Blackbird Restaurant

Blackbird and its Executive Chef Paul Kahan have been providing Chicago with top-notch and award winning cuisine since its opening. Located at 619 W. Randolph, the space is also a James Beard Award-Winning Design. Thomas Schlesser and Demian Repucci designed the sleek modern space that has been one of Chicago’s hottest restaurants for nearly 12 years. With the recent addition of Chef de Cuisine Mike Sheerin formerly of WD-50 in New York, Blackbird continues to be at the forefront of the Midwest’s most innovative cuisine. Read More...

Topolobampo

Topolobampo is Rick Bayless’ sister restaurant to XOCO and Frontera Grill; Frontera being the now 22-year-old acclaimed Mexican restaurant of Chicago. While Frontera opened in 1987, Topolobampo opened only 2 years later in 1989 after Bayless was awarded Food and Wine Magazine’s “Best New Chef of the Year” in 1988. Continuing to receive awards for both of the adjacent restaurants has kept Frontera Grill and Topolobampo two of Chicago’s hottest dining spots.

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XOCO

Rick Bayless does it again! The celebrity chef that brought you Frontera Grill, Topolobampo and Frontera Fresca opened XOCO September 8, 2009. XOCO means “little sister” in Spanish slang which is fitting as XOCO is the little sister of the Bayless restaurants. Bayless has mastered fine-dining and quick service and is now on top of the global street food phenomenon.

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Charlie Trotter’s

To say that Charlie Trotter’s is simply one of the best restaurants in Chicago would be an understatement. The awards that the restaurant (and the chef) have received make Charlie Trotter’s one of the best restaurants in the United States, if not in the world. For 21 years, this Lincoln Park restaurant, located in two unassuming brownstone houses, has been serving some of the best and most innovative food in the world. With 10 James Beard Foundation awards, a Mobil Five Star designation, an AAA Diamond award, as well as several other awards, Charlie Trotter’s sets itself worlds apart from mainstream fine dining. If that’s not enough, they are celebrating their 22nd anniversary this year!
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The Publican

The Publican is the latest restaurant from Chef Paul Kahan and partners. Alongside him are Chef de Cuisine Brian Huston, Sommelier Eduard Seitan, beer expert Michael McAvena, and partner and experienced restaurateur Brian Alexander. Their new restaurant is located in the Fulton Market District at 837 W. Fulton Market Street in Chicago. The Publican is a beer-centric restaurant focused on simply prepared fresh and seasonal ingredients.

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Perennial

Perennial, one of the new restaurants from the Boka Restaurant Group that also runs Boka and Landmark, has quickly become one of “The Best 50 New Restaurants in America” according to Travel and Leisure Magazine. Chef Ryan Poli is the driving force behind the food of Perennial. He was the executive chef of Butter in Chicago, which was also named one of the country’s twenty best new restaurants by Esquire Magazine in 2005. Even with the recognition he gained from Butter, Poli decided to leave and go to Spain to work for a host of restaurants while he refined his techniques and skills. With this experience and his previous work in the kitchens of The French Laundry and Le Francais, Poli was ready to open Perennial.

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Piccolo Sogno

Piccolo Sogno, or “Little Dream” as it translates in Italian, is the River West located restaurant of Chef Tony Priolo and wine expert Ciro Longobardo. Opened December 2008, Piccolo Sogno has already been named one of Chicago Magazine’s Top 22 New Chicago Restaurants. Piccolo Sogno has taken the space previously occupied by Timo restaurant, and before that, Thyme.

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The Art Institute just opened a new wing for modern/contemporary art, and in celebration will be granting free admission this week only! Now, the Art Institute is already known as a world renowned museum and it is sure to become even better as of this week with all of the fanfare attributed to the new wing. Even the wing itself is being hailed as modern excellence by the New York Times and other national papers.

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During these tough economic times, many people are looking for ways to make their food budgets go further. While cutting back on certain splurges is a solution many consider, I’ve found implementing a combination of cost-cutting tactics really works (and still allows for the occasional splurge)!

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With everyone being so busy this year, I took it upon myself to choose a place for our holiday lunch. One of the first places that came to mind was Uncommon ground, but I thought I would do a little more searching, just to have more options. I have been to the one in Edgewater but not to the one in Wrigleyville. I thought we’d give the one in Wrigleyville a try since it is closer to the office.

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Paranoid for Thanksgiving.

I love Thanksgiving. It’s a great time to be with family and when families are spread out and travel is difficult -- a great time to get together with our close friends that have become our “second or extended family.” I love Thanksgiving because it’s a holiday without the pressure of shopping for and figuring out what gift old Uncle Joe would like this year. It is just an eat-a-thon with almost no pressure attached. Except for one thing -- we all feel just a little pressure from what to make or bring to the Thanksgiving eat-a-thon.

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My absolute favorite holiday is Halloween and when I found out that my boss Mike wanted to throw a Halloween bash, I was elated. Part of the bash included a pumpkin carving contest. Everyone spent the week prior to Halloween trying to decide what to do with their pumpkin. Mum was the word because no one was going to share their idea, being a contest and all.
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Cead Mile Failte from Louisville!
(A Hundred Thousand Welcomes)

Posted by Megan Warmouth

A few weeks ago, I trekked down to Louisville, Kentucky, home of the Slugger and the Derby, to celebrate a milestone birthday of a friend. Not knowing what to expect or what the official party plans were, I was surprised when my friend, after dividing the partygoers into two groups, announced that we were going on a scavenger hunt. Not having participated in such an activity since I was 12, I was hesitant, to put it mildly—after all, I had no idea which way was North in the river city and getting lost is not my idea of fun!

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After relocating its North American headquarters from Canada to Chicago, Barry Callebaut asked GH to oversee the grand opening of its first U.S. Chocolate Academy, the 12th in the world.

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Last week, I had the pleasure of attending a special event at WIRED Magazine’s NextFest, celebrating the release of Grant Achatz’s new Alinea cookbook. While Alinea’s official exhibit at NextFest focused more directly on its use of innovative serving pieces by Crucial Detail design studio, the theme of the book party was tailored to the multi-sensory Alinea experience.

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The signature drink continues to stir up sales at restaurants and bars with some industry reports citing a 20% sales increase in beverages attributed to the signature drink. In fact, the hot trend at weddings is to offer a signature drink named after the couple. While there's a certain art to mixing cocktails, a good place to try your hand at a signature drink is with sangria.

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It's about that time of year again! Every year, Chicagoans and tourists alike flock to Grant Park to sample the diverse tastes of Chicago area restaurants and celebrate the arrival of summer. The Taste is less than a week away, and everyone at GH can't help but get excited about strolling the park during lunch hour and enjoying all the delicious food our city has to offer.

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If you're a fan of Thai food then I would recommend a visit to the annual Thai Chicago Festival at Daley Plaza this week. Being Thai and coming from a family of notable Thai cooks (one aunt was the personal chef to the King and Queen of Thailand and another invented Siracha sauce)

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I invite you to dine at Carnivale – a new Nuevo Latino restaurant in Chicago. The playful décor and live salsa funk music on Sunday and Wednesday are enough to make a stop. The menu offers authentic cuisines of the Americas that include Esparragos, Chicken with Jalapeno Parsley Mojo and a great Ceviche tasting. Chef, Mark Mendez, calls it a “Latin House Party.”

Now for the surprise, Carnivale is going green. The restaurant’s “Farm to Table Celebration” event from June thru September features sustainable local produce from farms in Michigan, Illinois and Indiana. And, they have just installed a water filtration system to reduce bottled water use in the restaurant.

Enjoy this fun and environmentally responsible new player on the Chicago restaurant scene!

Carnivale
702 W. Fulton
Chicago

¡Diviértase!

Posted by Mary Ellen Hanrahan

It's that time of year again, NRA time! So up your work-outs now to get the most out of the week. It truly is an endurance event and you won't want to miss the valuable networking time or time to learn on your own.

My advice to any newbie visiting the show is simple…

1) Wear comfortable shoes
2) Take public transportation
3) Choose samples wisely; it's easy to over-indulge and end up with a stomach ache.
     (As a chocolate-lover, I speak from experience here.)
4) Check out the live culinary competitions
5) Map out key booths or areas that are "must-see's"
6) Also, allow yourself to wander for 2 hours...give yourself a time limit so you're not
      aimlessly wandering away a day! (Again, I speak from experience here.)
7) Bring your own bag for literature and samples
8) Take advantage of at least 1 educational seminar
9) Come curious; don't be shy about asking questions and getting answers
10) Don't pick up tchotskeys you know you won't use

For the veterans, you know that the Show is just part of the exciting week. Dining in Chicago is second to none but if you haven't made a dinner reservation at a newcomer or perennial hot spot, never fear. Why not spring for a cab and really experience Chicago with some neighborhood dining superstars. You can't go wrong with this list:

1) Rose Angelis -- fabulous Italian fare in a Lincoln Park neighborhood, 773-296-0081



2) Jane's -- inviting upscale American in a homey A-frame in Bucktown, 773-862-5263

3) Tango Sur -- savory Argentinian BYOB steakhouse on Southport, 773-477-5466

4) Café 28 -- upscale and lively Cuban and Mexican on Irving Park, 773-528-2883



5) Harmony Grill at Schuba's -- delicious regional American comfort food, 773-525-2508



Check out Metromix for more suggestions.

If you have any unscheduled time, I recommend a trip on the Red Line to Addison…the Cubs are in town! A hot dog and Old Style at Wrigley is the perfect way to round out any trip to Chicago.



Posted by Molly Eaton

Warm weather and massive amounts of food go hand-in-hand!

After another agonizing winter, it’s finally time for Chicagoans to step outside and enjoy all that our fair city has to offer. Here at GH, we know things are taking a turn for the better when we can look out of our conference room windows and see “The Bean” reflecting the sun and skyline, as opposed to being covered in snow. To celebrate the warm weather, here’s a quick guide to some of the best May/June Chicago festivals, covering art, live music, and of course…food!

Looptopia, May 2

An all-night celebration in Chicago’s Loop; includes dance, theatre, film, music, art and activities for kids and families.

Cinco De Mayo, May 2-4

Lawndale neighborhood festival, complete with a carnival, food and live music, and a parade on Sunday.

Green City Market, Wednesdays and Saturdays starting May 14

Chicago’s only sustainable farmers’ market features everything from fresh produce to artisanal cheeses and breads. A favorite among local chefs and recently featured on “Top Chef: Chicago.”

Great Chicago Places & Spaces, May 17-18

A weekend of appreciation for Chicago architecture and design, with over 200(!) free tours and events.

Randolph Street Market Festival, starting May 24

Antiques, collectibles, jewelry and great food can all be found at this weekly festival in West Town.

Mayfest, May 29-June 1

Brats and beer in Lincoln Square, culminating in a Maypole Dance on Sunday.

Chicago Blues Fest, June 5-8

The city’s largest music festival, now in its 25th year! A can’t-miss event.

Ribfest, June 7-8

What started as a North Center block party has grown to a full-out street festival. Come hungry: 65,000 pounds of ribs will be served during the weekend!

Printer’s Row Book Fair, June 7-8

Browse through treasure troves of new and used books alike, specialty and antique books, signings and panel discussions and events at Harold Washington Library.

Taste of Chicago, June 27-July 6

The biggest and most well-known of Chicago’s food festivals – more food-on-a-stick than you can…well…shake a stick at. Wear lots of sunscreen and bring a (reusable) water bottle.

Chicago Pride Parade, June 29

Picnics and parties all over the lakefront, with the famous parade running through Boystown and into Lincoln Park.

Bike Chicago, May – September

Burn off the calories from the food you consumed at the neighborhood festivals by participating in races and group rides.

For more information, check out:
http://chicago.metromix.com/
http://www.cityofchicago.org/specialevents

Posted by Heather Kaplan