Gary Wiviott just can’t stop smoking. Next Wednesday night, the Pitmaster at Barn & Co. is partnering with Brooklyn Brewery (whom you’re going to be hearing a lot more from in the next few weeks) to put on a $50 smokin’ blowout of a dinner to kick off the football season. Plan on a three-course, … Continued
It does seem like everyone and their beer-crazed brother is producing an IPA these days. But this week’s pick is a true pioneer in the category; it’s one of the first in America’s craft beer movement, and now, it’s available in Chicago. It’s from Ballast Point, a well-regarded brewery in San Diego, and it’s relatively … Continued
There are only a handful of gelato producers in Chicago, and most of the time, they have brick-and-mortar stores set up from which they can sell their product. Sometimes, they start out just doing wholesale work, as Jesse Oloroso did with Black Dog Gelato after she left Stephanie Izard’s employ at Scylla. Other times, they … Continued
This Saturday will be a food lover’s portable paradise in Chicago. Not only will you have The Nosh at Wicker Park to contemplate (from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. in the parking lot behind the A.N. Pritzker School in Wicker Park), but there’s also the 2013 Chicago Food Social in the parking lot of Kendall College … Continued
The weekend of Chicago Gourmet is shaping up to be a jam-packed couple of days with all sorts of interesting eating and learning opportunities. On Sunday, Sept. 29, Imbibe and Inspire – along with the help from the Wyndham Grand Chicago Riverfront – will welcome “Imbibe and Inspire: The Roots of American Foodways,” a unique event … Continued
The fine folks at FamilyFarmed.org are getting ready to host Chicago’s first-ever Wurst Festival next week, celebrating local sausages made from sustainably-raised meats, local craft beer and wine, and Chicago bands. There will be sausage-making seminars, classes like “Sauerkraut – The Secret Sauce” and of course, a few butchering demos. In terms of vendors, they’ve aligned themselves … Continued
I don’t know how many times I’ve been asked about my top 5 in Chicago for enjoyable eating, but I do know I usually include a recommendation to folks to go eat at Lula Cafe. It’s always been my reliable go-to for lunch or brunch on a Monday, when most places are closed, and I … Continued
As you know, every Thursday, I’ve been giving away a cookbook, and so far, we’ve had some great ones: Jean-Georges, David Burke and NYC’s Arthur Schwartz to name a few. This week, we’re cleaning out some of our other food-related books, this time with regard to those dedicated to the work at the front of … Continued
This week, The Hopleaf’s Michael Roper suggests a Belgian-style saison from Switzerland, from the BFM Brewery. Their Square Root 225 is an anniversary beer, so it’s a one-off that won’t be around long. Better calculate how you’re going to find this one before it runs out. Cheers.
Celebrating 25 years, the international picnic-in-white event known as Dîner en Blanc will close out the summer in Chicago on September 19th. Last year, the event took place in the Art Institute’s South Garden. Participants are asked to wear all-white and bring the makings of an elegant picnic dinner with them – chairs, white linens, food … Continued
I’m definitely in a southern state of mind this week. In Chicago, finding some of those familiar flavors, such as pimento cheese, fried chicken livers or shrimp & grits, isn’t as easy as, say, a great som tum. I’m a fan of the Carriage House, where Mark Steuer recreates the familiar flavors from his native … Continued