Readers of this blog will know that I show little mercy for Italian restaurants claiming on one hand to be “authentic,” while serving dried pasta from a box. Thankfully, there are more than a handful of local chefs now rolling and cutting their own pasta, many times the result of their own taste memories … Continued
Several years ago while on a trip to San Francisco, I managed to devour a luscious bread pudding from the legendary Tartine Bakery on a Sunday morning. Then about two years ago, I felt as if I had experienced it all over again, except this time it was in Andersonville, at M. Henry during … Continued
Attention vegetarians: you can still find peace with your meat-eating brethren. ‚ Just head to any Korean BBQ restaurant, and have your bovine-eating friends snag the grilled short ribs, because you’re in store for a serious veggie attack. Banchan is the series of tiny vegetable side dishes that traditionally accompany a meal of stone … Continued
Warm weather always results in the same sort of lunch, during the week at least. I guess that’s why everyone in L.A. is so thin. It’s the salads! (Easy on the dressing, of course.) In Chicago, there’s nothing better than a thick, tender hunk of shortrib over a mound of polenta in December, but come … Continued
Most people come for the coffee, but I always think of a visit to Julius Meinl as a double-feature. That is, I can’t have the Viennese-style coffee all by itself; I need to pair it with their luscious almond croissant as well. As good as the flaky pastry is, it is significantly enhanced by … Continued
In a neighborhood that once had the largest Swedish presence in Chicago (long live Wikstrom’s!), and could alternatively be called “girlstown,” the area around Clark and Foster continues to emerge as one of the best places in Chicago to eat and drink. In the winter, a glass of glögg at Simon’s is de rigueur, while … Continued
I’ve really had a thing for Swedish food lately (yesterday’s post made that pretty obvious), and it can’t be because I’m working my way through the Stieg Larsson trilogy (just saw the preview for the English language version of “The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo” the other night, starring Daniel Craig – if you haven’t … Continued
I’ve been getting a lot of email requests lately, asking how people can throw their own pig roast. I just realized with July 4th weekend ahead, everyone wants to have their own “Pig & Pinot” party like I’ve been doing the past five years. Your prayers are answered today, loyal reader. Just don’t tell my … Continued
Colonization has led to some amazing culinary stepchildren. Granted, foreign occupations rarely come to an end peacefully, but just look at some of the results: you can find world-class Indian food in London, authentic Portuguese bread in Goa, along India’s West coast and in Vietnam, there is always that reminder of French colonization: the … Continued
This time of year is just murder on people with special requests, allergies and gluten-intolerance. There are backyard barbecues, graduation lunches and wedding showers, not to mention menus full of pasta, starch and flour. Whenever I do stories on ABC about GF-friendly places in town, we get a huge response, and this post from the … Continued
I can respect a barkeep who squeezes his/her own fresh lime and grapefruit juice. I can also appreciate the judicious use of bourbon or rye, Campari and Peychaud’s bitters; a well-shaken egg white is a wonderful way to add froth without compromising flavor. Bradley Bolt has brought all of these seemingly disparate ingredients together, … Continued