Louisa Chu

To doggie bag or not to doggy bag?

By: Louisa Chu | Apr. 19, 2012

Apr. 19, 2012

That is the question. Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer the slings and arrows of outraged fellow diners—well, you get the idea. 

With Earth Day on Sunday, I wonder, do you doggie bag?

Before I left for Baconfest, I packed my usual tote bag and water bottle, plus a couple of dozen of lightweight containers saved from Whole Foods bulk buys. As much as I love to eat—and drink—I know my limits. And from years of professional experience, I knew I'd be testing them at this event. I'm no Sonya "The Black Widow" Thomas, the 98-pound champion competitive eater. So as I tasted, I saved my leftovers, which leaves my palate better for judging too.

I was very happily surprised to see compost bins at Baconfest.

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Baconfest: Gourmet eats, fatty treats

By: Louisa Chu | Apr. 18, 2012

Apr. 18, 2012

"Whenever you're at a brunch buffet and you see that big metal tray filled with the 4,000 pieces of bacon, don't you expect a rainbow to be coming out of it? 'I found it! I found the source of all bacon!'"

Food-obsessed comedian Jim Gaffigan has a brilliant "Bit of Bacon" and his words speak to the heart—the ever-slowly beating heart—of Baconfest Chicago.

Held this past Saturday at UIC Forum, it wasn't all about piggery. The Baconfest Triumvirate of founders also donated a big $50,000 check to the Greater Chicago Food Despository—and 3,000 Baconfesters brought 2,298 pounds of food for the food drive.

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This week in food events: Chowathon and more

By: Louisa Chu | Apr. 16, 2012

Apr. 16, 2012

 

This week in food events, we're discussing some big issues: the farm bill, food deserts, ocean health—and then there's Chowathon! The 24-hour, non-stop eating and drinking crawl (and yes, we do mean crawl ha ha) currently has newly minted LTH GNR (Great Neighborhhood Restaurant) winner Redhot Ranch penciled in at 4 a.m. I just went last week for the fine double dog with Chicago-style fried shrimp you see above after The Last Soup.

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The season of soup, bread and pie

By: Louisa Chu | Apr. 14, 2012

Apr. 14, 2012

It's no secret we love soup and bread around here—the pairing of the fluid and staple foods, as well as the homegrown social culinary movement, Soup & Bread.

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This week in food: Baconfest & more

By: Louisa Chu | Apr. 11, 2012

Apr. 11, 2012

 

Our plates and cups runneth over with more highly anticipated food and drink events than we can handle this week—so protest our hearts and livers. We'll try to survive a yoga class at the Green Metropolis Fair, but as we know in Chicago, this week, one event rules them all: Baconfest. The event sold-out in minutes months ago, but this year you can DIY BFC. Please remember: it's not a bacon sprint, it's a bacon marathon.

Wednesday, April 11

I'll be at Soup & Bread (& Pie): The Last Soup at The Hideout, benefitting the New Community Warming Center in Logan Square this week. "The center is a place for folks to get out of the elements for a few hours each day, share a meal with friends, and get connected to resources."

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I dream of sushi

By: Louisa Chu | Apr. 6, 2012

Apr. 6, 2012

Jiro Dreams of Sushi finally opened in Chicago. The film shows the life of 86-year-old sushi master Jiro Ono at his Michelin three-star, 10-seat restaurant, located in a Tokyo subway pedway.

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Ching Ming, Chicago-style

By: Louisa Chu | Apr. 3, 2012

Apr. 3, 2012

The first tastes of spring may be marked by ramps, smelts, or even food trucks these days, but for thousands of years, for billions of Chinese around the world—including the diaspora in Chicago—they're heralded with the aroma of incense.

This year Ching Ming falls on April 4, as it follows the lunar calendar.

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This week in food: Stinkhorns & soup

By: Louisa Chu | Apr. 2, 2012

Apr. 2, 2012

How about you call your mom to remind her for once its Passover and Easter this week? Non-observant? Join me at Soup & Bread Wednesday—or plan ahead and get tickets now for the Ground Up Chicago Spring Fundraiser at Spacca Napoli next Monday. Wherever you go, in the voice of my mom, "Just eat!"

Monday, April 2

The Illinois Mycological Association (aka Mushroom Club) presents "Stinkhorn Mushrooms (and a Little Bit About Morels)" by mushroom expert Dr. Michael Kuo. Please note that the Club meets this month at the Lake Katherine Nature Center and Botanic Gardens in Palos Heights. "As usual, if you have any mushroom questions or found a fungus you want help identifying, bring it along and we’ll help," say mushroom clubbers.

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