File under “leading economic indicators.” Claudio, aka “the tamale guy,” reports an uptick in sales in the last week. The bars on his beat have been more crowded since November 4, he says, and those drinkers are eating more tamales. He chalks it up to a mild postelection surge in consumer confidence. On the other … Continued
till: TROUT ROE coconut, hyssop, passionfruit TOMATO basil, mozzarella, olive oil CAULIFLOWER five coatings, three gels, apple LOBSTER popcorn, butter, curry WAGYU BEEF maitake, smoked date, Blis Elixir RABBIT prune, shallot, burning leaves SHORT RIB Guinness, peanut, fried broccoli LAMB carrot, poppy seed, pistachio CONCORD GRAPE yogurt, mint, long pepper CRABAPPLE foie gras, brown sugar, sorrel … Continued
Has died. As I was reading the Tribune story I got a call from S., who worked with Studs years ago on the Steppenwolf production of Division Street, America. He lives in LA now. He was crying. On the first day of rehearsal, S. said, Studs walked into the room, surveyed the actors, and spread … Continued
I have a date to go to Alinea in a few weeks, on the nickel of an old friend and his bride, who have done very well for themselves. Damn them. Anyway, I haven’t been back since it opened three years ago, but ever since the Alinea doorstop landed earlier this month I’ve been thinking … Continued
I am, it is fair to say, one of the lousiest, laziest master gardeners in Chicago. I went through the 12-week training in early 2007; in the ensuing year you’re supposed to complete 60 hours of volunteer week to get your full MG certification. My tally has been stalled at about 30 for a while now. … Continued
“The Weeds. It’s an expression for line cooks by line cooks, but it is also something much larger. A euphemism. It’s an in-the-moment, during service expression. But it can also refer to your whole career.” One of the most brilliant things I’ve read on the energy of a kitchen, for good and for bad. [stolen from Michael … Continued
That’s the sound the fermentation lock makes every three minutes or so as all those little carbon dioxide molecules scramble to escape. Day five and it’s bubbling along nicely. Though, man, we could’ve really used a sieve or something last Saturday. The stuff is really murky. Or, shall we say, “rustic.”
I wrote something for Time Out Chicago. Here it is. Please save the “dark side” jokes. It feels weird enough as it is, especially given this crazy week. But, seriously, you should go to Thai Aree. Just don’t order the som tum unless you’re feeling particularly butch.
Sources inside the Reader tell me that the staff found out about the Chapter 11 filing in time-honored fashion: they read about it on the internet, 15 minutes before the staff meeting scheduled to announce it was convened. For those with short memories, this is a nice echo of the day last year when the … Continued