ronnie_suburban

I don't think I'll ever have the opportunity to hit all the places I want to hit but if chances were unlimited, here are local the places I'd hit in 2006 (in no particular order): Scylla -- A place about which I've only heard positive things. Menu looks great; can't wait to try it. Atwood Cafe -- Turned out the very best thing I tasted at Recipe for Relief. Avenues -- Would love to sit at the Chef's Bar next time around. Butter -- Lots of buzz and good comments from friends whose opinions I trust. Adobo Grill (North & Wells) -- A friend, who I agree with about other places, described this place to me and it made me really want to try it. Custom House -- How can I not try something new from this proven team? Narra -- I'm skeptical but I've read so much about it, I want to give it a whirl. Le Francais -- Really want to return now that Roland Liccioni is back. Carlos -- Can't stop thinking about how much I like it here. The real deal. Osteria via Stato -- Opinions of this place run hot and cold but some folks I trust really enjoy it. Banana Moon -- Very close to my house and with a good pedigree. I hope it's great. Schwa -- A consensus of trusted opinions are all raves and I want to experience it for myself. NaHa -- Had one of my all-time favorite meals here over 2 years ago. I need to get back and soon. Paprikash -- Haven't been since the ownership change and right now is the best season for it. Hot Chocolate -- Had some memorably great stuff there recently and can't want to go back and try more of it. Green Zebra -- Really want to experience a winter menu here. Been once -- in the summer -- and loved it. Blackbird -- Haven't been since October '04. Did have a bite at Recipe for Relief but would to have more soon. Avec -- Same as Blackbird but I've been there slightly more recently. Moto -- Absolutely need to try it. Only had a "taste" at Recipe for Relief and I'm very curious And last but not least . . . Alinea -- Pretty much my favorite restaurant at the moment. If I get there fewer than 4 times in 2006, I'll feel like I missed out on something. These are all the ones I can think of at the moment. I doubt I'll get to half of them but you never know . . . Anyone else have a wish list? Please share. =R=

Thanks, Eliot, for the pictures and descriptions. My experiences at Carlos have been great and I think their food is delicious, imaginative and elegant. It's a place that just doesn't get enough credit, IMO. It's often lumped into the Highwood scene but really it's the crown jewel of that particular scene. Dick (or anyone), how's their new book? =R=

From Phil Vettel's review in today's Chicago Tribune, cited above: Michael finds a niche with indulgent, classic French fare =R=

December 14, 2005... From today's Chicago Tribune - Good Eating section: A basket of food and gadgets from a wishful Good Eating staff...Thinking about buying your favorite foodie reporter a Christmas gift? If so, you're in luck as the Good Eating staff share their impressive and varied holiday wish lists. The soup and wine remedy...Bill Daley explores the theoretically perfect combination of chicken soup and wine as the cure for what ails you during the cold winter months. Recipes and tasting notes are included. Top 12 of 2005...Renee Enna recaps the Good Eating staff's favorite retail products of the year. Taking a bite out of glycemic index trend...nutritionist Janet Helm predicts the next diet trend and explains why it may not be any more reliable than previous trends. Michigan cider mill shares top honors in competition...Robin Mather Jenkins reports from Grand Rapids, MI where the Great Lakes Olde World Syder Competition was held last week. Kumquats...food editor Carol Mighton Haddix with a useful guide. ===== From today's Chicago Sun Times - Food section: Tastings around town...Celeste Busk previews the week's upcoming food events at the Victor Hotel, Geja's Cafe and Tsuki. Food news...Denise I. O'Neal rounds up several special holiday programs which are currently running at various area restaurants. ===== From today's Daily Herald - Food section: Observations from a tamale first-timer...food editor Deborah Pankey shares the benefit of her recent first-time experience making tamales. Czech this: Mmm-mmm soups...Laura Bianchi spends time with Cook of the Week, Cherie Matousek, who specializes in Czech cuisine. Food and wine classes...a comprehensive listing of upcoming area food events, tastings and classes; broken out by day. ===== In this week's installment of Chicago Magazine's Dish, Penny Pollack and Jeff Ruby report on Michael Taus' attorney-assisted split from Saltaus, a mere 6 weeks after its opening. ===== =R= <><><><><> Media Digest Notes... Updates from some Chicago media outlets, which do not 'go to press' on Wednesday mornings, will be edited into each week's post as they become available. Please do not reply on this thread. For discussion of any stories which are linked here, please feel free to start a new thread or contact the forum host or digester who will be happy to do it for you.

Yes! I had great food there back in October . . . a delicious club sandwich and some of the best roasted cauliflower soup I've ever eaten. And the shopping is great too! It's a great spot. =R=

Blackbird looks great -- not being familiar with Chicago any idea where it is located in relation to the W Hotel Lakeside? Also - what are the thoughts on the Green Zebra & Spring? (Custom House doesn't have a menu posted but both of those looked very interesting!) ← It's a short cab ride to Blackbird (about 2 miles total distance between it and your hotel). Green Zebra and Spring are both highly recommended but neither is open for lunch =R=

How about Blackbird, Frontera Grill or Topolobampo? =R=

I definitely agree with this. I have been to all three (all within a month of each visiting each other) and my experience at each one was markedly different - which was made the experiences so much more interesting and pleasant. U.E. ← Me too. I haven't been to Moto but my experiences at Alinea and Avenues have been very distinctive and they didn't remind me of each other very much at all. =R=

Jerry Shriver in today's USA Today.com, with a familiar thought: Incredible & Edible: In search of extreme cuisine Nice pic of Chef Cantu, though =R=

LOL! Thanks, chef, for taking the time to explain to us the emotional forces which have affected the creation and evolution of your site. =R=

Sounds like you'll be having a great time even if the food isn't up to the usual standards I wanted to mention that I tried Zier's Summer Sausage this week and while both the hot and the mild were delicious I liked the mild a bit better. They were both excellent -- very flavorful and with a distinctively home-made texture and mouthfeel. Right now, they have them both available in festive holiday casings too. I wish I exchanged gifts with more sausage lovers -- these would make absolutely perfect gifts! =R=

Here's a link to the episodes being offered (the ones I could find, anyway): AB: NR DVD's at Discovery Channel store (scroll down to bottom of page) =R=

December 7, 2005... From today's Chicago Tribune - Good Eating section: Culinary destinations...the Good Eating staff list their favorite cookbooks of 2005. Ted Allen keeps it real...Bill Daley visits with Chicagoan (and Queer Eye star) Ted Allen, who was in town to promote his new book, The Food You Want to Eat: 100 Smart, Simple Recipes. Come into the fold...in this week's Prep School installment, James P. DeWan details the finer points of cooking en papillote. Gifts for a spirited holiday...Bill Daley lists a few clever gift ideas for devotees of wines and spirits. Chestnuts...Joe Gray with a useful guide. ===== From today's Chicago Sun Times - Food section: Easy and elegant entertaining...Sandy Thorn Clark visits with a few experts who provide useful tips for making home entertaining easier -- especially at holiday time. Chocolate, chocolate everywhere...Margaret Maples reviews Lisa Yockelson's latest book, ChocolateChocolate. LoSo on the go...Jim Frost provides some detailed advice for followers of low sodium diets. Tastings around town...Celeste Busk previews upcoming events at Scoozi!, Bin 36 and Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba! Food news...Denise I. O'Neal reports on a couple of programs that The Greater Chicago Food Depository is deploying to help the hungry during the holidays. ===== From today's Daily Herald - Food section: Making time for tradition...food editor Deborah Pankey spends time with Susan Maddox, owner of Le Titi de Paris in Arlington Heights, and learns how the busy restaurteur values her family holiday traditions -- and makes sure to enjoy them -- in spite of her hectic schedule. Food and wine classes...a comprehensive listing of upcoming area food events, tastings and classes; broken out by day. ===== In this week's installment of Chicago Magazine's Dish, Penny Pollack and Jeff Ruby report that Eric Aubriot is on the move again as his position at Narra has been dissolved, a mere 6 months after the Evanston steakhouse bowed. ==== =R= <><><><><> Media Digest Notes... Updates from some Chicago media outlets, which do not 'go to press' on Wednesday mornings, will be edited into each week's post as they become available. Please do not reply on this thread. For discussion of any stories which are linked here, please feel free to start a new thread or contact the forum host or digester who will be happy to do it for you.

According to their web site, this is not the case. Mobil 4-Star Chicago Restaurants (Search for Chicago, select "Restaurant" and "at least 4 Star"). Mobil 5-Star Chicago Restaurants (Charlie Trotters) From what I can tell, Alinea isn't rated at all. =R=

I stopped by Zier's again today to pick-up a whole brisket, which I ordered over the phone last week. When I ordered it, I was immediately asked if I'd be smoking it. I explained that I wouldn't be smoking it and that I didn't need the "packer's" cut. This time around, I needed it trimmed -- but whole. When I arrived at Zier's today, Dave immediately acknowledged that he knew I was there for thewhole brisket. But he explained to me that he'd waited until I got there because he had a few sizes and didn't want to trim one until he knew which size I needed. Service like that is virtually impossible to find these days and it's one of the best things about Zier's. What ensued was like performance art. Watching him trim that brisket was amazing. He made it look effortless as he transformed that big slab of fat-encased meat into a beautiful, trimmed cut. I told him how great it was just to watch him to do it and he told me that it was one of the harder cuts to trim. Whatever, he made it look as easy as pie. Before I left, I made sure to order my Whole Rib Roast (prime, of course) for Christmas Eve. I asked Dave if he could "roll" it for us (separate the meat from the rack and then tie it back together for cooking). Needless to say, the answer was yes. Ok, I had to choose it for myself, but at least I know I'll be very happy with my Christmas gift this year =R=

I just came upon this follow-up on Steve and Dan from Anna Johnson at the Associated Press, which appeared in the November 27 edition of the Chicago Sun-Times: Food Network stars show hard work equals success =R=

November 30, 2005... From today's Chicago Tribune - Good Eating section: Back in town...Bill Daley profiles Jorge Ordonez, a rock star importer of Spanish wines whose talents and tastes will again influence what many of us Chicagoans drink. Sweet discoveries...Donna Pierce presents the results from Good Eating's 2005 Holiday Cookie Contest. Baby bananas...Renee Enna files this useful guide. When cookies come a-callin'...Renee Enna rounds up several local sources for quality holiday cookies. ===== From today's Chicago Sun Times - Food section: Local food ready for its closeup...Maureen Jenkins visits with Jennifer Weigel and goes behind the scenes of her weekly television program, Taste. Passing the whisk...Denise I. O'Neal reports on Kendall College graduate Todd Stein's recent advancement in the mk organization, as well as a variety of local food news. Technique of the week...Margaret Maples with some tips for deveining shrimp. Tastings around town...Celeste Busk previews upcoming events at Durty Nellie's Pub, Geja's Cafe, The Book Cellar, Wave and VTK. Food Network stars show hard work equals success...Anna Johnson from AP follows up with Steve McDonagh and Dan Smith, winners of The Next Food Network Star contest earlier this year (This story ran on November 27). ===== From today's Daily Herald - Food section: The new face of wine drinkers...food editor Deborah Pankey explores the changing demographics of the wine market, as sales continue to build among the younger set. Food and wine classes...a comprehensive listing of upcoming area food events, tastings and classes; broken out by day. 'Best American Recipes' won't disappoint when it comes to reliable dishes...Don Mauer explains why he looks so forward to each annual release of this series, as he previews the 2005-2006 edition. ===== In this week's installment of Chicago Magazine's Dish, Penny Pollack and Jeff Ruby report on the closing of Charlie's on Leavitt, just 15 months after it opened. ===== =R= <><><><><> Media Digest Notes... Updates from some Chicago media outlets, which do not 'go to press' on Wednesday mornings, will be edited into each week's post as they become available. Please do not reply on this thread. For discussion of any stories which are linked here, please feel free to start a new thread or contact the forum host or digester who will be happy to do it for you.

Yes, we've had some discussion about it here. But the original Fresca is still available as well. Or, is this like Diet 7-Up which was "improved" (with Splenda) to the point where it's barely drinkable anymore? =R=

The line forms behind me! I've picked up 5 more since my last post here: Charcuterie by Michael Ruhlman and Brian Polcyn Julie & Julia by Julie Powell Will Write for Food by Dianne Jacob Best Food Writing 2005 edited by Holly Hughes Austin Leslie's Creole Soul by the late Austin J. Leslie and Marie Budd Posey =R=

We LOVED it. And, thanks to Chef G and assistant sommelier Joe Ziomek we actually enjoyed it twice. I'd previously mentioned to Joe that my wife and I had agreed that Black Truffle Explosion was the single most delicious thing that either of us had ever eaten. So, after we were served the astonishing White Truffle Explosion, Joe came by the table and asked me how I'd compare it the Black truffle rendition. Jokingly, I said that I'd probably need a few more before I could decide for sure. A few moments later, when our next course arrived, it was actually White Truffle Explosion . . . again. For the second time in just minutes we snarfed down the "explosive-filled" packets, the shaved Alba truffles and the richly-flavored broth in which the packet was served. That was certainly one highlight from our tremendous 3rd tour; but one of many. I need to carve out some time and recap that tremendous experience. Even the non-foodie friends we shared that meal with were utterly blown away by it. I've been completely spoiled by Alinea and Chef G's vision. Since I first went there back in May, my entire understanding of food and cuisine has completely changed. I've been to several fairly well-regarded spots since then (in Chicago and beyond) and quite frankly, with very few exceptions, they are just blurs in Alinea's rear-view mirror (although, there are those who would say that I need to get out more ). =R=

We were at Alinea back in early November and this was not on the menu (I still intend to post about that experience more fully as soon as I can). For now, I'll just say that on that particular night, the Tour was the best of the 3 times we've "taken" it. We're back at Alinea in couple weeks and I hope we get to try the kobe lozenges. =R=

A short but interesting take on Alinea, by Robert Sietsema, appears in the on-line version of today's Village Voice: Letter From Chicago - Strange and scientific culinary doings invade the Windy City =R=

Right back at you, Bill. =R=

I have 2 bottles of L&P's; one is about 2 years old and the other is brand new. The ingredient listings are not the same on the two bottles. Older bottle: Newer bottle: No more claims of "fresh" and some extract replacements. The "recipe" has definitely changed and not, to my mind, for the better. =R=

Hi All, Beginning in the next few days, we are adding this new, Arizona Media Digest to the Southwest & Western States forum. It will be compiled by newly-appointed Specialist, Eliot Wexler (aka molto e), whose knowledge and experience will continue to be a valuable resource to us all. As with the other digests which appear on our site, we're setting up this thread as a consolidation point for various, food-related stories of interest which appear in both the local Phoenix and Tucson area media. We plan to update this thread weekly, although some of the resources which will be digested here, won't renew that frequently. As the thread continues, please let us know if there are any worthy local media sources which we have neglected to include. Thanks, =R=