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Streeterville Market has Art + Food + Drink

As we get closer to the holidays (seriously, already?) you’re going to see plenty of options for gift hunting. But I always prefer ones where there’s some high-quality food and drink to boot. The 5th annual Artisan Market Streeterville takes place next weekend – Nov. 9 and 10. Last year, organizers offered some really nice … Continued

Beer of the Week: Old Tom

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

Macarons at La Fournette Bakery

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

Inspired Spirits & Tongue Sliders at The Dawson

Had a chance to pop into The Dawson on Friday, and since it was the first official night, I’m not about to get critical, but it’s amazing what energy the place has already. Remember that old Orange breakfast joint, on Grand Avenue, near Halsted? The one just a few steps from the Blue Line stop? … Continued

Thursday Cookbook Giveaway: Sorella

This Saturday, Chef Emma Hearst and Sarah Krathen, co-owners of the northern Italian-inspired New York City restaurant Sorella, will host a cooking demo and signing of their debut cookbook: Sorella: Recipes, Cocktails & True Stories from our New York Restaurant.  The demo and signing takes place at Williams-Sonoma Lincoln Park (1550 N. Fremont St.) at 4 p.m. The … Continued

Beer(s) of the Week: Pumpkin Beer

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

An Ode to Russ & Daughters

 On the Lower East Side you live, where you’ve been since 1914, you’ve seen the city through highs and lows, from behind a façade shaded white & green. Unpretentious, never boastful, just a neon-lit fixture along Houston Street, Let the tourists go to Katz’s, when I’m in town, I know where to eat. I get … Continued

Phat Thai on The Lower East Side

Having been a huge fan of Thai food for at least the past 15 years, I’ve been keenly aware of Andy Ricker’s influence here in America. His Portland restaurant – Pok Pok – is legendary (I’ve had those chicken wings) and his more recent addition in Brooklyn is trying to bring the same salty, sweet, … Continued

Thursday Cookbook Giveaway: The Naked Chef

When Jamie Oliver first burst onto the U.S. food scene, most food writers thought the whole “naked” thing (“it’s food, stripped down to its essence”) was just a dumb marketing gimmick. But I could see right away, after having worked with him on a segment from the Chicago Tribune’s test kitchen, that the lad knew … Continued