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Best Bites Chicago

2012 Best Bite #1: Roasted brussels sprouts & cauliflower, Francesca’s Forno

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

Roasted brussels sprouts & cauliflower

Why it’s a Best Bite: I got to share this large appetizer with a dear friend last New Year’s Eve. It won me over immediately with a generously caramelized blend of brussels sprouts, cauliflower, and onion. The dish struck just the right balance of salty, crispy, and cheesy goodness, with added depth from capers, lemon, and, of course, bacon. Rich and a little messy, it was the right way to start off a celebratory evening.

The details: Francesca’s Forno, 1576 N Milwaukee Ave., Chicago.

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A quick hello

Welcome to hillaryproctor.com!

To everyone who has asked me, encouraged me, and nagged me about blogging: guess what? It’s finally happening.

If you know me, you know that I love to talk about, read about, and otherwise indulge in all things gastronomic. Whether it’s keeping track of Chicago dining news, baking for my coworkers, photographing an entire meal, or making enough restaurant recommendations to earn “Yelp” as a nickname, it’s clear that food is my passion.

Since I also consider myself a writer, it seems long overdue for me to be adding my own voice to this online conversation. So, I’m diving in, trying something new, and seeing where it goes.

To kick things off, I wanted to celebrate my favorite bites (and in a few cases, sips) of 2012. Looking back on the past year, it turns out I’ve eaten a ton of flavorful, well-executed, and just all-around satisfying dishes. Each day in December, I’ll share the ones that stood out most.

The majority of the selections are from Chicago restaurants, as well as a few from my own kitchen and in travels to other cities, and will be posted in the order I ate them. All photos are my own.

Hope you enjoy coming along on this year-end journey with me, and check back tomorrow to see Best Bite #1.

Hello from brunch!