While news of Fidel Castro’s death stretched around the world last week, I couldn’t help think of one of his beloved country’s most famous exports: sugarcane. Used for decades as a crop that was bartered with the Soviet Union for oil and financial support, it became as significant to the country’s survival as that other … Continued
Most restaurants are happy to make it to five years. Ten years is a major accomplishment. In Chicago’s West Loop, Blackbird restaurant has always been considered a pioneer, celebrating its 19th anniversary this month. And even more impressive is that it still feels new.
A well-known Indian grocery store in West Rogers Park has an even bigger footprint in the northwest suburbs, and there’s a lot more than just spices for sale. From dry goods to groceries, there’s also an Indian restaurant chain’s only U.S. location next door.
The spirit of Ralphie, Flick and Old Man Parker is strong in the West Loop for the next few weeks. That’s because the folks at CH Distillery have partnered up with The Dogma Group (and World Champion Bartender Charles Joly), to recreate drinks and snacks inspired by the classic holiday film, “A Christmas Story,” through … Continued
The Chinese tradition of dim sum has been around for centuries. Typically, the small plates of fried, steamed and baked items are a great chance to share and sample a lot of different things at one meal. In Chicago, one of Chinatown’s most popular dim sum houses — MingHin Cuisine — is now making a trio … Continued
Growing up in the Upper Midwest, you get used to cold weather dishes – lots of casseroles and pot roasts and hot dish. The Twin Cities has the largest Scandinavian population in the U.S., which may be why Marcus Samuelsson opened an Aquavit there over a decade ago. Scandinavian traditions run deep, and a nascent movement … Continued
There’s a tiny donut shop in north suburban Gurnee, just a mile from Six Flags, cranking out freshly-made donuts, including a special one with Filipino roots that’s only available on the weekends. It’s called “ube” and this popular purple yam is all over Filipino menus, but not so much in donut shops. In fact, the Cambodian … Continued
By Kristine Sherred With the holidays officially upon us, both home bakers and pros are perfecting their pie crusts and selecting their fillings, turning back to time-tested favorites or updating the classics with unexpected spices. In its fifth year, the South Side Pie Challenge affords those dexterous kneaders the opportunity to bake for a cause (and a … Continued
Covering the food world has certainly changed over the past decade, especially if you’re in the magazine business. Rick Bayless and I talk with Bon Appetit Magazine Editor-in-Chief, Adam Rapaport and Deputy Editor Andrew Knowlton, during their recent visit to town for the annual “Bon Appetit Presents Chicago Gourmet” event.
While the ramen wave continues to sweep across Chicago, there is a sub-category of the beloved Japanese noodle soup, but it’s barely seen here. It’s called “tsukemen” (SKEH-men) and there are a just a couple of places offering it now, one of them yearround.
South American chefs love to cook meat over live fire, but few restaurants have the capability to cook just about everything over flames. El Che Bar, a new restaurant in Chicago’s West Loop, is so committed to live fire cooking, it’s literally the hottest new kitchen in town.