Travel + Leisure Magazine rank 7 hot new restaurants from Chicago
Posted February 01, 2005 by mark
Magazine's list of hot new restaurants tags 7 in Chicago
November 11, 2004
BY JANET RAUSA FULLER Staff Reporter
Where are the nation's newest and hottest restaurants?
Seven of them are right here in Chicago, Travel + Leisure Magazine says in its December issue, on newsstands Nov. 23.
The magazine gives a nod to what it calls the best new American restaurants in 10 cities, but a quick glance at the list makes clear that "American" might better be described as "anything goes."
Magazine's list of hot new restaurants tags 7 in Chicago
November 11, 2004
BY JANET RAUSA FULLER Staff Reporter
Where are the nation's newest and hottest restaurants?
Seven of them are right here in Chicago, Travel + Leisure Magazine says in its December issue, on newsstands Nov. 23.
The magazine gives a nod to what it calls the best new American restaurants in 10 cities, but a quick glance at the list makes clear that "American" might better be described as "anything goes."
Chicago restaurants on the list include Green Zebra, the vegetable-focused West Town eatery by chef Shawn McClain; chef Homaro Cantu's experimental Moto in the Fulton Market district, and the "unapologetically haute" Pluton on Orleans from celebrated French chef Jacky Pluton.
All three restaurants opened early this year, though local foodies on culinary chat sites like LTHForum.com have debated how long Moto, where cooks double as waiters in black lab coats, will last.
"We've gone beyond the whole idea of comfort food as American food. I think American food is really every food," said Travel + Leisure food editor Niloufar Motamed.
Hot spot: Lincoln Square
The magazine also notes four dining spots in Lincoln Square, which it proclaims the "next great neighborhood": Charlie's on Leavitt, Acqualina, Tank Sushi and the not-so-new Cafe Selmarie.
The cafe -- cited for its banana eclairs and apricot kolacky -- actually has been around for 21 years, but general manager Connie Kobayashi isn't complaining about being included.
"It's definitely a pleasant surprise," said Kobayashi, who credits chef Christopher Stoye for improving the menu since taking over the kitchen four years ago.
Getting a special mention as "chef to watch" is 30-year-old Grant Achatz, whose restaurant, Alinea, won't even open until January.
Achatz has been chronicling every detail of the restaurant's development, from the food to the flatware, on eGullet.com. In September, he released an online trailer of sorts to whet diners' appetites. Travel + Leisure editors say their readers are among those salivating.
"Our readers are obsessed with eating and obsessed with being the first people to go to places," Motamed said. "This is our attempt at giving them a cheat sheet so they can be prepared to eat in style."
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New Site for Delivery and Dining Menus
Posted September 19, 2004 by mark
There is a new way to find out who delivers to your door and they have coupons and menus too. They don't take the online orders, but that is ok.
It really caught my eye because of the innovative use of mapping technology where you get to click on the map where YOU are, and the system tells you which places will deliver to you.
keeps the disappointment factor a lot lower so you don't get excited about a certain place only to find they dont deliver to your area.
GrubHub - Chicago Food Delivery Guide
Avoid Dining Violations
Posted September 09, 2004 by mark
Food Establishment Inspection Data Search
this is a great little search engine that tells you about recent health inspections. We gotta figure out how to link this up!
Smoke-Free Restaurants List -- by city health dept.
Posted September 08, 2004 by mark
Smoke-Free Restaurants
The Chicago Smoke-Free Restaurant Recognition Program is raising public awareness to the hazards of second-hand smoke to create a healthier, smoke-free environment for all restaurant patrons and to highlight Chicago restaurants that have voluntarily adopted a 100% smoke-free policy.
Restaurants are acknowledged with:
a certificate – suitable for framing – from the Governor of Illinois,
a sticker to announce that they are smoke-free,
a congratulatory letter from the Commissioner of the Chicago Department of Public Health, and
a listing on both the Illinois and Chicago Department of Public Health web sites.
Restaurants must be:
within the 606 Zip codes,
100% smoke-free, and
eat-in.
For more information call 312-746-9367 or send email to: smokefree@cdph.org
Diners in Chicago
Posted July 06, 2004 by mark
Diners rank fine food tops, but some go to the dogs
Since the ST wont display articles after some time, I have copied the full text here:
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Since the ST wont display articles after some time, I have copied the full text here:
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Diners rank fine food tops, but some go to the dogs
June 29, 2004
BY JANET RAUSA FULLER Staff Reporter
Chicagoans are going out more and shelling out more money for dinner, according to the latest Zagat survey of Chicago restaurants, out in stores today.
The restaurants that people voted "most popular" -- those considered their overall favorites -- are among the city's priciest.
Tops on the list is Tru, where the average per-person dinner tab runs $107, followed by No. 2 Charlie Trotter's, which will set you back $119, and No. 4 Everest, where a meal averages $86.
ZAGAT'S OWN GUIDE
Tim Zagat, co-founder of the "Zagat Survey" restaurant guide, usually lets his readers suggest where to eat. But we asked, so he told us where he's eaten on recent visits to Chicago:
Frontera Grill
Gibsons Steakhouse
Trio
Tru
Walker Bros. Original Pancake House
Also, some Chicago restaurants he wants to visit:
Avec
Gabriel's
Kevin
NoMI
Spring
But peruse the "best bangs for the buck" category, and it is evident Chicagoans haven't fully succumbed to the fine-dining bug. Four of the top 10 eateries on that list are classic hot-dog stands that include Superdawg and Wiener's Circle. Others include Margie's Candies and Potbelly Sandwich Works.
Sixty-two percent of Chicagoans say they're spending more at restaurants than two years ago, according to the popular guide, which surveyed more than 4,700 residents.
Rising food costs may have something to do with that. The average cost of a meal in Chicago rose 4 percent over last year to $31.64 -- higher than the national average of $30.73.
Or, says the guide's co-founder Tim Zagat, it could be that we know how good we have it in the Windy City.
"Chicago is one of the two or three best places to eat in the country," Zagat said Monday.
He noted the city's incredible diversity of cuisines, saying, "Literally every day of the week you can go to a different genre." And he declared Arun's on North Kedzie -- in the top 40 for best food and most popular -- the "best Thai restaurant in the country."
The Chicago survey, now in its 19th year, is based on visits by consumers who rate restaurants on a 30-point scale.
The Dining Room at the Ritz-Carlton scored a culinary trifecta this year, taking the top spot for best food, service and decor.
Ritz officials did not want to comment Monday, but raters described it "in a class by itself" where "patrons are treated like royalty" and chef Sarah Stegner's food "consistently excites the palate."
Wicker Park hotspot Mirai Sushi, which Zagat admitted he had never heard of, broke into the top 10 for best food, the only sushi place to do so.
"That speaks to the dining public's changing taste," said Zagat's Chicago editor Alice Van Housen. "Sushi isn't just this eclectic genre of dining anymore. They have a serious fine dining food score there."
Leo's Lunchroom Passes On
Posted April 29, 2004 by mark
Newcity did a great piece on the changing hands of Leo's Lunchroom and how it contextualizes the area. Read Ray Pride's Story
In Pursuit of A Cold Quad
Posted April 22, 2004 by mark
I quaff an iced quad espresso each and every morning. This has been my habit for several years, thus I'm forever on the hunt for high quality coffee and talented, dedicated baristas. Upon moving to Chicago, I have found this combination oddly difficult to source. My pre-commute options are limited to Starbucks on Lincoln and Wilson. Or I could ride to Montrose and get off and go in to Bean and Bagel and then get back on. Instead, I ride the Brown, sans espresso, to Madison and Wabash—one stop before my actual stop at Randolph and Wabash. I exit early for Millennium Perk, on Madison just before Michigan Avenue. The coffee is great, the people (and setting) are nice, and it's an indie coffee shop making a go of it directly across the street from behemoth Starbucks. Plus, a Caribou Coffee is going in around the corner.
No Poppy Seeds. No Good.
Posted April 13, 2004 by mark
When ordering a Chicago-style dog, there are certain rules that come with the territory and define the transaction. Ketchup is exclusively for fries is one such rule. Another rule is the dog will be served on a poppy seed bun from Gonnella. Sadly, it seems few vendors follow this poppy seed rule. I'm sure there are cost considerations, but I can't help but feel cheated when I get a seedless bun, no matter how good the rest of the fixings. For the record, I am willing to pay extra for poppy seeds.
Prestigious contest places 2 Chicago chefs in nation's upper crust
Posted March 22, 2004 by mark
The Chicago Sun-Times has reported exciting news about Rick Gresh, executive chef at the Caliterra Restaurant at the Wyndham Hotel, and Fred Ramos, the new executive chef at Pili Pili and former chef at the Printers Row Restaurant.
Read the Sun-Times story
In Other Media - Restaurants 3/17/04
Posted March 17, 2004 by
Chicago Sun-Times, March 17, 2004
Chicago Magazine reports that four of the five nominees for the Beard Award "Best Chef: Midwest" category are from Chicago, including Sandro Gamba (NoMi), Paul Kahan (Blackbird), Michael Kornick (mk), and Tony Mantuano (Spiaggia). Tru was nominated for the Outstanding Service award.
This week’s Food section also contains listings of upcoming wine tastings, and an interview with Jesse DuMain, the new executive chef at Va Pensiero (formerly Crofton on Wells).
Chicago Magazine, April
Chicago Magazine finds Forest Park’s La Piazza a surprise, but is disappointed with the new Downers Grove member of the Carlucci family. As part of the “Chicago Favortie for Kids” cover story, the magazine recommends its favorite restaurants for kids – ranging from likely favorites (Walker Brothers, Mity Nice Grill), to off the beaten path (Flo, Ina’s), to the frankly surprising (Ambria). There are new listings for Amarind (good Thai) and Aria (“very good” global fusion in the Fairmont Hotel), as well as updates for Heat, Merlo, Shaw’s Crab House, and Vong’s Thai Kitchen.
Chicago Reader, What’s New
The Chicago Reader reviews Jacky Pluton’s ambitious, eponymous new restaurant, the theatrical Moto, and Koi, an Evanston Chinese/sushi restaurant. They also eat their way through Lakeview, visiting venues from Arco de Cuchilleros to the local Chipotle.
