ronnie_suburban

Exactly. What was left out and why? =R=

One more reason why online reviewing should replace dictatoresque reviews. ← I couldn't agree more. In the end I rely on the opinions of our society members (and those at a few other select web sites) far more frequently than I rely on "reviewers." Although, I do often agree with Phil Vettel of the Chicago Tribune. If anyone is interested in discussing this issue further, earlier this week, we tried to get a discussion of Chicago food critics off the ground here: Chicago Dining Critics =R=

Hi All, I know that the manufacturer bills Advantium ovens as being quite versatile but I'd like to hear from folks who actually own them or at least use them on a regular basis. Are they truly capable of tasks beyond those normally performed by a microwave? Can one successfully roast meats or bake confections in them? Can they be used for serious cooking or are they really just glorified soup and coffee warmers? Thanks, =R=

January 12, 2005... From today's Chicago Tribune - Good Eating section: Sweet sips...Bill Daley provides us with a primer on the often-shunned (in the U.S.) side of the wine world: dessert wines. Tasting notes are included. Lost pies...in an special to the Tribune, author Jeremy Jackson shows us just how intertwined pies and Americana truly are. Recipes from a notable cook (and grandma)...Robin Mather Jenkins reviews Lidia's Family Table, the newest cookbook by Lidia Bastianich. Rotisseria Metropolis...Judy Hevrdejs files a Cheap Eats review of Lincoln Park, neighborhood eatery. When a cold trend is good...Tyler Coleman files this special in which he tunes us in to the details the still-evolving Premium sake market. Provided with the piece are some excellent suggestions for local venues where Premium sake can be had. The World on curd...Bill Daley does his post-holiday penance by sampling and reviewing several brands of low-fat cottage cheese. Down to business, and down-to-earth...Renee Enna reports on a couple of newer tv offerings, Everyday Food by Martha Stewart (currently airing on WTTW) and Iron Chef America (on Food Network) in which Rick Bayless will do battle with Bobby Flay in an episode that will air this coming Sunday. ===== From today's Chicago Sun Times - Food section: Chicken vesuvio a Chicago original, but who created it?...Tom McNamee investigates. Wade Boggs loaded up on chicken, hits...Food Editor Sue Ontiveros reminds us of the strong connection between fried chicken and recent Baseball Hall of Fame inductee, Wade Boggs. Tastings around town...upcoming events at Cru, Schaefer's and Geja's are previewed. Field's Culinary Studio serves up month of classes...Denise I. O'Neal reports on the latest doings at the Field's Culinary Studio as well as upcoming events at Tru and Thyme Cafe. ===== From today's Daily Herald - Food section: Cooking classes...a comprehensive listing of upcoming area food events, tastings and classes; broken out by day. ===== And last but certainly not least, in this week's installment of Chicago Magazine's Dish...Penny Pollack and Jeff Ruby report on the sudden departure of chef Charlie McKenna from Les Nomades, nary a month after he was hired to replace Roland Liccioni. ===== =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.

Julia Moskin reports in today's New York Times: James Beard Foundation Board Stays, For Now =R=

January 5, 2005... From today's Chicago Tribune - Good Eating section: Drinking in a new year...Bill Daley prognosticates 2005's trends in wine, ranging from Syrah to screw caps. Making a splash in 2005...Robin Mather Jenkins reports on what industry insiders predict will be the trends in food this year. Tip scales your way with diet strategies...Nutrition expert Janet Helm descends the food pyramid to provide us with some strategies for healthy diet and weight loss. Original Bagel & Bialy...Robin Mather Jenkins files a Cheap Eats review of this Buffalo Grove eatery. (Sweet inspiration from India . . .) . . . and Japan...in this special to the Tribune, Chris McNamara visits Asian-influence sweet shop, Kawaii Na, in Lincoln Park. Sweet inspiration from India . . . (. . . and Japan)...not to be confused with the story linked above, in this special, Nancy Maes visits newly-opened Ambala, an Indian-influenced sweet shop on Devon Avenue. Welcome to her world...Donna Pierce interviews Maya Angelou and reviews her new food and cookbook, Hallelujah! The Welcome Table. ===== From today's Chicago Sun Times - Food section: In 2005 cut out yo-yo diets, chemicals and get real...Beverly Levitt and Dr. Will Clower guide us through the do's and don'ts of dieting as we begin 2005. Ambala's first U.S. store sugarcoats city...Maureen Webber Sadovi takes us to newly-opened Ambala's Sweets on Devon Avenue. Tastings around town...Celeste Busk previews upcoming events at Vong's Thai Kitchen and The Geneva Inn (Lake Geneva, WI). Flame-broiled resolutions...Denise I. O'Neal reports on new programs at foodlife, Mity Nice Grill, Joey's Brickhouse, Petterino's and Mon Ami Gabi. ===== From today's Daily Herald - Food section: Cooking classes...a comprehensive listing of upcoming area food events, tastings and classes; broken out by day. ===== And last but certainly not least, in this week's installment of Chicago Magazine's Dish...Penny Pollack and Jeff Ruby pay tribute to Wendy Gilbert, the heart and soul of Savoy Truffle, who died last week after a battle with cancer. ===== =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.

No fair! These aren't restaurant meals If I would have included home-made meals (especially those with eGullet friends), I'd still be composing my list ← You have to give me a break, Doc. I don't get out much =R=

Here is a list of my Top 10 meals in 2004 (modified slightly from a post on another thread), in no particular order: Trio (under Chef Achatz) - Evanston, IL (July) --Glorious Tour de Force dinner which redefined my food universe Green Zebra - Chicago, IL (July) --Best new Chicago restaurant I tried in 2004 Opera - Chicago, IL (February) --Substance, flash and panache Carlos' Restaurant - Highwood, IL (December) --Amazing journey of a meal, great service, a culinary force Miramar Bistro - Highwood, IL (September) --Excellent bistro fare on the north shore of Chicago. Who would have guessed? Tex-Az Grill - Phoenix, AZ (March) --Textbook TX Roadhouse food done right, by transplanted Texans Cubs vs. White Sox bet/dinner cooked by guajolote (November) --Cassoulet with home-made sausage & duck confit, chicken liver flan, squash soup...Wow!!! Smoked Brisket at NeroW-fest - North Suburban Chicago (June) --Patting my own back here. Best smoked brisket I've ever made or eaten. Nuevo Leon - Chicago, IL (August) --My favorite Mexican in Chicago. Stand-out meal in this past summer. NL never disappoints. Sun Waa BBQ - Chicago, IL (March) --Fantastic Chinese-style BBQ duck and ribs on Argyle Street =R=

Thanks, Chef, for the list and the link. Of course we're all fairly certain that there's life outside Chicago. I hope your post will inspire more Heartlanders -- from other parts of the region -- to post their own lists. =R=

Sara, It sounds like it was a great meal and a great experience. Thanks so much for the report. Happy New Year and Happy Anniversary! =R=

Interesting question. I've never done this kind of meal twice - but I'm pretty inexperienced in this field (Trio and Moto - and I haven't made it back to Trio for obvious reasons). I am certainly looking forward to going back to Moto, but after thinking it over, I think I'll wait a while, so the menu I try is different from the last time. Having said that, I have to admit that I did come very close to making a return visit to Moto last week...but my more sensible side thought better of it. Still, I am itching to return. I agree with Tarka that going with someone different might be fun as well. I'll see what I can work out... ← I agree that it's an interesting question. In fact, I think it's a key question in trying to gauge whether or not these avant garde restaurants will ultimately survive (in Chicago). I haven't been to Moto but I was blown away by my meal at Trio under chefg. Still, the experience was similar, for me, to theater and I compared the possibility of returning to Trio to that of seeing a play for a second or third time. Personally, I'd rather wait until the show changes to return. In this regard, I believe that seasonal menu changes and other, regularly-made evolutions are the key to acquiring a base of sustainable, repeat business. From what I've heard and read about Moto, this shouldn't be an issue. The same will likely hold true for Alinea. I believe that there are a lot of diners out there who are willing to try something like this once. But it's (generally speaking) a very high price point to have a repeat meal. But I also think Tarka's observation about varying one's dining-partner combinations (or even dining alone) is a solid one. This type of dining is far more experiential than simply "taking a meal" and if the diner changes his surroundings, he's bound to change his overall experience --or his perception of it -- as well. I should also point out that I'm talking about the landscape now. In 10 years, what we today define as avant garde may not be perceived to be as unconventional by the general dining public. And Ted, the answer to your question is yes. This issue of Chicago Magazine is at the newsstands now (or last time I checked, anyway). =R=

Here are my top 10 meals of 2004 in no particular order. Not all of them took place in the Heartland, but I consider that to be a mere technicality: Trio (under Chef Achatz) --Glorious Tour de Force dinner which redefined my food universe Green Zebra --Best new Chicago restaurant I tried in 2004 Opera --Substance, flash and panache Carlos' Restaurant --Amazing journey of a meal, great service, a culinary force Miramar --Excellent bistro fare on the north shore. Who would have guessed? Tex-Az Grill (Phoenix, AZ) --Textbook TX Roadhouse food done right, by transplanted Texans Cubs vs. White Sox bet/dinner made by Guajolote --Cassoulet with home-made sausage, chicken liver flan, squash soup...Wow!!! Smoked Brisket at NeroW-fest --Patting my own back here. Best smoked brisket I've ever made or eaten. Nuevo Leon --My favorite Mexican in Chicago. Stand-out meal in August. NL never disappoints. Sun Waa BBQ --Fantastic Chinese-style BBQ on Argyle Street Honorable Mention: Trio Atelier Prairie Grass Cafe Wildfire (Lincolnshire) Los Comales =R=

Phil Vettel of the Chicago Tribune wraps up 2004 in food: Year in Food (at metromix.com, free subscription required) =R=

LMAO! I'm not laughing at you khm, I'm laughing with you. It does sound like a subverted episode of Punk'd. I'm sure you know that "special occasion" nights are not always representative of what a restaurant is really about. From your description, it seems like they may have been "playing to the crowd" a bit that night. I hope you'll someday get a chance to try Carlos' again and that the experience will match some of the other, more positive ones described here. But, if you've sworn it off for good, who could blame you? =R=

Caught this wrap-up of 2004 Twin Cities food scene in the on-line version of today's Star Tribune: =R=

Well put and I agree with you about the complexity and depth of the Chicago food/dining scene but I didn't think the article attempted to condense said scene at all. I thought it was a thoughtful piece that attempted to inform and entertain those who may not be familiar with this particular facet of Chicago's food universe. Again, I agree. And based on the time I've spent with chefg, I'm fairly certain he'd agree as well. If the flavors aren't there to begin with, no amount of further exploration (whether it be plating method, service piece used or food preparation) is going to be worth the time it takes. When the goal of being creative surpasses the focus on the flavors, then the entire task merely leans toward the self-indulgent. =R=

Vie gets mentioned with great frequency -- especially given its distance from downtown Chicago. Thanks, ducphat, for taking the time to provide us with some details. =R=

Thanks for the detailed report, Ellie. It's very much appreciated. =R=

December 29, 2004... From today's Chicago Tribune - Good Eating section: Best of the year...food editor Carol Mighton Haddix rounds up the Tribune's 10 best recipes of 2004. Can you say "double wasabi brisket"? Finding the perfect match of food and wine...Bill Daley canvases the experts in his search for the elusive and serendipitous perfect pairing. Aloha Grill Hawaiian BBQ...Renee Enna files a Cheap Eats review of this Lincoln Park carry-out. Two schools get culinary makeovers...Nancy Maes reports on the new "digs" of Kendall College and the Culinary Arts & Hospitality Institute of Elgin and the technological advancements their students will enjoy. Defending the pyramid...in what seems to be an undeclared reprint from October, Janet Helm files this special to the Tribune about the continually-revamped food pyramid and the reality that most people, now understanding its flaws and the commercial agendaism it reflects, simply ignore it. ===== From today's Chicago Sun Times - Food section: Top 10 recipes of 2004...not to be outdone by the Tribune, food editor Sue Ontiveros reports the Sun Times' top 10 recipes of 2004. Can you say "Slow Cooker Southern Barbeque Pork on a Bun?" What are you doing New Year's Eve?...Denise I. O'Neal lists a few NYE hot spots like Mj2 Bistro, Sweets and Savories and Tsuki. ===== From the Chicago Reader...What's New...reviews of JP Chicago, Prairie Grass Cafe and Amore Ristorante. ===== =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.

I expect this thread to be hit hard over the next few days I received 4 more for the holidays: Bouchon On Food and Cooking (new edition) Best Food Writing 2004 Nancy Silverton's Sandwich Book I also received some "bookable" gift certificates, so I'll likely be back soon =R=

Well, there's always next year. If it weren't for the "off" years, the great ones wouldn't stand out as much. How's that for a rationalization? =R=

Thanks for the report, Ben. Sounds like a fantastic meal. I sure hope that plane made it out of town and that it was headed somewhere warm (or at the very least, somewhere skiable). =R=

AP reports (via Newsday.com) that the current board will step down on January 6, 2005: =R=

A quick read of this thread will reveal how much I enjoy Miramar but I feel it's only fair to report the negatives too. At our office today we decided to give the curbside service a shot but found it very underwhelming. I pulled up at the pre-determined time and informed the valet that I was picking up a carry out order. I sat, for about 10 minutes and realized that no one was coming out with the food. I went inside and mentioned that I was there to pick up a carry out order. I paid for it. I also asked what was up with the curbside service. The host, who seemed miffed at my inquiry, informed me that one must specify curbside service in order to receive it. Since I did not call in the order personally, I didn't know if that had been done or not. Still, being that it's 15 degrees F out, I asked the host why such a service, if available, wasn't simply offered to us when we placed the order. I then stood and waited for a few more minutes near the bar but still no order came out. At that point I asked the host if I could go wait in my car (had a call to return and didn't want to do it in the restaurant). Almost begrudgingly it seemed, he agreed. I went to the car, made my call and a few moments later, the host brought the order out. Happily, the lunch was great but as for the curbside service, acquiring it seems to be more difficult than getting my son to clean his room. Usually, I only have to ask him twice. Moral of the story: if you want curbside service at Miramar, make sure to specify it when you place your order. Otherwise, you'll be left out in the cold -- literally. =R=

For you Chicagolanders, I've seen salt cod at Lincolnwood Produce and, IIRC, Produce World as well. =R=