(Sunday Brunch, with an assist from Aya Pastry’s frozen biscuit dough) Now a full week into the new normal, and we’re still a long way off from seeing a return to the good ol’ days of talking to a server, seeing a cook in a kitchen and enjoying a meal just minutes after it was … Continued
(duck-guk, aka rice cake soup, at Perilla. Photo: Perilla) We’ve definitely been doing a lot more cooking at home this week, and as much as I’ve loved being with my family, it truly hurts to see what’s happening to our hospitality industry. Workers, business owners, vendors – everyone is getting thrown upside down in this … Continued
(Lettuce Entertain You offering family meals from places like Ramen-San. Photo: LEYE) The last week has been a challenge, sure, but having a 22 and a 19 year-old around isn’t nearly as difficult as having little ones to entertain all day. To say nothing of the restaurant industry, which is buckling beneath our feet. If … Continued
(Beef Wellington from Alinea, now available for carryout. Photo: Alinea) I had a chance to do some reporting and shooting yesterday for ABC 7, as a few restaurants began their curbside pickup for the first time. At Wherewithall and Parachute – owned by the husband-wife team of Johnny Clark and Beverly Kim (who also have … Continued
(Pick up Oaxacan-inspired fare from Cruz Blanca) After two days of Netflix binging, cooking (I’m still a big fan of Blue Apron even if they don’t sponsor my podcast) and roaming around in my sweats, I went out for a walk. The West Loop felt like a scene from “The Andromeda Strain,” all desolate parking lots, … Continued
(Vajra one of dozens of restaurants offering pickup and delivery) It’s been a crazy 24 hours. Between a tense Presidential news conference and a barrage of emails from local chefs and restaurant owners, I’m both optimistic and severely concerned about the future of our food scene. It’s like a 10 mile-wide meteor has hit the … Continued
(Sarah Stegner, of Prairie Grass Cafe, will answer your cooking questions each day as well as offer curbside pickup at the restaurant) As I mentioned in yesterday’s post, I’m going to use my blog as a way to collect all of the updated bar and restaurant information during the state’s mandatory shuttering of all dine-in … Continued
In less than 48 hours this weekend, the mood among Chicago’s restaurant community went from concern to full-on freak out mode. Friday night I had a few drinks with friends at Bar Sótano, beneath Frontera Grill. The place was about half-full. Chef/Owner Rick Bayless was there – we haven’t seen each other in months, since … Continued
Noodles come in all sorts of sizes, from several different countries, and a pair of Hoffman Estates restaurants take their noodles pretty seriously. One of them makes their noodles from scratch, while the other uses them in traditional Malaysian, Vietnamese, Thai and Chinese recipes. Asian Noodle House 844 N. Roselle Road, Hoffman Estates 847-882-9650 Noodle Deli … Continued
For 42 years, Moreno’s Liquors has served its community in Little Village, but opening a bar was a different kind of hurdle. That’s when the owner’s kids decided to open Osito’s Tap. Osito’s Tap 2553 S. Ridgeway Ave. 773-277-8117
You can easily find national chain stores on the North Shore, but what’s harder to find is a true neighborhood coffee shop where they make food from morning until night, including lattes, espressos and a full bar. A year-old coffee shop in downtown Glencoe has been packing in the regulars for its mix of creative dishes … Continued