Hi everyone:
I'm moving to central NJ from Chicago and will have to leave my beloved Intelligentsia coffee behind (except for the occasional mail order). Any suggestions for excellent New York area coffee roasters that I should try?
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.
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.
Forgot to mention that I just used a 20% off coupon for the 5 qt at one of the national chains--what a steal!
Why not buy the more expensive dish, sell it online for closer to the retail price, then use the proceeds to buy the 5-qt dutch oven elsewhere? That is, if you really want the larger dutch oven and not the two things they have available.....
non-fat dry milk; grade B maple syrup; Neilson Massey tatitian vanilla
oh, yes! flukey's or wolfie's for a chicago hot dog!
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...
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 ...)
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.
Don't mean to pry, but are you attending AEJMC in 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.
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.
I just realised I have written a book here, rather than listing just a few important ingredients, BUT I can't choose only a few, as I need them all, SO...nobody has to read this, I guess I was just having too much fun! Feel free to ignore this, I promise my feelings won't be hurt.
I have sort of 'amalgamated' the pantry/kitchen staples lists from Martha Stewart and Rachael Ray. At least the majority of my staples are the same ones on their lists. (Simply proving that 'good cooks think alike'?)...LOL!
I love herbs and spices, so I have a huge collection, some grown in pots in the kitchen, some purchased from the farmer's market and TONS of bottled spices, herbs and other seasonings such as vanilla beans and home-made extracts. I will use up most of them before they get too old, and if they do, it's usually no 'biggie', as I will only HAVE to replace a few of these items each month. I do, however, constantly check their 'potency' and freshness. I also always have things like sun-dried tomatoes, a variety of olives and a variety of seeds and nuts as well; these also must be used in a 'timely' manner.
My refrigerator always has eggs and cheeses and other dairy products such as yoghurt, milk and cream, as well as my weekly delivery from my CSA programme, and my freezer contains part of these deliveries, which I save and freeze for 'out of season' use, as well as meats, seafoods, etc. that I stock up on when on sale. I also often cook in large batches to freeze the extras so that I can 'heat and serve' a good meal. Oh, and I also freeze homemade stocks and soups.
All of this means I am always able to make a tasty meal out of things such as pastas, dried or canned legumes, rice(s), and other grains and/or whatever else happens to be in my kitchen at the time, especially as I always have plenty of different oils, vinegars and 'sauces' (like soya sauce, worcestershire, nam pla or other fish sauce), and of course, fresh lemons, limes and other citrus as well as fresh garlic, shallots and onions. Just by changing the herbs and spices (and maybe meats, cheeses and seafoods) used in a basic recipe, you can visit a different country each time. My freezer will often provide an even quicker meal along with the addition of a quickly prepared salad.
I think if one loves to cook, and loves good foods, it is imperative to have a well-stocked larder. It needn't all be purchased at one go, rather a new 'homesteader' can buy the initial shelf-stable ingredients over the space of a year or so, then simply replace or add to as needed. There are a lot of great on-line sites that can help you set up your pantry step-by-step. Once done, as long as you have the basics in kitchen equipment, a quick and easy but delicious meal is ALWAYS right there in your kitchen.
I keep a master list of staples on my computer, then I print a dozen copies at a time, keeping one on my fridge, then I just mark what I will need as I use it up. This makes shopping quick and easy as well. When I discover a new product I like, I add that to the master list on my computer.
For wedding gifts, I aways make up as large a gift basket as I can afford using many of these 'staples'. I have yet to see an unhappy bride or groom when getting these baskets, as they are things they won't have to budget for, and they will usually get plenty of kitchen equipment from others as gifts. I often include a great cookbook as well, which one I choose depends on their skill levels and food preferences. If they are 'out and out' foodies I may also give them a subscription to Gourmet or Bon Appetite, or if they are just learning about good food, I might gift them with a subscription to Rachael Ray.
There is no reason, if people use a basic kitchen/pantry list, that anyone ever has to settle for greasy 'fast food' from Mickey D's, even when time and energy is limited. I can always have a tasty, healthy meal on the table in as little as 15-20 minutes, and with little 'clean-up' needed afterwards.
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