It’s Deep Dish time!
By now, I’m hoping it’s your favorite biweekly food and restaurant gossip column with all the latest openings, closings and food- and wine-focused events on Chicago’s North Shore. FYI, I think it’s also the only one…
Honey Butter Fried Chicken Finally Opens
Oh. My. God. I can’t even handle the goodness. The super-creative folks behind Sunday Dinner Club,Christine Cikowski and Josh Kulp, have been talking about their upcoming restaurant for TWO YEARS. That’s two years of torture for the chicken faithful. But as of September 14, Honey Butter Fried Chicken (3361 N. Elston Ave., Chicago, 773-478-4000) is open, and the people, they have come. Of course, we had to check it out, and lo, it was fantastic. I urge you to head down to the Avondale neighborhood and grab a 4-piece with honey butter and corn muffins, plus a side of the Roasted Sweet Potato Salad and the Kale and Cabbage Slaw. Thank me later. Look for a full review later this month.
Chicago Gourmet is Approaching!
The 6th Annual Bon Appetit Chicago Gourmet is happening this weekend, September 27-29, in Millennium Park. This celebration of food and wine will showcase more than 150 of Chicago’s finest chefs and restaurants, from Ada Street to Zocalo. For $159 per day, or $265 for the weekend pass, you can enjoy expert seminars, book signings, live cooking demos, and way too much food, wine and liquor. Get your tickets now—some days may already be sold out!
Evanston Harvest Celebration
Now We’re Cookin’ (1601 Payne St., Evanston, 847-570-4140) is sponsoring a fun dinner Thursday, Sept. 26 from 6-8:30 p.m. Owner Nell Funk calls it the “Culinary Event of the North Shore Season,” and it is in support of the Friends of Evanston Farmers’ Markets. You’ll find local chefs like Nicole Pederson of Found; Bruce Sherman of North Pond Restaurant, Vince di Battista of Campagnola and Union; Andy Motto of Quince; Ellen King of Hewn Bakery, and more serving up some of their best-loved dishes. Tickets cost $80 each, including a tasting meal and one glass of wine. More wine is available for purchase. Buy tickets here and check out the full list of participating chefs.
Oktoberfest!
It’s that time of year again, and a number of local restaurants are getting into the spirit. The Cellar at the Stained Glass (820 Clark St., Evanston, 847-864-8600) is celebrating Oktoberfest thru October 6 with fresh baked pretzels, venison bratwurst with braised red cabbage, German potato salad, wiener schnitzel with spatzle, and apple strudel. And you can wash that all down with some special Oktoberfest lagers from Metropolitan and Two Brothers breweries. Or celebrate at the Autumn Brews: Seasonal Beer Tasting in the Garden at the Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe Thursday, Oct. 10 from 6-8 p.m. Cost is $20 in advance for members, $25 for non-members; or $23/$28 the day of the event.
New Coffee in Glenview
The Glenview Grind (989 Waukegan Rd., Glenview, 847-729-0111) is open in the old Caribou Coffee space, serving “locally sourced, high-quality private label roasted coffee,” according to their website. Most importantly, there’s a philanthropic angle. All profits generated by the restaurant will be used to support local nonprofits and community events. So stop by for a latte, an egg sandwich, oatmeal, or a hot chocolate and be a part of something important.
Art & Sol Flea Market
There’s a cool event happening Saturday, Sept. 28 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in Rogers Park. In celebration of the great diversity of art and other products available locally, SOL Café (1615 W. Howard St., Chicago) has brought together vendors of handmade and vintage stuff, food trucks, local artists, interactive art booths and more at Howard and Ashland streets. It’s worth checking out!
Sweets I’m Still Dreaming About
Walked into Hewn Bakery (810 Dempster St., Evanston, 847-869-4396) on a recent Friday to discover that they make the most incroyable almond croissants, available only on Fridays and Saturdays. You know where I will be every weekend. Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams (3404 N. Southport Ave., Chicago, 773-348-7139, also pictured top right) just opened, and if you are already a big fan of their ice cream (Foodstuffs and others have been selling pre-packed pints for awhile), you will go crazy at the new store, where EVERY POSSIBLE FLAVOR is available. We’re talking Roasted Strawberry Buttermilk. Brambleberry Crisp. Askinosie Dark Milk Chocolate. Salty Caramel. Why are you still reading this? You should be in your car.
Do you have news for me? A new place in your neighborhood, a wine dinner on the horizon, a dish I have to try? Send me an email at jchernoff@makeitbetter.net and let me know the Deep Dish.
