News Fri Jul 25 2008
The winner in Time Out's contest to create a new hot dog for Hot Doug's has been announced: it's The New Chicago!
Mexican chorizo sausage, Asian pear chutney, Indian paneer cheese, chili mustard, served on a multi-grain roll. As the original Chicago dog reflected our immigrant heritage (Greek, Italian and Jewish immigrants), this encased meat reflects our new and future immigrant population. Latinos now account for 1 in 4 city residents, our Asian population is expected to grow over a third in a matter of a decade, and India presents the third largest group of new immigrants to Chicago. This new sausage celebrates this new Chicago.
The New Chicago Dog was created by open source programming consultant Kevin Haas; his masterpiece will appear on the Hot Doug's menu soon. All four finalists were pretty awesome, though, and "Hot" Doug Sohn has said we shouldn't be surprised if all of them — and others not chosen as finalists — made it to the menu at some point.
- Andrew Huff |
News Fri Jul 18 2008
The FDA issued a statement today that tomatoes are safe to eat following the salmonella scare of last month; however, fresh jalapeno or serrano peppers are still under scrutiny, so take heed.
- Robyn Nisi |
News Thu Jul 17 2008
The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) is exploring the idea of expanding commercial development, including grocery stores, near its L stations, according to the Chicago Tribune.
As a frequent visitor to Alta Vista Foods, a small but fully loaded produce and grocery store accessible from inside the Sheridan Red Line station, I can attest to how great it is to be able to pop in after work to pick up hamburger buns, lemons, tomato sauce or even a package of chicken legs. My husband and I got rid of our car last year, and grocery shopping is about the only reason we miss having it. Alta Vista definitely makes things easier -- and based on the fact that there's always a steady stream of fellow L riders in line with me, it makes good sense that the CTA is looking to spread the love to other stations.
- Mandy Burrell |
News Tue Jul 15 2008
The friendly and local Green Grocer is hosting an open house to celebrate the new seasonal magazine Edible Chicago, while debuting local farmers, artisan food makers and chefs. Bring your friends to sample, watch demos, get recipes, and buy lots of tasty groceries. Judging from owner Cassie Green's charismatic personality, this is sure to be a love fest that you shouldn't miss. Monday, July 21 from 5 to 8 p.m., 1402 W. Grand Avenue.
- Chris Brunn |
News Thu Jun 26 2008
• The Chicago Reporter, um, reports on 10 lawsuits to be filed against Taste of Chicago vendors by people who got salmonella poisoning last year. [via]
• Dish dishes on a shake-up at Powerhouse, and asks Chef Michael Taus some questions about the upcoming Duchamp.
• Michael Nagrant picked up my lazy ice cream journalism call-out and ran with it at Serious Eats, rounding it out with a list of "best ice cream" contenders in a variety of categories.
• Nagrant also checks out the Bookbinder soup at the Drake.
• Chicagoist gets the scoop on NoMi's new pastry chef, and reviews Crisp.
• Time Out hits the road for some local delicacies.
• Alinea nabs #1 honors in this year's Chicago Zagat Guide, and MenuPages wonders what's behind the odd permalink URL on The Stew's post about it.
• The Stew gets the first look at Hub 51, but 312 Dining Diva heads to the basement to check out Sub 51, along with a couple other new and coming spots.
• The New York Times tried 25 root beers, and Sprecher's was number one. (Gale Gand's came in 8th.)
• Kids are on the minds of both Gand and her business partner, Rick Tramonto.
• Slice has had some extra Chicago pizza coverage lately, including Lou Malnati's deep dish and thin crust at Vito & Nick's.
• Chicago chefs weigh in on NYC chef David Chang's decision to ban photos at his exclusive Momofuku Ko.
• Nothing better for a hangover than biscuits and gravy.
• Edgewater Produce gets some love from Metroblogging.
• Foodlife is going green.
• Chicago Bites visits Noon-O-Kabab and Swirlz.
• Two Bites in Suburbia continues to find crazy snackfood flavors.
- Andrew Huff |
Random Thu Jun 26 2008
If you're a vegetarian who occasionally needs to sneak out to Burger King to get your meaty fill, you've been figured out.
- Robyn Nisi |
News Wed Jun 25 2008
Apparently, Forbes Traveler doesn't feel like it's necessary to visit Chicago. Or they don't think we're much of an ice cream town. That's the impression I get from this Forbes Traveler article about America's best ice cream, which trots out the old workhorse of Margie's Candies. The brief even includes a mention of Al Capone, who "rumored" to be a "repeat customer." Yeesh.
Sure, there's 80 years of history in Margie's, but it's cramped, cluttered and not all that comfortable, especially on busy nights when there are waiting hordes standing in every available space, often boring a hole in the back of your head as they try to will you to finish and leave. Not to slam a Chicago legend, but the city has a wealth of independent ice cream shops that offer better ice cream in a more appealing space.
We've talked about ice cream more than once in Detour, highlighting some of your many options. If Forbes wanted a classic destination, why not feature the Original Rainbow Cone, a South Side institution with at least as much history as Margie's — I'm sure they could scare up some notorious mobster to mention, too.
Or how about one of the amazing modern shops, like Bobtail with its tasty custom flavors — where else will you find merlot-chocolate chip alongside stalwart vanilla and chocolate?
- Andrew Huff |
News Wed Jun 25 2008
A retired Air Force sargeant in Elk Grove Village plans to send 3,000 Lou Malnati's deep-dish pizzas to US soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan in time for the fourth of July holiday.
- Robyn Nisi |
News Mon Jun 23 2008
New Communities Project has a great write-up of a new Woodlawn-area farmer's market. The market featured many of the same vendors you'd find at the Green City Market, from Bleeding Heart Bakery to Mint Creek Farms. The goal for this market, as well as upcoming markets to be launched in Englewood and Bronzeville, is to make more nutritious produce available to underserved communities. The Woodlawn market's debut was deemed a big success, aided in part by the acceptance of LINK public aid cards.
- Shylo Bisnett |
News Wed Jun 18 2008
• The next season of "Top Chef" will be back in New York, but there will be a Top Chef Tour this summer, featuring several "cheftestants" doing cooking demos, talking about the show and offering tastings. It'll hit Chicago Sept. 3-4.
• Time Out tracks down nine chefs who've fallen out of the spotlight.
• Chicago Drinks, from the Reader and thoroughly sponsored by Kilo Kai Rum, is up and running. At this point, not much distinguishes it from your typical drink specials site.
• On the Reader's Food Chain blog, no mention of the new Drinks site, but reviews of Dawali Mediterranean Kitchen and Ja's Jerk Chicken.
• Stop Smiling interviews Chef Stephanie Izard.
• An inside view of the "Top Chef" finale party at Room 21 last week.
• The Extrovert notes that Food & Wine's July "Best New Chefs" issue ought to be called the "Best Chicago Chefs" issue.
• BoingBoing visited Intelligentsia Coffee's LA roastery.
• A paean to Giordano's stuffed pizza — it's even good cold!
• Chicagoist's Karl Klockers interviews Sean Parnell, creator of the Chicago Bar Project.
• The Onion's Chicago office takes one for the team and taste-tests Mountain Dew-flavored Doritos Quest chips and the "Dewmocracy" Mountain Dew variations.
• Speaking of doin' the Dew, Chicago Foodies shares a map of generic terms for soft drinks. We're a battleground state.
• The Sun-Times on the judging of Illinois wine at the State Fair.
• Wonder what Grant Achatz's home is like? The Trib has your answer.
• Chicago Bites visits Mixteco Grill.
• Sugar cookies from a cop.
• How can you not like risotto?
• Audarshia Townsend of 312 Dining Diva continues to be on top of the Angels & Kings opening. Read her preview party review.
• Graham Elliot Bowles makes a halibut BLT for Chicago Magazine.
- Andrew Huff |
News Thu Jun 12 2008
It had been two weeks since my last visit to Wednesday's Green City Market (vacation, bronchitis) and I was itching for a change from my daily fresh repast of garden lettuce. I was pleased to see so many people turn out at the market, including scores of cyclists who stopped by the Chicago Bike Federation's commuter station.
As far as fare goes, pie fixings ruled. Nearly every table hawked Earliglo strawberries and rhubarb. I picked up two quarts of berries and a bunch of rhubarb to make an early summer crostata.
Here's a longer list of what you'll find at the Green City Market:
- Asparagus (also fairly ubiquitous)
- Cheese (butterkase from Prairie Pure and raw cheddar from Brunkow)
- Elk meat from Hawks Hill
- Great greens from Green Acres
- Herbs from Smits Farm
- Klug Farm strawberries
- Nichols rhubarb
- Peonies, so lovely and full, from several great purveyors
The Green City Market is held in Lincoln Park on Wednesday and Saturday from 7 am to 1:30 pm.
- Shylo Bisnett |
News Wed Jun 11 2008
• Mount Sterling's Testicle Festival is this Saturday; details in Slowdown. Amazingly, it's not Illinois' only such event.
• At Serious Eats, Michael Nagrant shares info about Adam Seger's ham and cheese cocktail at Nacional 27.
• Hungry mag has a profile of Graham Elliot Bowles after the opening of his eponymous restaurant. There's also a great eggplant parmesan round-up by Matt Kirouac, and the menu for the still-unnamed Kahan gastropub in Fulton Market.
• Good list of vegetarian-friendly restaurants around town in this Ask MetaFilter thread.
• The Local Tourist has a suggestion for a cheap date.
• Start bidding Friday to have Cheap Trick's Rick Nielsen delivery pizza to your house. Proceeds benefit PAWS. [via]
• A focus on ice cream trucks and carts.
• An ode to Italian beef.
• Rick Tramonto hopes to see you at Green City Market this weekend.
• Craft brew talk on Windy Citizen.
• Is Geno Bahena ready to settle down and stay in one restaurant "until here retire[s]?" We'll see.
• Food Casserole reviews Flourish on Bryn Mawr.
• What exactly does "flame broiled" taste like, and why would I want that on a potato chip?
• I just love that Mondo Fruitcake soldiers on, even when fruitcake is the furthest thing from the rest of our minds.
- Andrew Huff |
News Tue Jun 10 2008
Word on the street is that Avondale's Golden Rise Bakery has reportedly closed up its Sacramento and Diversey store, but will continue to sell its goods at the Logan Square Farmer's Market each Sunday.
- Robyn Nisi |
News Tue Jun 10 2008
The city wants each food vendor at this year's Taste of Chicago to offer a "healthy" menu item, and so far the qualifying entries are pretty questionable: Billy Goat's potato chips (for being healthier than fries), sugar-free and reduced fat Eli's Cheesecake, and Indian samosas, as they're made from peas and potato...which have been covered in dough and fried. No mention of whether ketchup will be classified as a vegetable.
- Robyn Nisi |
News Mon Jun 09 2008
Smoke Daddy, the "legendary blues kitchen" on Division, has launched their barbeque sauce onto the shelves of grocery stores like Olivia's Market, Southport Grocery and Cafe, and Provenance Food and Wine. They say it "complements the flavors of a variety of meats and chicken," but I'm wondering what it will do for all the tofu and seitan in my fridge. They plan to sell the sauce online and, by fall, nation-wide.
- Chris Brunn |
News Mon Jun 09 2008
The 2008 James Beard Awards winners have been announced, and Chicago took home several titles. Alinea's Grant Achatz won the Outstanding Chef Award, given to "a working chef in America whose career has set national industry standards and who has served as an inspiration to other food professionals."
Carrie Nahabidian won Best Chef for the Great Lakes region. This was Nahabidian's third year nominated, and she was up against two other Chicago chefs, Graham Eliot Bowles and Bruce Sherman — as well as Iron Chef America's Michael Symon.
Much farther down the awards bill was Robert Louey Design, who won Outstanding Restaurant Graphics for their work on Sepia. Lastly, as previously announced, Tufano's Vernon Park Tap was honored with an America's Classics Award.
SavoryCities interviewed Rick Bayless and Bruce Sherman during the cocktail before the awards ceremony.
- Andrew Huff |
News Thu Jun 05 2008
Greg Gibbs, of the Chicago Bagel Authority, is always looking for a big bite of food press. It's the CBA's 10 year anniversary, and over that decade, Gibbs & Co. have apparently tried every guerrilla marketing trick in the social media book, from film fests to jingle writing contests an upcoming toaster demolition derby. But what we'd consider truly newsworthy is whether or not you, dear GB eaters and readers, like or dislike CBA's steamed bagels and daily sammitches. Comment away!
Chicago Bagel Authority's toaster steamroll will take place on Sunday, June 15.
- Shylo Bisnett |
News Thu May 29 2008
The
Chicago Tribune is reporting that Dunkin' Donuts has canceled an ad with Rachel Ray because the black-and-white scarf with fringe that's draped around her neck looks too similar to a keffiyah, the wrap traditionally worn by Arab men. The company got too much flak from conservative critics and bloggers, who managed to look beyond the paisley print to see something more sinister. The L.A. Times's blog
All the Rage puts the scarf in perspective, with photos of other celebrities wearing actual keffiyahs. Writer Monica Corcoran points out that "the kaffiyeh has been worn by many a Parisian grad student and dozens of celebrities -- including Colin Farrell, David Beckham, Kirstin Dunst and both of the Olsen twins." What's worse for Rachel is that at the
New York Observer, there's speculation that hipsters will have to burn their keffiyehs now that they're associated with her.
- Lori Barrett |
News Thu May 29 2008
The
home office has already reported on Hollywood's invasion of Lincoln Avenue. Many of the storefronts just above Fullerton have temporary awnings, and windows full of clothes and goods from the 1930s for the filming of
Public Enemies with Johnny Depp. At night the street is closed for filming, but during the day you can walk around and gawk, or gape and cause a block in traffic. The
Red Lion Pub's facade didn't need to be changed too much. Down the block, the restaurant Fiesta Mexicana has been transformed into Mee Wong Chop Suey and is being used as an extras holding area. But you can still eat in
Zig Zag Kitchen, which has a 1930s interior, complete with this menu hanging on the wall. They say Johnny came in and ate.
- Lori Barrett |
News Wed May 21 2008
• Today is National Waiters and Waitresses Day! Don't forget to tip.
• Fox & Obel may be one of the tenants in the Carson Pirie Scott Building, if they can find a way to merge modern grocery with historic, protected architecture.
• The Violet Hour's Toby Maloney tells stories about mean-ass bouncers he met in his early days over on eGullet.
• Chuck Sudo explores whether the glass really does make the wine.
• Sidewalk seating for bars might be a future possibility. In the meantime, you still gotta order food.
• Is Sushi Wabi's Angela Hepler-Lee the next Jerry Kleiner?
• The Food Chain updates us on the Whole Hog Project.
• The suburbs are not safe from the fro-yo invasion.
• Centerstage has a list of grown-up kids' foods. (Hopleaf's CB&J, yum!)
• The Reader's Omnivorous covered the Southern Foodways Alliance's search for the origins of the mother-in-law sandwich last week, and the Sun-Times has a story today. Coincidence? Conspiracy? Nah, just good PR; they hit us up, too.
• Rachel's Bite takes a look at "small foods" from Chicago.
• Mike Nagrant talks up Johnnie's Beef in Elmwood Park at Serious Eats.
• The National Restaurant Association is in town right now, and there are lots of thoughts floating around. Here's some from The Stew, Best of the Best Dining, MenuPages and QSR magazine.
• Chicago Bites hits Over Easy.
• TastyBeat loves Cooking Fools so much they're teaching a class there at the end of June.
• Zagat Buzz offers up a Memorial Day Weekend Planner for foodies.
- Andrew Huff |
News Tue May 20 2008
The New York Times reports on the Farm Bill's nearing to become law. It would make child care costs deductible for some families, increase amounts for food stamps and food banks, and, for the first time, provide incentives to grow fruits and vegetables. There is concern, however, that it will cost too much, particularly in corn subsidies. The article's title hints to anyone who says the bill would be more appropriately called the Food Bill.
- Chris Brunn |
Event Tue May 20 2008
This morning was the official launch press conference in the Pritzker Pavilion for the Chicago Gourmet food and wine festival, produced by the Illinois Restaurant Association and the Anton Family Foundation and backed by the City. The event will take over much of Millennium Park on September 27 and 28, with a gala opening party on the 26th.
Chicago Gourmet promises to be a culinarily star-studded affair, with nearly every Chicago chef of note involved (list after the jump). It's almost easier to list the ones that weren't on the initial list: Charlie Trotter, Grant Achatz, Homaro Cantu, Bruce Sherman, Michael Carlson, Mark Mendez of Carnivale. The festival will include food from Chicago's great restaurants, tastings of more than 150 wines from around the world, cooking demonstrations by celebrity chefs on the Pritzker Pavilion stage (yes, you get to go on the stage!), and seminars on food and wine trends. A special family pavilion will offer kid-friendly food events, including a cooking demo led by Rick Bayless and his daughter Lanie. Additional events will be announced in the months to come.
Thanks to a partnership with the Culinary Institute of America, a version of the CIA's World of Flavors conference will bring chefs from Mexico and Latin America to Chicago to offer samples of traditional and contemporary cuisine from their home countries.
Tickets will be a whopping $150 per day ($130 if you register before June 30) or $250 for a two-day pass. That's nearly twice the price of the much more established Scottsdale Culinary Festival, but only half that of the American Wine & Food Festival in LA. And, as Monica Eng pointed out, you could spend that much on dinner at some of the restaurants represented at the festival.
Tickets for tastings in the family pavilion will cost $30 per adult, with up to three children. The World of Flavors Pavilion will cost $95. There's no word yet on the cost of the opening night party or the other planned special events, such as a Grand Cru wine tasting, which will be ticketed separately. For reference, tickets for similar special events at the 2008 South Beach Wine & Food Festival ranged from $28 all the way up to $500 — $250 would have been a conservative cost for an equivalent experience there. In other words, your full price tag for Chicago Gourmet could potentially run toward $1,000 or more per couple.
We'll have more details as they come, but from the looks of it so far, it should be quite an event. Here's a set of photos from today's press conference.
Continue reading this entry»
- Andrew Huff |
McDonald's will stop cooking with oils containing trans-fat by the end of 2008, Crain's reports.
- Robyn Nisi |
News Wed May 14 2008
The Chicago Tribune is reporting that the City Council has repealed the foie gras ban with a 37-6 vote.
- Gemma Petrie |
News Thu May 08 2008
• Continuing the coverage of Alinea and Grant Achatz: Not one but two profiles in the June issue of Chicago magazine. Plus Men's Vogue has a profile, and the restaurant landed at #21 on S.Pelligrino's World's 50 Best Restaurants list.
• Time Out runs down the best of outdoor seating.
• Nagrant finally made it to Tufano's Vernon Park Tap, recently honored by the James Beard Foundation, and is disappointed by lackluster food and indifferent service.
• Hungry Mag also has a nice photo set from McWethy Farms, a hydroponic heirloom tomato farm, to go with his Sun-Times article on the place.
• Sepia's Peter Vestinos wrote about his experience behind the bar at the USBG National Cocktail Competition for Time Out's blog.
• It's not just your imagination: celebrity chefs from all over are flocking to Chicago to open restaurants.
• Dish gets an early word on Mixteco Grill, new to the doomed corner of Montrose and Ashland, and talks with food writer Patricia Wells and her husband Walter, and chef-writer Craig W. Priebe.
• The Food Chain reports on fugu liver and the controversy surrounding whether you can eat it.
• I know this looks like a brownie, but it's really gingerbread.
• We're the 8th best restaurant city in the world, according to Food & Wine.
• The Veggie Train debunks some vegetarian myths.
• Chicago Bites tries Bull-eh-dia's Tapas Bar.
• Phil Vettel contemplates dim sum for brunch.
- Andrew Huff |
Mado, in the old Barcello space at 1647 N. Milwaukee, has been open for just three weeks and is getting largely solid reviews, likely helped by owners Rob and Allison Levitt's proven track record at del Toro and others. And possibly also by this peek behind the kitchen curtain.
Mexique at 1529 W. Chicago Avenue hopes to bring chef Carlos Gaytan's Mex-French flair to West Town this month with its made-to-order tacos, fancy tamales, and a full bar to go with brunch. Every day more and more butcher paper comes down off the windows...it's only a matter of time.
After honing his upscale skills at Charlie Trotter's, Trio and Le Lan, chef Bill Kim is opening Urban Belly at 3053 N. California Avenue in Logan Square sometime in June. A family affair that will focus on noodles and dumplings, Urban Belly may also soon be the Northwest side's answer for weekend dim sum. We can only hope.
Dadaist art gets a nod from newcomer Duchamp, also opening in June, from a team taken from Lumen and Zealous. Taking up residence in the old Meritage space at 2118 N. Damen, Duchamp will feature French and Mediterranean-inspired New American plates with a neighborhoody casual-feel. And, egads, more brunch!
- Andie Thomalla |
News Wed May 07 2008
A small essay in the Chicago Tribune's Good Eating section today caught my attention because its subject matter touches on two of my favorite things: words and food.
The author, Kathleen Purvis, muses on the words we've created to describe devoted eaters, such as omnivores, carnivores and, more recently, locavores. Then she wryly dishes out a list of names for some of the "tribes" prowling the modern foodie landscape, including "opportunivores" (people who will eat anything if given the chance); "foodfearists" (adults who still avoid foods they hated when they were kids); and, my personal favorite, "snap-and-eaters" (those who take photos of their food to post , ahem, on food blogs).
- Mandy Burrell |
News Mon May 05 2008
• A lengthy, fascinating profile of Grant Achatz appears in the current New Yorker. NYTimes' Diner's Journal has some further thoughts.
• Speaking of Alinea, if you pre-bought the Alinea book, you'd have access to the members-only section of the book site today.
• Wondering where to get a sweet treat for Mothers Day? Centerstage has some tips.
• Or you could send mom some Mexican food.
• The Trib explains just how much of your tip actually goes to your server, and Mike Nagrant elucidates the tension between front of house and back of house over tips.
• Want to hunt morel mushrooms? Omnivorous profiles the author of How to Find Morels; Food Chain offers up a recipe for fresh morel paté.
• Dish learns more about Province, the new West Loop spot from ex-Nacional 27 executive chef Randy Zweiban, and interviews Kurt Serpin, chef/partner at Café Orchid.
• Interested in becoming a competitive eater -- or just watching them? EatFeats has a list of local events for you.
• Several Chicago spots on All About Beer's list of the 125 places to have a beer before you die, including Hopleaf, Map Room, Goose Island -- and John Barleycorn?
• The beer guys at Chicagoist had a busy weekend, not enjoying DarkLord Day at Three Floyd's and discovering Oberon (sort of) has returned to the city.
• There's a local cook's recipe in Rachel Ray's latest cookbook.
- Andrew Huff |
News Thu May 01 2008
Maybe a person who writes regularly about food shouldn't admit this, but I've not been terribly interested in cooking lately. I'm in a serious rut, such that not even last summer's issues of Gourmet, with their centerfolds of sun-drenched people looking improbably gorgeous while eating corn on the cob and barbecue spare ribs, have inspired me.
Then today, I picked up the Chicago Reader, and, lo, a ray of light! This edition features the annual round-up of Chicago farmer's markets.
Yes, Virginia, summer really does exist.
Tonight, I will mark my calendar for May 14, and dream of mounds of Japanese and Thai eggplant, orange and yellow bell peppers, heirloom tomatoes, ripe peaches, fresh-picked lettuce and herbs, purple cauliflower, elephant garlic, Michigan blueberries, portabello mushrooms, fingerling potatoes ...
- Mandy Burrell |
News Wed Apr 30 2008
The Chicago Tribune reported that 50,000 pounds of ribs went up in smoke outside of Hazel Crest last night, after a brake-system fire spread on a semi truck.
"The trailer was loaded with about 50,000 pounds of beef ribs, [Master Sgt. David] Bird said. He could not say what cut of ribs they were, but added, "There was no sauce."
I wonder what the interstate smells like right now...
- Gemma Petrie |
News Wed Apr 23 2008
• Zagaz Buzz interviews Avec's Koren Grieveson.
• 312 Dining Diva interviews Brian Huston, the chef at Paul Kahan's yet-to-be-named gastropub.
• Dish interviews Binny's South Loop cheese expert Gary Williams, and has news of Geno Bahena's latest mole joint, coming in June.
• In honor of Passover, Centerstage has recommendations for kosher restaurants.
• Details puts Lem's on its list of the America's best barbecue.
• On Hungrymag, the making of new restaurant mado. (The story came out in NewCity last week, but I prefer Hungry's clean design to their green-grey-beige hideousness.)
• Kraft is looking to Cool Whip in a spray can and mac'n'cheese flavored crackers (I thought those were called Cheezits?) to help boost its bottom line.
• This cake will eat your brain!
• MenuPages Blog provides a little springtime foodporn.
Speaking of foodporn, the L.20 development blog is chock full of it. It's also where they announced their first seating: May 14.
• Jane's Restaurant is cute, but doesn't live up to its looks, sez Skinny Gourmet.
• Bobtail's summer flavor contest will be election-themed.
• Chicagoist checks in on the state of our local bees.
• Care for a bite to eat for breakfast?
• Chicago Bites hits Rockit.
• Hey, Two Bites in Suburbia has a podcast!
• Chicago Traveler recommends a drink in the Signature Lounge, and so do I -- it's the cheapest way to see the city from above.
• Gastronomic Bypass checks out Zed-451.
• Somewhat old news, but LTH Forum now has a section devoted to gardening, farming and foraging.
- Andrew Huff |
News Mon Apr 21 2008
Restaurant Magazine named its S. Pellegrino World's 50 Best Restaurants list today, with Alinea coming in at #15 (up from #36 last year), and Charlie Trotter's making #38 (falling from last year's #30 slot). Spain's El Bulli is at the top of the list for the third year running.
- Robyn Nisi |
News Wed Apr 16 2008
Democrats guzzle Evian; Republicans prefer Fiji. That's according to a NYTimes article on micro-targeting voters via food. As to how effective and accurate that is, I don't know, but I suppose it does make the political news easier to swallow for the style section-addicted news readers of today.
- Yu Kizawa |
News Sat Apr 12 2008
• As expected, Rosscoe's Chicken & Waffles is being sued by West Coast chain Roscoe's Chicken & Waffles for trademark infringement. That extra 's' just isn't enough.
• What happens when a restaurant like TRU works a particular ingredient — say, Sunsweet dried plums — into an entire meal? Divinity. [via]
• Michael Nagrant offers some alternative streets to Good Magazine's choice of Broadway as Chicago's tastiest street. His top choice? Western.
• Chicago Magazine has launched a new beer blog, Get to the Pint.
• Chicago Mag's Dish points us to Dream Cakes' awesome JelArt™, which will apparently be featured on Martha Stewart's TV show soon.
• One last thing from Chicago Mag: Jeff Ruby's "Lonely Critic" music video.
• Cinner's gets attention from Hungry Mag and The Food Chain.
• TimeOut provides some dining tips for Hyde Park.
• Monica Eng runs down some green dining options for Earth Day, and the Sun-Times' Julianne Will lists some green wines to go with your meal.
- Andrew Huff |
Drink Tue Apr 08 2008
Our friends at Half Acre Beer let us know that owner Gabriel Magliaro is turning the ceremonial hand delivery of the first case of their beer to the Heartland Cafe into a fundraiser called the "Half Acre Hike." He'll be walking from Monroe Harbor, approximately 0 North, to the cafe at 7000 N. Glenwood -- about 9 miles north, carrying a case of beer the whole way. The walk will raise money for First Slice, a nonprofit that provides healthy, hearty meals to underprivileged children.
The walk gets underway at 4pm on April 26, and a party at the Heartland, featuring Chicago Samba, starts at 8pm when the walkers arrive. You're welcome to sponsor Magliaro -- or join him on the walk and raise money yourself (no need to carry a case). Call 312-492-8494 or email info@halfacrebeer.com for more info.
• Also on April 26, there's a great event for fans of beer ...and zombies. Chicago is finally getting its own Zombie Pub Crawl! The drunkard zombies will be invading Andersonville, and it's $10 in advance, $15 day-of.
• Meanwhile, Samuel Adams has announced a recall of some of their beer after it was discovered that some bottles contain glass shards, due to problem with one of their bottle factories. Check your bottles for the code "N35 OI" stamped around the bottom (in the glass itself, not the label) -- if you find it, don't drink that beer till you check the site to see if it's safe.
- Andrew Huff |
News Mon Apr 07 2008
• Daily Candy raves about Wicker Park's new Veggie Bite, a "vegan wet dream."
• University of Chicago Vegan Society is getting the word out on veganism with a week-long schedule of food.
• The Daily Herald covers ethnic food stops in the northwest suburbs, like Cho Dang Tofu Village.
- Chris Brunn |
News Wed Apr 02 2008
• Bite Club, "the world’s first social networking site designed for, and created by, members of the food and bar industry," isn't local, but it sure looks interesting.
• North Shore Distillery is coming out with its own absinthe! [via]
• The battle of the fro-yos continues to heat up. Mike Sula says Red Mango is worth the hype. Starfruit's Wicker Park store opens April 15, so we'll see how it stacks up.
• Butter's Ryan Poli is back in Chicago to helm the upcoming Perennial, which will have quite the wine list, apparently.
• Here's a sneak peak at the menu at Graham Elliot Bowles' eponymous restaurant. [via]
• Dish talks to Rob Levitt about the upcoming Mado.
• Are people really unclear on what ceviche is?
• Been awhile since we heard about Coalfire.
• Chicago MenuPages took a look at food at The Cell, Wrigley and other ballparks in honor of opening day this week.
• The city is your oyster, says Bill Daley.
- Andrew Huff |
News Tue Apr 01 2008
Proving that high-end dining has friends in low(er) places, Grant Achatz of Alinea has announced that he will be teaming up with Dan Coudreaut, Director of Culinary Innovation for McDonald's USA, to develop a twenty-one course tour menu that combines Achatz’s culinary genius with the popular, familiar tastes of the fast-food giant. “It’s time to really push flavor away from the experimental and back into the sentimental,” Achatz said at a press conference earlier today. “McDonald’s has been single-handedly responsible for developing the American palate. We will learn a lot from each other through this venture.”
While most of the menu remains a closely-guarded secret, several dishes were revealed to the press, among them the “Happy Meal,” a trio of mini-cheeseburgers made from Wagyu beef topped with a housemade “Velveeta” savory cheese tart. A tableside deep fat fryer will prepare French fries infused with black truffle. The “prize” of the Happy Meal is an edible toy made from liquefied carmel and bacon lardons. The “Shamrock Shake” will consist of a gelee of green food dye, a single mint leaf, and a frozen “vanilla milkshake froth” served in a spoon. Achatz and Coudreaut would not reveal their plans for the chicken McNugget, but did indicate that their version would involve trout roe and nutmeg. For more information, click here.
- Robyn Nisi |
News Thu Mar 27 2008
On the heels of the revelations that the City's five cent bottled water tax has fallen 40% short of revenue projections, several restaurants (among them Ina's and Clarke's Diner) have announced that they will only be serving tap water as part of their pledge to Think Outside the Bottle, which promotes the benefits of tap water and the burden of one-use water bottles to the environment.
- Robyn Nisi |
Drink Mon Mar 24 2008
Thanks to Chicagoist for passing along some great news: Flossmoor Station is bottling! Look for it beginning April 5th.
Flossmoor has consistently impressed me since I first tasted their beers at the Great Taste of the Midwest a few years ago. Their brewpub serves up delicious food and is an easy and highly recommended trip from the city.
- Gemma Petrie |
News Mon Mar 24 2008
The nominees for the 2008 James Beard Awards were just announced, and Chicago has pretty good representation this year. The Chicago chefs/restaurateurs nominated are:
• Rich Melman, Lettuce Entertain You, Outstanding Restaurateur
• Grant Achatz, Alinea, Outstanding Chef Award
• Mindy Segal, HotChocolate, Outstanding Pastry Chef
• Brian Duncan, Bin 36, Outstanding Wine Service
• Spiaggia, Outstanding Service
• Graham Elliot Bowles, formerly of Avenues, Best Chef: Great Lakes
• Carrie Nahabedian, Naha, Best Chef: Great Lakes
• Bruce Sherman, North Pond, Best Chef: Great Lakes
Tufano’s Vernon Park Tap received a James Beard Foundation "America’s Classics" Award. The citation said, "One of the few remnants of Chicago's Little Italy, Tufano's Vernon Park Tap has been owned and operated by the same family since it opened as a bar in the early 1930s. The small table in the bar's kitchen has since expanded to include two dining rooms that are regularly packed with businessmen, police officers, families, and pre-game sports fans. The restaurant's chalkboard menu offers diners Italian-American classics like lemon chicken, eggplant Parmesan, and fettuccini Alfredo at prices that make just about everyone a regular."
In addition, the Sun-Times' Janet Rausa Fuller was nominated for Best Newspaper Feature Writing without Recipes for her story "Fish Fraud: The Menus Said Snapper, but it Wasn't!"; CBS2 Chicago's Vince Gerasoli's "Table for Two" was nominated for Best Television Food Segment, National or Local; and the WTTW special "Foods of Chicago: A Delicious History" was nominated for Best Television Food Special. Robert Louey Design was nominated for Outstanding Restaurant Graphics for their work on Sepia.
- Andrew Huff |
News Mon Mar 24 2008
World Kitchen, the series of cooking classes sponsored by the Department of Cultural Affairs, has extended its class schedule into June; registration is now open for a range of courses, among them tutorials on Mediterranean cooking, making jam from seasonal fruits, mastering the art of improvisational cooking a la Top Chef, and baklava making with Armenian church ladies. Class fee is $30 (unless specified), with all sessions held at Gallery 37 for the Arts.
- Robyn Nisi |
News Wed Mar 19 2008
• In the Food Chain, Julia Thiel takes the just-released Opinionated About Dining guide to task for its lazy bicoastal bias and its author's lack of anonymity.
• Mike Nagrant wasn't too impressed with the new Rockstar Dogs, nor with Rosscoe's Chicken & Waffles (neither was Monica Eng).
• Top Chef: The Extrovert got all fanboyish on Padma Lakshmi at a recent fundraiser. Meanwhile, Chuck Sudo handicaps the chefs. And The Stew has a sneak peek video for you.
• Is Greater Than seeks out a veganized Famous Bowl.
• At Food In Mouth, a visit to Andrzej Grill in honor of the recent Pulaski Day.
• Some people like corned beef all year 'round... and here's how to make it.
• Jaunted reminded St. Paddy's Day revelers that there's more than one way to eat green.
• Sure would be nice if Gridskipper would stop letting New Yorkers write about Chicago and hire someone local. Fado for an authentic "Chi-Town Style" St. Patrick's Day? Seriously?
• The MenuPages Blog says we're going through a tapas renaissance. Meanwhile, Zagat thinks were in the midst of a gastro-lounge craze.
• I'm a little sad that I missed this last week: Mac and Cheese Cupcakes!
• Is there such a thing as a gender specific cocktail?
• Veal Cheeks visits Schwa for a fifth time, and finds it better than ever.
• Beer (& More) in Food is upset that the hamburger is no longer America's most ordered sandwich in restaurants.
- Andrew Huff |
News Mon Mar 17 2008
An Ebay bid for a corn flake in the shape of Illinois is currently going for $56; the auction closes Thursday. The famous flake's owners, two sisters from Virginia, plan to use the proceeds from the sale to buy more boxes of Frosted Flakes, because "[they] like cereal."
- Robyn Nisi |
News Fri Mar 07 2008
This week, a landmark Chicago hotel and a former Chicago hotel both get some time in the spotlight for their new dining options. Yesterday's Trib Tempo section trotted out a long Phil Vettel review of Lockwood, the new restaurant at the Palmer House Hilton (which had arguably been without fine dining even before Trader Vic's closed shop). While some have cited rocky service as a potential downfall at chef Phillip Voss's new establishment, the mid-century-style decadence and playful menu have others, particularly the other Phil, eating it up.
Just a bit further down Michigan Avenue, The Blackstone (Blackstone Hotel? Whatever it's called, it was a hotel, now it's condos. Let's move on) has also gotten a new kitchen crew with the opening of Mercat a la Planxa, a new tapas joint from Chicago-born, Philly-tried chef Jose Garces. The Mercat website (beware, annoying music) touts Garces style as "mod-Mediterranean" which sounds fun, and the grill-heavy menu sounds delicious. Tapas is something of a crowded market in Chicago, but the Southish Loop could benefit from a few more options, and some are already heralding Mercat's success. Mercat opens tomorrow, March 8.
- Andie Thomalla |
News Sat Feb 23 2008
Tony Bourdain and Michael Ruhlman's "Golden Clog Award" winners have been announced, and both Chicago nominees have walked away with the shoes!
Paul Kahan of Blackbird and Avec won The Chef's Chef, for "the chef who continues to make the kind of food other chefs like, while flying largely under the national radar," beating out Scott Bryan of Veritas in New York and Mark Vetri of Osteria and Vetri in Philadelphia.
Mike Nagrant of Hungry Mag won The Steingarten, for "the writer or blogger who actually gets it." He beat out Bill Buford, author of the best-seller Heat, and Pim of popular foodblog Chez Pim. Not even Nagrant expected it.
- Andrew Huff |
News Thu Feb 21 2008
Frat boys, mark your calendars: Crains reports that Playboy will burst on the energy drink market with their new line of ginseng- and guarana-packed energy drinks to be sold later this year.
- Robyn Nisi |
News Wed Feb 20 2008
Author Michael Ruhlman and chef/author/TV guy Tony Bourdain have created the Golden Clog Awards, a goofy but fun series of awards named mostly for various TV celebrity chefs. The nominees have been announced, and two Chicagoans are among them: Paul Kahan (Blackbird, Avec) for "Chef's Chef" and Hungry Mag's Michael Nagrant for The Steingarten ("for the writer or blogger who actually GETS it").
Bourdain handicaps the nominees on Eater [part one, part two]
The awards will be presented at the South Beach Wine & Food Festival this weekend -- cross your fingers for the home team!
- Andrew Huff |
News Wed Feb 20 2008
• Schwa has reopened, and reports are trickling in. Reservations remain difficult, mostly due to a full voicemail box, but you may be surprised to get a call back from Chef Michael Carlson himself. The Stew's Chris Borrelli went last Friday and was surprised to find the restaurant empty. Chris LaMorte has a review and some tips on the BYOB dilemma. (Related: Michale Nagrant's take on LaMorte's post, and some heated discussion of Phil Vettel and Monica Eng's interview with Carlson over on LTH Forum.)
• Lots of "Top Chef: Chicago" news, too. The Stew learns about some locations and challenges, while The Watcher has a load of video clips. Not to be outdone, Chicagoist offers up video profiles of the three Chicago-connected competitors, Valerie Bolon, Dale Talde and Stephanie Izard. The new season debuts March 12.
• The Sun-Times dug through its archives on its 60th anniversary and came up with an interesting food snapshot of the city through the decades.
• Mike Sula follows up his Omnivorous column on Korean soup at Chodang Korean Village with some supplements on the Food Chain -- video from Chodang's kitchen and a visit to H Mart for green tofu.
• Also in the Sun-Times, Chuck Sudo visits BJ's Market & Bakery in Chatham.
• Chicago Bites bag on La Madia.
• Joelen's Culinary Adventures take her to Ethiopian Diamond and Kukulu Market, an Ethiopian grocery across from the restaurant.
• GrubHub has gone green. A Fresh Squeeze has more details.
• Chicago Foodies suggest you try cooking with a tagine.
• MenuPages gives the White Palace Grill its close-up.
• Lychee bubble tea cupcakes... weird, but worth a try?
• And speaking of unusual, how 'bout a round lasagna?
• Wow, that's some cake. There's a lucky teenager out there somewhere.
• The Beer Bistro wants you to join them in a polar bear plunge March 2. [via]
• Happy first birthday to My Vegetable Blog! We're practically the same age!
- Andrew Huff |
News Tue Feb 19 2008
The Washington Post's campaign blog is reporting that Ben & Jerry have decided to support Obama, now that their guy Edwards is out of the race. In more food-related detail, the blog says: "As part of the event, Ben & Jerry and [Vermont Sen. Patrick] Leahy rode in customized Honda Elements they dubbed 'ObamaMobiles,' to American Flatbread, a Vermont-based artisan pizza company. " Not sure if there's a pizza named after Obama. But, food blog Serious Eats says the Obama ice-cream flavor is called Cherries for Change. This is good news and, more importantly, a good pick-me-up for those suffering from Obama Comedown Syndrome.
- Lori Barrett |
News Mon Feb 18 2008
Part A: The USDA announced the biggest meat recall in American history earlier today after discovering that California-based beef producers Hallmark/Westland did not follow proper protocol in the slaughtering of injured cows. The precautionary recall of 37 million pounds of beef covers sales from as far back as February 2006. Before you throw out that steak in the cooler, note that there's been no evidence of human illness, and the questionable meat would not have been sold in retail stores but rather to other food manufacturers. Yay! Yay?
Part B: Crains reports that Northfield-based Kraft Foods is trying to retool their Oscar Meyer frank recipe in order to make it (literally) a "beefier" competitor to rival Sara Lee's Ball Park Franks. Oh, to be a fly on the wall in that R&D meeting!
- Robyn Nisi |
News Wed Feb 13 2008
• Schwa reopens tonight, and the Tribune has a look at its last 48 hours open, when Carlson and crew served the biggest chefs in the world and then abruptly closed, and some insight into the restaurant's return.
• Are restaurants really recycling?
• Starbucks will offer a couple hours of free wifi with purchase soon; in the meantime, they're going to close all its stores for a few hours on Feb. 27 to refresh barista's memories on how to make a decent espresso. (
• Nagrant thinks Sola's new monthly prix-fixe is a much better deal than Restaurant Week.
• In praise of expensive chickens.
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