
June 25 2014 - 11:07 AM
Food Trucks, Safe As Restaurants?
Josh Brusin
Well, to spoil the surprise, on a national level they are. They don’t specifically call out Chicago… just an FYI. There’s a link to the full report as well. Hat…
Read the StoryWell, to spoil the surprise, on a national level they are. They don’t specifically call out Chicago… just an FYI. There’s a link to the full report as well. Hat…
Read the StoryOne of River North’s newest restaurants in Enolo Wine Bar, an intimate spot in the former Bombay Spice location. Enolo is next to Roka Akor (they even share bathrooms) and…
Read the StoryNow that it seems summer is finally in full swing, we’re offering five suggestions for the perfect brunch, no matter what you’re looking for. Some are old favorites, others are…
Read the StoryIt feels like yesterday we were previewing the opening of Lakeview’s DryHop Brewers and chatting with Proprietor, Greg Shuff. Flash forward to this month when DryHop celebrates its 1st anniversary….
Read the StoryWine Enthusiast Magazine is sponsoring what appears to be a terrific event, the Red and White Bash, which will be occurring on June 19th at Architectural Artifacts, Inc.’s location on…
Read the StoryOpening this week, Elle on the River is the offshoot of Chef Tim Graham’s Travelle. Weather permitting, a very reasonable, stripped down menu of four “Mediterranean tacos” is served on…
Read the StoryFarmers markets are opening across the city this month, and after a never-ending winter, such signs of spring life are more than welcome. For many Chicagoans, these trips to the…
Read the StoryIf I ever need a quick cookie recipe or a fast frosting, Pinterest is my go-to. I like to try out recipes from new bloggers all the time. For something…
Read the StoryCalling itself the happiest place on Earth, Baconfest 2014 begs a question of great philosophical import: Is this event earthly, or did I just taste Heaven? For Baconfest 2014 has…
Read the StoryAlice Waters is doing a good thing. She’s been doing a good thing for a long time. If you are unfamiliar with her work, you have been living under a…
Read the StoryWe here at Chicago Foodies love this city and the many awesome people who make it delicious. And, it turns out, we’re not the only ones with a serious gastronomic…
Read the StoryThe agency 360i produced this morning-of-bacon video and product. Your nostril’s north star… hah!
Read the StoryThis is making the rounds on the internet this week. It’s the next media prank from folks who gave us the similar Yo-Yo guy… They’re at it again.
Read the StoryChicago is bursting with cupcakeries and ecclectic doughnut shops. If you’re getting sick of frosting (probably not the case) or just are in need of a lighter take on dessert,…
Read the StoryRed Meat Market is presenting Eat Your Heart Out at Wicker Park’s The Chop Shop on Saturday, February 15th from 6pm until midnight. The night will be a butchery and culinary party featuring…
Read the StoryThe 13th annual Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival presented by FOOD & WINE is set to take place next month! This amazing four-day festival kicks off February…
Read the StoryThink you got what it takes to make the best chili? Okay, you’re not a chef, but you know a winning chili when you taste one? Interested in doing something…
Read the StoryThis year’s Chicago Restaurant Week begins slightly earlier than in years past and has actually been extended to 14 days! From January 24-February 6,2014, Chicagoans can dine at a variety…
Read the StoryNew Years Eve is usually all about the alcohol…but what about the food? A great meal is the perfect way to ring in the new year. Whether you’re still searching…
Read the StoryNote: Apart from the profane first line, it’s safe for work. This was the most memorable moment in My Blue Heaven, especially from a foodie perspective. If you’re not familiar,…
Read the StoryBuzzFeed strikes again with a 3 minute food-show spoof that really proves you could condense any episode of a tv cook-off show down to a totally amusing quick edit-palooza. My…
Read the StoryI’ve been lucky to have had the privilege over the past year to enjoy pizza in New York, wood oven fired (neapolitan style) at Lucali’s (best so far) and Roberta’s,…
Read the StoryPeanut butter and chocolate, milk and cookies, coffee and beer. Some things are just meant to go together. Lakeview craft brewery, DryHop, is helping make one of those combinations possible,…
Read the StorySo The Sun Times accidentally leaked a few tidbits– Alinea retains 3 stars – no surprise. Grace gets 2 stars – no surprise. Graham Elliot and L2O stay at 2…
Read the StoryYep. It’s been circulating and you may have seen it before but kudos to Nick Kokonas for having a hearty sense of humor and posting in on Facebook. Real Kitchen,…
Read the StoryLooking to continue the Halloween celebration this week? Check out the 3rd annual Boneshaker event at Redmoon, Chicago’s acclaimed spectacle company. On Friday, November 1 (All Saints Day) Boneshaker returns for…
Read the StoryThis Midwestern gal grew up eating oysters by the bucket-ful, so when I heard about Shaw’s Crab House’s 25th Anniversary Oyster Fest Block Party, I knew I had to be…
Read the StoryChicago puts on two nearly identical dinner events – now for the second consecutive year. Diner en Blanc started first as an international event in Paris, and the dinner has…
Read the StoryFound Kitchen and Social House is a wonderful Evanston restaurant that I’ve been meaning to write about for months now. That review will happen (that’s a promise), but as time…
Read the StoryChicago Foodies loves talking up Chicago Gourmet every year – and for good reason. It’s a food even for everyone. The true foodie, the wine snob, the celebrity chef fan…There…
Read the StoryWhoa! It’s already been a year, but Craft Spirits Week Chicago is back for a second installment. The world of independent distilleries is growing faster than ever and this is…
Read the StoryCalling all craft beer enthusiasts! On Friday, September 20th the Chicago Chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation will present the 7th Annual Festiv-Ale craft beer tasting charity event at Carmichael’s Steakhouse. The event allows guests to…
Read the StoryUnder The Table, a new pop up restaurant located in Evanston, is serving up more than five course brunches and dinners; they’re serving up an experience. The intimate 18-seat dining…
Read the StorySad that summer has finally come to an end? Fear not, because there’s a fall wine event that’s sure to raise your spirits! Binny’s Taste at the Track is…
Read the StoryMichigan Avenue Magazine held its SuperChefs event last week at Chicago Illuminating Company. The beautiful indoor and outdoor space was the perfect backdrop for 11 of Chicago’s best chefs to…
Read the StoryThis marks the 25th anniversary of Diner en Blanc, an event that began with a group of friends in Paris and now spans 40 countries. It is one of the…
Read the StoryI recently became aware of Youtube’s food network, Tastemade, which offers an iPhone app for shooting high-quality, one-minute videos of your dining adventures. Tastemade is a simple way to share restaurant…
Read the StoryGood news, dessert-obsessed Chicagoans! Glazed & Infused and Black Dog Gelato have teamed up to create the ultimate Chicago-centric sweet indulgence: gelato doughnut sandwiches. The two titans of Chicago sweets…
Read the StoryAs a member of the press, I am fortunate enough to attend a number of food events around the city, both free and (very) expensive. While I don’t normally walk…
Read the StoryLast week, I got back from an epic trip to Israel. It was full of culture, history and, of course, hummus. While I definitely ate my body weight in falafel…
Read the StoryRestaurant diners who eat meat are most comfortable eating things which are dead. In fact, their comfort comes not just from their food being dead, but from being removed from…
Read the StoryThey say food can be a weapon. Here that can be taken literally.
Read the StoryOver the past few years, Wicker Park has evolved into a curious hub for chef-driven tacos and modern taquerias. Big Star and Antique Taco are two of the most prominent…
Read the StoryBy now, you’ve probably heard of the latest baked good craze, the “cronut”. If not, the cronut is exactly what it sounds like, a cross between a croissant and donut….
Read the StoryChicago is full of overrated restaurants – the places everyone talks about, you wait forever to get into and then end up disappointed after. Fortunately for us, it’s also full…
Read the StoryIf you’re not familiar with Smashburger, it’s probably because the burger chain just landed in Chicago city limits about a month ago. The six-year-old Denver import is serving up gourmet…
Read the StorySocial media is a great way for food-focused folks to connect with other like-minded people across the globe. For a long time, Twitter confused me. I was late to the…
Read the StoryLogan Square has a penchant for PBR, but that’s about to change when The Radler opens later this summer. A large part of the forthcoming Bavarian beer hall is the…
Read the StoryTuesday Night Dinner is an underground, sustainable dining community based out of Chicago. For three years the TND crew – headed up by chef and founder Jeremy Leven – has been…
Read the StoryAny excuse to eat a doughnut works for me, so I’ll certainly be taking part in National Donut Day today. This deliciously sounding day actually has some history to it…
Read the StoryThings are getting meatier at Hopleaf, Chicago’s premier Belgian beer bar. With the recent addition of an in-house butcher, Andrea Deibler, the Andersonville haunt has taken to working with whole…
Read the StoryKari Underly is a butcher on a mission to take Chicago’s meat scene to the next level. The city has long been nicknamed “hog butcher for the world,” and now…
Read the StoryI was recently at a Scotch tasting event. The Scotches (from Highland Park) were very good, indeed. But what really blew my mind was a very odd pairing: Scotch with…
Read the StoryMemorial Day Weekend is upon is, and even though the weather is still unpredictable (as Chicago weather is whenever it isn’t snowing), we’re forcing our way onto the nearest patio,…
Read the StoryIn an earlier post, I highlighted a few events that should help you get the most out of Chicago Craft Beer Week. If you are interested in trying rare beers,…
Read the StoryThe word is out that Chicago Craft Beer Week 2013 is finally here! Chicago Foodies has already provided you with an event overview and the most pertinent links. With 250…
Read the StoryThe 2013 Chicago Craft Beer Week kicks off on Thursday, May 16th and is actually a 1 1/2 week-long celebration of Chicagoland craft breweries and brewers. If you’re unfamiliar with…
Read the StoryWho doesn’t love a good bake sale? They’re far and few between once you’re out of middle school, so I always take advantage of any array of fresh, homemade treats….
Read the StoryIf you’re a true Chicagoan, you know we take advantage of every opportunity to celebrate some kind of holiday – especially if it involves eating and day drinking. Cinco de…
Read the StoryThe Kentucky Derby is about more than horses and hats (and in my case, jarring images of Anna Nicole Smith attending the Derby for her uncomfortably revealing reality show). I…
Read the StoryOn Thursday, April 25th, join others across America dining out for a great cause. How do you get involved? Simply dine out! Dining Out For Life is produced in 60 cities across…
Read the StoryI recently had the chance to sit down with Proprietor of DryHop Brewers, Greg Shuff. If you’re not familiar with DryHop, that’s probably because their brewpub has yet to open!…
Read the StoryGot some love for Chicago writers? How about a thirst for great stories about cocktails, wine, beer, coffee and tea? Then consider dropping by Drink.Think, a showcase event for drink…
Read the StoryI recently got back from an incredible family trip to Barcelona. A trip full of history, culture and delicious meals paid for by my amazing parents. Even more fortunately for…
Read the StoryIn a world overly infatuated with glamorized reality shows like Top Chef, it’s refreshing to see a couple of chefs take an honest look at restaurant culture. That’s what Cleetus…
Read the StoryRecently, I had the pleasure of attending emerging brewer DryHop Brewers’ pre-opening party, which occurred at the site of their soon-to-be open Lakeview brewpub. Behind a Violet-Hour-esque plywood storefront, with a…
Read the StoryIf Top Chef, The Taste and Chopped are constantly blaring from your TV, I hope your book shelves are just as equipped for your love of food. Some people hate…
Read the StoryPatrick Fahy is one of the most esteemed pastry chefs in Chicago. Having worked at some of the country’s finest restaurants, including The French Laundry and Blackbird, Fahy fine-tuned his…
Read the StorySelf-described “overzealous food canner” Emily Paster (West of the Loop) has been experimenting and concocting in her kitchen for years. Her love of food and all things canning led her…
Read the StoryAll the comfort foods in the world combine for one dinner on March 24 at La Sirena Clandestina (954 W. Fulton Market), co-hosted by the chefs behind forthcoming Honey Butter…
Read the StoryChicago’s Good Food Festival took place March 14-16 at UIC Forum, featuring an assortment of seminars, trade shows and chef demonstrations, among other local food events. The purpose of the…
Read the StoryJust in time for March Madness, is Rockit Bar and Grill’s 4th annual Mac Madness! The event itself is a week-long celebration of all things mac ‘n cheese. During the…
Read the StoryAs you’ve probably heard by now, the Good Food Festival is coming up this Thursday through Saturday at the UIC Forum. Chicago Foodies is a proud sponsor, and we can’t…
Read the StoryFor the true foodie, Chicago Gourmet, Taste of Chicago and any of the other popular festivals you have to brave the crowds to attend always seem a bit daunting. It’s…
Read the StoryRemember how your parents always told you not to play with your food? Well there’s an exception to that rule, and it’s monkey bread, otherwise known as pull-apart bread. One…
Read the StoryEating more mustard probably isn’t on your top 10 of New Year’s resolutions, but it will be after you visit the National Mustard Museum in Middleton, Wisconsin. With two floors…
Read the StoryFrom chocolate couture to desserts and dancing, the black-tie gala at the Union League is a hot ticket. Whether you like savory, sweet or just the scene, from 8pm to…
Read the StoryThey go by various names. Friendsmas. Feaster. Fauxover. Yum Kippur. Whatever you call them, they are the same thing. A holiday redux with pals, reclaiming the food and feeling of…
Read the StoryI don’t know about you, but I’m getting pretty sick of those conversation hearts on Valentine’s Day. They just don’t do this sweets-centric holiday justice. The best Valentine’s Day treats…
Read the StoryRecently I was inspired to try a new recipe that called for caraway seeds. I had never cooked with them before and was surprised to find that at my grocery…
Read the StoryI don’t use paper calendars anymore but inevitably one or two glossy covered calendars from the association that I belong to come in the mail and instead of throwing them…
Read the StoryEveryone likes a good bar crawl. Tons of drinks, bars and new people at each spot. That’s the general idea behind new Chicago venture Dishcrawl, only the twist is that…
Read the StoryWith home economics phased out of schools and a growing obesity epidemic, it’s more important than ever to empower kids with life skills and experience to prevent unhealthy habits. So…
Read the StoryThis new year brings some changes. After 8 years running Chicago Foodies, I’ll be turning over the daily grind to our new Chicago Editor, Marly Schuman. In the meantime, I’ll…
Read the StoryIf there’s one thing Chicagoans can agree on right now, it’s the fact that it’s insanely frigid in the Windy City. What better way to warm up than with some…
Read the StoryDear Restaurants: Let me start by saying that I fully understand and appreciate that operating a business like yours is difficult, especially in a down economy. I also understand that…
Read the StoryWhile I am a fly-by-night foodie, my day job is that of PhD student in physics. As such, I (a) am quite a dork, and (b) tend to think a…
Read the StoryIf you’ve never done Chicago Restaurant Week, you’re missing out on an incredible, gluttonous tradition to try out new restaurants you wouldn’t try otherwise. Restaurant Week this year is February…
Read the Story1. Shaved Cauliflower Salad Recipe Happy Yolks has some beautiful writing, and this piece in particular might get you a little sentimental about 2012. This recipe seems to have the…
Read the StoryThere are tons of incredible restaurants that opened in 2012, and it would be simply impossible to mention them all. We’ve been wowed from Ada Street, to Carriage House to…
Read the StoryOur roundup for this week is holiday inspired, and on the sweet side as usual. We couldn’t help but look back on one delicious hanukkah tradition and look forward to the…
Read the StoryHere at Chicago Foodies, we like to focus on what’s local, seasonal and timely. So, we’re kicking off a new series to share with you the blogs, articles and recipes…
Read the StoryA good bagel place is not easy to find in…anywhere that isn’t New York. It’s surprising, but a legitimate crunchy on the outside, chewy on the inside bagel is a…
Read the StoryThe Red Eye published a round up of flaming hot crunchy things. We can debate the merits of these different salty snacks or we can leave it up to the…
Read the StoryI’ve been fortunate enough to attend nearly every one of Food & Wine’s MCA events. They’ve been doing it for 14 years. This is I believe the 3rd year that…
Read the StoryMost people know Jose Garces from his spot on the Food Network’s Iron Chef, but Chicagoans are starting to take even more notice of this local celebrity. The executive chef…
Read the StoryHaving the opportunity to sit down and pick the brain of one top chef is an amazing experience in it itself…right, foodies? But having the opportunity to sit down with…
Read the StoryMost locals claim to prefer Chicago Gourmet to the hectic crowds at The Taste of Chicago. In my opinion, it wasn’t much different. While lines at Bon Appetit’s Chicago Gourmet…
Read the StoryThe scene was stunning. Hundreds of diners chicly clad in white feasted under twinkling lights in the iconic South garden of Chicago’s Art Institute. Everyone was smiling, conversing with their…
Read the StoryChipotle is bringing its FREE Cultivate [Food, Ideas & Music Festival] back to Chicago for a second year, on Saturday, September 15th, in Chicago’s Lincoln Park. The one-day festival will…
Read the StoryThere has been an event in Paris called Dinner en Blanc for the past 25 years. It just so happens that there’s a similar event, Chicago In White, this year….
Read the StoryBetter late than never, belated Happy Birthday. Courtesy of PBS… Watch Bon Appetit! Celebrating Julia Child’s 100th Birthday on PBS. See more from PBS NewsHour.
Read the StoryIf you hadn’t noticed, Chicago Foodies has re-launched! Over 7 years ago I started the site as a place to keep a digital journal of my food experiences. Flash forward…
Read the StoryFor the first time since opening Babycakes food truck, owner Leah Wilcox can now pour syrup on her customer’s pancakes without breaking the law. Although Wilcox and all other Chicago…
Read the StorySteve Dolinsky’s Twitter on Trotter’s –via @stevedolinsky Steve Dolinsky is pretty much revered at restaurants. His 8×10 is enshrined at seemingly every out of the way gem. He writes an excellent…
Read the StoryThis 4th of July, from 4-7pm, celebrate Gnomedependence Day! Come decorate a lawn gnome, listen to live music and get your food truck fix. Slide Ride, The Roost and Sweet…
Read the StoryThe big joke about vegetarians is that they vow not to eat meat, yet they scour the aisles of their local natural foods stores for the perfect protein that tastes…
Read the StoryCelebrating meat and music for five days is a strong incentive for most to attend Naperville’s Ribfest next weekend. But if you need a little something extra to motivate you in…
Read the StoryWith last week’s north side (Lincoln Park) outdoor seating recommendations, it was only a matter of time before we south siders followed suit. These recommendations are all for the South…
Read the StoryThe Chicago Foodies “Unique Dinner Series” was created to give Chicago chefs creative license to take risks that they would not otherwise take at their restaurants. Chefs are challenged to…
Read the StoryNow that temperatures are well into the 90’s, instead of sitting in our sticky apartments or venturing into air conditioned restaurants, it sounds so much more appealing to invite some…
Read the StoryWander around Lincoln Park this summer and you’ll find an incredible number of restaurants and bars with outdoor dining. Huge sprawling patios outside of establishments you wouldn’t step foot in…
Read the StoryAs you head north on Highway 41 ready for your weekend getaway in Wisconsin, why not stop for a bite to eat. Conveniently located near Great America and the outlets…
Read the StoryMost people have a neighbor who makes a mean apple pie, or a great blackberry jam, or who bakes the best bread around. A new Illinois law makes it easier…
Read the StoryIf this doesn’t get your attention, I’m not sure what else would. I’m not sure if it’s safe for work but it certainly isn’t appetizing. There have been some interesting…
Read the StorySitting at Caribou, looking at my “Daybreaker” breakfast sandwich which consists of a chicken sausage, egg, cheese on a bun with a cup of coffee, I really wonder if some…
Read the StoryWe’re giving away a pair of tickets to this weekend’s wine tasting. Friday or Saturday- winner’s choice. It’s a great way to taste a wide variety of wines and better…
Read the StoryThere are few things that are better than a good Molé and we have to thank La Oaxaquena for our introduction to that back in 2005. So when there’s a…
Read the StoryApparently several people were arrested in Bridgeport due to possession of either home-brew equipment or stuff to make Molotov cocktails. Now I like high-ABV beer as much as the next…
Read the StoryJudd Nelson in Breakfast Club said, “Being bad feels pretty good.” In this case eating bad feels pretty good because of the way our bodies process carbs, specifically high-glycemic, carb-driven,…
Read the StoryLogan Square Kitchen, a shared-use kitchen on Milwaukee, has been the incubator for many of the local food artisans the city has come to love (and yes, that’s the proper…
Read the StoryEvery year, Saveur.com dishes out its blogger awards for everything from best baking blog, to best food photography, to best single recipe. It seems like sort of a toss up…
Read the StoryUnderground dining clubs have been operating around the city for years, hosted in chefs’ basements, friends’ apartments, even outdoors. They’re fun and creative, but kind of a logistical pain for…
Read the StoryMarly Schuman wrote a fantastic post here back in January outlining some of the terms you may see on your grocery store egg carton: organic, brown, cage-free, etc. It got…
Read the StoryAlways a bridesmaid, never a bride. That’s sort of the Mindy Segal story at the James Beard Awards, where the Hot Chocolate chef/owner had been nominated six times for Oustanding…
Read the StoryEven though most people are over the low-fat processed foods craze, the majority of Americans still opt for skim milk and stay away from lard when they’re cooking. Cooking with…
Read the StoryIf you’ve lived in Chicago longer than a month, you’ve probably been to Hot Doug’s, the “encased meat emporium” that draws devoted fans by the hundreds every day. Owner Doug…
Read the StoryThanks to the Green Festival for providing Chicago Foodies with 250 pairs of weekend passes to this weekend’s Green Festival at Navy Pier. Green Festival is giving you FREE tickets…
Read the StoryNorth Side residents who can’t make it to Green City every Saturday have a new option: a Tuesday farmer’s market hosted by Browntrout restaurant and Ground Up. From 5 to…
Read the StoryThe terms “green” and “natural” have failed to mean much to me for some time now, especially in terms of packaging and advertising. If I’m in the aisles of a…
Read the StorySo when my grade school teacher-sister in law said she was surprised that we didn’t have an opinion on the whole Flamin’ Hot Cheeto thing I was prompted to take…
Read the StoryShameless plug here, folks: This Saturday, I will be participating in the third annual Food Blogger Bake Sale, a series of national bake sales that benefit Share Our Strength’s No…
Read the StoryA zesty Topolo margarita, a savory bite of king crab and guacamole atop crushed tortilla chips followed by a spoonful of liquid queso fundido with chorizo puree – all this…
Read the StoryReading news like this first thing in the morning might make you reconsider that spicy tuna roll you were planning to order for lunch. The FDA announced today that Moon…
Read the StoryThursday April 19th is when Austria Uncorked comes to Chicago. Hundreds of Austrian wines will be paired with Chicago restaurants including Julius Meinl, Leopold, N9NE Steakhouse/ghostbar, Porkchop and Vivo. Proceeds from the event…
Read the StoryIs your food a tax write-off? It might be if you’ve been eating gluten-free. You can deduct the difference in price between a gluten-free food item and its “regular” equivalent….
Read the StoryReuters points out that ammonia is used in all sorts of food. They also quote several experts about the safety and viability of its use. "Ammonia's not an unusual product…
Read the StoryEnjoy a fabulous meal at one of your favorite restaurants AND give to a great cause at the same time? Sounds like a good idea to us! On Thursday, April…
Read the StoryA post last week about a meeting with the US Farmers and Ranchers Alliance courtesy of a PR company got me thinking about the amount of spin that the food…
Read the StoryFrom the pretty funny British tele show, The IT Crowd:
Read the StoryWalmart will transform its 629 locations into pick-up locations for its new "Community Supported Agriculture" or CSA service. The exciting part is that they are choosing to work with small…
Read the StoryYesterday I spent breakfast speaking with a roomfull of farmers as part of a PR campaign for the USFRA which is the US Farmers and Ranchers Alliance. Their Premier Partner…
Read the StoryDo you like sweets and good causes? We thought so. On Wednesday, March 28th from 7-10 p.m. you'll have a chance to get a little bit of both at the…
Read the StoryAs a dessert column writer and general lover of sweets, I always have an eye out for new mail-order baked goods. I love the idea: you’re having a wedding/party/shower, and…
Read the StoryInstead of sifting through the barrage of Tweets this morning, spare yourself and just check out all the national James Beard Foundation Award nominees in this handy PDF. If you'd…
Read the StoryTo anyone who checks a restauran’ts website or reads some newspaper reviews before dining, this is a common scenario: The beautiful, pristine dish that you saw photographed on the website…
Read the StoryYou can meet Vicki and learn all about Food preservation ath the Good Food Festival this Saturday at UIC. (Using the code “gffchifoodies” gets you 40% off of the Gold…
Read the StorySo you’ve conquered the KFC Double Down and the Taco Bell Dorito Locos taco, and you’re left wondering which culinary hill to conquer next. Mark your calendar, because a cupcake…
Read the Story"The chicken Alfredo ($10.95) was warm and comforting on a cold day. The portion was generous. My server was ready with Parmesan cheese." So wrote one 85-year-old Marilyn Hagerty, columnist…
Read the StoryThe International Kennel Club Dog Show was held February 24 – 26 at McCormick Place. It is a great event for parents, kids and dog lovers and is one of…
Read the StoryWhile Seattle is still coffee capital U.S.A., Chicago is having its own caffeine Reinassance. Saveur named two hometown roasters, Intelligentsia and Metropolis, to its list of Nine Great Coffees, making…
Read the StoryThe Good Food Festival is two weeks away. It's a wonderful conference for both industry and consumers where you can get a window into what is actually going on in…
Read the StoryAmidst all the low-fat and reduced calorie alternatives, Daphne Mazarakis is trying to break into the health food industry with a different definition of healthy. This Chicago local business owner…
Read the StoryBetween following the Republican primaries and voting in your office Oscar pool, you're probably about chin-deep in the refreshing waters of democracy. Unlike both of those contests, LTH Forum's Great…
Read the StoryJim's the driving force behind the Good Food Festival. Here he explains quite a few things going on over the course of the event, from financing to fermenting! Check it…
Read the StorySarah Jenkins, the woman largely responsible for introducing New York City and the rest of the nation to the crispy, porcine wonder of porchetta, knows her Italian food. In a…
Read the StoryThis Saturday, Februaruy 25th from 7-11pm at the Merchandise Mart is the 2012 For the Love of Chocolate Gala. I love the simple math they supply in determining what one…
Read the StoryChicago is no stranger to James Beard Award-winning chefs (it's not like we're Ann Arbor! Oh wait…). But in an era when seemingly every blog, magazine, and website has to…
Read the StoryAmaranth is one of the lesser-known grains out there, but that doesn’t make it any less amazing. It is an extremely small grain that looks a bit like quinoa but…
Read the StoryKids these days. First, an alcoholic energy drink called Four Loko had to be pulled from shelves after a questions were raised about its being marketed to minors. Now, the…
Read the StoryEl Bulli was a phenomenon. It’s a large part of the reason why molecular gastronomy is part of our vernacular. Ferran Adria is universally accepted as the thought leader in…
Read the StoryDanny McGowan, the President of Big Bowl, on how even big restaurants can think small in advance of him speaking at the Good Food Festival in Chicago March 15th-17th, http://goodfoodfestivals.com/chicago/
Read the StoryIf you've seen Growing Power's stand at the Green City, 61st Street, or Englewood Farmers' markets, you're aware of their organic produce and friendly staff. But much goes on behind…
Read the StoryIf you took a college art history class, radical art and food probably conjures the image of Judy Chicago's The Dinner Party. But artists continue to use food and shared…
Read the StoryWednesday February 22nd at 6:30 is your chance to see 3 of Chicago's finest food trucks flex their culinary muscle at The Green Lady on Lincoln for Chicago Foodies…
Read the StoryYou may think you have it bad when you come home from a day at the office and sink into your recliner, rubbing your tired feet. Chefs, who can spend…
Read the Story"Streetwise today?" If you've lived in Chicago longer than a week, you're familiar with Streetwise, a weekly magazine distributed, and sometimes written, by individuals struggling with homelessness. It's a solid…
Read the StoryHopefully, Dose Market's absence from the River East Art Center in January didn't make you forget this high-end monthly bazaar. This Sunday from 10 A.M. to 4 P.M., the market…
Read the StoryView Google Places Chicago Restaurant Week Map: February 17-26, 2012 in a larger map Thanks to Google Chicago for making a custom map for Chicago Restaurant Week, so you can…
Read the StoryAdmit it: While you laughed at the Porlandia "We Can Pickle That!" sketch, you sort of love the recent attention that preserving has garnered lately. And who wouldn't? When the…
Read the StorySpeaking to Alex Poltorak about his company, The Urban Canopy, is a challenge. It’s certainly not conventional. In many ways a product that allows people to grow produce anywhere is…
Read the StoryYou may think you have it bad when you come home from a day at the office and sink into your recliner, rubbing your tired feet. Chefs, who can spend…
Read the StoryThink your are going to spend the night of Valentine's Day sad and alone, or at one of those "I'm not bitter. No really" Screw Cupid bar events drinking $2…
Read the StoryValentine’s Day is 11 days away, but tell your significant other that you still don’t have a reservation, and you’re likely to met with, oh, a touch of hostility. Lucky…
Read the StoryI get into arguments about born on and sell by dates usually ending with the assumption it's to get retailers to move merchandise faster. This, from the BBC, doesn't sway…
Read the StoryDisclaimer: I am a huge NY Giants fan. So big a fan that I forgive our quarterback for the post-interception reaction that can really only be called “Eli Face.” So…
Read the StoryIf you've dined at The Publican, you can begin to imagine what Paul Kahan and crew could do with a butcher shop. The much-awaited store, located just across from The…
Read the StoryAlways an inviting spot for a beer event, Northdown Cafe and Taproom is having Half Acre Brewery Night Tuesday the 31st at 6:00pm. Before getting to that, note that I…
Read the StoryOrganic, free-range, cage-free, brown – there are an endless number of options for eggs at your local grocery store. How do you know which one is healthiest or safest to…
Read the StoryYou may think you have it bad when you come home from a day at the office and sink into your recliner, rubbing your tired feet. Chefs, who can spend…
Read the StoryWe're not! We've been following the food truck scene for quite some time. Here's your reminder to follow our Chicago Foodies Twitter feed. We actually have a Food Truck Editor…
Read the StoryHarold McGee and Dave Arnold join David Weitz in this first of a series of Harvard lectures from their School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. It's a monster series which…
Read the StoryAnd so begins Chapter Three of the Alpana Singh story: After leaving Lettuce Entertain You in December (where she had served as director of wine since 2005), then announcing that…
Read the StoryEvery morning, after I shuffle my kids out the door to school, I zip back in the kitchen and whip up my daily secret weapon in my Vitmix blender. Greens, fruit and water combine to give me a sweet and nutritious treat that motors me through the morning, on to lunchtime. We all have our kitchen heroes—the appliances we just can’t live without, so today, I dedicate this post to all my personal favorites, the modern day wonders that make my food-loving life so much easier.
So without further ado I present, my kitchen heroes: each one doing its part to make cooking a whine-free experience in this Real Mom’s home
Humboldt Park residents were dealt a double whammy when Treat closed last year: They no longer had a source for Indian-inspired brunch dishes like savory pancakes and saag paneer, plus…
Read the StoryCBS News published on Paula Deen's admission of having type 2 diabetes. We ironically printed a piece on her Doughnut Burger just last week. Go figure? Leave it to Bourdain…
Read the StoryRestaurant Week 2K12! Are you ready? Have you been training for months to prepare yourself for a whole week of discounted lunches and dinners? The city normally gets fairly excited…
Read the StoryIn the midst of a stream of Tweets about that overturned fumble during the Giants game and the merits of various Golden Globe fashions, a more substantial conversation was taking…
Read the StoryWinter hasn't been that tough on us yet but don't take that to mean there isn't trouble ahead. You could be experiencing the winter blahs before you know it if…
Read the StoryFor the wine and restaurant-obsessed, 'sommelier' probably ranks near the top of the list of cool dream jobs. Sampling, analyzing, learning about wine (and getting paid to do it) doesn't…
Read the Storyhow to get your homework done It's been just a bit over a month since sommelier and Check Please! host Alpana Singh announced that she would how to get your…
Read the StoryIt's an etiquette issue that arises with some frequency at high-end restaurants: After a server has recited the day's specials for you, do you pipe up and ask how much…
Read the StoryThe Chicago Foodies "Unique Dinner Series" was created to give Chicago chefs creative license to take risks that they would not otherwise take at their restaurants. Chefs are challenged to…
Read the StoryI miss 2008… Granted an incarnation of the Doughnut Burger even made it to the cover of This is Why You're Fat". I feel the vintage video quality and compression…
Read the StoryNext made a huge splash with their unorthodox ticket sales and changing concepts. Shortly they’ll be going from Childhood to El Bulli… that’s more than just a big conceptual shift….
Read the StoryThree Michelin star chefs are the rock stars of the dining world. They may not all be household names, but many, like Copenhagen's Rene Redzepi and New York's Jean Georges…
Read the StoryThough nowhere near as ubiquitous as their counterparts in Los Angeles or New York City, Chicago's food trucks slowly gained steam in 2011: They had their own Wednesday afternoon meet-up…
Read the Story25 years ago Charlie Trotters opened amidst trends that including Cajun food, chefs were wrapping all sorts of things in thin slices of potato, Daniel Boulud was taking over at…
Read the StoryI feel like a writer from the Gawker spinoff known as Eater for being so nefarious as to pass this along (even though it is old news), but it did…
Read the StoryIf there's one restaurant opening that people can't stop talking about, it has to be Tony Mantuano's Italian-style pizzeria in the spot of Bistro 110. But can a restaurant nuzzled…
Read the StoryFor those of you who’ve visited White Castle in the wee hours of the morning, or even the middle of the day for that matter, feel free to have fun…
Read the StoryAlthough I’d love nothing more than to have Rose’s Bakery in Evanston cater to all of my gluten-free baking needs for the holidays (their seeded sandwich bread is some of…
Read the StoryThere are a few Chicago chefs who believed in farm-to-table before it was a buzzword, and Sarah Stegner was one of their undeniable leaders. A founder of the Green City…
Read the StoryThe big food story across the blogosphere today is the Los Angeles Times' report that students are panning newly-introduced, healthy school lunches, leading the program's director to dub the debut…
Read the StoryGoogle Zeitgeist, the annual project that proves just how banal Americans are by revealing our fastest-rising Google terms of the year, has released its 2011 findings. When we weren't searching…
Read the StoryBecause every magazine and website hawks their holiday gift guides this time of year, allow Chicago Foodies to convince you that ours is different. We promise not to endorse any…
Read the StoryThe Chicago Foodies "Unique Dinner Series" was created to give Chicago chefs creative license to take risks that they would not otherwise take at their restaurants. Chefs are challenged to…
Read the StoryIt is being referred to as "biblical." Maybe so. Under any moniker, The Local Option in Chicago is having its final beer event of the year, featuring some rock solid…
Read the StoryNo matter what holiday you celebrate this month, you're likely going to be consuming some honey: in tea, on pastry, as a glaze on a roast, etc. Since you're going…
Read the StoryWhen I tell people that I’ve recently chosen a gluten free diet their first reaction is wow – don’t you miss pizza? Similarly when talking to people who are gluten…
Read the StorySince he departed now-shuttered Avenues in September with two Michelin stars to his name, Curtis Duffy has kept the dining world eagerly anticipating any word about his forthcoming project. Now,…
Read the StoryTake stock of your pantry, make the shopping list, grab the reusable canvas tote. This is most people's pre-grocery shopping routine, but it may be time to rethink that third…
Read the StoryMarch 9th is the scheduled release of "Jiro Dreams of Sushi", a new documentary highlighting the octagenarian 3-Michelin Star sushi chef who works out of a 10 seat basement restaurant…
Read the StoryOn the spectrum of beverages, beginning with Four Loko at the "revolting and dangerous" end, and ending with filtered mountain spring water at the "pure and natural" end, milk generally…
Read the StoryChocolate Around the World is one of the temporary exhibits at the Field Museum. It's there until January 8th. With vacation time hopefully in our near future, now might be…
Read the StoryThe annual Taste of Chicago festival mostly reminds us why we hate crowds, and just how bad four deep-fried Twinkies make us feel the next day. But as for its…
Read the StoryMost families try their hand at holiday cookies each year, generally of the frosted and sprinkled variety. But what kind of Christmas cookie would Rick Bayless bake? Or Stephanie Izard?…
Read the StoryMaybe they're all trying to capitalize on holiday diners and shoppers, but last week was quite a week for restaurants openings. First came Bar Toma, The Slurping Turtle, and Yusho,…
Read the StoryWill Chicago finally get a stand-out yakitori restaurant? Long-time Charlie Trotters' chef-de-cuisine Matthias Merges hopes his new street food-inspired restaurant, Yusho, will draw the masses to the outskirts of Logan…
Read the StoryThe news is out this week that Alpana Singh has left her post as Wine Director for restaurant giant Lettuce Entertain You, where she started out as sommelier for Everest, …
Read the StoryIf you've traveled to France or Central Asia, you may have been brave enough to sample horse meat. Thanks to an under-the-radar provision in the recently-passed H.R. 2112 spending bill,…
Read the StoryThere are a lot of snooze-worthy holiday "how-to" lists that pop up around this time of year: How to make paper snowflakes! How to wrap a fruitcake! But Kendall College…
Read the StoryLove it or hate it, you're going to be spending some time shopping downtown this month. In the consumer playground between Pearson and Hubbard, diners generally had to choose between…
Read the StoryBecause they exist in a murky world deep below the crashing waves or gentle lake surface that we see, the world's seafood supplies remain a mystery to most diners. If…
Read the StoryMaking news this week is McDonald's cutting ties with its factory egg farm, Sparboe Farms. The idyllic farm images in McDonald's advertising certainly don't mesh with the windowless steel box…
Read the StoryLast year Chicago had 2 3-star, 3 2-star restaurants. This year we have 1 3-star & 2-2star restaurants. So net Chicago loses stars. I guess the assumption was that having…
Read the StoryLast year only 2 restaurants got 3 stars… L2O and Alinea. And three got 2… Ria, Trotter's and Avenues The head chef from L2O left a day later. Avenues is…
Read the StoryAccording to Michelin: A Bib Gourmand rating means the restaurant is an inspector’s favorite for good value. For $40 or less, you can enjoy two courses and a glass of…
Read the StoryDo you prefer Pinot from Oregon or from California? What about New Zealand or simply an old school Burgundy? November 12th at Navy Pier is the perfect time to understand…
Read the StoryHere's the scoop – we're giving away TWO MORE pairs of tickets to our fans on the Chicago Foodies Facebook page. Just write on our Facebook page telling us your…
Read the StoryChipotle and CAA have been doing some really awesome online work. Their heart seems to be in the right place but I'm not sure how I feel about national restaurant…
Read the StoryI was walking down Huron and saw a sign for Michael Nye's interactive art show at the St James Cathedral. The show closes tomorrow. Inside the church… inside the chapel…
Read the StoryLast week I had the privilege to talk with Jim Koch, the founder of Sam Adams, about their new "Brewing the American Dream" effort as well as what constitutes craft…
Read the StoryOf course I'm quoting an Onion article but it's from their AV section interviewing Mike Ruhlman who's launching a new cookbook called Ruhman's Twenty. The gist is that you pretty…
Read the StoryThis should come as no surprise to anyone. The American diet, and increasingly the global diet, is too meat/dairy focused. I have a really tough time thinking about a sit-down…
Read the StoryOn Wednesday this last week, Hennessy had a release party for their new, limited-edition, bottle designed by artist KAWS at Blackbird restaurant. Eager to learn more about Hennessy, I jumped…
Read the StoryThe Hellenic Museum will be the first Greek cultural museum in America and it will be in Chicago! This is a great chance to not only taste some unique and…
Read the StoryIt's now streaming online. Cool to see the people involved from Dogfish Head to New Century and the risks they take.
Read the StoryChef Ursula Adduci launched Sazon a year ago right here on Chicago Foodies. She's cooked for Princes, Presidents, Nobel Prize winners and Oscar nominees… but more importantly she will cook…
Read the StoryWhen I read this article about Nice Cream threatened to be shut down by the State posted in the Tribune, I had a mixture of disappointment and “see, I told…
Read the StoryEAT from Rick Mereki on Vimeo.
Read the StoryA headless squid will move when stimulated with the sodium in soy. It’s very strange to see. This is definitely a “Weird Food” post.
Read the StoryOne of my favorite dishes of all time may be a sunflower broth and mixed nut and seed course that Chef Curtis Duffy serves on his Avenues menu. In my…
Read the StoryKafka is a nice little wine shop in the East Lakeview neighborhood, a few blocks from my house. I knew Joe Kafka by face more so than by name, though…
Read the StoryChampagne pairs wonderfully with a long list of things. From fried chicken to sushi to oysters, this classic bubbly tends to pair with a wide range of things, though care…
Read the StoryRyan LaRoche, chef of NoMI, located in the Park Hyatt on the Magnificent Mile, will be serving up Glenmorangie Single Malt scotch pairings at the Scotch and Bowties benefit, held…
Read the StoryChicago has more and more great food events. Some are worth every penny they charge, others go to worthy causes, whereas a few of the high-profile events fall far short…
Read the StoryIt’s awfully fun telling people you’re “at the NRA convention,” when admittedly I get a bit of defiant pleasure by gauging reactions of so-called “tolerant” people. Plus I’m secretly envious…
Read the StoryOn Wednesday the 11th there was a launch of Belvedere Bloody Mary, held at the Mercat a la Planxa in the Blackstone Hotel in the South Loop. A main attraction…
Read the StoryPabst pretty much became a nomadic company years ago when it closed down its fabled brewery in Milwaukee, leaving a bad taste in Cream City’s mouth. According to rumor,…
Read the StoryOn Saturday, April 30, between 11 and 3 at the French Market on Clinton Street (and under the Chicago & Northwestern railroad tracks by what is now called Ogilvie Station),…
Read the Story“I never expected that we would sell 20 tables in 1.5 seconds as we did this morning.” -Nick Kokonas, co-owner of NEXT (on LTHforum) These days people are waiting in…
Read the StoryPlay for Life, started by University of Chicago graduates, benefits a great cause of intermingling young professionals with children from the economically depressed West Englewood neighborhood on the South Side…
Read the StorySo, like Dark Lord, Grant Achatz’s Next Restaurant is tickets-only. This translates into a grey-market on Craigslist where we’re seeing tickets go for around $1200 a pair. Considering a face…
Read the StoryChicago lacks really, really good grocery stores. There are a few specialty shops scattered throughout the city that do a decent job of supplying hard-to-find items, but Fox & Obel…
Read the StoryOn Saturday, March 19th, tickets went on sale for $12 a piece for Dark Lord Day, the release of the Dark Lord Imperial Stout beer at Three Floyds Brewery in Munster,…
Read the StoryOne of my favorite annual benefits is For the Love of Chocolate, an annual black tie affair that not only serves a good cause that supports scholarships for the French…
Read the StorySince they were open less than a week, I couldn’t resist taking a peek inside Butcher and Larder after taking a long walk down Milwaukee from an earlier engagement at…
Read the StoryToday’s Tribune sheds light on some popular region-specific foods found in various Midwestern towns, the majority of which, as you can imagine, tend to be fat-laden and fried. Just like we have…
Read the StoryBecause I live in East Lakeview (or Lakeview East), going to Wicker Park to buy meat is a bit of a trek. I usually can’t be bothered to go to…
Read the StoryThis week the Tribune and Sun-Times posted some mildly-interesting articles pertaining to food trends. The Sun-Times implied that the source of today’s pork trend came from national pork producers promoting “the…
Read the StoryEvery once and a while, I’ll stop at Pastoral Artisan Cheese, my favorite cheese shop, and let the staff make any recommendations with regard to unusual cheeses. This time I tried the…
Read the StoryOn Yahoo! this evening, I stumbled across an article about a long time L.A. Times reporter who, though she had a reservation under another name, was outed at Beverly Hills’ Red…
Read the StoryI always find it a pleasure when local producers provide more options to food shops around town, especially when what is produced is an artisanal craft product. It’s even…
Read the StoryI have to admit, I wouldn’t mind seeing food trucks in Chicago, but I don’t have a really strong position here. It would be great to see a fantastic cult…
Read the StoryThis past Sunday at the Steppenwolf theatre, Grant Achatz of Alinea sat down with writer Michael Ruhlman. I was very intrigued by this conversation and was looking forward to hearing…
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