Super Bowl 2012 Party At Home

The starter spread, Cheese platter with Emmi Roth Cheeses & Vegetable crudité

Yesterday was a great Super Bowl game as the New York Giants won! Woot! Beyond the sports fanfare, the Super Bowl is a food holiday, if you’re willing to admit it or not.

Since I invited a group of 8 [...]

Recap of Bocuse d’Or USA 2012

The Winners of the Bocuse d’Or USA 2012

This past Sunday, I was invited by the generous people of KitchenAid as a VIP to watch Bocuse d’Or USA competition at The Culinary Institute of America at Hyde Park, NY.

The view of the arena & Happy moment with Chef [...]

Hot Doug’s in Chicago – Encased Meats Heaven

Hot Doug’s and the line…before opening

For the past few years, I heard so many great things about Hot Doug’s. Besides my meal at Alinea, this was my other highly anticipated stop.

I know that this place was popular and has a cult following but I didn’t expect a line that goes [...]

Alinea, Chicago – A Meal with A Touch of Mystery

My copy of Alinea’s cookbook (without its slipcover)

A friend of mine gave me a copy of Alinea‘s cookbook and it was part of my inspiration to head to Chicago earlier this month. The gorgeous, colorful photos and the food presentations looked very unique (though I can’t fathom of cooking from this [...]

La Colombe Torrefaction in Chicago

La Colombe Torrefaction, Chicago: Exterior, Interior, delicate flowers by the window, baked goods display

As probably most of you might know, I am a die-hard coffee nerd/addict. I do admit that I’m pretty spoiled by the coffee culture as I’m coming from New York City, I have access to a lot of [...]

Visiting Vosges Haut Chocolat in Chicago

Exterior, Interiors of Vosges Haut Chocolat in Lincoln Park, Chicago

When I visited Chicago, I had to visit Vosges Haut Chocolat mostly because this company is started and based there.

I came with a friend to their Lincoln Park, which is considered Vosges’ flagship. It is much larger shop than the one [...]

Floriole Cafe & Bakery, Chicago – A Great Rustic, Elegant American Bakery

Exterior of Floriole; Interior; Galette des Rois; Chalkboard listing local, organic sources used; Owner and Head Baker of Floriole Sandra Holl

One of my other pastry stops in Chicago was Floriole on a bright weekend morning. The minute I walked up to this bakery with my friend, I had a feeling this [...]

Lunch at Blackbird, Chicago

Blackbird (exterior), At the dining room, Floral centerpiece at the hostess stand

When I was planning for my trip to Chicago, I had was under the presumption that this city’s fine dining lunch is like New York – you have a lot of restaurants who would serve prix fixe menus. Except when [...]

Dinner at The Meatball Factory

Meatball Factory (exterior), At the bar, Menu

A few nights ago I had dinner at The Meatball Factory with a friend. When I heard that this particular restaurant opened a couple of months ago, I initially dismissed it as another meatball restaurant who is chasing the popularity of its antecedent. I don’t [...]