Top 5 Delis/Stores To Shop/Eat
Hungry? Panozzo's has you covered (photo: Gulnaz Saiyed)
My biggest problem when shopping for ethnic food is that I’m constantly craving something to eat. Just perusing the aisles of lemongrass, or roasted peppers or chorizo makes me yearn for a snack. Thankfully, you can do a little noshing with your shopping in Chicago, and sometimes, the store owners will even set up a few chairs and a couple of tables so you can dine comfortably.
Beer of the Week: Black Chocolate Stout
This week, The Hopleaf’s Michael Roper again stays within the U.S. (what, no Belgian Mike?) for his BoTW. It’s courtesy Garrett Oliver’s employer, the Brooklyn Brewery. Dessert fans who eschew late-harvest riesling and ice wine, and long for a good beer to go with their cake, ganache or tart, you’re in luck: here’s a limited-release beer that will have you toasting the end of your meal with nary a wine glass in sight. Cheers.
Fried Chicken from West Town Tavern
Some word combinations just have that magic touch for me, conjuring images, smells and textures in an instant: “Italian Beef,” “daikon kimchi” and “fried chicken” are a few of my favorites. Obviously, there are varying degrees of quality within each category. For instance, while many local rave about Harold’s (meh) and Evanston’s Chicken Shack (much better), I’ve recently been turned on to the surprisingly crisp and succulent version at Joe’s Seafood, Prime Steak and Stone Crab (seriously) and have been a fan of Crisp’s Korean-style since they opened their doors on Broadway. Read More
How To Assemble A Cheese Board
You don’t have to be a Green Bay Packers fan to be cheesy. Just walk into any of the three Chicago locations of Pastoral Artisan Cheese Bread & Wine, and you’ll be able to geek out on all the chèvre, reblochon and gruyère you care to.
Among the skills I think are crucial to being a) a good entertainer, and b) a halfway knowledgeable food lover, is having the skill and confidence to assemble a proper cheese board. That’s where Pastoral comes in. They obviously sell them ready to go, but this week, we’re asking Fromager/Cheese Guru Cesar Olivares to show us how it’s done.
How To Make An Omelet
Chicago’s first snow storm of the season might be keeping some people at home this weekend, so I thought, what a perfect time to have an expert illustrate how to make the perfect omelet. The folks at Meli Cafe certainly know how to make a great one – they do it hundreds of times each week, all before noon. Hopefully these tips will make you all omelet experts.
Top 5 Eating Destinations For Seasoned Chicagoans
Seasonal crostini from Avec (photo: Steve Dolinsky)
Last week, I offered my five (or so) suggestions for newcomers to our city; places that any self-respecting Chicagoan has been to, in order to establish a baseline of sorts, for where we’ve come from (and where we’re obviously headed). The post was inspired by my 20-something cousin, who had recently moved to town, and was looking for some of my favorite “go-to”s for various categories (sushi, Mexican, etc.)
This week, we’re taking things a few steps further, by suggesting the five places a more seasoned palate with a bit more experience should try. I’m sure these will eventually become the “new classics” of Chicago. I welcome your additional suggestions. Read More
