What do you get when you combine a degree from the French Pastry School with a family history of Mexican home cooking? A delicious mash-up of two cultures, bound by butter, corn and chiles. The family behind Pan Artesanal has worked for years – literally – on every detail. From the baking equipment to the DIY decor … Continued
The Japanese tradition of “omakase” is relatively new in Chicago, but three new omakase-style restaurants have opened in Chicago recently, each with a slightly different approach. KYOTEN 2507 W. Armitage Ave., Chicago 312-678-0800 OMAKASE YUME 651 W. Washington Blvd, Chicago 312-265-1610 OMAKASE TAKEYA 819 W. Fulton Market, Chicago 312-666-7710 Featured Image: @omakaseyume
If you’ve been following my Instagram at all in the past year or so, you’ll see an inordinate amount of pizza. Slices, pies, wedges and all sorts of oven situations. I’m not opening a pizzeria, but rather, building a tour business. My book, “Pizza City USA: 101 Reasons Why Chicago is America’s Greatest Pizza Town” … Continued
It’s always fun to see how Chicago architects restore notable buildings and turn them into something special. An old dairy depot on the Near North Side is a perfect example. From a space that was completely vacant, has now sprung a unique kind of hotel, FieldHouse Jones, where you can find something to eat or … Continued
The Bay of Biscay hugs the northern edge of Spain, but also the western side of France. Recently, a restaurant with the same name opened in Chicago’s West Town. There are influences from both the Basque country, as well as Bordeaux, and the vibe couldn’t be more relaxed. Bar Biscay 1450 W. Chicago Ave. 312-455-8900
There are about a dozen options to choose from inside the Loop’s Revival Food Hall – lunch has never had such delicious dilemmas. But a new stall, the three-month pop-up TriBecca’s Cubano, is luring the curious with its take on the Cubano sandwich. If things go well, the stall could become permanent. TriBecca’s Cubano Revival … Continued
If breakfast truly is the most important meal of the day, there’s a cafe in Rogers Park you might want to take a peek at. Great coffee is a given, but it’s the egg sandwiches, made with homemade biscuits or cornbread, that are really worth the trip. SmackDab 6730 N. Clark St. 872-241-9111 http://smackdabchicago.com
Italian delis are all over the region, but a new one in West Town is unique, because they make pretty much all of the cured meats themselves. The family is originally from Calabria, and one of their beloved, spreadable sausages is the star of a number of items they now carry in their store. There are … Continued
Neapolitan pizza joints have been cropping up all over Chicago the past few years, but none had opened in Hyde Park, until recently. One of Lincoln Park’s best pizza makers closed her shop a few months ago, re-opening in a brand new dorm on the University of Chicago campus, where they’ve expanded their menu. Nella … Continued
When you order a cocktail in a bar, you probably don’t give much thought to the ice inside of it. But a new business on the South Side, called Just Ice, does. They are creating “craft ice,” which now sits in the freezers of more than 150 bars and restaurants in the region, including Prairie School, … Continued
The Oriental, the Goodman and the Cadillac theaters draw many people to Chicago’s Loop during the holiday season, so I wanted to offer a few good options for places to go before (or even after) a show. You’ll be able to eat well in an abbreviated amount of time. Next week, I’ll offer up part … Continued