Raspberry Lemon Pączki from Dinkel's If you’ve never had a pączki (pronounced PUNCH-kie), it’s a traditional Polish pastry made before the start of Lent to use up all the eggs, lard, sugar and fruit in the house. In fact, Fat Tuesday is sometimes referred to as Pączki Day. I couldn’t wait for Tuesday, and picked up my favorites from both Dinkel’s (3329 North Lincoln Avenue) and ...

Yesterday, I spoke up in favor of Angel Food Bakery’s faux Thin Mints, and what happens? Girl Scout cookies get delivered at work today. Powers like this make me reconsider the merits of starting a gold bouillon site. Ah-hem, anyway…... ...

Thin Mints You can’t fight the marketing that equates love with sugar and sugar with love, but you can make the decision to get good sugar. That’s why I head to Angel Food Bakery to pick up retro snacks like Thin Mints (Girl Scouts) and Airstreams (Twinkies). I’m not sure whether they have a commercial-sized Easy Bake oven in the back or what, but these reinvented childhood favs come out n ...

First Bites Bash Ceviche on Ice Public House chefs at work... ...

I’m on a quest to eat everything on the menu at Opart Thai House. Over a year and fifty-six dishes later, I’m nearing the half-way mark of this culinary journey through one restaurant’s repertoire. You can catch up on things from the beginning or continue reading the latest installment: adventures in take-out. Pad Kra Praow... ...

Dried Goods Durian Fish Heads... ...

Stir-fried String Bean Happy Lunar New Year! The calendar shifts from the Year of the Rabbit to the Year of the Dragon, and brings a fresh view on dining options in Chinatown. It’s not hard to fill up on good food in this neighborhood. Though there are many great places to eat, but one of the restaurants I find myself returning to is Chi Cafe.... ...

I’m on a quest to eat every menu item at Opart Thai House. If you’re interested, you can catch up from the beginning of this adventure or continue on to the latest installment: jerky and sweet. Opart Beef I’m not a huge meat eater, but I do like a lean, tender cut from time to time.... ...

Mideast Bakery & Grocery Rice, Grains, Beans Spices... ...

I’ve inadvertently been eating in the footsteps of Guy Fieri of late. I’ll go a treasured spot and see his cheesy-faced stencil on the wall somewhere and think, “S**t. Not again.” I thought Nana in Bridgeport would be safe, because it’s not really a diner, drive-in or dive. At least, not as I know them.... ...

Though it’s been a while since I’ve written an entry on this restaurant, I’m still eating my way through every menu choice at Opart Thai House on Western. Why? Opart is a Michelin Bib Gourmand winner two years running, they have a diverse and interesting menu, and I really wanted to do a deep dive into all of the offerings at a single restaurant over a period of time. It will take me about ...

Head over to the Chicago Like a Local site to read about dining choices in one of my favorite Chicago neighborhoods, Lincoln Square. I’ve got breakfast, lunch and dinner covered with Pannenkoeken Cafe, Tank Sushi and LM Restaurant. These three restaurants are certainly not the only way to mix up a day of dining, so if you have choices, please let me know!... ...

Welcome to Joong Boo Market Black Tiger Shrimp Bean Sprouts... ...

Fine dining in Lincoln Square? Yes! Chef Chris Nugent and his wife Nina opened Goosefoot a few weeks ago along a beaten-down little stretch of Lawrence Avenue. It’s easy to ignore the restaurant from the street, particularly when places like Nhu Lan Bakery and Restaurant Sarajevo are barking for attention, but when I stepped inside I found myself in Nugent’s sleek, modern world.... ...

Ever had dinner in a bank vault? Get your chance at The Bedford! Read about the dining options available at this cozy, comfy Wicker Park spot on the Chicago Like a Local site.... ...