April 25 2014 - 3:56 PM

Alice Waters & Ruth Reichl- Chicago Humanities Festival

Jenna Temkin

Alice 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…

March 03 2014 - 2:49 PM

“Celebrity” Chef Gross-Food Fakeout

Josh Brusin

This 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.

February 07 2014 - 1:00 AM

Eat Your Heart Out

Amanda Topper

Red 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…

October 31 2013 - 11:57 AM

Real Kitchen’s Halloween Costume

Josh Brusin

Yep. 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,…

October 31 2013 - 9:00 AM

The 3rd Annual Boneshaker

Amanda Topper

Looking 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…

October 18 2013 - 9:00 AM

Shaw’s 25th Annual Oyster Fest Block Party Preview

Amanda Topper

This 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…

October 07 2013 - 9:00 AM

Found Kitchen’s Monthly Moveable Feast Series

Adam Miller

Found 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…

September 23 2013 - 1:58 PM

Craft Spirits Week Chicago 2013

David McCowan

Whoa! 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…

September 16 2013 - 12:00 PM

7th Annual Festiv-ale

Amanda Topper

Calling 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…

September 06 2013 - 12:41 PM

Binny’s Taste at the Track

Amanda Topper

  Sad 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…

June 19 2013 - 9:00 AM

Top 8 Delicious Twitter Handles

Jenna Temkin

Social 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…

June 11 2013 - 9:00 AM

Tuesday Night Dinner Makes the Move to Higher Ground

Jenna Temkin

Tuesday 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…

May 17 2013 - 1:28 PM

More Craft Beer Week Highlights

M. Sheppard

In 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,…

May 16 2013 - 9:00 AM

Craft Beer Week Tips

M. Sheppard

The 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…

May 10 2013 - 9:00 AM

No Kid Hungry Bake Sale Sat 5/11

Marly Schuman

Who 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….

April 24 2013 - 1:00 PM

Dining Out For Life

Amanda Topper

On 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…

April 17 2013 - 9:00 AM

Drink.Think, a Drink Writers Showcase

David McCowan

Got 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…

March 18 2013 - 2:08 PM

Rockit’s 4th Annual Mac Madness

Amanda Topper

Just 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…

March 12 2013 - 10:09 AM

Win Good Food Festival Tickets!

Marly Schuman

As 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…

March 06 2013 - 10:41 PM

We Get it. We Like Bacon.

Josh Brusin

March 01 2013 - 11:00 AM

Good Food Festival & Conference March 14-16

Marly Schuman

For 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…

March 01 2013 - 11:00 AM

New Year’s Resolution – Eat More Mustard!

Stacy Kenny

Eating 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…

February 04 2013 - 10:46 AM

February 5th – National Chocolate Fondue Day

Stacy Kenny

I 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…

January 31 2013 - 9:00 AM

Raising a Fit Foodie

Jonelle Galuska

With 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…

January 28 2013 - 8:45 AM

Some Changes Around here.

Josh Brusin

This 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…

January 21 2013 - 1:00 PM

An Open Letter to Restaurants

Stacey Ballis

Dear 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…

January 14 2013 - 9:00 AM

Chicago Restaurant Week 2013 Preview

Marly Schuman

If 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…

December 04 2012 - 1:16 AM

Reno Misses Mark w/Hipster Bagels

Marly Schuman

A 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…

November 15 2012 - 11:11 PM

Hot Cheetos & Takis

Josh Brusin

The 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…

October 29 2012 - 9:00 AM

Jose Garces Brings Iron Chef Chops to New Latin Cookbook

Marly Schuman

Most 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…

September 04 2012 - 8:02 AM

Sponsored: Chipotle Cultivate Returns for Year 2

Josh Brusin

Chipotle 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…

August 17 2012 - 5:23 PM

Julia Child – 100 Years

Josh Brusin

Better 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.

June 29 2012 - 12:57 PM

Graham Boots Twittering Dolinsky

Josh Brusin

Steve 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…

June 27 2012 - 1:30 PM

4th of July: Edible Garden, Food Trucks and… Gnomes.

Josh Brusin

This 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…

June 25 2012 - 9:22 AM

Your 3 Best Fake Meat Options

Marly Schuman

The 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…

June 21 2012 - 2:02 PM

Ty Pennington Pitmaster? at Naperville Ribfest

Natalie Krebs

Celebrating 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…

June 21 2012 - 10:58 AM

Best Southside (South Loop) Outdoor Seating

Robyn Traub

With 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…

June 20 2012 - 11:28 AM

SOLD OUT “Unique Dinner Series: A Lifetime of Guilty Pleasures” at iNG

Josh Brusin

The 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…

June 19 2012 - 4:07 PM

3 Whole Foods Hits & Misses for Your Summer BBQ

Marly Schuman

Now 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…

June 12 2012 - 11:16 AM

Best Outdoor Seating in Lincoln Park This Summer

Marly Schuman

Wander 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…

June 07 2012 - 3:20 PM

The Shanty – Worth a Visit on Your Weekend Trip to WI

Robyn Traub

As 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…

June 04 2012 - 7:41 AM

Want to Sell Your Homemade Pies and Jams? Not in Cook County.

Kate Bernot

Most 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…

May 31 2012 - 1:27 PM

Canibalistic Japanese Genitalia Cookoff…

Brian Ziegler

If 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…

May 31 2012 - 11:42 AM

Your Diet Woe Might Not Be Nutritional

Josh Brusin

Sitting 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…

May 30 2012 - 11:11 AM

Win Free Tickets to Wine Riot Chicago

Josh Brusin

We’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…

May 26 2012 - 10:27 AM

Do This Today (or tomorrow)– Molé de Mayo

Josh Brusin

There 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…

May 18 2012 - 3:15 PM

Craft Beer Week Meet the NATO Summit…

Josh Brusin

Apparently 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…

May 18 2012 - 12:23 PM

High Glycemic Index – The “Comfort” in Comfort Food.

Josh Brusin

Judd 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,…

May 16 2012 - 1:36 PM

Logan Square Kitchen to Close After Valiant Battle with City Regulators

Kate Bernot

Logan 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…

May 15 2012 - 3:58 PM

Chicago Blog Lottie + Doof Wins Saveur’s Best Cooking Blog Award

Marly Schuman

Every 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…

May 11 2012 - 7:53 AM

Underground Dining Club X-Marx to Debut Flour and Bones at Dose Market

Kate Bernot

Underground 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…

May 09 2012 - 9:53 AM

Update: Decoding Your Egg Carton

Kate Bernot

Marly 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…

May 08 2012 - 8:43 AM

Seventh Time’s the Charm for Chicago James Beard Nominees

Kate Bernot

Always 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…

May 02 2012 - 10:10 AM

Butter & Cheese… Real Food is the Real Secret for Your Diet

Marly Schuman

Even 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…

May 02 2012 - 8:49 AM

Hot Doug’s Wants Your Duck Fat Fry Story

Kate Bernot

If 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…

May 01 2012 - 7:05 PM

Free Pair of Weekend Passes to the Chicago Green Festival at Navy Pier!

Josh Brusin

Thanks 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…

May 01 2012 - 11:07 AM

New North Center Farmer’s Market Debuts at Browntrout Tonight

Kate Bernot

North 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…

April 30 2012 - 10:40 AM

Has “Artisanal” Gone the Way of “Green” and “Natural”?

Kate Bernot

The 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…

April 27 2012 - 10:40 AM

Flamin’ Hot Cheetos Banned? Oh Those Crazy Kids…

Josh Brusin

So 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…

April 26 2012 - 10:21 AM

Food Blogger Charity Bake Sale Returns This Saturday

Kate Bernot

Shameless 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…

April 17 2012 - 10:29 AM

FDA Issues National Recall for Tuna Blamed in Salmonella Outbreak

Kate Bernot

Reading 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…

April 12 2012 - 3:48 PM

Win Tickets to Austria Uncorked April 19th

Josh Brusin

Thursday 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…

April 12 2012 - 3:31 PM

Gluten-Free Eating… A Tax Write-Off?

Stacy Kenny

Is 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….

April 05 2012 - 12:03 PM

Pink Slime– It’s Not About the Ammonia.

Josh Brusin

Reuters 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…

April 04 2012 - 10:35 AM

Participate in Dining Out for Life to Fight HIV/AIDS

Marly Schuman

Enjoy 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…

April 04 2012 - 9:30 AM

Pink Slime. Finely Textured Beef. Soft Serve Beefaconda…

Josh Brusin

A 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…

April 02 2012 - 12:29 AM

Making Fun of Heston Blumenthal

Josh Brusin

From the pretty funny British tele show, The IT Crowd:

April 01 2012 - 10:40 AM

Walmart to Rally 2,000 small farmers with CSA Service – Apr Fools!

Josh Brusin

Walmart 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…

March 30 2012 - 10:21 AM

Industrial Farmers Need Some Love!

Josh Brusin

Yesterday 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…

March 27 2012 - 4:24 PM

Desserts for Deserts Event

Marly Schuman

Do 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…

March 22 2012 - 1:23 PM

Hey Chicago, Wanna Hava Cookie?

Kate Bernot

As 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…

March 19 2012 - 3:03 PM

Chicago’s James Beard Foundation Award 2012 Nominees Announced

Kate Bernot

Instead 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…

March 15 2012 - 1:29 PM

When What You See Isn’t What You Get

Kate Bernot

To 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…

March 14 2012 - 12:04 PM

Vicki Nowicki – Preserving Good Food

Josh Brusin

You 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…

March 12 2012 - 2:01 PM

This is a Thing: Cupcake Vending Machine to Hit Chicago

Kate Bernot

So 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…

March 09 2012 - 9:36 AM

How an Olive Garden in Grand Forks Sparked the Internet Sensation- Marilyn Hagerty

Kate Bernot

"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…

March 08 2012 - 10:38 AM

Doggie Crack and New Trends in Treats at the IKC Dog Show

Stacy Kenny

The 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…

March 06 2012 - 1:27 PM

Saveur Gives Nods to Two Chicago Coffee Roasters

Kate Bernot

While 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…

March 06 2012 - 12:38 PM

Good Food Festival Gold Package – 40% off

Josh Brusin

The 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…

March 05 2012 - 11:48 AM

Local Chicagoan Starts Better Whey of Life Yogurt

Marly Schuman

Amidst 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…

March 02 2012 - 10:07 AM

LTH Opens 2012 Great Neighborhood Restaurant Nominations

Kate Bernot

Between 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…

February 29 2012 - 1:38 PM

Jim Slama Talks About the Good Food Festival

Josh Brusin

Jim'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…

February 27 2012 - 11:34 AM

Sarah Jenkins Debates the Merits of “Authentic” Cooking

Kate Bernot

Sarah 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…

February 24 2012 - 11:19 AM

For the Love of Chocolate – Chocolate Decadence This Saturday!

Josh Brusin

This 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…

February 21 2012 - 4:25 PM

Slew of Chicago Chefs up for National, Great Lakes James Beard Awards

Kate Bernot

Chicago 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…

February 20 2012 - 9:57 AM

Why You Should Eat Amaranth

Marly Schuman

Amaranth 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…

February 20 2012 - 9:32 AM

Is Inhalable Caffeine the Next Four Loko?

Kate Bernot

Kids 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…

February 18 2012 - 4:07 PM

El Bulli at Next – Adria Retrospective

Josh Brusin

El 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…

February 17 2012 - 8:14 AM

How Large Restaurants Are Rethinking Food

Josh Brusin

Danny 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/

February 16 2012 - 1:47 PM

Growing Power Fetes 10 Year Anniversary at New Headquarters

Kate Bernot

If 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…

February 15 2012 - 2:07 PM

Feast Exhibit Opens Tonight at UChicago’s Smart Museum

Kate Bernot

If 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…

February 15 2012 - 11:51 AM

Chicago Foodies Food Truck Bash: 3 Food Trucks, 2 Brothers & 1 Green Lady

Josh Brusin

  Wednesday 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…

February 13 2012 - 9:59 AM

A Mile In Their Clogs: Chefs’ Favorite Footwear (Part Three)

Kate Bernot

You 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…

February 10 2012 - 8:51 AM

StreetWise Vendors to Hit Food Deserts with New EatWise Carts

Kate Bernot

"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…

February 09 2012 - 2:15 PM

Dose Returns for First 2012 Market

Kate Bernot

Hopefully, 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…

February 08 2012 - 2:55 PM

Chicago Restaurant Week Interactive Map

Josh Brusin

View 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…

February 08 2012 - 2:39 PM

Next’s El Bulli Video… Quite a Tease.

Josh Brusin

February 08 2012 - 10:47 AM

Learn to “Pickle That” at Logan Square Kitchen

Kate Bernot

Admit 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…

February 07 2012 - 3:54 PM

The Urban Canopy

Josh Brusin

Speaking 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…

February 06 2012 - 11:09 AM

A Mile in Their Clogs: Chefs’ Favorite Footwear (Part Two)

Kate Bernot

You 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…

February 03 2012 - 12:59 PM

Double IPA’s For Single People at Jerry’s Sandwiches

M. Sheppard

Think 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…

February 03 2012 - 12:05 PM

Perhaps the Best Valentine’s Day Table Still Available

Kate Bernot

Valentine’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…

February 03 2012 - 11:29 AM

The German and the 64-Year Old Can of Lard

Josh Brusin

I 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…

February 01 2012 - 11:38 AM

Giants vs. Patriots: A Food Face-Off

Kate Bernot

Disclaimer: 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…

January 31 2012 - 10:15 AM

Publican Quality Meats to Open Next Week, Minus the Meat at First

Kate Bernot

If 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…

January 30 2012 - 11:29 PM

Northdown Cafe’s Half Acre Brewery Night Tuesday 1/31, 6:00 p.m.

M. Sheppard

Always 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…

January 27 2012 - 12:00 PM

Decoding Your Egg Carton

Marly Schuman

Organic, 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…

January 26 2012 - 12:19 PM

A Mile in their Clogs: Chefs’ Favorite Footwear (Part One)

Kate Bernot

You 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…

January 26 2012 - 11:40 AM

Having Trouble Keeping Up with Food Trucks?

Josh Brusin

We'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…

January 26 2012 - 10:16 AM

Harvard Science & Cooking Lectures #1: Historical Context Food & Science

Josh Brusin

Harold 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…

January 25 2012 - 5:09 PM

Alpana Singh Announces Restaurant Venture, The Boarding House

Kate Bernot

And 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…

January 25 2012 - 10:31 AM

Must Have Kitchen Appliances for 2012

Beth Aldrich

Every 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

January 24 2012 - 10:43 AM

Treat Crew Resurrects Popular Brunch with Township Pop-Up

Kate Bernot

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…

January 17 2012 - 12:57 PM

Paula Deen Cuts Back on Sweet Tea – Admits to Type II Diabetes

Josh Brusin

CBS 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…

January 17 2012 - 11:49 AM

Chicago Restaurant Week Announces Participating Restaurants, But Is It Always a Deal?

Kate Bernot

Restaurant 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…

January 16 2012 - 11:10 AM

The Myth of “Natural” Labeling

Kate Bernot

In 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…

January 11 2012 - 1:50 PM

Lincoln Square Beer Festival At Dank Haus

M. Sheppard

Winter 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…

January 11 2012 - 10:31 AM

Your Sommelier: The Next Batman?

Kate Bernot

For 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…

January 10 2012 - 10:39 AM

Alpana Singh to Return with Wine Bar

Kate Bernot

how 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…

January 09 2012 - 12:02 PM

Two Terrifying Words: Market Price

Kate Bernot

It'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…

January 09 2012 - 8:56 AM

SOLD OUT – “Unique Dinner Series: 16 Courses of Black” at Moto

Josh Brusin

The 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…

January 06 2012 - 4:37 PM

Paula Deen’s Bacon, Egg and Doughnut Burger… and Bukowski.

Josh Brusin

I 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…

January 06 2012 - 10:39 AM

You think Next is hard to get into now? Here Comes El Bulli.

Josh Brusin

Next 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….

January 05 2012 - 11:38 AM

Foodie Film – “Three Stars” Doesn’t Shine as Brightly as It Should

Kate Bernot

Three 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…

January 04 2012 - 12:13 PM

Food Truck Pioneer Matt Maroni Parks Gaztro-Wagon for Good

Kate Bernot

Though 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…

January 03 2012 - 12:33 PM

Charlie Trotter’s To Close

Josh Brusin

25 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…

January 02 2012 - 11:34 AM

Alinea’s Failed Health Inspection

Brian Ziegler

I 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…

December 27 2011 - 10:12 AM

Bar Toma Shows Up Mag Mile Tourist Attractions

Marly Schuman

If 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…

December 26 2011 - 3:42 PM

Serving Alcohol at White Castle

Brian Ziegler

For 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…

December 23 2011 - 1:59 PM

Cheaper Gluten-Free Baking for the Holidays – Think Inside the Box

Stacy Kenny

Although 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…

December 20 2011 - 11:39 AM

Prairie Fire to Close Abruptly Tomorrow

Kate Bernot

There 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…

December 19 2011 - 2:01 PM

Sorting Through the Fuss Over LA’s Healthy School Lunches

Kate Bernot

The 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…

December 16 2011 - 10:53 AM

The Food Americans Googled, from Pizza Hut to Cream Cheese Frosting

Kate Bernot

Google 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…

December 15 2011 - 12:00 PM

The Chicago Foodies 2011 Holiday Gift Guide

Kate Bernot

Because 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…

December 15 2011 - 9:51 AM

Ticket’s Still Available!! “Unique Dinner Series” Kicks-Off at Moto on January 28th, 2012

Josh Brusin

The 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…

December 14 2011 - 8:06 PM

Local Option Beer Event – Thursday, December 15, 2011

M. Sheppard

It 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…

December 13 2011 - 2:24 PM

Support the Chicago Honey Co-Op’s Holiday Wish

Kate Bernot

No 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…

December 13 2011 - 8:26 AM

Desperately Seeking Good Gluten Free Pizza

Stacy Kenny

When 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…

December 12 2011 - 11:37 AM

Curtis Duffy Announces His Next Move: Grace

Kate Bernot

Since 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,…

December 09 2011 - 11:16 AM

Rethinking Reusable Shopping Bags

Kate Bernot

Take 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…

December 08 2011 - 2:14 PM

No Reservations: We Dream of Jiro

Josh Brusin

March 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…

December 08 2011 - 11:42 AM

Rogue Raw Milk Activists Stage Freedom Ride Today

Kate Bernot

On 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…

December 08 2011 - 10:54 AM

Win Tickets to Chocolate Around the World at the Field Museum!

Josh Brusin

Chocolate 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…

December 07 2011 - 12:41 PM

City Opens Bids for New Taste of Chicago Management

Kate Bernot

The 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…

December 07 2011 - 6:40 AM

Star Chefs Get Baking for Pop-Up Cookie Market at the Drake

Kate Bernot

Most 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?…

December 05 2011 - 7:43 AM

BLT American Brasserie Now Open in River North

Kate Bernot

Maybe 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,…

December 02 2011 - 9:57 AM

Charlie Trotters’ Vet Opens Yakitori Spot Yusho Tomorrow

Kate Bernot

Will 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…

December 01 2011 - 9:48 PM

Alpana Loses Lettuce

Brian Ziegler

The 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, …

December 01 2011 - 9:44 AM

Horse: The Other Red Meat?

Kate Bernot

If 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,…

November 30 2011 - 12:27 PM

The 10 Commandments of Food Allergy Safety for Party Hosts and Guests

Kate Bernot

There 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…

November 29 2011 - 12:50 PM

Much-Anticipated Bar Toma and Slurping Turtle Open Downtown

Kate Bernot

Love 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…

November 28 2011 - 8:24 AM

Is the Half Moon Bay Model the Future of Sustainable Fishing?

Kate Bernot

Because 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…

November 24 2011 - 1:19 PM

In Case You Missed It – The ENTIRE Simpson’s Foodie Episode – “The Food Wife”

Josh Brusin

November 18 2011 - 2:47 PM

Factory Farming– Do We Blame Supply or Demand?

Josh Brusin

Making 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…

November 15 2011 - 3:49 PM

Chicago Loses Stars • Michelin Guide 2012 vs. 2011 Comparison

Josh Brusin

Last 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…

November 14 2011 - 10:59 AM

Michelin Chicago 2012 – 3 Stars… 2 Stars… Next? Trotter’s? Topolobampo?!

Josh Brusin

Last 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…

November 10 2011 - 11:43 AM

Michelin Guide Chicago – 2012 Bib Gourmand – 15 New Restaurants

Josh Brusin

According 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…

November 07 2011 - 6:13 PM

5th Annual Pinot Days – Grand Festival Tasting @ Navy Pier Saturday Nov. 12th

Josh Brusin

Do 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…

November 02 2011 - 11:20 AM

MORE FREE TICKETS to the Food & Wine at the MCA

Josh Brusin

Here'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…

October 31 2011 - 2:41 PM

Happy Halloween – Chipotlé & CAA’s Outstandingly Creepy Video

Josh Brusin

Chipotle 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…

October 29 2011 - 7:09 PM

“About Hunger & Resilience” CLOSES TOMORROW at St. James Cathedral

Josh Brusin

I 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…

October 23 2011 - 6:23 PM

Next Restaurant – “Childhood” Teaser

Josh Brusin

October 14 2011 - 3:52 PM

Jim Koch from Sam Adams: Micro Loans, Craft Beer & Goose Island

Josh Brusin

Last 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…

October 12 2011 - 5:06 PM

Michael Ruhlman Interpreting Ferran Adria – “Foodies Don’t Cook.”

Josh Brusin

Of 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…

September 30 2011 - 10:11 PM

What Founders Breakfast Stout Smells Like to a 3 Year Old…

Josh Brusin

September 30 2011 - 3:42 PM

Do We Eat Too Much Meat & Dairy? Obviously.

Josh Brusin

This 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…

September 27 2011 - 5:59 PM

Limited Edition Hennessy Bottle Designed by KAWS

Brian Ziegler

On 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…

September 21 2011 - 11:17 AM

Kouzina – Food and Wine to Benefit the Hellenic Museum Sept. 21st-23rd

Josh Brusin

The 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…

September 01 2011 - 5:37 PM

Beer Wars

Josh Brusin

It's now streaming online. Cool to see the people involved from Dogfish Head to New Century and the risks they take.

August 29 2011 - 11:28 AM

Sazon’s 1st Anniversary Special – Exclusively for Chicago Foodies!

Josh Brusin

Chef 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…

August 07 2011 - 10:50 PM

Artisanal Food Producers Threatened: A Disturbing Trend?

Brian Ziegler

When 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…

August 06 2011 - 12:44 AM

Rick Mereki’s EAT

Josh Brusin

EAT from Rick Mereki on Vimeo.

August 02 2011 - 4:15 PM

Zombie Calamari – Reanimating Headless Squid… You Know, For Dinner.

Josh Brusin

A headless squid will move when stimulated with the sodium in soy. It’s very strange to see. This is definitely a “Weird Food” post.

July 13 2011 - 4:12 PM

Chef Curtis Duffy to Leave 2 Michelin Starred Avenues

Josh Brusin

One 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…

July 01 2011 - 11:22 AM

Kafka Wine Shop – Joseph F. Kafka, 1971-2011

Brian Ziegler

Kafka 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…

June 14 2011 - 11:55 PM

Veuve Clicquot & Doughnut Vault – Champagne Pairing

Brian Ziegler

Champagne 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…

June 14 2011 - 9:41 PM

Glenmorangie Scotch & Bowties Benefit – NoMI Friday, 6/24

Brian Ziegler

Ryan 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…

June 03 2011 - 4:08 PM

First Pastoral Artisan Producer Festival – Recap

Brian Ziegler

Chicago 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…

June 03 2011 - 8:17 AM

National Restaurant Association Recap

Brian Ziegler

It’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…

May 18 2011 - 7:18 AM

Belvedere Bloody Mary Vodka Launch in Chicago

Brian Ziegler

On 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…

May 13 2011 - 6:02 PM

Pabst Moves Headquarters to L.A.

Brian Ziegler

Pabst 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,…

April 27 2011 - 7:00 PM

Pastoral Artisan Producer Festival @ French Market Saturday

Brian Ziegler

On 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),…

April 25 2011 - 5:14 PM

NEXT Restaurant to Dark Lord Days – Hype or Hassle?

Josh Brusin

“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…

April 24 2011 - 10:40 PM

Play for Life Best of Ballpark Cook-Off

Brian Ziegler

Play 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…

April 06 2011 - 7:15 PM

No Next Tickets? There’s Always Next Time.

Josh Brusin

So, 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…

March 24 2011 - 2:26 PM

Is Fox & Obel On The Way Out?

Brian Ziegler

Chicago 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…

March 22 2011 - 8:00 AM

$275 for Tickets to Dark Lord Day? What the Market Will Bear.

Brian Ziegler

On 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,…

February 20 2011 - 12:01 PM

For the Love of Chocolate Benefit 2011

Brian Ziegler

One 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…

January 26 2011 - 11:28 AM

Butcher and Larder: A First Peek

Brian Ziegler

Since 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…

January 13 2011 - 11:22 AM

Mapping the Midwest by Palate

Brian Ziegler

Today’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…

January 11 2011 - 10:53 AM

Butcher and Larder: Opening Day awaits

Brian Ziegler

Because 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…

January 06 2011 - 11:54 AM

Food Trends and Possible Theories in the News

Brian Ziegler

This 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…

January 05 2011 - 4:14 PM

Krotovina Cheese and Duck Rillettes mixed with Foie Gras

Brian Ziegler

Every 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…

December 27 2010 - 10:42 AM

Losing Anonymity: Is It Safe to Review Restaurants?

Brian Ziegler

On 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…

December 16 2010 - 9:43 AM

Rare Bird Preserves

Brian Ziegler

I 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…

December 15 2010 - 3:25 PM

Food Trucks: Who’s Being Threatened Here?

Brian Ziegler

I 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…

March 06 2007 - 12:15 PM

Achatz and Ruhlman Talking about Playing with Food…

Josh Brusin

This 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…