Zagat Buzz: Chicago

Outtake of the Week

BuzzEditor — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:33:00 GMT

Why the attitude? No one else is eating here.

Working the Pitchfork

BuzzEditor — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:30:00 GMT

Pitchfork, a brick-walled, antler-adorned Avondale taproom from the crew behind Wrigleyville’s Rebel Bar & Grill, et al., is all about the hard stuff, promoting its selection of whiskey, bourbon, rye and scotch above all else; the ’hood’s indie-leaning neighbors rub elbows over Southern-tinged bar bites and big plates featuring daily specials that, when paired with accompanying drink deals, keep costs in check.

2922 W. Irving Park Rd.; 773-866-2010

Dining News Elsewhere: Obese Americans, Ramsay Loses His Number Two

BuzzEditor — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 10:18:00 GMT

– By 2018, 43% of Americans are expected to be obese. [NYDN]
– Gordon Ramsay has lost his right-hand man. [Bloomberg]
– The Senate is considering requiring beef to be tested for E. coli. [NYT]

– Top Chef contestants aren't being paid for the TV dinners that feature their faces (and recipes). [Time]
– First canned pumpkins, now an Eggo shortage looms. [NYDN]
– The art of complaining to a restaurant. [Guardian]
– A modest proposal for fixing restaurant and bar smoking bans. [Eater]
– Related: the science behind banning smoking outside. [Time]
– Ever wonder what it would be like to cook dinner for Thomas Keller? [Esquire]
– Talking cooking with Coolio. [Fork in the Road]
– NBC's newest cooking show, United Plates of America, will give away a four-restaurant chain. [Reuters]
– Hey, so, while you eat that sushi, this guy here is going to swallow a sword. [WSJ]
– Starbucks continues to roll out its unbranded coffee shops. [Diner's Journal]
– If New York loses its lawsuit, Tavern on the Green will become Tavern in the Park. [Crain's]
– Restaurants embrace Twilight. [NRN]
– Martha Stewart is not a fan of Rachael Ray. [ABC News, via EMD and GS]
– The Rolling Stones, the wine. [Examiner]
– Pork belly and other over-served dishes. [Between Meals]
– Students arrested for not paying their tip. [Philly]
– Plastic wishbones: what will the kids fight over? [SE]

Top Toques Pig Out

BuzzEditor — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:21:00 GMT

Vie

Photo: stevenjohnsonphotography

On Tuesday and Wednesday, December 15–16, get ready to go hog wild. That's when four of the city's top chefs are teaming up for “The Cadillac of Pig Dinners.” Both nights, Vie's Paul Virant, BOKA's Giuseppe Tentori, Perennial’s Ryan Poli and Top Chef winner Stephanie Izard will come together to cook a four-course dinner dedicated to the Hungarian woolly pig. The first night goes down at Western Springs' Vie, while the second will be held at Lincoln Park’s BOKA. Reserve your spot soon though, as both nights are quickly filling up (6:30 PM champagne reception; 7 PM dinner; $100 per person, plus $40 for optional wine pairings; call 708-246-2082 to reserve).

Mado Tackles a Whole Cow

BuzzEditor — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:42:00 GMT

mado

Photo: stevenjohnsonphotography

Bucktown head-to-tail emporium mado is going whole hog with beef at its next family dinner on Sunday, December 6. Nearly every part of the cow will be served in dishes that evening – including options like beef shank terrine, bresaola, corned beef tongue bruschetta, steak and kidney pie and mincemeat pie (6 PM; $80 per person; 773-342-2340).

Dining News Elsewhere: Koodies, Samuelsson Goes to Washington

BuzzEditor — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 12:20:00 GMT

– Marcus Samuelsson will be working the kitchen at Obama's first state dinner. [Obama Foodorama]
– The fight for Cadbury intensifies. [WSJ]
– Chipotle sets its sights on London, Europe. [NRN]

– Costco drops Coke. [AP]
– Related: Coke bottles, 1899–1986. [Pixdaus]
– Milk producers wish they could sell their product "raw." [NYT]
– Hooters is having trouble in Vegas. [Eater]
– A canned pumpkin shortage looms. [Diner's Journal]
– Putting things in perspective with the Fat Map. [HP]
– Jamie Oliver wants to help you find a date. [Marketing]
– A Shake Shack in Boston looks increasingly possible. [GS:B]
– What a $20 Thanksgiving feast from Walmart gets you. [The Awl]
– A word we'd like to quickly forget? "Koodie." [SE]
– Foods named after people. [Mental Floss and Cakespy, via SE]
– They found water on the moon...can you drink it? [Slate]
– Making mushrooms with coffee grinds. [Chronicle, via Coldmud]
– Making art with meat, some wires, a videocamera and a stove. [EMD]

The Hearty Boys and the Case of the Brand-New Restaurant

BuzzEditor — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 11:01:00 GMT

Hearty

Photo: stevenjohnsonphotography

Food Network stars The Hearty Boys offer their New American take on comfort food (e.g. lobster pot pie, root-beer-BBQ pulled-pork sandwich) along with midpriced wines and fun cocktails at Hearty, a funky Wrigleyville haunt serving dinner and brunch; the interior features exposed brick and bright walls, glass artwork and a mahogany and tile bar, and outdoors there’s garden dining in season.

3819 N. Broadway; 773-868-9866

Hearty

Photo: stevenjohnsonphotography

Big Star Makes a Big Splash

BuzzEditor — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 10:52:00 GMT

Big Star

Photo: stevenjohnsonphotography

Behind the scenes at new Bucktown taqueria Big Star lurks a powerhouse team – folks from avec, Blackbird, The Publican, Sonotheque and Violet Hour – who have joined forces to offer ultrafresh, affordable Mexican fare and a bar list focused on American whiskeys and small-batch tequilas; the divey-chic setting, with dangling lightbulbs, bare wood seating and a turntable on the bar cranking out obscure honky-tonk tunes, also includes a cash-only pickup window and seasonal beer garden.

1531 N. Damen Ave.; 773-235-4039

Three Years of Marigold

BuzzEditor — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 12:04:00 GMT

Marigold

Photo: courtesy of the restaurant

To celebrate its three year anniversary, Uptown Indian Marigold will be offering three- and four-course wazwan (Hindi for feast) November 18–21, priced at $24.95 and $39.95, respectively. Dishes will include samosas, Kalonji chicken, malai kofta and kulfi. In addition, special evenings are planned, such a "60640 Night" on Wednesday, when diners located in the restaurant's zip code will receive the three-course wazwan for $19.99, plus a complimentary cocktail tasting, and a "Girls' Night Out" on Thursday, with complimentary henna tattoos, bindis and bangles plus specially priced cocktails (773-293-4653; reserve online).

Dining News Elsewhere: Buzzy Booze, Subway in the Sky

BuzzEditor — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 11:49:00 GMT

– The FDA is targeting caffeinated booze. [WSJ]
– Meanwhile, its efforts to ban eating raw oysters didn't work out so well. [NYT]
– Burger King franchisees lose 10¢ for every $1 double cheeseburger sold. [NRN]

– A special Subway franchise is set to rise up with the Freedom Tower in New York. [NYP]
– U.S. chicken production is set to fall for the first time in 36 years. [Reuters]
– Champagne sales are a bit flat these days. [NYT]
– Musicians do covers of other bands' hits, why shouldn't chefs cover other toques' recipes? [Guardian]
– Pinkberry's further expansion plans include Boston, DC, New Orleans and Mexico. [Eater]
– Why we read cookbooks. [The New Yorker]
– Want a new drug? Synthetic alcohol isn't out of the question. [Scotsman, via ColdMud]
– Just when we've gotten used to twist-off tops, get ready for wine in a plastic bottle. [Stuff]
– Things a restaurant patron should never do. [Applesauce]
– Related, 10 dirty restaurant tricks. [Slashfood]
– Peace through hummus. [Economist]
– Hard to turn down a "love dessert" made with passion fruit and...Viagra. [NYDN]

Outtake of the Week

BuzzEditor — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 17:46:00 GMT

Authenticity has never been more perfectly faked.

Gemini Bistro Lures the Early Birds

BuzzEditor — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 12:05:00 GMT

Gemini Bistro

Photo: stevenjohnsonphotography

Lincoln Park’s Gemini Bistro offers up a nightly three-course $33 prix fixe from chef Jason Paskewitz, available from 5–6:30 PM. Dishes on the menu include autumn salad with dried cherries, candied walnuts, Roquefort and a champagne vinaigrette; Maine lobster ravioli; steak frites; and hot apple crisp (closed on Mondays; $55 with wine pairings; 773-525-2522).

Dining News Elsewhere: Drink Preferences, Raw Oyster Brouhahah

BuzzEditor — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 12:01:00 GMT

– A whole lot of info on what diners like to drink. [R&I]
– Should the FDA try to prevent you from eating raw oysters? [NYT, Slate]
– Burger King franchisees are suing over $1 double cheeseburgers. [Miami Herald]

– Meanwhile, McDonald's plans for the future. [CNN]
– The backlash to the list of waiter no-nos is on. [XX, Server not Servant]
– How to act around a celebrity chef. [Atlantic]
– The U.K. now has its own version of the Food Network. [Eater]
– Related: Emeril Lagasse is planning a prime-time variety show not on the Food Network. [ABC]
– Mario Batali makes his film debut in The Fantastic Mr. Fox. [WSJ]
– Heston Blumenthal plans a wildly expensive Christmas dinner for a TV special featuring ambergris, aka whale vomit. [Sun]
– Jamie Oliver has seen a backlash for the salt content of his pasta sauces. [Guardian]
– Cooking With Coolio, the cookbook, is now on sale. [EMD]
– Remembering New York City's 1935 ban on baby artichokes. [Diner's Journal]
– Don't be embarrassed to dine out alone. [Between Meals]
– Raising a vegetarian child without the conflict. [LAT]
– Can drunken fruit flies help cure alcoholism? [Wired]
– Looking to find free grub for the rug rats? Try here. [Kids Eat For, via SE]
– Deep-fried turkey disasters. On video. [EMD]

Outtakes: Cruise Lines Edition

BuzzEditor — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 17:25:00 GMT

Each time we perform a survey here at Zagat we inevitably find ourselves with a slew of amusing outtakes that aren't quite fit for print. Which doesn't mean they aren't entertaining. Here are a few of our favorites from our just completed Cruise Lines survey:

A conga line is not conducive to good digestion.

No activities for anyone who isn't an alcoholic seeking random sex.

They cater to the newly wed and nearly dead.

Great if you like hairy chest contests.

A rust bucket filled with rowdy people.

The more you booze, the better you cruise.

Bathrooms so small you have to sit on the toilet sideways.

It does attract a crowd – it's called ‘God's floating waiting room.'

Bucktown Goes LoKal

BuzzEditor — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:15:00 GMT

LoKal

Photo: stevenjohnsonphotography

The edgy Bucktown eatery LoKal offers modern European fare (cabbage cakes with spicy chili dip, whole wheat potato pierogi in date sauce), plus a limited but affordable wine list and a handful of house cocktails; the space’s concrete floor, mineral color scheme and massive mesh light fixtures create a cool urban vibe, and there’s an intimate lounge area.

1904 W. North Ave.; 773-904-8113

Photo: stevenjohnsonphotography

Zocalo Goes Guaco-Loco

BuzzEditor — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 13:45:00 GMT

Zocalo finds reasons to celebrate.

Photo: courtesy of the restaurant

November 14 is apparently National Guacamole Day, and River West’s Zocalo is celebrating. The restaurant is offering two special flight trios that include mole with freshly diced avocado mixed with pork cracklings, tomatoes, red onion, cilantro, lime juice and serrano chiles, and guacamole mixed with fresh papaya, guava, habanero chiles and walnuts, both served with housemade plantains and tortilla chips (available now through November 14; each flight costs $10; 312-302-9977; reserve online).

Dining News Elsewhere: Arby's Troubles, Food-Fight Arrests

BuzzEditor — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 11:57:00 GMT

– Trying to save New Orleans' po' boys. [NYT]
– 25 children were recently arrested in Chicago for...a food fight. [NYT]
– The recession has been especially hard on Arby's. [Slate]

– Meanwhile, Uno Express has opened 160 locations in the past 15 months. [BG]
– Consumers expect to spend less on dining out next year. [NRN]
– Starbucks tries a new look out in London. [BrandRepublic, via Eater]
– Obama's pastry chef, the "Crustmaster." [AP]
– Top Chef contestant Dale Levitski takes over Chicago newcomer Sprout. [GS: C]
– Despite being an international restaurateur himself, Gordon Ramsay blasts international restaurant chains. [Daily Record]
– The Food Network seeks America's worst cooks. [Variety]
– Related: What Would Brian Boitano Make? gets picked up for a second season. [EMD]
– Health-wise, is chocolate milk the new red wine? [NYT]
– Related: finally, a scientific reason why red wines (mostly) don't go well with fish. [Economist]
– Actually? French women do get fat. [Reuters]
– Why must restaurant websites be so terrible? [Between Meals]
– An undrinkable beer from the Hindenburg disaster is up for sale. [NYP]
– A tofurky-flavored soda? [SE]

Landing in Crêpe Town

BuzzEditor — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 10:42:00 GMT

Crêpe Town

Photo: stevenjohnsonphotography

Creative savory, sweet and breakfast crêpes make for budget-friendly bites at Crêpe Town, an upscale-casual Lakeview counter-service storefront with bright, modern decor in gray and green; you can take out or grab a table, where you can BYO or enjoy a smoothie or coffee drink to go with your eats.

3915 N. Sheridan Rd.; 773-248-8844

Photo: stevenjohnsonphotography

More Crêpe Cravings?

BuzzEditor — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 10:41:00 GMT

If crêpes with lots of custom combo options are what you’re craving, the casual Euro-style BYO Crêpe Crave has you covered, and also offers a big selection of artisanal gelati and coffee drinks; the caramel-colored space is soothing and stylish, with bare tables, a sofa seating area and rotating local artwork for sale.

1752 W. North Ave.; 773-698-8783

Prime Time for Primehouse's Burgers

BuzzEditor — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 10:40:00 GMT

David Burke Primehouse

Photo: courtesy of the restaurant

Looking for a little lunchtime love? David Burke hears you. For the second time, he's brought back his Burger Week promotion at Primehouse, which offers lunchtime diners chef Rick Gersh's signature burgers for just $5 a pop (11 AM–2:30 PM; 312-660-6000).

Zagat To Go, Now On Android

BuzzEditor — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 16:27:00 GMT

Finally, something that both the iPhone and the Droid does: Zagat To Go, our popular smartphone application for finding ratings and reviews of over 40,000 restaurants, hotels, nightlife and shopping worldwide, has come to Google's Android phone OS. And not only can you search for your favorite spots, the home-screen widget will offer you a randomly selected nearby restaurant for you to try. To get the app, which costs just $9.99, point your finger to the Android Marketplace.

Turkey Time: Thanksgiving '09

BuzzEditor — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 13:31:00 GMT

Photo: Ion Sokhos

A Thanksgiving dinner where you don't have to clean up afterward is truly something to be thankful about. The following restaurants are offering meals for gobbling on November 26.

Big Jones

5347 N. Clark St.; 773-275-5725

This Southern-style Thanksgiving in Andersonville will include a four-course menu (and relish plate) featuring turducken with cornbread dressing, short ribs with mashed potatoes and sweet potato pie for dessert (11 AM–8 PM; $44 per adult, $20 per child).

C-House

166 E. Superior St.; 312-523-0923

Keep your Thanksgiving seaworthy with the Affinia Hotel's seafooder, which will be offering a three-course prix fixe featuring sweet potato soup with chestnut marshmallow croutons, whole roasted trout with parsnip and celery root rémoulade, and caramel-roasted apples with fromage blanc ice cream and molasses cookies (4–9 PM; $39 per adult, $19 for children under 12).

David Burke’s Primehouse

616 N. Rush St.; 312-660-6000

This New American steakhouse inside The James Hotel will serve a four-course prix fixe from chef Rick Gresh. Highlights include squash and ricotta cheese ravioli with Benton bacon and aged maple syrup and sherry vinegar; spiced brown sugar and honey ham; and walnut praline cheesecake with burgundy poached cherries, sour cherry sorbet and walnut nougatine. As a bonus, there will also be a leftover giveaway, which includes a "leftover" sandwich of roasted turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce on country bread, and a pumpkin pie cookie (11 AM–9 PM; $39 per person, $15 for children under 10; children nine and under eat free).

Eve

840 N. Wabash Ave.; 312-266-3383

This Gold Coast New American will serve four different prix fixe menus (called "North," "South," "East" and "West"). Highlights include roasted chestnut bisque with cranberry-orange sorbet, herb-roasted heritage farm turkey served with sausage and black walnut stuffing and sage gravy, and pumpkin chocolate bread pudding (1–7 PM; $45 per person; for the menus, click here [PDF]).

Lockwood

17 E. Monroe St.; 312-917-3404

The New American inside the Palmer House Hilton rolls out unlimited champagne for adults and sparkling cider for children, along with a Thanksgiving buffet featuring roasted turkey breast, country ham and sweet potato marshmallow gratin (11 AM–8 PM; adults, $55; seniors, older than 65, $45; children under 12, $25).

Markethouse

300 E. Ohio St.; 312-224-2200

The Doubletree Hotel's Streeterville New American offers a two-course prix fixe from chef Scott Walton, centering around a Slagel Farms turkey with wild rice pilaf, sage gravy and a chestnut and apple brioche stuffing and pumpkin pie with pecan praline ice cream for dessert (noon–10 PM; adults $24, $12 for children 12 and under).

Prairie Grass Cafe

601 Skokie Blvd., Northbrook; 847-205-4433

This Northbrook New American will feature classic entrees, sides and desserts, including oven-roasted turkey with apple-sage stuffing and sweet potatoes with marshmallow topping. The desserts, made from chef Sarah Stegner's mother’s recipes, will be pumpkin and pecan pies (2:30–7:30 PM; $45 per person, $15 for children under 10).

SugarToad in Naperville

2139 CityGate Ln., Naperville; 630-778-8623

This Naperville New American is offering a three-course menu from chef Geoff Rhyne. Highlights include country pork pâté with cranberry chutney; American Kobe top sirloin with Yukon gold potato croquette and oyster and mushroom sauce; and a white-chocolate bombe with Grand Marnier ice cream, almonds and cherry compote (11 AM–6 PM; $45 per person; children ages six–12, $22.50; kids under six eat free).

Vermilion

10 W. Hubbard St.; 312-527-4060

Spice up your Thanksgiving with a six-course prix fixe at this River North Indian–Nuevo Latino spot. Expect eclectic offerings like feijoada, black cardamom–smoked turkey breast and pumpkin pie horchata (noon–10 PM; $45 per person; vegetarian prix fixe, $40).

ZED 451

739 N. Clark St.; 312-226-6691

This Eclectic steakhouse in River North will add seasonal goodies to its usual prix fixe, including herb garlic turkey with cranberry apricot chutney, hickory-smoked ham, pumpkin custard and, to drink, a cranberry mojito (noon–9 PM; $44 per person; 312-266-6691).

Dining News Elsewhere: Kraft Goes Hostile, Food Cart Love

BuzzEditor — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 11:54:00 GMT

– Cadbury has rejected Kraft's hostile £9.8 billion bid. [WSJ]
– McDonald's is set to launch a $1 breakfast menu. [WSJ]
– How did food carts become media darlings? [BlackBook]

– Related: a clever Pratt student comes up with a way to eat street food on the street. [Midtown Lunch]
– Ruby Tuesday has spent upwards of $100 million to upgrade its brand. [NYT]
– The birth of Subway's $5 foot-long. [Bussiness Week]
– Celebrating Veteran's Day with restaurant deals. [NRN]
– It had to happen: a Twitter-based reservation service launches in SF. [GS:SF]
– Frank Bruni's Born Round, the TV show?. [GS:NY]
– David Chang blogs his book tour for GQ. [GQ]
– Did Gossip Girl stop the "speakeasy" trend in its tracks? [The Atlantic]
– Foods that can cause headaches. [Divine Caroline]
– One angry diner. [NYP]
– American fast food you can't get in the U.S. [SquidInk, via Eater]

Outtake of the Week

BuzzEditor — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:47:00 GMT

It was good, but not nearly as good as the employees kept telling me.

Closings: Blackhawk Down, Nick's and Cordis Out

BuzzEditor — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 12:47:00 GMT

After 40 years in its Wheeling location (after 49 years on Wabash), Don Roth's Blackhawk will be closing up shop on December 31, 2009. That leaves less than two months to get that steak you've been craving.

In other closings, Nick's Fishmarket has closed after 32 years in the loop (the outpost in Rosemont remains open).

Finally, the Cordis Brothers Supper Club in Lakeview has given up the ghost after two years.

Dining News Elsewhere: Obesity and Cancer, Bacon-Wrapped Matzoh Balls

BuzzEditor — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:54:00 GMT

– A baguette dropped by a bird stopped the Large Hadron Collider. [Times]
– Linking obesity and cancer. [MSNBC]
– Scripps (which owns the Food Network) sets its sights on the Travel Channel. [EMD]

– Jamie Oliver, upholder of justice. [Telegraph]
– How wine became a "fast food." [Daily Beast]
– Daniel Boulud sets his sights on London. [Bloomberg]
– LA's Orso prepares for a final bow. [NYT]
– A long chat with Gordon Ramsay. [Telegraph]
– Not kosher: Ilan Hall's bacon-wrapped matzoh balls. [Jewish Journal]
– 7-Eleven gets ready to roll out its own wine. [MSNBC]
– Why Guinness can taste different in Ireland (and elsewhere). [Accidental Hedonist]
– Will laser etchings replace fruit and vegetable stickers? [Gizmodo]
– Portion sizes, then and now. [DivineCaroline]
– How exactly does Jell-O work? [BG]
– Meat, the fabric. [EMD]
– Cookie monster cupcakes love cookies. [Leila Cohan]

Pinot Days Are Here Again

BuzzEditor — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 12:40:00 GMT

Pinot Days logo

Photo: courtesy of the Pinot Days Festival

Pining for a good Pinot? Not to worry. On November 14, from 1–5 PM, Navy Pier becomes wine country when more than 50 Pinot producers pour their wares at the third annual Pinot Days Festival. With more than 300 varieties to sample, including the newly released 2007 vintage, this should once again be a great way to sample vino, talk to winemakers and interact with other oenophiles ($50 per person; click here to purchase tickets).

La Madia Gives It Away: Gelato, That Is

BuzzEditor — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:55:00 GMT

La Madia

Photo: stevenjohnsonphotography

To celebrate its second anniversary, River North Italian La Madia is giving all diners on Thursday, November 19, complimentary housemade sambuca vanilla gelato studded with chunks of La Madia’s signature chocolate tortino (312-329-0400; reserve online).

Dining News Elsewhere: An Illy Invasion, Iron Chef in the White House

BuzzEditor — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 12:08:00 GMT

– Illy is making inroads into U.S. coffee shops. [WSJ]
– Gordon Ramsay is planning to bring the popular MasterChef to the U.S. [THR]
– Sam Kass: assistant White House chef, policy wonk. [NYT]

– Related: Iron Chef America heads to the White House. [NYT]
– After 17 years, Jean-Georges is shutting down Vong. Though maybe not for long? [Eater]
– Learning to compost in Chicago's public schools. [Chicago Tribune]
– More on the affect of calorie counts on menus. [NYT]
– The Kogi Truck folks in LA have their own custom car now. [Mouthing Off]
– Kids menus should grow up. [BG]
– What does your beer choice say about you? [AdAge]
– Yellow Tail isn't the only Aussie wine, y'know. [WSJ]
– One 225,000-ton ship, more than 24 dining options. [EMD]
– Grant Achatz stands sternly in front of an airplane. [GS:C]
– Is it a steak house or a gay bar? [SteakHouseorGayBar]

Celeb Chefs Cover the Market

BuzzEditor — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 14:56:00 GMT

Rick Bayless at XOCO

Photo: stevenjohnsonphotography

Though fine dining may have cooled off a little as a result of the past year’s economic turmoil, celeb chefs remain as popular as ever. And, fortunately, many of them have opened more casual concepts, allowing diners with tighter budgets to get a taste of their culinary vision. But how do these budget-minded sibs stack up against their high-end counterparts? Read up, and then add your own votes and opinions.

Rick Bayless

Top Chef Master Rick Bayless' tireless efforts to bring the highest-quality Mexican food to the shores of Lake Michigan seem to be paying off – he now has restaurants offering his highly praised comida at either end of the price range.

Topolobampo

445 N. Clark St.
(bet. Hubbard & Illinois Sts.)
Chicago, IL 60610
312-661-1434; reserve online

Food	Decor	Service	Cost
28	23	25	$62

Surveyors swear you get the “best high-end Mexican food in Chicago” (or perhaps “anywhere”), “crafted from the freshest ingredients”, at “creative” “celebrity chef” Rick Bayless’ “must-go” River North “treasure”, the “upscale sister to Frontera Grill” (“with prices to match”); its “cheerful” servers are “extremely knowledgeable”, and the “fantastic wine pairings” and “awesome” margaritas are “standouts” as well; just know that the “intimate”, art-filled “white-tablecloth” setting is “always crowded”, so “make your reservations early.”

Key to Zagat Ratings

XOCO

449 N. Clark St.
(enter on Illinois St.)
Chicago, IL 60610
312-334-3688

Food	Decor	Service	Cost
-	-	-	I

Masterful chef Rick Bayless champions Mexican street food at this all-day counter-service River North arrival with a name that means ‘little sister’ and a menu that includes soups, empanadas and ultrafresh hot tortas, all washed down by beer, wine and spiked hot chocolate (the cacao beans are ground in a street-front window); the sunflower-colored, LEED-certified space features standard and communal seating plus an exposed kitchen with a wood-burning oven.

Key to Zagat Ratings

Paul Kahan

Over the years Paul Kahan has become one the city's most influential chefs/restaurateurs, pulling off both high-end fare at his flagship New American and affordable pub fare at his latest spot (a taqueria is up next).

Blackbird

619 W. Randolph St.
(bet. Desplaines & Jefferson Sts.)
Chicago, IL 60661
312-715-0708; reserve online

Food	Decor	Service	Cost
27	22	24	$64

Paul Kahan and Mike Sheerin’s “exceptional, seasonal” cuisine “sings”, “releasing the inner spirit” of every ingredient at this West Loop New American that’s “still in top form” after 11 years; other assets include a “superb wine list”, “attentive, personable service” and “hip”, “minimalist”, “not-for-romantics” decor that “makes the food the star” – just know that it’s “pricey” and one diner’s “lively” is another’s “deafening”, as “beautiful people” and “enthusiastic foodies” chatter away at “tight tables.”

Key to Zagat Ratings

The Publican

Photo: Steven Johnson

The Publican

837 W. Fulton Mkt.
(Green St.)
Chicago, IL 60607
312-733-9555; reserve online

Food	Decor	Service	Cost
-	-	-	M

The team behind Blackbird and avec heads to the Market District bearing midpriced New American pub fare (emphasizing pork and seafood) and an encyclopedic, global beer list (plenty of Belgians on tap) served in a butter – and gravy-hued space that includes a wraparound communal table and cozy alcoves with swinging doors; N.B. there’s brunch and a family-style dinner on Sundays.

Savoring Sabor Saveur

BuzzEditor — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 11:55:00 GMT

Savbor Saveur

Photo: stevenjohnsonphotography

French-Mexican fusion is the name of the game at Sabor Saveur, a Ukrainian Village arrival offering dishes like consommé with cacti-chorizo dumplings, chocolate-braised salmon and lobster enchiladas; the intimate, minimalist-chic environs boast a concrete-faced open kitchen, semi-secluded tables with white linens and dramatic candleholders, and a lofty back room.

2013 W. Division St.; 773-235-7310

See more new restaurants in Chicago

Savbor Saveur

Photo: stevenjohnsonphotography

Get in My Belly!

BuzzEditor — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 11:06:00 GMT

At Belly Shack, a counter-service BYO under the el tracks in Humboldt Park, the urbanbelly crew delivers a budget-friendly Eclectic menu including Asian and Latin riffs on sandwiches, soups, salads and side dishes, along with creative soft-serve ice cream and sodas; the funky, industrial-chic setting includes drafting stools, distressed tables (one communal), a concrete floor and a composition-board counter.

1912 N. Western Ave.; 773-252-1414

A Peek at Pelago

BuzzEditor — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 17:53:00 GMT

Pelago

Photo: stevenjohnsonphotography

Upscale contemporary seafood and fresh pasta dishes made with local ingredients are the focus at Pelago, a sophisticated Streeterville hotel Italian, which also serves four- or six-course tasting menus, plus breakfast and lunch; the striking setting contrasts dark, white and aqua tones, and also features a mother-of-pearl mosaic fireplace and a marble bar.

201 E. Delaware Pl.; 312-280-0700

Pelago

Photo: stevenjohnsonphotography

Dining News Elsewhere: PBR For Sale, Wading Into the Tip Pool

BuzzEditor — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 11:42:00 GMT

– Talking with the troubled Ciprianis. [Vanity Fair]
– The brewery behind PBR and Schlitz is for sale. [NYP]
– Restaurants seek to better manage tip pools. [NRN]

– Western foods are gaining in China. [ABC]
– Where have all the Angostura bitters gone? [Bostonist]
– Who gets all of those 7 PM reservations, anyway? [Between Meals]
– The last days of Gourmet. [Last Days of Gourmet]
– Nation's Restaurant News to go biweekly. [Food Writer's Diary]
– Who needs to tip when you can buy the chef a beer? [GS:C]
– 222.5 pounds? Now that's a big meatball. [MSNBC]
– Could you eat 78 pieces of cutlery? Would you? [Daily Mail, via EMD]
– The manually operated hamburger vending machine. [JapanProbe]

Cooking With Coco

BuzzEditor — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 11:13:00 GMT

David Chang's pork neck with succotash

Photo and recipe: courtesy of Phaidon Press

For its latest cookbook, Coco, Phaidon Press turned to 10 world-leading chefs – Ferran Adrià, Mario Batali, Shannon Bennett, Alain Ducasse, Fergus Henderson, Yoshihiro Murata, Gordon Ramsay, René Redzepi, Alice Waters and Jacky Yu – to each pick 10 contemporary chefs from around the world. In turn, each of those chefs then wrote a menu and recipes for the book. The final product is more than 400 pages of gorgeous photographs, mouthwatering recipes and interesting tidbits from kitchens around the world. Want a taste? After the jump, get the recipe for pork neck with succotash from New York chef David Chang (of the Momofuku empire).

Pork Neck with Succotash
Serves 4
Recipe by David Chang

For the pork neck
300 g kosher salt
270 g sugar
6 liters hot water
2 bay leaves
25 g black peppercorns
6 liters cold water
10 g pink salt
1 pork neck

Mix the salt, sugar, hot water, bay leaves, and black peppercorns.
Mix the cold water with the pink salt.
Add the pork neck and confit 5 hours at 300°F (150°C) covered.
When tender, press between 2 sheet trays. Portion into serving size pieces.
Crisp on a griddle or pan to heat through.

For the succotash
100 g ground (minced) smoked, think-cut pork belly
12 g chanterelle mushrooms
250 g lima (butter) beans
175 g corn (sweetcorn) kernels
Butter for sautéing
1 tbsp tarragon, chopped
4 ml buttermilk
120 g butter
130 g arugula (rocket)

Sauté the pork belly, chanterelles, lima beans, and corn in a pan.
Finish with a pinch of salt and pepper, chopped tarragon, buttermilk, butter, and arugula.

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5347 N. Clark St.; 773-275-5725

166 E. Superior St.; 312-523-0923

616 N. Rush St.; 312-660-6000

840 N. Wabash Ave.; 312-266-3383

17 E. Monroe St.; 312-917-3404

300 E. Ohio St.; 312-224-2200

601 Skokie Blvd., Northbrook; 847-205-4433

2139 CityGate Ln., Naperville; 630-778-8623

10 W. Hubbard St.; 312-527-4060

739 N. Clark St.; 312-226-6691

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445 N. Clark St. (bet. Hubbard & Illinois Sts.) Chicago, IL 60610 312-661-1434; reserve online

449 N. Clark St. (enter on Illinois St.) Chicago, IL 60610 312-334-3688

Paul Kahan

619 W. Randolph St. (bet. Desplaines & Jefferson Sts.) Chicago, IL 60661 312-715-0708; reserve online

The Publican

Photo: Steven Johnson

837 W. Fulton Mkt. (Green St.) Chicago, IL 60607 312-733-9555; reserve online

445 N. Clark St.
(bet. Hubbard & Illinois Sts.)
Chicago, IL 60610
312-661-1434; reserve online

449 N. Clark St.
(enter on Illinois St.)
Chicago, IL 60610
312-334-3688

619 W. Randolph St.
(bet. Desplaines & Jefferson Sts.)
Chicago, IL 60661
312-715-0708; reserve online

837 W. Fulton Mkt.
(Green St.)
Chicago, IL 60607
312-733-9555; reserve online