Currently browsing Top 5 Lists

Thursday Cookbook Giveaway

“New American” is a term that’s been around awhile, but David Burke could probably lay claim to adopting that style before it became fashionable. The New York City-based chef has kept up a steady presence in Chicago with Primehouse, at the James Hotel (one of my favorite steak houses), and this week, I’m giving away … Continued

Beer of the Week: Mandarin Saison (Ovila)

Sierra Nevada has been working to help support and rebuild a monastery over the past few years. Their Ovila series has produced some great beers in this effort, and this week’s pick – a mandarin orange and peppercorn-flavored saison – is well worth the effort to seek out. Naturally, like all of our picks, you … Continued

Beer of the Week: New Belgium’s Rolle Bolle

Fort Collins, Colorado is our focus this week, as The Hopleaf’s Michael Roper features New Belgium’s Summer Series beer, called Rolle Bolle. It features monkfruit – something we’ve never even heard of – in a very low alcohol, refreshing summer beer. Cheers.

NOSH at Wicker Park Makes Saturdays Tasty

In what looks a little bit like the popular Smorgasburg in Brooklyn, a former New Yorker has quietly been running The NOSH at Wicker Park for the past three Saturdays, and I’m pleased to say this fledgling little eater’s market shows promise. From the Yiddish “to nibble,” this weekly market of sorts has been bringing … Continued

Thursday Cookbook Giveaway

Long before I was asked to leave G.E.B. because the chef there didn’t like that I twice tweeted my displeasure at spending $500 on the greatest hits from 1994; well before all of that wine went missing and the sudden stoppage of the auction selling everything off from the restaurant; way before the foie controversy … Continued

Trencherman Hosting Arami For One Night

Kyuoucho is the Japanese word for collaboration, and on Monday, July 22nd, the kitchen at Trenchermen welcomes the staff from Arami, to create a unique brand of kyuoucho that hasn’t been seen in Wicker Park before. If you haven’t been to either restaurant, this is a good opportunity to taste each one’s highlights in one … Continued

Thursday Cookbook Giveaway Day

This week, it’s off to New York City, for a very opinionated view of what is the best eating in the Big Apple. Arthur Schwartz was, for many years, the major domo of food talk (and I mean talk) in New York. His daily radio program was heard by just about everyone in the food … Continued

Taste of the Nation Returns to Chicago

There are only a handful of charitable events I get involved in each year, and each of them deals with eradicating and alleviating hunger. I’m excited to announce the 25th annual Share Our Strength Taste of the NationĀ® is coming back to Chicago August 14th at the Navy Pier Ballroom. This year’s lineup is a … Continued

Come On Highwood Light My Fire

The city of Highwood isn’t shy about its marketing efforts. Every September they pack the sleepy downtown with vodka and tomato juice for its annual Bloody Mary Fest, and this week, for the second year in a row, they’re kicking off Inferno Fest. The event happens on Wednesday the 17th, from 4 to 9 p.m. … Continued

5 Rabbit Beer Dinner at Vie

I’ve been a huge fan of 5 Rabbit beer ever since I first tasted the clean, refreshing, passionfruit-infused 5 Lizard line about a year ago. The brewery – based in Bedford Park on the city’s Southwest Side – was founded two years ago with the goal to create Latin-inspired beer that matches perfectly with boldly-seasoned, … Continued

Praise Pork, Win A Trip To Chicago

Today is the last day you can enter for a chance to win a trip to Chicago for a massive, pork-centric weekend, courtesy of the National Pork Board. It’s all part of an effort to help consumers refine their entertaining skills this summer. The all-inclusive trip for a winner and a guest will be July … Continued