Memorial Day brunch with El Mariachi
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Dinner for 2 with drinks $45 at BOMBAY SPICE GRILL
Start off by selecting one appetizer such as vegetable samosas, seared eggplant or tandoori wings. Customize each entree by selecting a base of quinoa, basmati rice or brown rice. Next, select a main ingredient, including seafood, chicken or vegetables; and finally choose a sauce from masala, spinach, curry, korma or vindaloo. Complement your custom entrees with a glass of red or white wine. Finish the night on a sweet note, and share any one of Bombay Spice Grill's desserts, including Mango Sorbet, Carrot Halawa or Rice Pudding.
Additionally, most dishes are 500 calories or less and prepared with olive oil rather than ghee or butter, providing low-fat, heart-healthy meals without compromising authentic Indian flavors. The nutritional content of each dish can be viewed at the restaurant or at www.bombayspice.com. Perfect for a health-conscious date night out!
ABOUT BOMBAY SPICE GRILL
With a motto of "Think Healthy," Bombay Spice Grill is able to accommodate any vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free requests, as the restaurant features healthy, fresh, home-style cooked Indian Cuisine. Bombay Spice is located in the heart of Chicago's River North neighborhood at 450 N. Clark St.
For more information about Bombay Spice, please call (312) 477-7657, visit www.bombayspice.com or view the restaurant's Facebook and Twitter pages.
Uptown Chicago Rib Fest 2013 returns in July 5-7
This "saucy" happening also features arts & crafts, a daytime play area for kids, plus beer and wine. Plus Windy City RibFest in Uptown takes place just steps away from three of Chicago's hippest music venues: the Riviera Theatre, the Green Mill, and the iconic Aragon Ballroom.
A $6 suggested donation benefits the Business Partners, The Chamber for Uptown
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with El Mariachi
3906 N. Broadway Chicago Il. 60640 #773-549-2932
&
3420 N. Broadway Chicago Il 60657 #773-549-7020
Spring is in the Air in Chicago, and Roka Akor is Ready!
And Roka Akor is such a beautiful place for after work drinks and bites - or late night on the patio sipping and sharing a punchbowl of Mango Thai Chile Shochu Smash! - By the way, I think this is the only restaurant in Chicago where you can get Shochu. Shochu is Japan's other indigenous alcoholic beverage, but unlike sake, shochu is distilled. It is also made from one of several raw materials. The alcoholic content is usually 25%. Perfect for summertime sipping.
MIXOLOGIST Jason Huffman unveiled a handful of new spring/summer concoctions last week. The Roka Mule served in those wonderful copper mugs with a refreshing blend of vodka, ginger and some fresh berries is perfect on a hot summer evening. or Spring Fashion. Boozy and Bitter made with Gin and bitters.
Available daily from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. and again from 9:30 p.m. to close.
Roka Akor Chibi Burger, $4;
Softshell Crab Maki(1/2 roll),$6;
Fried Squid with Lime and Serrano Chili, $7.50;
Braised Duck Spring Roll with Apple and Grape Fruit, $8;
Sweet Corn Tempura with Truffle Aioli, $8;
Chicken Yakitori (3 pc), $9;
SO REFRESHING AND DELICIOUS - Shrimp and Lobster Tacos with Scallop Ceviche, $9;
Summertime is barbecue time, but there is a rustic form of grilling from Japan called robata. Translated as “around the fireplace,” robata taps the ancient Japanese custom of cooking in the irori, the traditional charcoal-fired hearth once found in every home. Roka Akor uses this technique in their cooking.
What is decadence without bone marrow?
Robata Grilled Bone Marrow with Sesame Nori Toast , $12;
Inside Roka Bar — Roka Akor's informal, yet sophisticated dining environment — guests can feast on a selection of Japanese small plates, which are designed for sharing and very affordable and won't totally break your bank.
Roka Akor is opening in San Francisco's Jackson Square, summer 2013.
Insider Scoop - Try Sunday Brunch at Roka Akor! $9-$15.
Roka Akor 456 N Clark St Chicago, IL 60654
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Missed Baconfest? Check out Cochon 555 April 28th
Arriving in The Windy City on Sunday, April 28 at the Four Seasons Hotel Chicago, Cochon 555, the pork-centric tour, gathers together five chefs, five pigs and five wineries at each event – ultimately touching down in 10 cities across the country and bringing its message of nose-to-tail cooking, breed diversity and family farming to food enthusiasts nationwide.
Each Cochon 555 event challenges five local chefs to prepare a menu created from the entirety of heritage breed pigs for an audience of pork-loving epicureans and celebrated judges. Chefs competing for Prince or Princess of Pork in Chicago are Kevin Hickey (Allium); Cosmo Goss (Publican Quality Meats); Matthias Merges (Yusho); Ryan Poli (Tavernita); and Josh Adams (June Restaurant). Guests will be treated to an epic pork feast alongside wines from five small family-owned wineries.
Twenty judges and 400 guests help decide the winning chef, who is crowned the Prince of Pork and will compete against other regional winners at the finale Grand Cochon event at the FOOD & WINE Classic in Aspen on Sunday, June 16.
Tickets are still available for both levels - standard ($125) and VIP ($200). The VIP tasting begins at 4 p.m. and the standard begins at 5 p.m. For ticket information visit their website at Cochon555.com.
You can also get more information on their Facebook page and can follow them on Twitter or YouTube.
Eat out at Taverna 750 this weekend, and they will Plant a Tree for you!
BEST New Brunch in Downtown Chicago! Paris Club Restaurant!
Located in the heart of Chicago’s River North, Paris Club brings classically-inspired French fare to a lively, vivacious neighborhood. French Chef Jean Joho teamed with restaurateurs RJ and Jerrod Melman to bring new energy to the French bistro.
Leading the helm of Paris Club’s kitchen is Executive Chef Alex Ageneau. Ageneau spent his youth in France and at the age of eighteen set out on a whirlwind culinary tour working for some of the world’s top chefs in France, London, Los Angeles and Chicago. Taking cues from his French heritage, Ageneau brings a sense of whimsy to some of his favorite traditional dishes. It truly is like a fabulous step into Paris France, without getting on a plane!
You will find an EXTENSIVE chilled shellfish and raw bar, salads, steaks, chicken, duck, pasta and just about something for everyone's tastes. If you love lobster, you must have the Lobster Crostini starter. A truffled scrambled egg, that is too die for!
They also run a variety of daily specials throughout the week.
While I love the Lobster soft scrambled eggs - black truffle - a variation I believe of the dinner Lobster Crsotini - get one and share it. It's delicious - and rich.
While brunches are made for Bloody Marys - I still like my afternoon white wine. I was pleasantly surprised at all of the affordable options. There are not many 4 or 5 star restaurants that you can order a really great glass of wine for $8-$12.
They do lots of special events and appearances.
This month...
French Chef Series
presents
Keisuke Matsushima
Executive Chef Alex Ageneau cordially invites you to Paris Club’s French Series featuring Chef Keisuke Matsushima of Michelin-starred restaurants Keisuke Matsushima and L’Eclole de Nice in France.
Join us one of three nights April 24-26, as Chef Kei and Chef Ageneau present an exceptional 4-course meal complete with wine pairings assembled for this very special engagement.
Tickets are available HERE. Please contact Paris Club with questions at 312.595.0800.
And upstairs, you have the beautiful space Studio Paris. Since opening its doors, Studio Paris has redefined nightlife in
Chicago. Blending the allure of an exclusive cocktail lounge with the
vibrant energy of a premier nightclub, it’s become one of the most
sought-out hot spots and event spaces. When weather permits a retractable roof opens above the dance floor! Sign up to be on their mailing list to learn about special events.
59 W Hubbard St Chicago, IL 60654
Taverna 750 in Lakeview is one of Chicago's Best Restaurants
Best Hidden Gem,
Best Date Restaurant,
Best Brunch,
Best Martinis,
and Best Sidewalk Cafe!
Keep in mind many items change seasonally. The restaurant just launched a new spring menu with all kinds of awesome dishes!
Roasted baby beets, basil puree, goat cheese sorbet, pumpernickel croutons, citrus dressing, baby arugula.
Smoked chorizo, charred spring onion gremolata, shaved asparagus salad, shaved pear.
Tuna Confit - $16.00
Olive oil poached tuna, olive marmaletta, pine nut puree, fingerling potato.
Chicken Marengo - $13.00
San marzano tomatoes, white wine, maitake mushroom, squash noodles, black olive, grated egg yolk.
Buttermilk Braised Pork Shoulder - $14.00
Fregola pasta, chickpea broth, hazelnut, apricot, bittersweet chocolate.
Is your mouth watering yet?
All of Taverna 750's entrees are small plates, meant for sharing at the table. For 2 people ideally. A table of 5 can not share one plate, as one Yelper complained!
For small plates, the portions are generous and their prices are very affordable so you can share several items at one sitting. You will be blown away by the quality and the tastes. Small plates are served European-style, coming out of the kitchen as they're ready.Which is how I like it.
The quality of the reasonably priced dishes really gives the food at the much pricier downtown places like RPM Italian a run for their money.
His latest recipes shine at Taverna 750. He developed a spring cocktail menu and did some tweaking on existing cocktails, to further raise the bar. He has launched six seasonal creations available through the end of summer and will roll out a patio beverage menu when the weather FINALLY warms up - that could be any day now!
Brunch, dinner or late night - this place has something for everyone!
Taverna 750 750 W Cornelia Ave Chicago, IL 60657 ph. 773-904-7466
Caribou Coffee Shops Close in Chicago
Revolucion April 8th- Bear and the Rabbit Beer event
Healthy Indian Food Cooking Lesson at Bombay Spice March 23rd
NATIONAL NUTRITION MONTH:
EXECUTIVE CHEF SUNIL KUMAR TO HOST
A HEALTHY INDIAN COOKING CLASS AT
BOMBAY SPICE GRILL
Saturday, March 23, 2013
In honor of March’s National Nutrition Month, join Chef Sunil Kumar of Chicago’s Bombay Spice Grill, 450 N. Clark Street, for a healthy Indian cooking class from 2:00 p.m.- 4:00 p.m. for $45.00/person on Saturday, March 23.
Learn marinating techniques for Chicken Tikka (Indian Barbecue) and how to make Chickpea Hummus, Kale Tofu Stir Fry, and Sweet Mango Lassi. With every Bombay Spice Grill menu item under 500 calories and many dishes less than 200 mgs of sodium, there are a great variety of healthy tasty Indian options to learn to make at home. All of the Indian spices used in the dishes Chef Sunil Kumar will demonstrate are linked to health benefits.
All dishes are prepared with olive oil rather than ghee or butter, providing low-fat, heart-healthy meals without compromising authentic Indian flavors. The nutritional content of each dish can be viewed at the restaurant or at Bombayspice.com.
Seating is limited, so call 312.477.7657 to sign up today!
My Private Chef Cooks with Chicago's Green City Market
Chef Christopher Tong of the upscale Chicago gourmet dining service, My Private Chef, will present a cooking demonstration featuring seasonal ingredients offered by the Green City Market.
You can shake off the winter blues and treat yourself to some wonderful produce.
The Green City Market is Chicago’s only year round farmers’ market promoting local, sustainable farmers, producers and chefs by connecting them to the public through educational programming and special events.
Chef Tong's cooking demonstration is on Saturday, March 16, 2013 at 10:30 a.m. in the cafe at the beautiful Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, 2430 N. Cannon Dr. in Lincoln Park. Metered parking is available in the Diversey Harbor parking lot off of Cannon Drive.
For more information about this Chicago Green City Market event, visit www.chicagogreencitymarket.org
Another New Addition to Uptown! Reservoir
There is lots of warm dark wood inside with clean lines, a long bar with comfy chairs. Lots of seating and room for groups or just a table for one or two. Barely 6 months old and they are doing great. Yelpers are giving them 4 and 5 stars, which is always a great sign! Tuesday nights are drawing a crowd for their Trivia Contest where players compete for shots and prizes!
They offer great QUALITY food, an extensive craft beer selection. About 15 beers on tap and over 30 bottles/cans. They also have a nice selection of a few choice wines by the glass starting at $7 and great specialty cocktails in a laid-back, casual atmosphere.
Don't be fooled, just because it's a late night bar, it's NOT bar food. A really nice menu featuring lots of shared plates, some signature sandwiches, and a menu to please everyone's palette. And all at great neighborhood prices. Hommus or Hot Wings for $8. Tuna Caponata or Calamari $9, an AMAZING braised pork belly for $11 made with parsnip puree scented with Madagascar vanilla, port wine poached apple, and sumac. Delicious!
There is also a selection of generously sized salads $7-$8. Flatbreads like Caprese or Asparagus and Mushrooms $8-$9. Some great sandwiches including a lamb burger, plus a few entree's! But overall, I would suggest sharing. OMG - there is an awesome Mac and Cheese for $9, that is a must-share!! There are lots of ways to mix and match and not cost you a fortune. It's really good food, priced right. Robert the manager told us they will be changing up the menu in coming weeks. Adding some new things and taking some things off.
The couple next to us said, "The white truffle mac and cheese IS AMAZING. I would eat white truffle mac and cheese every day of my life if I could. This is our second time here, and we really like it! My husband likes the beer selection. Everyone is very friendly and they seem to always have a nice crowd, a nice mix of people.This neighborhood needs this place.
I'm looking forward to seeing that garage door opened up come summertime."
Brunch is served on Sundays from 11AM - 3PM. Lots of delicious dishes $8-$12.
This is a great addition to Chicago's Uptown Neighborhood!
The RESERVOIR 844 W. Montrose (773) 275-4000
M-F 5pm to 2am
Sat 11am to 3am
Sun 11am to 2am
*Kitchen is open until 10PM SUN through WED
and until 11PM THUR through SAT.
Fox and Hound Chicagoland Re-Grand Openings to host Benefit for PAWS
- Arlington Heights (Tuesday, March 12);
- Schaumburg (Tuesday, March 19); and
- Bloomingdale and Aurora (exact dates TBD).
The party begins at 6 p.m., when guests are invited to enjoy a buffet of new and signature menu items, two drink tickets and tons of fun (including free pool) until 10 p.m. for a $10 ticket price. All of the proceeds from the tickets will be donated to PAWS CHICAGO, the Midwest’s largest non-profit, No Kill humane organization.
Guests at the PAWS CHICAGO Grand Opening events will munch on Fox & Hound’s signature dishes, including Drunken Chicken Tenders , our Baked Pretzel Stix and Beer Cheese Dip plus many new items, such as Extreme Mac & Cheese; Dog Bites and Fish & Chips, to name a few.
New CEO of the Fox & Hound Restaurant Group Marc Buehler says, “Come celebrate the new Fox & Hound, with its redesigned spaces and menu to better meet guests’ desires for the best neighborhood gathering spot.”
This home away from home offers 30 High Definition TVs; games for everyone to play; 100 kinds of beers; and a new deliciously crafted menu for sharing, snacking as well as dining.
Fox & Hound is open from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. daily. The new pilot launch locations are: Fox & Hound in Arlington Heights at 910-918 W Dundee Rd. (847.590.9019); in Schaumburg at 1416 N Roselle Rd. (847.884.6821); in Bloomingdale at 370 W Army Trail Rd #410A (630.295.9626); and in Aurora at Yorkshire Shopping Center, 4320 E. New York Ave. (630.236.9183).
Razon Chicago! Hidden Gem on Marine Drive
What a great discovery we just found, and it's in Uptown, just blocks from our house! A hidden gem! This restaurant is the best kept secret! But not for long.
Located at 4250 N. Marine Dr, RAZON is located on the Northside of the Imperial Towers high-rises. Razon opened last May and when I looked at reviews online, nearly everybody loves this place!
(photo above -shows part of the dining room—filled with Italian marble and Ferrari-red finishes—the bar itself came from Italy).
So I talked with Nash the general manager and we made plans to come check it out. They actually have a cafe area and a restaurant area. "What we are trying to do here is follow biorhythm of this wonderful neighborhood," explained Nash. "We open our cafe at 7am to 10 pm each day. With great artisan coffee & morning pastries selection, Razón cafe is your one stop morning destination. Once morning craziness is over, lunch is served & delivered through Lakeview & Uptown."
We arrived at 6:00pm thirsty! The handsome Russian bartender, Alex suggested perhaps a specialty craft drink. $9! How can you go wrong?
(INSIDER TIP - Razon has nightly specials during the week - so you can get some discounted prices weeknights, as opposed to weekend)We each decided on a martini named after nearby streets. Mine was the "Montrose,' made with Grey Goose l'orange. fresh cut ginger, some cranberry juice and house sour mix. It was amazing. Looked and tasted like a $15 cocktail I have had at other places.
Derrick had the "Razon." Grey Goose Citron with fresh basil, house sour and soda. Perfection. They were honestly a couple of the best drinks we have ever had. And we like to drink!
Homemade gourmet food from local ingredients, made for what the owner calls a “casual-to-upscale” dining room, and a coffee shop with grab-and-go sandwiches, salads, and bistro boxes for the Lake Shore Drive foot traffic.
For dinner, the staff suggested many great things and we tasted lots. The menu is big, filled with salads, lots of small plates, several burgers as well as steaks, lots of pastas which you can also have made with their amazing creamy polenta, at least half a dozen pizzas and some large plates. So there is something for everyone.
Nash explained he gets deliveries daily. "Fresh, fresh, fresh!" he explains, "As a family and as a company in the food business for over 30 years, we have developed many relationships with suppliers who take of us, with the finest selections of seafood and meats. We are constantly getting deliveries and picking things up, so that we can deliver the freshest quality to our customers. We print new menus about every two days because little things are always changing based on what is coming and going, what is fresh and what is seasonal."
And he does not lie. The calamari was melt in your mouth, served with a nice, not too hot, smoked jalapeno aioli. The brisket sandwich was huge and also tasted great. "Our brisket is slow cooked in its own natural juices. No BBQ sauce added. It is not rushed. We do it old school-slow!"
We sampled a cheese platter with 3 different cheeses, some bread and berries. It was a beautiful presentation and only $15. "This is another great example of how we buy. We try to support as many local businesses as we can. Most of the cheeses come from Pastoral. We source as many local ingredients as we can."
The polenta was whipped and fluffy! The salmon was fresh and cooked perfectly. We wanted a pizza, but we had no room! Next time! The 2 guys next to us had the Prosciutto di Parma pizza, with prosciutto, 5 cheeses and arugula. They said it was delicious--the prosciutto especially! And they come here all the time.
We did try a few desserts however. The cafe has a wonderful selection of gelatos. We tried a couple of those and their Tiramisu, which Nash says is one of the best in Chicago! And I have to agree, it was pretty great.
It's very easy for 2 diners to have a couple drinks, share 2-3 small plates, split a large plate, and get out for under $75. With tip.
Another diner told us, "If you're looking for an upscale date night in Uptown, this is the place to go. It's downtown chic at much more reasonable prices. Tip included, we pay about $80 for an appetizer, two drinks and two large entrées -- we even usually have some to take home." And during the weeknights, they offer various specials.
Another diner we talked to said, "This restaurant is the best kept secret! I live right around the corner from the restaurant, and walked by it everyday. I finally decided to come in about 4 months ago, and boy am I glad. They have an excellent menu , and great food. They have everything you need in this restaurant from a great place to have dinner with friends at night, to a little cafe to get your work done during the day, and gelato!!!! The customer service is easily the best service I have received in years. I haven't come across a place like this in a while. I just love it!"
You will find the staff her very passionate about the restaurant and the food! Items are thoroughly explained, right down to where the meat, chicken and fish are from.
It's one of those places that makes you feel cool from knowing it, and even more hip when you can recommend it to your friends. I just don't want EVERYONE to know about it. Is that selfish of me??
RAZON...giving people more than they expect!
4250 N. Marine Dr 773-880-9115
Pie Hole Pizza Joint Expands to Uptown
5001 N. Clark, the storefront that was once home to CLARKS ON CLARK and lately was home to Winston's Internet Cafe for a while, is being taken over by PIE HOLE JOINT.
Pie Hole Pizza will be opening its SECOND delicious location and have chosen Uptown, at 5001 N Clark Street, at Argyle. Projected opening date is sometime in April. Possibly April 1, April Fools Day. "We're shooting for April 1," Brandt said in another post. "If we miss, we can always claim 'April Fools!'" says Brandt.
The Uptown expansion is a dream come true for the local small business owner, who said when he saw the vacant storefront last year he envisioned "bright neon signs" in his mind that told him it would be a great spot for his second location.
Brandt said Pie Hole, which offers an an eclectic variety of custom pizzas with crazy combinations such as marshmallow and sausage, has always had an "underground, anti-establishment and irreverent vibe."
"The fact that it is not in the most commercial location is actually a plus for us," he said.
The new address is in a residential area, but it sits on bustling North Clark Street at West Argyle Avenue, at "the end of the Andersonville retail strip that is progressively growing a little farther and farther south," Brandt said.
"So, it has a lot of potential in the future."
We are very excited about Pie Hole coming to Uptown/Andersonville and can't wait to dig into our first custom slice.
La Grand Vie Lounge and Restaurant
Rockit Takes over Martini Ranch with Ay Chiwowa
Rockit Ranch Productions looks forward to sparking renewed excitement on Chicago Avenue later this winter with ¡AY CHIWOWA!. Hours will be: Thursday through Sunday, 5 p.m. to 4 a.m, extended to 5 a.m. on Saturday. By summer, the venue hopes to be open seven days a week. Ay Chiwowa is located at 311 W. Chicago Ave.
More information at AyChiwowa.com
Willis Tower ABSOLUT Tune Party with Chicago House Jan 24
Thursday, January 24th
Willis Tower Skydeck 99th Floor
233 South Franklin (Building's East Lobby Entrance)
5PM: VIP Early Arrival
6PM-9PM: General Guest Arrival
LIMITED VIP TICKET 50% Sold Out: $150, includes EARLY ARRIVAL at 5PM, a commemorative visit and photo opportunity on The Ledge, plus a VIP swag bag of treats from Garrett Popcorn, Kiehl's, Teuscher Chocolates of Switzerland, and much more!
GENERAL TICKET: $99
New In 2013!
Expedited Entry through Willis Tower's multiple passenger elevators!
Early arrival for VIP's!
Paperless auction with cellular bidding!
More unique artwork!
NEW year, NEW tune, SAME great cause
Tickets at ChicagoHouse.org or phone (773) 248-5200 x. 303
El Mariachi Tequila Bar and Restaurant
3906 N Broadway
Ph. 773.549.2932
El Mariachi Restaurant-Original
3420 N Broadway
Ph. 773.549.7020
Gorgeous patio now OPEN!
Mini Cooper of Chicago
Taverna 750 BEST Italian Restaurant abd BRUNCH
Chicago Private Chef and Gourmet Dining Service
World Gym
NO EXCUSES!
SUPER SPECIAL!
$21!
Mention this Ad! and get a FREE Personal Training Session with
an Elite Trainer!
MONTROSE
909 W. Montrose Ave
@ Sheridan
773-348-1212
ChicagoWorldGym.com
BoJonos Amazing Thin Crust Pizza and the BEST Hot Wings!
Fresh & Healthy Italian Cuisine
4185 N. Clarendon
Chicago, IL 60613
(773) 404-9700
ORDER ONLINE!
Kit Kat Lounge
VANITE Salon
Best of the Best Dining, Restaurants, Food and Wine in Chicago
What is BEST OF THE BEST DINING, RESTAURANTS, FOOD and WINE IN CHICAGO
all about?
First, understand that we are not “food critics” – that name implies that we are trying to find something wrong with a dining experience. We are in search of what is right about food in Chicago. This
city is moving fast and it is truly a culinary capital. We want to explore the best of it from opening to old
“count on it” restaurants.
We are passionate cooks and love to eat great food. So, we don’t visit an eatery announced, nor do we look for (or expect) something to go wrong. If a restaurant is not excellent in more than one way (food, continuity of cuisine, service, visual) we won’t write about it. Often, the reviews are about finding “one great dish.”
Also, the site is not just about fine dining in four star restaurants. It’s about good food created and served with love. This means all places have an equal chance!
From $ to $$$$.
One more thing – this is not just a site about dining in Chicago. We interview some culinary characters, support entrepreneurs in the cuisine start ups, and peek around the nooks and crannies of
the food scene here to find the story behind the story. We cover restaurant and food news and happenings all over Chicago!
Bon Appetit!
Feel free to contact us:
773-878-5323
or E-mail
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Food Gawker
In Loving Memory of Laura Hansen
In Loving Memory of
Laura Hansen
July 26,1959-March 31,2010
In 2006, we became part of a blogging team of experts, with Melissa Giovagnoli. The blogosphere was growing at leaps and bounds and Social Media was exploding. Through Melissa, we met the wonderful Laura Hansen.
My partner and I had launched a few sites already and were on our way to growing a little online publishing empire. We were also doing consulting for clients, who wanted to know what we knew about the Web 2.0, blogging, keyword search and Social Media Networking.
On a cold day in January 2007, while having brunch with Melissa, we came up with the idea of starting a BEST OF series. And the first was Best of the Best Dining
Chicago. We decided between the three of us we could all help contribute to it. But we knew Laura Hansen would have to be involved! Laura was a foodie and was working on some food projects
for tv. She both enjoyed and created amazing food, and was inspired by exceptional wine, cuisine and a memorable
dining experience.
After a few months of launching, we were all so busy with all of our other projects, after contributing about three dozen articles, we took a step back and let Laura take it over, since she had the
most passion for food and dining.
Over the years, Laura developed this great guide to the best Chicago area food and restaurants. She also sourced ethnic cooking ingredients tucked away in small groceries throughout the
Windy City and greater Chicago-land.
In Lauras words,
"Two weaknesses:
dairy, dairy, pasta, pasta
Best Pizza: Thin crust in Venice
Pepsi or Coke?: Water
Foods I Dislike:
Lima Beans, brussel sprouts
Favorite TV Show: Iron Chef
Passionate Hobby:
Painting and Photography
Culinary Addiction: Spices
Cocktails: Chardonnay or Vodka Martini’s with blue cheese olives
Cup half full or empty?
More than half full!
I began experimenting in the kitchen at the age of 7, by trying to emulate mom’s hamburgers. I did not truly “pick up the passion” again until inspiration came in
the form of Jeff Smith, which I viewed weekly on his PBS series “The Frugal Gourmet.” At that point, I really began to understand that cooking and creating food is the best mix of both chemistry and
love. The second significant event was the launch of TV Food Network. A self confessed “Food Network Junkie” – I’ve earned my stripes by incorporating seeds of wisdom from countless hours of
viewing.
Inspired creativity is my culinary viewpoint. Inspiration comes from avocados being on sale. Inspiration comes from making that same chicken soup 20 times until it’s just right. Inspiration comes
from “I have artichokes, what can I do with that? I have traveled extensively in search of outstanding cuisine made with simple, fresh ingredients. I write about the local Chicago culinary scene and
blog about food that’s interesting and occasionally provocative. ” I definitely consider myself passionate about inspired cooking and telling stories about how food makes everything better!”
This site is kept alive,
in Laura's spirit.
Derrick Sorles
Michael Snell
Copyright
This work is licensed
under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License.