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Bacon Fat Candle: Love It or Hate It?
Most of you prefer crispy bacon to its chewy counterpart — but how about bacon in candle form instead?
Rather than oh-so-predictable bacon vodka and bacon chocolate, Rick Gresh, the chef at David Burke's Primehouse in Chicago, is serving guests bacon candles. The votives are made of rendered bacon fat and a vegetable-based wick, and as they melt, are poured over dry-aged steaks and rare scallops to impart a rich, smoked aroma.
7 Spectacular US Farmers Markets
Last week, US Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack proclaimed Aug. 2-8 as National Farmers Market Week. In the past year, the number of farmers markets has grown nearly five percent, and there's good reason to get behind them: they're sustainable, community-driven, and personal.
Obama Calls Spiaggia's Tony Mantuano His "Favorite Chef"
Since Barack Obama was elected as president, we've learned a fair amount about the commander in chief's food preferences. He enjoys johnnycakes and peach cobbler, and prefers his burger medium-well with salad on the side. The newest item to add to his list of loves?
Tampa Named the Most Caffeinated City in the US
A recent poll shows Tampa is the most caffeinated city in the United States. In the study, the Florida city is closely followed by Seattle, birthplace of the coffeehouse culture and coffee titan Starbucks, with Chicago placing third. Rounding out the top five are the top two most populated US cities, New York and Los Angeles.
Come Party With Me: Inauguration — Drinks
Although it's named after a city in Massachusetts, Cohasset Punch is a classic concoction native to Chicago. Since the menu of my Inauguration kickoff party is Chicago themed, in honor of Barack Obama's old home, the signature drink should be a cocktail with origins in the Windy City. A favorite since before World War I, Cohasset Punch is a mixture of rum, Grand Marnier, and canned peach syrup.
Come Party With Me: Inauguration — Dessert
Although the Inauguration isn't until next Tuesday, I'm inviting friends over to kick off the ceremony on Sunday. Since Barack Obama was senator in Chicago, the menu has a Chicago theme. After finishing the deep-dish pizzas, wait an hour before serving this decadent dessert.
Come Party With Me: Inauguration — Menu
Next week Barack Obama will make history when he is sworn in as president. Naturally, this momentous occasion deserves a party! The ceremony takes place on Tuesday, Jan.
Do You Seek Out Local Restaurants When You Vacation?
This holiday season, I took a brief hiatus from San Francisco to spend New Year's in Chicago with friends. Being the devoted diner that I am, before I arrived I made sure to score reservations at restaurants that I'd been itching to try, like the James Beard-nominated Spring. Do you do the same?
Do You Prefer the Rings or the Tentacles of Calamari?
On New Year's Day, my hungover friends and I were craving Spanish comfort food. We wound up going to one of the best tapas haunts in Chicago, Café Iberico. When this calamari dish came to the table, we got into a discussion about what part of the squid tasted better — the rings or the tentacles — and none of us could come to a consensus.
Barack Obama, Former TV Food Critic
Now that America has become familiar with President-elect Barack Obama's political agenda, the country has taken interest in the soon-to-be president's personal quirks and preferences. A clip surfaced of Obama on Check Please! Chicago, a Chicago series that features locals reviewing restaurants.
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