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.)
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- Mandy Burrell |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 coincidently across the street.
- 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 |
