I was in L.A. yesterday, where it was a balmy 77 degrees and people didn’t think twice about going outside. But in Chicago, most of my friends treat the prospect of heading outside on a bitterly cold day with the same enthusiasm usually reserved for paying their taxes. I realize you can order online from … Continued
In honor of the Chinese New Year (Year of the Dragon, in case you were wondering), we’re celebrating with TWO Something(s) You Should Eat this week, from one of my favorite little dim sum houses in Chinatown. At Shui Wah, there are no carts rumbling through the compact dining room, there simply isn’t room … Continued
In the short time Longman & Eagle has been open in Logan Square, its already nabbed a Michelin star, had several appearances on national TV programs like “Unique Eats,” and has become one of the city’s preeminent sources for brown liquors. Bartender Derek Alexander is particularly fond of Rittenhouse rye, and has come up … Continued
Greg Hall is sporting his usual (ahem, casual) look: untucked shirt, full beard, slightly disheveled hair, but make no mistake, he’s 100% focused on his next project. The former Brewmaster of Goose Island – the company his father, John started – left the company after it was sold last year to Anheuser-Busch, and started … Continued
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 … Continued
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 … Continued
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 … Continued
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 … Continued
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 … Continued
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, … Continued
This week, Michael is keeping the love right here in Chicago, with a Goose Island beer I had never heard of until we shot this feature. Last week, it was Posca Rustica, this week, Pepe Nero. Say what? I guess that’s why you go to The Hopleaf in the first place, to get turned … Continued