The West Loop continues to be the Wild West when it comes to restaurant development. There are new concepts from out-of-town, right alongside local brands that continue to expand in the area. But one of those out-of-towners is truly special. It’s well-known in Rome, but only recently decided to open its first location in the United … Continued
On this edition of The Feed Podcast (where you’ll find the recipes), to celebrate the Jewish New Year, a pair of kugels worth trying at home. I spent the afternoon in my mother-in-law Nina Dordek’s kitchen, to see how she goes about making one of her family favorites. Then, another dear friend, Meme Hopmayer, shares … Continued
Rick Bayless and I typically tape our James Beard Award-winning podcast, The Feed, from his test kitchen above Frontera Grill. But in a few weeks, we’ll be taping a live show in front of an audience, as we celebrate the 2nd annual Chicago Podcast Festival. On October 3rd, at 7 p.m., Rick and I will … Continued
Mexican Independence Day is coming up next weekend, and while the typical dish consumed that day is chiles en nogada, a pair of Mexico’s most beloved dishes are available year-round at one West Town restaurant. They’re called mole and pozole, and they each require several hours to make properly. The result of one woman’s lifetime … Continued
Let’s immediately dispel the stereotypes about Los Angeles. Sure, there are juice bars and vegan-friendly cafes aplenty, but the City of Angels has been on the culinary map for quite awhile, showcasing some of the best talent in the country. There are amazing ethnic enclaves – Mexican, Korean, Chinese and Japanese come to mind – … Continued
40 year-old Gabriele Bonci looks like he could wrestle a crocodile. As wide as a linebacker, he sports a few colorful tattoos beneath his short-sleeved chef’s coat and speaks in rapid-fire Italian to his young cooks. They all race around the narrow West Loop kitchen, filling orders and answering questions from customers. I witnessed this … Continued
Avocado toast is one of the biggest breakfast trends of the past few years. In Chicago, there are several places with exceptional versions, including a pair I recently tried in Lakeview.
Chicago has several breweries, some focusing on lagers, bitters and hoppy IPAs, but Moody Tongue in Pilsen is taking a different approach, concentrating more on lower alcohol beers that pair best with food. The brewery has a hidden gem: a well-appointed, mid-century modern tasting room, tucked away behind a drab, industrial façade.
There are dozens of Chinese restaurants in Chicagoland, but only a handful, if that, of ones specializing in Taiwanese cuisine. There are plenty of similarities, but still, some notable differences that are all quite delicious.
Mayor Rahm Emanuel is typically seen at press conferences or podiums, talking about any number of the city’s most pressing issues. But as the ABC 7 food reporter, I had a rare opportunity to sit down and break bread with the Mayor recently, who was all-in for a chance to check out some local restaurants. The conversation … Continued
There are so many bakeries in Chicago, but most of them tend to focus on just a couple of things. Inside a new Edgewater bakery, the focus is on French baguettes and croissants, made in-house each day.