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

Beer of the Week: Happy 25th, Goose Island

It’s hard to believe it’s been a quarter century since John Hall and his son, Greg, began brewing beer along Clybourn in Lincoln Park. 25 years later, the company is in someone else’s hands, but there’s no denying the impact and influence Goose Island has had on the Chicago beer scene. For this special anniversary ESB, Hall reunited with the old team to create one more special brew. Cheers to that.

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)

French Chef Series Coming to Paris Club

Photo by LettuceEntertainYou

On Wednesday, April 24 through Friday, April 26, River North’s Paris Club will host Chef Keisuke “Kei” Matsushima from Nice, France. The very first Michelin-starred Asian chef, Chef Kei moved from Japan to France at the age of 20, to pursue a childhood dream of opening his own restaurant.

Kei, now 35, has three well-regarded restaurants. His signature fare is Mediterranean focused with French and Japanese influences. In partnership with the team at Paris Club, Chef Matsushima has planned a four-course menu to be paired with fine wines.

Beer of the Week: Anchor Bock

Nothing says springtime (in the beer world) like a little bock. This seasonal brew from Anchor Brewing, one of the country’s best-known brewers out of San Francisco, is ready to drink this week, but it won’t be on store shelves forever. Sure, The Hopleaf carries it, but so do a lot of other fine purveyors around Chicago (and the country). Cheers.

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.