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October 2008 - Posts
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Very polite staff – when a guest fell asleep they served his food as if nothing had happened. Read More...
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Happy Halloween from Bob Zagatie! photo: Andrea Joffe – This year, the Beaujolais comes with biker chefs. [ Grub Street ] – Some chefs are flat out teaming up with local farmers. [ USA Today ] – Revenue is up for Kraft and Kellog's Read More...
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By Nina Zagat and Tim Zagat Many restaurants will weather a bad economy just fine. In the last few weeks, a lot of people have asked us how the current economic meltdown will affect America's restaurants. The short-term answer is that the crisis is Read More...
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1914 photo: Steven Johnson Enter Wrigleyville’s Red Ivy , skidoo to its back door and slip into 1914 , a velvet-draped speakeasy where flappers ferry pricey, code-named, Prohibition-era libations, developed under the watchful eye of a booze historian Read More...
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Pops for Champagne Do you find that your mood swings correspond directly to the ups and downs of the stock market? You aren't alone and Pops for Champagne wants you to know it. The River North bon vivant gets so happy when the Dow Jones average increases Read More...
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– NYC's Nello , a Madison Avenue spot popular among socialites, was seized by the IRS yesterday for owing over $1.5 million in back taxes. [ NYP ] – Why are more and more restaurants making you ask for salt? [ Between Meals ] – At Read More...
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Tomorrow night, pinot noir lovers will have a chance to preview four wines at the Signature Room on the 95th floor of the Hancock building. Paired with a four-course menu by the Room's executive chef Patrick Sheerin, the evening will feature new pinot Read More...
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Amp Rock Lounge photo: Steven Johnson The former Katacomb space in Lincoln Park has been turned into Amp Rock Lounge , which celebrates all things rock ’n’ roll by displaying scrawled lyrics and artists’ likenesses on the walls, shelving Read More...
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Farmerie 58 photo: Steven Johnson The owners of River North's Republic Pan-Asian have put it out to pasture, replacing it with Farmerie 58 , a New American serving eco-friendly fare at moderate prices; the inviting, elegant bi-level space is done Read More...
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– The international credit crisis is affecting the whole food chain. [ Washington Post ] – So some scientists are trying to push farming potatoes over grains. [ NYT ] – At least European mushrooms are having a bumper crop this year. Read More...
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Eric Ripert Photo: Nigel Parry and Melanie Dunea On November 13th, Eric Ripert (NYC’s Le Bernardin ) will visit the Ritz-Carlton Chicago as the last guest in the hotel's fall author series. After an initial reception with canapé selections, Read More...
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– Friend of the Buzz Dr. Brian Wansink and the USDA are releasing a new food pyramid for preschoolers. [ Chicago Tribune ] – If you vote on November 4th (and you should!) then Ben & Jerry's would like to offer you a free scoop of ice Read More...
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Blue Water Grill Photo: Courtesy of Blue Water Grill For now through the foreseeable future, River North's Blue Water Grill will be offering a "Bargain Sushi Happy Hour" every day from 5–7 PM. The deal features $1.25 raw bar selections Read More...
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photo: Luis Yax River North Mexican Zocalo is getting into the spirit for Halloween and Day of the Dead. On October 31st, the restaurant will feature $6 tequila cocktails, DJ Miguel Martinez spinning from 10 PM–2 AM and a costume contest with prizes Read More...
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– Cereal makers are reducing the amount of sugar in their products by jacking up the salt. [ WSJ ] – More reports of a rough restaurant scene out there. [ NYT ] – A judge awarded a group of 36 New York deliverymen $4.6 million in back Read More...
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The downturn in the economy has already claimed some victims in the restaurant industry – most recently New American steakhouse Avenue M closed. But others are looking for ways to adapt. River North's Brasserie Ruhlmann has closed temporarily, Read More...
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Edward Hopper's Nighthawks As befits the home of Edward Hopper's " Nighthawks ", Chicago is a city that adores its coffee shops and diners. We love their promise of simple, well-cooked food and – especially in these turbulent economic Read More...
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Province photo: Steven Johnson Longtime Nacional 27 chef Randy Zweiban goes solo at Province, adding Latin accents to affordable, artisanal New American fare served in every imaginable portion size; situated in a certified-green Market District building, Read More...
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Michigan mainstay Steve's Deli comes to River North armed with overstuffed sandwiches, smoked fish and steam-table classics – plus desserts and a full breakfast menu; the airy white-and-tile space, surrounded by windows, houses a casual seating Read More...
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– Applebee's/IHOP is in the midst of some tricky times. [ NYP ] – Restaurant PR flacks are turning economic lemons into lemonade. [ Diner's Journal ] – Uh oh. Alaskan pollock are swimming in Russian waters! [ LAT ] – The Read More...
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In 1979 Tim and Nina Zagat compiled their friends' opinions on New York restaurants into a single-sheet mimeographed guide. Thirty years later, Zagat Survey publishes more than 50 books covering everything from dining to movies to golf courses. And Read More...
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– The fish you are eat might very well be mislabeled. [ Chow ] – Those who don't get enough gratification from their food often overcompensate by overeating. [ AP ] – Maybe having Gordon Ramsay and his Kitchen Nightmares crew film Read More...
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Next week, David Burke's Primehouse launches its new hamburger – the 40 Day Dry-Aged Hamburger – and to celebrate the River North New American Steakhouse is offering it for the economical price of $5 at lunch all week. (It will cost $15 Read More...
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Wellfleet , the "occasional restaurant" club (not the town ), has been serving meals on Friday nights in the Fishguy market for two years now without once repeating a course. To celebrate, chef Bill Dugan is breaking his own rule and offering Read More...
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– As we've noted , restaurants are adding hours to boost their bottom lines. [ NYT ] – Food stamp usage is on the rise. [ AFP ] – Bad news for soda companies like Pepsi: Tap water is popular again. [ NYT ] – With a world-wide Read More...
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Vermilion photo: Courtesy Vermilion On Friday, October 24th, and Saturday, October 25th, River North's Vermilion will go all out to celebrate the Indian festival of lights, Diwali . It will not only transform itself with festive decor like diyas (hand-painted Read More...
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The Publican Photo: Steven Johnson The team behind Blackbird and Avec heads to the Market District with The Publican , bearing midpriced Belgian pub fare (emphasizing pork and seafood) and an encyclopedic, global beer list, served in a butter- and gravy-hued Read More...
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– The discussion of gender roles in restaurants continues with many thoughts on the single female diner. [ Diner's Journal ] – On the job with a Chicago health inspector. [ Chicago Tribune ] – A Lebanese group is suing Israel over Read More...
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The music's so loud it's like they're asking you to leave. Read More...
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We recently heard about an event in Boston that left us wondering. UpStairs on the Square , a popular restaurant in Cambridge, is hosting a dinner with vegan wine pairings . What is vegan wine? Being made from grapes, wine seems like it would be an acceptable Read More...
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Chicago-style hot dogs from Hot Doug's Photo: nickd The Windy City is famous for a number of gastronomical delights ranging from deep dish pizza to Charlie Trotter's . But when push comes to shove, and it often does, our favorite Chicagoan contribution Read More...
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– Before the election, a long look at the future of food policy. [ NYT Magazine ] – In Boston, restaurateurs are teaming up to cut costs. [ Boston Herald ] – There are more varieties of cacao than previously thought. [ Serious Eats ] Read More...
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On October 23rd, join the chefs at Blackbird to celebrate the 2004 vintage debut releases from the organic Rubissow Wine Company in Napa Valley. Peter Rubissow and his sister, Ariel, are leaders in sustainable farming and winemaking, and will be on hand Read More...
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– Gender still matters when dining out. [ NYT ] – Starbucks is reportedly wasting water around the world. [ The Sun ] – Country of origin label laws have lots of loopholes. [ NYT ] – Diners are moving from luxe lunches to cheaper Read More...
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Vie Photo: Dan Dry On October 22nd at Vie , chef Paul Virant will be joined by acclaimed mixologist Adam Seger from National 27 for a six-course tasting menu paired with handcrafted seasonal cocktails. Possible dishes include a wood-grilled turbot with Read More...
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Tapas Las Ramblas Photo: Steven Johnson At Tapas Las Ramblas , which is set in an Andersonville double-storefront once home to Il Fiasco, the founders of Twist are serving midpriced traditional Spanish tapas, paella and desserts, accompanied by sangrias Read More...
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– A rough economy means a return of that old staple: the food club. [ Chicago Tribune ] – China's tainted milk scandal continues to cause trouble. [ Washington Post ] – Burger Kings nationwide are going trans fat free. [ Marketwatch Read More...
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Green Zebra Photo: Courtesy of Green Zebra Starting this Sunday, West Town vegetarian favorite Green Zebra will offer brunch diners a choice between a complimentary five-spice pecan sticky bun or a mimosa. For now the offer is expected to last until the Read More...
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After closing its Palmer House Hilton branch in 2005, legendary Polynesian lounge and restaurant Trader Vic's plans to reopen its doors in the heart of Chicago's Gold Coast by mid-November. As to be expected, the location will feature the chain's Read More...
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Steven Kaplan in France, where he investigated collective bread poisoning for his latest book Photo: courtesy of Steven Kaplan Good bread can be hard to find. At least it is if you've got the lofty standards of leading bread historian Steven Laurence Read More...
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– Tom Colicchio is coming back into the kitchen. But only on Tuesdays. [ Diner's Journal ] – Marco Pierre White thinks it is a great time to invest in a restaurant. [ LAT ] – Paul Newman 's legacy in the world of organic food Read More...
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