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October 2009 - Posts
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Because of certain laws and ordinances, Chicago’s street-food scene is pretty sparse. However, that hasn't stopped Wave 's executive chef Kristine Subido from setting up an international street-food menu at the restaurant every Wednesday Read More...
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– Menu labeling hops onto health-care reform. [ NRN ] – 2009 had the worst honey crop on record. [ Daily Green , via GS:C ] – Not with a bang, but a whimper. Ramsay kills Kitchen Nightmares . [ The Sun ] – The return of the milkman. Read More...
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Nacional 27 Photo: courtesy of the restaurant Farm-to-bar mixologist Adam Seger and River West's Nacional 27 want you to embrace your green thumb. They're inviting folks in for herb-based cocktails ($4–20), including a "garden" Read More...
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Read the latest Twitter entries on ZAGAT.mobi ZAGAT.mobi just got Twitter-fied. Now when you look up restaurants on our award-winning mobile website, not only can you access our trusted ratings and reviews, you can also read up-to-the-minute comments Read More...
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Big Star, the taqueria and bar from Paul Kahan ( Avec , Publican ) in Wicker Park's old Pontiac Cafe space, has set an opening date. Assuming that all of its inspections go well, you should be able to down a taco or three starting November 9 (1531 Read More...
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Province Photo: stevenjohnsonphotography Province is finding providence in the market. Each Wednesday the West Looper is offering diners a special three-course prix fixe dinner ($38, $60 with wines) and lunch ($25 for three courses, $20 for two) based Read More...
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– Baltimore's "Meatless Mondays" has drawn ire from, wait for it, meat producers. [ Atlantic ] – McDonald's bails on Iceland. [ NYT ] – No, really, now is a good time to open a restaurant. [ Entrepeneur ] – Is Read More...
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Photo: Hanna Horwarth Looking for spooky fun this week? Here's a slew of Halloween options to keep you sated (and scared). Join chef John Coletta at Quartino in River North for complimentary pumpkin carving on its alfresco patio October 30 from noon–5 Read More...
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Jacky's on Prairie Photo: stevenjohnsonphotography Evanston’s Jacky's Bistro has been reworked as Jacky's on Prairie , an homage to former chef-owner Jacky Pluton (even though he's no longer affiliated) that offers a midpriced, all-day Read More...
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Now until Thursday, October 29, chef Danny Sweis of Gioco in the South Loop is offering a five-course prix fixe of his favorites dishes to celebrate the Northern Italian's 10-year anniversary. Courses include mortadella involtini, pumpkin soup, lamb Read More...
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– The troubled Smart Choices program takes a hiatus. [ WSJ ] – Top Chef to get its Just Desserts . Ba-dum-ching! [ Variety ] – Behind the U.S., France is the second most popular home of McDonald's. [ NYT ] – Home butchering Read More...
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A portrait of its namesake playwright, Samuel Beckett, presides over homey Lakeview pub Beckett's Public House , a cousin to nearby Wilde Bar & Restaurant ; social folks hang by the intricately carved wood bar or snag one of the plentiful tables Read More...
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– McDonald's and Chipotle have done good business in the recession. [ WSJ , NRN ] – Related: McDonald's tests a dual-lane drive through. [ The Sun ] – Meanwhile, the number of hungry people in the world is on the rise. [ NYT Read More...
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South Pacific flyer Photo: courtesy of the theatre Gonna wash that man right out of your hair? Well, why not get some gratis grub while you're at it? Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse in Rosemont has teamed up with the Lincoln Center production of South Read More...
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Sprout Photo: stephenjohnsonphotography The menu at the upscale, white-tablecloth Lincoln Park French-Italian Sprout skews organic – befitting its down-to-earth name – as does its selection of wines, beers and specialty cocktails; soft lighting Read More...
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Eat pig, swig beer. That's the plan on October 28, when Osteria Via Stato in River North teams up with the Ebel brothers of Two Brothers Brewing to pair suds and swine for a special feast. Food highlights include crostini topped with La Quercia prosciutto Read More...
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Still in mourning for the late, great Gourmet ? Help is here at www.thankyougourmet.com , a site where you can share your fondest remembrances of the food magazine. Anyone can contribute on this open blog started by food writer Renee Schettler (Real Simple Read More...
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– Morimoto is going fast-casual at airports. [ NRN ] – Restaurant matches are so hot right now. [ NYT ] – LA, deli capital? [ LAT ] – The Food Network Magazine should pat itself on the back. [ AdAge ] – You want banking with Read More...
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Mado always offer one or two handmade pasta dishes. Photo: stevenjohnsonphotography In an effort to combat pasta's bad post-Atkins rap, the World Pasta Congress of Rome (yes, there is such a thing) has deemed October 25 to be World Pasta Day. In its Read More...
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LM Le Restaurant Photo: stephenjohnsonphotography Seasonal, modern French fare pairs with a concise global wine list and a handful of house cocktails and craft brews at LM Le Restaurant , an upscale yet moderately priced Lincoln Square neighborhood spot; Read More...
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Bar Novo Photo: stephenjohnsonphotography The State Street people-watching is as solid as the creative, mixologist-made cocktails at Bar Novo, the sleek, modern, upper-moderately priced Loop lounge on the first floor of the Renaissance Chicago Hotel ; Read More...
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Eivissa Photo: stevenjohnsonphotography Old Town's Eivissa is celebrating National Seafood Month this October by offering different traditional seafood specials. For the following two weeks, look forward to seared sea scallops with manzanilla olive Read More...
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– Restaurateurs are coming up with creative ways to keep lucrative Restaurant Weeks alive. [ NRN ] – Antique spirits for sale. [ NPR ] – What does carbonation really taste like? Sour. [ Wired ] – Is the iPhone the future of the Read More...
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Calling this food garbage is unfair to garbage. Read More...
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Taxim photo: Steven Johnson Maybe the phrase “Greek wine” conjures up horrible glasses of cloying retsina. Well, here’s your chance to rediscover the bounty of Greece’s vineyards. On Monday, October 19, Taxim in Wicker Park hosts Read More...
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– Kraft is considering selling Maxwell House to raise cash for its Cadbury bid. [ NYP ] – The Connecticut attorney general looks into the much ridiculed "Smart Choices" program. [ NYT ] – Coca-Cola goes mini. [ BJ ] – Read More...
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Quartino Photo: courtesy of the restaurant To celebrate executive chef John Coletta’s new cookbook, 250 True Italian Pasta Dishes, Quartino (312-698-5000) in River North is offering $5 featured pasta lunch specials for the next five weeks. Conveniently, Read More...
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Petterino's Photo: courtesy of the restaurant Check, Please! groupies and wine geeks, here’s your chance to get a taste of what’s on the mind of host and master sommelier Alpana Singh. On October 22, Petterino’s in the Loop hosts Read More...
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– Chicken wing prices are flying higher than breasts. [ NYT ] – Forget about texting: is eating and driving a problem? [ Globe ] – Cracker Jack: still popular. [ NYT ] – Starbucks to add decaf instant to its lineup. [ SFBT ] – Read More...
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Not that we support office distractions like online games but...if you're looking for ways to keep busy on the boss' dime, how can you go wrong with a Zagat-themed game this good ? Here's the gist: Some clever soul has made a simple game that Read More...
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Folklore Photo: stevenjohnsonphotgraphy Folklore , a hipster version of Tango Sur , arrives in Ukrainian Village offering a similar affordable Argentinean steakhouse menu (with the addition of organic and grass-fed beef options) plus – unlike its Read More...
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(k)new Photo: stevenjohnsonphotgraphy The chef from the defunct Think cafe returns at (k)new , a more upscale Logan Square BYO serving New American–Eclectic fare made with organic and free-range foods (plus a tasting menu offered at a communal chef’s Read More...
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Tapas Valencia Photo: stevenjohnsonphotography Tapas Valencia in the South Loop is kicking off fall with a host of wallet-friendly specials, including $3 sangria by the glass on Mondays; 50% off select wine bottles on Tuesdays; $5 mojitos and martinis Read More...
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– So long Fine Living Network, hello Cooking Channel. [ MediaWeek ] – Who should own the name of Tavern on the Green? Good question. [ NYT ] – The indomitable Alton Brown. [ Decider ] – Jamie Oliver's Asian invasion seeks investors. Read More...
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I asked the waitress what the soup du jour was and she replied 'Oh, that's the soup of the day.' Read More...
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Shaw's Slurp-Off competition Photo: courtesy of the restaurant Next week Shaw’s Crab House gives the simple oyster its due with a series of "Royster" events. It all begins with two kickoff parties – held at Goose Island Brewing Read More...
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– People love food fests these days. [ WSJ ] – Calorie counts may be working after all. [ Atlantic ] – Charlotte Turgeon, another grand dame of French cooking, is dead at 97. [ NYT ] – Where have all the high-end sushi openings Read More...
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The Publican Photo: Bob Briskey The Publican isn’t your average gastropub, as proved by its ongoing Brew Masters Series . On Sunday, October 11, the Market Districter hosts a beer dinner with Dominique Firart of the brewery St-Feuillien , one of Read More...
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Photo: courtesy of the restaurant Hops fans should plan on checking out Brasserie Jo on Wednesday, October 14. That's when the River Norther hosts a suds-filled encounter with over 40 beers for just $22 per person. Brews from Two Brothers, Half Acre, Read More...
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– Mourning Gourmet . [ NYT ] – Related: looking back at Gourmet 's covers and its first issue. [ Eater , SE ] – Posting calorie information doesn't appear to make much of a difference in people's orders. [ NYT ] – On Read More...
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Blue Ocean stevenjohnsonphotography Tucked into the corner of a Ravenswood residential complex, storefront arrival Blue Ocean serves signature rolls in full and half sizes (including creative vegetarian options) plus Japanese small plates; its eye-popping, Read More...
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Pimped out to the nth degree with gas-station garnishes, Clutch, a West Town tavern in a former car shop, features a cinder-block bar with midpriced pours from a retrofitted pump and an auto-themed menu of both standard and souped-up pub grub (e.g. the Read More...
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Vermilion Photo: courtesy of the restaurant Celebrate Diwali, the Indian Festival of Lights, at Vermilion in River North. October 12–18, the Indian–Nuevo Latino will be outfitted with traditional decor, including diyas – hand-painted Read More...
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– A strong case for better meat inspection protocol. [ NYT ] – Gourmet appears to be folding. [ Media Decoder ] – Sacré bleu! McDonald's is opening a restaurant in The Louvre next month. [ Telegraph ] – Food-service Read More...
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A friend convinced me to go. We’re no longer friends. Read More...
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one sixtyblue Courtesy of one sixtyblue What could be better than fried chicken and champagne? Exactly. Every Wednesday starting October 7, the Market District New American one sixtyblue offers just such a deal. First, for only $8 at the bar starting Read More...
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With all the cooking shows out there focusing on a single chef's adventures ( No Reservations , Avec Eric ), not to mention the ones focusing on chefs traveling around the world challenging other chefs ( Throwdown! with Bobby Flay , Chefs vs. City Read More...
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– The rise of the rock star chef. [ WSJ ] – Sweet makers start fighting back. [ Gothamist ] – The Starbucks turnaround seems to be working. [ Economist ] – Top Chef host Padama Lakshmi is pregnant. [ US ] – Related: Cheftestant Read More...
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As promised , here is the second part of our vodka mixology lesson with Jeremy James Thompson at NYC's Raines Law Room . Today, he demonstrates the proper way to make a Staraya Modnaya, the Russian version of an Old Fashioned. And for those of you Read More...
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Crofton on Wells photo: courtesy of the restaurant Suzy Crofton's Loop stalwart, Crofton on Wells , is putting a little change back in your pocket with its no-corkage Wednesdays, beginning October 7. And if you eat between 5–7 PM, you can enjoy Read More...
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