Chicago Foodies

Ras Dashen

I've been to several Ethiopian restaurants and while the sour injera leaves my hand sort of dry and the dining process is really neat, I've never really had a craving for Ethiopian food. Maybe it's a change of taste, maybe it's a revved up appreciation for something different or maybe it's the food and atmosphere at Ras Dashen that has me looking forward to more frequent Ethiopian dinners.

Clean the Plate Club

Japanese designer Nobuhiko Arikawa has made edible tableware... As seen at  de zeen.
I think a tortilla and a couple of breadsticks can cover this as well but there is something to be said for the simple aesthetics of bread.

 

Ginza for Udon

Ginza is around the corner from my office and I've mentioned it here before (and here) and I know udon is kind of pedestrian but recovering from an illness sucks, especially the first day back to the office. What better way to temper the unbearable congestedness of being than with a steaming bowl of soup. Especially when you get the red pepper powder container to liven up the proposition. I went with the tempura udon. It's a nice bowl where they toss in tempura shrimp, potato and eggplant, right into the soup. It does get soggy but I've gotten used to it. I do ask for a side plate and take them out ASAP. That breading comes off completely otherwise. It hit the spot and I did start to hanker for some salmon, so I left before I could rack up that bill.

The additional fact that you automatically get a cup of green tea in lieu of water is another reason for the infirm to enjoy.

Molly's Cupcakes

On a particularly lazy Sunday afternoon, my roommate and I decided to leave our couch and go on a mission to find us some cupcakes for breakfast. Hailing from the west coast, we had high expectations for ridiculously-priced cupcakes. We realize it's just a fad and a complete waste of retirement money, but the promise of a piece of heaven throws all rationale out the window.

We did some half-hearted online searching and landed on Molly's Cupcakes in Lincoln Park. The minute we walked in, the decor put a smile on my face. Brightly colored furniture and wooden swing sets captured my attention, as well as the big smiles behind the counter. I immediately zoned in on the Red Velvet cupcakes and the anything-filled-with-chocolate-on-chocolate cupcake, with hot chocolate on the side.

Breakfast of the champions.

Kitchen Sessions: Trotter's Braised Short Ribs pt.1

This was an interesting recipe to follow, from Kitchen Sessions by Charlie Trotter. I don't think it was too obscure and not very hard either. At least not like Keller's short ribs from the French Laundry cookbook which is next on the list, as soon as I get a line on some good marrow bones (I have a good line but it sounds like a good excuse, no?).

The browning of leek, garlic, jalapeño, granny smith, and yellow onion created a wonderful aroma. Dumping  in a bottle of Zin, thyme, sage and coriander seeds certainly added something. Plunking the ribs into the marinade, I did a very hard thing, I tossed it into the fridge for the night.

Maytag = Sexy?

Wow. That's the sexiest Maytag I ever seen. Obviously it's a  concept range, right? Maybe slated for release in 2010? Actually you can get it right now! If you live in Europe.

Maytag here looks like this:
Big Difference.

It obviously costs more too but why don't they sell these here?
They aren't cheap coming in around $2 thousand pounds - that's roughly $4 thousand bucks.

I did try to figure out why the American products are so different (polite way to put it) but corporate Maytag had nothing to say and knew of nobody who could answer the simple question:

Why are the Maytag products from Europe "different" from the ones in the U.S.?

Top Chef Chicago: Ahem, 3 Chicago Contestants?

I'll admit, I am looking forward to it. Until the NHL playoffs start it will be my guilty pleasure. So I am looking forward to seeing how the three Chicagoans do.  Yes, three.

Apparently the first contest will be to "spin" the Chicago-style pizza.
I don't know if having Chicago play host to Top Chef will be good or bad. It could be good. As is constantly mentioned the diversity of the local ethnic food is second only to the quality. We are home to not one or two but several of the nation's top destination restaurants. It's definitely a pissing-contest of sorts when you get into how cities stack up against each other food-wise.

2004 Spatlese – Reichsgraf von Kesselstatt

I am beginning to find that German, Alsatian (French), and Austrian wines are among my favorite whites:  From bone-dry Austrian Gruner Veltliners to sweeter German rieslings, I find that the overall practicality with food and, for German wines in particular, generally low alcohol percentages, make a bottle of wine with dinner for two a practical option.   (Sorry, wine pumps don't always keep wine well even when stored air-tight.  They may, at best, prolong the life of a wine for a week.)   

Common Threads: World Festival

As it gets mentioned here often, charity food events are a great way to compare dishes, restaurants, enjoy special dishes and ingredients and get a chance to taste dishes prepared by chefs from other cities and countries.

March 17th, from 6-9pm, Common Threads is hosting their 3rd annual World Festival at the MCA. Celebrity chefs include Tom Colicchio, Govind Armstrong - both California folks... Colicchio by way of television I suppose. Belvedere is providing a vodka bar to go with the caviar... and premium ticket holders are included in an after-party at the James where John Legend will give a performance.

The best part is that it's to benefit Common Threads who's mission is to educate children on the importance of nutrition and physical well-being, and to foster an appreciation of cultural diversity through cooking.

Click here to buy tickets.

Aigre Doux: Restaurant Week

Better late than never, right? My first trip to Aigre Doux and why not get a prix fixe. I'd say upfront that
it's not generally a good way to evaluate a place. That said I had a very good meal and even though we were a fairly large group up against the back kitchen-wall, I did find the place to be nice and comfy. Then again it could have been the girl drinks.

The other thing to note is that 3 cosmos has the tendency to make any night a remarkable night. The menu option of braised spare ribs made any decision a formality. I've been on a braised meat kick lately and was excited. The haricot vert was a great starter... what better to go with a cocktail. Technicolor.

Sunday Wine Tastings: Lush Wine and Spirits

For a while a friend of mine has tried to pursuade me to visit Lush Wine and Spirits.   Tucked away in Roscoe Village, it is a bit out of the way for me geographically so I never stumbled upon an opportunity to check it out.  Finally we met up for a free Sunday wine tasting.