Sometimes, curiosity gets the best of me. It’s one of the hazards of my job, driving around the city, rubber-necked, looking at interesting awnings and neon signs that beckon from beyond the sidewalk. What is it that makes someone pull over, pay the meter and walk into an unfamiliar space? Unless you’re going based on … Continued
I rarely bother writing about opening days of restaurants, since whatever a publicist promises, in terms of actual dates, usually gets pushed back due to forces beyond their control. So take this with a few bags of Maldon. But the reason I’m letting you know about White Oak Tavern & Inn is not because of … Continued
Twenty five years ago, when Goose Island Brewing was still hustling to get sales going, Shaw’s Crab House became its first corporate account. Now Goose Island is helping Shaw’s celebrate the restaurant’s 30th anniversary, with a limited edition beer crafted to pair perfectly with Shaw’s seafood menu, namely its oysters. The unique brew is called Pearl: … Continued
There are less than 10 great Korean barbecues in Chicago, and while a lot of people rave about San Soo Gab San, I’ve always felt they could care less about the customer. Gogi sets a new standard: high-quality ingredients, everything made in-house (that means at least 12 banchan, or veggie side dishes) plus friendly, helpful … Continued
There are only a handful of places I like for dim sum in Chicago’s Chinatown. Phoenix is the stalwart – and much-needed renovation in 2014 really brought them into the modern era. Cai, on the 2nd floor of the Chinatown Square Mall, is more elegant, but still, bustling on a weekend (which means plenty of … 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
Say what you will about Montreal smoked meat, but Schwartz’s – that legendary icon – is nothing more than a tourist trap. On my most recent visit, a few years ago, I got a tour of the kitchen and noticed they don’t smoke the cured briskets anymore; haven’t since the 60s. What they serve at … Continued
An upscale take on the American diner with great cocktails, matzo ball soup and yes, those cheeseburgers. During brunch (and after midnight) check out the chilaquiles, but be sure your friends are joining you, because the mound is enough to feed six. It seems like Brendan Sodikoff and the Hogsalt team thought of everything here … Continued
Jimmy Bannos, Jr. has restaurants in his blood. His father launched Heaven on Seven, where the young Bannos grew up, then he trained in New York with Mario Batali’s team for a series of stages. But it’s his father’s Greek heritage and his mother’s Italian heritage the really creeps into dishes like the grilled chicken … Continued
Chicago’s Begyle Brewing company has been doing things a little bit differently ever since they opened, and this week’s pick is certainly part of that approach. The company is a CSB – Community Supported Brewery – much like the CSAs you find from local farms during the summer. You get a new beer every month … Continued
There are no vitamin C deficiencies this week, but a small, Lake Mills, Wisconsin brewery called Tyranena is using a little humor to create a slightly bitter IPA they’re calling scurvy. Since it contains orange peels – one of the remedies for said affliction – they’re hoping that if you have a pirate in the … Continued