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 [...]

The Purple Pig, Chicago

Gate to The Purple Pig; Interior shots; A purple pig; The menu

When I was doing my research for places to eat around Chicago and asking friends about this question, many mentioned The Purple Pig. Even I asked the friendly baristas and staff of La Colombe Torrefaction (Chicago) and they even said, [...]

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 [...]

Chef Hiroyuki Sakai at Benihana’s Private Event

Benihana: Exterior, one of its large dining rooms, Portrait of its founder Rocky Aoki, Large fortune cat, The Rocky Room

Last week I was invited to Benihana‘s private lunch to celebrate their relaunch of their newly renovated space and their 48 years in the restaurant business. I took my mother along since [...]

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 [...]

Alliance Bakery, Chicago – Bakery Meets Pâtisserie

Alliance Bakery’s Exterior, Old-school neon sign, One of its display cases

Alliance Bakery located in Wicker Park, Chicago looks like an old-school American bakery with its neon sign but it’s a bakery as well as a pâtisserie.

This two-personality bakery, so to speak,  is owned by Peter Rios. Mr. Rios was trained [...]