Neapolitan Pizza For Beginners

I was feeling inspired this weekend, due in part to two factors. One, I had read the New York Times’ Dining section last Wednesday, which was all about pizza, and right off the bat, Mark Bittman assured us that anyone could make decent pizza dough. I had always known this, of course, I just didn’t … Continued

Soccer & Tapas at Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba!

Soccer.. football.. call it whatever you want. But regardless of its many cultural variations, one fact remains constant no matter where you are: Soccer and food go hand in hand.   On Saturday, you can watch a live soccer match and enjoy Spanish food and drink at Cafe Ba-Ba Reeba in Lincoln Park. The restaurant will … Continued

Top 5 Farm Dinners This Summer

That picture above looks pretty splendid, huh? It was taken two summers ago at the Dietzler Farm in Elkhorn, Wisconsin, part of the annual “Outstanding in the Field” tour. The tour bus (literally) snakes its way across the country all summer, pairing up local chefs with local farms, and usually hits the Illinois/Wisconsin/Michigan farms in … Continued

Apricots & Hops = Beer of the Week

  I realize most craft brew fans look to places like Portland and Colorado (even Chicago) for new flavors and cutting-edge brewers. But don’t forget about sleepy, minuscule Delaware, home of Dogfish Head Brewery. This week, The Hopleaf’s Michael Roper is bullish on a seasonal brew that combines apricots and hops. It’s clever name? Aprihop. … Continued

Baconfest 2012 Rocks UIC Forum

  Based on the number of volunteers, sponsors and dudes with walkie talkies roaming around the UIC Forum on Saturday, you’d think Baconfest was something well into its 2nd decade. The celebration of all things porcine (especially cured, smoked and belly-related) was a huge hit, attracting more than 3,000 people and well over 100 chefs. … Continued

Bayless Really Cooking in Cascabel

I had no idea what to expect when I walked into the Lookingglass Theater for the first time on Tuesday night. I had read pieces of the most recent reviews, but I have been traveling so much lately, I could barely remember what it was about. I saw the same picture in the press, of … Continued

Top 5 Most Annoying Things Servers Say

By virtue of my job, I eat out. A lot. So I’ve started to see patterns in how service staffs have been trained; in some cases, by corporate monoliths eager for profits and positive customer service surveys. I never really paid much attention, until I came back from Asia last week, where they present you … Continued

Beer of the Week Hails From Western Suburbs

  The Two Brothers Brewery in west suburban Warrenville (we’re talking pretty far west of Chicago) has been producing award-winning beers for many years now. One of their latest has caught Michael Roper’s eye this week, as it’s something he sells frequently at The Hopleaf in Andersonville. It’s their Domaine DuPage, a French style country … Continued

Cubano Sandwich at Cafecito

  I don’t know anyone who doesn’t love a grilled sandwich, and the Cubans certainly know what they’re doing when it comes to applying heat to bread. A couple of years ago, you could barely find a properly made Cuban sandwich in Chicago, but today, you’ve got at least half a dozen excellent options. As … Continued

Crazy Shit I Saw In China

  I knew I would run across some cool, crazy stuff on a trip through China, but I had no idea what they would look (or taste) like. I’m not about to step onto Andrew Zimmern’s toes here – I have very little interest in culinary one-upmanship by slamming grubs and other paraphernalia down my … Continued

How To Make A Crème Anglaise

If you have any interest in pastry, then in addition to knowing how to make a ganache and perhaps choux pastry, you’ll also need to master a crème anglaise. This versatile component stars in ice creams and sauces, and in the hands of a pro, can be deployed to make addictive desserts. Cindy Schuman, the … Continued