Chicago tips

Alice Waters Is Almost Here

food and drink

Chicago's highly regarded Green City Market has snagged Alice Waters, the queen of the sustainable food movement for its spring opening, Saturday, April 25.  It's outside in the Eco-lot at the Peggy Notebaert Museum at Fullerton and Cannon Drive. Check out www.chicagogreencitymarket.org.

Ms. Waters founded her revolutionary restaurant Chez Panisse way back in 1971 in Berkeley CA well before such an idea was so cool.  The menu changes daily and features only the highest quality products when they are in season. 

She is apparently a fan of the Green City Market, Chicago's only year round farmer's market.  She'll also be here to promote her book, The Edible Schoolyard which she'll be signing at the market from 10:30-11:30 AM on Saturday. The book promotes the idea of children raising food from seed and, being involved in the nurture of these crops.  They then evolve into ready and enthusiastic consumers of the same.  Mayor Daley has promised to support her with this project during her visit here.

Check out this vintage pic of Alice, courtesy of her website www.chezpanisse.com.

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The Best Salmon Handroll!

food and drink

Incredibly fresh and satisfying.  All that  pre-made take-out sushi in plastic trays at your local grocery just can't compare to the similarly packaged but marvelous salmon hand roll from, shockingly, Whole Foods.

You can definitely find it at the North Avenue store where it's just east of the huge salad bar in a sushi only section.

I'm guessing the rest of the sushi is fresh and great too but personally, I just can't get beyond that handroll.

While you're there you might check out the wide variety of bulk spices in two separate areas. (one near the produce and another near the herbal lotions)  Spending $5 or $6 for a small bottle of whatever spice seems outrageous to me so these choices are a far more economical option.

Julie, the organic ice cream queen, has delicious organic blackberry sorbet bar, just 60 calories each.

All at Whole Foods and, as you can tell I'm very selective about what I buy there.

You Should Go To Fat Willy's

food and drink

Approaching the outside, you wouldn't even be tempted.  A barely noticeable place to pass right by.  The inside, at first glance is pretty ordinary too.

But, I had to restrain myself from taking bunches of photos and spoiling the experience for you, dear reader.  I love the small cool details but you should look carefully or they'll pass you right by.

The owners of Willy's, http://www.fatwillys.com  I was told confidentially aren't some true fat guy with that name.  Instead they are Bo and Arden Fowler who spent much time traveling all over the South, gleaning tips for the best offerings to bring back up north.  They opened Willy's six years ago this month.

Ribs and pork are the specialties but there are burgers and salads and soups and lots more.
I had a pulled pork sandwich which was excellent.  There's sauce on the side, both regular and spicy.

We went after having attended the Metropolitan Opera HD broadcast at City North 14, just across the street and, at 4PM on a winter Saturday Willy's was busy but not jammed.  On weekends it's apparently just that.  When the weather's good you can eat outside.

OK, check out the walls of the ladies' room before you do your next informal rehab on the cheap.  Also, the wall art, the plates, the tablecloths and more.

The staff is especially pleasant which leads me to believe that "Willy" treats them right, and they do you too.

Fat Willy's Rib Shack is at 2416 W. Schubert, just off of Western Ave.  They're open 7 days beginning at 11:30 until 10 or 11PM, depending on the day of the week.  Phone:  773.782.1800.

Swell Sandwiches, Really! Right In Lincoln Park

food and drink

It's in an unlikely location on Clark Street near Fullerton, which lately has been an anti-destination for interesting businesses. Besides it boasts the unlikely name of Deli Boutique.  Nevertheless these two elements disguise a real treasure in central Lincoln Park.

We were late getting out of town last week so we knew we'd have to stop for lunch en route, but "where?",  my husband asked.  I stunned him with the perfect answer.

The freshly made to order grilled panini and aptly dubbed "gourmet sandwiches" are terrific and I don't even like sandwiches!  We ate at one of five small tables, but there is a large take-out business growing and hearty.  I was pleased with my choice of a "Coliseum" panini, an assemblage of prosciutto, sopressata salami, fresh mozzarella and basil, with olive tapanade and a fresh herb dressing.  There were five other panini choices, each just $6.95.

In addition to the above there are freshly prepared meals which vary daily.  I've spotted crab cakes, chicken marsala, meatballs, vegetable ratatouille, grilled vegetables, lasagna, fruit salad, a couple of pasta salads and more.  Everything looks marvelous and a good deal more appetizing than generally unappealing grocery offerings. Prices are reasonable and generally less than in supermarkets.

The owner, pictured here moved to Chicago relatively recently from Ireland and he's recruited a European staff that is exceedingly pleasant to deal with and completely without "attitude."

Actually there is a deli counter too, offering cold cuts, cheeses, etc.  Their bread is freshly baked daily.  I'm guessing it is par-baked ahead and finished on site.  One day I stopped in for some and the woman behind the counter explained that they'd sold out but if I'd return in 10 or 15 minutes they'd have a fresh loaf ready for me.  I did and my dinner guests loved it.  Good looking pastries tempt for dessert.

A year ago when I found this place the selection was quite limited but now it's become a food bonanza for us all!

Deli Boutique is at 2318 N. Clark St.  Hours are 8AM-8PM, seven days a week. 773.880.9820.

Think Think Cafe For Food And Atmosphere

food and drink

Casual eating in a civilized setting.  A pretty rare bird these days in Chicago where both the restaurant and bar scenes are often over the top frenzied.

We've been here with friends a number of times and all have been delighted.  Imagine a 10 x 10 foot kitchen providing cooked to order dinners for 150 diners.  Truly amazing.

Think, is the result of many years of exploration by Ryvkah Goodman and her husband,  Omar Rodriguez the restaurant's co-owners.  I was immediately captivated by this couple and their unarranged marriage and asked how they pulled off both that and of course the restaurant.

The two met about 15 years ago at Carlucci's, a former Lincoln Park outpost where Omar worked.  Ryvkah was there with some friends late one night and Omar seemed particularly taken with her.  His parents were Mexican and Brazilian, a combo not usual in her own parents' circle.  She figures they were finally so desperate for grandchildren that they acquiesced pretty easily.

After about 3 years, the couple married and opened an upscale sandwich shop in the west Loop.  The fare included special turkey and corned beef made by Omar but even that didn't bring in the larger numbers of patrons they'd wanted.

A storefront on Western near Fullerton seemed better so they moved about 5 years ago, continuing the sandwiches but 1 1/2 years into it Ryvkah suggested that Omar try offering the food he really loved best, more sophisticated offerings with an Italian focus.  That did the trick so now they have two dining rooms and are open seven nights a week.  There's also a room upstairs available for special events.

Think is a BYOB and the couple prefers it that way.  Once you have a liquor license you must be willing to accept deliveries all day long, a problem for this dedicated couple with two school age children.

Conveniently, there's a liquor store, Danny's Liquors kitty-corner from Think.  Funny place.  They accept cash only and even have a cash station just inside.  The wine selection seemed considerably better than most.

We especially liked the duck risotto, the seared scallops, and the Prince Edward Island mussels with a magical red sauce.  (I hope you're not scared of mussels!)  Pastas are homemade with few exceptions.  The Think and arugula salads are both easy favorites.  Specials are available every day.

The name.  "Think of a good restaurant to go to" says it all.

Think cafe is at 2235 N. Western Av.  Phone 773.394.0537 for reservations.

 

I Finally Forced My Husband To Take Me To Brasserie Jo

food and drink

He shuns anything trendy or noisy.  I prefer pre-trendy or hardly known and I do agree with the latter, but ever since I read that the NYTimes' senior writer and globe trotting gourmand, the late R.W. Apple thought it was Chicago's best restaurant, I've been desperate to get there.

It was a perfect night.  We'd just avoided a rain deluge at the Pritzker Pavilion in Milenium Park and Jo's was blissfully quiet but not empty.  The decor is upscale casual yet pretty cool.  My husband was on the prowl for something to complain about.  I smiled at him sweetly.

I began with mussels, meaty and fresh even in a non "R" month and the excellent bread, yummy for soaking up the sauce.  Then I had a crepe of mushrooms, ham, swiss chard and cheese, good but not to die for.

The boss had the plat du jour, Moroccan style couscous with many good additions.  It was unlike the impromptu dinner consisting of just the plain grain sans anything else we'd enjoyed finger style many years ago in a (no kidding) Moroccan herdsman's home.

The menu is, of course pretty simple but still nothing I'd want to whip up myself at a moment's notice.  There are lots of choices.  The staff is savvy and the other diners pleasant looking.  It's romantic at Jo's somehow without overt signs of romance.  The bar looks even more dramatic than this photo.

If you've never tried onion soup gratinee, here's your chance.  Next time I'll try the "famous shrimp bag".  Ask your server for help with selections.  Say, "I'm an adventurous eater" or "I want something really wonderful" or whatever.

I'm guessing there may be a crowd scene here fairly often so I'd advise calling ahead to guarantee the pleasant experience we had.  Valet parking is $10 and worth it in this busy neighborhood.  Brasserie Jo is at 59 W. Hubbard.  312.595.0800.

 

Homemade Pizza Is Great But Needs Help

food and drink

I've been a fan of Homemade Pizza for a long time, although my pizza days were curtailed for a couple of years due to extreme carb consciousness.

A special thing about this pizza is that you bake it yourself, resulting in a marvelous fresh taste, piping hot.  Additionally, there are many options from which to choose; creating your own custom pizza is a cinch.  This is thin pizza and personally I find the flavor more delicate and intense at the  same time. You may pick it up, as I prefer, or have it delivered.

Choose from three bases;  tomato, olive oil or pesto.  Some of the more intriguing ingredients include wild mushrooms, roasted garlic, poblano pepper, vidalia onions, chevre and pine nuts.  Normal ingredients too, of course.   Check out their web page www.homemadepizza.com  and you'll find some special suggestions, even a  mini cheese pizza for children.

Homemade suggests a fresh herb pizza as an hors'd oeuvre for your guests.  Cool thought.  No one I know has ever even heard of Homemade Pizza, so my hostess chic is bound to expand.

All this began at an immaculate-looking storefront on Belmont.  As a former retailer, I could tell immediately that this location wasn't ideal...not enough boutique pizza traffic in the area.  The owners were scouting out better space from the outset and now, some years later they've got a small Chicago area chain, (a chain but not a chain) up and running.

The spare look continues at the 850 W. Armitage location, so much so that you may be wowed by the modernist interior as you enter.  In fact, one of the pizzas is called "The Miesian."

Branches have now appeared at 3430 N. Southport, 1953 W. Wabansia, 3314 N. Broadway and in Evanston, Glencoe and Highland Park.  The website tells all.

I have two serious complaints, based on a recent visit.

At 5PM this last Monday, the Armitage location was overwhelmed with phone calls and my order was delayed at least 15 minutes past the promised time.

Also, when I got home I discovered that the ingredients ordered were actually skimpy, definitely different than my early experiences with Homemade.  I did call a couple of days later, found out that these were "portion controlled", a scary sounding term in my book and defined as 1/4 to 1/2 cup, depending on pizza size.  I could ask for more at the time of pickup and would be accommodated without charge, said the phone person.

These things should not deter you, however and forewarned, you can allow for them.  The pizza is really terrific!

Try Al-Khyam For Delicious Yogurt And So Much More

food and drink, culture, shopping

Taking a hint from Peter Condic (see post dated April 2)  I high tailed it to Lawrence and Kedzie as quickly as possible to check out a swell Midddle Eastern food resource, Al-Khyam at 4738 N. Kedzie.  Armed with a variety of brands in quart containers, I approached the man at the counter for his expert opinion, settling on the Tazah brand.  It's really excellent.  Check out the photo at left so that you can pick it out easily from its' bretheren.

A mainstay in this largely Middle Eastern neighborhood, Al-Khyam has been in the area since 1986 and takes up a large portion of  the block with a daunting array of exotic foods.  There are fig and quince jams, both rose and orange blossom water, pomegranate molasses and impressive looking 6 pound cans of vegetables, including one of grilled eggplant pulp.

The pastry assortment is astonishing, including date, walnut and pistachio mammoul, a semolina-based filled pastry or "moon cake."  Many varieties of baklawa and other luscious looking temptations fill a huge display case in the front of the store.

A handmade-looking metal store fixture with numerous windows affords views of all kinds of seeds and nuts at reasonable prices.  A large quantity of spices are also well-priced for budget minded shoppers.  In the same area is a display of traditional Turkish water pipes, the perfect off-beat gift for those who have everything.

Al Khyam grocery and bakery, 4738 N. Kedzie.

Indian Grill: A Pleasant Refuge

food and drink

The bar scene abates just south of Fullerton on Clark which I think is the reason for this simple civilized Indian restaurant's existence in a theoretically unsexy area.

We tried it last night and my husband, Angie Mills and I agreed that the food was very good.  The ambiance is soothingly quiet with soft Indian music as an accompaniment.   Photos of India on the walls and tables with white cloths (and a de rigeur red carnation) added a pleasant touch to the simple decor.  No TV or it wouldn't make it to chicagoTips.

Mixed vegetable curry, chicken saag (fresh spinach and chicken cooked with ground spices) and rogan josh (tender lamb with herbs and spices in gravy) were the dishes we shared along with  delicious fresh naan.  Nine different breads are offered along with a wide variety of meat, chicken,  vegetable and shrimp dishes.

Dinner prices are reasonable, mostly from about $10 -$13.  Indian Grill is open every day.  Lunch is also served except for Monday and Tuesday.  A carry-out menu and delivery are also available.  The restaurant is two years old.  We far preferred it to Hema's, just north of Fullerton.

Indian Grill, 2258 N. Clark.  773.477.8000.  It's also BYOB.

It's Grilling Time Again For Afficionados

food and drink

One fine day last week the temperature soared so my husband and I decided that it was definitely the beginning of our own "jump the gun" grilling season.  My husband is the official griller which is potentially great since it relieves me from my longtime kitchen duties.

The aforementioned husband has learned much over the years.  He can load the dishwasher fuller than I can.  He makes his own breakfast and lunch daily.  (He works at home and he has always disliked my breakfasts.)

I don't remember exactly what he grilled but fresh asparagus from spring somewhere was on the menu.  We only like grilled asparagus.  I slathered the veggie with olive oil and salt and pepper and presented it to my outdoor chef along with a warning that I hoped it wouldn't be burnt as had the steak from the previous evening.  Asparagus has had a tendency to burn easily once it leaves our kitchen.

My husband came inside and when some time had elapsed I asked re the asparagus.  He rushed out and returned with the food in the photo (right), proclaiming it perfectly edible.  I must have looked dubious because he then added that it was ideal for him.

Would you eat this aparagus?  I've a fresh bunch (on sale so I couldn't resist) in the fridge just waiting for its' fate.