The*Rebeccammendations

A Taste of Chicago Spring

TheRebecca — Tue, 21 May 2013 04:04:21 +0000

Pull-apart Monkey Bread at Kanela for Brunch in Old Town.

Well, hello. Welcome to a delicious post. Here is a collection of my most recent bites that are calling my name for return visits and more menu-delving. Doesn’t this picture of the pull-apart monkey bread Abby and I shared for starters at our Old Town brunch at Kanela make you want to grab a piece and dive right in? It was delectably sweet, moist, and reminded me of an apricot coffee cake Mom makes sometimes. (Hi, Mom!) Just like the name (cinnamon in Spanish), I felt like I could taste the kanela in this happy, comforting way to kick off the morning. With a menu that praises fresh ingredients, many of which are local (victory dance!), Kanela was an adorable little breakfast cafe sitting on the main stretch of Wells in Old Town. My Egg White omelette (I feel like only legit breakfast spots spell it with the double ‘t’) with mushrooms, avocado, tomato, onions, green pepper, salsa, and toast was a protein and vitamin-packed choice to counteract the decadence we started with, of course. Personally, I might need to go back to try the Banana Split crepe (with nutella, need I say more?), Strawberry waffle with creme fraiche, Kanela Chip Pancakes with honey butter, or maybe even the Chicken Pesto sandwich or Black Bean Burger.

Locations: Lakeview and Old Town
Hours: 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (lunch too!)

Green Tea waffle with lemon ginger Chantilly creme, topped with ground pistachio, powdered sugar, and candied ginger.

Confession: I didn’t actually order this. Lucky me, my handsome breakfast date (who I must say has very good taste) shared a bite at Waffles in South Loop and along with my freshly steeped green tea, it was a winner. The green tea flavor infused in the batter added a welcome herbal note to the more-savory-than-sweet morning staple and, when combined with the dense creme, chopped pistachios for crunch and powdered sugar, required nothing more than another bite. (syrup not needed here!) Again, I went with the more practical omelette in preparation for the next bite I’m about to share, but I can’t wait to go back for the Mexican Chocolate waffle, or maybe even the waffle flight (to taste the range of waffles at Waffles – now that’s just fun to say).

Location: Lakeview and South Loop
Hours: Vary by location, check them out for lunch or an early dinner too! Oh, and they deliver…dangerous or convenient?

Cheesy, hearty, gooey Spoonbread at Bub City BBQ in Chicago.

So this isn’t breakfasty or Springy, but it is one bite (okay maybe a few spoonfulls – it was shared among 3 of us) that makes me coming back for more and it’s worth mentioning…I’ve already talked about it since indulging on Saturday night. This is the decadent ooey, gooey cornbread side dish known as Spoonbread at Bub City, a BBQ restaurant in River North that I’m partial to for the country music it plays whenever doors are open. Put it this way, I wore my Texas cowgirl boots there this weekend with country-lovin’ friends Rachel and Jamie (we’re regulars now) and wasn’t completely out of place, other than maybe on the walk over there. The Kansas City and Spicy BBQ sauces and meaty dishes are delicious, but this side dish was our main attraction and the first thing we dug our spoons into at dinner. Soft corn kernels add a little pop of texture among the cornbread batter and the crispy baked cheese on top adds a note of bitterness to cut the richness. It’s just memorable. Go for the BBQ and the music, (the 140 whiskeys) and don’t forget the Spoonbread! I must also rave about the marinated cucumbers, another side dish on the menu that adds a sweet, smooth, and light crunchiness to any beefy entree.

Now that dining al fresco on patios is in full swing in my first Chicago Spring, where have you been finding tasty bites? Stay tuned for more…the flowers are in bloom and it’s just the beginning…

Location: River North
Hours: 11 a.m. – 2 a.m. (3 a.m. on Saturdays)

And, a photo of Chicago in the Spring just for fun!

Fragrant Chicago in the Spring!

Brunch is a Brewin’ at Revolution Brewery

TheRebecca — Sun, 12 May 2013 00:03:21 +0000

Apple Fritters at Revolution Brewery in Logan Square

When an Austin friend who is quite fond of microbreweries ended up in Chicago for a work trip, we made plans for quite the obvious choice – well, not quite the obvious choice for brunch: Revolution Brewing in Logan Square. I’ve already swooned over brunch twice (Jam and Longman & Eagle) I had in Logan Square so I’m beginning to think my tastebuds will be taking me back to that neighborhood frequently. Come to think of it, Longman & Eagle is also known for their PBR breakfast that comes with a Pabst Blue Ribbon beer. (Beer & brunch theme in Logan Square maybe?) Not only was it surprising to find a hefty brunch menu available at what may seem like more of a lunch or dinner spot, but I was impressed to find a vitamin-rich Vegan option available. In pure Rebecca form, I went for the Vegan Sunrise, a flavorful herbaceous dish filled with butternut squash brussels sprouts, parsnip, shallots, spinach, tofu, faro, and fragrant basil pesto …so I could even out the healthiness with the light, fluffy, and sweet apple fritters which happened to melodically complement my Bottom Up Wit beer (I chose an Revolution Brewing original with citrus notes and a small pour option – it was brunch time, after all!).

Vegan brunch at Revolution Brewery in Logan Square

The Revolution Brewing brunch menu also features tempting options like Egg in a Hole served with cheddar ale soup, cherry porter pancakes (I was about 2 seconds away from choosing this instead of the fritters for my sweet bite), Red Flannel Hash with eggs, beets, redskin potatoes, sweet potatoes, parsnip, corned beef hash, and maple sour cream, and the Breakfastman Burger of course (it is a brewery) complete with bacon and a fried egg.

Powerful and diverse beer tap at Revolution Brewery in Chicago.

We visited the brewpub, but the hoppy goods there are made at the Revolution Brewery in Avondale on Kedzie. Tours are offered Wed-Sat at 6 pm, with tours on Saturdays also at 4pm and 5pm. Another fun fact is that the brewery’s high-speed canning line equipment fills 500 cans per minute! I think a stop at the brewey is next on my list – who’s with me?

Eat. Sleep. Whiskey. Brunch at Longman & Eagle

TheRebecca — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 04:27:31 +0000

When I’m asked what I write about on TheRebeccammendations, my answer includes: restaurants, shopping, music, art, entertaining at home, and basically, anything fun. I also mention that I don’t include negatives, but luckily the name lends itself to a positive slant – I only ‘Rebeccammend’ things and if something is sub-par, I leave it out or don’t highlight it. And when I get questioned on whether my blog posts are true reviews, the answer is – they’re not reviews. They’re descriptions of experiences that I have. (Which is also why I rarely write about something I have not experienced myself.) And, my visit to Longman and Eagle in Logan Square was quite an experience.

I feel fortunate to work with coworkers who have style and are in-the-know who pointed me in the right direction for brunch when some tried-and-true friends came to visit Chicago – Longman & Eagle, an earthy and minimalistic, yet full-of-character bed and breakfast with six rooms where you pick up your keys in the adjacent restaurant. In fact, the woody ambiance hinted at an early Americana style, and was so popular, that there was a minimum 2 hour wait when we arrived with healthy appetites on a holiday weekend Saturday. Luckily, my memory served me well when I remembered the other Logan Square brunch spot my colleagues suggested: Jam (which I recently gushed about).

So, when Monday, Presidents Day, came around, Aviva, my creative and stylin’ friend from Brooklyn, was determined to experience L&E before heading home late afternoon. This time, we successfully snagged 2 stools at the bar where we watched complex vintage cocktails stirred up, including her spicy and earthy bloody mary complete with a pickled green bean garnish. We had about 3 hours to kill (what a delicacy!) and had every intention of enjoying a leisurely ladies brunch until time came for her to head to the airport.

Market Omelet at Longman and Eagle brunch in Logan Square

We both enjoyed a delicious and farm-to-table-inspired and rustic brunch. I chose the Market Omelet of Spinach, Carmelized Onions, Seasonal Mushrooms, and Housemade Fromage Blanc (similar to goat cheese) from the Brunch Menu. (Notice the first item on the list comes with an option to add a midwest classic Pabst Blue Ribbon (PBR) beer to kick off your morning.) Perhaps one of the unsuspected highlights was the fresh sourdough bread toast from local La Boulangerie bakery in Logan Square served with what I first thought was apricot jam, and discovered was quince paste. (I always wondered what it tasted like since it’s often cooked with on The Food Network – it is sweet and has a texture of apple butter!)

Other than classic girl talk with Aviva, the most memorable part of the meal was learning about the history and tangible aura at Longman & Eagle. I like sitting at bars (I have managed to get free sushi rolls by inquiring about what I saw when sitting at the bar in the past) because I can see cocktail craftsmanship in practice and sometimes food preparation. In this case, the bartender shared some insights with us that round out the full picture of Longman and Eagle, though you have to visit to experience it yourself. He mentioned that Logan Square is home to many artists, musicians, and restauranteurs. Apparently, on Mondays (such as the one we visited on), those who owned nearby restaurants would frequent Longman & Eagle since they work late weekend nights and sleep in, waking up hungry wanting a day off from cooking. So L&E is their go-to. Maybe, then it wasn’t quite the coincidence when we met a musician from Brooklyn sitting next to us that was visiting for a show at the acclaimed Chicago jazzy music venue, The Green Mill and he stopped by L&E to get a taste of the chicken and waffles.

We also learned from our educational visit with the bartender that the name Longman & Eagle comes from the Logan Square monument designed in 1918 by the same architect as the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C. with an eagle on top to represent the Illinois State flag and sculpted by Evelyn Longman.

I’ve heard L&E is also a fantastic dinner destination – who’s coming with me?

Amuse Brunch

TheRebecca — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 00:56:42 +0000

Amuse Bouche Blondie with chocolate frosting (not on the menu).

Say hello to this happy bite of goodness. When was the last time you had an abuse bouche at brunch? Not to be confused with an appetizer, an amuse bouche is a bite before the meal offered by the chef to awaken the tastebuds. How about the first? My first was last weekend when some of my closest college friends joined me in Chicago for a mini-reunion and we took a coworker’s recommendation to venture out to Logan Square for a midday meal at JAM. When this one-inch-on-all-sides sweet bite arrived at our place settings shortly after we were seated, we had a lengthy discussion about what amuse bouche means and how to pronounce it. Not only did it awaken our tastebuds, it gave us a sweet first impression of the meal to come and was a fantastic conversation starter – not that we needed one – put us in a room together and we’re laughing (and subsequently crying) in a matter of minutes. The sign of true friends.

Vegetable Melt with roasted cauliflower & parsnip, avocado, piquillo peppers, asiago, rustic bread, apple-arugula salad.

How fantastic does this veggie sandwich look? Aviva and I split this one, and it was a fantastic choice. In fact, it inspires me to try to make this at home. The avocado was creamy, the roasted cauliflower and parsnip gave the filling texture some weight to match the thickness of the bread that framed it. The apple-arugula salad was a light and bright complement to the wholesome sandwich.

What my out of town visitors indulged in – the JAMburger with butterkase, sunnyside egg, smoked tomato sauce, seasoned fries.

This thing says it all. I did not indulge in this one but Elliot and Vina, my other house guests ordered one – each. In fact, when they asked the waiter about it before ordering, he said ‘This is one of the few burgers I’ve ever craved and thought, I need to have one right now.” That sold it. They mentioned the roasted tomato and the oozy egg really made the burger stand out.

Egg Whites (poached) with root vegetable hash gratine, roasted brussels sprouts, and fennel soubise.

I dug into this dish so fast, I forgot to take a picture until it was almost gone. (Sorry for the less than beautiful snapshot!) The poached egg white was unique to me and very light, the roasted brussels sprouts cannot be spotted in this picture because Aviva and I gobbled them up – so. delicious. And the root vegetable hash gives me another idea for a unique dish to make and serve at home when I host brunch at home in the future. The beets and parsnips were fantastic, I could taste hints of thyme or rosemary and there was something homey about the warm root compilation.

And the star of the show…

Maple Pancakes with meyer lemon custard, Indian sugar brulee, citrus rind conserve.

No, this is not a sauceless pizza. When I saw that these Maple Pancakes had a small order option (like a short and tall stack in traditional pancakeries), I placed an order so we could all take a sweet bite to end the meal. I didn’t realize from the menu description that it would so ‘decadent’, to use our waiter’s words when I asked about them. And, let me just say, I’m a chocolate person (over fruity) if I go for sweet, but this dish was so memorable for many reasons. First, the maple pancake batter already elevated the basic breakfast staple by making it deep in color and consistency. And the sticky and creamy caramelized lemon custard toping with citrus rind marmalade atop the cake definitely stuck with me. The bright citrus flavors was the perfect fresh ending to our mid-day feast.

Although the food speaks for itself, I was impressed with JAM for a reason that cannot be overlooked and must be appreciated. We were surprised when our waiter pointed out the chef and part-owner of JAM, Chef Jeffrey Mauro, who was standing on the outside of the kitchen counter facing the line cooks. I’m used to seeing chef’s IN the kitchen. But when we took a closer look, we noticed he was inspecting every dish that was set on the counter for delivery to each table, he garnished many of them, and made sure the plating was clean and the presentation was precise. I so appreciated that level of quality and could definitely tell the difference in the high standards of the kitchen and on the table. I can’t wait to go back, the brunch was just jammin’!

Digital Dining Unlike a Peasant

TheRebecca — Sun, 10 Feb 2013 01:34:43 +0000

Wild Boar Burger with brie, blackberry compote, arugula and cajun spiced aioli.

Now there’s a shot and a dish I will never forget (and quite honestly, not something I would typically indulge in), but this is me revolting. I’ve now lived in Chicago for four months and I can only count my memorable meals at restaurants in Chicago on one hand – a city known globally for its food. Unacceptable! Granted, I’m not a deep dish nut, and I don’t eat hot dogs, but there’s no way it stops there. And, so, my goal…no, my mission…is to step out of my near-downtown neighborhood teeming with tourist hotspots and renowned steakhouses and to love more Chicago food! It’s happening – I won’t settle for less!

So, when one long and wintery week came to an end, a relaxing, and DELICIOUS dinner with Sarah, a special friend I met on my first day in Chicago, was just what we ordered. (Pun intended.) When deciding where to go, she asked what I was in the mood for. I said, ‘Something delicious, casual, and in YOUR neighborhood!’ And as it seems I have great taste in friends, she had great taste in her choice: The Peasantry – a cozy eatery in Lincoln Park that serves ‘elevated street food’ on a menu that is so unique, I had to read the menu thrice because so many things caught my eye and the ingredient combinations encouraged us to step outside our normal box and try new bites.

Before I run through our shared courses, I must pay homage to the burger pictured above. Wild Boar. Sarah just started eating meat again after about 6 years of vegetarianism and I don’t typically eat red meat (for health reasons and I just don’t crave it), but something about boar (like bison) is more appealing to me than beef. Not to mention the blackberry compote, brie, and cajun spices just caught our eyes. And so, because of its richness, we split it and it was gooood. The spices included chipotle, which added an awesome heat and combined with the sweet blackberry on a bite of the savory meat, was just heaven in a bite.

Let’s, for one second, appreciate the digital dining experience – loved how the dry-erase-board written specials were showcased on an iPad mini before our meal. This nerdy marketer loved every bit of it.

Showcasing the specials and beer selection on a mini iPad – love digital dining!

Let’s move on to the appetizer (a bit out of order). Our first bite was the oyster bruschetta. The bean mash was light, giving a homey texture atop the crispy crostini, layered with roasted tomatoes, and the smoked oysters added a complex flavor and almost mushroom-y consistency to the dish.

Smoked Oyster Bruschetta with cannellini bean mash, roasted tomato, smoked oyster, thyme pickled celery root & basil aioli.

We then dove into a very earthy salad and to use a word I often hear on Chopped (my favorite show on The Food Network), very herbacious. After we had ordered, I forgot which ingredients to expect in the dish and one of the elements really surprised me with spices I could not place. When referring back to the menu, I realized it was the very thinly sliced saffron infused pears – just delicious. The warming spices, paired with the sweet figs and sprinkled with fresh mint, spicy arugula, and crunchy walnuts just felt fresh and healthy – so farm to table (yes, I just used that as an adjective).

Pear Ras El Hanout Salad with saffron infused pears, peas, arugula, walnuts, mint, garnished with fig chutney.

And, of course, we had to have another course – this time a sweet one. The sweet potato churros were just the right bite size portions, and when dipped in the chai creme, was very rich. I could only have one, and was itching for a bite of chocolate, but the sweet potatoes were again comforting and a perfect autumnal combination with the spices of the chai. Just a lovely bite to end our unforgettable meal.

Sweet Potato Churros with Chai Maple Syrup Anglaise

And, so, maybe I’m not in trouble on my quest to love Chicago food. The Peasantry gave me hope! And, our experience ended on a happy, personal note when the owner, Ellen, stopped by to ask how everything was and to chat for a good five minutes (so nice when her restaurant was packed on a weekend evening)! This is why I love local businesses, getting to meet their owners while experiencing their passion – we bonded instantly chatting about food, the city, and the weather. I’ll definitely be back for another cozy winter evening, and I’ll be back, per Ellen’s recommendation, when the windows open up in the Summer and Sarah and I can sit near the sidewalk, facing outward, taking in the food and watching the walkers by. One final note – I find the name – The Peasantry – quite ironic because we definitely dined like queens and not peasants. But, I can see the nod to earthy ingredients, and a simple nostalgic environment in great company. (Oh, and don’t forget to indulge in their carefully crafted cocktails and reasonable wines!)

Chicago Dining: Sushi, BBQ, Tacos & Sliders

TheRebecca — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 02:58:24 +0000

Top Row L to R: En Hakkore (Bucktown), Bubb City (River North), Big Star (Wicker Park/Bucktown). Bottom Row L to R: En Hakkore, Big Star, Sable Kitchen

And, so, about 4 months into my Chicago adventure, I’m still hungry to find the Chicago restaurants that catch my eye and make a memory for my tastebuds. I’ve been lucky to try several Chicago pizza joints and a number of different restaurants from bruncheries to dinner menus, though few so far have struck my fancy and inspired a return visit (or a blog post). I thought I’d give a highlight of those that have made a lasting impression on me so far:

En Hakkore (Wicker Park/Bucktown)

I kinda think they don’t have a website, which might give a new literal meaning to ‘hidden gem’. But, I woke up to an email about it from Thrillist with mouthwatering photos, and luckily, I just joined the team at a foodie-filled digital marketing agency in Wicker Park – mere steps away from our office and it was chosen as our team lunch location the same day. Coinkidink, I would say! The Super White Tuna Ceviche roll was my lunch choice, and a stellar one. The tuna was fresh and spicy with an elevated level of heat, the rice was soft, yet of substance, the veggies inside were crunchy. Likely what would seem like a typical spicy tuna roll. But what really added new dimensions to the dish were the bright and fresh splashes of cilantro and the rustic cracked pepper that just awoke my senses when combined with the jalapeno round and chili sauce dot that rested atop each piece of the roll. It was just the right combination of flavors and colors and textures – so well done! And, it was only $8! The other star of the table was the bibimbap, what seemed to be bottomless bowls of fresh and vibrant vegetables sitting atop brown or long grain rice, which most of the team ate with chopsticks and dressed with a variety of sauces offered. The prices and flavors are something I will definitely go back for – likely ordering to-go for a fresh mid-day lunch. I also loved the simple, yet delicate decor with wooden tables, and ceramic pieces gracing the white and pastel painted walls. Bub City (River North)

I walked into Bub City for a girls dinner (yes, love it, ladies & bbq!), and I felt like I was home. With a whiskey bar to the right upon entering, a wall-sized flag made of red, white, and blue beer cans, and a menu packed with smoked meats, hearty sides, and 3 bbq sauce flavors (including North Carolina-style) in the table centerpiece rounded it out. I went with the BBQ 1/2 Chicken with deliciously fresh and flavorful marinated cucumber and tomato salad as a side. We also shared an order of the spoonbread, which was basically a rich and decadent cornbread with roasted cheese on top. About one spoonful was all I needed since it was so satisfying. The modern country music playing as we dined was the icing on the bbq cake for me – made me want to slip on my cowgirl boots and go two-stepping! There is a stage for live music, though no dance floor, but hey, we can make it work. I’ll be back soon for a cold one and some homey bbq. (I heard through the grapevine that Bub City used to be a legendary neighborhood hotspot in the Chicago suburbs and was recently moved to the hoppin’ nightlife center in River North on Clark and Hubbard.

Big Star (Wicker Park/Bucktown)

Since I set foot in Chicago, I’ve been on a hunt for legit tacos. Until I arrived here, I didn’t realize how much of a staple tacos were in my diet back in Austin. Here, pizza seems to rule all, but there’s something about the flavorful ingredients packed between a flexible tortilla topped with a kickin’ salsa that is just a necessity for this Texas girl, and you definitely have to seek out Mexican food in The Windy City. Luckily, two of my coworkers accompanied me on my first experience at the locally infamous Big Star. Supposedly, it’s a summer staple and the place to be, sitting on the outdoor patio with a margarita and some tacos. In the winter, we take it inside. I like the menu since it’s simple, yet creative. I ordered the Tostada de Betabel, which is supposed to be served on a fried tortilla, but I asked for it to come with a fresh tortilla instead (for the health factor). It was topped with bright golden beets, crunchy jicama, orange segments, arugula, spicy goat cheese (this was tear-inducing spicy and amazing!), and pumpkin seeds. It was just fantastic! I also ordered the Taco de Pollo, which had rich savory flavor, black bean crema, crumbly cotija cheese, and crispy fried onions. Loved this one too, but I think I would continue to order the Betabel over and over. We also shared chips and salsa – the salsa was deep in color, and had a thicker puree-like texture, and had a roasted spicy flavor that kept me going back for more.

Sable Kitchen (River North)

When my friend Jen and I planned to catch up over dinner one Thursday night, I jumped at the opportunity to visit Sable Kitchen & Bar, part of the Hotel Palomar Chicago. I’d walked by it and browsed the menu and loved the all day menu and small bites concept. I had my eye on the Lamb Sliders and so we shared an order. I only wish there were two more on the plate! The buns were soft and a little toasty on the flat sides closing in on the lamb, and the pickled sweet cucumber with salty feta combination just made them comforting little bite-sized tastes. We shared a few other items including the kale chips and elegant and earthy cheese board accompanied by fruit, honeycomb, and other goodies. The all day menu makes this great for a late afternoon weekend nosh and glass of wine, post-work stop, or dinner. Great go-to that I will repeat visit very soon.

New Years Day Brunch

TheRebecca — Sun, 20 Jan 2013 15:11:50 +0000

Mini Breakfast Parfaits

While everyone is busy making New Year’s Eve plans, I’m usually planning a fun and fresh start for a New Year’s Day gathering. I started the New Year’s Day brunch tradition a few years ago in Austin, but brought it to Chicago and I think it might be the first of many in The Windy City. Assuming my guests and I don’t drink too much champagne the night before and actually arrive for brunch, I love hosting a late-morning meal on the first day of the year since there aren’t too many places we have to be on that day (versus Christmas or Chanukah or Thanksgiving, when holiday rituals take place without fail). Other than football and parade-watching, hearing stories from the Eve before in our pajamas with a tasty brunch is the perfect way to kick off a new cycle of time – New Year’s Day is full of exciting possibilities and upcoming surprises.

And, so this year, I started with fresh, fruity, and new-tritious New Years Day brunch parfaits, using small mini dessert flares gifted from Mom from our favorite Pier1. (Hey, they may even be on sale!) If you don’t have glasses like these handy, you could use votive candle holders or small cups or ramekins. I layered the glasses with fresh strawberries, blackberries, and vanilla yogurt. To fancy them up a bit, I grated gingersnap cookies on top. Triple Ginger Cookies from Trader Joe’s are my new fave since they have pieces of ginger in them.

New Years Brunch - Pancakes n' PJ's

The star of New Years Day brunch was a multigrain pancake bar. I’ve hosted pancake parties before but without an array of topping choices. After all, sometimes pancakes are best with the fruit or chocolate chips baked in. But, since I’d be making pancakes for about 15 people, I thought it would be easiest to make one kind and offer toppings so everyone could create their own breakfast. I originally thought of the idea, but became even more inspired on Pinterest, which led me to One Stylish Bride – this idea was used for a wedding – love it for the morning after the big event. Looking for a make-your-own party idea? I came across others on Pinterest like a popcorn bar, pizza bar, hot cocoa bar, salad bar, and trail mix bar. So many options! For my pancake bar, I used – ready for it? FiberOne whole wheat pancake mix. It’s healthy, it actually tastes good, and it only takes water to make the batter. On the table, I used a dry erase board to showcase the topping options, wrapped a few different sized boxes with silver tissue paper and gold ribbon, and small white bowls and dishes for the toppings. White, silver, and gold showcased the freshness of a new year with a festive feel since the celebrations of the previous evening were continued. If hosting a pancake bar party, ask guests to bring their favorite pancake topping, or provide things like fresh berries, nuts, chocolate chips of course, and you could even serve different flavored syrups if you really want to get fancy. Whipped cream and powdered sugar (or confectioner’s sugar) and cinnamon would be a nice touch too.

So, friends. Brunch it up with a make-your-own menu! Cheers to a tasty and creative new year!

More Cupcakes Please

TheRebecca — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 05:42:18 +0000

Chocolate Chocolate Cupcake at More Cupcakes Chicago

When my new friend Mara and I found ourselves with a sweet tooth after our Goddess and the Grocer dinner one evening and before a group meeting, we wandered over to the infamous Sprinkles that was mere paces away. I passed up the ordering opp. since I was in the mood for a mini cupcake (just a sweet bite or two, versus a big papa), and the only minis in site were treats for furry four-legged customers (pups). Luckily, Mara is laps ahead of me in Chicago living and knew of another spot, More Cupcakes, close by that would have taken me months or even years to discover on my own, despite being in my neighborhood!

The moment we walked in, I felt like I had stepped up the classy cupcake ladder. (There must be such a thing…) The shop felt like a boutique showcasing the chic and scrumptious single-serve delicacies in the glass case and I knew I was looking rows of true treats. They look like they’re posing for the camera with glamour, don’t they? I mean, did you see the 1/4 inch evenly spread layer of frosting atop the cupcakes in the picture above? We were in luck on our hunt for mini cupcakes, as there were only two long, narrow gift boxes left, each containing 6 mini cakes, 2 of each flavor.

Mini Cupcake Box with Cookies and Creme, Valrhona, Chocolate Caramel at More Cupcakes Chicago

And the best part about the minis? Boxes of 6 are $9! Since we were heading to a meeting and wanted to take some sweet treats with us, we were able to share dessert bites with 12 people for $18 between the two of us! Regular size cupcakes run about $3.25 up to $5.25 for specialty cupcakes like those with liquor in them, served in the shop only on Fridays – just in time for the weekend! So, the box for $9 was a fantastic value – great for a host or hostess gift, or quick dessert to share with guests when entertaining. I mean, who wouldn’t want to bite into one of these? (And I’m not even really a cupcake person – but chocolate and I are in a relationship for the long-haul).

With creative, yet refined flavors like Chocolate Hazelnut, Passionfruit Meringue, Red Velvet, Salted Caramel, White Chocolate Peppermint, and even seasonal flavors like Pumpkin Cinnamon Cream Cheese, the cups o’ goodness sell themselves. Consider ordering for loved ones even states away, or for any occasion. A box of 16 ‘moresels’, or what they call minis, total $24 up to $29.50 for savory and specialty flavors.

I already stopped by before a New Year’s Eve party this past weekend just before they sold out, but forgot to snap a photo when I arrived. The ‘moresels’ Mara and I took to our gathering were gobbled up pretty quickly – I was a big fan of the Chocolate Caramel. Photo opp missed there too because of the excitement with this Chicago dessert find!

I once made a piece of art from a magazine clipping with this quote: “Too much of a good thing can be wonderful.” Don’t you agree? So when you find something as lip-licking delicious and composed as these single cups o’ sweet, why not go back for More?

Chicago Pizza Series: Edwardo’s Natural Pizza

TheRebecca — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 14:55:52 +0000

Pizza du Jour - Stuffed Spinach Pizza @ Edwardo's Natural Pizza

And, so, the quest for my favorite Chicago pizza continues. Thanks to The Windy City Pizza Club, my tastebuds are able to explore a different pie-slinging spot once a month – if I so choose. This month, I was excited to join in on the gathering at Edwardo’s Natural Pizza in the Lincoln Park / Park West neighborhood. Edwardo’s has been known for its natural-ingredient made stuffed Chicago pizza for 34 years and I would say they seem to have it mastered. After all, anyone could probably layer goodies between two layers of dough and bake it, but could you then slice it perfectly without the insides oozing out and showcasing the layers for the hungry eye to see? I suspect not. Oh, and who doesn’t love a seemingly inside-out pizza with the marinara sauce on top of the cheese?

On my way to pizza club, I was held up a bit at my new ladies cooking club (blog post coming soon!). And, what would any devoted pizza club do? My friend David (and introductor to the club – yep, sounds like a good word), texted to see if I was on my way (of course) and if they could order for me. Upon meeting David on my first day in Chicago, I knew we had a mutual respect for quality food, so I entrusted him with my order. “The stuffed spinach is the pizza du jour. I’ve loved it since I was about 6 years old!” replied David. “Done,” I said. And, shortly after I arrived, the medium-sized 8-slicer deep dish pan was lowered onto our table and the bon appetit-ing began.

I really enjoyed the light and fairly smooth tomato sauce (versus the heartier sauce at spots like Lou Malnati’s) and the multi-layers so I could taste both the sauce and the cheese and crust multiple times in one bite. I am not nearly an expert in deep-dish pizza and typically prefer thin crust because the deep-dish is usually too heavy for me, and I feel that I’m only getting cheese in each bite. I live in the camp that believes the sauce is a significant component of the pizza that can make or break the taste (I think the same of salsa in Mexican food). Oh, and the outer crust was crispy with a pastry dough-like consistency – not greasy, and light.

And, so, now I am one more delicious pizza spot deep in Chicago and I would certainly pass along the same recommendation, ahem, Rebeccammendation, for the stuffed spinach I received from the pizza club that’s got my back…even if I’m running late. One more note for my fellow health-conscious readers: the Edwardo’s menu also features pastas, a heaping array of salads, and pastas, and the option to add wheat crust to thin or deep dish pizza for only $1. Thin crust pizzas also include fun flavors like Hawaiian Luau with pineapple, bacon, and piquant sweet n’ sour sauce, Tex-Mex with black beans, scallions, and jalapeno peppers among other treats, and even the Homestyle BBQ Chicken.

*The location we dined at had a handful of tables so it was pretty cozy. There are several locations in Chicago, Illinois, and Wisconsin. Call ahead if you’ll be dining in or better yet, order takeout and enjoy a movie night if you’re near this modest Lincoln Park location.

Kitchen Schooling: The Chopping Block

TheRebecca — Mon, 05 Nov 2012 05:23:20 +0000

A Tuscan Kitchen Cooking Class with Parents at The Chopping Block!

I’m so grateful that my parents came to visit to see my new home and all it has to offer! Surprise, surprise, I got busy planning for their weekend in Chicago about the time I set foot off that plane (only about three weeks prior). Full disclosure – my sisters and I owed Mom a cooking class from about two birthdays ago. In our defense, we tried to find a class in Austin whenever they were visiting, but we had trouble finding a menu that we were enthused about. I consider cooking classes like ordering a prix fixe meal – you know what you’ll be getting – and it just didn’t make sense to take a class that had one of 3 or 4 courses that we wouldn’t make or eat. (We have some dietary restrictions and try to be as heart-healthy as possible. *Dessert always excluded from this rule).

And, so, when I heard about The Chopping Block, a Chicago cooking school and shop with two locations, I immediately scoped out the sched. Bingo! I found: Tuscan Kitchen and it was just calling our names. The class would be a surprise for M + D, both of whom (ha, I think I finally used whom correctly!! Big win.) like to be in the kitchen (or beside the grill). I’ll tell you about the menu, but won’t go into full recipes so you can experience a fabulous class at The Chopping Block if you feel inspired. If you’re interested in a recipe mentioned here, email me and I’ll send it along! I loved that the instructor emailed us the recipes for my digital recipe box after class (aka my Gmail ‘recipes & food’ folder). So, here’s the menu that drew me in:

Warm farro salad with sundried tomatoes, pine nuts, green olives, garlic, olive oil, chopped basil.
Grilled seabass with salsa verde (a very light herbal dressing made with parsley).
Flatbread with artichokes, grilled fennel, garlic, and arugula.
Lemon and vanilla panna cotta.

See photos below of our savory, light, flavorful, and nutritiously interactive meal. We even got popcorn with truffle oil to snack on while cooking and were able to order a bottle of wine to sip on throughout the class too. We also met some great people and got to enjoy our meals with them at the end and learn about our unique journeys that led us all to one table.

Chefs hats off to Chef Trevor and team! Looking for a date night activity, girls night out, family fun night, work team building event? The Chopping Block is a fantastic idea! Thanks, M + D, for cooking up a storm w/ me in The Windy City! Two locations: The Merchandise Mart & Lincoln Square.

Ingredients for Italian Farro Salad - Pinenuts, Green Spanish Olives, Sundried Tomatoes, Garlic, Basil

The End Result!