WBEZ | Food

Charlie Trotter accused of selling bogus $46K wine

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 10:31:00 -0500

Award-winning chef Charlie Trotter is being sued by two New York wine collectors who say he sold them a bottle of wine for more than $46,000 that wasn't what it said on the label.

The federal lawsuit filed Thursday in Chicago accuses Trotter and one of his wine experts of duping them into buying what they thought was a magnum of 1945 Romanee-Conti from the Domaine de la Romanee-Conti vineyard in June 2012.

The collectors, Bekim and Ilir Frrokaj, say an appraisal firm concluded the bottle was counterfeit.

They are seeking damages of more than $76,000. They accuse Trotter and his company of violating Illinois consumer fraud laws.

An attorney for Trotter, John Riccione, did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment on Friday.

Handpicked: Fiestas Puertorriqueñas, Meet the Market and more

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 05:00:00 -0500

Friday, June 14
31st annual Fiestas Puertorriqueñas in and around Humboldt Park. The Puerto Rican Festival and Parade is second in size only to the Taste of Chicago, and the biggest Hispanic fiesta in the country. The four-day cultural celebration includes food vendors of course, and is sponsored in part by La Bomba and Borinquen restaurants, the latter the inventor of the iconic Chicago jibarito. Be sure to taste mofongo (fried green plantains mashed with garlic and meat, classically pork, but preferably chicharrónes if I can help it) and arroz con gandules (rice with pigeon peas, and again, classically pork, cooked in aromatic sofrito). Admission FREE, food, drink, and carnival rides extra.

Saturday, June 15
Les Dames Culinary Garage Sale and Cake Walk at Kendall College. Chicagoland’s top chefs have cleaned out their prized culinary closets of Le Creuset and other treasures, plus top pastry chefs will donate their goods to the cake walk on the terrace. Proceeds benefit Les Dames d’Escoffier scholarships and Green City Market. Food trucks and live music round out the event. Admission $5 general; $75 VIP includes early entry to the sale, food, drinks, and a swag bag; food trucks extra.

If Recipes Could Talk: Wisconsin Foods and the Stories They Tell at Kendall College. Author Terese Allen shares classic Wisconsin recipes for the Friday night fish fry, and Hmong egg rolls? Hear the stories behind them, plus taste said Hmong egg rolls, filled with ground pork, rice noodles, and minced onions. Allen is a columnist for Edible Madison and Edible Door County magazines, food editor for the Organic Valley brand, co-author of the award-winning The Flavor of Wisconsin: An Informal History of Food and Eating in the Badger State, and much more. Presented by the Culinary Historians of Chicago, this event will be recorded for WBEZ’s Chicago Amplified. Admission FREE for Kendall students and faculty with ID, $3 general.

Spring Open House at Growing Home’s Wood Street Urban Farm. Tour the city’s first and only certified organic farm with refreshments and music. The farm stand will be open, plus gardening and nutrition workshops, and healthy cooking demos and tastings. This is the final open house celebration of the year. Admission FREE.

Above the Pavement: A City Fair at Maria’s and Pleasant House Bakery parking lots. Billed as the smallest city fair in the world, with food from Pleasant House and local chefs at Maria's Packaged Goods & Community Bar; Small Manufacturing Alliance (SMAll) members vending their wares; and live music. Plus an after party at Co-Prosperity Sphere. Admission FREE to the fair; food, drink, and wares additional; $5 suggested donation to the after party.

Sunday, June 16
Happy Father’s Day!

Thursday, June 20
Meet the Market at Table, Donkey and Stick. Chef Scott Manley will feature ingredients from Radical Root Farm, plus La Sirena Clandestina and Barrelhouse Flat mixologist Austin Skyles makes cocktails with New Holland Artisan Spirits. The food menu: fried duck liver with hard cooked egg, spring onion marmalade, and charred green garlic; smoked chicken with grilled kale on and sunflower oat bread crostini; kohlrabi slaw on roasted kohlrabi rolls with quark. Admission FREE; cocktails extra and act as your donation to the Green City Market's youth education programs, Club Sprouts and The Edible Gardens.

Soirée in the City at Salvage One. An evening featuring hors d’oeuvres, cocktails, and a silent auction benefits Rape Victim Advocates. Bid on a coveted maple syrup run ride-along with the one and only Tim Burton, of Burton’s Maplewood Farm. A dozen guests will take a progressive drink tour in the back of Burton’s 1949 cherry red Chevy farm truck, the Donna Sue, with mixologist Adam Seger. Celebrate the summer solstice with exclusive al fresco access and tastings at the Little Goat Diner, The Ritz-Carlton, Table Fifty-Two, Perennial Virant, and the J. Parker. Admission $95 advance, $115 door.

Save the Date!
Friday, July 21
Second annual CigarBQue at Beyond Design. Primehouse's Rick Gresh, Fountainhead's Cleetus Friedman, and GT Fish & Oyster's Giuseppe Tentori invite you to an intimate evening of fine cigars paired with food, beer, wine, and cocktails by master mixologists. The evening benefits the Cigar Family Charitable Foundation whose mission is to provide a significant humanitarian impact to the communities in the Dominican Republic. Admission $150.

Suit against food truck ordinance moves forward

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 17:39:00 -0500

Food truck owners and their customers had a small victory in court today. A judge will hear their request to operate in more parts of the city.

Currently, Chicago’s food truck ordinance includes a ban on operating a food truck within 200 feet of a restaurant and a requirement that all food trucks have GPS Devices so the city can track their location.

Two food truck business, Schnitzel King and Cupcakes For Courage challenged the ordinance. The city asked for the complaint to be dismissed but a judge is allowing it to move forward.

Laura Pekarik is the owner of Cupcakes for Courage.

“This is exactly what we were hoping for. We can present our case with evidence and facts,” said Pekarik.

The judge asked for more information from both sides of the case before the next court date. He suspects the 200 feet restriction could keep food trucks out of huge swaths of Chicago, including the Loop and wanted a map of where food trucks could legally operate.

The judge also asked the city to prepare information on how they would protect against misuse of GPS data.

Shannon Heffernan is a reporter for WBEZ. Follow her @shannon_h

When breakfast and lunch fall in love: Brunch with the next generation of underground dining and food trucks in Chicago

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 05:00:00 -0500

It takes a village to raise the lovechild of a former underground dining club and what was once just a plucky little pie truck.

In breaking food truck news, the Schnitzel King, Cupcakes for Courage, and the Institute for Justice just scored a big win in court today. Cook County Circuit Court Judge Peter Flynn has ruled that they can move forward contesting the 200 foot rule and GPS requirement. They will meet again in 30 days.

This past weekend, Sunday Dinner Club and Bang Bang Pie Shop hosted brunch in a lofty perch above the corner of Elston and Roscoe. They invited me to join three dozen other guests, all from SDC's email only list. The space is above their highly anticipated Honey Butter Fried Chicken, opening this August if the City of Chicago inspection gods are kind. We were seated at a trio of communal tables.

In communal table news, critically acclaimed Elizabeth restaurant (born from chef/owner Iliana Regan's former underground restaurant One Sister) announced this week they're swapping out their communal tables for conventional seating. Evidently we don't like communal tables in Chicago.

I missed including in the brunch class photo Sunday Dinner Club partners Jen Mayer and Chris Jennings. Graphic designers of Kitemath by day, they created the keepsake newsprint menus. SDC's now permanent home showcases an interactive and growing gallery of their stunning menu work.

Yes, meet the new generation of moms and pops in Chicago.

Chicago food and drink destinations: The intangible cultural heritage list

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 05:00:00 -0500

I present the 27 food and drink destinations that best represent Chicago's intangible cultural heritage.

Here's why I felt compelled to compile this list, and how. At a recent dinner, I discovered that someone at WBEZ has never had Garrett's popcorn, specifically Chicago Mix, the unique sweet and savory mélange of caramel and cheese corns. Yes, he moved here from Alaska, but about a year ago, and he's a big food fan, plus there's a Garrett's at Navy Pier where the radio station is also located. I was so shocked that I literally slammed my fist on the table. How had I let this happen?

But then I realized we might have been saved by a close call. This particular first taste of our city is best had in a real part of our city, not the pier. For me it's the Madison Street location, the oldest remaining of the popcorn shops that first opened in 1949. Preferably at the end of a long hard day, slipping in line with a cross section of our fellow Chicagoans, to receive a moment of restoration in a waxed paper bag.

It's not just the food or drink but the place and people too.

The List

Jimmy's Red Hots [Warning: autoplay audio] (1954). Chicago style Depression dog: plain bun, hot dog, mustard, onions, relish, and sport peppers. Order a hot dog with everything, fries are included. No ketchup available.

Vienna Beef (1893), factory cafeteria (1972). Chicago style hot dog: poppy seed bun, Vienna Beef hot dog, mustard, neon green relish, onions, tomatoes, pickle spear, sport peppers, and celery salt. Order a hot dog with everything.

Jim's Original (1939). Polish sausage: sandwich on bun with Polish sausage, mustard, grilled onions, and sport peppers. Order a Polish with everything, onions well done, fries included.

Superdawg Drive-In [Warning: autoplay audio] Chicago location (1948). Superdawg: proprietary beef hot dog on poppy seed bun with pickled green tomato wedges, mustard, chopped Spanish onions, neon green piccalilli relish, sport peppers, and kosher dill pickle spear. Order Superdawg with everything, with crinkle cut Superfries. Can be ordered without fries, and 2-for-1 with WBEZ MemberCard.

Fat Johnnie's Famous Red Hots (1973). Mother in Law: Chicago style tamale in chili, in Chicago style hot dog bun or cup. Order a Mother in Law on a bun with onions, and sport peppers. Thanks to Peter Engler, Investigator of Southside Culinary Oddities, aka Rene G on LTH Forum.

Hot Doug's, The Sausage Superstore and Encased Meat Emporium (2001). Order the Foie Gras and Sauternes Duck Sausage with Truffle Aioli, Foie Gras Mousse and Fleur de Sel; duck fat fries on Fridays and Saturdays only.

Al's Beef (1938) Taylor Street location. Italian beef: sandwich on Italian style bread roll with thinly sliced, wet roasted, seasoned roast beef, topped with hot Chicago style giardiniera or griddled green sweet peppers. Order a beef, wet and hot.

Pizzeria Uno (1943). Invented Chicago style deep dish pizza, sausage preferred.

Vito & Nick's Pizzeria (1932). Chicago style thin crust pizza, sausage preferred.

Burt's Place (1971). Pizza-in-the-pan, sausage preferred.

Mario's Italian Lemonade (1954). Order lemon, peach in season.

Garrett Popcorn Shops (1949) Madison location. Order a bag of Chicago Mix, CaramelCrisp caramel popcorn mixed with CheeseCorn cheese popcorn.

Original Rainbow Cone (1926). Rainbow Cone: five layered slabs of ice cream with chocolate, strawberry, Palmer House (New York vanilla with cherries and walnuts), pistachio, and orange sherbet on a plain cone. Order a small Rainbow Cone.

Borinquen Restaurant (1996) California Avenue location. Jibarito: sandwich between fried plantains with steak, American cheese, tomato, lettuce, mayonnaise, and garlic.

Billy Goat Tavern (1934) original lower Michigan Avenue location only. Order cheeseburger, chips, Coke, and beer.

Nicky's The Real McCoy (1969) Kedzie location. Big Baby: griddled sesame seed bun, grilled onions, griddled beef patty, American cheese, second griddled beef patty, pickles, mustard, and, ketchup. Thanks to Peter Engler, Investigator of Southside Culinary Oddities, aka Rene G on LTH Forum.

Twin Anchors Restaurant & Tavern (1932). Baby back ribs.

Lem's Bar-B-Q (1951). Chicago style rib tips and hot links.

Calumet Fisheries (1948). Smoked fish, order chubs when available.

Orange Garden (1924). Chicago-style egg rolls: Golden fried, filled with cabbage, pork, shrimp, and peanut butter.

Italian Village (1927). Chicken Vesuvio: Roasted chicken and potatoes with garlic, white wine, and herbs.

Gene & Georgetti (1941). Garbage salad: shrimp, salami, mozzarella, iceberg lettuce, pimento, radish, red onion, celery, Parmigiano-Reggiano; plus order steak.

Myron & Phil [Warning: autoplay music] (1971). Shrimp DeJonghe: shrimp baked in butter, garlic, and sherry, under buttered garlic sherry breadcrumbs. Please note the restaurant is currently closed due to a fire.

The Parthenon (1968). Invented flaming Saganaki: kasseri cheese flamed with brandy.

The Walnut Room (1905). Mrs. Hering’s 1890 Original Chicken Pot Pie.

Calumet Bakery (1935) Chicago location. Atomic Cake (1940s to 50s): three layers of cake and three layers of filling including banana cake with banana filling, yellow cake with strawberry filling, and chocolate cake with fudge topping. Available as a single serving cup by Orland Park Bakery at the Taste of Orland Park.

Simon's Tavern (1934). Malört: the notorious bitter wormwood spirit.

Follow Louisa Chu at @louisachu.

LINK Card benefits now more nutritious

Tue, 11 Jun 2013 07:52:00 -0500

Illinois families who receive government assistance can get more for their money when they head to a farmers’ market.

Low-income families who use the LINK card can get twice the dollar value when they use it at farmers’ markets.

The LINK card works the same way that food stamps do.

Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn announced that families can take advantage of the double value coupon program.

The program is designed to connect low-income residents with nutritious food options, such as fresh fruits and vegetables.

Quinn says many underserved communities have limited access to affordable fresh foods and healthy options sold at farmers markets can be more expensive.

He says the program helps support Illinois children and the economy, by driving LINK dollars to Illinois farmers.

But, the programs success may come down to marketing.

Mari Gallagher, principal with Mari Gallagher Research and Consulting Group, researches food deserts and some social services. She said expanded use of link card benefits poor families across the state who are part of SNAP or Supplemental Nutrition Access Program. She said these farmers markets, while typically seasonal, are not in every neighborhood, but are in many areas that low income families can access.

“Incentives like double your bucks increases the value of using it at farmers market. The fact that they can purchase without stigma and complication does benefit the health and wellness of these families.”

Gallagher added that successful marketing will encourage folks to get more for their money.

“I believe the USDA has a number of community partners on the ground. Those partners are really instrumental in getting their people out to the markets.”

According to Gallagher Marketing, it will also help people understand how they can use their LINK card and, in doing so, it can remove some of the stigma, because all vendors will accept the card at participating farmers markets.

“You don’t have to go up sheepishly vendor to vendor,” Gallagher said.

There are currently 59 Farmers Markets across the state that are involved in the program.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Mariam Sobh reports for WBEZ and is the Midday and Weekend anchor at WBEZ. Follow her @mariamsobh.

Illinois lags in craft beer renaissance

Fri, 07 Jun 2013 13:52:00 -0500

On Tuesday I wrote about Illinois’ legal restrictions on craft brewers. In short, for brewers to be treated at all differently than industry giants in Illinois they must agree to brew no more than 30,000 barrels of beer each year.

A new story from the New Yorker puts that limit into context. Using data from the Brewers Association they created an interactive map that charts the speed of growth in the craft beer industry across the country. Given that, recent developments in Illinois appear less impressive.

With just 67 businesses that fit the Brewers Association’s definition of craft breweries, Illinois ranks 11th out of 50. We were also 11th in growth from 2011 to 2012 with a 37.32 percent increase. It gets worse from there. Our total production of craft beer in 2012 was 87,993 barrels- good enough for 26th place. Worst is the ratio of craft breweries to citizens- 2.6 per 500,000 people, or 34th place.

None of the 50 largest craft breweries are located in Illinois and only Half Acre cracks the top 50 fastest-growing breweries list (at 45).

While the new crop of breweries that opened in Illinois last year is fairly robust, one can’t help but wonder if the limits of our licenses will slow their development. The New Yorker article points out that one of the only states that produced less craft beer is North Dakota. Their analysis of the decline sounds vaguely familiar:

The former, where production fell by nearly ten per cent despite an ongoing oil-fuelled economic boom, may serve as a cautionary tale: onerous licensing and distribution policies, as well as production maximums, have historically made the state what one beer entrepreneur, in a 2010 article in the Bismarck Tribune, called “a dead zone for craft brewing.”

At least Illinois now has a clear-cut way for brewers to get started with the craft brewer’s license, but it is telling that the biggest craft beer operations in Illinois are a California brewer’s expansion (Lagunitas, number six on the 50 largest breweries list, is opening a Chicago facility later this year) and an operation owned by Anheuser-Busch InBev (Goose Island’s being owned by Anheuser-Busch disqualifies them from being considered a craft brewer by the Brewers Association’s standards).

That leaves this beer enthusiast wondering why Illinois can’t find a way to define craft beer in a way that more closely resembles the rest of the industry.

Here’s the Brewers Association’s definition:

An American craft brewer is small, independent and traditional.
Small: Annual production of 6 million barrels of beer or less. Beer production is attributed to a brewer according to the rules of alternating proprietorships. Flavored malt beverages are not considered beer for purposes of this definition.
Independent: Less than 25% of the craft brewery is owned or controlled (or equivalent economic interest) by an alcoholic beverage industry member who is not themselves a craft brewer.
Traditional: A brewer who has either an all malt flagship (the beer which represents the greatest volume among that brewers brands) or has at least 50% of its volume in either all malt beers or in beers which use adjuncts to enhance rather than lighten flavor.

That’s a difference of 5.97 million barrels a year from Illinois’ craft brewer license. While there is a value to the license for beginning brewers, it could soon prove a damper to growth in the industry. One commenter on my Tuesday story suggested that Illinois needs to add different levels of licenses. Perhaps the 2014 General Assembly will get to work on that. Right after they vote on pension reforms and same-sex marriage.

The store next door: On the rise of local markets

Fri, 07 Jun 2013 07:55:00 -0500

A chain store is a menace. Or perhaps it is a blessing. The discourse on the matter changes swiftly, but one thing's for certain: the rise of shopping local is not a trend. At its core, it is an issue of community. It is about what a community needs and what a community does not realize it needs. April Francis, founder of the monthly Dose Market understood this perfectly when she created her market, celebrating its two-year anniversary this weekend. And as her festival rose in popularity, so too have efforts in neighborhoods across the city (in Wicker Park, Logan Square and West Loop) to address the questions, concerns, and curiosities of local consumers. Where is this coming from? Who made this? Why should I care?

The rise of local markets coincides with the rise and re-emphasis of shopping local. What does it mean to shop local? Well in many minds, it is not solely about purchasing from a neighborhood store. The idea of local could expand easily to regional. Goods made in Michigan or Indiana might not be as close as something made in the heart of the city, but it’s a better representation of supporting the community and lowering costs and environmental impact of transportation than purchasing from across the country or the globe.

“My whole life I’ve just been fascinated with small business owners,” Francis said.

Dose Market entered the consciousness of Chicagoans and quickly grew in popularity due to its attention to the taste levels of its customers and the changing needs of its sellers (or Dosers, as the market likes to call them). Francis and her team try to “curate” a mix of Dosers for each event. Sellers can apply online or are found through recommendations and personal emails. Finding the perfect mix of sellers is key to make each month’s market a success.

“If we didn’t curate Dose, we wouldn‘t get the mix of sellers and we wouldn’t get the mix of products we want,” she said.

By working the markets, the local business owners have also been able to thrive and succeed by adapting to the wants of their customers. That’s the great thing about small businesses and the great thing about the rise of these markets.

"[Each new event] gives people the tools and ability to thrive and succeed at what they’re doing,” Frances said. “It is the perfect storm.”

Dosers get real face time with their customers. It is a mutually-beneficial experience. More than just faceless transactions, it is a way for customers to know more about the things they buy and business owners to know more about the people that want to buy their goods.

The latest market to enter the fray is Bellwether. Founded by creators of the Renegade Craft Fair and The Vintage Bazaar, Bellwether separates itself from other markets by creating an event that expands beyond what can just be bought and sold. The founders describe the event as a market, happening and feast. Most other markets weigh heavily in one area or the other in terms of themes. Dose Market, while featuring a strong number of food options, relies heavily on well-crafted goods and local designers. Fete Market, which recently ended in second event, was a “foodies” dream from day one.

“Bellwether is our version of taking the best of all of these [specific markets] and whipping it up into a creativity explosion,” co-founder Mat Daly said.

Beginning this weekend at The Hideout and moving to the Garfield Park Conservatory in September, Bellwether will feature intimate musical performances, film screenings, food vendors, libations, art installations and a selection of different regional purveyors. The market will also offer games, classes in terrariums and yarn spinning, and a special brunch at local restaurant Ada St.

Tortoise's Jeff Parker is among the performers and WBEZ's Tony Sarabia will DJ.

“Bellwether is way more than a market,” Daly said. “It's experiential and ever-changing.”

These markets create a hub for what is happening locally. One can be surrounded by people with the same interests. It is a heady realization. They fuel the senses and introduce Chicagoans to the passions and projects of the people around them, further connecting them to the communities in which they live. Rather than existing in a depersonalized and solely commodified culture, customers are given the chance to interact with and better understand makers and their products. This question remains important: who makes the things I love? Returning to our roots, we can now truly know.

Dose Market returns to the River East Art Center on Sunday, June 9. Tickets are $10. Bellwether runs from Saturday, June 8 through Sunday, June 9 and has a suggested donation of $10.

Handpicked: No Dessert Left Behind, Whole Larder Love and more

Fri, 07 Jun 2013 05:00:00 -0500

Friday, June 7
76th annual Donut Day throughout Chicagoland. As I wrote last year, the holiday held annually on the first Friday of June was established in 1938 to honor The Salvation Army “Donut Lassies” who served the treats to soldiers during World War I. The Salvation Army and Entenmann's will give away free donuts at Federal Plaza. At Firecakes Donuts receive a complimentary Old Fashioned Buttermilk donut with your purchase excluding beverages, plus 100 percent of the day’s profits will be donated to The Salvation Army. Admission FREE at Federal Plaza, at Firecakes food and drink additional and act as your donation.

Saturday, June 8
Dragon Boat Festival at the Chinese-American Museum of Chicago. Zongzi (bamboo leaf wrapped sticky rice stuffed with fillings sweet or savory) are traditionally eaten for this festival on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, falling on Wednesday (June 12) this year. See a zongzi making demo then taste with tea, plus listen to live Chinese music and poetry readings. For actual dragon boat in Chicagoland, we’ll have to wait until July, but there will be two races this season. Admission $8 for Chinese-American Museum of Chicago members, students, and seniors; $12 general; RSVP requested.

Sunday, June 9
Inaugural No Dessert Left Behind bake sale at Little Goat Diner. All proceeds benefit Share Our Strength's No Kid Hungry Bake Sale campaign. The dessert event features goods from local top pastry chefs, most notably the pioneering pâtissière Gale Gand and the elusive Butcher and Larder’s Allie Levitt, plus many talented home bakers. There will be sweet and savory cookies, brownies, pastries, pies, cakes, tarts, tortes, chocolate, and macarons; plus full bar and outdoor deck seating. Admission FREE, food and drink additional and act as your donation.

Whole Larder Love reading, skinning, and dinner at City Lit Books, Longman & Eagle, and Nellcôte. Australian hunter, gatherer, blogger, and author Rohan Anderson takes over Chicago for three events in one day. Anderson will read and sign his new book Whole Larder Love: Grow Gather Hunt Cook. At L&E's Off Site Bar he will demo a rabbit skinning. The book dinner menu at Nellcôte: Humble Summer Broccoli & Garlic Pasta, Hare Tagine, and a seasonal dessert. Admission FREE at City Lit and Longman & Eagle, $35 dinner at Nellcôte.

Fifth annual Slow Food Chicago Pig Roast at Goose Island Street Brewery. This year featuring Duroc and crossbred hogs, raised on pasture and fed mash from the Goose Island brewery, at Gunthorp Farms in LaGrange, Indiana. Pig chefs include Big Jones’ Paul Fehribach, Butcher & Larder’s Rob Levitt, Nellcôte/Old Town Social’s Jared Van Camp, and more. Plus vegetable dish by vegetarian/vegan restaurant Handlebar’s Ryan Stevens, and dessert by Nightwood’s Sarah Mispagel. Admission $70 general, $90 ticket plus $20 donation to 2014 Terra Madre delegate fund, both include a commemorative beer glass and beer.

Inaugural Comfort Food Potluck at Comfort Station. In collaboration with Food on the Dole chef/blogger Hugh Amano, all are welcome but there’s one requirement: all food must be homemade by you and yours, based on the food you ate growing up. Thereʼs no competition. Comfort Food aims to bring all members of our community together in a forum inspired by sharing and exchange of food and ideas about food. Admission FREE, donations large or small benefit the Comfort Station to cover potluck supplies costs and accepted by jar.

Tuesday, June 11
Kinfolk Freshen Up Chicago at Greenhouse Loft. A Kinfolk magazine event with Estera Style, local and seasonal herbal cocktails and bites will be served. Plus make your own natural cleaning products at workshop stations and leave with a complete home care kit. Admission $55.

Follow Louisa Chu at @louisachu.

Sticky situation: Thai food and festival in Chicago

Wed, 05 Jun 2013 05:00:00 -0500

Thai food generates heat unlike any other exotic cuisine in Chicago, literally and figuratively. In fact the current darling of local food fans is Rainbow Cuisine in Lincoln Square. The hidden in plain sight, one-year-old, 12-seat restaurant was first discovered by LTH Forum member Matt Zatkoff (aka laikom), and since covered by the Reader's Mike Sula, Tasting Table's Heather Sperling, and soon by the Hungry Hound himself, Steve Dolinksy.

Chicago's Thai Consul General, Songphol Sukchan, hosted an "authentic" Thai media dinner at trailblazing Sticky Rice restaurant in North Center last night to ostensibly promote the upcoming 11th annual Thai Festival. Starting two weeks from today, the three day event (June 19 to 21) takes over Federal Center Plaza downtown with not only food and fresh coconut juice, but traditional dance and music, Muay Thai kickboxing, and even Thai massage.

Sticky Rice will open a second location, Sticky Rice Chiang Mai, on Western Avenue in Bucktown soon after the Fourth of July. Sadly they stopped serving their infamous insect menu about a year ago, because they could no longer source insects.

Not that we missed them, nor pad thai for that matter. As I learned from the Consul General's wife, the charming Piyachanid Suthinont Sukchan, seated across from me at dinner, a proper pad thai is a complex dish that should only be prepared two servings at a time due to the ideal immediacy of the ingredients, Mrs. Sukchan said their official residence chef once served pad thai to only a dozen guests, taking nearly three hours. Chicago's own Thai food expert and SheSimmers food blogger, Leela Punyaratabandhu, once posted an epic five part pad thai recipe.

A few lessons on Thai dining etiquette:

Eat with spoon and fork, no knife, or right hand fingers only, but never chopsticks.
With rice dishes, use fork to push food on to spoon then eat, but spearing food like sausages is acceptable.
With sticky rice, use it as your only utensil.
Beware, the rice is hot, very hot. With fingertips only, quickly pull off a bite-sized piece, then rapidly roll into a ball, again fingertips only.
Mrs. Sukchan said Thai mothers roll tiny sticky rice balls for their children, lining them up along the edge of their plates.

The Consul General once called after landing at the airport asking for the one Thai dish he'd been craving most while away: Kai Jiaw, the classic Thai omelette comfort food. He and the Royal Thai ambassador in the UK had actually gone in to the kitchen at a pub in Scotland to show the chef how to make one, but they couldn't get it quite right.

But sticky rice is also featured sweet, in the nearly mythical mango sticky rice, and lesser known but far more seductive durian sticky rice. The durian dessert is Dolinsky's favorite too. A Thai food aficionado, the Consul General consulted the Hound on last night's guest list.

Follow Louisa Chu @louisachu.