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December 2008 - Posts
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The Buzz is on break until the new year. Chicago deep-dish pizza photo: Emily Capo From the historic U.S. election to the roller-coaster world economy, calorie counts to baconnaise , 2008 has been a tumultuous year. Here’s a look at some of the Read More...
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The Buzz is on break until the new year. – An avocado shortage, possibly the biggest in 20 years, is looming this spring. [ LAT ] – Prosecco is very popular these days. But without a defined region, like champagne has, everybody is making Read More...
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photo: Lalofont Dear Readers, Zagat Buzz is on break until January 5th, 2009, when we’ll be back with all the latest news and openings. Until then, we'd would like to wish you and yours happy holidays and a healthy, safe new year! In the meantime, Read More...
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– Even restaurateurs have gotten wrapped up in the Madoff mess. [ LAT ] – Starbucks lost its first round in court against a trio of baristas who wanted to start a union. [ NYT ] – Most celebrity chefs don't really cook in their restaurants. Read More...
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By Michael Nagrant Thomas Keller and Grant Achatz might be battling it out for their share of the cookbook market ( one report says Achatz’s Alinea is handily outselling Keller’s Under Pressure), but the mega chefs have nothing but the highest Read More...
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Blackbird photo: Courtesy of Blackbird A few of the dinner appetizers at Blackbird hover near the $15 mark, so the fact that the West Loop New American is offering a full three-course lunch for the same price is worth some crowing. Choices include a short Read More...
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photo: DennisInAmsterdam Come January 20th, all eyes will be on Washington, DC, where the historic inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama will take place. The festivities crank into gear January 16th and run through Inauguration Day, culminating Read More...
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You can now write restaurant reviews from your phone. Voting on Zagat Survey just got a whole lot easier. Because now, instead of waiting to get home to give your opinion of the latest hot spot, you can reach into your pocket, pull out your phone and Read More...
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It's totally tiki at Trader Vic's, a pricey Polynesian Gold Coast redo of the famed purveyor of pupu platters (and originator of the mai tai), where the tropical-kitsch Newberry Plaza setting includes a big bar, a view of the atrium garden, exotic Read More...
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– In bad times, more and more people want to be chefs. [ Globe and Mail ] – Which is nice, since the National Restaurant Association is predicting a challenging coming year. [ NRN ] – The poor of Milan are going to be eating Beluga caviar Read More...
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It's pretty cold and snowy out there, eh? Wouldn't it be great to sit back with a nice hot toddy? Every time the mercury drops below 20°, the Near North New American mk restaurant is offering a complimentary hot toddy – that includes Read More...
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All they have is the view, and you can walk outside and have that for free. Read More...
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– Philly's food chains are going to have to start posting their calorie info. [ Inquirer ] – Sparks, RIP. [ AP ] – Houston's is slowly rebranding itself as Hillstone. [ Eater ] – But that doesn't mean it probably won't Read More...
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Martha and Padma judging the Quickfire. photo: Courtesy of Bravo Each Thursday the Internet's food sites produce countless recaps and commentary on the previous night's episode of Top Chef . Here are just a few of them: – Christmas, really? Read More...
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There’s no sign, just a poster-plastered alley entrance, but once you happen upon the thrice-weekly, after-hours River North lounge Stay , you’ll be compelled to, well, stay, what with the upscale Looza-infused cocktails and spins from DJs Read More...
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Zocalo has rolled out a lunchtime buffet. Getting a hearty lunch without breaking the bank is an eternally vexing issue, one that River North's Mexican Zocalo wants to help you solve. On weekdays the well-regarded spot is offering a lunch buffet for Read More...
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– Dairy Queen is launching its own video game, DQ Tycoon. [ NRN ] – On second thought, last call after the inauguration in DC will be 4 AM, not 5 AM. [ Washington Post ] – G. Franco Romagnoli, who helped bring Italian food to America, Read More...
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Edge photo: Steven Johnson Aiming to be all things to all people – except, maybe, those looking for the edgy Ukrainian Village of yore – corner-located newcomer Edge emits a sports bar–meets–slick lounge vibe with wood-paneled Read More...
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photo: Rob and Lisa Meehan From tony Christmas Eve prix fixes to restaurants open on Christmas Day, here are some options for memorable holiday dining. 'Twas the Night Before Christmas... A Mano : Executive chef John Caputo is cooking up his take Read More...
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The cozy Lakeview storefront that once housed Koryo reanimates as Hiro's Café , which offers a long, midpriced menu of hot and cold Japanese fare, sushi (lots of specialty rolls) and even some Korean dishes; hanging lanterns lend a warm glow Read More...
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– To try and balance their books, more and more restaurants are staying open on Christmas. [ NRN ] – The FTC is still going after Whole Foods. [ NYT ] – New York State may soon be adding taxes on sugary soft drinks. [ NYT ] – The Read More...
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With holiday parties being canceled left and right, lots of restaurants are trying to figure out ways to make up for lost revenue. And one way they're doing it is with New Year's Eve dinners, where attendees can say a grand goodbye to 2008 and Read More...
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– Restaurants are dropping employees just like every other industry these days. [ WSJ ] – Demand for organic foods seems to be declining. [ Accidental Hedonist ] – Tom Colicchio and his restaurants are being sued for back tips. [ City Read More...
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The food court in the Spertus Institute photo: Steven Johnson Christmas isn't the only holiday coming up this month: this year Hanukkah runs from December 21th–28th. And if there's one thing that we look forward to most during the Festival Read More...
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The Top Chef judges deliberate. photo: Courtesy of Bravo Each Thursday the Internet's food sites produce countless recaps and commentary on the previous night's episode of Top Chef . Here are just a few of them: – "You knew the guy Read More...
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Radhika Desai photo: Courtesy of Bravo TV Local Top Chef testant Radhika Desai has no problem advertising her status. Each Wednesday (at least until she's off the show), her restaurant Between Boutique Cafe & Lounge is holding a Top Chef viewing Read More...
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– Italy is bailing out its parmigiano makers by buying 100,000 wheels of cheese. [ WSJ ] – Japan is slow to embrace the local food movement. [ AP ] – One all-you-can-eat restaurant is charging diners for food they don't finish. [ Read More...
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Mercat a la Planxa Photo: Steven Johnson If vacationing in another country seems like an impossibility given these tough economic times, why not try a foodie staycation instead? Forget the luggage and passport – there are plenty of restaurants with Read More...
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– The closing of a single sauerkraut plant can have ripples all over. [ NYT ] – Cheap and high in fat, haggis is gaining popularity in England these days. [ Independent ] – Philadelphia is cracking down on unlicensed bars. [ Inquirer Read More...
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A self-described 'pizza pub,' Monticchio has put down roots in an Uptown storefront where it’s serving a midpriced array of crispy hand-stretched pies along with affordable antipasti, salads, panini and nightly pasta specials; the simple, Read More...
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Menu is epic, but like a bad '50s Bible picture. Read More...
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The only thing that makes Italian wines more soul-satisfying? Four courses of lip-smacking fare to go along with it. On December 16th, the Lincoln Park outpost of D.O.C. Wine Bar is hosting a dinner featuring wines from Feudi di San Gregorio, a winery Read More...
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– California is in danger of running out of money for school meals. [ LAT ] – A number of foodies want Obama to name his Secretary of Agriculture posthaste. [ Diner's Journal ] – Starbucks, trying to stop its bleeding, is making Read More...
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Each Thursday the Internet's food sites produce countless recaps and commentary on the previous night's episode of Top Chef . Here are just a few of them: – New York 's Adam Platt wants to know who actually cares about making breakfast Read More...
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photo: Mike Ritter Seventy-five years ago, on December 5th, 1933, the state of Utah ratified the 21st Amendment and effectively ended the 13-year dry spell in American history known as Prohibition. In the past, that event has mostly interested historians, Read More...
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Holiday shopping is hard even in good times, and these aren't exactly good times. But this year Gold Coast shoppers have it a little easier thanks to a good lunchtime deal at Cru Café & Wine Bar . The New American restaurant noted for its Read More...
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– Where have all the acorns gone this year? No, seriously, where? [ Washington Post ] – Food advertising in Chicago is literally hot air these days. [ NYT ] – Copia, the food, wine and art museum in Napa, has filed for Chapter 11. [ Read More...
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Looking for gift ideas for the gourmand readers in your life (other than, naturally, all the latest Zagat guides )? Fret not, here are some recent books about cooking, dining and food that will fill the bill. For the Foodie on the Cutting Edge A Day at Read More...
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Though the official start of winter isn't until later in December, Chicago feels plenty chilly already. So we'll forgive chef Marcus Samuelsson for throwing a "Winter Wine Dinner" at C-House on December 9th, when he'll join forces Read More...
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Nuevo Latino restaurant Nacional 27 is aiming to lighten the load on your wallet during this budget-conscious time with weekly specials. "Big Red Mondays" features a "luxe" glass of red wine chosen by the restaurant priced at $5, while Read More...
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– Sweet! A new, shrub-derived sweetener is approaching the market. [ Chicago Tribune ] – You aren't really a better person for eating organically. [ GQ ] – A "cook" is not the same as a "chef" according to the Read More...
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