahead from the community to make 4257 N. Lincoln Ave. the home of its new brewery.
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The space would be a brewery only, not a brewpub, but with the Wild Goose Bar & Grill next door, you probably won't have any trouble finding factory-fresh Half Acre on tap.
With the Goose Island brewpub by Wrigley, Metropolitan Brewing building in Ravenswood and Half Acre moving forward in Northcenter, beer fans may soon have a North Side microbrewery beer crawl.
Half Acre is premiering its second beer, Over Ale, at Vas Foremost Liquors, 2300 N. Milwaukee Ave., tonight from 5pm to 7pm. Go get a taste.
— Andrew Huff /
Event Thu Jul 31 2008
Susan Maddox, chef at Le Titi de Paris along with her husband Michael, is teaching cooking classes this summer and fall, some of them for would-be chefs as young as 8. The classes are being held at the restaurant in Arlington Heights (1015 West Dundee Rd., 847-506-0222). The lineup for kids for the fall includes a class on knife skills (very important for young hands) on Sept. 7th, and Spooky Treats on Oct. 5th.
Lessons on knife skills are also being offered for adults, on Sept. 7th and 14th. Learn to make bistro favorites, such as coq au vin and mussels Provencal, on Oct. 12th, or bread-making on Nov. 2nd and 9th.
The classes are two-hours long, and are followed by a three-course lunch, all for $45. Call the restaurant to reserve space.
— Lori Barrett /
In these lean times, I like to brew my own coffee at home to save some change. However, the process can be trickier in the summer when what I really want is iced coffee. Here are some tips I've picked up along the way:
First, the guys at Intelligentsia's Randolph Street location tell me that my brewing method is perfect: I just make a pot of coffee like I always do, nice and strong. They recommend avoiding darker roasts, which don't taste as good on ice.
Once the coffee is ready, I pour a big glass and stick it in the freezer. By the time I'm finished showering, the coffee isn't exactly cold, but it's not piping hot, either. I fill my thermos with ice cubes made from coffee leftover from the previous day, and then pour in my chilled coffee and a spot of half and half.
Lately, I've been sweetening the brew with a homemade almond simple syrup. I bring one-third of a cup of water and one-third of a cup of sugar to a boil, then let it simmer for just a couple of minutes until the sugar dissolves completely. I take the pot off the heat and stir in a bit of almond flavoring to taste.
Incidentally, Intelligentsia's new summer drink, GG's Horchata -- rice milk, espresso, simple syrup and a dash of cinnamon -- is a refreshing change of pace on days when I don't feel like firing up my pot at home.
— Mandy Burrell Booth /
Chefs looking for a place to hone their recipes before opening their own restaurant, catering company or gourmet business have had basically two options: cook at home (or in their current employer's kitchen if they're lucky) or rent space and time in Kitchen Chicago, the shared use kitchen in Ravenswood where such folks as Vella Cafe and Hoosier Mama Pies got their start.
Now there's a third option: Now We're Cookin'. Tucked onto a side street northwest of downtown Evanston, Now We're Cookin' not only has commercial-grade kitchen space available for as little as a four-hour shift, but also a demonstration/event studio where you could either host a class or tape your application for "The Next Food Network Star."
— Andrew Huff /
Northshore, Chicagoland's local distillery, has just announced their summer 2008 limited release -- Alphonso Mango No. 11. Their delicious Distiller's Gin No. 11 has been infused with Alphonso mangoes imported from India.
Bottles will retail around $40 and will begin showing up in bars and stores next week. Their summer 2007 rhubarb ginger gin was excellent and I'm sure this new release will not disappoint.
— Gemma Petrie /
Drink Fri Jun 20 2008
We reported recently that the always enjoyable North Shore Distillery began distilling a new product, Sirène Absinthe Verte. I recently had an opportunity to try this delicious beverage.
Sirène has a beautiful deep emerald hue. The aroma boasts a very pungent anise, with some citrus and pine notes. The highly herbal flavor is spicy and well-balanced. It tastes delicious neat, but is also refreshing in the traditional "La Louche" style. Mix 3 parts very cold distilled water with 1 part absinthe (or alternatively, add 3 ice cubes to your absinthe for a slow transformation). The absinthe will mellow slightly, allowing you to better taste the myriad herbal flavors. It will also take on a beautiful opalescence as it clouds.
You won't experience any of the purported psychoactive effects, but at 60% ABV you could easily get quite drunk.
— Gemma Petrie /
Tonight I made a trip to Kuma's Corner and decided to actually sit out the 45 minute wait, unlike the last time I visited. While studying the menu, I saw that this month's special is "The Chicago City Council," a burger topped with seared foie gras, peaches with sauternes compote, and carmelized onions. I bet it rules. The burger ain't cheap, at $24; Kuma's will donate 10% of its proceeds to MADD , and also writes on their menu board that "[if you want to know why this burger's so expensive], find out when you vote, you filthy hippie." Huh? More highlights of the special burger's description on the menu board include a conditional shout-out to Ted Nugent and an instruction to direct any complaints to the Burning Man website. My meal was great (the fries a little overseasoned), but the next time I want a head-scratching read, I'll pore over the labels on Dr. Bronner's soap. All-One!
— Robyn Nisi /
A prominent sign behind the counter at Joseph's Finest Meats reads, "It's Nice to Be Important, But It's More Important to Be Nice." As soon as our number was called, we could tell that Ben Camarda, the shop's owner, lives by those words.
My sister, Jenny, husband, Brian, and I made the trek from Lakeview to the family-run butcher shop at 7101 Addison St. in Portage Park on Saturday. It was actually Brian's second visit in three days; this Thursday, he took the bus west and came back telling tales of whole cows, prime beef, and astonishing prices. Jen and I had to see for ourselves (plus, we had more meat to purchase for Brian's birthday weekend, also known as Meat Festival 2008.)
Continue reading this entry »
— Mandy Burrell Booth /
Through June 3 (yep, that's Tuesday), Whole Foods is selling mussels for just $3 a pound. Hubby and I bought two pounds for dinner tonight (sounds like a lot, but the shells add up to a lot of waste), and prepared them using the Barefoot Contessa's recipe, featuring white wine, shallots and saffron. Killer. So good that we may go back tomorrow while the gettin's good. Bonus: total cooking time, from prep to serve, is about 40 minutes, and cleanup is super easy since everything cooks in one pot. Be sure to grab a baguette to soak up the broth.
— Mandy Burrell Booth /
A new upscale bar/grill monster will be popping up soon in Logan Square, next to Taqueria Moran at the corner of Milwaukee and California, right off the Blue Line California station. Logan Bar and Grill will be opening sometime this month, and will be run by the same folks who operate Wicker Park's Northside. From what I can see as a passerby, the Logan square bar will look almost exactly the same as Northside, with a huge outside patio and high, wooden-beamed ceilings. Logan Bar will have some competition from the TIF-supported Revolution Brewery, which plans to open a few blocks away by the end of next year.
— Robyn Nisi /
Well, not quite. However, to mark National Hamburger Day on Wednesday, May 28, Patty Burger is holding a Burger Exchange: bring in any burger from any other burger joint, and receive a Patty Burger single with cheese, a regular order of fries and a regular drink. They'll be taking your trade-ins from 11am to 3pm.
Lest you doubt the sincerity of the offer, check out this quote from the press release:
“No one should have to celebrate this special day with a bad burger,” said Patty Burger owner Gregg Majewski. “Give me your tired, your poor, your underweight, overcooked, neglected patties. Bring me your soggy buns, wilted lettuce, under-ripe tomatoes and other tasteless toppings."
— Mandy Burrell Booth /
If you live too far from the Green City Market, why not let the market come to you? Irv & Shelley's Fresh Picks delivery will bring a box full of fresh, seasonal and (mostly) locally grown vegetables to your door once a week or once every two weeks (or on any random Thursday, if you want to order just once to see if you like it.) I received a bimonthly subscription as a birthday gift, and recently I found on my doorstop a box full of this pile of green things pictured above: ramps, scallions, asparagus, spinach, sunchokes and sorrel. My favorite part is getting things I would never have chosen on my own (sorrel?) and figuring out what to do with them. Check out the website to find out if delivery is available in your neighborhood, and never feel bad about missing the farmer's market again.
— Dana Currier /
Let's say you've got a 401K to rollover, your favorite aunt died or you just blackmailed a public official. However it happened, now you're sitting on a pile of money with no place to spend it. Don't lament! You can spend your bankroll on swords, gaucho outfits and huge, huge piles of meat. That's right: you can buy a Texas de Brazil franchise. Just be careful with those swords unless you really want to put the "scar" in churrascaria.
— Shylo Bisnett /
McDonald's will stop cooking with oils containing trans-fat by the end of 2008, Crain's reports.
— Robyn Nisi /
I'm pretty sure that hell is a restaurant of extremely light portions. Small plates. Tiny bundles of food. Hell must be a tapas and cupcake place.
While I try to stay away from such eats, it looks like I may have to break with tradition. Another source of my nightmares will be opening this month in the Gold Coast--More, a cupcake boutique at Delaware and State, will feature cupcake recipes created by pastrysmith Gale Gand. The menu features savory (blue cheese and port, corn with bacon and maple) and of course, sweet (pink grapefruit, creme brulee) cupcakes. While the doors haven't opened yet, the reputation of Gand alone will make this place an accessible success to those of us who could only afford Tru if we sold a major organ. Also, Gand's down with wheat, which you know means she knows how to bake.
— Robyn Nisi /
Ada's is a familiar lunch spot for many East Loop cube-dwellers, who stop in for decidedly straightforward and affordable takes on diner classics, such as matzo ball soup and the turkey club. Worker bees in the know hit up the joint's 14 Karat Lounge (14 S. Wabash) after hours, to get all that Ada's menu has to offer, plus some of that sweet, sweet nectar.
On a recent visit, I wanted my nectar extra sweet, so I ordered a mai tai. Paired with my usual veggie omelette from Ada's menu, it made for a grown-up twist on a.m. OJ and eggs. The ability to order breakfast for dinner with a tropical drink cocktail isn't all the 14 Karat Lounge has going for it. An unpretentious crowd, baskets of buttery popcorn on every table, and perhaps the most enthusiastic, hardest-working bartender in the Loop give the place a special lustre. My only suggestion is that they turn down the music a couple of notches to make the lounge a less deafening option for friends who want to catch up after work over a drink.
— Mandy Burrell Booth /
If your mother is as finicky about her wine as Miles, the main character of the classic wine lovers' flick Sideways, have no fear. Local wine shop and wine school Just Grapes may have the perfect gift just in time for Mother's Day: the Crushpad Fusebox. The Fusebox wine blending kit brings a professional-level wine making experience to the home. Fusebox combines entertainment, education and great wine in a 15-pound box containing everything necessary for a group of four to have fun while discovering how some of the world's greatest wines are blended.
Continue reading this entry »
— Abbey Gillespie /
Drink Mon Apr 28 2008
North Shore Distillery will be releasing their newest product to stores this week -- Sirène Absinthe Verte. Sirène is produced using the traditional ingredients of anise, fennel and grand wormwood, as well as a special blend of herbs and spices.
The distillers recommend drinking Sirène the traditional way; with a 3:1 ratio of water to spirit. They have also put together cocktail recipes on their website for further experimentation.
*Photo from the North Shore Distillery website*
— Gemma Petrie /
There aren't too many diners that I know of that serve as eclectic a menu (PDF) as Glenn's Diner (1820 W. Montrose). Technically, the restaurant is called Glenn's Diner and Seafood House, and they mean it: the place offers breakfast all day, a wide array of sandwiches and salads, homestyle diner dinners like spaghetti and meatballs, and — here's the kicker — more than 16 varieties of fresh fish that on any given day may include mahi mahi, salmon, Alaskan king crab legs, skatewing and shark.
On our recent visit, my husband Brian and I both ordered the $12.95 First Catch Special, available Tuesday through Saturday from 11am to 6pm, and billed on the menu as a half-pound of fresh fish, small salad, cup of soup, roasted red potatoes, and fresh vegetable. We were allowed to select our fish from four or five different options. Brian went with swordfish, and I chose mahi mahi. Despite that his swordfish was slightly overcooked, overall we agreed we got a great deal. The "small" salad is actually quite large, and the "cup" of soup is served in a tall mug. The kitchen substituted potato pancakes for our roasted red potatoes without asking, but we didn't care because the pancakes were crusty on the outside, creamy on the inside, and incredibly flavorful. A large portion of roasted asparagus &mdah; Brian's favorite vegetable — rounded out the plate. There was so much food that I took about half of mine home and made a nice lunch out of it the next day. Needless to say, we had no room for dessert.
We plan to bring my family to Glenn's when they come to town, and Brian already knows what he's going to order: the shrimp po'boy. Me? I'm stuck between the Reuben sandwich and Mediterranean omelet, but either way I'm ordering a side of potato pancakes.
— Mandy Burrell Booth /
Throughout this season's Top Chef, Bleeding Heart Bakery will be creating a cupcake special each Thursday based on the winning flavor combinations of past episodes. At the end of the season, Bleeding Heart will hold a vote for the best "Top Chef Controversial Cupcake of the Week." Current flavor combinations include super spicy chocolate cake with ganache and a "bacon" rose and white chocolate with wasabi.
— Robyn Nisi /
Starfruit opened in Wicker Park today and offered free samples of their new products. Starfruit is owned by Lifeway Foods, which is based in Morton Grove, IL. They offer frozen kefir in plain and pomegranate ($3 -$5), parfaits ($4 - $7) and smoothies ($4 - $7). The 24 topping options ($1 for the first and 50 cents for any additional) range from simple fruits to Vosges chocloate bacon bar bits and Milk & Honey granola. (The small frozen pomegranate with kiwi pictured above would cost you $4).
The shop is bright and colorful and they will offer both front and back outdoor seating in the coming weeks. I'm a fan of Lifeway's kefirs and the frozen pomegranate did not disappoint. It was subtly sweet with a nice texture that could almost make you believe you were eating a creamier dairy. The staff members were not particularly helpful, most notably when a confused middle-aged man inquired about the Brazilian gogi berry topping, but all in all this seems like a great establishment for the summer Wicker Park crowd.
Starfruit Cafe
1745 W. Division
— Gemma Petrie /
My husband and I have lived in our new apartment for about a month, and we love it. But on weekends we've missed being within walking distance of both a good coffee shop and a bakery on par with our old haunt, Dinkel's on Lincoln. This morning, we searched Google Maps in desperation and finally unearthed a solution: a short bus ride down Irving Park Road to Sheridan satisfies both cravings with Emerald City Coffee and Artemio's Bakery.
Continue reading this entry »
— Mandy Burrell Booth /
The empty (and possibly ill-fated) restaurant space located at the base of the Damen Blue Line station (at 1560 N. Damen) that once housed Half and Half and Kaleidoscope is getting a new tenant. Skewerz (yes, with a "z"), which has a surfer-esqe, straw furniture-laden vibe, is opening soon, and a brochure posted in the window advertises its healthy offerings, all of which are served on a...skewer. Good luck!
— Robyn Nisi /
Drink Wed Apr 09 2008
Though the show itself is somewhat annoying, Chicago beer enthusiasts may enjoy this episode of Beer Nutz. The duo visits the Map Room, Goose Island, Piece, the Siebel Institute, Harry Caray's, Sheffield's, and Rock Bottom.
The excellent Randy Mosher becomes their unofficial tour guide and is eventually rated the biggest "beer nut" in Chicago. The Chicago Beer Society also receives some attention.
— Gemma Petrie /
Time Out Chicago announced the winners of their Eat Out Awards on Monday night, with the winners listed in this week's issue. Chefs Rick Bayless and Mindy Segal, and restaurants Sepia, Gibsons and Otom were some of the lucky award recipients. Congrats.
— Robyn Nisi /
Thai Grocery, a tiny ethnic grocer at Broadway and Argyle, is closing its door at the end of April.
It's been in business since 1974, and the owner figures it's time for retirement back in his home country. So, if you're addicted to their fragrant Thong-Ek (small, flower-shaped sweets made of, egg yolk and coconut milk) or sweet-and-spicy curry puffs, you have only a month to grab it. (You could also get some of their sweets in the refrigerated case of the Thai Pastry, a nearby restaurant, which is where I first found the sweet-and-floral Thong-Ek.) I don't know where else in Chicago to get these authentic Thai sweets that I remember from my childhood in Bangkok, so it's quite sad to see them go.
Meanwhile, I know I'm going to be trying their to-go counter in the back of the store, although this, too, might add to my sadness should the food turn out to be as excellent as I've heard it to be. Thai Grocery is located at 5014 N. Broadway.
— Yu Kizawa /
Chicago cookie producer Maurice Lenell might be in for doom. The building that houses the northside bakery and store was sold today to a developer who wants to build a Costco store on the site. The new owners won't take possession until May 2009, so there's no point in getting misty-eyed and buying 40,000 bags of Jelly Stars to last you into retirement, but there's cause for more worry: the Lenell business has filed for bankruptcy and is seeking to be sold or reorganized. Any takers?
— Robyn Nisi /
Pie shop PIE is introducing a coffee service to go along with their pie, and they plan to celebrate with free cups of coffee (Julius Meinl) on Friday, the 14th, until 1 p.m. (After that, coffee will be only 99 cents until closing.) Much better than offering free pie. As Alec Baldwin once made clear on Saturday Night Live, when you give away your pie it makes you look cheap. PIE is at 615 N. State Street.
— Lori Barrett /
Event Sun Mar 09 2008
Tomorrow, March 10, is Founder's Day at Peet's Coffee & Tea. That means a half pound of free beans for every customer who buys a half pound. And, as others Peet's enthusiasts know, a free cup of coffee is always part of the deal when you buy beans (yup, every day of the year.) Alfred H. Peet, the founder of the company, died just this past September, almost 42 years after he opened his first shop in Berkeley, CA. Because it's a California company, there are only two outposts here in Chicagoland: the first, in the city, at 1000 W. North Avenue and the second, in Evanston, at 1622 Chicago Avenue. While not exactly a homegrown, local business, Peet's is, on the whole, more committed to quality and community service than some of those other chain coffee joints out there.
— Dana Currier /
Beer lovers, brace yourselves: thanks to bad weather in Europe and a reduction in crops here in the States, there's a severe shortage of hops, one of the key ingredients in beer. As a result, prices have skyrocketed &mdash as much as 600 percent for rarer cultivars.
The increased costs are squeezing smaller brewers in particular. I recently spoke with Gabriel Magliaro of fledgling Half Acre Beer about the situation.
Andrew: I know your beer is contract brewed in Wisconsin; is this bill being passed on to you by the brewery, or are you purchasing ingredients directly?
Magliaro: "Yes, this bill is being passed on to us by the brewery, and we're lucky that we're contract brewed right now because they have long standing relationships and a bit more buying power than we would have on our own. We're having to buy our entire year's worth of hops now because we need to insure that we can continue to brew our beer without compromising quality. Our brewer is asking us to help them out because they can't afford to absorb this kind of spending and are forced to buy this way. We have been actively searching for hops to buy on our own with the hope of buying for our Over Ale (Half Acre's planned second offering]) and beating the price coming down from our brewer, but have been either unable to find the necessary variety of hop or completely blown out of the water when we have. The Saaz hop that we use for the lager was generally found for about $5 a pound. I was just quoted $30 a pound for hop that aims to mimic its qualities."
Continue reading this entry »
— Andrew Huff /
An all vegan fast food restaurant on the South Side (Mount Greenwood neighborhood) that's known for its vegan takes on gyros, Italian beef, buffalo wings, chili cheese fries and dogs, will soon open its much anticipated North Side location in Wicker Park, at 1300 N. Milwaukee. I rode my bicycle past Veggie Bite's soon-to-be second location yesterday morning, their name and logo prominently and repeatedly displayed in papered windows. (I had long wondered if they would take the iconic one-story building left by Burger King's departure ages ago, on the corner of Milwaukee and Honore, a block south of North and Damen.) Columbia College's Chronicle talks about the restaurant, the differing reactions to its original location, and how they're going for a mainstream eco-friendly appeal with their new Wicker Park address.
Meanwhile, Chicago-area Chicago Soydairy wants you to buy a slice of the vegan pizza that has their new vegan cheese, from the Whole Foods in Lake View at 3640 N. Halsted. Their main product, Temptation Vegan Ice Cream, seems to hold a solid reputation as the vegan ice cream served at several area restaurants, and according to Soydairy, the new cheese melts and tastes great.
— Chris Brunn /
The Reader reports that Lincoln Square fromagerie The Cheese Stands Alone will be closing its doors by the end of this weekend. Owner Matt Parker cites slow business as the culprit, but hopes to reopen the store in another location soon.
— Robyn Nisi /
As many of you know finding good quality meets can be tough, especially when trying to avoid the pitfalls of "factory farming". I just recently placed my first order with Tom Arnold from Arnold's Farm. Tom makes delivers with some regularity to the Chicago area, if not in the city itself.
I'll let the website do most of the talking but I can safely say this is some of the best beef I've had in ages. Most of what I bought was grass finished beef and the taste was amazing. Slightly gamy with a deep crimson color and gorgeous marbling. I also purchased some whole chickens and various other cuts which I have yet to dig into, but just by the color I can tell the chicken is going to be delicious. The breast meat and skin are a nice dark tan/red, not the pasty white you normally find with mass production birds. Tom allows his chickens to follow the grazing rotation of the cows and therefor they only feed on bugs, grass and other critters as they are intended to.
So forget the jokers at Whole Foods and the Stupidmarket, and support a local farmer! We live in a great city, please use these resources we have available.
— Helge Pedersen /
Event Tue Feb 05 2008
Today's the last day to get your paczki from Dinkel's on Lincoln. The fried pillows of sugar, fat and fruit are the traditional Polish food consumed in the few days before the beginning of Lent. Still sticking to the New Year's diet? Check out Joelen's Paczki Palooza and live vicariously through her.
— Meghan Murphy Gill /
For Valentine's Day this year, my husband and I are developing a menu we can cook at home, based on foods we can purchase at independent, Chicago-owned stores. Though not all of our food will be grown or raised locally, we (heart) local businesses, and our menu shows it.
Mussels and seared Ahi tuna will come from Dirk's Fish. We'll stop at Dinkel's Bakery for a nice crusty bread to sop up the garlicky broth leftover from mussels. And the chocolate needed for dessert will come from none other than Vosges. I also noticed Intelligentsia is selling a Valentine's Day-themed coffee, Eros' Blend - a nice morning-after pick-me-up.
— Mandy Burrell Booth /
Soul Vegetarian, the much-loved south side vegan eatery, has opened a second restaurant in Evanston called Life Vegan (1601 Simpson Street, phone 847-869-6379). The new restaurant will serve dishes similar to Soul Vegetarian, but will also add a 6am breakfast service (except Saturdays) for those of you who are looking for your fill of the good stuff.
— Robyn Nisi /
It's been little over a year since the acquisition of convenience store White Hen by 7-Eleven Inc and change has been afoot. I stopped in a re-branded White Hen sometime in the summer and was disappointed with the merger of the two stores; it was more like taking the soul and warmth out and leaving it with a cold, lifeless almost empty shell. I hoped this was only the beginning and the stores would start to liven up after time, but no. As more and more stores are going through "the change" the soul is being lost. Most of the employees I've talked to don't like the change, sighting the coldness as a major factor.
Not much is left from the old White Hen, maybe the coffee and some fresh sandwich selections, but for the most part the former Illinois based convenience store will fade into oblivion marked with strips of red, orange and green.
— Christian Scheuer /
So, how's that New Year's resolution going? You know...the one where you decided to eat healthier? If your resolution needs a bit of encouragement, or if you're looking for a store that supports local merchants, check out this new West Town spot. Green Grocer Chicago, a grocery store featuring organic and locally produced foods, opened yesterday at 1402 W. Grand Ave. Green Grocer Chicago carries items from a variety of well-known Chicago brands, including:
- Fresh baked items from Bleeding Heart Bakery and Bennison's Bakery
- Coffee from Metropolis Coffee Company
- Natural soaps from Abby Brown
- Sandwiches, salads and other to-go items from Greg Christian, "Chicago's Conscious Caterer"
— Bobbi Bowers /
I haven't been sleeping well lately, and at my house, that means we break out the late-night dairy. Cereal with milk, a mug of hot chocolate, or bowl of ice cream all seem to help pave the road to Sleepy Town.
Last night, I slept better than I have in weeks, and I credit not only the hot chocolate I drank an hour before bed time, but also the dream I had about judging an ice cream contest. In my dream, Twinkie ice cream with a hot fudge ribbon edged out hazelnut cookie ice cream laced with Nutella.
Either I'm yearning for my junk-food-tinged childhood or jonesing for the March 7 reopening of Scooter's, Chicago's favorite frozen custard (which, by the way, is hiring).
— Mandy Burrell Booth /
Oak Brook based McDonald’s is set to offer gourmet coffee later in the year, according to The Wall Street Journal.
For some time the fast food giant has been upgrading their coffee offerings as well as spaces in most stores, but now its going to add full on coffee bars complete with baristas. The move will signals the direct competition between McDonald’s and the current coffee dominator Starbucks, who has been encroaching on the breakfast market with the addition of drive-thru windows and breakfast sandwiches.
McDonald’s expects to add $1 billion to annual sales with the addition to its 14,000 stores. This comes as a second blow to Starbucks; Dunkin Donuts' own move toward the espresso market has also been viewed as a threat.
— Christian Scheuer /
My hubby and I did some holiday returns this weekend, and all of those overheated stores and long lines made us hungry. I had dinner plans with a friend, so I just wanted a snack. He hadn't eaten all day, so he wanted something more substantial. To further complicate matters, we were in Old Town, where few options exist besides overpriced bar food and really overpriced fine dining. That's why we were pleasantly surprised when we stumbled upon Old Jerusalem.
I don't know why I've never noticed the place before; it's been a fixture since '76. No matter. I'm glad we found it this weekend. I ordered the combination vegetarian entree, knowing Brian would power down my leftovers. The platter had generous helpings of hummus, tebouleh, and Jerusalem salad; the most delicious and exquisitely smoky baba ganouj I've ever tasted; and three perfectly crispy, piping hot falafil. Brian ordered the shawirma sandwich. The beef and lamb shawirma was tender and, notably, not over seasoned. Plus, the pita was so stuffed with meat and the works that we marveled at how it maintained its structural integrity.
Service was polite and prompt. Despite my dinner plans, I decided it would be worth it to sample Old Jerusalem's sweets. The harisa, a traditional Middle Eastern dessert made mainly of semolina, burst with flavor. Interestingly, the cake was soaked in a milk and honey syrup, as opposed to the more traditional citrus-spiked simple syrup. I like it Old Jerusalem-style, and I'll definitely make a return visit to try the kinafa, which features ricotta cheese, and the baklawa.
— Mandy Burrell Booth /
If you still haven't set a New Year's goal, here's one guaranteed to improve your homecooked meals in 2008: take 15 minutes to inventory your spice rack and toss out anything that's been sitting around since the ball dropped last New Year's Eve.
I know, I know, it's not easy to part with that jar of ground ginger you shelled out $8 for and used three times. But rest assured, you can replace your losses affordably by buying small amounts of spices from bulk bins when the recipe calls for them. Whole Foods has a good selection of spices that turnover fairly quickly, but if you want the real deal, I recommend becoming a regular at The Spice House on Wells in Chicago.
From cacao nibs and whole cloves of nutmeg to Hungarian paprika and a wonderful Chinese Five Spice Powder, The Spice House has the best. They also sell small, airtight jars for a couple of bucks that will lengthen the life of any leftover spices you may want to store. You'll want to check out this great little shop in person to avail yourself of all the free smells and samples, but those who can't make it to Old Town can order online.
— Mandy Burrell Booth /
After only a few short months, Cyberia Café has closed down. It saddens me that an independent coffee shop I recommended, or at least introduced, didn’t make it past the six month mark. The River North shop had a bit of bad luck early on. Someone broke in after hours and stole a large flat screen television as well as some other items — all caught on tape, but as far as I know, the suspect was never apprehended. The window he used to get in has been boarded up since, as the owners insurance wasn’t active at the time of the burglary.
The closure of a coffee shop so soon isn’t all that uncommon, I was once told by a café owner that most independent coffee shops don’t make it past the six month mark, but if and when they do, the chances are much better they will be around for a longer time.
— Christian Scheuer /
A "boutique executive search firm" for non-profits has posted a director position for a three-year Fresh Taste Initiative in order to boost local agriculture and healthy eating. They're looking for someone who's lead projects for 15 years and wants to connect and collaborate with food producers, processors, distributors and consumers in order to get Chicagoland to grow 10% of its food locally.
— Chris Brunn /
If you're like me, you think that most German food is based on a dare. I'm really no hater of the culture; technically, I'm a little bit German--but I'm mostly Italian, which is why schnitzel never made its way to our family dinner table as a kid. As I've branched out my culinary tastes, I've still been unable to really enjoy German food--the breaded, heavily-sauced planks of meat, overcooked vegetables, spaetzle and gallons of other starchy delights have done little to stir my interest. I bravely endured the food of the Berghoff, let other people order for me at the Brauhaus, and made sure my water glass was always full so that I could wash down what I thought was a flavorless eating experience.
But as hunger makes a great sauce, as my mother once said, the cold weather combined with the food offerings at the Christkindlmarket at Daley Plaza (between Washington, Clark & Dearborn Streets) makes for a good lunch hour meal. Milwaukee restaurant Mader's has a booth with very good Reuben rolls, local bakery Dinkel's is selling stollen, and of course, many of the other booths are selling beer, which makes the second part of the workday more enjoyable. The Market also has a fair amount of onsite seating, despite the season. Christkindlmarket is open daily from 11am-8pm (11am-9pm on Friday and Saturday) until December 24, so make a stop before it ends.
— Robyn Nisi /
One of the worst decisions I have ever made was to carry Carson's ribs with me on a plane. My older sister, a former Chicagoan who lived in the Boston suburbs, asked for them one Thanksgiving, and while I was happy to make the journey with meat in my suitcase, the badly packed ribs endured a cold, dry trip that erased their flavor and texture within hours. Tonight, as I went through the 12 catalogs that find their way to my mailbox each day, I came across something that made me rethink my next holiday gift to my sister. Tastes of Chicago, the brainchild of Lou Malnati's, is a nifty catalog that features Chicago-centric food, such as Malnati's pizza, Eli's cheesecake, and Garrett's popcorn, for mailing. It's not cheap, but the food will get there safely and properly. The pickings are very Chicago--not a vegetable in the lot--but it has a lot of neat gift ideas. If you want to give the motherload of all gifts, fork over (hee hee) $900.00 for a year's pass to the Taste of the Month Club, where you can get anything from a load of Vienna Beef, my beloved Carol's Cookies, or filet mignon from Wildfire for your monthly dining pleasure. Or guilt.
— Robyn Nisi /
A second location of the Wrigleyville restaurant Uncommon Ground is set to open in early December at the corner of Glenwood and Devon in Rogers Park. The restaurant will still have their signature food and live music. A very nice part of this is that the restaurant plans to start a program next year that educates neighborhood school children about locally grown and home made food, and plan to take it a step further by building sustainable and organic garden on the restaurant's rooftop. And for the less eco-minded, the place has free parking. Everybody wins.
— Robyn Nisi /
Eatzi's Easygoing Gourmet in Lakeview is shutting its doors for good in a week. Until then, they're offering 30% off on all that's left on their shelves and in their refrigerators, including wine and beer. They emptied out their warehouse today, so there should be a good selection of wine for the holidays on the shelves tomorrow. Elsewhere, the store is starting to look pretty bare, but you might be able to score some nice chocolates or cookies for holiday host gifts or to help add another layer of warmth for the winter.
— Lori Barrett /
Newcity Chicago's latest paper edition features a "selective indie coffeehouse guide," helpfully organized by neighborhood. The collection of reviews is fun to read. Did you know there's a coffeehouse in Ukrainian Village where you can take tango lessons several nights a week? Or that you can get a tamale, Viennese breakfast, or even sushi with your coffee at shops around town? Despite the loss of institutions like Filter in Wicker Park, it's nice to see that so many indies are still serving it up hot and quirky in Chicago.
The Web version of the Newcity's guide is more extensive -- though my one minor gripe is that I wish it linked to the coffeehouses' Web sites, when available, so readers could more easily check out the menu and hours of operation.
— Mandy Burrell Booth /
There are rumors that Chipotle is giving out free burritos on Halloween ... if you show up dressed as a burrito. There's nothing on the Chipotle web site to confirm, but those in the know at Chowhound say it's true. And that all you need to look like a Chipotle burrito is a bit of aluminum foil on your person.
— Lori Barrett /
Franchised coffee shops don't seem to be doing to well in Chicago, with the Coffee Beanery on Damen breaking ties and becoming the independent Bucktown Beanery and now the apparent closure of Saxbys Coffee. The Saxbys Coffee on the corner of Jefferson and Lake was seized by the Cook County Sheriff's Department recently and the location, as well as the local Saxbys Training Facility, is no longer listed on the Philadelphia based companies website. A Plano store is open and operating, but a second location in Chicago was to open on North Clark but never came to fruition. From what little information I was able to gather, the owners or manager of the Lake Street store may have had issues in regards to paying employees — as in not paying them. Saxbys has been billed as an alternative to the corporate giant Starbucks — a location of which is coincidentally across the street.
UPDATE 7/26/09: John Larson, former owner of Saxbys Coffee, contacted us and offered the following letter of explanation regarding this case:
I am John Larson, Founder of Saxbys Coffee. Many posts have appeared after this article was written and I wanted to take this opportunity, given to me by the Editor of Gapers Block, to set the record straight.
I started Saxbys Coffee in Windsor, Colorado in January 2004. The concept was simple; a coffee shop which would eventually rival Starbucks Coffee. At the time there were no other coffee shops which were expanding aggressively and as a result Starbucks began raising prices on their products often and offered less service (they actually stopped stirring the drinks). Saxbys Coffee was designed to give superior customer service at a price which was lower than Starbucks. I used my over $400,000 of my own money to grow this company (which I would never get back).
In order to challenge Starbucks we would have to franchise the business and grow through Area Developers (mini-franchisors of Saxbys Coffee). This was not in any way a get rich quick scheme as one post states on this page and was a legitimate business set up to catch up to Starbucks in half the time it took Starbucks. For the most part the first two and a half years were successful for everyone.
Due to personal family issues I stepped down as an Officer and Director of Saxbys Coffee in September 2006 and Nick Bayer was voted in as Sole Director and Sole Officer which effectively gave Nick Bayer total control over Saxbys Coffee. Nick Bayer went on a rampage and set out to cancel many Area Developer contracts and close down many franchises that Nick Bayer felt remained loyal to me.
Nick Bayer then, as Sole Director and Sole Officer of Saxbys Coffee, fraudulently sold all the assets of Saxbys Coffee (which totaled over $6,000,000) for a mere $5,000 down and $300,000 to be paid in three years to Saxbys Coffee Worldwide LLC which is a corporation formed by Joe Grasso just days before the fraudulent sale. Joe Grasso "rewarded" Nick for his part in this "sweet deal" by giving Nick a job as President of the "new" Saxbys Coffee along with bonuses and jobs for Nick Bayer's father, mother and best friends. They were all given back pay as an added incentive.
One of the first actions the new Saxbys Coffee did was to stop paying rents and employees at all Chicago locations in an apparent effort to embarrass me (I lived in Chicago and the new Saxbys Coffee was in Philadelphia). As a result all the landlords evicted Saxbys Coffee in the Chicago locations.
Nick then continued his "witch-hunt" for all the other Area Developers and franchisees he wanted closed and Nick succeeded in ruining many lives through financial devastation (including mine).
Please take the time to read everything that happened with Saxbys Coffee and you will find that everything "bad" happened AFTER I stepped down in September 2006. Also please take note that I have filed two lawsuits against Nick Bayer, Joe Grasso, and Saxbys Coffee Worldwide, LLC for the fraudulent sale. One case is in the Chicago Circuit Court in Illinois (filed in July 2007) and the other is in Philadelphia and was filed this year. I will provide court case numbers and witnesses to anyone who asks.
This ordeal has financially devastated me, my family, my friends, and several hard working and honest Area Developers and franchisees that put their trust in Saxbys Coffee. Stepping down and giving Nick Bayer control was my mistake and one which I will regret for the rest of my life.
The court cases will go on (justice is slow) but we (the shareholders of Saxbys Coffee, Inc.) will be victorious. As a side note, ne of the reasons the court in Chicago is taking so long is because Nick Bayer, Joe Grasso, and Saxbys Coffee Worldwide, LLC, refuse to pay their attorneys. As a result the attorneys fire Nick Bayer, Joe Grasso, and Saxbys Coffee Worldwide, LLC. As their clients and the judicial system allows several months for new lawyers to be acquired and get caught up to speed o the case. This has happened on three occasions already.
People like Nick Bayer and Joe Grasso should be sitting in jail with the other fraudulent executives who cheat honest people.
I am including my email address and cell phone number for anyone who wants or needs additional information. I am doing this because I have nothing to hide, I am not afraid of any slander lawsuits as I only tell the truth, and I have documents to back up everything I say. My cell number is 312-515-9272 and my email address is johnlarson[at]jetgroup7[dot]com. Feel free to contact me regarding anything in this case.
To the bloggers who post things when they don't know the facts, I have one simple question. Why don't you use your real first and last name when you recklessly slander someone with no regard for the tole it takes on their life? You don't because you're afraid of a slander lawsuit because what you say is not the truth. My hope is that the readers of this article take that into consideration when reading the mean spirited posts following this article.
Sincerely,
John Larson
UPDATE 2: Comments have been closed.
— Christian Scheuer /
During the Andersonville Dessert Crawl toward the end of September, I had a chance to get a glimpse of the Coffee Studio, a yet-to-open high-quality coffee shop in the northern fringe of Andersonville. In a word, the experience was stunning. The deep, narrow space that combines exposed brick walls and beautiful natural wood, was comfortably strewn with simple, clean furniture. A white, low-hanging ceiling in the middle gave the space an even stronger sense of depth and coherence. It was beautiful. (For the unfortunate who didn't make it to the Crawl, their blog has a few photos of the beautiful interior.) And the coffee they offered as a part of the Crawl was fantastic.
It was Intelligentsia's Ethiopian Yirgacheffe, which (shamefully) we'd never tried before. It seemed that the owner-baristas brought out the Ethiopian Y's (as we called the unpronounceable beans) incredible floral note to the fullest. That floral and citrusy first note was so pronounced that I at first thought my palate might have been off, because of all the sugar intake up to that point (remember, it was a dessert crawl), but that was how the amazing coffee really tasted. After having been accustomed to Metropolis' and Intelligentsia's good-quality coffee varieties, I honestly didn't think that I would be blown away again with coffee, but here I was, burbling my amazement rather redundantly to Miguel (one of the owner-baristas), who patiently shared with me his excitement with the coffee. They know what they're doing with their coffee, that's for sure.
According to them, the Coffee Studio hopes to open its doors to the public in a few weeks, when they get all the utilities hooked up, etc. Given the oh-I-could-sit-here-all-day-long interior and the extremely good coffee they brew, I'm finding it rather difficult to wait for the X day. Even more difficult, once the day comes, would be to not go there every day just to be in that space with a blank, euphoric stare.
— Yu Kizawa /
Wrigley just became the coolest candymaker in the world. The American Dental Association has given their Orbit, Extra and Eclipse gums their heralded Seal of Approval for being as effective as brushing teeth in dental care.
— Robyn Nisi /
The always-irresistible Pasticceria Natalina, a Sicilian bakery in Andersonville, is closed for vacation till the 15th. (The sign on the door says they're away for a family wedding in Italy--sounds like fun!) So, we'll have to hold off those after-dinner gelato strolls, and I bet it'll be even sweeter when they come back.
— Yu Kizawa /
The flagship Ann Sather on Belmont is closing temporarily, as soon as next month. Alderman Tom Tunney has sold its building and has begun renovation on 909-913 W. Belmont, the building just east of the entrance to the Sather's parking lot (and former home of the alderman's service office).
So what's going into the old building? Well, upstairs has already being converted into the latest home to ComedySportz, and downstairs? Word is, Panera Bread. Sigh. The suburbanization of Chicago continues.
Incidentally, this isn't the first move for Ann Sather. The diner has been in at least a couple other spots along Belmont, including next door to the current location. Though it certainly looks like 929 W. Belmont has always been a Swedish diner, it was originally a funeral home -- and it's possibly haunted. Many Sather employees say they've heard footsteps and doors closing in the empty upstairs (where the embalming room once was) after hours.
— Andrew Huff /
Drink Thu Aug 30 2007
Intelligentsia is raising the prices of their drinks. Like Starbucks , Intelligentsia is citing rising costs of milk, paper goods and other raw material for the price hike. The Chicago institution hasn’t raised prices in some time, and it is something they don’t take lightly; the increase is between five and nine cents, a mere drop in the coffee cup. The average retail price of a gallon of whole milk in August was $3.87, and depending on what report you’ve read, the price may go above four dollars in the fall.
— Christian Scheuer /
Imagine you're vegetarian. Now imagine, you don't eat marshmallows. Typically, they contain gelatin to make them jell, and often gelatin is derived from animals. Now image that a friend hands you two 8.5 ounce boxes of mashmallows. They've vegan. And they're from Cincinnati. But the label says New York.
A friend and I were lunching at the Art Institute's gardens, when he handed me the boxes. He'd just returned from visiting our friend's new green general store in Cincinnati. Dan Korman recently left his job in Chicago advocating for bicycling to start Park + Vine in his beloved home town. The grand opening came June 1 with a packed store, both full of Dan's friends and with a man who came down from his apartment above the store to by shavers. Park + Vine also sells bamboo-cotton apparel, handbags, local artwork, cleaning supplies and vegan shoes. But they also sell Sweet & Sara Marshmallow Meltaways. And they're vegan, just like everything else in the store, whether it's labeled so or not. Veg News named these marshmallows Product of the Year in 2006, saying the "self-described 'dessert snob' Sara Sohn has reinvented the vegan marshmallow." They're fluffy and a bit chewy - as you'd expect a marshmallow to be - and they're packed with a full sweet flavor. Now, I'm off for some graham crackers and dark milk-free chocolate. Look for Park + Vine in the September 2007 issue of Veg News. And look for me with my face full of chocolate from s'mores.
— Chris Brunn /
The only way to start a birthday is with a special meal, which is why I hauled my cookies this morning up north to Andersonville to ring in a new year with friends at M. Henry. As usual, this place did not disappoint.
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— Robyn Nisi /
It's so addictive that some people refer to it as "Crackberry" and although it hopped from the west coast (in L.A., where it all began) to the east coast earlier this year, opening 3 locations in New York City, I don't see the frozen yogurt chain Pinkberry coming to Chicago any time soon. I could be wrong, though. Cupcakes hit the windy city hard after taking off in L.A. and New York, so anything is possible. In any case, we Chicagoans are not as likely as New Yorkers or Angelinos to break down the doors of a food establishment offering such "healthy" treats. There is a whole controversy brewing over what exactly is in the sweet substance Pinkberry hawks in 5 oz., 8 oz. and even 13 oz. tubs.
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— Dana Currier /
I first ate at a Cosi franchise more than five years ago in New York City. Like my fellow Drive Thru contributors, I was impressed by their piping hot flat bread, samples of which were free for the taking on a platter near the giant open stone oven. I returned sporadically to other NYC locations and then to the new location that opened in my hometown in Connecticut last summer. I've also made a few trips to the downtown Chicago locations, to several of the locations in the loop and to the one at Rush and Grand. I was really expecting not to be let down when I visited one of the newer stores in the city, at Clark and Webster. Sadly, I don't think I'll be going back.
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— Dana Currier /
On a recent trip to Oak Park, I found the Marion Street Cheese Market, tucked into a corner behind the vast construction site that is Marion Street right now. The shop is small but chock full of wine, fondue pots, gourmet condiments, and dairy products, of course. The staff was eager to help, offering samples and plentiful advice on putting together a cheese plate for a small dinner party. They even had an open bottle of wine on hand to sip while tasting the cheese.
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— Dana Currier /
According to Nations Restaurant News magazine, the McCormick Place convention center has awarded a consortium of Chicago-based businesses a 10-year, $300 million contract to provide food and catering services. Levy Restaurants and Phil Stefani Signature Restaurants Co. will each split a 45% share with the remaining 10% going to the minority-owned Airport Restaurant Management Inc. The consortium beat out the competing bids of firms from Philadelphia and Buffalo only a few months before the old contract (held exclusively by Levy Restaurants) was set to expire. The new contract goes into effect September 1st.
Say what you will about the snooze factor of this news, but as far as I'm concerned any move that eases Aramark's (the contender from Philly) ruthlessly efficient grip on America's palate is a good thing. These guys are the Donald Trump of lowest common denominator dining. If you've been underwhelmed by the grub in ballparks, hospitals or prisons, chances are you've had the privilege of chowing down on Aramark's uninspiring fare. Keeping this contract local is not only good for Chicago's economy, but good for Chicago's gastronomy. (Should I trademark that line?)
— Bryan Delano III /
I was at the Millennium Park location of Intelligentsia recently when I learned about a horrible disaster that fell upon El Cuervo.
El Cuervo is Intelligentsia's original blend of two Guatemalan coffees: HueHuetenango and Fraijanes. "The Fraijanes contributes a rich bakers chocolate and cocoa sweetness that is complemented by the energetic ripe fruit acidity of the HueHue," says their site. Sounds fantastic, but there'll be no Cuervo for us this year.
According to a friendly barista whom I talked to, this year's crop of El Cuervo did arrive in a Louisiana port, but had been completely damaged by some sort of machine oil spilled all over it. The next year's crop is nearly a year away. While the Quetzal breakfast blend sounds like it has similar notes of chocolate and berries, I'm thinking of getting the El Cuervo t-shirt to show my support...
— Yu Kizawa /
The new Strack and Van Til grocery store is open in the old Cub Foods space at 2627 N. Elston Ave! I took a quick swing through there today – it’s pretty nice! Its your average grocery store, but it sure is nice to see everything brand spankin’ new…I picked up a turkey roll-up sandwich for lunch – not bad for a pre-made grocery item under 5$ - loaded with turkey, and had a nice creamy dill sauce. They had sushi rollers hard at work in the seafood department (which looked nice), and I sampled a California roll, which was good, for supermarket sushi. The liquor department was depressingly empty, but I am sure they will have that up and running soon.
— Mary Smith /
The first few warm weekend afternoons seem to reawaken ice cream cravings in almost everyone. Many people are lured into Windy City Sweets by the promise of ice cream, but it's the candy that keeps them lingering in the store. The selection is mind-boggling, with a wall lined with bins of loose candy that can be bought by the pound and shelves upon shelves of old favorites, like Fun Dip, Nerds, and Sixlets - essentially, your dentist's worst nightmare. There's even a small outdoor seating area where you can relax and watch the world go by on Broadway as you enjoy your teeth-rotting treats. There's nothing like sugar to make a spring afternoon that much, well, sweeter.
— Dana Currier /
Julius Meinl, the Austrian coffee company whose only American outpost is located in Wrigleyville, has been stealthily infiltrating the city. Their jams and jellies are already prominently on display at The Chopping Block. Sweet Occasions, a cafe known for its ice cream and pastries, will begin serving Julius Meinl coffee at its two current locations (in Andersonville and on Damen under the brown line el stop) and at a third which is slated to open on Bryn Mawr in the near future. Meanwhile, according to Chicago Magazine's Dish newsletter, the Viennese company plans to open a second "kaffeehaus" in the old Block 44 space at 4365 N. Lincoln. Looks like the little "Meinl coffee boy" and his red fez are here to stay.
— Dana Currier /
Just in time for the holiday weekend, the Chopping Block is offering free sharpening for up to two of your knives at any of their locations on Friday, April 6 between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
— Robyn Nisi /
Store Tue Apr 03 2007
The mozzarella tank at Caputo's Cheese Market
One of the hidden gems of the western suburbs is Caputo's Cheese Market. Behind the strip malls at North Avenue and 15th in Melrose Park, Caputo's occupies a converted warehouse that still looks a lot like a warehouse on the outside. Inside, however, you can find a refrigerated cheese room with all manner of imported cheeses at bulk prices -- the best deals are probably on the Italian stuff, but there's cheese from all over the place, with an excellent selection of cheeses from Eastern Europe. Best of all, they make their own fresh mozzarella and ricotta, and it's very affordable.
Besides the refrigerated cheese room, Caputo's also has a bakery with delicious fresh pizza, a deli counter with dozens of Italian and Eastern European selections, and great deals on imported pasta, tomatoes, olive oil, vinegar, and (of course) Italian wine.
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— Paul Goyette /
… but without enough time or confidence to do it, help can be had. The Chicago area now has a store-front DIY kitchen where busy cooks can prepare their own meals, and a seasoned cooking instructor ready to transform would-be chefs, their kitchens and their pantries into lean, mean cooking machines.
Dinner by Design, a food prep kitchen, has opened a local branch in Lakeview. They offer two types of service: You can swing by and pick up a frozen entrée and sides from their well stocked freezer, or you can schedule a time to come in and spend about two hours preparing enough meals to feed you and your friends or family for most of the month ahead. They also schedule parties. You can go with a group of friends, bring a bottle of wine and socialize as you assemble lasagna or bread fish fillets.
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— Lori Barrett /
McDonald's, our local neighborhood fast food shack, is in the news again — aw hell, when is it not? In what will likely become a recurring series, here's a run-down of the latest coverage from the media and blogosphere:
• The Trib has a cozy profile of Mary Dillon, the company's chief marketing officer, featuring one of the longest headlines I've ever seen.
• McDonald's is investing about Rs.30 million (that's rupies; about $680k) in upgrading delivery service in India. (Amazingly, about a billion people can call one toll-free phone number — 66-000-666 — to have fries and a shake delivered.)
• The anticipated McAngus third-pound burger is revealed, and in a surprise move McDonald's is testing it in California instead of the Midwest.
• And in Saratoga Springs, one franchisee is testing an upscale restaurant design.
Not all the coverage is so rosy, though.
• McD's wants the OED to soften its definition of "McJob." The company doesn't think "an unstimulating, low-paid job with few prospects, especially one created by the expansion of the service sector" is really so fitting. The rest of the world begs to differ.
• Meanwhile, Al Nye the lawyer guy asks, "so what's really in a McNugget?"
• And the fast food giant is wading into the Cola Wars, testing offering Coke fountain products and Pepsi non-carbonated drinks in some stores in Texas and Kansas City.
— Andrew Huff /
When I was a kid, proper nutrition was an iceberg lettuce salad drowning in italian dressing, and spinach was something Popeye ate. The Kid's Table is trying right the wrongs of my parents' generation, offering classes for kids in nutrition, cooking, and food art. Classes for parents are also offered in topics such as making your own baby food, and how to raise healthy eaters.
— Robyn Nisi /
I've eaten thousands of cookies in my day in search of the best. I've gone to the best bakeries, made doughy messes in my tiny kitchen, and looked high and low online for the best recipes (that pricey Neiman Marcus Cookie recipe wasn't worth the paper I printed it out on), only to be disappointed.
But then I met Carol. Carol's cookies.
First of all, these bulky cookies are 4 inches across and 2 inches high, which means that you and your buddy (or you, on a bad day) can polish the thing off. The chocolate chip cookie is amazing, with its soft vanilla and butter flavor topped off with milk chocolate chips (and I actually don't like chocolate that much but make an exception for these). I'm also fond of the sugar and cinnamon swirl varieties, but the list of what Carol's make runs far longer.
Carol Goldman runs her baking business out of Highland Park, and you can find her cookies at a number of places in the suburbs and city (the website has a full list). These cookies run around $2.50 apiece, so while it will set you back a bit, it's worth it. Really, really worth it.
— Robyn Nisi /
Sam's Wine and Spirits was quietly sold today to one of the family members and a group of outside investors. The store has been family owned and operated by the Rosen family since its humble beginnings on the Near North Side in the 1950s. Youngest brother, Brian Rosen, and his financial backers have purchased his brother Darryl's interest in the company and seem to be making changes rather quickly. Eight employees were let go this week, which continues a trend of many key staff members giving notice or receiving pink slips over the last three months. No word yet as to whether they intend to make changes to the business model or how the selection or service will be affected.
— Christine Blumer /
A recent AP article documenting the concept of tourism centered around food made me wonder where I can join out-of-towners who forego the museums and shopping for the eating. My search led me to Chicago Food Planet, which leads three-hour walking tours of several North-side restaurants and food shops. While the site won't reveal the specific stops on the tour, the vague descriptions (e.g. a "fudge specialty shop," a "Chicago-style pizzeria") were telling enough--a trip to Spring won't be on the menu, but if you have relatives or friends in town and want to avoid the common tourist destinations, this might be a good alternative.
— Robyn Nisi /
This morning, Chicago Public Radio's 848 featured an interesting interview with David Greising, the chief business correspondent for the Tribune, on Kraft and Sara Lee, two of Chicagoland's biggest corporations.
Although Chicago foodies may be more likely to hit up a Mexican grocery store for ingredients to make chile con queso rather than using the "convenience product" Velveeta or bake a pie from scratch instead of parousing the frozen desserts section at Jewel for a prefab Sara Lee dessert, the future of these two companies is something worth speculating about.
The link to the "Monday Morning Business Update" is here.
— Meghan Murphy Gill /
In a memo, Starbucks chairman Howard Schultz warns of “The Commoditization of the Starbucks Experience,” citing automatic espresso machines, bagged flavor-locked coffee and, what I find interesting, the cookie cutter design of stores and the loss of the soul of the past, the Starbucks on your corner will more than likely look just like the Starbucks in Evanston or Deluth. The automatic espresso machines takes away all the art of making an espresso, just push a button and the machine does all the work. With Starbucks' 13,100 company, joint-venture and licensed outlets worldwide, approximately 360 in the Chicago area, it’s not hard to see his point. In the last 10 years, Starbucks has grown from 1,100 stores to the staggering 13,100 with plans to open even more in the coming year. I am not a big fan of the big chain coffee shops; I prefer to visit independent shops in and around Chicago, of which I’ve only scratched the surface.
— Christian Scheuer /
Chocolate is not hard to come by in Chicago. But like wine, coffee, and cheese, quality varies enormously. Unfortunately, if you want the good stuff, you've got to be willing to pay. I found that out the hard way at bon bon in Andersonville. The tiny store is warm and inviting, and the chocolates are displayed immaculately in a glowing glass case. Many of the pieces are dusted with sparkly "luster" powders, which further enhance the sheen of their smooth chocolate surfaces. These are really tiny works of art.
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— Dana Currier /
A friend of mine attended a demonstration cooking class at The Chopping Block in the Merchandise Mart this past weekend. Because it was Chinese New Year, dim sum was on the menu. Chef Ariel Bagadiong prepared shrimp dumplings, sesame seed balls, vegetable gow dumplings, and BBQ pork buns for a hungry audience.
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— Dana Currier /
News Mon Feb 19 2007
Both the Tribune and Sun Times reported last week that Wisconsin-based Roundy's is coming to Chicago. The chain will be opening the first of a hoped for 13 in the New City YMCA property near the shopping corridor at North and Clybourn. Another possible location is the Carson's building on State Street, in which there is talk about a "food emporium."
Roundy's CEO, Robert Mariano, is a Jefferson Park native and a former CEO of Dominick's. He lost his position when California-based Safeway took over the local grocery chain. He'd been with Dominick's for 27 years. Now he's back on the radar and told the Sun Times that opening Roundy's locations in some of the 14 Dominick's slated to close would "make a lot of sense."
I've never been to a Roundy's (or Pick 'n Save, Rainbow Foods, or Copp's - the other three names under which it operates), so I don't really know whether Chicagoans will welcome the new addition. What do you think? Can we expect more overpriced produce and boxes of cereal, or is Roundy's going to up the ante?
— Meghan Murphy Gill /
After the acquisition of Lombard-based White Hen by 7-Eleven Inc. last August, there was a bit of speculation as to whether the locale chain of convenience stores would retain the name. As you may have noticed in recent 7-Eleven commercials, White Hen is mentioned in a coffee promotion if only briefly — apparently Chicagoans prefer White Hen coffee to that of 7-Eleven. It appears now that franchise owners have been asked to sign a letter of intent to change to 7-Eleven or get out, and by out you are no longer a franchisee and you lose your store.
Yet another venerable Chicago-area brand bites the dust.
— Christian Scheuer /
