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Blogs, Bleader Nov 11, 2014
Wisconsin vs. meat (part two): The end of Black Earth Meats

Black Earth Meats was going to change the food system. Then its hometown turned on it.
- By Michael Gebert
- Tags: Food Chain, Food & Drink, Black Earth Meats, Bartlett Durand, meat, Wisconsin, The Conscious Carnivore, Black Earth, Bolzano Artisan Meats, Publican Quality Meats

Food & Drink, Restaurant Review Sep 19, 2014
There's a raging inferno at River Roast

Stick with the sides and small plates at Tony Mantuano and John Hogan's riverside roastery if you don't want to get burned.
- By Mike Sula
- Tags: Restaurant Reviews, River Roast, Levy Restaurants, Tony Mantuano, John Hogan, Dusek's, Promontory, al fresco, meat, roasts

Food & Drink, Restaurant Review Jun 9, 2014
Recommended
The secret weapon at New Asia? Freshly slaughtered chickens

But the Vietnamese restaurant in Lincoln Square does right by other creatures too.
- By Mike Sula
- Tags: Restaurant Reviews, New Asia, Lawrence Avenue, Lincoln Square, L.D. Pho, Vietnamese restaurants, pho, rice, beef, catfish, fish, oxtail, goat, snails, lemongrass, bear meat, alligator meat, meat, seafood, chicken, pho ga, Victoria Nguyen, Argyle Street, Carol Stream, Tiffany Nguyen, Nam Nguyen, Aden Live Poultry, halal butchers, noodles, broth, goi ga, soups, cabbage, onion, peanuts, livers, gizzards, ginger, eggs, stir-fries, mustard greens, tofu, ca kho to, goi ca, Anh Linh, beer, iced beer, tea, jasmine, Cafe Huong, Nhu Lan Bakery, Recommended

Food & Drink, Key Ingredient Jun 5, 2014
Video
Key Ingredient: Lee Kuebler has balls—goat testicles, that is

Challenged to create a dish with goat testicles, the Milwalky Trace chef deep-fries them.
- By Julia Thiel
- Tags: Key Ingredient, Lee Kuebler, Milwalky Trace, goats, testicles, goat testicles, Slagel Family Farm, butchers, meat, aphrodisiacs, John R. Brinkley, impotence, bull testicles, sandwiches, deep frying, preserved lemon-aioli, lemons, onions, peppers, jalapeño peppers, flour, coriander, cumin, paprika, salt, pepper, spices, texture, beer, pale ale, Ballast Point pale ale, chefs, cooking, Video

Food & Drink, Restaurant Review May 30, 2014
Recommended
Brendan Sodikoff's new Italian spot enters a crowded field

But the pastas alone will set Cocello apart from its peers.
- By Mike Sula
- Tags: Restaurant Reviews, Cocello, Brendan Sodikoff, Hogsalt Hospitality, River North, Italian restaurants, Eataly, Joe Fish, Nico Osteria, Cicchetti, Azzura EnoTavola, Dillman's, menus, pastas, handmade pastas, salads, antipasti, meat, fish, seafood, crudo, red snapper, lemon, olive oil, sea salt, beef carpaccio, peas, fava beans, ricotta cheese, artichoke heats, Parmesan cheese, chile, frico, octopus, caper, neonata, steak, osso bucco, chicken, chicken cacciatore, sauces, fennel, potatoes, porchetta, rosemary, cacio de pepe, Reggiano cheese, linguine, clams, broth, pork, orecchiette, sausage, kale, garlic, penne, guanciale, Amaticiana sauce, eggs, Bavette's, bread, bakeries, desserts, affogato, tiramisu, zeppole, olive-oil cake, cocktails, negronis, manhattans, vermouth, service, restaurant names, Recommended

Food & Drink, Restaurant Review May 9, 2014
Recommended
Take your meatings at Tête Charcuterie . . . but save room for salad

The new Randolph Row restaurant is a lot more than just a temple to our culture's insatiable flesh lust.
- By Mike Sula
- Tags: Restaurant Reviews, Tête Charcuterie, Thomas Rice, Kurt Guzowski, West Loop, Fulton Market, Randolph Row, meat, charcuterie, cured meat, sausages, menus, gargouillou, Michel Bras, beef, corned beef, Filipino longaniza, terrines, pates, cheeses, the Butcher & Larder, Public Quality Meats, Nduja Artisans, West Loop Salumi, finocchiona, curing rooms, salami, cured sausages, Bresaola, bacon, pork, headcheese, aspic, veal, duck, truffle, foie gras, chicken, olives, carrots, red peppers, mustard, hot dogs, bratwurst, fried rice, shrimp, garlic, Fat Rice, capers, onions, tagliatelle, vegetables, desserts, ramps, fava beans, asparagus, strawberries, Recommended

Food & Drink, Restaurant Review Feb 21, 2014
Recommended
At Analogue, cocktails get top billing but the food steals the show

The Cajun menu at Logan Square's new cocktail bar is deceptively complex.
- By Mike Sula
- Tags: Restaurant Review, Analogue, Cajun food, Violet Hour, gumbo, po'boys, dirty rice, biscuits, Julia Thiel, Chicago Reader, Robert Haynes, Henry Prendergast, cocktails, Alfredo Nogueira, Rootstock, Flipside Cafe, trout dip, saltines, crackers, hot sauce, potato salad, chicken, sausage, mirliton, chayote, mushrooms, garlic, meat, cheese, fish, local sourcing, french fries, pork, Slagel Farms, sandwiches, beef, hot dogs, chowchow, beans, Au Cheval, fattiness, headcheese, boudin balls, peppers, Scotch eggs, mashed potatoes, yams, desserts, bread pudding, sweet cocktails, The Matchbox, beer cocktails, bitters, purls, Malort cocktails, Malort, bars, Cajun restaurants, Recommended

Food & Drink, Restaurant Review Feb 14, 2014
Over the rail at Bow & Stern Oyster Bar

Come for the bivalves at West Town's new oyster bar, but then jump ship.
- By Mike Sula
- Tags: Restaurant Reviews, Bow & Stern Oyster Bar, West Town, oyster bars, oysters, seafood, Branch 27, Brian Greene, Savoy, surf-and-turf, salads, meat, pastrami-cured salmon, salmon, pickles, pork belly, scallops, red snapper, batter, winter salad, desserts, service, cioppino, mussels, prawns, clams, shrimp, key lime pie, dulce de leche cake, ice cream, wines

Arts & Culture, Feature Feb 12, 2014
V-Day Issue: A power couple like Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, but better

Together for 17 years, Lynn Rondeau and Katy Bird are the type of people who'll parallel park your car for you.
- By Kevin Warwick
- Tags: Feature, couples, Lynn Rondeau, Katy Bird, producers, professors, mathematicians, parallel parking, self-esteem, coffee, bacon, routines, cocktails, movies, video games, radio, bars, jogging, Bucktown, Gallery Caberet, meat, music, cooking, Netflix, parallel parking, Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Courtney Love, Kurt Cobain, Dyson, pizza, Calo Pizzeria

Food & Drink, Restaurant Review Feb 1, 2014
Recommended
At Paul Kahan's Nico Osteria, two worlds collide with a bang

Can rusticity thrive inside a refined Gold Coast hotel? You betcha.
- By Mara Shalhoup
- Tags: Restaurant Reviews, Nico Osteria, One Off Hospitality Group, Gold Coast, hotels, Big Star, Blackbird, Avec, The Publican, burgers, Erling Wu-Bower, Italian restaurants, rusticity, Thompson Hotel, bars, bourbons, Pappy Van Winkle, kitchen counter seating, mussels, ciabatta, salt, Rick Bayless, bucatini, squid ink, sardines, fish, triangolini, menus, fettunta, bruschetta, starters, pastas, entrees, crudo, octopus, crab, sformato, sunchokes, lobster, branzino, service, turnips, greens, wine lists, Italian wines, Greek wines, Karydas Xinomavro, meat, pork belly, swordfish, sartu di riso, arancini, risotto balls, Amanda Rockman, desserts, affogato, gelato, sorbet, cocktails, Recommended

Food & Drink, Restaurant Review Jan 10, 2014
Summer House Santa Monica masters California artifice

The newest restaurant from Lettuce Entertain You is among the empire's most atmospherically successful.
- By Mike Sula
- Tags: Restaurant Reviews, Summer House Santa Monica, Lincoln Park, Lettuce Entertain You, LEY, artifice, atmosphere, M Street Kitchen, design, decor, burgers, In-N-Out Burger, restraint, Jeff Mahin, Stella Barra Pizzeria, Do-Rite Donuts, vegetables, salads, seafood, steak, pasta, sandwiches, California regional dishes, fish tacos, mahi mahi, corn salsa, guacamole, prices, watermelon, skate wing, texture, soba noodles, dashi, bison, meat, ravioli, arugula, pesto, cauliflower, ribs, wine, California wines, zinfandel, pinot gris, bourbon, tequila, pisco, dessert

Food & Drink, Restaurant Review Dec 13, 2013
Recommended
Azzurra EnoTavola is the season's Italian sleeper

Simple, soulful Italian food from the folks behind Anteprima and Bar Ombra
- By Mike Sula
- Tags: Restaurant Reviews, Azzurra Eno Tavola, Italian restaurants, Wicker Park, Marty Fosse, Anteprima, Spiaggia, decor, light fixtures, Victrola horns, blue, Katie Kelly, sausage, yogurt, pasta, vinaigrette, menus, small plates, Bar Ombra, carrot caponata, olives, vegetables, pine nuts, simplicity, Italian cuisine, wine, wine lists, wine by the glass, mushrooms, arancini, farro, rice, radicchio, balsamic vinegar, walnuts, cheese, shrimp, escarole, octopus, potatoes, pork, eggs, lamb, meatballs, gnocchi, linguine, orecchiette, tagliatelle, rigatoni, spaghetti carbonara, rabbit, rapini, meat, short rib, polenta, brussels sprouts, chicken, peppers, duck, sweet potato, The Bristol, trout, fish, seafood, fregola, pork ribs, squash, winter greens, pickled vegetables, seasonal foods, desserts, bread pudding, budinos, digestives, limoncello, arancello, liquers, Azzurra EnoTavola, Recommended

Food & Drink, Restaurant Review Nov 22, 2013
Recommended
The Chop Shop keeps it simple

Wicker Park's multidisciplinary butcher/bar/restaurant/performance space does a lot—and does a lot with a little.
- By Mike Sula
- Tags: Restaurant Reviews, The Chop Shop, fasting, restaurant reviews, meat, chicken, Honey Butter Fried Chicken, Wicker Park, butcher shops, bars, performance spaces, Minelli Meat & Deli, Butcher & Larder, Publican Quality Meats, deli meats, cheese, antipasti, sausage, steak, pork chops, Italian sausage, chicken, salmon, burgers, gnocchi, Urban Union, rib eye steak, strip steak, potatoes, hanger steak, bacon, kohlrabi, brussels sprouts, shrimp, root vegetables, beer, charcuterie, duck, pancetta, pork, liver, root vegetables, sandwiches, Chop Shop, Recommended

Food & Drink, Restaurant Review Nov 15, 2013
Recommended
Bohemian rhapsody at Dusek's

Jared Wentworth's new restaurant in Pilsen is more than just Longman & Eagle south.
- By Mike Sula
- Tags: Restaurant Reviews, Dusek's, Dusek's Board & Beer, Punch House, Thalia Hall, Pilsen, developers, John Dusek, architecture, Empty Bottle, Bruce Finkelman, beer, bars, Jared Wentworth, Longman & Eagle, cocktail bars, meat, foie gras, off cuts, organs, chicken, burgers, beef, Slagel Farms, duck, tete de cochon, frog legs, pigtail, qual eggs, daikon, sausage, choucroute, sauerkraut, potatoes, apples, pork, craft beer, seafood, oysters, chowder, leeks, mackerel, gnocchi, mushrooms, beets, amuses-bouche, cuttlefish, tagine, couscous, vegetables, green beans, shallots, bar snacks, bar menus, menus, olives, crab dip, sorbet, Nightwood, punches, tea, churros, gentrification, Recommended

Food & Drink, Restaurant Review Oct 25, 2013
Recommended Video
Gogi Korean barbecue reignites the fire

Live-charcoal tabletop grilling returns to West Ridge.
- By Mike Sula
- Tags: Restaurant Review, suburbs, West Ridge, Korean barbecue, Korean restaurants, Gogi, gogigui, Kang Nam, Solga, Hai Woon Dae, Tozi, BellyQ, meat, Stella Cho, Pete Cho, Yeowoosai, live-coal barbecue, beef, pork, marinades, steak, veal, pa muchim, salad, perilla leaves, ssamjang, samgyeopsal, galbi, dwaeji galbi, ribs, dak galbi, chicken, yukhoe, haemul pajeon, kimchijeon, octopus, kimchi, dolsot bibimbap, rice, soups, gyeran jjim, gochujang, beer, Hitachino, makgeolli, Slow City, Recommended, Video

Food & Drink, Restaurant Review Oct 4, 2013
Recommended Video
Tanta: Peruvian time is nigh

Star chef Gastón Acurio introduces Peru to River North.
- By Mike Sula
- Tags: Restaurant Reviews, Tanta, Peruvian restaurants, Peruvian cuisine, Gastón Acurio, pan-Peruvian cuisine, Laurent Tourondel, restauranteurs, fusion cuisine, River North, ceviches, cebiches, street food, skewers, pollo a la brasa, chicken, meat, Nikkei cuisine, potatoes, causitas, aji amarillo, chile paste, seafood, anticuchos, octopus, sweet potatoes, sauces, olives, huacatay, beef heart, beef, chimichurri, corn, squid, shrimp, rocoto pepper, peppers, tuna, avocado, tamarind, uni, crab, scallops, oysters, choclo, tiraditos, fish, sashimi, leche de tigre, hangover cures, rice, chaufa aeropuerto, fried rice, pork, omelets, texture, paella, dolsot bibimbap, Chinese cuisine, Japanese cuisine, lomo saltado, onions, tomatoes, paiche, chupe, carapulcra, rotisserie chicken, pisco, cocktails, bars, pisco sours, desserts, quinoa, ice cream, pumpkin, doughnuts, Recommended, Video

Food & Drink, Restaurant Review Sep 20, 2013
Recommended
Dillman's is Brendan Sodikoff's blintz-krieg

The restaurateur brings a haute (and fabulous) "deli-style American brasserie" to River North.
- By Sam Worley
- Tags: Restaurant Review, Brendan Sodikoff, bologna, pastrami, corned beef, foie gras, sandwiches, delis, delicatessens, Paul Kahan, restauranteurs, cured meat, meat, schmaltz, creme fraiche, cheese, bone marrow, salads, fish, avocado, River North, rye whiskey, cocktails, whiskey, bitters, Fernet, bourbon, grapefruit, honey, gin, pickle backs, matzo ball soup, herring, bread, chicken liver, Caesar salad, potato chips, cheese, smoked meat, eggs, potato salad, potato pancakes, Reuben, sauerkraut, pickles, entrees, French dip, chicken potpie, veal schnitzel, cheese dumplings, short rib borscht, toast, sandwiches, Dillman's, Recommended

Food & Drink, Restaurant Review Jul 26, 2013
Playing it safe at Mott St

The folks behind Ruxbin try their hand at Asian street food.
- By Mike Sula
- Tags: Restaurant Review, Mott St, Mott Street, Edward Kim, kimchi, mentaiko kimchi udon, street food, pan-Asian restaurants, itameshi, Ruxbin, udon, noodles, pollack, roe, bonito, stoner food, Vicki Kim, Jenny Kim, La Brochette, Parson's, decor, bars, patios, fusion cuisines, Fat Rice, Punjabi butter chicken, oyster-bacon omelets, crab brain, fried rice, textures, calamari, gochujang, meat, pork, nam jim jaew, naengmyeon, chicken gizzards, rice cakes, soy-caramel sauce, halibut, fish, stuffed cabbage, kimchi lasagna, cocktails, Malort, beer, iced beer

Food & Drink, Restaurant Review Jul 8, 2013
Stick with tradition at J. Rocco

Pick a meatball, any meatball (but probably not the shrimp kind).
- By Gwynedd Stuart
- Tags: Restaurant Reviews, Italian restaurants, River North, shrimp, Steve Chiappetti, meat, beef, pork, veal, Chiappetti Lamb & Veal, J. Rocco, chicken, pasta, fusilli, salmon, artichoke, spinach, tomato, modern Italian cuisine, rustic Italian cuisine, lamb, cocktails, small plates, bars, octopus, appetizers, arugula, onions, burrata, bartenders, meatballs, fish, pennette, gluten-free options, focaccia, chart, halibut, sturgeon, J. Rocco Italian Table & Bar

Blogs, Bleader Jun 13, 2013
Somm: When a niche becomes a trap

A new documentary about wine tasters spotlights the challenge of making a movie about arcane subject matter.
- By Ben Sachs
- Tags: Blotto, Food Chain, Film, Food & Drink, Somm, Jason Wise, documentaries, The Cobweb, Vincente Minnelli, Frederick Wiseman, Meat, Music Box Theatre, sommeliers, Master Sommelier Exam

Blogs, Bleader Jun 3, 2013
El Jefe is the boss at Art of Chicken

The Logan Square quick-service restaurant serves grilled chicken and grilled chicken only.
- By Aimee Levitt
- Tags: One Bite, Food & Drink, The Art of Chicken, grilled chicken, grilling, meat, chicken, El Jefe, Crazy Chico, mediocre sides

Food & Drink, Restaurant Review May 30, 2013
At River North's Central Standard, a one-stop tour of flyover country

From poutine to fried alligator, with a bourbon chaser
- By Mara Shalhoup
- Tags: Restaurant Reviews, tacos, pierogi, poutine, alligator, menus, River North, time zones, bacon, fava beans, cippolini, chicken, lamb salami, meat, cheese, relish, jam, pickles, ducks, shrimp and grits, Central Standard

Food & Drink, Restaurant Review May 24, 2013
Brindille is a refuge from frightening surroundings

But conservative seasoning dulls skilled executions.
- By Mike Sula
- Tags: Restaurant Review, River North, French restaurants, Naha, tapioca, artichokes, lamb, desserts, chocolate mousse, chocolate pound cake, cheese, wine, coffee, Brindille, seasonal ingredients, truffles, spring peas, Sauternes, fava beans, morels, rhubarb, foie gras, king crab, crab, merus, guinea fowl, vin jaune, cockscomb, mushrooms, meat, sweetbreads, rabbit, fiddleheads, lavender, fennel, Ali Ratcliffe-Bauer, lobster, monkfish, Carrie Nahabedian, Michael Nahabedian

Food & Drink, Food & Drink Feature May 23, 2013
Locavorism Inc.

Can a new business increase the amount of local food we eat?
- By Mike Sula
- Tags: Food & Drink Feature, Dave Rand, chefs, Zeeshan Shah, Andrew Lutsey, Testa Produce, Pilsen, meat, cheese, maple syrup, Butcher & Larder, Indiana farms, Illinois farms, farms, Wisconsin farms, meat, produce, storage crops, potatoes, carrots, beets, rutabagas, beans, sweet potatoes, spring greens, organic produce, Local Foods Grocer, farm-direct meat, farm-direct produce, Sysco, food distribution, food wholesalers, beef, pork, goat, lamb, poultry, ramps, asparagus, Prairie Grass Cafe, Old Town Social, Perennial Virant, Table, Donkey and Stick, Merle Kauffman, Ohio House Motel, regional food hubs, Peapod, Vera, farmers' markets, Mark Mendez, Green City Market, locavorism, restaurants, markets, Bob Borchardt, Harvest Moon Farms, restaurant suppliers, local food, wholesale grocers, retail grocers, Quarter Circle Seven Ranch, Frank Morgan, Gold Bond Ice Cream, Popsicle, business, Irv & Shelley's, Goodness Greenness, Rufus Haucke, Keewaydin Farms, Just Local Foods, Amish farms, CSA, community-supported agriculture, farming, agriculture

Food & Drink, Restaurant Review May 6, 2013
At American Junkie, Kendal Duque makes hay from cliches

It's spendy sports bar food—and it's in River North—but it's not bad.
- By Sam Worley
- Tags: Restaurant Reviews, River North, bar food, sports bars, bars, Kendal Duque, sliders, pork belly sliders, gastropubs, quail eggs, DJs, meat, Sepia, chain restaurants, Tru, Everest, NoMi, food cliches, flatbread, lobster, wild boar chili cheese fries, appetizers, small plates, pasta, chicken, fisherman's stew, wine, cocktails, beer, American Junkie

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