A TV crew from NHK Japan followed me around on my exploration of Osaka, and they filed this super long (by TV standards) report, which aired on their national network. Loved the sound effects and pop-up graphics, combined with semi-odd music, which made it feel like a video game; no surprise, I guess, from the … Continued
One of my favorite things to do in a new city is to explore its local markets. It could be a beloved supermarket, where they still make food to-order, or a bustling market, where chaos and noise and aroma dominate. On my most recent trip to Japan, I spent a few days in Osaka, which … Continued
You think you’ve tried every kind of pancake out there? Sure, you’ve had the sweet ones with ricotta, topped with fruit, or maybe the savory ones embedded with sweet potatoes or some other nonsense, but I’m guessing you probably haven’t seen (or tasted) a lot of okonomiyaki. This savory cabbage pancake is the star of … Continued
Takoyaki is not one of those dishes that appears on very many Japanese restaurant menus in the U.S. Typically made from a dashi-infused, flour-based batter, it is poured into tiny, golfball-sized half moon skillets, each one embedded with a small piece of cooked tako, or octopus. The dish was created in Osaka, a city obsessed … Continued
You’ll find some of the best eating in Tokyo in the basement, of all places. Whether it’s a depachika in a department store or a train station, the Japanese never have too far to go to find something incredibly delicious (and beautiful) to eat. On my recent trip to Tokyo, I stopped in the lower … Continued
If Japan has been on your bucket list, now would be the time to plan a trip, because come November, the glorious, historic and well-worn Inner Market at Tsukiji will be moving about a mile away to a brand new facility, scrubbed of any faded glory. You certainly won’t get to see the tuna auctions … Continued
After the long flight to Tokyo’s Narita airport, the first thing you think you’re going to need to do is locate transportation into the city. Shuttle buses can take you straight to your hotel, but you’ll most likely have to ride with guests of other hotels, which means a longer ride and more stops, depending … Continued
There are dozens of stories of husband-and-wife teams working in the kitchen together, but a new Mexican-inspired restaurant in Logan Square has one of the most talented pairs in Chicago. They both worked for Rick Bayless at Frontera Grill and Topolobampo for several years. Now they’re striking out on their own, with a very similar approach.
I’ve always thought Nick Nitti had a way with dough. Ever since he opened Forno Rosso in the Dunning neighborhood, on the city’s far West Side, he’s been consistently cranking out some of the best Neapolitan pies in the region. He is somewhat of an evangelist on the merits of fior di latte, San Marzanos … Continued
It’s not that hard to find a good biscuit in Chicago, but in a bar? That’s the case everyday at The Long Room, which has installed a tiny kitchen called The Sidecar, and rents it out to two very different businesses each day. At night, it’s burgers and poutine, but in the morning, The Biscuit … Continued
Every now and then, I get the urge to head north to the land of beer, brats and cheese curds. But Milwaukee offers so much more than those three clichés. In fact, it’s full of hidden surprises, including one restaurant emphasizing regional cooking.