Blackbird’s reputation as one of Chicago’s best restaurants has typically been a result of the food. But over the past year, their Mixologist – Lynn House – has been blazing a trail for the restaurant’s cocktail program as well. We asked her to show us how to make a classic drink, but she put … Continued
Beer lovers are always looking for something wonderful; something jammed with flavor and nuance and maybe even a little spice. They loathe the family gatherings that offer nothing more than mass-marketed Bud or Miller, and as hip as PBR may be, a beer lover would rather drink mead before he/she puts that aluminum can … Continued
Theo Gilbert has certainly paid his dues in the eyes of Italian nonnas and sous chefs everywhere. He’s logged time at nearly every station inside Spiaggia, launched (then buried) two Terragustos, and even helped out über-Italian (via Milwaukee) chef Paul Bartolotta with his Ristorante di Mare in Vegas. But for his latest effort – the … Continued
Last night, Jews around the world lit candles, spun dreidels and ate a boatload of potato pancakes, commemorating the miracle of oil that lasted eight days, after the destruction of their temple. Latkes, as they’re called, are one of my favorite memories as a child, because it was a time when my mom could … Continued
While The Twisted Spoke probably gets more attention for their Smut & Eggs promotions (porn after midnight!) and in-your-face ads, the food has always been several notches above the usual bar food crap that most places offer only to soak up the beer and booze. The Fatboys (burgers) and bloody marys are almost legendary, but the shrimp … Continued
I love a good holiday cocktail, but the truth is, eggnog has become a bit of a cliché, especially at holiday parties. A cousin to the brandy milk punch of New Orleans, this only-in-December concoction always seems to have too much cream and nutmeg, not enough structure or depth. So we turned to Eric … Continued
If you’ve been a semi-regular reader of this blog, you probably know by now that I’m a sucker for a good sandwich. You know how important it is to get that starch-to-ingredient ratio correct, right? While having a business lunch recently at La Madia, I realized not only was the sandwich good – served … Continued
How many times have you opened up the fridge, craving some guacamole, only to discover that, besides the one mealy avocado you have left on the counter, the cilantro you bought over the weekend has already started turning black and slimy. It’s a common problem for us cilantro lovers, and one that can be … Continued
Eggplant is the Rodney Dangerfield of vegetables. Honestly, beyond the occasional baba ganoush, how often do you see this purplish, bulbous ingredient – looking like something from “Invasion of the Body Snatchers” – star on a menu? Thankfully, the Turks know how to exploit the aubergine, and at Cafe Orchid, in Lake View/Ravenswood, it … Continued
Want to impress your uncle or cousin who suddenly has a thing for classic cocktails this Thanksgiving? Here it is, complements of Tony Abou-Ganim, author of The Modern Mixologist. Tony was in Chicago last week, and showed me how to make this cocktail, which has just three ingredients (bar spoon optional, but recommended). Note: … Continued
There are Trotter alums everywhere it seems, especially in Chicago. But the two guys running the show at the new 2 Sparrows in Lake View aren’t going for the three-star accolades anymore. They’re firmly fixated on serving “American” dishes with more than a few upscale touches. Pop Tarts with foie? Homemade tater tots? There … Continued