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.
They’re known for their pies, obviously, but Bang Bang Pie Shop in Logan Square is also rightly beloved for its biscuits. Unlike the pie crusts (which have lard in them) they stick to butter for the biscuits. But oh, how their heft and density boggle the mind. I could eat these everyday for breakfast, with a … 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
I doubt The Twisted Baker in Old Town is going to be sending any holiday cards to La Fournette. The latter opened up two doors away from the former, and the (relatively) new kid on the block is doing hardcore French pastry, baguette, croissant and one of my favorite macaron (not macaroons) in the city. … Continued
I love pumpkin pie, and the occasional soup or roasted pumpkin side dish is a welcome addition to my table. But beer? Maybe not so much. The Hopleaf’s Michael Roper says these seasonal brews are picking up steam, and while many are just artificially flavored or overwhelmed with spice, there are a couple that are … Continued
If you hate lines, best to avoid The Swedish Bakery on weekends, when “take a number” is the sad, but inevitable reality. A lot of Swedes make the trip in the from ‘burbs to get their rye bread or pick up a Princess Torte, but I’m guessing most of the regulars are there to also … Continued
You’d think this week’s pick would hail from Canada, but this autumnal red ale actually comes courtesy of San Francisco-based Anchor Brewing. It’s a wonderfully hoppy beer that has just a touch of California maple syrup to balance it out. It’s only available for a few more weeks, so get it now, and go rake … Continued
Before last week’s Nobu United Dinner, I got to sit down with Nobu Matsuhisa, which is kind of newsworthy in itself, considering the man is on the road 10 months per year. We talked about his upcoming hotel and restaurant in Chicago (slated for late 2014), what he likes about the city, and the state … Continued
LAS VEGAS, NV – It’s pretty rare when 28 chefs from the same company get together in one kitchen, but that was the case last week, as Nobu Matsuhisa gathered some of his top talent for one night inside the largest Nobu restaurant in the group’s portfolio, at Caesars Palace. Matsuhisa sat down with me … Continued
One of the wonderful things about beer is that it can often be produced and bottled for a specific season. You don’t have to make thousands of cases, but instead, can offer a small batch of something really special for a limited time. Such is the case with most Oktoberfest beers, in demand right now, … Continued
Over the past few years, Nick Spencer has been showing up at places like Dose Market or the Logan Square Farmer’s Market, cooking up his homemade British-style bangers (sausage) and back bacon, and turning them into tasty sandwiches. But over the course of the last year, he’s opened a brick-and-mortar store along Irving Park Road, … Continued