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August 2009 - Posts
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Rick Bayless' Xoco is one of the first big openings of fall. With fall almost here, it's time to look forward to the new restaurants soon to hit the shores of Lake Michigan: Xoco: Top Chef Masters winner Rick Bayless turns out Mexican street-style Read More...
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– After decades of deep-dish dominance, thin crust is encroaching on Chicago. [ MSNBC ] – The Tavern on the Green name might cost $19 million. Plus, talking with the restaurant's new operator. [ NYP , Grub Street ] – French toque Read More...
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– American farms are starting to feel the downturn and are expected to see profits fall 38% this year. [ WSJ ] – You don't see missing children on milk cartons anymore. [ NYT ] – With water sales down, enter coconut water. [ WSJ Read More...
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Carnivale Photo: courtesy of the restaurant To celebrate Brazilian Independence Day on September 7, Loop restaurant Carnivale is offering its signature caipirinha for only $5, marked down from its normal price of $8.50 (312-850-5005; reserve online ) Read More...
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La Madia Photo: courtesy of the restaurant We know pizza's pretty cheap to begin with, but we're not going to complain when it gets a little cheaper. Pizzeria Via Stato in the Loop is offering its traditional Roman-style pies at half-price, Monday–Friday Read More...
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Looking to surprise your significant other tonight? Head to River North where, in celebration of Qixi (sometimes called "Chinese Valentine’s Day"), Italiasia is offering a special prix fixe for $60 per couple that comes with an appetizer, Read More...
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Chipotle's iPhone app Photo: courtesy of Chipotle It's easy to bash restaurant chains when they make a blunder, but what about the rare instance when they get things right? This just-released free Chipotle iPhone app seems pretty handy, providing Read More...
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– Beer prices are set to rise. [ WSJ ] – In fact, it looks like grocery prices are set to rise as well. [ NYT ] – Gizmodo goes food-friendly for a week to fun results. [ Gizmodo ] – Kraft and others are very proud to be HFCS-free. Read More...
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Chicago Jazz Festival Photo: courtesy of the festival Labor Day weekend may mean the symbolic end of summer (and, for many, a return to school), but don't let that give you the blues – it's also time for the 30th annual Chicago Jazz Festival Read More...
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Elate Photo: Steven Johnson At Elate, River North’s Hotel Felix offers a hip setting for moderately priced New American small plates, fresh oysters and pizzas at dinner, sandwiches and salads at lunch and creative breakfast options; textural painted Read More...
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BOKA Photo: courtesy of the restaurant In honor of Labor Day (albeit a week early), Lincoln Park's BOKA is going to the dogs. On Monday, August 31, all tips for the evening will be donated to animal shelter PAWS Chicago . But here's the twist: Read More...
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Frank Bruni Photo: Soo-Jeong Kang In the foodie circles of New York City, Frank Bruni needs no introduction: up until last week, he was The New York Times ’ restaurant critic. Upon the occasion of the release of his memoir, Born Round: The Secret Read More...
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– New Orleans now has more restaurants open than before Katrina. [ NRN ] – 48 years later, Julia Child's Mastering the Art of French Cooking is topping the best-seller list. [ NYT ] – The E.U. considers a bluefin tuna ban. [ FT ] Read More...
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Once the home of red-carpet-worthy club krem, Lincoln Park lounge Dream baits its predecessor’s dressed-up clientele with pricey cocktails named for fashion designers and minimalist, white-on-white decor that’s softened by swathes of billowy Read More...
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– Food television is as hot as ever. Just ask the Food Network. [ Bloomberg ] – Is the sugar shortage real? [ Atlantic Food ] – Bruni, Bruni everywhere. [ NYer , TONY , Daily Beast , Grub Street , SE , Nightline , Metromix and more ] Read More...
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Nacional 27 Photo: courtesy of the restaurant Tomato blight or no, those tasty summer treats are in season. But what to do with all of them? Make drinks, natch. Tonight from 5:30–6:30 PM, River North Nuevo Latino spot Nacional 27 hosts an heirloom Read More...
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Fans of TV cooking get a double shot of appointment viewing on Bravo tonight. First at 9 PM (8 Central) is the premiere of the Las Vegas season of Top Chef , which offers a whole new set of cheftestants to watch get burned by Tom, Padma, Gail and Toby. Read More...
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– Bruni looks back on the guests he took to dinner. [ NYT ] – Related: how a food critic keeps off the pounds. [ Men's Health ] – Hong Kong looks to tea. [ Bloomberg ] – Behind the Fiji Water curtain. [ Mother Jones , via Accidental Read More...
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The West Suburban T-Bones Steakhouse specializes in 'T-bones' of beef, pork, veal, lamb and halibut issued from a wood-burning oven and grill, along with budget-friendly burgers and sandwiches – a dichotomy designed for everyone from special-occasion Read More...
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Little Bucharest Bistro Photo: Steven Johnson Romanian newcomer Little Bucharest Bistro is breaking into late night. The Old Irving Parker is now offering a wallet-friendly ($10 and under) late-night menu with goodies like baked crab paprikash spinach Read More...
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– Restaurants turn to coupons... [ NRN ] – Along with myriad other options. [ MarketWatch ] – Fruit giant Dole has filed for an IPO. [ Reuters ] – Planning meals for... Mars? [ LAT ] – Move over, anorexia: orthorexia nervosa Read More...
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It's hard to describe the service, as we saw so little of it. Read More...
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photo: Miles 78 Coming back for its second year, Chicago's other big (and less hectic) dine-around, Chicago Gourmet, is set to hit Millennium Park September 26–27. Wondering which top dining destinations will be setting up shop in the park this Read More...
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– Large agra firms are worried about the financial impact of climate-change legislation. [ WSJ ] – Ever wonder where Bernie Madoff liked to eat? [ Eater ] – Sugar prices are caught in a "perfect storm" and may climb another Read More...
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ZAGAT.com has just gotten a whole lot more Facebook -friendly. Facebook Connect allows members of the social site to register for a Zagat account in one simple step. Already registered with us? Merge your Zagat and Facebook accounts, and the reviews you Read More...
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C-House Photo: Keith Scott Morgan From August 24–28, Marcus Samuelsson's Gold Coaster, C-House , gets fiver-friendly during lunch. Its new "C-Wich" – a crab cake sandwich on a brioche bun with coconut gribiche – will be Read More...
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Goose Island brewmaster Greg Hall Photo: courtesy of the brewery Before he became Goose Island Beer Company ’s award-winning brewmaster, Greg Hall toured breweries around the world to hone his beer knowledge. We chatted with Hall about the ascendance Read More...
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The Bristol's Chris Pandel Photo: courtesy of the restaurant Last year, The Bristol opened its doors in Bucktown. Featuring a seasonal menu at affordable prices, the New American has managed to turn a brisk business. As the restaurant's first Read More...
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– Labor disputes at the Bel-Air and Disneyland. [ LAT ] – Five Italian wineries are being accused of making fraudulent brunellos. [ NYT ] – Julia Child's book sales are soaring. [ Crain's ] – Even Martha Stewart's tomatoes Read More...
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Mod Pizza Photo: stevenjohnsonphotography With the slogan 'It's the crust' emblazoned everywhere, the owners of West Loop pizza parlor Mod Pizza in the Mod building are clearly proud of their tangy sourdough, the basis for thin and deep-dish Read More...
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Red Canary interior Photo: stevenjohnsonphotography River West respite The Red Canary lures the ‘gastro-lounge’ crowd with plates of New American fare served in a swanky setting that blends decadent Victorian decor like posh upholstery and Read More...
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Our unique Zagat nru phone application – which acts like a radar to find the nearest restaurants, nightspots and shops in over 75 cities around the world – has been nominated for an Android Network Award (it's up for Best Location-Based Read More...
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On Sunday, August 23, loop spot Osteria Via Stato hosts "A Summer's Eve Dinner" to benefit the Slow Food Chicago food depository. With a seasonal tomato-inspired menu from chef David DiGregorio and wine pairings by Candid Wines, the event Read More...
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– Forget box wine: how about wine in a plastic bottle? [ LAT ] – Sugar prices are up 40%. [ Bloomberg ] – Dan Barber talks tomato blight. [ NYT ] – How to start your own NYC food truck. [ Grub Street ] – DIY butchering is Read More...
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The owner said the lamb was from New Zealand. Must've walked. Read More...
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On the last Thursday of each month, Goose Island on Clybourn hosts an all-you-can-eat pig roast dinner with ingredients sourced from the Slagel Family Farm . Chef John Manion smokes the hog the night before the event and then picks his side dishes – Read More...
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– Let the Scots keep their haggis. [ NYT ] – The changing definition of a "food snob." [ NYDN ] – Seeing a slip in sales, Whole Foods pushes for healthier eating. [ WSJ ] – Related: the Whole Foods in London's Kensington Read More...
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By Nina and Tim Zagat Tim and Nina Zagat share their thoughts on the film . So just how good is Meryl Streep as Julia Child in Julie & Julia, the Nora Ephron film that's had the food world salivating for months? Last Thursday we attended the movie's Read More...
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sola Photo: Courtesy of sola Next Tuesday, August 11, sola hosts a five-course bourbon dinner. Featuring Berkshire pork baby back ribs with Maker's pineapple glaze, bacon bread pudding fritters with pickled vegetable garnish, and pecan cake with housemade Read More...
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Lakeview's punk rock–inspired Bleeding Heart Bakery is opening a new space Downtown on November 12, according to its Twitter . Located in the Block 37 building on the corner of Washington and State Streets, the new spot will offer delivery and Read More...
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– Detroit is close to becoming a fresh food desert. [ Guernica ] – The price of sugar is soaring, and many Indian farmers are hurting for it. [ NYT ] – Inside the booming Cook's Illustrated empire. [ Boston Globe ] – Is Walmart Read More...
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33 Club Photo: Steven Johnson Photography Supper-club standards are reinvented with New American creativity and paired with classic cocktails at 33 Club , a bustling, decadent Old Town arrival from Jerry Kleiner ( Carnivale , Gioco ); the rich, retro Read More...
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Eclectic takes on Irish pub fare (black-and-tan mac 'n' cheese, whiskey marmalade–glazed corned beef, breakfast risotto with bangers), plus pints and towers (tabletop taps with an ice core), are the draws at the Ukrainian Village arrival Read More...
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Two-year old Aigre Doux in River North has closed. According to the release that just came in, owner Mohammad Islam and Malika Ameen will focus on raising their three sons, and "Malika will continue to chronicle her and Mohammad’s daily adventure Read More...
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Meryl Streep in Julie & Julia Photo: copyright Columbia Pictures The stars were out last week for New York City's red-carpet premiere of Julie & Julia , opening this Friday, August 7. Zagat Buzz was also there , and we scored some tasty quips Read More...
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Nacional 27 Photo: courtesy of the restaurant River North Nuevo Latino spot Nacional 27 anticipates serving its 300,000th mojito sometime between August 10–15. What does that mean for you? The guest who hits the target number wins a free supply Read More...
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– The House voted to give the FDA more authority to prevent food-borne illnesses. [ WSJ , WP ] – Trying to fix the Australian wine industry. [ WSJ ] – So organic food isn't more nutritious than normal food. And? [ The Atlantic ] Read More...
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