Foodporn Fri Jan 01 2016
Friday Foodpic: Roasted Corn
Picture by Renee Rendler-Kaplan from the Drive Thru Flickr Pool. Take care.
— Robyn Nisi
Gapers Block has ceased publication.
Gapers Block published from April 22, 2003 to Jan. 1, 2016. The site will remain up in archive form. Please visit Third Coast Review, a new site by several GB alumni.
✶ Thank you for your readership and contributions. ✶
TODAY
Wednesday, March 26
Foodporn Fri Dec 18 2015
Friday Foodpic: Eataly
Picture by KevinIrvineChi from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Sun Dec 13 2015
Friday Foodpic: Chicago Botanical Garden
Submit your pics to the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Dec 04 2015
Friday Foodpic: Chriskindlmarket
Picture by Gary Eckstein from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Sun Nov 29 2015
Foodpic: Bryn Mawr Breakfast Club
Submit your pictures to the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Nov 20 2015
Friday Foodpic: Noodle Kugel
Picture by Lucy Rendler Kaplan from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Nov 13 2015
Friday Foodpic: Portillo's
Picture by Renee Rendler-Kaplan from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Nov 06 2015
Friday Foodpic: Wyler Road
Submit your pics to the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Oct 30 2015
Friday Foodpic: Caramel Apples
Picture by Lucy Rendler Kaplan from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Oct 23 2015
Friday Foodpic: Pearl's Place
Submit your pictures to the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Oct 16 2015
Friday Foodpic: Go Cubbies!
Picture by Renee Rendler Kaplan from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Oct 09 2015
Friday Foodpic: Red Popcorn
Picture by Seth Anderson from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Oct 02 2015
Friday Foodpic: Stuffed Pumpkin
Picture by Mel Hill Photography from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Sep 25 2015
Friday Foodpic: Pioppino Mushroom
Picture by Seth Anderson from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Sep 11 2015
Friday Foodpic: Pulled Pork
Submit your pics to the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Sep 04 2015
Friday Foodpic: Superdawg
Picture by Renee Rendler Kaplan from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi / Comments (1)
Foodporn Fri Aug 28 2015
Friday Foodpic: Peaches
Picture by Renee Rendler Kaplan from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi / Comments (1)
Foodporn Fri Aug 21 2015
Friday Foodpic: Top Notch Beef Burger
Submit your pics to the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Aug 14 2015
Friday Foodpic: Dogs
Picture by Dan Gaken from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Aug 07 2015
Friday Foodpic: No Ramen, No Life
Picture by Seth Anderson from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Jul 31 2015
Friday Foodpic: Expat
Picture by Adrienne Cragnotti from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Jul 24 2015
Friday Foodpic: Corn!
Picture by Renee Rendler-Kaplan from the Drive Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Thu Jul 16 2015
Friday Foodpic: Original Rainbow Cone
Picture by Adrienne Cragnotti from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Jul 10 2015
Friday Foodpic: Strawberries, End of Season
Submit your food pics to the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Jul 03 2015
Friday Foodpic: Evanston Farmers Market
Photo by Renee Rendler Kaplan from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Jun 19 2015
Friday Foodpic: m. henry
Breakfast Bread Pudding by yours truly. Add your pics to the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Jun 12 2015
Friday Foodpic: Lou Mitchell's
Submit your pictures to the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Jun 05 2015
Friday Foodpic: The Allis @ Soho House
Picture by Adrienne Cragnotti from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri May 29 2015
Friday Foodpic: Bitter Melon
Picture by Renee Rendler Kaplan from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri May 15 2015
Friday Foodpic: Doughnut Vault Truck
Picture by Brule Laker from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri May 08 2015
Friday Foodpic: Meatball Sub from Pompei
Submit your pics to the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri May 01 2015
Friday Foodpic: Roeser's
Pic by Adrienne Cragnotti from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Apr 24 2015
Friday Foodpic: Cutting Pasta
Picture by Seth Anderson from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Apr 17 2015
Friday Foodpic: Manhattan
Picture by Seth Anderson from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Apr 10 2015
Friday Foodpic: Grange Burger Hall
Picture by Adrienne Cragnotti from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Apr 03 2015
Friday Foodpic: Easter Egg Pregame
...and a happy Passover, too. Picture by Mel Hill Photography from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Mar 27 2015
Friday Foodpic: Lost Lake
Picture by Drew Baker from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Mar 20 2015
Friday Foodpic: Zeppoles
Zeppoles from Ferrara's Bakery in honor of the Feast of St. Joseph. Submit your pictures to the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Mar 06 2015
Friday Foodpic: Meat!
Picture by Mel Hill Photography from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Feb 27 2015
Friday Foodpic: Pho from Pasteur
Picture by deep blue skies from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Thu Feb 19 2015
Friday Foodpic: Romanesco Cauliflower
Picture by Swankslot from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi / Comments (1)
Foodporn Fri Feb 13 2015
Friday Foodpic: Get Your Plate Ready
Picture by Renee Rendler-Kaplan from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Feb 06 2015
Friday Foodpic: Cannoli
Picture by Adrienne Cragnotti from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Jan 30 2015
Friday Foodpic: Donut Fest 2015
Last Sunday's Donut Fest at Chop Shop was filled to the brim with folks like myself; it was nice to finally be around my fellow donut-lovers in a place where we can let loose and just be ourselves. The panel of judges gave their unanimous approval to a lovely vanilla raised donut from Firecakes; the audience favorite was a doughssant from West Town Bakery (I personally loved the Goddess and Grocer's contribution, a red velvet with lemon cream cheese frosting, pictured atop the plate). Good times.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Jan 23 2015
Friday Foodpic: Plein Air Cafe
Picture by Drew Baker from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Jan 16 2015
Friday Foodpic: Bagels & Bialys
Picture of New York Bagel and Bialy by Karen Christensen from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Jan 09 2015
Friday Foodpic: The Best of 2014
Now that the tree is down, here's a few of the best things we ate this past year.
Jen Bacher and I had a wonderful Thanksgiving Eve dinner at Portage Park's Leadbelly. The Easy Rider burger (pictured), a tower of bacon, sriracha pickles, BBQ sauce and cheddar was just incredible and took me back the good ol' days, when waiting three hours for a table and the Mastodon burger at Kuma's Corner was worth it. Leadbelly is smaller, but has an impressive beer list and for the non-drinkers, makes milkshakes. A second location is in Gladstone Park; make the trip.
A second place that Jen and I both nominated is Logan Square's El Habanero; of special note is their pambazo, a torta-like griddled Mexican sandwich covered in brick-red guajillo salsa, which gives the outer bread a hue that looks foreboding to those who panic at the suggestion of spice, but instead has a mild but robust taste. The service was extremely gracious, and the horchata made eyes at me from across the room. It's a great addition to the neighborhood.
Brandy Gonsoulin:
At 42Grams, Jake Bickelhaupt's attention to detail and use of interesting yet familiar flavors, textures and concepts along with wife and general manager Alexa Welsh's hosting skills (Welsh essentially narrates the journey that Bickelhaupt orchestrates during your two and half hours) leaves you with small bites of memories that you're somehow still reflecting on months later.
I fell in love with mfk my first night over a bowl of spring peas in a cozy underground corner in a small part of the world. Since tasting the original menu, the newer shrimp papaya salad, burgundy snails and now the fideous continues to prove my original wonderlust right.
I have yet to test my initial impression further at Salero, but if my $13 grilled octopus with smoked espuma, potato, fried olives. pickled mustard seeds, puffed quinoa and black onion powder was a glimpse into what the team is capable of, disappointment isn't one of them.
Andrew Huff:
I loved the rich, savory tonkatsu broth at Strings Ramen in Chinatown. The crispy kurobuta pork belly adds delicious textural contrast to the firm but tender noodles. Swish the nori sheet through the broth, savor its salty sweetness, then start slurping.
All the way up on Howard Street, on the Evanston side, is Ward Eight, a little gem of a cocktail bar far from the trendier parts of town.The menu honors the classics while throwing in interesting new takes and a couple originals, and the bartenders are always happy to go off-menu as well. The vibe is relaxed and comfortable, the service is friendly, and the limited food menu hits the spot after a drink or two.
Danielle Snow:
High Five Ramen: unbeatable ramen in a low-key environment that stays open late enough for industry folk to enjoy after work. Also: gigantic (canzilla!) beers!
Lagunitas: free tasting tours. Incredible space. And delicious beer! A welcome addition to Chicago's brewery scene.
Judy Wu:
Parachute is a great "fusion" restaurant because they truly blend cuisines in way that respects old traditions while creating new ones. Their "bing" is a classic example of that. The bing is a Chinese staple that is already so delicious and perfect that I was surprised by how much sour cream and potatoes elevated the dish.
Bohemian House is Eastern European food done right. Every dish was exceptionally well-flavored and balanced, and the cuisine makes it stand out from its River North counterparts.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Dec 26 2014
Friday Foodpic: Pomegranate-Braised Short Ribs
Picture of my family's dinner last night; I recommend it.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Dec 19 2014
Friday Foodpic: Chanukah Chocolate
Picture by Renee Rendler Kaplan from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Dec 12 2014
Friday Foodpic: Stan's Donuts
It's delicious, that's what it is. Submit your pics to the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Dec 05 2014
Friday Foodpic: Pasta
Picture by Mel Hill Photography from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Nov 21 2014
Friday Foodpic: Manny's
Picture by Adrienne Cragnotti from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Nov 14 2014
Friday Foodpic: Buddha's Hand
Picture by Seth Anderson from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Nov 07 2014
Friday Foodpic: White Truffles
Picture by Mel Hill Photography from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Oct 31 2014
Friday Foodpic: TONIGHT!
Picture by Mel Hill Photography from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Oct 24 2014
Friday Foodpic: Pleasant House Bakery
Pic by yours truly; submit your own foodventures to the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Oct 17 2014
Friday Foodpic: Le's Pho
Picture by Road2Nowhere from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
This weekend is Open House Chicago, a great (and free!) way to see buildings all over the city (businesses, churches, etc.) that normally aren't open to the sniffin' of public folk. The Reader has some nice suggestions on where to eat between gawking at buildings; food or no food, take advantage of this event. It's worth it.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Oct 10 2014
Friday Foodpic: Ramen
Photo by Mel Hill Photography from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Oct 03 2014
Friday Foodpic: The End
Picture by Andrew Huff from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Sep 26 2014
Friday Foodpic: Last Saturday @ Hot Doug's, 9:10am
Picture by Cecile-Anne Sison.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Sep 19 2014
Friday Foodpic: Purple Cabbage
Picture by Renee Rendler Kaplan from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Sep 12 2014
Friday Foodpic: Sweet Mandy B's
Pic by yours truly from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Sep 05 2014
Friday Foodpic: Tomatoes
Image by cgmethven from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Aug 29 2014
Friday Foodpic: Lettuce
Photo by swanksalot from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Aug 22 2014
Friday Foodpic: Hops!
Pic by garyegary from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Aug 15 2014
Friday Foodpic: Red Haven Peaches
Picture by Renee Rendler Kaplan from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Aug 08 2014
Friday Foodpic: It's a Revolution!
Picture by Dan Gaken from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Aug 01 2014
Friday Foodpic: Soul Bowl from the Chicago Diner
Image from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Jul 25 2014
Friday Foodpic: Tomatoes are Coming
Picture by Renee Rendler Kaplan from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Jul 18 2014
Friday Foodpic: Fish!
Pic by Renee Rendler-Kaplan from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Jul 11 2014
Friday Foodpic: Salad
Picture by Mel Hill Photography from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Jul 04 2014
Friday Foodpic: Cherries
Picture by swanksalot from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Jun 27 2014
Friday Foodpic: Cocktails
Image by swanksalot from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Jun 20 2014
Friday Foodpic: D'Amato's
Picture by brule laker from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Jun 13 2014
Friday Foodpic: Peas
Picture by Mel Hill Photography from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Jun 06 2014
Friday Foodpic: Green Street Smoked Meats
Picture by yours truly from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri May 30 2014
Friday Foodpic: Mushrooms
Picture by Lucy Rendler Kaplan from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Thu May 22 2014
Friday Foodpic: Shrimp Po' Boy
Picture by Road2Nowhere from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Thu May 15 2014
Friday Foodpic: Your Table is Ready
Picture by Renee Rendler Kaplan from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Picture by yours truly.Foodporn Fri Apr 25 2014
Friday Foodpic: Pho 888
Picture by Road2Nowhere from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Apr 18 2014
Friday Foodpic: Jello Slices
Picture by Gary Eckstein from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Apr 11 2014
Friday Foodpic: A-1 Donuts, Sheridan Red Line Station (Closed)
Picture by Bill Guerriero from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi / Comments (1)
Foodporn Fri Apr 04 2014
Friday Foodpic: It's Gonna Happen
Picture by Lucy Rendler-Kaplan from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Thu Mar 27 2014
Friday Foodporn: Bubble and Squeak
Picture by Drew Baker from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Mar 21 2014
Friday Foodpic: Tortas Frontera
Picture by Felicia from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Mar 14 2014
Friday Foodporn: Happy Pi(e) Day!
Picture by Mel Hill Photography from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
To celebrate this day of pie, head to Atlas Brewing Company (2747 N. Lincoln) tonight for a Pie Day Beer and Pie Throw Down--yes, pie and beer. The folks at Atlas, along with Hoosier Mama, Bang Bang Pie Shop, and Sugar Pie Cafe, will be serving flights of the sweet and sudsy stuff, with participants getting to vote for their favorites. Event runs 5:30-7:00pm; tickets $31.40 (naturally).
Also, stop in at Hoosier Mama today and enter a raffle for a whole year's worth of pie.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Mar 07 2014
Friday Foodporn: Pleasant House Bakery
Picture by drew in chicago from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Feb 28 2014
Friday Foodporn: Chopper
Picture by benchorizo from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Feb 21 2014
Friday Foodporn: Loafin'
Picture by Mel Hill Photography from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Feb 14 2014
Friday Foodporn: Love is All Around
Picture by Renee Rendler Kaplan from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Feb 07 2014
Friday Foodpic: Ramen Misoya
Picture by Mel Hill Photography from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Jan 31 2014
Friday Foodpic: Gung Hay Fat Choy!
Bakery in Chinatown; picture by yours truly. To celebrate the Year of the Horse, the Lunar New Year Parade kicks off at 1pm Sunday in Chinatown. Additionally, Redmoon Theater will be holding a free celebration Saturday evening in the Crystal Ballroom at Navy Pier.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Jan 24 2014
Friday Foodporn: Terrine
Picture by Mel Hill Photography from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Jan 17 2014
Foodporn: Armagnac Hot Toddy
Picture by swanksalot from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Jan 10 2014
Friday Foodporn: Ice Cream from Pho Tau Bay
Picture by Gary Eckstein from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Jan 03 2014
Friday Foodpic: Orange and Strawberry Juice
Picture by Renee Rendler-Kaplan from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Dec 27 2013
Friday Foodporn: Buche Noel
Photo by Mel Hill Photography from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Dec 20 2013
Friday Foodporn: The End of Dominick's
Picture by Jeremy Lawson.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Dec 06 2013
Friday Foodporn: Eataly Focaccia
Picture by deep blue skies from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Nov 29 2013
Friday Foodporn: Happy Thanksgivukkuh
Picture by Renee Rendler-Kaplan from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Event Wed Nov 27 2013
An Evening at a Food Porn Party
Last week, Kendall College (900 N North Branch) hosted the fourth annual Chicago Food Film Festival. Each of the festival's four days had a separate theme (two on Saturday) and Friday's was the Food Porn Party. It was all about pleasure: these films featured extreme, juicy close-ups of food.
Mark Klebeck's "Old Fashioned Salted Caramels" had me salivating for the featured doughnut drizzled with caramel and sea salt. Matt Checkowski's two films, "Beer Braised Ox Cheek" and "Mixed Berries, Three Ways" were shot against a crisp black background, making the food pop with color. Strawberries shimmered like rubies and hunk of raw ox meat looked elegant.
Six of the ten films had a food pairing, including the featured food in Checkowski's films. We also tasted the Paloma cocktail from "Paloma," the Mandorlato from "That's Mandorlato!" and beer fondue from "Fondue." My favorite though, was that doughnut from "Old Fashioned Salted Caramels." It tasted like like cake and fried bread had a love child, and then decked out in caramel sauce and sea salt. The whole audience moaned while eating this, or I just did, very loudly.
— Christina Brandon
Foodporn Fri Nov 22 2013
Friday Foodporn: Hot Dogs
Picture by swanksalot from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Nov 15 2013
Friday Foodporn: Kiwifruit
Picture by Renee Rendler-Kaplan from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Nov 01 2013
Friday Foodporn: Quiche
Picture by garyegarye from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Oct 25 2013
Friday Foodporn: Sous Vide Pork Belly and Chicharrón
Dish from IPO at last night's It's Raining Cats and Dogs Benefit for the Anti-Cruelty Society at Galleria Marchetti. Picture by Jen Bacher.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Oct 18 2013
Friday Foodporn: Argus Brewery
Picture by deep blue skies from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Oct 11 2013
Friday Foodporn: October
Picture by Renee Rendler Kaplan from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Oct 04 2013
Friday Foodporn: Apples
Picture by Renee Rendler-Kaplan from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Sep 27 2013
Friday Foodporn: Grape Soda Float, Southport Grocery
Picture by Drew Baker from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Sep 20 2013
Friday Foodporn: Biscuit at endgrain
Photo by deep blue skies from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Sep 13 2013
Friday Foodporn: Jeni's Ice Cream with Shagbark Gravel
I'm a slow adapter to most things, but I have hopped right on board with the arrival of Jeni's ice cream to the city (try to stop by tonight's preview party--or even better, when her Roscoe and Southport store opens Saturday). Pictured is my favorite concoction so far, topped with a sweet and salty crumble of corn chips (which Jeni's lovingly calls "gravel"). Summer doesn't have to end after all.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Sep 06 2013
Friday Foodporn: Buzzin' Berries
Picture by Renee Rendler Kaplan from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Aug 30 2013
Friday Foodporn: Happy Labor Day
Celebrate safely and enjoy.
— Robyn Nisi / Comments (1)
Foodporn Fri Aug 23 2013
Friday Foodporn: Black Bass from North Pond
Image by swanksalot from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi / Comments (1)
Foodporn Fri Aug 16 2013
Friday Food: Tomatoes
Photo by Mel Hill Photography from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Aug 09 2013
Friday Foodporn: Doughnut Peaches
Picture by Renee Rendler Kaplan from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Aug 02 2013
Friday Foodporn: Candy
Image by Bill Guerriero from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi / Comments (1)
Bar Sun Jul 28 2013
Bull & Bear's Dog Days of Summer Event
In honor of Hot Dog Week, I went to Bull & Bear's Dog Days of Summer event to sample their neighborhood-inspired dogs, and despite my general excitement, I was admittedly apprehensive. You see, I believe Jesus himself invented the classic Chicago-style dog: a beef frankfurter nestled in a soft bun, topped with white onions, relish, pickles, tomatoes, and mustard. No fucking ketchup. There's something delightful (pornographic even) about pushing this bread-enclosed sausage into your mouth, condiments oozing down your chin like nobody's business.
Nonetheless, I couldn't very well miss an opportunity to eat hot dogs, so I made my way to River North to try Bull & Bear's creations. I ordered the "Frank Plank" (a flight of all five specialty dogs in miniature form) and a side of their Parmesan truffle fries.
— Judy Wu
Foodporn Fri Jul 26 2013
Friday Foodporn: Key Lime Pie
Image by Renee Rendler-Kaplan from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Jul 19 2013
Friday Foodporn: Peach Tart
Picture by Mel Hill Photography from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Jul 12 2013
Friday Foodporn: Funnel Cakes
Picture by Gary Eckstein from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
Farmers Market Watch:
It's not a market , but the parking lot of Pritzker Elementary (Damen and Evergreen) turns into a weekly outdoor food court of sorts beginning this Saturday (through October); the NOSH will have eats from places such as Pecking Order, First Slice and Mixteco Grill. Free admission; runs 11am-6pm.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Jul 05 2013
Friday Foodporn: Beets
Picture by Renee Rendler-Kaplan from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
Farmers Market Watch:
Devon Community Market opens Saturday (monthly, 10am-2pm, 2720 West Devon); the Chicago Botanic Garden's Green Youth Farm Stands start Wednesday in two locations (9am-1pm at 3750 W. Ogden and 555 E. 51st St.); Pullman also starts Wednesday (Arcade Park, 111th and S. Cottage Grove, 7am-noon); and the City Farm Market Stand opens next Friday (1-5:30pm, corner of Clybourn & Division ).
— Robyn Nisi / Comments (1)
Foodporn Thu Jun 27 2013
Friday Foodporn: Squash
Picture by Mel Hill Photography from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
Farmers Market Watch:
West Humboldt Park starts Saturday (3601 W. Chicago, 10am-3pm).
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Jun 21 2013
Friday Foodporn: Veggie Pizza
Picture by Lucy Rendler Kaplan from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
Farmers Market Watch:
Southport Green Market opens Saturday (8am-noon, Grace and Southport); on Sunday, the South Shore Farmers Market (Rainbow Beach, 3111 E. 77th St., 1-5pm) and Garfield Park Conservatory Farmers Market (100 N. Central Park, 11am-4pm) opens.
Columbus Park (Central and Harrison, 2-7pm) opens Tuesday; La Follette Park (1333 N. Laramie, 2-7pm) opens Wednesday.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Jun 14 2013
Friday Foodpron: Coffee Break
Picture by Renee Rendler-Kaplan from the Drive-Thru Flickr Group.
— Robyn Nisi
Event Mon Jun 10 2013
Great Chefs Tasting Party
I was fortunate enough to be invited to the Great Chefs Tasting Party, a fundraising gala for the United Cerebral Palsy Association of Greater Chicago (UCP). In case you didn't know, cerebral palsy is a "disorder of movement, muscle tone or posture that is caused by injury or abnormal development in the immature brain, most often before birth...People with cerebral palsy often have other conditions related to developmental brain abnormalities, such as intellectual disabilities, vision and hearing problems, or seizures." (Mayo Clinic). UCP has been helping CP individuals and their families since 1951, providing a variety of different services including professional development and educational programs:
"We help a child with cerebral palsy use technology that lets her speak for the first time. We help a man unable to use his hands or arms learn to do his own laundry and prepare his own meals. We help a woman in a wheelchair roll down her new ramp and back into the community." (UCP website)
The organization does amazing things for the CP community, and their food lineup did not disappoint. There were nearly 40 different participants, and while I could go on and on about each, some of my favorite highlights can be found after the jump...
— Judy Wu
Foodporn Fri Jun 07 2013
Friday Foodporn: Chives and Ant
Picture by Mel Hill Photography from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri May 31 2013
Friday Foodporn: Tomatoes
Picture by Renee Rendler Kaplan from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
Farmers Market Alerts:
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri May 24 2013
Friday Foodporn: Grillin'
Picture by Mel Hill Photography from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
Farmers Market Watch: the Pilsen Community Market opens for business Sunday (1800 S. Halsted, 9am-3pm).
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri May 17 2013
Friday Foodporn: Green City Market
Image by Renee Rendler-Kaplan from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
FYI, the outdoor session of the Logan Square Farmers Market begins Sunday (10am-3pm, Logan and Milwaukee).
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri May 10 2013
Friday Foodporn: Macarons
Image by vintage everything from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri May 03 2013
Friday Foodporn: Terrapin Sundae from Margie's Candies
Image by Lucy Rendler-Kaplan from the Drive-Thru Flickr Group.
— Robyn Nisi / Comments (1)
Foodporn Fri Apr 26 2013
Friday Foodporn: Orange Garden
Picture by Pink Kitty Studios from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi / Comments (1)
Foodporn Thu Apr 18 2013
Friday Foodporn: Kaufman's Bagel and Delicatessen
Picture by Renee Rendler-Kaplan from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Apr 12 2013
Friday Foodporn: Lawrence's Fisheries
Picture by Renee Rendler Kaplan from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Apr 05 2013
Friday Foodporn: Pasta
Picture by Mel Hill Photography from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Mar 29 2013
Friday Foodporn: Peeps
Picture by Renee Rendler-Kaplan from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Mar 22 2013
Friday Foodporn: The Fruit Aisle
Picture by Christopher Methven from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Mar 15 2013
Friday Foodporn: Shamrock Pasta
Image by Mel HIll Photography from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Mar 08 2013
Friday Foodporn: Nachos
Picture by pinkkittystudios from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Mar 01 2013
Friday Foodporn: Shrimp, Preserved Garlic and Rosemary
Picture by Mel Hill Photography from the Drive-Thru Flcikr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Feb 22 2013
Friday Foodporn: Ann Sather's
Image by pinkkittystudios from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Feb 15 2013
Friday Foodporn: Frances' Deli
Image by Renee Rendler-Kaplan from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Feb 08 2013
Friday Foodporn: Champagne
Picture by Mel Hill Photography from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Feb 01 2013
Friday Foodporn: Bridgeport Restaurant
Image by Christopher Methven from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Thu Jan 24 2013
Friday Foodporn: Jin Ju
Image by Road2Nowhere from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi / Comments (1)
Foodporn Fri Jan 18 2013
Friday Foodporn: Cookies!
Picture by Renee Rendler-Kaplan from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Jan 11 2013
Friday Foodporn: Ba Le
Picture from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Jan 04 2013
Friday Foodporn: Where Art Thou
Image by Christopher Methven from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Dec 28 2012
Friday Foodporn: Happy Holidays
Image by Christopher Methven from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi / Comments (1)
Foodporn Fri Dec 21 2012
Friday Foodporn: Edible Christmas
Image by Renee Rendler Kaplan from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Dec 14 2012
Friday Foodporn: Warmth
Picture by Renee Rendler-Kaplan from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Dec 07 2012
Friday Foodporn: Potato Pancakes
Picture by Lucy Rendler-Kaplan from the Drive-Thru Flickr Group. Happy Hanukkah!
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Nov 30 2012
Friday Foodporn: Stop & Drink
Photo by Brule Laker from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Nov 16 2012
Friday Foodporn: Rahm's Reserve
Picture by swanksalot from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Nov 09 2012
Friday Foodporn: Bread
Image by Mel Hill Photography from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Nov 02 2012
Friday Foodporn: The New York Style Needs a Chicago Boost
Help out your fellow foodies in the Northeast who have been affected by Sandy and her wrath. Here are some food-related charities that could use your love (and cash, as those are often intertwined): City Harvest, Food Bank NYC, Citymeals-on-Wheels, and the Community Food Bank of New Jersey. And of course, the Red Cross and Salvation Army are on the scene and can use help.
Picture by Kim and Chris Knight.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Oct 26 2012
Friday Foodporn: The Everchanging Rock
Photo by Renee Rendler-Kaplan from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Oct 19 2012
Friday Foodporn: Baker and Nosh
Picture by deep blue skies from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Oct 12 2012
Friday Foodporn: Apple Pie! Apple Pie! Apple Pie!
Picture by me from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool. If you love apple pie, head to Sunday's Bucktown Apple Pie Fest at Holstein Park (2200 N Oakley, 2-5pm); music, fun for the kids, and pie--lots of glorious apple pie--await you (as you can see from the above submission from last year's event).
DT Staffer Clarisa Ramirez and I will be among the judges, along with Hoosier Mama's Paula Haney, pastry chef Malika Ameen (ByM Desserts), and Alpana Singh (of the forthcoming Boarding House). Event benefits Friends of Holstein Park.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Oct 05 2012
Friday Foodporn: Pumpkins
Image by Mel Hill Photography from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Sep 28 2012
Friday Foodporn: Aguacate
Image by Renee Rendler-Kaplan from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi / Comments (1)
Foodporn Fri Sep 21 2012
Friday Foodporn: Peppers
Image by deep blue skies from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool; submit your pics.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Sep 14 2012
Friday Foodporn: Sweet Dumpling Squash
Image by Renee Rendler-Kaplan from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Sep 07 2012
Friday Foodporn: Bari Foods
Image by deep blue skies from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Aug 31 2012
Friday Foodporn: Grapes!
Image by Renee Rendler-Kaplan from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Aug 24 2012
Friday Foodporn: Yellow Cherry Tomatoes
Picture by Mel Hill Photography from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi / Comments (1)
Foodporn Fri Aug 17 2012
Friday Foodporn: Friends
Image by Erin Nekervis from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi / Comments (1)
Foodporn Fri Aug 10 2012
Friday Foodporn: Squash Blossoms for Sale
Picture by drew*in*chicago from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Aug 03 2012
Friday Foodporn: Miss Pac-ki
Picture by ChicagoGeek from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool. Submit your pics!
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Jul 27 2012
Friday Foodporn: A Sign of the Times
Picture by Renee Rendler-Kaplan from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Jul 20 2012
Friday Foodporn: Dinner
Image by Elizabeth Ann Wright-Clark from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool, which is beginning to see the light. Submit your pics.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Jul 13 2012
Friday Foodporn: Scotch Bonnets
Photo by Christopher Methven from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool, which is celebrating the many things we have to celebrate. Add your pics!
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Jul 06 2012
Friday Foodporn: Martini
Image by Mel Hill Photography from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool, which is hoping and praying that the air conditioner is in it for the long haul this weekend. Send your pics!
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Jun 29 2012
Friday Foodporn: Shrimp with Sugar Cane from Sticky Rice
Image by Road2Nowhere from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool, which went outside in the furnace-like heat for a few minutes and is a little proud of itself. Submit your pics.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Jun 22 2012
Friday Foodporn: Radish
Image by Mel Hill Photography from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool, which is gonna hold its breath if you don't submit your food pics. It's that simple.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Jun 15 2012
Friday Foodporn: Strawberries
Picture by Renee Rendler-Kaplan from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool, which is preparing to keep it real. Submit your pics.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Jun 08 2012
Friday Foodporn: CSA Box
Image by Vera Videnovich of Videnovich Farms from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool, which begins a monthlong binge on golden cherries today. They're like little yellow orbs of amazing, you know?
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Jun 01 2012
Friday Foodporn: Lettuce Wrap
Image by Denise Lu from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool, which waits at the door, longing for your pictures of barbecues, farmers markets, and street festivals.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri May 25 2012
Friday Foodporn: Flank Steak
Picture by Mel Hill Photography from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool, which is is dusting off the grill and heading out for charcoal. Submit your summer eating pics!!!
— Robyn Nisi
Restaurant Mon May 21 2012
Aesthetic Italian at Due Lire
Living in Lincoln Square, one hardly wants for formidable dining options within easy walking distance -- but in the last few years since I've moved to the neighborhood, Italian cuisine seems to be missing a truly worthy representative in the area. Trattoria Trullo and La Bocca Della Verita, both on Lincoln Avenue, are both flatly fine options -- nothing fancy, nothing taste-bud numbingly amazing, but nothing that tastes like its major components couldn't have come out of a freezer either. Just solidly mediocre. And while the area boasts some outstanding pizza (Spacca Napoli what up!), sometimes you just want a bowl of noodles and red sauce -- and have it not taste like something you (or Chef Boyardee) put together on your own stove.
Due Lire opened on Lincoln a year or so ago, offering a classic Italian mix of appertivo, small plates, pastas, and mains, and while it took me a while to finally visit, I will gladly return when the pasta-craving strikes from now on. While the staff wavers a bit between charming and aggressive, and both dining room and back patio are cozy but nothing to write home about, the food is gorgeous.
— Andie Cavedo
Foodporn Fri May 18 2012
Friday Foodporn: Pate de Fruit
Picture by Laura Sant from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool, which is stocking up on dry goods and bottled water in anticipation of this weekend's NATO. Submit your pictures! And stay inside.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri May 11 2012
Friday Foodporn: Pizza Guy
Picture by Renee Rendler Kaplan from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool. Submit your pictures!
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri May 04 2012
Friday Foodporn: Avocado Salad
Image by Mel Hill Photography from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool, which is celebrating Derby Day and Cinco de Mayo at the same motherfricking time.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Apr 27 2012
Friday Foodporn: Mitsuwa Marketplace
Image by yours truly from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool; it'll make you sweat. Submit your pics.
— Robyn Nisi / Comments (1)
Foodporn Fri Apr 20 2012
Friday Foodporn: Cookies!
Picture by cgmethven from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool, which doesn't know what they did before discovering pink salt. it goes with everything! Submit your pics.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Apr 13 2012
Friday Foodporn: Petersen's Ice Cream
Picture by Frederick J. Nachman from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool, which is scouring the aisles in search of better Easter candy. Submit your pictures and heavily discounted Peeps.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Apr 06 2012
Friday Foodporn: Lou Malnati's
Image by Drew Baker from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool, which loves Easter, but loves pizza more.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Mar 30 2012
Friday Foodporn: Clementines
Picture by Mel Hill Photography from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool, which is drinking its fourth cup of coffee this morning. Work, darnit! Submit your pictures of food, restaurants, or foody restaurants.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Mar 23 2012
Friday Foodporn: Ramova Grill
Image by Katherine of Chicago from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool. The Ramova Grill, which has been in business for 83 years, closes April 14, so get down there (3510 South Halsted) while you still can for their famous chili.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Mar 16 2012
Friday Foodporn: Basil Seeds
Image by Mel Hill Photography from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool, which is half-Irish. Erin go submit your pictures to our pool!
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Mar 09 2012
Friday Foodporn: Yuzu
Image by Mike Innocenzi from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool. Submit your pics; they'll come to life if you do. Free food!
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Mar 02 2012
Friday Foodporn: Shelly's Freeze
Image by Rachel Freundt at the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Feb 24 2012
Friday Foodporn: Restaurant Week @ Naha
Picture of Parfait of Coconut Cream, "Ruby Red" Grapefruit, Toasted Meringue and Spiced Rum from Naha's Restaurant Week menu from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool. Pay attention--Restaurant Week ends Sunday!
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Feb 17 2012
Friday Foodporn: Donut Head
Picture from drew*in*chicago from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool. Submit your pictures! Your friends will admire you!
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Feb 10 2012
Friday Foodporn: Heart Pasta
Picture by Mel Hill Photography from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Feb 03 2012
Friday Foodporn: Fish Taco
Picture by Alexandra Moskovich from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool. Submit your pics!
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Jan 27 2012
Friday Foodporn: Bonsoiree
Image by Brandon Harris from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Jan 20 2012
Friday Foodporn: Food Carts
Image by Brule Laker fro the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool, which is getting ready to make snow angels!
We love to look at food as much as we love to eat it--contribute your pictures of food, restaurants, cooking disasters, etc.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Jan 13 2012
Friday Foodporn: Fish and Chips
Image by drew*in*chicago from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool, which is trying to figure out the best volunteering opportunity for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Jan 06 2012
Friday Foodporn: Fishy Stuff
Image by Mel Hill Photography from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool, which wishes you a happy 2012.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Dec 30 2011
Friday Foodporn: Don't Drink & Drive
Renee Rendler-Kaplan shares an important reminder in the Drive-Thru flickr pool. Have a happy and safe new year!
— Andrew Huff
Foodporn Fri Dec 23 2011
Friday Foodporn: Cookies
Image by Mel Hill Photography from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool. If you've got eatin' to do, photograph it and send it to us!
Whatever you're celebrating in the coming days--Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Solstice, my brother's birthday--celebrate happily and wisely.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Dec 16 2011
Friday Foodporn: Coffee Beans
Picture by swanksalot from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool, which is participating in another frickin' cookie exchange this weekend. Submit your pics, please...
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Dec 09 2011
Friday Foodporn: Bodega No. 5
Image by deep blue skies from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool. Submit your pics!
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Dec 02 2011
Friday Foodporn: Xoco
Image by KayOne73 from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool, which wants you to add your food pictures, stat!
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Nov 25 2011
Friday Foodporn: Leftovers
Image by Mel Hill Photography from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool, which hopes it was good. Submit your pictures of your holiday massacre!
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Nov 18 2011
Friday Foodporn: MingHin Beef Shortribs Hotpot
Image by andrewc from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool. Submit your pics!
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Nov 11 2011
Friday Foodporn: The Depot American Diner
Image by deep blue skies from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool. Thank a vet today!
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Nov 04 2011
Friday Foodporn: Fritatten Soup from Austrian Bakery
Image by deep blue skies from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool, which just figured out what is in fritatten soup--and likes it. Submit your pics!
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Oct 28 2011
Friday Foodporn: Mummy Cookie
Image of mummy cookie from Swedish Bakery, from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool. Submit your pictures!
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Oct 21 2011
Friday Foodporn: Brussel Sprouts
Picture by Mel Hill Photography from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool, which will be soaking in a warm bath of caramel this evening. Submit your pictures!
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Oct 14 2011
Friday Foodporn: Kingfisher
Image by Brandon Harris from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool, which is eating its weight in candy corn this week.
— Robyn Nisi / Comments (1)
Foodporn Fri Oct 07 2011
Friday Foodporn: Apples
Image by Renee Rendler-Kaplan from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool, who wrote this on a Mac.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Sep 30 2011
Friday Foodporn: Lobster Spring Roll
Image by swanksalot from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool, which is in the middle of a pumpkin-eating contest right now (and winning!) Submit your pictures.
— Robyn Nisi
Chicago Gourmet Tue Sep 27 2011
Things We Saw and Ate at Chicago Gourmet
The fourth annual Chicago Gourmet treated patrons this past weekend to another slightly damp, but mostly bright and temperate weekend of wine splashes, tiny bites, and of course ubiquitous bright red totes of swag.
In addition to such memorable morsels as NoMI's cheddar polenta with chard and onions (so creamily sweet and mild it almost could have been a savory dessert) and braised pig tails from the Purple Pig (fall-off-the-vertabrae-tender, topped with shredded hard-boiled egg, bathed in a fennel-dosed sauce), there were logistical improvements this year that really caught my attention. Plywood sheets replaced those perforated rubber sheets to give attendees surer footing on the wet grass; the line structure had been changed so that multiple vendors could be sampled in one trip through a pavilion, rather than a separate queue for each; a plastic plate with a notched space for your glass joined the gratis wine glass everyone received at the gates.
These seem like small things, but the overall impression I took away was that the event, potentially one of the bigger (and in the past, inflated) line items in the yearly foodie budget, seemed sort of...worth it. Case in point: a cocktail seminar not only introduced guests to the finer points of making a Manhattan, but sent everyone away with a bar set to get them started mixing drinks at home. And for the first time this year, I heard a CG patron say those two magical words that mark the end of a great meal: "I'm full."
Here are some of the sights and bites that made us feel full this year:
All photos by Joanna Ericson and Andie Thomalla
— Andie Cavedo
Foodporn Fri Sep 23 2011
Friday Foodporn: Cruciferous Vegetables
Picture by Renee Rendler-Kaplan from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool, which is having a welcoming party for fall tonight. Keep on submitting your pictures!
— Robyn Nisi / Comments (2)
Foodporn Fri Sep 16 2011
Friday Foodporn: Apple Cider from the Aviary
Picture by lauren*o from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool, which is wearing several layers of warm clothing this morning. Brrr.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Sep 09 2011
Friday Foodporn: Heirlooms Up in Here
Image by Joe Marinaro from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool. Submit your pics! All the kids at the cool table do it.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Sep 02 2011
Friday Foodporn: Onions
Image by Mel Hill Photography from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool. Add your pictures, because SUMMER IS NOT OVER YET. Say it with me!
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Aug 26 2011
Friday Foodporn: S'Mores Lollipops from the Starving Artist Benefit
Picture by Andrew Huff from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool. Submit your pictures of eating outside in this beautiful weather!
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Aug 19 2011
Friday Foodporn: Apples Growing
Image by oceandesetoiles from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool, which wants you to add your pictures so that it has something to focus on while those damn Air and Water Show rehearsals go on outside.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Aug 12 2011
Friday Foodporn: Donuts!
Image by Debbie Carlos from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool, which confronted its ex-boyfriend on a very special episode of "Cheaters" last weekend. Submit your pictures so that we can move on from that fool Larry.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Aug 05 2011
A Very Special Friday Foodporn: Next's Tour of Thailand
After a long afternoon of repeatedly refreshing my browser several weeks ago to get into Next's ticket system, my tenacity paid off last night. Enjoy.
Street snacks: roasted banana, prawn cake, sweet shrimp and garlic, fermented sausage, and steamed bun. The banana packed flavor, and the shrimp was wrapped in a mint leaf that set the stage for an incredible meal.
Hot and sour broth, pork belly, tomato, ginger. The chunks of pork belly were like little treasure chests of flavor. Good stuff.
Chili, shallot, garlic, salted duck egg, green mango, white radish pickles. This is where things got dicey for me, as it was full of heat and spice landmines. The chili sauce and radish pickles were the high points.
Catfish, caramel sauce, celery, coriander root. I expected much more from this dish, given the flavors. Next!
— Robyn Nisi / Comments (1)
Foodporn Fri Jul 29 2011
Friday Foodporn: Great Lakes Erie Monster
Image by Michael Kiser at the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool, which is putting on sunblock and bringing a big bottle of water to this weekend's Milwaukee Avenue Arts Festival! Visit the GB table!
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Jul 22 2011
Friday Foodporn: Raspberries
Image by Renee Rendler-Kaplan from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool. Add your pics! They're all pretty and stuff.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Jul 15 2011
Friday Foodporn: Churros from Xoco
Picture by KayOne73 from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool. Add your pics because it's summertime and the living is easy.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Jul 08 2011
Friday Foodporn: CSA Pizza
Image by lauren*o from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool, which is currently eating a lot of blueberries. Submit your pics!
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Jul 01 2011
Friday Foodporn: Happy Fourth
Enjoy this weekend, stay out of the heat, wear sunblock, drink water, and don't forget to tag the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool in your food pics. It's an American thing to do.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Jun 24 2011
Friday Foodporn: Garlic Scapes and Pals
Image by swanksalot from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool, which is a nice, cool place to drop off your own pics of food.
— Robyn Nisi / Comments (3)
Foodporn Fri Jun 17 2011
Friday Foodporn: Sizzle
Image by Brandon from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Jun 10 2011
Friday Foodporn: Zucchini Cakes and Quesadillas
Image by Mel Hill Photography from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool, which would love to see your pics show up on our feed.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Jun 03 2011
Friday Foodporn: Harold's Chicken Shack #62
Image by swanksalot from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool, which is wondering why you never called us back. Add your food pics so we can both move on.
— Robyn Nisi / Comments (1)
Foodporn Fri May 27 2011
Friday Foodporn: Alinea
Image of Frozen Chocolate Mousse, Blueberry Puree, Honey Milk by a.a. sabnis from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool. Can you reach through this screen? Upload your food pictures and find out.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri May 20 2011
Friday Foodporn: Manny's Deli
Image by foodtographer from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool, which doesn't take "no" for an answer. Submit your pics!
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri May 13 2011
Friday Foodporn: You're Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go
It's not seasonal, but it's appropriate. Image by deepblueskies from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool. Add your pictures, or we'll take your TIF money, bulldoze an airport in the middle of the night, or make poor business decisions about parking meters, hired trucks, and Olympics bids.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri May 06 2011
Friday Foodporn: Ohio House Motel Coffee Shop
Image by swanksalot from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool, which loves your mom.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Apr 29 2011
Friday Foodporn: Donut from Impallaria Bakery
Image by deepblueskies from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool. Add your pics. And cover your tracks.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Apr 22 2011
Friday Foodporn: Zucchini, etc.
Picture by Mel Hill Photography from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool. Add your pictures! They're like a rainbow at the end of a storm.
— Robyn Nisi / Comments (1)
Foodporn Fri Apr 15 2011
Friday Foodporn: Sweet and Savory Peanut Butter Bacon Burgers
Picture by freshandfoodie from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool. Add your pictures--they're edible, too.
— Robyn Nisi / Comments (1)
Foodporn Fri Apr 08 2011
Friday Foodporn: NAHA Sundae
Picture by TrackBelle from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool. Jump in and add your pictures of food, places that serve food, or the people eating the food served at the places that serve food.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Apr 01 2011
Friday Foodporn: Dolly Parton
I love this woman. If you do, too--add your pics to the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool. You could have your choice of food...but I could never eat again.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Mar 18 2011
Friday Foodporn: Hoosier Mama Pie
Picture by katherine of chicago at the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool. If you love pie, get up to three of your friends and take part in Hoosier Mama's Second Birthday Scavenger Hunt tomorrow, co-sponsored by Drive-Thru. You must be registered in advance; call 312-243-4846 to enter. More info here.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Mar 11 2011
Friday Foodporn: Goose Island Wee Heavy
Image by mediageek from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool. Add your pics and get that free chocolate chip cookie recipe from Neiman Marcus!
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Mar 04 2011
Friday Foodporn: Pasta
Picture by Mel Hill Photography from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool. Can't fight this feeling anymore? Add your pictures.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Feb 25 2011
Friday Foodporn: Chioggia Calamari & Polenta
Picture by TrackBelle from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool. Add your pics, because the only thing better than eating food is looking at it.
— Robyn Nisi / Comments (1)
Foodporn Fri Feb 18 2011
Friday Foodporn: Bay Leaves
Image by Mel HIll Photography from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool. Add your pics! No jacket required.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Feb 11 2011
Friday Foodporn: Fungi Love
Picture by oceandesetoiles from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool. Love is in the air!
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Feb 04 2011
Friday Foodporn: Panna Cotta from Cafe Spiaggia
Picture by TrackBelle from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool. Envious of this delicious dish? Add your pics to our group!
— Robyn Nisi / Comments (1)
Foodporn Fri Jan 28 2011
Friday Foodporn: Chicken Paprikash
Picture by yours truly from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool. To avoid such tacky self-promotion from happening again, post your photos!
— Robyn Nisi / Comments (3)
Foodporn Fri Jan 21 2011
Friday Foodporn: Brunch at Green Zebra
Picture by deep blue skies from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool. Add your pics! We won't eat your camera.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Jan 14 2011
Friday Foodporn: Fried Brussel Sprouts with Butternut Squash from the Purple Pig
Picture by deep blue skies from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool. Submit your food pics to our happy little family. If you won't eat it, WE will.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Jan 07 2011
Friday Foodporn: Kale
Picture by Mel Hill Photography from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool. Add your food pics because we love looking at dark leafy green vegetables. Eating them is another thing.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Dec 24 2010
Thursday Foodporn: Christkindlmarket
Picture by mediageek from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool. Happy holidays and let's take it to 11 in '11!
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Dec 17 2010
Friday Foodporn: Pistachio Cranberry Icebox Cookies
Picture by deep blue skies from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool. Join and add your pictures of food and things about to be food. You're gonna eat it anyway...
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Dec 10 2010
Friday Foodporn: I'll Take (a) Manhattan
Photo by Mel Hill Photography from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool. Join! Blossom Dearie approves.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Dec 03 2010
Friday Foodporn: Das Boot Zwei
Image by fotomattic at the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool. Add your food pics! It will make your life a hell of a lot easier.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Nov 26 2010
Friday Foodporn: Gobble Gobble
My dinner last night. Join the Drive-Thru Flickr Group. We're thankful for foodporn.
— Robyn Nisi
Recipe Tue Nov 23 2010
An Underpaid, Overworked Orphans' Thanksgiving
Last year's Thanksgiving threw a monkey-wrench in my normal traditions. For some bizarre, overly capitalist reason, the US futures markets are open on Thanksgiving. If you're bored waiting for your bird to cook or have time between potato mashings, you, yes YOU can trade the S&P. Which meant for me, last year I had to work on Thanksgiving. Boo hoo. I know I'm not the only one. There are plenty of folks that had to work, couldn't take the time off, couldn't afford the trip to see family and otherwise didn't get to have a proper Thanksgiving. Cue the pity party.
— Joanna Kanakis
Foodporn Fri Nov 19 2010
Friday Foodporn: from Avec
Image of whole roasted Sonoma Valley foie gras with roasted pears, sweetened walnuts and herbs by happy_stomach at the Drive-Thru Flickr Page. Join and add your pictures, because I hate eating computers.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Nov 12 2010
Friday Foodporn: Red Light
Picture by fotomattic at the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool. Add your photos! Loving has never been this easy.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Nov 05 2010
Friday Foodporn: Xiao Ping Pork
Image by happy_stomach at the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool. Add your food pictures! Who doesn't like looking at pictures of food all day?
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Oct 29 2010
Friday Foodporn: His Devilish Grin
Picture by deep blue skies from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool. Add your pics, and we'll give you a kiss!
— Robyn Nisi
Openings Fri Oct 22 2010
All In The Family: The Newest Francesca Hot Spot
"One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not eaten well."
If Scott Harris of the Francesca family wanted my attention, he had it by opening the menu to this delightful phrase. I'm readily adopting his headliner as my life motto, and voraciously scanning the menu.
Davanti Enoteca is the newest addition to the Mia Francesca's family: a take on rustic Italian food, made available by seasonal Midwest ingredients and made intriguing without being regionally specific. Typically, you think Mia Francesca's and you think mounds of pasta with meaty sauces. Not so at Davanti. The menu reads like the farm-to-table craze that we've all seen before: pork belly, varying bruchetta, farm eggs, meat from Mint Creek and Slagel and yet, something feels different here. Savory ragu roasts are paired with airy light mascarpone polenta and spread on a board at table side. Pizza with leek and mushroom is drizzled with truffle oil and the sharpest taleggio I've ever had. The Uovo, daily made large-style ravioli pasta with ricotta and spinach piped around the edge, egg yolk in the center and served in a sage butter sauce, sits lightly in your mouth.
Jonathan Beatty, who helped open Purple Pig is overseeing the menu as executive chef. And weekly Saturday night specials means he can play with seasonality and ingredients of his choice. The back of the restaurant doubles as a wine boutique. Rather than a traditional wine menu, Davanti allows patrons to buy wine at the boutique at commercial prices and then charges a $7 corking fee. To be honest, I can't tell you how nice it was to drink a glass of wine from a $30 bottle of wine and actually have it cost $30, rather than the standard 2-3 times as much.
The crowd is a good mix of locals and rapidly increasing by those of us being tempted back down to Taylor Street after a long hiatus. The decor is a cozy mix of re-purposed wood, spaghetti western posters, found farming equipment and Chianti chandeliers; the back boutique section feels as if you're sitting in some Italian baron's country wine cave. Harris is working on two new projects in the area and is hoping to re-establish Little Italy to it's former glory, and more. If these others are half as lovable as Davanti, I'll be hitting up T Street once a week.
For a newbie restaurant, Davanti has it all figured out. The food is approachable, the prices affordable, and the staff affable. I'll be headed back next week in order to keep my thinking, loving and sleeping in shape.
Davanti Enoteca
1359 W. Taylor St.
312-266-5550
— Joanna Kanakis / Comments (2)
Foodporn Fri Oct 22 2010
Friday Foodporn: Granville, Illinois
Picture by deep blue skies at the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool. Add your pictures! Don't you want to see what we're gonna be for Halloween?
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Oct 15 2010
Friday Foodporn: Giordano's
Picture by dangaken at the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool. Join and add your pics to our ool! Notice there's no "p" in it.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Oct 08 2010
Friday Foodporn: End of the Day is Nigh
Picture by swanksalot at the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool. Add your pics, and we'll talk to Mother Nature about letting the weather stay this way until March. We know people.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Oct 01 2010
Friday Foodporn: *Zauerkraut*
Picture by *Zoup* at the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool. Submit your pics! Our images are hot and ready to serve.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Sep 24 2010
Friday Foodporn: Pleated Tomato
Picture by oceandesetoiles at the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool. Submit your pics of food and fun to us, because no one wants to see pictures of my cereal bowls.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Sep 17 2010
Friday Foodporn: Intelligensia Latte
Picture by Ninja Mom from Drive-Thru Flickr Pool. Join! We'll snuggle all night long.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Sep 10 2010
Friday Foodporn: Open
Picture by theres no way home in the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool. Submit your photos! All I have to eat today is sardines and graham flour. Help me out!
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Sep 03 2010
Friday Foodporn: Homemade Tapenade
Picture by Mel Hill Photography in the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool. Add your food pics to our group--we're a ragtag gaggle of kids who just want to dance!
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Aug 27 2010
Friday Foodporn: Mega Vega from Hot Woks, Cool Sushi
Picture by deep blue skies at the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool. Join! We have only one foot out the door.
— Robyn Nisi
Feature Fri Aug 20 2010
One Block, Five Meals
Over the summer while working in Evanston, I've found myself wandering around one block of Noyes Street in search of lunch. Nestled in a quiet, student-less (for the time being) residential area west of Northwestern's campus is an impressive group of restaurants that cater to all price points and tastes. The street's anchor is the Piven Theater Workshop, which resides in a beautiful white brick building bordering a busy, children-filled city park. Far from home and working in an office with a scary, ancient microwave, I did what any curious foodie would do: I began an endless (and often enjoyable) lunch crawl in the neighborhood.
— Robyn Nisi / Comments (1)
Foodporn Fri Aug 20 2010
Friday Foodporn: One Last Pizza
Image of one of Caffe Florian's final deep-dish orders by reallyboring from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool. Join us! We'll find a way to carry on through carry out.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Aug 13 2010
Friday Foodporn: Sturgeon Mousse with Avocado and Hazelnut Crackers
Picture from last night's Taste of the Nation event at the Aragon; dish by Tru. If you want a piece of the action, join the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool. We are guilty on all counts...of being delicious.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Aug 06 2010
Friday Foodporn: Two Tilapia Tacos
Picture by *snapdragon at the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool. Join! We used to play bass for Metallica.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Jul 30 2010
Friday Foodporn: Enoch's Bacon Caramel Donut
Picture by a.a.sabnis from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool. Join! It's easier to look than to touch.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Jul 23 2010
Friday Foodporn: Aviation Apertif from Kith & Kin
Picture by yours truly at the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool. Join! Doesn't that drink look delicious?
— Robyn Nisi / Comments (1)
Foodporn Fri Jul 16 2010
Friday Foodporn: Lettuce
Picture by Renee Rendler-Kaplan at the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool. Join! Pitchfork rated our last album 8.9.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Jul 09 2010
Friday Foodporn: Rhubarb Bellini
Picture by Debbie Carlos in the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool. Join! We're soooooooo drunk!
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Jul 02 2010
Friday Foodporn: Country-Fried Bacon
And I'm proud to be an American, where at least I know I'm free--free to order country-fried bacon (from the fine folks at Wiener and Still Champion). Picture by Cliff Etters at the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool. Join! Lee Greenwood hasn't.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Jun 25 2010
Friday Foodporn: CSA Delivery
Picture by photovox in the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool. Join! Smell you later.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Jun 18 2010
Friday Foodporn: Chess Pie
Picture by drowning in flame at the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool. Join! We're playing Slovenia this morning in the World Cup.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Jun 11 2010
Friday Foodporn: Roast Pork Sandwich from Terzo Piano
Picture by food_in_mouth from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool. Join! We won the Stanley Cup---of food photography.
— Robyn Nisi / Comments (1)
Foodporn Fri Jun 04 2010
Friday Foodporn: Brunch @ Karyn's Cooked
Picture by maomau at the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool. Join us! We never lied about our military service (although to be fair, our bank failed).
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri May 28 2010
Friday Foodporn: Realm of Gluttony
Picture by D. Majette at the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool. Join! We bought the house next door to the Obamas.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri May 21 2010
Friday Foodporn: Birthday Cake
Photo by Sir Oras at the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool. Join! We have room now that we've denied entry to Rand Paul.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri May 14 2010
Friday Foodporn: La Crêperie
Picture by themats1 at the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool. Join! Our basketball team is canceling our trip to Alaska (for political reasons).
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri May 07 2010
Friday Foodporn: Radishes
Picture by Debbie Carlos in the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool. Join! Unlike Glee, we haven't jumped the shark.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Apr 30 2010
Friday Foodporn: Breakfast Tacos
Picture by WhitneyinChicago at the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool. Join! We have bail money at the ready.
— Robyn Nisi / Comments (1)
Foodporn Fri Apr 23 2010
Friday Foodporn: Noshin'
Picture by dumin in the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool. Join! It's cheaper than paying a tanning bed tax.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Apr 16 2010
Friday Foodporn: Ending a Bacon-y Week
Picture by Katie Scully at the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool. Join! Dues are easy and breezy.
— Robyn Nisi
Event Tue Apr 13 2010
Baconfest Chicago 2010
Smokey, savory, salted debauchery with a couple hundred of my best friends...
That's right, I was fortunate enough to get tickets to BFC2010. That's Baconfest Chicago 2010 for the uninitiated. Taking over the Stan Mansion (2409 N. Kedzie) in Logan Square, even on the approach from the corner of Kedzie and Fullerton, one could smell a hint of smoky pork goodness on the breeze that only became stronger as one grew closer to the Stan Mansion.
— Cliff Etters / Comments (2)
Foodporn Fri Apr 09 2010
Friday Foodporn: A Sign of Spring
Picture by Mel Hill Photography at the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool. Join us! Your eyes will thank you.
— Robyn Nisi / Comments (2)
Foodporn Fri Apr 02 2010
Friday Foodporn: a Trip to Calumet Fisheries
Photo by liz_noise at the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool. You should join now that Lent's over.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Thu Apr 01 2010
Bacon. No Foolin'
I am a fool for all things bacon. Just ask my friends.
Some are really good (Baconfest Chicago, Neuske's Bacon), some "meh" (Bacon Salt, Bacon Mints), and some are hilarious (Squeez Bacon, Baconnaise).
But for April Fools '10, I decided to play the fool rather than prank other fools. So, I got up early and started wrapping. Bacon wrapping that is.
With a convenient stash of bacon, sufficient toothpicks, and a couple of kielbasa, I wrapped these sausages up like Martha Stewart on a X-mas present bender.
After applying the bacon love, I then wrapped the sausages in several layers of aluminum foil, and slid them into a 350° oven, and walked away.
How long did I cook them? I didn't really think about it. I simply pulled them out when the entire apartment started to smell like delicious bacon-wrapped sausage, and I noticed neighbors licking the windows.
If I were forced to set a time limit to the cooking, I'd say that an hour and a half would work. Your results may vary. Just remember to remove the toothpicks before serving.
This is usually the part where someone will tell you what to serve with the recipe. I've found that a fork and knife work well.
— Cliff Etters
Foodporn Fri Mar 26 2010
Friday Foodporn: Shrimp Dumplings with Noodles
Picture by Flipped Out at the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool. Add your photos to our pool--the more the merrier.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Mar 19 2010
Friday Foodporn: Brunch
Picture by dianagurley from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool. Join! It's a tasty idea.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Mar 12 2010
Friday Foodporn: Russian Tea Time
Photo by opacity in the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool. Join, and the road will rise to meet you.
— Robyn Nisi / Comments (1)
Foodporn Fri Mar 05 2010
Friday Foodporn: Sushi
Picture by Deep Blue Skies on the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool. Join us! The water's warm.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Feb 26 2010
Friday Foodporn: Naha Up Close
Pork belly from Naha. Photo by happy_stomach in the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool. Join! Life's short.
Also, if you want to eat at Naha, this fantastic restaurant is participating in Restaurant Week (ending Sunday!) and is offering an earth-shattering $80 gift certificate for $40 as today's Groupon offering. Take advantage.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Feb 19 2010
Friday Foodporn: a Banchan Feast
Photo by poohba02 from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool. You may starve if you don't join.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Feb 12 2010
Friday Foodporn: Your Table is Waiting
A picture of Svea's in Andersonville by sierraromeo [sarah-ji] from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool. Join it, because we can't get close to you, babe.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Feb 05 2010
Friday Foodporn: The Sigh
Meet the February special burger at Kuma's. The Sigh is topped with Asian ground pork seasoned with oyster sauce and chile; sauteed celery, scallions, water chestnuts, garlic and ginger; and fried won ton strips. Picture by Andrew Huff from the Drive-Thru Flickr group. Join! It has a peaceful, easy feeling.
— Robyn Nisi / Comments (1)
Foodporn Fri Jan 29 2010
Friday Foodporn: Tea Time
Afternoon tea, by Swanksalot. From our Flickr pool--join us, it's delicious.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Thu Jan 07 2010
Chicago Gourmet Memory
It's been several months since Chicago Gourmet but my mouth still waters every time I even think about looking at my pictures from that weekend. Sundra's sample - shrimp on a rice cake drizzled with an egg sauce - was by far one of my favorites. Yum. Sigh. Is it September 2010 yet?
— Shanna Quinn
Foodporn Fri Jan 01 2010
Friday Foodporn: Love in this Year
Happy 2010, everyone. Picture by Mel Hill Photography from the Drive-Thru Flickr pool.
— Robyn Nisi / Comments (1)
Foodporn Fri Dec 25 2009
Friday Foodporn: Thrift Store Finds
Not sure if this is a jello mold or a Christmas tribute to the Olympic flame: either way, merry christmas (and TGIF). Picture by modashell on our Flickr set.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Thu Dec 24 2009
Friday Foodporn (Thursday Edition): Cookies for Santa
Our own Whitney made some oatmeal cookies. I want these cookies.
— Robyn Nisi / Comments (1)
Foodporn Fri Dec 18 2009
Friday Foodporn: Intimate Sabayon
Chocolate sabayon and house-made Nutter Butters from The Bristol. Picture by Opacity.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Nov 27 2009
Friday Foodporn: Memories
Many of us were looking at something like this yesterday. Today, however, is a whole new ballgame of leftovers and antacids. Picture by Mel Hill Photography.
— Robyn Nisi / Comments (2)
Foodporn Fri Oct 30 2009
Friday Foodporn: BRAAAAIINS!
This deliciously gruesome zombie cake was created by the always creative Bleeding Heart Bakery. Fortunately, It's pretty easy to disable this zombie -- just eat its brains!
Join the Drive-Thru flickr pool!
— Andrew Huff / Comments (1)
Foodporn Fri Oct 23 2009
Friday Foodporn: Halloween Tomato?
This orange heirloom tomato would be perfect for a Halloween jack'o'lantern centerpiece. Photographed by Damon Taylor
Join the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool!
— Andrew Huff
Foodporn Thu Oct 22 2009
Sweet Tweets
Dessert/Erotica 140 characters at a time.
If you're like me and daydream about buttercream, chocolate ganache, and anything with a buttery, flaky crust...and are a borderline-might-actually-be-a twitter addict then you need to add these sugarcoated tweeple to your follow list ASAP. Tweets about delicious treats maybe not be as good as eating them but they are titillating -- it's dessert foreplay, if you will.
— Shanna Quinn
Foodporn Fri Oct 16 2009
Friday Foodporn: Purple & White Onions
Here's the first Friday Foodporn! Each Friday, we're will now feature a photo from the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool and feature it here on the blog. This first shot is of purple and green onions at the Green City Market, photographed by Swanksalot.
This doesn't look like it's for the squeamish, what with its recipe for human-incubated yogurt, but newly launched magazine Food + Sex looks like it offers some thoughtful essays or photo collages about composting, factory farming and bees, along with some material that seems a little less food related. The magazine is a "combined effort of artists, writers, farmers and foodmakers, exploring how desire shapes the food environment." You can check out a list of articles on the web site, but to really find out what these artists and foodmakers have to say, or to show you, you'll have to order a copy (for $10) online. — Lori Barrett Publication Fri Aug 28 2009
Whet Both Your Appetites
Restaurant Sun May 31 2009
Great Sea = Great Chow
Holy Jebus! I just ate the best Wonton Soup of my life. This was accompanied by some life changing chicken wings and some unusually light and fluffy shrimp fried rice.
I've been having tummy issues and when my favorite internal organ isn't happy, neither am I. The one food I am able to consume, no matter how miserable my guts are, is Wonton Soup. I am convinced it has powerful healing properties. My latest slurp of this medicinal goodness was simply amazing; hence, I felt compelled to share. Likewise, I always know when I am truly sick when wine doesn't sound good. So, something is seriously awry in my belly, and rest assured I will take this up with my docs. But enough about my GI track...
Get thee to Great Sea restaurant post haste. This joint has some sublime Chinese chow. Now, I have no idea if its authentic or regional or anything like that. I just know its good. Upon first glance at the menu, its nothin special. Just your usual Chinese take out fare. But lordy lordy, the execution of these dishes really sets this place apart.
Take for example, the Wonton soup above.(Apologies all around for the crappy quality of my phone pics.) Its lightly salty, chicken-ish broth is nice, but its all the added goodies that blew my mind. Wide chinese noodles, tiny shrimp, greens, and wispy threads of egg are in generous quantity. Even the mushroom slices had real texture. Now, there are no dumplings in here per say, but who needs em when you have all the ingredients in tastier form swimming in the bowl?
Oh, and I bet you have an opinion on chicken wings. Really, who doesn't? The Spicy Sweet Chicken wings here will blow your mind. First off, they are trimmed and fried to make a lolipop is crispy chicken form. The sticky glaze is sweet and spicy as advertised and plentful, which makes for a nice drizzle on a side of white rice. Not only are these little treats unbelieveably tasty, but way less messy than you average wings or drummies. The trimmed bone as handle keeps your fingers free of sauce. Next TV viewing party I host, I'm totally ordering up a ton of these. Start angling for your invites now, or hustle to Albany Park for your own.
Great Sea
3254 W Lawrence Ave
(between Sawyer Ave & Spaulding Ave)
Chicago, IL 60625
(773) 478-9129
— Christine Blumer / Comments (3)
Foodporn Thu May 28 2009
Snack Me!
At last week's All Candy Expo, I wandered the aisles in search of what's new in the snacking world in terms of sweet and savory snacks--even though the event is the "All Candy Expo," the subtitle is "It's All About Sweets & Snacks." This breaks down into show floor that's a lot of candy, some nuts, a lot of chip brands, and more meat jerky companies than you ever thought were possible.
Needless to say, I found a lot of novelties, some tasty treats, and products I never thought were imaginable. Check them out after the jump.
— Jill Jaracz / Comments (5)
Foodporn Tue May 26 2009
Beverage Finds at NRA Show
Not to be outdone by the food, many beverage companies also had interesting products at this year's National Restaurant Association Show:
Smokin' cocktails. Give your cocktail an other-worldly feeling with Mistystix, a patent-pending cocktail stirrer that has a capsule for food grade dry ice. Put a small amount of dry ice in the capsule, click it shut, and insert it into your cocktail. The ice carbonates and cools down the beverage and lasts for anywhere from 3-8 minutes. These aren't yet on the market, but I wouldn't be surprised if you started seeing them in clubs soon.
— Jill Jaracz / Comments (1)
Foodporn Tue May 26 2009
Food Finds from NRA Show
I've finally come out of my food coma, first induced by a few days at the National Restaurant Association (NRA) Show, followed by a couple of days at the All Candy Expo.
Although the NRA exhibits span two halls and feature anything you could possibly want in a restaurant (Viking stove, menus, Irish pub furniture, etc.), the food and beverages are the big draw, and it's easy to eat yourself silly with all the great products that might be at or coming to a restaurant or retail outlet near you.
After the jump, I'll fill you in on some of the best and/or most interesting products I found at the show.
— Jill Jaracz / Comments (4)
Foodporn Tue May 26 2009
For the Non-Ice Cream Lover in You
Haagen-Dazs did not ask me to write this, but you'd think they were underwriting my next trip to Aruba by what I'm about to say: their Five collection is awesome--and I'm not an ice cream fan. The pitch is that this ice cream only has five flavors, which are boldly spelled out on the packaging: eggs, cream, sugar, milk, and the flavor of the ice cream (passion fruit, brown sugar, ginger, vanilla, milk chocolate and coffee). I've tasted half of these so far and think they're off the chain--incredible flavor, creamy, and thankfully, they come in a small size.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Tue Mar 17 2009
I'm Lovin' It: Shamrock Shake Cupcakes
McDonald's may be ending their annual Shamrock Shake offering soon, so rather than slurp down that bad boy, why not throw it into a batch of cake mix and make yourself some cupcakes?
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Wed Mar 04 2009
The Southside Donut Considered
Finally, I party I can really enjoy: on a Saturday morning, I was among a group of people conducting a blind taste test (and informal award ceremony) of donuts from four South side bakeries.
But is there such a thing as a crappy donut? Well, if you've ever hungrily eyed a pink and orange-colored box soaked with grease stains in the office breakroom, you know it's possible to eat an unsatisfying donut. Really possible. But this event was different, as we sampled a range of locally made test subjects. Overall, the donuts that we sampled were delicious--but when you get all of them together in a room, you can tell which ones are winners and which ones get a participation pin.
— Robyn Nisi
Restaurant Fri Feb 06 2009
L2O Week at Chicagoist
Chicagoist has been exploring the city's latest culinary superstar, Laurent Gras's L2O. There's plenty of foodporn to be had, both behind the scenes and on the plate (Gras and his team produce plenty of foodporn of their own on their blog). You also get a look at the restaurant's decor. The series culminates on Monday with an interview with Gras himself. If you were intrigued by L2O's appearance on the Chicago episode of "No Reservations," this will only whet your appetite further for an increasingly hard to get reservation.
— Andrew Huff
Foodporn Fri Nov 14 2008
Apple Cider at Home
Curious about making (and tasting) apple cider at home, I joined some community garden farmers for their cider making. Here's a flickr photo set for a step-by-step. The flavors were full and dynamic.
— Chris Brunn
Foodporn Tue Oct 07 2008
My Moment of Zen
Pulled pork sandwich, cole slaw, mac and cheese and more sauce. From Smoque, located at Grace and Pulaski. Two times in one weekend. No embarrassment, just please give me what I ordered yesterday. Thank you.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Mon Sep 29 2008
Photographing Food
VeganYumYum has posted a humble instructional to help bloggers photograph food. If it will teach us how to take photos like their blog has been posting, it'll be well worth a read. Also not to be missed is my personal favorite list of tips on food photography from Heidi Swanson's 101 Cookbooks masterpiece.
— Chris Brunn
Foodporn Sun Sep 28 2008
Lido's Caffé: Italian Gelato & Cookie Heaven in Oak Park
Rarely does anything good come of dinner with one's ex. Last week, such was not the case when pastry-chef Chris and I broke bread in Oak Park. Not because of our so-so meal at the has-been Pasta Shoppe on Oak Park Avenue (originally to be the subject of this post). But from finding the truly phenomenal Lido's Caffé, tucked away on Marion Street in the heart of the downtown Oak Park.
When Chris suggested strongly that we visit the newly opened Lido's, given his line of work I expected something good. So let me get this out of the way first and everything else will be commentary: this place is a doppelganger in quality and (almost eerily) appearance of my all-time favorite hometown Italian caffé and gelateria, NYC's Rocco's Pastry Shop on Bleecker Street in Greenwich Village. A counter lining one side of the long space punctuated by pastry and gelato display cases, an imported espresso machine, locals nestling into their Tribs and laptops while tucking into Italian cookies--this New Yorker had the sneaking suspicion he had just found a convenient new home on the Harlem Green Line.
— Mike Doyle / Comments (1)
Foodporn Mon Aug 25 2008
It's Genetti Time
As a kid, I was dragged to Italian folk dancing classes, which were held in a decrepit building in a seedy part of town. Most of the dancing involved moving around in a big circle, and I'm pretty sure it was to the tune of Neil Diamond's "Coming to America." The endpoint of the dancing classes was to perform in a late-summer local festival. I had to wear a peasant outfit. Neil Diamond provided the background music, again. I hated it. But I loved the festival's food, notably the genetti.
Genetti cookies are a somewhat soft, nondescript vanilla cookie covered in a colorful, anise (licorice)-flavored glaze. They tend to show up at Italian holiday celebrations, notably Easter and Christmas. Maybe the last thing you'd think of as a decent cookie flavor would be the sharp sting of anise, but trust me--like rum or amaretto, anise softens in taste when combined with heat and a high sugar content. Anise shows up in a lot of Italian sweets in much stronger concentrations--biscotti and cakes, notably--but here is a good genetti recipe to ease you into baking with the licorice-flavored stuff.
— Robyn Nisi
Chef Sun Aug 10 2008
The New Chicago Dog
Now that my heart is no longer aflutter and my breathing has returned to normal, I'm clear-headed enough to write about the encased meat sandwich that lured me to Hot Doug's on Friday. Kevin Haas won Time Out Chicago's contest to have his hot dog made and sold at Hot Doug's. It admittedly wasn't the sandwich I voted for, but I was delighted to try it anyway. I love the concept of combining a variety of different ethnic cuisines into one meal. And it almost works really well. But only almost.
The chorizo sausage is one of the best I've had. It packs a lot of flavor and spice in each bite, and it's not so greasy that you end up with orange juice running down your chin which was nice. Fat may add flavor, but too much fat flattens the flavor and ruins the taste. The spiciness of the chorizo was expected and enjoyable for the first couple of bites, but the spice of the sausage combined with the chili mustard quickly became overpowering and drowned out the flavors of the Asian pear chutney and the paneer. Which was a shame, because the chutney was heavenly and made only better by the chili mustard. The paneer was fried, which I hoped would add a little flavor to an otherwise bland, but soothing, cheese. Unfortunately, the paneer was cold when it was placed on top of the sausage, and served in large chunks, so they mostly fell off while I was eating. If the cheese had been in smaller pieces, so they stayed on top of the sandwich, or if the cheese had been soft and melty so it stuck to the sausage, I think the paneer would have provided the cooling sensation that it provides in many Indian dishes.
So while I had a very, very enjoyable lunch and would even end up ordering this sandwich again, I'd probably split it with someone because by the end of the sandwich all I tasted was the chorizo. Thankfully the ingestion of duck fat fries (which are so amazingly good) provided enough grease to counteract some of the spice so I could eat without sniffling while sitting just a few feet from Anthony Bourdain. Maybe I'm not done swooning after all.
— Cinnamon Cooper / Comments (1)
Foodporn Thu Jul 17 2008
A Field Guide to Doughnuts
This Chicago Tribune article helps readers wade through the fried dough options in and around the city -- and suggests where to buy them. They have also included a delicious photo gallery.
The Gulab Jamon, "A small dark doughnut hole of flour and milks (powdered, regular), steeped in a sticky syrup of rosewater and sugar (and sometimes cardamom) until it's spongy and dense, and sweet," looks particularly delicious.
(Don Churro's churro pictured. Photo from the Chicago Tribune.)
— Gemma Petrie
Foodporn Mon Jul 14 2008
Roughin' It
I took a trip to one of my favorite places in the world this past Friday to see Feist: RAVINIA!
For those who haven't made the journey, the Ravinia experience begins with the trip up the Metra Union Pacific North rail line, steadily weaving through the lush suburbs (Kenilworth, Wilmette) as you leave the city, arriving at Ravinia Park a half-hour later. The lawn is really the only exciting place to be during the show, especially when it comes to the food: some people bring gourmet eats to be placed on dainty little tables with elegant candles and silverware, and others walk in with a few bottles of cheap wine and a bag of chips. It's truly a beautiful sight to see the patchwork of blankets and tarps that spread across the lawn. Even Leslie Feist herself started talking onstage of her curiosity of what was going on in the lawn section of the theater, seemingly miles from the stage. We ate on.
I took a minute to take some pictures of the spreads around me. For your enjoyment...
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri May 30 2008
City of Cupcakes
Natalie of Bake & Destroy! made some Chicago flag-themed cupcakes, topped with rats, as treats for a recent craft show. Chef Michelle Garcia liked them so much she asked to adapt the recipe for Bleeding Heart Bakery's Girls Rock Chicago benefit cupcakes.
Buy one of these tasty treats and a dollar will be donated to the nonprofit music education program. Sweet!
— Andrew Huff
Foodporn Wed May 14 2008
Indulge. That is all.
We dashed for ice cream: espresso Oreo, strawberry and vanilla chocolate chip - all vegan. Two friends and I had just finished dinner using veggies from Green City, when we realized we needed a treat. One of them called. How late are you open, he asked? 9 p.m. We were soon walking down North Avenue, wandering if fast enough. A few traffic lights slowed us down. Some 21 minutes remaining ticked down to ten. We were those last minute customers, but the staff gladly obliged. The cones were vegan. I took the sugar cone - the one I remember loving from childhood indulgences two and three scoops deep. He momentarily left for the cone, and then returned telling me that he'd double-checked to make sure it was vegan - so nice. Each of us took a different flavor. I sampled all three before deciding. The vanilla chocolate chip tasted the fullest to me, with a nice round flavor. All were smooth, and the espresso had a nice coffee flavor. The strawberry was the scooper-man's fav, he enthusiastically told us. Most importantly, each of us liked our flavor the best. My two pals had planned to work out, and they did. I walked with them to their gym. Cardio was next up after dinner and vegan ice cream. Just Indulge, 1755 W. North Ave., (773) 486-6680.
— Chris Brunn
Foodporn Tue Apr 15 2008
Container Shaped Foods
Indiana University based photographer, Zach Kowalczyk, has a charming flickr set of food that takes the shape of its container.
via Slashfood
— Gemma Petrie
Foodporn Fri Apr 11 2008
Bacon, Belly of the Gods
I love bacon. It’s true. But who doesn’t? I know of no other creation of mankind that can turn a person’s moral upstanding right on it’s fickle head as bacon. Every vegetarian I’ve ever known has either dreamed fitfully or fallen headlong into a bacon dalliance. I was one of those vegetarians, once. I sniffed it in rapture at the hip south city diner where I waited tables in my home town. But I didn’t touch. No. Not Yet.
Not until shortly after New Year’s Eve 2001 did I cross that blissful fatty cured belly line. And after 5 years of vegetarianism, I thrust myself bodily into a long and enduring relationship with bacon. It is, at present count, the longest most enduring relationship I have had, outside of that with my hairdresser. Yes. I have a long term relationship with my hairdresser, what of it? She gets me, alright.
— Rachel Humphrey
Restaurant Tue Apr 08 2008
Tod Mun, How I Love You
Tod Mun and it’s reputation runs the line from much maligned to utterly forgettable. This little fried treat more often resembles the exact flavor and texture of disinfected shoe soles than a delicate lime inflected pillow of deliciousness. It is a tremendously simple thing: fish, and sometimes shrimp also, are pureed with long beans, curry, lime leaves and eggs, made into little patties and fried. They are traditionally served with cucumber dipping sauce. Together the two make a fresh lip-smacking treat, if done right. Somewhere the balance gets lost often, it is easy to make the collagen in fish become spongy and chewy. And taken overboard, lime leaf can taste more like furniture polish than one of my favorite things.
I have tried Tod Mun at nearly every Thai place I have entered in this city, and it has been many…perhaps too many…but that’s for another day.
Honestly, at it’s best it is hands down my favorite Thai treat, well, next to a really well executed green papaya salad. These two dishes require a certain level of skill and sense of balance, which makes them an excellent gauge for a kitchen’s commitment to good solid cooking.
Here are a few of my favorite Tod Mun, and be assured that they are just the tip of the iceberg for these three really special Thai spots:
TAC Quik: Thai Authentic Cuisine. Ask for their Thai menu. So incredibly good, the whole fish is also incredible as is this insane anise scented stew. God love’em, get over there.
Spoon Thai: one in a stretch of pretty good Thai spot on Western, they do these sorta lame lunch specials, but at night when you can get the special Thai menu, it is so good. There are these chive dumplings that are gooey and chivey and just excite me.
Sticky Rice: Um…northern sausage? Coconut water in a shell….I have had some very very exciting food here. Damn…
Honestly I was tempted to say that each of these places has my favorite Tod Mun, but that’s not possible, they are seriously head to head. Make sure to try these little swimmer patties, they are incredibly satisfying and just make you want more.
— Rachel Humphrey
Foodporn Thu Feb 14 2008
Bleeding Heart Photography
Foodporn lovers, take note: Bleeding Heart Bakery has its own flickr account, loaded with photos of its tasty treats.
— Andrew Huff
Foodporn Tue Jan 29 2008
New Food Pornographer
According to some less-obscure-than-you'd-think British formula, the third Monday in January (Blue Monday - not to be confused with the rockin' but still actually kind of depressing New Order tune) is always the most depressing day of the year. It has something to do with compounding accumulated debt with grey weather, number of days since Christmas, number of days since breaking your new year's resolution, etc. While it may be a week later, we're hardly in the clear, and if you're like me, you're in need of a little sunshine, metaphorical or otherwise.
Enter new food blog One Trick Pony, who, with her cooking photos and banter, is clearly anything but, and is sure to warm you up inside. And maybe even make you want to stay inside and attempt to cook a duck. (Or not.) Only a week in, and the author's kitchen has already seen many a good meal come through -- more, please! Add to the goodness some tips for Chicago groceries that range from Aldi to Joong Boo Market, and the following video, and you should be set to fight the winter blues for a long time to come.
— Andie Cavedo
Foodporn Fri Jan 18 2008
BBQ on TV
Back in September, Guy Fieri from the Food Network show "Diners, Drive-ins and Dives," interviewed the minds behind BBQ masters Galewood Cookshack at the Logan Square Farmers Market. The episode aired January 14 but we have some footage for you to drool over in anticipation of barbecue season (and better weather). Fieri also visited Smoque recently; the next airing of that episode will be Monday night.
— Robyn Nisi
Event Thu Nov 01 2007
A Treat for the Day of the Dead
Dia de los Muertos, the Mexican holiday celebrating the dead through art and food, begins today. If you're looking for the sugary, colorful calaveras (skulls) and sweet egg bread (pan de muerta) that are the symbols of the holiday, a nice Sun Times article (mentioned in the Quick Links below) sums up where to go. If you're looking to buy some things online, local confectioner Dulcelandia has a nice selection. And if you're a foodie with a hankering for the gourmet stuff, your buddies at Vosges have come up with a nice trio of chocolate skulls for your indulgence.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Fri Oct 05 2007
LTH Forum Photo Contest Winners Announced!
The first annual LTH Forum Photo Contest has decided on their winners, all of whom took very compelling pictures of meat!
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Thu Aug 16 2007
Does it Need to Look Pretty to Taste Good?
Summertime is a good time for food porn. Colorful, varied, and never boring, I find pics of summer dishes to be almost better than eating the darned thing. So when I got my hands on a recent Smitten Kitchen post about a Summer Berry Pudding, I began planning my own foray into photographed cooking. I was going to make the Summer Berry Pudding. And it was going to be artful, clean, and delicious. Just like the photos.
— Robyn Nisi
Restaurant Mon Jun 25 2007
Ambria, R.I.P.
In preparation for its last service on June 30, the Lincoln Park restaurant Ambria has started a website to celebrate the end of their 27 years in business (take a look at the extensive foodporn section of the site). To further go out with a bang, Ambria is holding a series of special events and menus on Saturday.
— Robyn Nisi
Foodporn Sat May 19 2007
Are You the Ansel Adams of Food Porn? Prove it!!
Our comrades in foodiephileness at LTH Forum are holding their first annual Food Photo Contest that ends June 30, so get over to the site to check out the rules. Finally, there's an incentive for enduring the stares of puzzled waitstaff and fellow diners when you whip out your digital to take pictures of your meal. And theirs.
— Robyn Nisi
Restaurant Fri Apr 06 2007
Something different in Chinatown
Cold spicy tofu with peanuts at Lao Sze Chaun
Sure, there are lots of Chinese restaurants in Chinatown, but it turns out that almost all of them of them (like the vast majority of Chinese restaurants in the US) serve Cantonese food. Now I'd never disparage Cantonese cuisine, which can serve up some real delights, but its the spicy Sichuan dishes that really capture my heart, so I've always been a little disappointed with Chinatown here in Chicago... that is, until a friend told me about Lao Sze Chaun.
— Paul Goyette / Comments (7)
Restaurant Tue Mar 27 2007
The Nile
The proprietor of The Nile
People always recommend Cedars (or Cedars of Lebanon as it was previously known -- that's a story for another post) as the best spot for middle eastern in Hyde Park, but I've always liked The Nile even better. It's a much cheaper and less ambitious restaurant, but the hummus is the best I can remember having anywhere, and the sandwiches are both delicious and massive.
— Paul Goyette / Comments (5)
Foodporn Tue Feb 20 2007
Photos: Tanoshii
We're reviewed Tanoshii in the past and have followed Sushi Mike from Hama Matsu (our review) to Tanoshii. I'm a huge fan of the kind of sushi Mike makes -- a fusion of French, Italian and Asian style sauces meets the clean, crisp taste of sushi.
Some photos I've taken here, for those curious.
— Naz Hamid
Foodporn Mon Feb 12 2007
Dinner at Schwa
In January, when Schwa moved to closing on the weekends and opening on Mondays instead, I managed to obtain a much longed-for reservation. Schwa, in some way, is a hidden gem of cult status sorts — those who know about it rant and rave and those who don't wonder why they never knew about the place in the first place. They're not lacking for diners though but somehow remain manageable for "those in the know". Given the dining experience at Schwa, I can't imagine any other way for them to operate — which is just about perfect.
In the interim, you can take a look at the photos I took of the 9-course tasting menu, a meal that lasted three hours.
— Naz Hamid / Comments (5)
Feature Thu Dec 31 2015
The State of Food Writing
By Brandy Gonsoulin
In 2009, food blogging, social media and Yelp were gaining popularity, and America's revered gastronomic magazine Gourmet shuttered after 68 years in business. Former Cook's Illustrated editor-in-chief Chris Kimball followed with an editorial, stating that "The shuttering of Gourmet reminds...
Read this feature »
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