Ever since it opened last year, Kai Zan has quietly become one of Chicago’s favorite BYOB sushi spots. Tucked away in the smallest, most demure little nook of a shopping strip along west Chicago Avenue, the space is hard to spot. But when you enter the cozy little restaurant – dominated by the tall sushi … Continued
Real beer fans have known for quite some time that great beer does, occasionally, come in cans. In Chicago, Finch beer is one of them, but out in Brooklyn, the Sixpoint Brewery is also showing that it can produce a dynamic, fortifying stout, serve it in a can, and do no wrong. You can find … Continued
When you walk into Mekato’s Colombian Bakery, you might think they only sell sweets; between all of the dulce de leche-stuffed alfajores, cookies and pastries, you wouldn’t be too far off. But take a look to your immediate right, and you’ll see a small heated box, containing sausages, fried empanadas and arepas. These thin, narrow, griddled … Continued
This week’s pick is great with colder weather, but The Hopleaf’s Michael Roper says it’s even better with dessert. It’s an Abbey-style Quad (around 10% alcohol) that’s a collaboration between Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. and the monks of the Abbey of New Clairvaux. It features sugar plums grown on the grounds of the Abbey and … Continued
This week, The Hopleaf’s Michael Roper is reaching for a bottle of something he’s quite familiar with: hops. That is, HopSlam, the latest brew from Bell’s Brewery in Michigan. He says better go get some now though, as it will only be available in the market for a short time. Cheers.
Ever since Oiistar opened at the end of 2012, the regulars have been talking about owner Sunny Yim’s ramen: the imported Japanese noodle machine, the crazy amount of time (18 hours) it takes to make his pork stock, the abnormally potent level of heat each bowl brings. But just as interesting – and perhaps, more … Continued
Just because The Hopleaf has an incredible selection of Belgians, doesn’t mean every BOTW has to be from there. In fact, this week, Michael Roper is looking across the Lake, to Grand Rapids, Michigan, where the Founders Brewing Co. has produced a double chocolate coffee oatmeal stout. The “breakfast” in the title refers to those … Continued
Like barbecue restaurants in the ‘burbs, it seems there is no limit to how many burger joints one city can sustain. In Chicago, The Paramount Room has always offered food that aspires to (and reaches) new heights, despite its outward appearance as just another late night lounge. Their craft beers are as good as anywhere, … Continued
In terms of Guatemalan food in Chicago, the first thing most caucasians probably think of is Pollo Campero, the Central American-born, international chain of fried chicken shacks with cult-like fans. But for nearly 20 years, the tiny kitchen at El Tinajon in Roscoe Village has been pumping out Guatemalan classics as well. One of the … Continued
When I first heard this week’s BotW, I thought there was some Star Wars connection. But when The Hopleaf’s Michael Roper told me it was connected to the Firestone family – yes, the same one that produce tires – I thought, how good could this possibly be? Turns out, if you like your beers deep … Continued
One would think recipes – at least in the beer brewing world – would be secret. But The Hopleaf‘s Mike Roper says there have been a lot of collaborations lately. Today’s BotW is no exception. It’s a team effort between Grand Rapids brewery Vivant and Colorado’s New Belgium. They’ve produced a lovely (and high alcohol) … Continued