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From Talk

Where to eat near Michigan Ave, Chicago?

I had a great meal at Coco Pazzo Cafe which is at 676 North St. Clair. It's not nearly as big as the original Coco Pazzo, but it's cozy, bustling and very nice. I don't know if the link will show up here, but I'm pasting it below.

http://www.cocopazzocafe.com/

From Talk

If Obama and McCain were food... What food would they be?

I tried not to think too hard about it and the first things that came to my mind were

Obama = BLT

McCain = Pot Roast

From Recipes

Pillsbury Bake-Off Million-Dollar Winner: Double-Delight Peanut Butter Cookies

I think the recipe was a good choice. Have had to explain waffe-stick stuffing for the past two years, I am glad Carolyn just has a cookie to deal with. It's pretty straightforward and I think it's one that normal people will make when they need to provide cookies for a group.

Having said that, I've seen many versions of that recipe. Some with chocolate coating, some made with peanut butter cookie mix. I think the cleverness of combining a snickerdoodle with a filled peanut butter cookie is what the judges liked. She took an old favorite and put it in a convenient, easy to replicate recipe.

My only problem is the recipe didn't specify salted or unsalted peanuts. I made them with salt and the sweet/salty makes your forget about the refrigerated dough. I can imagine the cookies might be a little flat without the salt. But that's just my opinion. I like salt.

I also think there should have been a higher ratio of peanut butter to sugar....like 1/2 cup peanut butter, 1/3 cup powdered sugar.

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Recent Comments | Response to Comments

From Talk

Where to eat near Michigan Ave, Chicago?

I had a great meal at Coco Pazzo Cafe which is at 676 North St. Clair. It's not nearly as big as the original Coco Pazzo, but it's cozy, bustling and very nice. I don't know if the link will show up here, but I'm pasting it below.

http://www.cocopazzocafe.com/

From Talk

If Obama and McCain were food... What food would they be?

I tried not to think too hard about it and the first things that came to my mind were

Obama = BLT

McCain = Pot Roast

From Recipes

Pillsbury Bake-Off Million-Dollar Winner: Double-Delight Peanut Butter Cookies

I think the recipe was a good choice. Have had to explain waffe-stick stuffing for the past two years, I am glad Carolyn just has a cookie to deal with. It's pretty straightforward and I think it's one that normal people will make when they need to provide cookies for a group.

Having said that, I've seen many versions of that recipe. Some with chocolate coating, some made with peanut butter cookie mix. I think the cleverness of combining a snickerdoodle with a filled peanut butter cookie is what the judges liked. She took an old favorite and put it in a convenient, easy to replicate recipe.

My only problem is the recipe didn't specify salted or unsalted peanuts. I made them with salt and the sweet/salty makes your forget about the refrigerated dough. I can imagine the cookies might be a little flat without the salt. But that's just my opinion. I like salt.

I also think there should have been a higher ratio of peanut butter to sugar....like 1/2 cup peanut butter, 1/3 cup powdered sugar.

From Serious Eats

Crescent Dragonwagon: Don't Wear It Out

Her brother changed his name to "Zee" and he's a professional poker player. Interesting family.

From Serious Eats

Where to Eat in Austin

Rudy's on Loop 360 for lunch. The barbecue is great and they have good grilled turkey as well. Also, the farther west you go in Austin, the prettier the landscape. All that and you won't have to drive all the way to Lockhart.

From Serious Eats

Grant Achatz' Cancer Now in Remission

That's the first good news I've heard all day. Thanks for the update and Happy Holidays to the Achatz family!

From Serious Eats

Photo of the Day: Bon Appétit

This is a great idea for feeding picky kids. Forget cutting things into cute shapes and whatnot. Just stick eyeballs on everything.

Or I don't know. Maybe it would backfire.

How did she get the eyeballs to float on the milk like that? Why didn't they sink?

From Serious Eats

Are Healthy and Delicious Mutually Exclusive?

Hi Ed!

As someone with a Cookie blog, I have to chime in.

In the end, I think it's calories in vs. calories out. Getting the most nutritional bang for your buck is where the challenge lies.

There are days when I overdo it or am tempted to eat too many sweets, but I usually practice moderation. The sweets always follow a high protein/low fat lunch. I like eating steamed cruciferous and/or root vegetables alongside egg white omelets with interesting salsas or flavored salts. Quesadillas made with small amounts of really good cheese are fun (again, served with a huge amount of cooked vegetables) and small paninis made with sourdough rolls or English muffins allow room for creativity.

Restaurant eating is more challenging and I generally eat a fraction of what's served. I love tapas and menus with small bites because I can order a few different things without getting full. Seems like more people are latching on to that. I sometimes wonder how many people are overweight just because they hate the idea of sending so much food back and frequently eat 4 times the calories their bodies need while dining out.

What I've noticed in my town is that the serious eaters are the healthy ones. They tend to exercise a lot, buy more fresh foods and produce and avoid fast food -- not in a snobby "Ewww, fast food" kind of way, but because it just doesn't taste that good when you've grown accustomed to better quality and fresher food. I've also noticed that a lot of my serious eater friends -- healty ones, never refuse dessert. It just goes without saying that it's something to be shared and a few bites will do.


From Recipes

Pillsbury Bake-Off Million-Dollar Winner: Double-Delight Peanut Butter Cookies

You guys sound like a bunch a kids that got their toys taken away on the playground. The Bake Off Rules simply state - bring a recipe to the table and bake it! Your baked goods will be judged and the prize awarded. It doesn't say you have to "FORK & TINES” or that you can not use "premade shortcuts" or any of the other horrible things you guys have said. Shame on all of you!

I bake cookies with the kids across the street all of the time. When you are bake with 4 to 6 kids under the age of 7 they don't want to "FORK & TINES" they just want QUICK cookies and into the oven. Of course they want them to taste yummy at the end. As for the person that said "My only problem is the recipe didn't specify salted or unsalted peanuts; I made them with salt and the sweet/salty" maybe you should enter it next year who knows you might win. The gal or guy who wrote ... Off the top of my head I got: Listerine strips, Junior Mints, Sour patch kids, Andes mints (the free ones at Luby's), MSG, Flintstone vitamins, Grape Dimetapp, the same dough that you're wrapping it in, sunflower seeds, granola bar, assorted starbursts, maybe an air cookie, Rolos, sweet and sour duck sauce, and a tryptophan cookie...well that is just sick. I guess you think all of that was funny, but the funny was the "hiding a ball of peanut butter in a peanut butter cookie" But it DID WIN!

Where has our joy for the winner gone - the celebration of the ideas of the cooks? Regardless of how simple they might be. If you don't like the "hiding a ball of peanut butter in a peanut butter cookie" enter something yourself. Frankly for me - I'm to busy having fun baking cookies with the neighbors kids. Why not send a note simply saying have fun spending your $1,000,000.

I just had to tell all of you that I was very disappointed in your comments!

Remember all of us cooks have to stick together isn’t that what it is all about?

From Recipes

Pillsbury Bake-Off Million-Dollar Winner: Double-Delight Peanut Butter Cookies

I can't believe she won for hiding a ball of peanut butter in a peanut butter cookie. They must be good... I might just have to run with her idea. Off the top of my head i got: Listerine strips, Junior Mints, Sour patch kids, Andes mints (the free ones at Luby's), MSG, Flintstone vitamins, Grape Dimetapp, the same dough that you're wrapping it in, sunflower seeds, granola bar, assorted starbursts, maybe an air cookie, Rolos, sweet and sour duck sauce, and a tryptophan cookie.... I'm sure they'll all taste horrible but one might be a winner!

From Serious Eats

In Videos: Kids Eat Salty Yogurt in Fake Commercial Casting

OH for cryin out loud, feeding a kid a spoonful of salty yogurt is NOT dangerous, it's not like they made them eat an entire carton of salt. That's really funny, and some of those kids were laughing, too. Some of y'all are WAY too sensitive.

From Serious Eats

In Videos: Kids Eat Salty Yogurt in Fake Commercial Casting

These are hiLArious! I love it - the first kid on each reel were the best. Thanks!

ROFL

From Serious Eats

In Videos: Kids Eat Salty Yogurt in Fake Commercial Casting

Not that I would endorse feeding kids salty yogurt, but I figure the yogurt isn't too salty; otherwise all the kids would have looks of horror. Some of them seem to just pause and think, "WTF?"

From Serious Eats

In Videos: Kids Eat Salty Yogurt in Fake Commercial Casting

This is freaking hilarious! It appears some of them are quite experienced stage kids which makes their honest surprise heartbreakingly funny. Those kids are such good sports!

From Serious Eats

In Videos: Kids Eat Salty Yogurt in Fake Commercial Casting

This is just plain mean. I don't understand why people are laughing.

From Serious Eats

In Videos: Kids Eat Salty Yogurt in Fake Commercial Casting

I thought it was dangerous too give kids lots of salt? I also agree with sugarstack.

www.organicandnaturalmom.blogspot.com

From Serious Eats

In Videos: Kids Eat Salty Yogurt in Fake Commercial Casting

Seems kind of cruel....deceiving children, having them taste that gross stuff, plus children are very sensitive and don't like being laughed at. On the other hand, it prepares them for a future in our nasty society.

From Serious Eats

In Videos: Kids Eat Salty Yogurt in Fake Commercial Casting

Ah. These children obviously were not exposed to the delights of ayran while growing up. :)

From Talk

Where to eat near Michigan Ave, Chicago?

oh, yes! flukey's or wolfie's for a chicago hot dog!

From Talk

Where to eat near Michigan Ave, Chicago?

GAH! I love Streeterville food. And there is a lot to do. Definitely worth a walk to the end of the pier just to look out over the Lake. I miss it so much! And drop in the Billly Goat at the Pier and try and order fries.

My fav place to visit when I do is Copperblue. Lil pricey, but YUM.

Also digging Niu Japanese Fusion.

Dick's last Resort is always crazy loud fun at night.

Make sure you get a Chicago Daaag dragged through the garden while your there.

So jealous...

From Talk

Where to eat near Michigan Ave, Chicago?

Thai Star Cafe for Thai--on State right around the bridge.
Giordano's, absolutely.
Weiner's Circle for hot dogs and abuse.

Also, Jesus hates the Cubs.
(Color me a South Sider ...)

From Talk

Where to eat near Michigan Ave, Chicago?

Just a note that the Garrett's on Michigan Ave. has closed.

Bandera and Grand Lux Cafe are solid, but they're chains. I'd suggest you focus on restaurants that you won't find anywhere else in the world.

If you like Thai food, consider jumping on the Red Line to Sheridan and check out Spoon Thai...if your only exposure to Thai food has been at restaurants in the US, you'll be in for a treat. (Make sure to ask for the translated menu, which includes some gems.)

Chicago has some of the best authentic, regional Mexican food in the US, thanks in part to our large Mexican-American population, and the influence of Rick Bayless, who runs Frontera Grill and Topolobampo. Many chefs who have trained under Bayless have gone on to open great places themselves. Among the ones to consider are Mixteco Grill (http://www.lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=19245) at 1601 W. Montrose Ave. (a cab or L ride away) and Sol de Mexico (http://www.lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?t=9213) at 3018 N. Cicero (also a cab ride or L ride away). If you're looking for a Mexican place that's a bit more low-key and closer to Michigan Ave., get a gordita at Perez Restaurant at 853 W Randolph St.

Chinatown also has some standouts, and is easy to reach on the L. Phoenix (http://www.chicagoreader.com/cgi-bin/rrr/details.cgi?numb=666) is a favorite for dimsum. It's located at 2131 S. Archer Ave. Many people swear by "Little" Three Happiness (not to be confused with the bigger Three Happiness located across the street), which is a Cantonese restaurant. Dish suggestions can be found at http://www.lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?t=3716 and the restaurant's located at 209 W Cermak Rd.

I'd also suggest you review the "Great Neighborhood Restaurants" awards here http://www.lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=15149 as well as the recommendations of Check Please (http://www.checkplease.tv/) reviewers.

From Talk

Where to eat near Michigan Ave, Chicago?

Don't mean to pry, but are you attending AEJMC in Chicago?

From Talk

Where to eat near Michigan Ave, Chicago?

I recently spent a weekend eating all over downtown Chicago. Cafe Iberico is certainly not the best tapas around (depends where you're from I guess) but it's definitely the cheapest. Heaven on Seven is near you--I didn't make it there, but people recommended it for a Cajun breakfast.
If you want to try stuffed crust pizza, there's a Giordano's near you. But definitely go with a group so you can get a regular size pizza instead of the individual.
I second the Intelligentsia rec if you like coffee, it's really really good.

For touristy stuff, I recommend the architectural boat tour and definitely google Chicago SummerDance, they're free outdoor concerts in various locations throughout the summer, with free dance lessons (salsa, swing). You'll want to do some dancing after eating all that yummy food. Also Navy Pier has fireworks twice a week.

From Talk

Where to eat near Michigan Ave, Chicago?

Sorry, missed Christine B's earlier posting about Intelligentsia.

Forgot: if you want a true old-school Chicago meal, try Carson's Ribs near Ontario and Wells.

From Talk

Where to eat near Michigan Ave, Chicago?

I second the previous suggestions of Bin 36 and Cafe Iberico.

Also try The Gage, a gastropub on Michigan Ave. across from Millennium Park. Good beer selection, interesting pub food-type appetizers, and plenty of larger plates for lunch or dinner.

For coffee downtown, definitely hit up Intelligentsia Coffee on Wabash and Randolph (just one block west of Michigan Ave)--try the cold-brewed iced coffee. Many buses run up and down Michigan Avenue, so you'll have no trouble exploring from your hotel.

From Talk

Where to eat near Michigan Ave, Chicago?

One of the best restaurants in the country is Tru, at Huron & St. Claire. It's VERY pricey and you might have trouble getting a table if you don't book ahead.
The Chicago Architectural Foundation boat cruise is fascinating.

From Talk

Where to eat near Michigan Ave, Chicago?

If you're looking for a nicer meal, I highly recommend Naha, it's on Clark and I believe Illinois, right up the street from Bayless' places. Also, if you want to take a bit of a cab ride, May Street Market on Grand and May is amazing, and they have a $32 pre-theater three-course prix fixe this summer that goes up to 8 pm. I haven't been, but I hear amazing things about Kiki's Bistro on Franklin, which is a few blocks of a walk, but the weather's nice. Though I wouldn't eat there for dinner, the brunch at Tavern on Rush is pretty nice and affordable, and there's a lot of outside seating for people watching on the triangle. I'd also second the Lula Cafe recommendation if you find yourself up in Logan Square for any reason I would definitely check it out.

From Talk

Where to eat near Michigan Ave, Chicago?

For a snack, there is nothing that beats Garrett's popcorn on Michigan near where you will be staying on the west side of the street. A lot of people like the mix (cheddar and caramel) but having tried it once, why waste time on the cheddar which you can get anywhere and definately go with the best ever all caramel bag.

As for Blackbird, good but not really within walking distance. For sushi, there is Sushi Wabi on Randolph and also a new place on East Illinois between the AMC theatres and Walgreen's past St. Clair that is called New (I don't think that is how it is spelled but how it is pronounced). Was just there last week for lunch-among the best sushi I have had. Stay away from Rosebud's and Italian Village-very touristy and not very good. There is also a great little bistro type of place for breakfast, lunch and dinner next door to the Penninsula Hotel on East Superior called Pierrot Gourmet. Great place for breakfast by yourself. Also for dinner check out Le Colonial. There are just so many great places there!!!! Enjoy!

From Talk

If Obama and McCain were food... What food would they be?

Obama would be a Moon Pie, no one's totally sure what's in the middle but it just sounds soooooo darn appealing. McCain would be a Lorna Doone, not as offensive as some, but still kinda meh and grandma-y.

From Talk

If Obama and McCain were food... What food would they be?

obama: fresh strawberry poppyseed salad from panera
mccain: frozen chicken pot pie from costco

From Talk

If Obama and McCain were food... What food would they be?

Obama is a chocolate-vanilla swirl soft-serve ice cream
McCain is a rootbeer float

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About AnnaG

Website: http://www.cookiemadness.net

Location: Austin, Texas

About:

Favorite foods: cookies, cakes, sandwiches, pizza, wine....sometimes in that order, sometimes not.

Last bite on earth: I always take this question too literally and can't answer it properly. Who knows what kind of state of mind I'd be in if it were my last moment on earth? But I guess the answer would be chocolate ice cream with chunks of fudge brownie.