Over the course of many years in the business (about 18, give or take) I’ve accumulated a number of cookbooks. Sometimes, they flood in, like during the Fall drive to get publicity before the holidays. Other times, it’s a trickle, like right around now. But I’ve come to the realization that, while I do love … Continued
Bring on the pilsners. This week, Roper is going with a Chicago favorite, the Pony Pils from the local boys at Half Acre Brewing. But he’s also got a few other pilsners in mind, namely, Scrimshaw (from North Coast in Ft. Bragg, CA) and Trumer (from Berkeley, CA), both of which are great “lawnmower” beers. … Continued
LOS ANGELES – If you think the fried beauty above looks good enough to eat, don’t worry, there’s a lot more like it coming to Chicago. Rich Labriola, the self-titled Chief Doughboy of the Chicago bakery bearing his name, is partnering with the venerable Stan’s Donuts of Westwood, CA, converting the former Skewerz space in … Continued
Ah yes.. summertime, and the livin’ is easy. Softball games, picnics and a refreshing beer, of course. This week, Roper is feeling the Midwestern love with a quartet of wheat beers, from such favorites as Greenbush, Bell’s and Revolution. You don’t need an excuse to open up one of these, just a summertime thirst. Cheers.
ASPEN, CO – There is always so much to see, taste and experience at the Food & Wine Magazine Classic at Aspen, it’s hard to know where to begin. There are always two, distinctive programs – one for consumers, the other for the restaurant trade. It’s the latter I tend to focus on, since those … Continued
Ever wonder how some restaurants last a lifetime, and others can’t seem to make it past their 2nd birthday? As part of DePaul University’s continuing Lincoln Park Community Research Initiative, I’m going to try to find out for myself tonight. I’ll be leading a roundtable with the restaurateurs that somehow continue to make places like … Continued
Greg Hall hasn’t really taken that much of a break since leaving Goose Island as its Brewmaster. The Chicago native is keeping things close to home, with his new company, Virtue Brands, having built an impressive headquarters just around the bend, in SW Michigan. He’s now got three ciders out on the market: Lapinette, … Continued
I rarely get to go back to restaurants for a second or third time, due mostly to my schedule and constant – some would say frenetic – task of filing four stories per week for ABC 7. But every now and then I get to make a return visit, and it was with great pleasure … Continued
Despite its name, there are no teen vampires involved in the brewing or marketing of this breezy summer ale from Bend, Oregon’s Deschutes Brewery, which has only been available in Chicago the past few months. The Hopleaf’s Michael Roper says it’s easy to drink this time of year, especially at softball games and the occasional … Continued
Apparently, the folks at Cleveland’s Great Lakes Brewery are big Survivor fans, or maybe just miss Rocky III. In either case, their “Rye of the Tiger” celebrates their 25th anniversary, and this IPA features rye, which the Hopleaf’s Michael Roper says is great for beefy, meaty, ham-centric dishes. Cheers to that!
Every year, during the National Restaurant Show, seats are tough to nab in Chicago – at least downtown, where most of the visitors stay. Forget about holding a private event – most private dining rooms are booked by publicists, restaurateurs and manufacturers, hosting their clients and VIPs over the weekend. On Saturday, I got to … Continued