We could all use a little bit of warmth this time of year. God knows I’m afraid to see my People’s Energy bill this month, since I’ve been cranking the thermostat. Thank goodness our city is loaded with all kinds of Eastern European gems, where they worship borscht as much as they doburek. The gut-filling foods from … Continued
While we usually reserve this space to recommend things we think are worth eating, this week, we’re turning to a favorite cold-weather remedy that’s drinkable: hot chocolate. As a kid, my experience was limited to Swiss Miss (with water, thanks Mom). But today, several pastry chefs have their own box of pre-measured mix that you … Continued
All week long, we’ve been re-running some of our favorite Top 5 lists from 2010. Today, it’s all about lemongrass and galangal. It’s also going to be my final post for 2010. I’m taking next week off, and will be back here January 3. Look for one more video post next week, as Justin Kaufmann … Continued
We’ve all been guilty of baking something from a box at one point or another. I have to admit, I made my fair share of Duncan Hines while in college, and as a result of having kids, I’ve worked from the back of a Nestle’s Tollhouse package on more than one occasion. But Katrina Markoff … Continued
One of the signs of a strong local food (and spirits) community is the frequency local artisans are featured on menus. In Chicago, Death’s Door (Door Co.), Koval (Chicago) and North Shore (Lake Bluff) have established themselves as the premier, small-batch distilleries in the Midwest. Their gins, aquavits, eau de vies and vodkas have been making regular appearances on Chicago’s finer cocktail … Continued
If you’re at all a fan of Tampopo – and I mean the seminal cult film about the quest to create the perfect ramen shop – then you’re going to really appreciate the tiny restaurant of the same name on the city’s far Northwest Side. The owners named it after the movie, afterall, and even though they’re Korean, they … Continued
Stephanie Izard may have single-handedly made goat cool, but whether you give her credit or not, the lean meat is starting to show up in some unlikely places. Most recently, at the Burger Bar(formerly known as the Urban Burger Bar) on Clybourn – right across the street from the gleaming new Apple store – they … Continued
Today I’m turning over this space to all-star intern Samantha Rollins, a student at Northwestern. Her mission: to seek affordable, delicious eats, without breaking her meager budget. From the moment we got off the Red Line at the Argyle stop, the aroma of Vietnamese food was in the air. You’d be hard-pressed to find … Continued
Steamed like a tamale, redolent with sweet corn and intense achiote oil, these Ecuadorian treats are hard to come by in Chicago. At La Humita, their namesake is worth the trip alone – unless you’ve decided to give up waiting in line at Smoque, just a few blocks up the street. ‚ You’ll probably want to … Continued
If you’ve spent anytime in San Diego, or along the Baja Peninsula, you’ve probably seen fish tacos. Typically fried, these regional specialties are also paired with an avocado crema of some kind, as well as crunchy cabbage. I’ve had a pretty good version of the original at Chicks ‘n Salsa in Glen Ellyn, but for a … Continued
If Wheaties is the “breakfast of champions,” then I’m Bruce Jenner. Marketing propaganda aside, I’ve never found the same satisfaction in a bowl of cereal as I have from a thick wedge of Sandra Holl’s fruity, caramel-laced bread pudding for breakfast. Holl has always sold her bread pudding at the Green City Market on Wednesdays and … Continued