TOKYO – Screw Wheaties. What passes for breakfast in the U.S. – a bowl of cereal, two scrambled eggs, maybe a strip of bacon – looks positively caveman compared to what the Japanese consider a proper way to start the day. Channeling a bit of Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson at the Park Hyatt here … Continued
Since I just returned from Korea yesterday, and saw dukbokki at every night market and street corner, I couldn’t resist re-running this favorite from last year. It’s one of those images you’ve seen countless times driving down the Kennedy Expressway in Chicago. No, not the Wrigley’s digital sign or that building on Ashland that’s … Continued
SEOUL – As I type this post from the Seoul airport, where the WiFi speed makes U.S. carriers look like dial-up circa 1998, I have dozens of images and flavors locked into my permanent taste memories. The fatty toro from Matsu, served at the counter inside a charming two-story home in Kyoto; the cacophony surrounding … Continued
Culinary adventures are springing up all over the city: we recently tested the new kiosks at the Chicago French Market, an additional Russian restaurant hidden within the Red Square bath house; the fusion of Portuguese and Chinese roots at a new Logan Square restaurant featuring the food of Macau, and the charming, undiscovered Indonesian street … Continued
KYOTO, JAPAN – In case you missed my tweets and Vine videos from my dinner last night here at Matsu, I thought I would share one of the true highlights. It couldn’t have been simpler. Just fatty tuna, some freshly-grated wasabi with pristine, perfectly-seasoned sushi rice, all set into a delicate piece of nori that … Continued
As the coffee market grows in Chicago, owners are getting creative with coffee-bakery hybrids. Beans and Bagels in Lincoln Square hired Jean-Yves Martin four years ago, and now the shop – known for its coffee – boasts an exquisite pastry selection as well. Martin takes a classical approach, beginning work at 1 a.m. each day. … Continued
Canada’s Unibroue has been around awhile, and so has their lovely Fin Du Monde. But this Quebec-based brewery is now making their beloved Fin available on draught, making it even more ubiquitous (hopefully) in Chicago. I say cheers to that (with a side of moules frites, of course).
Ever since Alpana Singh opened The Boarding House, a lot of attention has been paid to her wine list. She was, afterall, the youngest female ever to attain the status of Master Sommelier. But the food has taken a bit of a back seat. In the bar area, and in the cellar, downstairs, the menu … Continued
Bacon for breakfast? Hell yes. VIP admission to Baconfest sold out long ago; so did general admission. But dear bacon lover, you can still score a pair of tickets to the big show coming to the UIC Forum April 2oth. However, it’s going to require a little creativity on your part.
Grand Rapids, Michigan isn’t exactly the first place you might think of when it comes to French and Belgian-style ales, but local hero Brewery Vivant has been making those types of beers its specialty. It has a relatively new farmhouse ale out called Farm Hand, and The Hopleaf‘s Michael Roper says it’s one of those … Continued
In case you missed them, we had a busy week at ABC 7. First, we sampled the homemade corned beef, bacon and pastrami at the tiny Mr. Spanky’s in Bridgeport, home to the Daley clan and a legion of Sox fans. Then, it was time for some Yogurt 101, helping you decipher the sugar and … Continued