Culinary Adventures in Chicago
My daughter and I spent a fabulous week in Chicago visiting my brother and sister in law. Chicago is an amazing city with so many great restaurants, this is just a taste.
A Rick Bayless restaurant is always on the agenda when in Chicago. This time we tried his new place, XOCO.
My brother, and my daughter trying the jamaica- lemonade agua fresca.
Chicken torta: Wood-roasted red chile chicken, pickled white onion, black beans, avocado, tomatillo salsa
Milanesa: Crispy chicken, black beans, artisan Jack cheese, pickled jalapenos, tomatillo-avocado salsa.
Wednesday Special - Pork Belly torta: Dark salsa negra glaze, bacon, arugula, queso anejo
Best churros ever.
Chicago is known for hot dogs, but for the hard core hot dog enthusiast, be sure to visit Hot Doug’s! The Sausage Superstore and Encased Meat Emporium.
Go on Friday or Saturday when they do duck fat fries.
There are no two finer words in the English language than “encased meats,” my friend. Except maybe Cemitas Puebla. Oh wait that’s Spanish.
The owner will greet you at the door, seat you, give you a menu, and even pose for a picture.
So many to choose from, this cemita is filled with Arabes, a sort of Mexican Shwarma.
We had a great trip to the French Market. We sampled tasty things at Saigon Sisters, Frietkoten Belgian fries & beer, and Vanille.
The Saigon Sisters Classic Bánh mi, Vietnamese pork, American ham, French paté.
The Hen House-caramelized chicken, lemongrass, ginger, mint, lime, crushed peanuts.
The Porky at Saigon Sisters. braised pork belly, pho flavors, hoison glaze. You can see how good it was.
Belgian fries are the best fries you'll ever have.
So many dipping sauces for the frites to try. We opted for the truffled mayo.
Pain au chocolat from Vanille.
A weekend trip to Milwaukee took us to a great old bookstore, Renaissance Books. It’s not really a culinary adventure, but it is an adventure.
The Comet Cafe is the only place I know to get a compact turkey dinner. It’s so good I have recreated it at home out of desperation, but it’s more fun to go to Milwaukee and have it made for you.
The compact turkey dinner.
Bacony meat loaf with beer gravy.
Brew City Hot Brown. Open face turkey on rye with mashed potatoes, bacon, tomato, Swiss cheese and beer gravy.
Spicy seasoned fries with fresh cucumber sauce.
On the way back to Chicago, a quick stop at Leon’s, which inspired Happy Days.
A stop at Leon's for tin roof sundaes and extra malty chocolate malts.
My daughter’s favorite, after sweet potato fries, are chipotle fries at Al’s beef.
Spicy chipotle fries.
Om nom nom.
We treated ourselves to the Chicago classic Rainbow Cone!
Orange sherbet, pistachio, vanilla with walnut & cherry, strawberry, and finally chocolate make up the rainbow cone's famous layers.
I’ve saved the best for last. My 40th birthday dinner at The Publican.
The Publican has these great booths with doors, not unlike little pig pens. Here are my brother and his wife in our little pen.
A trio of aged ham served with Nordic creamery goat butter and peasant bread
Beets with ricotta.
Broccoli with bread crumbs and garlic confit.
Smoked salmon salad.
Bollito Misto—cotechino sausage, smoked turkey & pork confit.
Waffle with honey butter & sour cherries.
A fantastic trip spent with loved ones, in a great city, full of good food and beautiful architecture.
-Jennifer
