Eating Downtown L.A. (Chicago Tribune – Travel)
Click here to read my story about walking downtown L.A. and finding better food than you’d expect.
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Johnnie’s Beef (with Lemon Ice)
No matter what “Food Wars” says on the Travel Channel, this Chicagoan still says the best beef is at Johnnie’s in Elmwood Park. Paired with their signature lemon ice (“Italian lemonade”) it ranks among the all-time greatest combos of Mantle & Maris, Batman & Robin, even Ben & Jerry. I say this after having eaten beefs at … Continued
Exploring Tsukiji Market (Chicago Tribune – Travel)
Click here to read my story about the source of sushi – from Tsukiji Market to a small sushi counter a few blocks away.
Burnt Ends at Bub City
This resurrected concept from Team Melman and Lettuce Entertain You used to sit on Weed Street, in Lincoln Park in the late 80s (I fondly recall eating a mess of crawdads on a ream of newspaper after an Oingo Boingo concert at Metro in ’88). But the trend of slow-smoking pork and brisket was too … Continued
Tokyo’s Food Artisans (The Globe and Mail – Travel)
Click here to read my story in Canada’s national newspaper, about restaurants in Japan focusing on just one thing.
The Gringa at L’Patron
I know, I know. We’ve been covering tacos, burgers and fried chicken WAY too much lately. It seems like every other opening in Chicago features these standards, albeit with a twist, in some form or another. But wait, there’s more. L’Patron (pronounced “El Patron”) is the latest taqueria to open in Logan Square, and the … Continued
Dukbokki at Joong Boo Market’s Cafe
Since I just returned from Korea yesterday, and saw dukbokki at every night market and street corner, I couldn’t resist re-running this favorite from last year. It’s one of those images you’ve seen countless times driving down the Kennedy Expressway in Chicago. No, not the Wrigley’s digital sign or that building on Ashland that’s … Continued
A Few Highlights From Japan & S. Korea
SEOUL – As I type this post from the Seoul airport, where the WiFi speed makes U.S. carriers look like dial-up circa 1998, I have dozens of images and flavors locked into my permanent taste memories. The fatty toro from Matsu, served at the counter inside a charming two-story home in Kyoto; the cacophony surrounding … Continued
Eating Miami (Chicago Tribune – Travel)
Click here to read my story about South Beach’s food scene, plus a sidebar on the best Cubano, coffee and ropa vieja in Little Havana
Counter Culture Coffee in Chicago
By Camille Izlar Hapless Intern Chicago’s coffee scene has become a little obsessive. Not only are the big boys like Intelligentsia and Metropolis roasting en masse, selling it from their own stores and shipping their beans elsewhere, a tight-knit ensemble of smaller guys –
Poutine at the Source
Classic poutine from La Banquise It felt a little weird, seeing Blackhawks goalie Corey Crawford on my plane ride home yesterday. His country had just won the gold medal, and he was on the other side of the world from all of the action. He was clearly heading back to work after spending some time … Continued