Steve Dolinsky

So long...for now

Thu, 30 Jun 2011 06:00:00 -0500

When Justin Kaufmann asked me back in 2009 to become a part of Vocalo.org, I was flattered. He and I had worked together off and on for more than a decade at WBEZ. While I...

Taste of the Nation returns to Chicago

Wed, 29 Jun 2011 07:00:00 -0500

One of the city's largest childhood hunger relief efforts is gearing up for another big-time fundraiser. Since 1988, Taste of the Nation has raised nearly $3 million in Chicago, and will continue that effort August 10th. Hoping to avoid a sweat-drenched swelter-fest like last...

Surprise guest interview in Stockholm this week...

Tue, 28 Jun 2011 12:30:00 -0500

I'll let the video do all of the explaining here. Hopefully you've already seen my "Something You Should Eat" post from earlier today, in order for this to make sense and to fully appreciate it.

Something You Should Eat: Skagen from Tre Kronor

Tue, 28 Jun 2011 06:00:00 -0500

I've really had a thing for Swedish food lately (yesterday's post made that pretty obvious), and it can't be because I'm working my way through the Stieg Larsson trilogy (just saw the preview for the English language version of "The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo" the other night, starring Daniel Craig - if you haven't...

Midsummer in Sweden, the edible tour

Mon, 27 Jun 2011 06:00:00 -0500

Summer might officially begin June 21, but the longest days of the year in Sweden are truly celebrated during the weekend after the solstice - this year, June 24 - 26. The days are incredibly long - the sun barely goes down around midnight - so locals celebrate with lots of schnapps and pickled herring....

Friday Foodie Forecast: Summertime treats

Fri, 24 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Rain or shine, summer has finally arrived in ...

Top 5 places for gluten-free in Chicagoland

Thu, 23 Jun 2011 06:00:00 -0500

This time of year is just murder on people with special requests, allergies and gluten-intolerance. There are backyard barbecues, graduation lunches and wedding showers, not to mention menus full of pasta, starch and flour....

How to throw your own pig roast

Wed, 22 Jun 2011 06:00:00 -0500

I've been getting a lot of email requests lately, asking how people can throw their own pig roast. I just realized with July 4th weekend ahead, everyone wants to have their own "Pig & Pinot" party like I've been doing the past five years. Your prayers are...

Something You Should Eat: Corzetti pasta from Ceres' Table

Tue, 21 Jun 2011 06:00:00 -0500

Readers of this blog will know that I show little mercy for Italian restaurants claiming on one hand to be "authentic," while serving dried pasta from a box. Thankfully, there are more than a handful of local chefs now rolling and cutting their own pasta, many times the result of their own taste memories from the Old...

2011 Food & Wine Classic at Aspen recap

Mon, 20 Jun 2011 06:00:00 -0500

Aspen, CO - For the 29th year, Food & Wine Magazine held its summer camp for the food elite in the Rocky Mountains this past weekend. The event brings together tastemakers, chefs and a ton of wine and spirits producers, but it also serves as a launching pad for the July...