Before you know it, it’s going to be steady sweater weather. Enter your perfect antidote: hearty burek, which – depending on where you’re from – hails from either Macedonia, Turkey, Serbia and/or Bosnia. The Beograd Cafe on Irving Park is a reliable hangout for off-duty construction workers and coffee-sipping ex-pats, and nearly every table … Continued
STRATFORD, ON – Don’t ask anyone for directions to Justin Bieber’s house, or for that matter, any other details about the pop singer’s life before YouTube. The teen with the famous ‘do and the baby face may have grown up here, but locals have been just as proud to host their annual Shakespeare Festival, entering … Continued
Rachel Tan Hapless Intern SINGAPORE – There’s always room for a plump dumpling, no matter where you’re eating. Something as elemental as a small crepe-like disk of rice flour and water creates the perfect canvas for meat, vegetables or sweet fillings. In Singapore, some of the most popular types include traditional soup dumplings, … Continued
In honor of today being “Italian Village Day” in Chicago, I thought it only appropriate to delve into some of the city’s best red sauce joints. If you’ve come looking for Rosebud or La Scarola, you’ll be disappointed they’re not here. What these joints all have in common though, is their hospitable surroundings, serving comfortable, … Continued
If you thought Gene & Georgetti has been around awhile, the River North steakhouse has nothing on the Italian Village. Today, the City of Chicago is proclaiming it Italian Village Day, in honor of the legendary restaurant’s 85th anniversary. Alfredo Capitanini opened the restaurant in 1927, which has played host to politicians, celebrities and more … Continued
There is a history of successful people getting involved in the wine/beer business. Coppola made his way in film before Napa Valley cab, and the same is true of the Firestones. Yes, they made their name in tires first, but now – according to The Hopleaf’s Michael Roper – they’re also brewing excellent beer. Take … Continued
As you can probably tell, I’m on a bit of southern kick this week, especially after yesterday’s post about some of my eating highlights in Charleston. When you’re in the Lowcountry, near the Carolinas on the Outer Banks, one of my favorite dishes has to be shrimp and grits. True, the rest of the … Continued
I’ve always been a fan of lowcountry cooking, but as much as I would see a deviled egg here or some pimento cheese elsewhere, I had never really spent any significant time in the South, with the intention of purely eating. In Charleston for work last week, I had an opportunity to have a couple … Continued
This week, as the weather begins the slightest shift to milder temperatures, Michael Roper looks across the pond to London, where a relatively new brewer is producing a dynamite porter, in the classic style. Trust us, it’s not as heavy as it looks. Cheers.
Revolution Brewing has been a bright spot in Logan Square since it started filling up loyalist’s growlers with frequency. Now, the Chicago brewer is branching out beyond the brewpub, selling a fantastic new Belgian-style saison. You can’t miss the dynamic bottle art, and if The Hopleaf’s Michael Roper enthusiastically recommends it, you know it’s worth … Continued
(videography by Todd Rosenberg) In the waning days of summer (I can’t quite reconcile the fact that August is already in the past), you don’t have to make the trek to Ukrainian Village (or their latest store, at Belmont & Damen) to try Jesse Oloroso’s gelato. In fact, the owner of Black Dog Gelato … Continued