The Stew - chicagotribune.com

National Restaurant Association show: Samples, swag draw thousands

By Kevin Pang and Phil Vettel — Mon, 20 May 2013 22:00:00 PDT

The National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show is the yearly confab of food, hospitality.

Pasticceria Natalina's Natalie Zarzour to fill in at Black Dog Gelato

By Kevin Pang — Thu, 16 May 2013 12:42:00 PDT

Zarzour to sub in for Black Dog's Jessica Oloroso while she's on maternity leave Remember Natalie Zarzour? A few years ago, she was owner, chef and face of Pasticceria Natalina, the Andersonville bakery both lauded and pilloried for her uncompromising standards. You can read more about Zarzour in this 2010 profile I wrote, but her philosophy in short: Americans are poisoning themselves with industrial, additives-laden food, and providing them with pastries made from wholesome ingredients...

Lillie's Q aiming for early June reopening

By Phil Vettel — Thu, 16 May 2013 08:53:00 PDT

Some good news, finally, for Charlie McKenna and his barbecue restaurant, Lillie's Q.

What's on tap for Chicago Craft Beer Week? A lot

By Josh Noel — Thu, 16 May 2013 08:45:00 PDT

It has been an ambitious year for craft beer in Chicago — possibly the most ambitious ever.

Andrew Brochu leaving The Monarch to head up The Aviary kitchen

By Phil Vettel — Wed, 15 May 2013 14:08:00 PDT

Those of you who had "before June" in the when-will-Andrew-Brochu-leave-The-Monarch pool, collect your winnings.

BellyQ hosts cookbook debut party for Top Chef's Edward Lee

Joe Gray — Wed, 15 May 2013 13:21:00 PDT

You may know Louisville, Ken., chef Edward Lee from “Top Chef,” the Bravo TV cooking competition show in which he sweated in the Texas sun with fellow contestants. Now you can get to know his food better through his new cookbook, “Smoke & Pickles: Recipes and Stories from a New Southern Kitchen” (Artisan, $29.95).

Bacon Dog among 5 new hot dogs from Kraft

By Emily Bryson York — Tue, 14 May 2013 09:52:00 PDT

Kraft has unveiled several new hot dog flavors, including a "Bacon Dog," made with hardwood-smoked Oscar Mayer bacon.

McDonald's looks at tinkering with aspects of Dollar Menu

By Emily Bryson York , Chicago Tribune reporter — Mon, 13 May 2013 22:00:00 PDT

Price increase for McDouble, add-on options on McChicken considered Faced with rising costs and pressure to improve performance, McDonald's is tinkering with its vaunted Dollar Menu.

Kahan, Bayless head Taste's Chef du Jour lineup

By Phil Vettel — Mon, 13 May 2013 08:36:00 PDT

Paul Kahan, who received the James Beard Foundation's Outstanding Chef award last week, and Rick Bayless, who won his Outstanding Chef award in 1991 (the first Chicago chef so honored), will head the Mazda6 Celebrity Chef du Jour lineup at Taste of Chicago this year.

American Beer Classic: Microbrews meet the mainstream

By Charles J. Johnson, Tribune reporter — Sun, 12 May 2013 12:43:00 PDT

For many, a beer tasting festival conjures an image of an older, largely male crowd of beer lovers, noses firmly entrenched in tulip glasses or swirling their suds in the light and remarking on their beer's particular flavors and finish. Like a group of oenophiles, except with fewer sport coats and more The Who t-shirts.

New Brew Alert: Ten Ninety

By Josh Noel, Tribune Newspapers — Fri, 10 May 2013 11:55:00 PDT

New breweries are opening at a furious clip in and around Chicago. Today we launch an occasional series to highlight them called — imaginatively, we'd like to think — New Brew Alert.

Chef Art Smith hosts book signing at Table fifty-two

By Judy Hevrdejs — Thu, 09 May 2013 13:43:00 PDT

Art Smith, the man of many cookbooks and many restaurants will be at Table fifty-two on May 11 for book signing.

Night (farmers) markets could be tasty addition

By Stew staff — Thu, 09 May 2013 13:15:00 PDT

When the City of Chicago launches its weekly night markets later this summer (June 26 in Logan Square and June 27 at Argyle and Broadway) the vibe is expected to be a cross between the night markets of Bangkok and the flea markets of New York City.

McDonald's UK's Chicago Supreme burger is, well, not Chicago-y

Thu, 09 May 2013 09:40:00 PDT

McDonald's UK rolled out its second of five themed burgers inspired by U.S. cities and states Wednesday, this week honoring our sweet home Chicago as part of its Great Tastes of America special menu.

Applebee's to close 8 Chicago-area restaurants

By Becky Yerak — Wed, 08 May 2013 10:01:00 PDT

At least eight of Applebee’s 33 restaurants in the Chicago area are expected to close as its local franchisee seeks to reorganize its operations in Chapter 11 bankruptcy, a spokesman said late yesterday.

Coca-Cola anti-obesity plan includes no advertising to kids

By Tiffany Hsu — Wed, 08 May 2013 08:56:00 PDT

Coca-Cola is making major promises to fight obesity – ceasing advertisements directed at kids, slapping calorie counts on all its packaging – as the soda giant stares down a rising tide of concern over sugar-stuffed beverages.

McDonald's sales slide on avian flu fears; Wendy's revenue rises

By Tiffany Hsu — Wed, 08 May 2013 08:10:00 PDT

McDonald’s had another rough month as sales at restaurants open more than a year slid in April, a month after the world’s largest burger company said the gauge dipped 1% during its first quarter.

Mayor to propose additional food-truck spaces

By Phil Vettel — Tue, 07 May 2013 21:25:00 PDT

Chicago will increase its number of dedicated food-truck parking spaces to 30 from the current total of 21, under a proposal to be presented to the City Council by Mayor Rahm Emanuel today.

New food items coming to Soldier Field?

By Leonor Vivanco, @lvivanco — Tue, 07 May 2013 12:53:00 PDT

Is new stadium grub on the horizon for Bear fans next season at Soldier Field?

Kahan, The Aviary lead Chicago haul at 2013 James Beard Awards

By Kevin Pang — Mon, 06 May 2013 18:50:00 PDT

Paul Kahan, the Chicago chef overseeing the restaurant empire that includes Blackbird, Avec, and The Publican, shared in the top prize at the 2013 James Beard Foundation Awards in New York Monday, winning in the outstanding chef category.

Restaurant sales in a 'deep freeze,' Mother's Day to the rescue?

By Tiffany Hsu — Mon, 06 May 2013 09:53:00 PDT

American restaurants are expected to report dismal same-store sales for the first quarter, slammed by cold weather and cost-conscious consumers, but the industry hopes that Mom will come to the rescue.

Wine prices rising in restaurants, report says

By Tiffany Hsu — Thu, 02 May 2013 09:50:00 PDT

A glass of Chardonnay while eating out is an increasingly expensive treat as wine inventories start to shrivel, according to a new report.

Wind farms to lure back German lobsters decimated by WW2

Madeline Chambers — Thu, 02 May 2013 09:35:04 PDT

BERLIN (Reuters) - New wind farms off Germany's North Sea coast will provide an ideal habitat that could help restore the lobster population near Heligoland after British bombing during and after World War II drove them away.

James Beard Foundation launches culinary tour

By Michell Eloy — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 22:05:00 PDT

Not to be limited to decorating America’s food industry greats, the James Beard Foundation has announced plans to bring back its cross-country epicurean tour to highlight both top chefs and local cuisines in 10 cities, including Chicago.

'World's 50 Best' drops Alinea to 15th; El Celler de Can Roca is numero uno

By Phil Vettel — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 14:51:00 PDT

For the first time in three years, there’s a new restaurant on top of the world.