saltylj

Actually there is a Gino's in the burbs oddly enough. None of the graffiti ambience though.

Great Pictures! But I have to disagree a bit, I think for deep dish you have to either go with Uno or Due (as Uno and its accompying restaurant Due, invented deep dish) or Gino's (because of that corn crust); It's a spot of contention, but at least Lou Malnati's is a respectable choice. Also, good choices for the hot dogs, but I got to say the best are all beef, which you guys had, and charred. Again great pics of Chicago and the restaurants. Makes me want to go to fluky's or get deep dish......

I was curious if anyone could suggest good Chicago summer places. Preferably those with outside eating and downtown, wicker park, or nearby. Not really looking for something expensive, but just something for really nice weather, good food (although the food, I know sacrilege, doesn't have to be fantastic) and a place to hang out. This is actually more for my brother, he's in late twenties, so that may give you an idea of what he is looking for. I really wasn't sure, so was hoping to see if you guys could help me out. Thanks for reading, saltz

I checked them all out, and in the end found Keens to be pretty comfortable, to my detriment as they were more expensive. Does anyone else wear these on a regular basis?

So I am going to be in a kitchen trailing for a few days, any reccomendations for shoes (hopefully soon I willa ctually find a job in one). I dont want to spend a lot of cash, I know should spend money for feet...., so any suggestions. Is it pretty much crocs? I have almost flat feet and tend to wear new balance with orthotics. The shoes need to be closed toe, but thats it. Any shoes I could actually wear outside of kitchen without being embarassed, Im still young, would be a bonus. But hey if theyre cheap enough...

Oh why did you have to raise my hopes up like that, and dash them with the last sentence. You know youre into food when you seriously consider learning a language, even for only a second, to read a book.

Well, if you just want something to work with for chocolate and pastry and low on budget, some places sell sutting board-like sized pieces of marble. That way you can table chocolate and use pastry but not break the bank.

thanx for all of the suggestions, going to have to go and check them out tomorrow

That is a problem there, just always have to go with a group of talkative friends, or on a low key night. But, just the whole atmosphere did remind me of some places in Italy.

Has anyone ever been to La Cucina di Donatella? Its right by the fish keg.

Well, I guess I was thinking more Greek, lemon, caper foods. Stuff thats different, simply combinations that kind of thing, but I'm up to anything.

The book is great in its entirety. But, I think some of the best stuff definetly centers on the Alinea/Primo comparison and the detailing of how the French Laundry kitchen runs.

Hi, I have been wanting to get into and learn how to cook various types of food from various regions, and I figured nows a good a time as any. I was wondering what books do you suggest teach Mediterranean and Vietnamese cooking best, easy or authentic? Any and all suggestions are appreciated, whether to a book or a forum already dedicated to this, I searched but couldnt find one, thanx. saltz

I'm with you WHT, all that food being wasted is sad. What's the point? I know litigation is a problem, but you think they would research how to limit waste to raise their profit margin! or wait, does capitalism not work perfectly?

I dont know if it began at a single point but there were a couple of steps. The first was cooking with my grandmother, both corny and stereotypical but my mom couldnt cook anything except maybe tombstone pizza. And my Grandma still is a fantastic cook with anything, and I think she was a true product of the Julia Child era. The second I think was the first nice restaurant we went to, outside of my grandma's cooking, I dont know if I had ever really good food. But really the thing that changed it was when I started to bake, I have no idea why I did this. But it just happened I was probably 10 or 11 and I never looked back. Perhaps it was learning to make margaritas, my stepdad taught me how to make them, and never one to settle, at least with fleeting interest, I researched them. Pulled like 10 or 20 recipes from various sources and just started to mix and see what people liked the best, came up with a bunch of recipes, depending on the wanted flavor. After that I have been hopeless, always making the desserts for family events; it just sprouted there into growing herbs and cooking. I still can make almost any type of margarita by heart, though.

I think it's hilarious that so many people are riled up. When it comes to outlawing foie gras (note: Im from Chicago and think this ban is ridiculous), people are all for food choices; but hey when people eat food that would otherwise go to waste, suddenly people cant make their own food choices. Now, I'm not freegan, not vegan, not vegetarian or any of that, but if people want to eat food that otherwise would end up rotting, whose to say they shouldn't. But, I do agree with you on the sanctimoniousness, drives me nuts, and I do have to admit I have baited and argued with vegan/vegetarian friends more than a few times. I guess I just feel as long as these people aren't stealing food, and are not taking food homeless people would have eaten, thern I dont see a problem. They are endangering themselves, they are eating food that in some cases is probably horrendous and in other cases perfectly fine. But, to each his own. If they drive you nuts, dont read the articles, ignore them.

The particular irony, aside from the fact that they are not banning much more inhumane practices associated with veal and chicken and the like, is that dogfights are still a problem in Roger's Park, Ald. Moore's neighborhood. He is roundly hated in the neighborhood but not enough for someone to run against him, it appears no one in our neighborhood actually wants to be alderman. So I'm sending out a distress signal that someone, if anyone lives in the ward, to rund for alderman.

ChefGeb, I just wanted to tell you how completely awesome it is that you are doing a menu that has foie additions for every course. Joe Moore is, unfortunately, my aldermen and it is completely ridiculous for him, and the rest of the city council, to be focuisng on this issue; especially when our ward has far greater problems. The only reason he did this is because there would be no fallout in our ward and, of course, he's utterly brainless and beholden to Daley and his ilk.

The book's great, but I have to wonder: why notrip to Chicago? The forgotten city yet again.

Just as a random poll, considering this topic has been done to death (reader, Chicago mag etc.); anyone whose been to all three, or even two, whats your favorite?