There is no shortage of pizza joints in Chicago, but it seems like every month or so, an exciting new option becomes available. Part of this is due to cooks getting creative and breaking out of the usual tavern-style or deep-dish Chicago has always embraced. These days, there’s Sicilian, artisan, neo-Neapolitan and even Roman style. That’s … Continued
Avocado toast is one of the biggest breakfast trends of the past few years. In Chicago, there are several places with exceptional versions, including a pair I recently tried in Lakeview.
It’s the new year, and for a lot of us, that means an attempt to try to eat a little bit healthier. Remember Muskie’s? That little burger dive on N. Lincoln Avenue? It’s been re-born as a super healthy-yet-delicious option in Lakeview, where most of the menu is guilt-free.
Cinnamon rolls are usually a favorite treat for a Sunday brunch. But a recent addition – only available for about a month-and-a-half and for now – are available on the weekends only at one of Chicago’s best bakeries. Bittersweet celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, and the Lakeview bakery shows few signs of age. They still … Continued
(photo: Todd Rosenberg) While a wave of fried chicken joints has washed over Chicago in the past year or so, only a handful specialize in “Nashville hot.” The most recent – a tiny operation in Lakeview – has big expansion plans already, thanks to the overwhelming success after just a month or two in business. They’ve … Continued
If your morning ritual involves bagels, cream cheese and some smoked salmon, prepare for a jolt. That’s because a new Lakeview store is not only curing all of their fish in-house, they’re also making some pretty creative spreads to go along with their bagels.
Once you get past the narrow counter and the make-shift seating arrangements, Bunny, the micro bakery, is a gem of a bread shop. Named for the owner’s childhood nickname, it really puts bread in all its forms front-and-center.
Whereas retail boasts sales aplenty after the holidays, restaurants typically suffer low attendance – not to mention worn-out staff whose vacation (if such a respite exists) lasts a few short days in January. Restaurant Week, running from Friday, January 22 through Thursday, February 4, aims to ameliorate a typically quiet two weeks with prix-fixe feasts across … Continued
In the case of holiday planning, the early bird this year gets a bonus pie. Let French Pastry School graduates Bob and Gina Hartwig of Lovely bake for you. The duo offers an array of seasonal pies from the classic apple, pumpkin, and pecan to house specialties like chocolate pecan and pumpkin pecan – the latter … Continued
Is there a better fried chicken in Chicago? Probably not. Although there are certainly different styles (I love the Carolina-style at Roost, as well as the vaguely Asian-flecked version at Smalls). But Crisp has always been my go-to. It’s twice-fried, then tossed with a choice of either a gojujang-laced barbecue sauce or a sesame-soy-garlic Korean … Continued
Neapolitan pizzas have been taking over Chicago recently, kind of like Middle Eastern falafel joints, fried chicken shacks and BBQ houses. But the best of the bunch is certainly Panino’s Pizzaiolo – although I’ve also loved the pies at Forno Rosso, on the far western edge of the city, on Harlem Ave. Say all you want about … Continued