When it comes to pickles, Paul Virant is a bit of a savant. Long before amuses of pickled purple carrots arrived on tables and garnishes with pickled ramps began to be standard operating procedure at brunches across the city, Virant was picking his peak-of-season produce then pickling it for use during the long winters at … Continued
The Great Carnac, I am not. There is no crystal ball in my pantry, and the only kind of tarot that’s been dealt to me has been fried and served during dim sum service. But there is just so much going on this weekend – the NRA Show, the Beard Awards – that I … Continued
When I think of Leelanau, Michigan, I think of deer hunting, cherry pie and water sports. But the local brewing company also produces some fine beer. The namesake’s Good Harbor Golden Ale is a French style bière de garde that’s inhabited by wild yeasts and spends a fair amount of time in French oak. … Continued
It was a tough slog, but after eating 6 ducks in four days, I felt like I conquered my own personal Great Wall of Peking duck. Beijing is really the capital of this style of duck, and it shows: nearly every great restaurant I visited had their own procedure – be it air hose … Continued
If you really wanted to splurge on mom, you could obviously go to the Four Seasons or some all-you-can-eat extravaganza, but those kinds of meals are going to set you back at least $60 per person or more (plus tax & tip). I say let’s set a $40 ceiling, and spend the rest on some … Continued
Few people in Chicago know their Belgian beers as well as Michael Roper. As the owner of The Hopleaf, he has given these complex, nuanced beers a grand stage, and he is always more than happy to talk to patrons about them. But this week, he’s sticking to an old favorite: Orval. They only … Continued
Oh the humble tamale. Bastardized via one too many big city food cart; compromised in quality, the result of sitting too long in a steam bath as inebriated customers wait to fill their stomachs with little regard for its construction or contents. But behold the precious namesake at Tamales Garibay, a three-table storefront hugging … Continued
That picture above looks pretty splendid, huh? It was taken two summers ago at the Dietzler Farm in Elkhorn, Wisconsin, part of the annual “Outstanding in the Field” tour. The tour bus (literally) snakes its way across the country all summer, pairing up local chefs with local farms, and usually hits the Illinois/Wisconsin/Michigan farms in … Continued
I realize most craft brew fans look to places like Portland and Colorado (even Chicago) for new flavors and cutting-edge brewers. But don’t forget about sleepy, minuscule Delaware, home of Dogfish Head Brewery. This week, The Hopleaf’s Michael Roper is bullish on a seasonal brew that combines apricots and hops. It’s clever name? Aprihop. … Continued
By Gulnaz Saiyed Hapless Intern It’s not easy being a foodie who’s practically broke, especially in Chicago, where delicious adventures await in every neighborhood. It’s also not easy when I’m craving something familiar. I grew up eating saffron rice and dipping my fingers into hummus prepared by my parents’ Middle Eastern friends. So when I’m not … Continued
By virtue of my job, I eat out. A lot. So I’ve started to see patterns in how service staffs have been trained; in some cases, by corporate monoliths eager for profits and positive customer service surveys. I never really paid much attention, until I came back from Asia last week, where they present you … Continued