Louisa Chu

Tea and brownies with Bertha Palmer

By: Louisa Chu | Nov. 13, 2011

Nov. 13, 2011

I'm a bad Chinese tea drinker, according to my grandfather. He drank his oolong black, the way good Chinese should. Me? Almost as soon as I could read, I learned about the English and their sweet, milky tea. When I tried it, I knew I'd found my tea people. Maybe it was environmental, since I was born in Hong Kong when it was still a British colony.

Of course I'm simpfliying. At dim sum, I'll sip my tea straight; same with many fine rare teas. My tea expert friends need not worry.

But at a recent afternoon tea, hosted by Bertha Palmer—or rather, the Greater Midwest Foodways Alliance presenting the historical actress Leslie Goddard playing the part of Mrs.

…Read Full Entry

This week in food events: Midwest, markets, and more

By: Louisa Chu | Nov. 9, 2011

Nov. 9, 2011

Tonight, my old food forum friend, Steve Plotnicki, is co-hosting The Modern Midwestern Table at North Pond. My old fishing buddy, Bruce Sherman, will be welcoming some pretty amazing chefs doing some pretty amazing food from around the Middle West into his kitchen. I've been to Josh Adams' June in Peoria Heights (not Peoria, but the mansions-overlooking-bluffs Peoria Heights) and it's definitely amazing. Josh applies a restrained use of modern techniques, like sous vide, applied to locally foraged, grown, and raised ingredients. The other notable chefs in town tonight hail from Sanford in Milwaukee, Revolver in Findlay (Ohio), and Niche in St. Louis.

Tomorrow Martha's in town! For lunch (luncheon?) Mrs. Stewart will be at an American Cancer Society event at the Hotel Orrington in Evanston: a Conversation with Martha Stewart. In the evening, Martha will be conversing again at a Junior League of Chicago reception at The Standard Club. Please note at the latter event dress code is business casual and will be enforced.

…Read Full Entry

Comfort me with pho on a rainy day

By: Louisa Chu | Nov. 8, 2011

Nov. 8, 2011

After a long day yesterday I was actually afraid that I might miss mushroom club. I can't even tell you how sad that would have made me. I don't even know that I could explain it to myself.

In any case, I did make it. Not only was it wonderful to be surrounded with good, smart people—talking about something that might help save the world—but I learned that next month's meeting is the annual potluck.

Afterwards, I was starving, not having had a chance to eat since lunch, which is fairly common among friends who work in the business of food.

My dear friend Cathy suggested we go to Tank—or more correctly, Phở Xe Tăng. Which could not have been any more perfect, on a cold, rainy night.

As it was late, we split an extra large bowl of their warming, fragrant pho—and quite frankly because you could lose yourself in the extra large bowl. Worse fates could be had.

…Read Full Entry

This week in food

By: Louisa Chu | Nov. 2, 2011

Nov. 2, 2011

Tonight, Wednesday, remember to BYOS (Bring Your Own Spoon) to the Soup & Bread book release party at the Hideout, asks author and soup mistress Martha Bayne. And might I suggest, bring your own bowl and cloth napkin too? Martha's been hosting the free weekly soup dinner for three years now, raising over $15,000 in donations for the Greater Chicago Food Depository, among others, spoon by spoon. Tonight’s soups will be brought to you by West Town Tavern, Swim Café, The Butcher & Larder, Milk & Honey Café, MANA Food Bar, Revolution Brewing, Longman & Eagle, Bite Café and “others”; bread from La Farine Bakery; and beer from Rev Brew too. The event is open and free, but please remember to make a donation, and buy a book if you can.

…Read Full Entry

Soul cakes and cider donuts

By: Louisa Chu | Oct. 31, 2011

Oct. 31, 2011

Last night at the witching hour I couldn't sleep so I decided to read a while about Halloween foods. I was surprised to learn about soul cakes. 

Legend has it that they were the ancestors to our Halloween candy and trick-or-treating tradition, but they carried more signficance: For every cake eaten, a soul was released from Purgatory. T.

…Read Full Entry

Feasting with the author of 'Hunt, Gather, Cook'

By: Louisa Chu | Oct. 28, 2011

Oct. 28, 2011

I first met Hank Shaw, a rifle-packing Renaissance man, not through his own fine food blog (Hunter Angler Gardener Cook), but through that of his friend and neighbor's, the wildly widely read Simply Recipes. From there it was down the rabbit hole, emerging in Hank's world, one where he hunts and forages the wide open lands and seas for nearly all his own food, cooks it up with style—and finishes the night with a Fernet-Branca.

But we're getting ahead of ourselves.

Hank just wrote the companion book to his life of adventure (Hunt, Gather, Cook: Finding the Forgotten Feast) and has been on a cross country road trip/book tour/hunting trip—punctuated with occasional author dinners with like-minded chefs and diners.

Hank recently stopped in the Chicago area at Paul Virant's Vie.

…Read Full Entry

A Foodie Halloween?

By: Louisa Chu | Oct. 26, 2011

Oct. 26, 2011

It's not socially acceptable for adults to go trick-or-treating (so they say) so if you don't have a kid to front you—or especially if you do—get your costumes ready for the inaugural Masquerade del Mercado Sunday night at Carnivale. Those crazy Green City Market Junior Board kids will be hosting this new fall fundraiser. As a taste of treats to come, their online auction is live now. High bid's currently $2,000 for a "Night out with the Chefs," the Chefs being Girl and the Goat's Stephanie Izard, Old Town Social's Jared Van Camp, The Trencherman's Michael Sheerin, and Goose Island's brewmaster Jared Rouben—all leading a night of debauchery. Bail not included, I'm presuming.

Thursday, Uncommon Ground on Devon hosts a Koval Distiller's Tasting Dinner. The three-course menu includes a goat cheese fennel salad, sausage, a pear tart, and Koval cocktails with every course. Have you toured the UCOD rooftop farm and/or the distillery?

…Read Full Entry

Night at the museum

By: Louisa Chu | Oct. 24, 2011

Oct. 24, 2011

The very rich are different from you and me. Not that you could tell at the Museum of Science and Industry's Columbian Ball Saturday night.

The Ball was named after the "world-renowned Exposition and annually plays a crucial role in funding the Museum's exciting and inspirational exhibitions and educational programs. Proceeds from the Columbian Ball go toward the Museum's Annual Fund, which in turn supports every aspect of the Museum experience," according to MSI.

Tuxedoed and ball gowned guests nibbled foie gras lollipops, studded with half a red grape, and finished with a sprinkle of Pop Rocks—I'm guessing the strawberry flavor. Graham Elliot Bowles popularized the combo when he was the chef at the Peninsula's Avenues.

Though I wore neither tux nor ball gown, I also had the Caprese salad skewered on a vinaigrette filled pipette; I have to say I'm not a fan of squeezeable plastic tubes.

…Read Full Entry

Pages