nr706

Chicago is a city of neighborhoods - your best bet is get out of downtown, for interesting, non-expense account places. Try this list as a start: http://www.lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?p=226392#p226392 For specific recommendations, try Pizzeria Uno or Pizzeria Due for quintessential deep-dish pizza - both are close to Michigan Avenue. On Sunday morning, don't miss the Maxwell Street Market at Des Plaines and Roosevelt. Some say the regional Mexican street food there is better than you'll get in Mexico. Really, no traditional breakfast item, but if you see a place offering Intelligentsia, Metropolis or Casteel Coffee, you'll be well-served. We hope you'll have a great time here!

I like not having to actually read a review. ← After watching that review,

Barak's Check Please appearance is at

Burt's Place, the quirky pizzeria featured on the cover of Saveur magazine, and soon to be on Anthony Bourdain's No Reservations, is open both Christmas Eve and Christmas Eve (call to place order before visiting). Also, Wiener and Still Champion, scheduled to be on Diners, Drives and Dumpsters (or whatever that show is called) in January, is open through mid-afternoon Christmas Eve. Burt's Place 8541 N. Ferris Morton Grove (847) 965-7997 Wiener and Still Champion 802 W. Dempster Evanston, IL 60202 847-869-0100

Glad to know there are sites that do. I had a lot of leftovers from a catered event last year, and contacted Greater Chicago Food Depository, and they wouldn't accept it.

I think food donations can only come from commercial kitchens. I don't think they'll accept food donations from private individuals, no matter what the quantity.

Was DaleJ asking about the meat-oriented Custom House, in the Morton Hotel, or the seafood-oriented C-House, in the Affinia Hotel? The similarity in names is confusing, but I'm guessing it's the latter, which I haven't been to, but I've heard good things, except for priciness. (I like the new avatar, Ken.)

Formal name is huitlacoche (sometimes spelled with a c instead of an h). Also called corn smut, as in "I'm gonna go down there and get me some smut!"

I can bring an electric fryer - do I need to supply oil, too?

Fr old timey, spaghetti and meatballs, and not a chain like Bucca, would be Sabatino's. Feels like the 1950s, with flaming desserts and roving musicians. Sabatino's 4441 W. Irving Park Rd. Chicago (773) 283-8331

Can you still add me +1 to Lao Sze Chuan?

I'll be at the Farmer's Market, and since I live a few blocks from the church, I can bring over a vintage Osterizer, plus a hardware store-style blowtorch. What time should I bring stuff over? Anything else needed?

At Ronnie's suggestion, I took the interactive map I made of lunch options after the Farmers' Market and before dinner, and turned it into a 5-page, printable pdf file, which should be downloadable here. Let me know privately if you have any trouble getting it.

As Ron mentioned, I'm a huge fan of Hae Woon Dae. It's a bit smaller than San Soo Gab San, and maybe a bit less discovered - so on weeknights, it's not uncommon to be able to get a private room. Meats are great, panchan is vast, and service is friendly. (And I'm not in the least bit biased because they have my picture - along with many others - on the bulletin board as you walk in.)

Since you're in Northbrook. and it sounds like your companions aren't especially adventurous, you should seriously consider Prairie Grass Cafe. Two chefs with exceptional pedigrees have created a high-end casual place close to you. Ronnie Suburban posted a great review of their new spring menu here. It's possible to stay within your budget, depending upon how you order, although you may exceed it, too. If you do, just down the street, is a nice little classic Italian place which can bring your budget into line. Prairie Grass Cafe 601 Skokie Blvd. Northbrook, IL 60062 847-205-4433 Francesco's Hole in the Wall 254 Skokie Blvd. Northbrook, IL 60062 847-272-0155

Story in the Chicago Tribune Chicago Gourmet web site ← I'm sorry, but shouldn't that be Graham Elliot Bowles? I'm curious who the fact checker is. And, correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't the initial idea behind Taste of Chicago - to feature the finest foods of the city?

It re-opened across the street. Sabri Nehari 2502 W. Devon Ave. Chicago (773) 465-0899

Soul Vegetarian East is in Chatham, nowhere near Cabrini Green, and quite a trip from Rosemont, but may be worth the trip. In the opposite direction, you'll find the very good all-vegetarian cuisine at Blind Faith. A short drive from Blind Faith is Life Vegan - but I know they were struggling - you may want to call to make sure they're still open. Also in that area is Lake Side Café, which has gotten good reviews for its vegetarian and vegan-friendly food. Somewhat similar is Alice and Friends, in Edgewater. Closer to downtown is the Karyn's empire (one raw food restaurant, one cooked food). In addition to what's been posted above, these should help begin to scratch the surface of vegan-friendly places around Chicago. Soul Vegetarian East 205 E 75th St Chicago (773) 224-0104 Blind Faith Cafe 525 Dempster St Evanston 847-328-6875 Life Vegan 1601 Simpson St Evanston 847-869-6379 Lake Side Cafe 1418 W. Howard St Rogers Park - Chicago 773-262-9503 Alice and Friends 5812 N. Broadway Chicago 773-275-8797 Karyn's Raw Vegan Gourmet Restaurant 1901 North Halsted Street Chicago 312.255.1590 Karyn's Cooked 738 North Wells Street Chicago 312.587.1050

If you'd prefer the North side, I've always been a fan of the dim sum at Furama. It's a big room, bustling with carts on Sunday mornings, and you can rub Buddha's belly after you ascend the stairs to the second floor space. It's thisclose to Little Vietnam. Furama 4936 N. Broadway Chicago (773) 271-1161

That was definitely our group along the windows on the east side of the restaurant. Despite the sketch of Ron in his posts, you may not have recognized him, because 1) he didn't have a camera with him, and 2) his back would have been turned to you. As far as Pampanga, I've been there several times. Very good lumpia and adobo dishes. I also like the kare-kare. Haven't been there recently, though. Now you've got me thinking I have to make it out for a Philippine meal soon.

While it's no Spoon, or Sticky Rice, or TAC Quick, Thai Sookdee is probably the best THai food on the North Shore.

Don't forget Mt. Horeb - home to more trolls than any town I can think of, including a very good brewpub - The Grumpy Troll --which is right next to the "trollway." Also downtown is the truly unique "World Famous Mustard Museum," by itself worth a trip.

I have to say, while TVH was okay, I wasn't as wowed as I had hoped - mostly due to the service. My friend and I got there relatively early - 6:30 on a Saturday night, and we were seated right away. We told the server we'd be ordering drinks and food, so she left both menus. While my friend was in the rest room, I ordered the drinks (which were very good - I had the winter sazerac, she had tequila drink, I don't remember which one) and mentioned that we'd be having food, too, as soon as my friend got back. She got back, the drinks came, and the server left before we could get a word out about our food order. We spent the next hour trying in vain to get a server's attention (smiling, slightly waving without trying to be obnoxious, even saying "excuse me" a couple of times as a server walked past) so we could get some food into us before the 8:00 performance we were going to. Finally someone came by around 7:45, and we just asked for the check, since there was no time to place the food order. In retrospect, I suppose I could have gone up to the bar to place a food order, but we kept seeing servers come by, to other tables, so I remained hopeful that eventually we could get someone's attention. Maybe they just don't pay much attention to old people like us. As I said, there's no question the drinks were very good. I just wish the service was up to snuff. (Caveat - one visit, YMMV, etc.)

Have you considered Silver Spoon? I've never been there, but their other restaurant, Spoon, in Lincoln Square, is among the city's best Thai places. The fact that Silver Spoon is next door to the Thai consulate may or may not make a difference to you ... Silver Spoon 710 N. Rush St. Chicago (312) 944-7100

Can I be double zen (two with everything?) Being in the 'hood, I can offer rides, too.