This week I ordered everything I needed from The Dill Pickle Co-Op in Logan Square, but I didn’t have to drive there. I just ordered via Mercato, and had the sauce, anchovy paste, mushrooms, mozz, flour and sausage delivered to my front door. I made two pies: one using Underground Meats’ ‘nduja (a spicy, spreadable … Continued
The iconic deep-dish pizzeria turns 50 on St. Patrick’s Day. There are now more than 60 locations, with most in Illinois. I spoke with Lou’s son – President and CEO Marc Malnati – about that first day in business, when he was just 15 years old. They now ship all over the country. To find … Continued
This week I was longing for Florida. Because while our temps dropped in Chicago, I couldn’t help but think about how often I stopped by Goatfeathers, the local seafood market near our Airbnb in Santa Rosa Beach. Several times a week I’d stop in for a pound of yellowfin tuna, some local grouper and at … Continued
Here’s another throwback from January, 2000, as we taped our 5th anniversary show at the Ritz-Carlton Dining Room. In this segment, a toast from Wolfgang Puck (when he had a restaurant at the MCA), plus interviews with John Bubala (Thyme), Patrick Concannon (Fahrenheit), John Hogan (Savarin), Gabino Sotelino (Ambria, Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba!) and Gordon Sinclair (Gordon). … Continued
It didn’t take long after I posted on my Instagram, about an Indian meal I put together using groceries I got at Local Foods via Mercato, that I had questions: “Where is that simmer sauce from?” “Why is the cauliflower so yellow?” “How long do you cook the thighs for?” I rarely write anything down, … Continued
When I knew I was going to be driving through Alabama in February, I had to figure out a way to stop somewhere to try some of the state’s legendary white barbecue sauce. Created at Big Bob Gibson’s in Decatur, I also realized it had to be available elsewhere. I reached out to a couple … Continued
Continuing our series of Major Throwback Thursdays here, with segment 3 of 6 from the “Good Eating” show’s 5th Anniversary blowout. I somehow convinced Chef Charlie Trotter to join me and 30 of the city’s best chefs for lunch at the Ritz-Carlton Chicago, with Chef Sarah Stegner making an exquisite lunch. In this segment, Trotter … Continued
After I posted a picture and some videos of this peanut noodle salad yesterday on Insta and Facebook, I had several comments asking for the recipe, so I’m obliging. By the way, I was making the salad as a way to highlight buying local ingredients from a local grocer (in this case, Green Grocer in … Continued
Hidden among the ice cream shops and pizza parlors along Highway 30A in Florida’s panhandle, the Black Bear Bread Company is a beacon of all-natural starters and artisan breads. I asked them to show me how they make a pair of their delicious tartines (open-faced sandwiches) using their fantastic sourdough. Black Bear Bread Co. 26 … Continued
Segment two of our one-hour special from Jan. 2000, as Chef Charlie Trotter co-hosted with me at the Ritz-Carlton Chicago. 30 of the city’s best chefs joined us, as Chef Sarah Stegner made lunch for everyone. Highlights include: Rick Bayless, Rick Tramonto, Gale Gand, Julia Child, Emeril Lagasse and the first (and only) video of … Continued
Don’t confuse Venezuelan arepas with Colombian versions. They’re completely different. At 11 Degree North, in Chicago’s Lake View neighborhood, they are making them just like back home. 11 Degree North 824 W. Belmont Ave. Chicago 773-904-7284 https://www.11degreenorth.com