G & C’s hot sauce with fried chicken & pickles (photo: Carolina Rodriguez) More than two dozen artisans and producers will pack the 1st Ward space in the back of Chop Shop this Sunday, for what is shaping up to be a pretty tasty market. I happened to attend Dose a few weeks ago. But … Continued
Photo courtesy Local Root, which offers turkeys to-go. The countdown is here. But if you don’t feel like cooking for that crazy aunt or that gluten-free cousin, and spending all day in the kitchen isn’t your forte, multiple Chicago restaurants are offering Thanksgiving dinners – both in their dining rooms or as meals to go: … Continued
This week, Roper looks to the Northeast, specifically, Portland, Maine. The Allagash brewery has always produced Belgian style beers in large formats, but now they’re actually producing the same great beer in more manageable 12 oz. bottles. Their dubbel and tripel happen to be wonderful beers, and now anyone can find them in their better … Continued
Evanston is known for many things: Northwestern, Edzo’s and the rocky lakeshore come to mind. But beer? Not until recently. The Hopleaf’s Michael Roper says get ready to hear about Temperance – the first and only brewery from Evanston that has some wonderful citrus hops, low alcohol and just a touch of rye. Here’s to … Continued
So you can probably figure out where we’re headed next, based on this picture, but if you can’t, be sure to save the dates of March 8 – 11 for a one-of-a-kind trip unlike anything you’ve ever experienced. I’ve spent the past three weeks lining up mixologists, chefs and artists; a plantation owner and a … Continued
This week’s pick has nothing to do with magic, it’s simply an oatmeal stout from one of our favorite breweries – Firestone Walker. “They can do no wrong,” says Hopleaf owner Michael Roper, and with its low alcohol and dark, rich finish, it’s a beer that’s well-suited to the cooler days ahead. Cheers to that.
Much has been made over the past year, regarding the restaurant’s final auction, the high school art show, etc., but I think one of Charlie Trotter’s greatest legacies – at least in terms of his contribution to Chicago’s culinary scene – is all of the great talent he molded, scolded, shaped, sharpened and ultimately sent … Continued
Time again to plan another epic eating and drinking tour. This time, we’re heading in a very different direction. The goal is the same – we need about 20 people to make the trip happen – but this time around, we’ll have a lot more private, exclusive events, featuring some of the city’s best bartenders, … Continued
SAN DIEGO – This town doesn’t get a lot of love from the national food press, but if there was one dish this perpetually 70 degree city could lay claim to, it would be the fish taco. Like a New Orleans po’boy or a St. Louis toasted ravioli, the fish taco was born here, and … Continued
As we get closer to the holidays (seriously, already?) you’re going to see plenty of options for gift hunting. But I always prefer ones where there’s some high-quality food and drink to boot. The 5th annual Artisan Market Streeterville takes place next weekend – Nov. 9 and 10. Last year, organizers offered some really nice … Continued
By now you should know that Roper is a big fan of the small, family-owned brewery. That’s not to say he doesn’t respect and enjoy a good beer from a large company, but more often than not, he gravitates to the mom-and-pop operation. This week is no different. He’s tipping his cap to Robinson’s Brewery, … Continued