By Benita Zepeda Hapless Intern I absolutely love sushi, but I’m not going to lie, there was a time when I was intimidated by how unfamiliar it seemed. I remember being nervous about eating something raw, while at the same time, owning a fish named – yes, it’s true – Sushi. What helped … Continued
Since Chicago doesn’t have near the competitive deli culture like they do in New York City, I realize wading into this subject isn’t fraught with nearly as much potential hate mail as I would receive if, say, I delved into Italian beef or pizza. But still, this holdover from a bygone era still gets my … Continued
How many times have you opened up the fridge, craving some guacamole, only to discover that, besides the one mealy avocado you have left on the counter, the cilantro you bought over the weekend has already started turning black and slimy. It’s a common problem for us cilantro lovers, and one that can be … Continued
Eggplant is the Rodney Dangerfield of vegetables. Honestly, beyond the occasional baba ganoush, how often do you see this purplish, bulbous ingredient – looking like something from “Invasion of the Body Snatchers” – star on a menu? Thankfully, the Turks know how to exploit the aubergine, and at Cafe Orchid, in Lake View/Ravenswood, it … Continued
The gougère (pronounced goo-ZHERE) is one of those little amuses or hors d’oeuvres that I always love seeing at a party. Perfect with a glass of champagne or prosecco, it typically signals there are going to be wonderful things ahead that evening. Made from a choux pastry (butter, water, flour, eggs) it is always combined … Continued
Want to impress your uncle or cousin who suddenly has a thing for classic cocktails this Thanksgiving? Here it is, complements of Tony Abou-Ganim, author of The Modern Mixologist. Tony was in Chicago last week, and showed me how to make this cocktail, which has just three ingredients (bar spoon optional, but recommended). Note: … Continued
There are Trotter alums everywhere it seems, especially in Chicago. But the two guys running the show at the new 2 Sparrows in Lake View aren’t going for the three-star accolades anymore. They’re firmly fixated on serving “American” dishes with more than a few upscale touches. Pop Tarts with foie? Homemade tater tots? There … Continued
Over the last week, I’ve been lucky enough to enjoy two stellar Asian meals – one in Las Vegas, the other in Chicago. Let’s begin out west. Last week I felt particularly inspired (and a little guilty, not having been outside for more than 24 hours) and walked the three miles from Caesar’s Palace to … Continued
Every now and then, some swag will come across my desk, and most of the time it’s pure crap: boxed mashed potatoes, neon-colored kids’ drinks, “time saving” devices for home cooks, etc. But two weeks ago, a box from foodzie.com arrived, and when I got it home, I was pleasantly surprised with its contents.
What’s better than popcorn, boxed candy and a giant cola for a date night at the movies? Going to a film festival where you can taste what you see. The second annual Chicago Food Film Festival features short food documentaries that pair well with what attendees are tasting. The festival is broken down into four … Continued
By Rebecca Zborowski Hapless Intern I recently watched the documentary “Food Inc,” which was like Scared Straight for my diet. In the past, I’ve tried to make a conscious effort to go vegetarian or even just focus more on organics, but it never sticks. No matter how long I deny them, McDonald’s and bacon … Continued