Vital Information

If you want to enjoy local food in the Chicago area, but do not know where to shop, the Local Beet has built a map based market finder. It's on the top right side of our home page. We know there's a few kinks to be worked out in the application, but comments and feedback are always appreciated. In addition, we have Chicago and elsewhere in Illinois pretty covered, but we will also soon have market data for parts of WI and IN. We believe we have the most complete and current farmer's markets in the Chicago area. The Local Beet

What is the relation? ← Same chef, I believe, but of the two, my wife and I enjoyed Cue much more. The space is amazing, on the river, etc., and the seasonal food not too shabby either. Heartland is good for being close to Izzy's ice cream.

I get to Minneapolis about once a year for biz. It's a great city, even in the winter (!). Here's some of my favorite places: Cue Cafe Brenda Barbette Heartland (SP) Hell's Kitche (breakfast and lunch only) Ike's (drinks or burgers) Grazing at the Mid Town Market Izzy's (ice cream - SP) I've heard the pho's great but I have not tried; I agree that Al's is very much worth it. Tony Bourdain gets a few things wrong, and he really missed the boat on MSSP.

Have you been to Kaze? Is it a kaseiki dinner?

http://vitalinformation.blogspot.com/2005/...s-in-south.html Lots of great places to eat in S. Florida. The best two, both in Miami Beach, may still be Rascal House and Joe's Stone Crab.

Gee, I saw the post above on Mexican places, and I was, like wow, good list (until I noticed the list was a little too familiar looking--but yes, the Slow Food Guide to Chicago IS a good resource.) Still, as the originator of some of those recomendations in that book, I had to immodestly try to figure out how to get my EG account working again. OK, blah, blah, blah. While I think the list above is pretty cool, many of those places, like for instance, the great La Quebrada, is pretty inaccessible without wheels. Where *I* would suggest, is the Sunday flea market/Mexican food extravaganza that is the Maxwell Street (actually on Canal Street). There are several good reports on Maxwell Street on the Internet, this is one of the better: http://lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?t=889 Rob

Jimmy's on Grand near Pulaski/Division is an especially cool place, very old school, and somewhat notorious for its other offerings as the night dwindles towards dawn. I think their fries are outstanding, some of the best in Chicago, but their hot dog is not nearly as good. It sez Vienna but always tastes off to me, like some other brand. For the ultimate in minimal hot dog, Gene and Judes remains my fave. Vital Information, now a blog

I suppose you do not mean, living like a pig? Are you affiliated with Slow Food? www.vitalinformation.blogspot.com

Note, the food court is in the building NEXT to Diho, and I believe the food court has no affiliation with Diho. As to Diho, I have heard but have not verified myself, that the Diho is Westmont is much better than the Diho in Skokie. Regardless, the Diho in Westmont is a pretty interesting store for a variety of Asian food.

My friends Tony G and Dickson D have uncovered tons of interesting places in the far western suburbs, before I list them, let me note a few places I know myself: - "Internationa Mall" - This is a small food court next to the Diho market in Westmont (Ogden and 83). On the weekends, they offer some really interesting Taiwain style Chinese food, including fresh donuts to dip in hot soy milk. - Sabri Nehari - On Roosevelt in Lombard - Pakistani food is Indian food with tons more meat. Sabri does all the tandoor meats and breads better than you used to get on the buffet as well as traditional dishes such as nehari, a rich, spicy beef stew. OK, here's some of what the experts suggest: - ByBy's - In W. Chicago - run by a family from San Luis Potosi, and they feature an amazingly wide range of Mexican food, featuring primarily quesadillas, tacos, and huaraches. Look to the wall menu for the most interesting items. - Fabulous Noodles - Lisle - Traditional Chinese noodle shop - Luong Loi - Wheaton - Vietnamese place, perhaps not Argyle, but still considered good - Susan's Place - Naperville - What Luong Loi is to Chicago Vietamese, Susan's is to Chicago Polish, perhaps not the best but good enough. - Indian - Naperville has a wide range of Indian places that seem to change ownership and style with some frequency. Just try a few like Mayurt, Cuisine of India and Bhartmela/Hunan Inn.

Nice to get a familiar face to drag me into a ridiculous thread. 1) There are Harold's Fried Chicken's in neighborhoods not the least bit "scary". For instance, there is one on Wabash pretty much across the street of the Chicago Hilton. Second, there is one on the west end of the loop on Wells. 2) Pretty much all Chicago eateries are on major thoroughfares that can be traveled by car. There are great places to eat everywhere in Chicago from Calument Fisheries and Dat Donut to Coleman's Ribs and Edna's. MacArthur's, LeCreole, Tropic Island, Lem's, BJ's, etc., etc., etc (and I am leaving off Pilsen, Little Village and other "ethnic" areas.) I have enjoyed all of these places and more. I have been there alone, with groups, escorted by wife, and joined by kids. I have never felt uncomfortable or out of place. It is my experience that people open restaurants because they enjoy serving good food, and it is in that spirit I take any restaurant. 3) Another choice for fried chicken would be Chef Luciano/Gourmet Chicken. Top-tenned by USA Today, but sampled by me for only the first time yesterday. Great stuff. Then again, they have bullet proof glass... VI

Wow, I thought that was the only one who cared about that...