Oat Cream Sandwiches at Sauce & Bread Kitchen

You could do just fine with a visit to Sauce & Bread Kitchen in Edgewater, and stick to the sandwiches. Or, if you were in a hurry, grab some of the hot sauces, maybe a bottle of chow chow (relish) and a loaf or two of the homemade bread. But you would certainly kick yourself if, after seeing this video, if you neglected to pick up at least one oat cream cookie sandwich. I’m not a huge oatmeal guy, but these little caramel buttercream beauties won me over instantly, thanks to the crisp/soft contrast. How crisp? Listen to the very end of this video, and you’ll see what I mean.

Thanks to Todd Rosenberg for the fine videography (follow him @toddrphoto)

Lahmacun at Pide ve Lahmacun

There are only a handful of Turkish restaurants in Chicago, and of those, only a few serve lahmacun. It’s essentially a thin, crispy pizza-like disc topped with ground lamb and beef. It’s one of only two things that are served at the tiny Pide ve Lahmacun on Irving Park Road, and the key to enjoying it is to use up those colorful condiments that arrive alongside.

Videography courtesy Todd Rosenberg Photography (@toddrphoto)

Burnt Ends at Bub City

This resurrected concept from Team Melman and Lettuce Entertain You used to sit on Weed Street, in Lincoln Park in the late 80s (I fondly recall eating a mess of crawdads on a ream of newspaper after an Oingo Boingo concert at Metro in ’88). But the trend of slow-smoking pork and brisket was too much to ignore, and so, a few months ago, Bub City re-emerged as a River North honky-tonk, complete with live music, bourbon on tap and soon, a basement tiki bar called Three Dots and a Dash. Read More

The Gringa at L’Patron

I know, I know. We’ve been covering tacos, burgers and fried chicken WAY too much lately. It seems like every other opening in Chicago features these standards, albeit with a twist, in some form or another. But wait, there’s more. L’Patron (pronounced “El Patron”) is the latest taqueria to open in Logan Square, and the key here is that there’s a Topolobampo alum back in the kitchen. I do like their tacos – only if you specify you want them on homemade tortillas for .80 extra – but the Gringa is also an item worth checking out. As they say (way down) south, “Buen Provecho!”

(videography courtesy Todd Rosenberg Photography, @toddrphoto)

Daiquiri at Billy Sunday

Yes, it’s getting warmer outside. But ever since Billy Sunday opened, they’ve had this rum-fueled, tart passionfruit and pineapple-laced summer-inspired daiquiri on the drink menu; perhaps wishful thinking for sunnier days ahead? I say bold move, Mr. Bartender. This icy concoction is definitely something you should drink. Cheers.

Thanks to Todd Rosenberg (@toddrphoto) for the fine videography, as usual.

Dukbokki at Joong Boo Market’s Cafe

Since I just returned from Korea yesterday, and saw dukbokki at every night market and street corner, I couldn’t resist re-running this favorite from last year. It’s one of those images you’ve seen countless times driving down the Kennedy Expressway in Chicago. No, not the Wrigley’s digital sign or that building on Ashland that’s always getting painted over with a new billboard. I’m talking about the white lettered, green sign that used to say “Chicago Food Corp.”, and now just says “Joong Boo Market.” Most people think it’s an Asian wholesale market, but those in-the-know realize it’s a fantastic Korean grocery store with a grandma-led kitchen in the back, serving home-cooked food to both novice and more seasoned Korean food fans. Read More