Category: Best Bites

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Best Bites Chicago

2012 Best Bite #26: Pumpkin french toast, Lula Cafe

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

Pumpkin french toast
Pumpkin french toast

Why it’s a Best Bite: I feel very fortunate that Lula is the closest restaurant to my apartment, and that I have enjoyed so many wonderful dishes there in the past year. I chose to highlight this french toast because it exemplifies what I can always expect from brunch (or any other meal) there: the season’s best sustainable ingredients prepared with consistent, exacting technique. The brioche took on more of a bread pudding consistency, crunchy on top and custard-soaked inside, which made the chantilly cream on top all the more decadent. With cranberry jam for acidity, pumpkin seed granola for crunch, and of course, the bed of sweet pumpkin underneath the toast, this dish screamed fall in the best way.

The details: Lula Cafe, 2537 N Kedzie Ave., 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

2012 Best Bite #24: Hot & spicy cheese bread, Stella’s Bakery at the Dane County Farmers’ Market

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

Hot & spicy cheese bread
Hot & spicy cheese bread

Why it’s a Best Bite: We went on an excursion to Madison one gorgeous October weekend to visit friends (and meet their new puppy!). Knowing that our host would be well-versed in Madison’s most delicious offerings, we began at the Dane County Farmers’ Market, which wraps all the way around Capitol Square. The first booth we saw was Stella’s, and we were advised to not proceed any further without grabbing a large, still-warm round of the bakery’s spicy cheese bread. This bread was quintessentially Wisconsin: a golden, lightly sweet dough boasting big pockets of cheese – think mozzarella and provolone – and studded with spicy pepper flakes. As soon as I finished one chunk, I couldn’t help but immediately tear off another (yes, three of us took down the whole thing in a matter of hours). Luckily, it’s also available for mail-order.

The details: Stella’s Bakery at the Dane County Farmers’ Market, Capitol Square, Madison, WI.

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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

2012 Best Bite #20: Jersey Shore pizza, Graffiato

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

Jersey Shore pizza
Jersey Shore pizza

Why it’s a Best Bite: For the second part of the trip I mentioned in yesterday’s post, I spent a few days exploring DC and spending more time with friends. As avid Top Chef fans, we decided to check out Mike Isabella’s first restaurant, Graffiato. Considering where we’d spent the days prior, it seemed especially fitting to try this edible tribute to the Jersey Shore. The crispy calamari and provolone made excellent toppings, and the zing of the cherry pepper aioli against the blistered crust brought the pizza together.

The details: Graffiato, 707 6th St. NW, Washington, DC.

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Best Bites

2012 Best Bite #19: Mason jar cocktails, Back Bay Ale House

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

Mason jar cocktails

Why it’s a Best Bite (Sip): In August, I reunited with a group of great friends from college at one friend’s family beach house in Atlantic City, New Jersey. One of the many highlights was this sunset dinner outside on the lively patio’s picnic tables. While we came for the seafood, we also came for the novelty of “Basin Mason” cocktails served in 32-ounce mason jars. I admit that I fell in love with the presentation – there’s just something about slowly sipping from a vessel that’s down-home humble and beach-chic at the same time. I was partial to my fruity hurricane, pictured above between a mojito and a Long Island iced tea, but the oversized drinks come in enough varieties to suit nearly everyone.

The details: Back Bay Ale House, 800 N New Hampshire Ave., Atlantic City, NJ.

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Best Bites

2012 Best Bite #18: Summer crostini and watermelon salad

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

Summer crostini
Summer crostini
Watermelon salad
Watermelon salad

Why They’re Best Bites: These two dishes epitomized summer cooking for me, so I’m combining them into one post. Both came from recipes that caught my eye online, and relied almost exclusively on ingredients from my neighborhood farmers’ market. For the crostini, I subbed in local nectarines instead of peaches, along with local mozzarella, local bread, and the juiciest local heirloom tomato I could find. With basil, balsamic, and freshly ground pepper to top it off, these crostini were bursting with flavor and could stand alone as a meal. The watermelon used in the salad also came from the market, its sweeter-than-normal flesh contrasted against the salty feta and crunchy pumpkin seeds. The salad paired great with grilled meat, but would also make an excellent first course on its own. Both dishes involved minimal preparation and just let the seasonal produce speak for itself, exactly how summer meals should be.

The details: Check out the crostini recipe from Joy the Baker and the watermelon salad recipe from Top Chef contestant Grayson Schmitz.

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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.