Category: Chicago

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Best Bites Chicago

2012 Best Bite #25: Sauerkraut bagel, Trenchermen

Merry Christmas! Each day in December, I’m celebrating my best bites (and sips) in 2012, posted in chronological order.

Sauerkraut bagel
Sauerkraut bagel

Why it’s a Best Bite: Another one of this year’s most anticipated restaurant openings, I was finally able to make it to Trenchermen for brunch with friends who were in town for Northwestern’s homecoming. While most of the dishes were intriguing takes on breakfast, I have a hard time passing up anything bagel-related. The bagel was both steeped and crusted in order to be fully infused with sauerkraut flavor, an impressive feat in itself, and paired nicely with heaping smoked salmon, pickled red onion, and greens. But the real revelation for me was the mustard cream cheese. It was such a logical concept that I couldn’t believe I hadn’t seen or thought of it before. I’m now inspired to whip up my own with good-quality grainy mustard and use it on bagel sandwiches.

The details: Trenchermen, 2039 W North Ave, Chicago.

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Best Bites Chicago

2012 Best Bite #23: Breakfast burrito plate, Red June Cafe

Each day in December, I’m celebrating my best bites (and sips) in 2012, posted in chronological order.

Breakfast burrito plate
Breakfast burrito plate

Why it’s a Best Bite: As many of my friends and coworkers know, I love to work remotely from different coffee shops and cafes around the city. On this particular day, I spent a few hours on my laptop at a cozy Bucktown spot that I hadn’t been to before. I had read good things about the breakfast burrito, and was glad to discover all that went into the plate to make it a tasty, satisfying meal. The burrito itself was filled with piping hot sausage, hash browns, and steamed eggs, with melted cheese inside and on top. Besides sides of salsa and sour cream, the plate also included tortilla chips and a beautiful fruit cup. I’m grateful for Red June and other friendly cafes that go beyond pastries and put love into heartier fare.

The details: Red June Cafe, 2020 N Leavitt St., Chicago.

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Best Bites Chicago

2012 Best Bite #22: 2x fried chicken and grilled mochi, Yusho

Each day in December, I’m celebrating my best bites (and sips) in 2012, posted in chronological order.

2x fried chicken
2x fried chicken
Grilled mochi
Grilled mochi

Why it’s a Best Bite: I was so torn between these two dishes from Yusho, another 2012 favorite, that I’m bending the rules and posting both. Dusted with matcha powder, the 2x fried chicken stayed outstandingly juicy with the right amount of crunch and seasoning on the outside. And that sauce, red-peppery with lots of lime zest, was so addictive that I wanted to take home a bottle for daily use. On the sweeter side of things, Yusho brilliantly incorporates its robata grill into dessert with skewered mochi that’s charred enough to add campfire smokiness, yet still chewy and delicate. Add oozy brightness from meyer lemon filling and depth from sweet potato and dark chocolate underneath, and it becomes the best mochi preparation this mochi-lover has ever had.

The details: Yusho, 2853 N Kedzie Ave., Chicago.

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Best Bites Chicago

2012 Best Bite #21: Ice cream sandwich, Owen & Engine

Each day in December, I’m celebrating my best bites (and sips) in 2012, posted in chronological order.

Ice cream sandwich
Ice cream sandwich

Why it’s a Best Bite: When our group stopped in one weeknight for drinks and dessert, we decided on this ice cream sandwich for its light, summery flavors. The blondie was an ideal vehicle for the citrusy semifreddo and jammy peaches, with an added crunch of almond in each bite. This dessert was even better washed down with an O&E Pimm’s Cup, one of my favorite drinks in the city.

The details: Owen & Engine, 2700 N Western Ave., Chicago.

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Best Bites Chicago

2012 Best Bite #17: Fried bologna sandwich, Au Cheval

Each day in December, I’m celebrating my best bites (and sips) in 2012, posted in chronological order.

Fried bologna sandwich
Fried bologna sandwich

Why it’s a Best Bite: Of all the nostalgic diner food that Au Cheval reimagines and refines on its menu, this bologna sandwich has probably captured the most attention around the city, and for good reason. The bologna is made from mortadella that’s cured in-house and griddled, then piled onto brioche with gooey melted cheese. This well-executed and supremely delicious sandwich is definitely best shared, even though things might get a little messy.

The details: Au Cheval, 800 W Randolph St., Chicago.

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Best Bites Chicago

2012 Best Bite #16: Ensalada Azteca, Native Foods Café

Each day in December, I’m celebrating my best bites (and sips) in 2012, posted in chronological order.

Ensalada Azteca
Ensalada Azteca

Why it’s a Best Bite: This is my idea of a salad: a bowl packed with bright, healthy ingredients – jicama, quinoa, pumpkin seeds, currants, and avocado, to name a few – that add diverse textures in addition to their flavors, and a punchy dressing – mango-lime vinaigrette – that brings it all together. The second time I ate this salad over the summer was after a beach volleyball game, and it was just the right way to refuel. View the recipe on the restaurant’s blog.

The details: Native Foods Café, 1484 N Milwaukee Ave. and 1023 W Belmont Ave., Chicago.

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Best Bites Chicago

2012 Best Bite #15: Smokey violet smash, Maude’s Liquor Bar

Each day in December, I’m celebrating my best bites (and sips) in 2012, posted in chronological order.

Smokey violet smash
Smokey violet smash

Why it’s a Best Bite (Sip): When it comes to cocktails, I have a soft spot for muddled mint and fruit, so I was looking forward to trying one of the smashes at Maude’s. This one featured gin, Crème de Violet, and bitters in a scotch-rinsed glass, “smashed” with sugar and loads of citrus and mint. Sipping this smooth, complex, outstandingly balanced drink on a summer evening was pure bliss. Plus, I’m a little partial to purple, thanks to my alma mater.

The details: Maude’s Liquor Bar, 840 W Randolph St., Chicago.

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Best Bites Chicago

2012 Best Bite #14: Chicken tacos, Antique Taco

Each day in December, I’m celebrating my best bites (and sips) in 2012, posted in chronological order.

Chicken tacos
Chicken tacos

Why it’s a Best Bite: When I heard Antique Taco described as “a taco stand meets farmers market meets Anthropologie,” I had no doubt that the atmosphere would be delightful. My first visit was for a close friend’s birthday, and we were immediately impressed by all the artistic details (such as the intricate china pictured above). Of all the tacos we ordered, I didn’t expect these to be my favorite, but I appreciated the subtle, sweet-and-sour balance of marinated chicken, honey yogurt, pickled red onions, and cucumbers. The market-fresh ingredients and generous fillings make the tacos here a contender for the city’s best.

The details: Antique Taco, 1360 N Milwaukee Ave., Chicago.

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Best Bites Chicago

2012 Best Bite #13: Kentucky-fried quail, Longman & Eagle

Each day in December, I’m celebrating my best bites (and sips) in 2012, posted in chronological order.

Kentucky-fried quail
Kentucky-fried quail

Why it’s a Best Bite: It’s tough to pick just one dish from Longman & Eagle, one of my very favorite restaurants, but this one especially wowed me. The Kentucky-fried quail was nicely battered and juicy, covered with just the right amount of peppery country gravy, but it was really the crumbles of foie gras-enriched corn bread that put the dish over the edge. That unlikely union of two of my favorite flavors made every bite sing. And let’s face it: everything tastes even better at an outdoor table on a perfect early-summer evening.

The details: Longman & Eagle, 2657 N Kedzie Ave., Chicago.

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Best Bites Chicago

2012 Best Bite #12: Baby octopus gyro, The Peasantry

Each day in December, I’m celebrating my best bites (and sips) in 2012, posted in chronological order.

Baby octopus gyro
Baby octopus gyro

Why it’s a Best Bite: I was eager to try The Peasantry as soon as it opened, as I adored the upscale street food concept and already was impressed by its sister restaurant, Franks ‘n’ Dawgs. While our whole meal was enjoyable, I particularly loved each of the components of this gyro: meaty grilled octopus, luscious roti, and especially the added touch of the grapes. I savored this dish’s uniqueness, and concluded that it successfully evoked the essence of street food.

The details: The Peasantry, 2723 N. Clark St., Chicago.