I realize the sheer number of Italian restaurants in our area makes this a somewhat daunting proposition. After last week’s “overrated” edition, I’m turning to my top 5 this week, and all of these places have a few things in common: for one thing, they make pretty much everything – from the grissini and focaccia, … Continued
The Year of the Rabbit is here, and while I have a thing about consuming the actual animal (you try to digest 10 courses on Iron Chef), I have no problem sharing some of my favorite Chinese restaurants in Chicago. Each one offers something unique, and more importantly, delicious. Gung hay fat choy!
We could all use a little bit of warmth this time of year. God knows I’m afraid to see my People’s Energy bill this month, since I’ve been cranking the thermostat. Thank goodness our city is loaded with all kinds of Eastern European gems, where they worship borscht as much as they doburek. The gut-filling foods from … Continued
All week long, we’ve been re-running some of our favorite Top 5 lists from 2010. Today, it’s all about lemongrass and galangal. It’s also going to be my final post for 2010. I’m taking next week off, and will be back here January 3. Look for one more video post next week, as Justin Kaufmann … Continued
It’s bad enough Chicago doesn’t have a yearround market, at least like they do in Philadelphia, New York, Boston and Toronto. But when I saw the bustling Public Market on Granville Island, in an old fishing supply warehouse in the heart of Vancouver, I realized – yet again – that Chicago is light years away from … Continued
Chicago restaurateurs have been trying – in vain – to jump-start the izakaya trend here, but it hasn’t worked, at least not yet. These Japanese pubs are more lively than the typical sushi joint, with boisterous crowds, excellent sake and beer lists, and food options that go far beyond spicy tuna rolls. Masu Izakaya … Continued