You know that an event hosted for eleven years in a row, hosted by Bon Appetit, can be nothing short of extraordinary. Considered the city and nation’s premier culinary event, also known as my favorite weekend of the year, Chicago Gourmet was a haven of culinary delights this year. Keeping its promise, the event hosted the best of the best, all-star chefs, restaurants, sommeliers and mixologists all gathered in Millennium Park to show you what they got
Read moreI Went To 'Seafood' Heaven And Back!
One of the highlights of this month already has been a wonderful tasting I had at Maple & Ash this week. A modern-authentic steakhouse and restaurant, which is located in the Gold Coast neighborhood, certainly aims to please
Read moreMon Ami Gabi = Mon Favorite!
This week’s highlight was a tasting at the classic French bistro Mon Ami Gabi, located in the beautiful Belden Stratford in Lincoln Park. I’m generally impressed by most LEYE restaurants, but especially for French food lovers, Mon Ami Gabi should be your first pick
Read moreGettin Low With Seafood!
For me, the week before Thanksgiving is perfect for a food tasting because I miraculously develop a big appetite at least 3 days before the holiday. So when I was invited in to Lowcountry for dinner that week, I gladly accepted
Read moreI Got LUXy!
When the Gibsons Restaurant Group opened LUXBAR in 2005 in Chicago, they wanted it to be a place with great food and also visual appeal. And they were able to create just that. To give you an example, the restaurant boasts a bar that was designed and built in Vienna
Read moreFish, The Original Fast Food!
When owner Dirk Fucik invited me in to his store, Dirk’s Fish & Gourmet Shop, I was expecting to get a little tour, take a few pictures, maybe sample some shrimp cocktail and be on my way. I guess I did not have the slightest idea of what was in store for me, nor did I expect to spend several hours at this seafood haven
Read moreHalibut...HaliGOOD!
I’m still speechless from the magical menu tasting I had at The Florentine this week. And possibly still full from all the food I ate while I was there
Read moreGood Things Come To Those Who Wait!
Last week’s tasting at Naoki was an all around discovery for me. Not just of a Lincoln Park hidden gem, but also an unveiling of the true genius of Lettuce Entertain You’s long time sushi chef, Naoki Nakashima
Read moreOcean To Table!
Last week, I got to do something very cool. I was invited to a Seafood Themed Community Dinner organized by Paul Sippil. The dinner was a part of the farm-to-table themed club Sippil started last year, in an effort to connect people through responsibly sourced meals
Read moreI'm Turning Japanese....I Really Think So!
My first tasting this month was at a restaurant I’ve heard a lot about and been wanting to visit for a long time. Who wouldn’t be curious about an authentic, latin-inspired, Japanese eatery featuring both tacos and sushi! Along with their PR Manager, I finally ventured to put my curiosity to rest
Read moreRoll With It!
This week I attended Arami’s D-I-Y sushi class which they host every month. I got to roll maki alongside Chef De Cuisine Nelson Vinansaca and some other food bloggers, which was a lot of fun. I can’t believe however that as a sushi lover this was my first time at a restaurant that’s been listed as one of the 21 best spots for sushi in America. I was excited to be there nevertheless
Read moreWhat's All The OctoFuss About?
I finally made it to Sink|Swim, the first restaurant offering by the Scofflaw Group, that celebrated its first birthday earlier this month. Sink | Swim is a seafood driven eatery with a fun nautical décor, headed by Executive Chef Matt Danko, who’s carved out a well thought out menu offering coastal eats, predominantly in a small plates format. The restaurant aims to provide you with a solid, pescetarian dining experience, although there are many items on the menu that are non-seafood related. With that, the restaurant also offers a carefully crafted beverage program comprising of cocktails such as the Santa Cruz Hurricane, which I tried. A delicious blend of Letherbee Gin, Lucky Falernum, Peychaud’s Bitters, passionfruit, lime and East India Sherry. Having just returned from a vacation in Portugal and being on a port wine kick, I was ecstatic to have its close substitute (sherry) included in my drink
Read moreLet's Get Down To The Shrimpy-Gritty!
On Wednesday, I had the opportunity to stop by Frontier for an incredible menu tasting along with a friend. Located on the outskirts of West Town, the restaurant is a true tribute to the west, offering game-focused fare in addition to bar food
Read moreCheeky Business!
I had just returned from Greece and was heavily reminiscing all the amazing seafood there. Needless to say, a few days later I went for a seafood tasting at Cold Storage, and with high expectations. The restaurant far exceeded those expectations and was the perfect cure for my jet lag
Read more“Tuna In” To These Tostadas!
This month, I had the most incredible tasting at the new Earl’s Kitchen & Bar, which opened in Lincoln Park. It is always nice when I can bring a guest along to partake in the tasting experience. It also turned out that my guest shares the same middle name as the restaurant owner, which is Earl. So the stars were aligned right from the start
Read morePardon My Escargot!
This week’s pick is Cochon Volant. I was invited to do a tasting at the restaurant and I’m glad I didn’t miss the opportunity to dine at this beautiful French brasserie led by renowned Chefs Roland Liccioni and Matt Ayala
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