It was definitely a filling weekend, and it all started on Saturday, at Sun Wah BBQ. After reading about the Cheng family in the New York Times last Wednesday, I kicked myself for not having been in for awhile; knowing we were going to be in Uptown on Saturday, I made a reservation for … Continued
Every week or so, samples of new products come across my desk. Sometimes, they’re industrially-processed garbage dressed-up in a fancy, expensive package. Other times, they’re tiny start-ups, introducing me to products I would have never normally seen (thank you, Salted Caramel, for your Bacon Bourbon Caramel Corn sample). Last week, Ciao Bella’s PR agency … Continued
I usually just go for the pizza, or maybe a sandwich; I’ve even come to love the powdered sugar-dusted coffeecake. But for some reason, the gelato at Labriola Bakery and Cafe in the Oak Brook Promenade is also worth noting. On a recent visit, they had a few tempting flavors. You know, the usual stracciatella (chocolate chip) or nocciola (hazelnut), … Continued
While every other new restaurant in Chicago lately features either tacos, burgers or Neapolitan pizza, it’s refreshing (albeit, quite a bit more expensive) to see Henri trying to bring back the era of luxe dining, in a room where you can actually have a conversation with your dining companion(s). Chef Dirk Flanigan – who still oversees The Gage next … Continued
I have to be honest, I didn’t even know Slovenia had a wine industry, let alone one of the oldest in the world. I do know the folks at Lush Wine & Spirits are big on Slovenian wines right now (GM Rachel Driver just recommended one from the producer Movia for my ABC segment … Continued
Thanks to the fine folks at Vosges, and nearly every County Fair in the Midwest, chocolate-covered bacon is no longer seen as a bizarre love child of bittersweet and smoky. The combo is seen almost as frequently as brandade or arancini, and bridges the gap between sweet and savory, especially at the breakfast table. At Kanela Breakfast Club, in a … Continued
Sam Kass is as busy as ever these days. The former Avec cook is still working as the Assistant Chef in the White House, but he’s also a senior policy advisor on healthy food initiatives. Part of that means he’s actively involved in the First Lady’s “Let’s Move” campaign, getting kids to think more … Continued
Most of us will have Monday off, and if the weather cooperates this weekend, I’m guessing a lot of you will be inspired to pack a picnic and hit the lush grass in some bucolic field or lakeside retreat. Get out there and enjoy what brief warmth we seem to be blessed/cursed with. Have a … Continued
Every year, the third week of May brings with it some predictable events in Chicago. There’s Craft Beer Week, of course, but there’s also the scrum to try to get a restaurant reservation in this city when there’s an extra 100,000 or so food lovers in town for the National Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show. But this year, there … Continued
Visiting the Hopleaf in Andersonville is an education (and appreciation) in the nuance and complexity of Belgian beer. With more than 100 by the glass, Michael Roper has assembled a list that can humbly be described as mind-bogglingly impressive. But don’t rule out the food. A few years ago, Roper installed a kitchen, with a … Continued
I think the slingshot threw me for a loop. When the Old Fashioned was placed on our table at theAviary – Grant Achatz’s and Nick Kokonos’ new cocktail lounge/lab in Fulton Market – it looked like a giant ice egg, filled with brown liquid. But when our server summarily placed her hand over the glass … Continued