The Japanese bowl of ramen is getting a few new looks in Chicago, thanks to some chefs willing to experiment. While most bowls feature the cloudy, pork-based “tonkotsu” broth, a pair of newcomers is offering diners a wider range of options. One is located in Des Plaines, near O’Hare, while the other is in Lincoln … Continued
Bagels have been a constant at shops like New York Bagel and Bialy in Lincolnwood, or N-Y-C Bagel Deli and Steingold’s in the city, but every now and then, another bagel maker comes onto the scene. I found two new shops worth a shmear: one in Oak Park, the other in Gold Coast (based on … Continued
There are few seasons in the Midwest as short as strawberries. Lasting just a few weeks, the time to find juicy, ripe berries is now. Any farmer’s market will have them, but so will a fifth-generation farm in Indiana, only 45 minutes from The Loop. Johnson Farm Produce 8960 E. Ridge Rd., Hobart, IN 219-962-1383 https://johnsonsfarmproduce.com … Continued
(Edward Lee and Paul Kahan are cooking for industry colleagues during the quarantine) It only took about a week, but several Chicago restaurant groups have begun organizing major ways to help their industry colleagues get through the coronavirus struggle the only way they know how: feeding people. Chef Edward Lee (610 Magnolia, The LEE Initiative) … Continued
(Sunday Brunch, with an assist from Aya Pastry’s frozen biscuit dough) Now a full week into the new normal, and we’re still a long way off from seeing a return to the good ol’ days of talking to a server, seeing a cook in a kitchen and enjoying a meal just minutes after it was … Continued
(duck-guk, aka rice cake soup, at Perilla. Photo: Perilla) We’ve definitely been doing a lot more cooking at home this week, and as much as I’ve loved being with my family, it truly hurts to see what’s happening to our hospitality industry. Workers, business owners, vendors – everyone is getting thrown upside down in this … Continued
(Lettuce Entertain You offering family meals from places like Ramen-San. Photo: LEYE) The last week has been a challenge, sure, but having a 22 and a 19 year-old around isn’t nearly as difficult as having little ones to entertain all day. To say nothing of the restaurant industry, which is buckling beneath our feet. If … Continued
(Beef Wellington from Alinea, now available for carryout. Photo: Alinea) I had a chance to do some reporting and shooting yesterday for ABC 7, as a few restaurants began their curbside pickup for the first time. At Wherewithall and Parachute – owned by the husband-wife team of Johnny Clark and Beverly Kim (who also have … Continued
(Pick up Oaxacan-inspired fare from Cruz Blanca) After two days of Netflix binging, cooking (I’m still a big fan of Blue Apron even if they don’t sponsor my podcast) and roaming around in my sweats, I went out for a walk. The West Loop felt like a scene from “The Andromeda Strain,” all desolate parking lots, … Continued
(Vajra one of dozens of restaurants offering pickup and delivery) It’s been a crazy 24 hours. Between a tense Presidential news conference and a barrage of emails from local chefs and restaurant owners, I’m both optimistic and severely concerned about the future of our food scene. It’s like a 10 mile-wide meteor has hit the … Continued
(Sarah Stegner, of Prairie Grass Cafe, will answer your cooking questions each day as well as offer curbside pickup at the restaurant) As I mentioned in yesterday’s post, I’m going to use my blog as a way to collect all of the updated bar and restaurant information during the state’s mandatory shuttering of all dine-in … Continued