Last year, I happened to be in New Orleans for Mardi Gras, and recall it was just a week after the Saints had won the Super Bowl; it was mid-February. This year, the festivities get going a little later, with Ash Wednesday falling on March 9, meaning Fat Tuesday occurs on March 8. Back-timing it … Continued
They remind us of those carefree backpacking trips through France, or, if you’re from the Midwest, perhaps a trip to The Magic Pan as a kid. Either way, crepes are making quite a comeback, and these five places all offer both sweet and savory renditions. Now all you need to do is pass the Nutella. … Continued
Now in its fourth year, Chicago Restaurant Week (Feb. 18 – 27) was originally created to help generate business at a typically slow time of year. This time around, more than 200 restaurants will be offering a 3-course prix-fixe meal for the same price — $22 for lunch, and $33/$44 for dinner. Beverages, tax, and tip not … Continued
Nothing says “Happy Valentine’s Day” like a basket of fried shrimp, right? They are wonderful for soaking up alcohol in the middle of the night, but Chicago’s fried shrimp houses also manage to keep alive the dream that we, too, can access the fruits of the Gulf anytime of the year. Bonus points go to … Continued
The Year of the Rabbit is here, and while I have a thing about consuming the actual animal (you try to digest 10 courses on Iron Chef), I have no problem sharing some of my favorite Chinese restaurants in Chicago. Each one offers something unique, and more importantly, delicious. Gung hay fat choy!
There are times when a man must be alone with a fried bird. I really dig the Fried Chicken Nights at West Town Tavern (Mondays, by the way), and I’ve been known to consume nearly an entire bird when Edna Stewart ruled her eponymous soul food restaurant on the West Side. But these days, I’m just as likely … Continued
Ever since I took a tour once of the Kronos Gyros factory, I now instinctively ask Greek restaurants if they make their gyros themselves. More than 95% of them buy the frozen cone from the factory. Stacking up the slabs of beef, lamb and fat, then trimming them to fit the vertical spit can … Continued
Leave it to the Canadians to create something magical out of a frozen grape. Like the frigid denizens of St. Paul, who celebrate the negative windchill with an annual Carnival, the home of Canada’s icewine industry makes the most of a barren season by eating and drinking with gustofor two weeks every January. The epicenter of … Continued
With the Cheeseheads coming to town this weekend to face the Bears, it will be an EMMENTAL order to keep them all well-fed. Mainly BRIEcause they all have such high standards when it comes to curds. Wanna know what really gets my GOAT? The notion that the yahoos from the Fox GRUYERiver Valley have … Continued
So many flat screens, so little space at the bar. Sports fan or not, much of the city will be, ahem, a little preoccupied this Sunday, from noon until 3 p.m., watching Da Bears. If your plasma isn’t working, and you want to socialize with your fellow Bears fans, check out the screens, beers and … Continued