Nationally renowned cheese expert Nat Caputo of Caputo Cheese Market has been in the family business for 35 years. This year, his 150 employees will sell nearly 30 million pounds of cheese retail and wholesale. The man knows his fromage — and so do his well-trained cheesemongers, who wrangle more than 1,000 different cheeses from […]
The holidays may come and go, but our obsession with cookies — those crunchy, crispy, chewy, and sweet wonders — will never die, because cookies tell our story. Your childhood, your Girl Scout troop, your grandmother, your culture, all on view. One woman’s lebkuchen is another’s gingerbread; my twice-baked cookie might be biscotti or Mandelbrot. […]
Presents! ‘Tis the season, but gift giving can be fraught. Will they like it? Will it fit? Do they already have it? There’s one sure-fire option that will please even the pickiest giftee: food. And now, with thousands of choices out there, it’s easier than ever to find just the right fit for your friend […]
I hate to play favorites with my cookbooks, because like children, each is special in its own way. But a little competition is healthy, so I’ll tell you what I really think — at least about my new darlings for 2018. I don’t want my old cookbooks to be jealous, so keep it to yourself, […]
It’s that time of year again — truffle season. Whether you prefer the black Périgord truffle or the white Alba truffle, these Chicagoland restaurants will happily shave the good stuff over your favorite dishes. Truffle season typically lasts until January, so carpe diem! Here’s where to get your fix of these pungent tubers before they […]
Super chic and seriously unique finds to delight every host, oenophile, and gourmand on your list — even the ones who have everything. Uashmama Metallic Wine Bag, $32-$59 Uashmama is a Tuscany, Italy-based cottage industry that relies on local men and women to sew each bag by hand with a sustainably cultivated fiber that doesn’t […]
As the weather cools, our wanderlust heats up. Whatever kind of vacation you’re in the mood for, here are five alternative destinations you probably haven’t considered. For a spa and wine escape… Instead of Napa Valley, relax on Vancouver Island It might not be warm and sunny, but you’ll still need your bathing suit for […]
As the weather cools, our wanderlust heats up. Whatever kind of vacation you’re in the mood for, here are five alternative destinations you probably haven’t considered. For a spa and wine escape… Instead of Napa Valley, relax on Vancouver Island It might not be warm and sunny, but you’ll still need your bathing suit for […]
Everybody has their personal MVP dish at Thanksgiving dinner. The turkey! The potatoes! The stuffing! The cranberry sauce! The pie! Sadly, the humble vegetable side dish often gets lost in the starchy/meaty/sugary blaze of glory and rarely gets the love it deserves. Don’t get me wrong, I’m all in for the indulgent side of this […]
The only thing better than a special meal shared with family and friends is one that you don’t have to cook yourself — or clean up after. These clever city and suburban restaurants serve up that most elusive of all combinations: a killer private room or space for personal dining, plus swoon-worthy food. The Albert […]
