The Entrepreneurs
This is a three-minute sample from the 30 minute show “The Entrepreneurs,” which aired on CNBC in April, 2009. I was asked to discuss the Frontera Foods brand.
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Food Wars
Chicago’s Italian Beef For this face-off between Al’s Italian Beef and The Original Mr. Beef on the Travel Channel’s Food Wars, I was asked about the origins of Chicago’s Italian beef sandwich.
Tuna Tartar from Bistronomic
Martial Noguier never quite settled into his previous assignments. At one sixtyblue, his cooking would veer into French territory, but the fact diners were there for Michael Jordan’s connection as much as anything, probably limited his creativity. At Café des Architectes, inside the Hotel Sofitel, he explored his roots a bit more, but still, he was a … Continued
Widgets from Dari Ripple
As the summer draws to a close, I’m left with thoughts of sweet corn, tomatoes and soft serve. I’ve been spending lazy days on, in and around Lake Geneva, the summer respite for so many Chicagoans. With an abundance of farm stands in the area, the thought of cooking dinner every night is simply exhilarating. … Continued
Falafel from Semiramis
The dudes over at Sultan’s Market may have the bus stop bench advertising market cornered, and as much as they boast about their falafel, it is quite good. But regulars at Albany Park’s Semiramis also know that their favorite Lebanese haunt also churns out some of the best in the city. I particularly love their … Continued
Raviolo at Davanti Enoteca
Just about every Italian restaurant on Taylor Street, in Little Italy, serves the same lineup: penne with vodka sauce, eggplant parm and veal milanese. But Davanti Enoteca has been a standout since it opened a few months ago, mainly due to its excellent lineup of cured meats and cheeses, as well as some boldly-flavored antipasti … Continued
Fried Chicken at Crisp
I didn’t grow up in the deep South, and I never had a mama who whipped up biscuits and cornbread just for the hell of it. That doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate a superb fried chicken.‚ There are few contrasts as tasty as a crisp, fatty shield of chicken skin, yielding to an impossibly … Continued
Corzetti Pasta from Ceres’ Table
Readers of this blog will know that I show little mercy for Italian restaurants claiming on one hand to be “authentic,” while serving dried pasta from a box. Thankfully, there are more than a handful of local chefs now rolling and cutting their own pasta, many times the result of their own taste memories … Continued
Breakfast Bread Pudding from M. Henry
Several years ago while on a trip to San Francisco, I managed to devour a luscious bread pudding from the legendary Tartine Bakery on a Sunday morning. Then about two years ago, I felt as if I had experienced it all over again, except this time it was in Andersonville, at M. Henry during … Continued
Banchan from San Soo Gab San
Attention vegetarians: you can still find peace with your meat-eating brethren. ‚ Just head to any Korean BBQ restaurant, and have your bovine-eating friends snag the grilled short ribs, because you’re in store for a serious veggie attack. Banchan is the series of tiny vegetable side dishes that traditionally accompany a meal of stone … Continued
Top 5 Salads in Chicago
Warm weather always results in the same sort of lunch, during the week at least. I guess that’s why everyone in L.A. is so thin. It’s the salads! (Easy on the dressing, of course.) In Chicago, there’s nothing better than a thick, tender hunk of shortrib over a mound of polenta in December, but come … Continued