To Dine For By Maddie: Burger Blogging Begins

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Loving all things food means that I can appreciate dining on all ends of the spectrum. I love divey neighborhood gems, I love multiple course meals of molecular gastronomy but my true love is the plain and simple Cheeseburger. My all time favorite for those of you who venture to the northern suburbs can be found at Charlie Beinlich's (290 Skokie Blvd, Northbrook) and has been a family favorite since long before my time.

Living in the city, there are endless burger adventures to be had and mark my words this is only the beginning of my burger blogging. We begin with what Good Morning America has labeled "one of the best burgers in America", the Rockit Burger at Rockit Bar and Grill (22 West Hubbard - pictured above). At least a 1/4 lb (very possibly more) of Kobe Beef is sandwiched between two doughy pieces of a bun that has the consistency of Challah. A thick slice of ripe melted brie cheese sits on top of the beef and is slathered with medjool date aioli and topped with crispy fried shallots. The highlight of the burger for me, (I am more of a savory than sweet burger lover) was the thick cut housemade truffle fries sprinkled with parsley. This undeniably decadant burger makes for a great treat after a morning of holiday shopping.

Another burger I know all too well and have the utmost respect for can be found at The N9ne Steakhouse (440 West Randolph). While working in the near vicinity, I enjoyed this burger for lunch one too many times - mostly because it doubles in price when dinner rolls around. A massive patty of lucious Kobe Beef sits on a standard but fufilling kaiser roll. Melted Vermont Cheddar gives the sandwich a perfect salty sharpness that is only enhanced by Applewood Smoked Bacon, hickory smoked bbq sauce and topped with none other than my former favorite food (prior to pork belly) an awesome couple of onion rings. The steak frites are a solid accompaniment- salty, crunchy and in abundance, however they've got nothing on Rockit's truffle fries.

Tomorrow, I've got lunch at the Gage Restaurant and Tavern (24 S. Michigan) so stay tuned to hear my account of The Gage Burger - USDA Prime Beef on a toasted malt bun, with local camembert, melted onion marmalade and a side of their "Poutine" - french fries topped with an elk ragout and cheese curds. Now, if you'll excuse me I have a treadmill to get to....

Barack Obama Inaugural Ball

"Dreams From My Father" American Scholars Inaugural Ball

Join Fete and the American Scholars as we celebrate the inauguration of our 44th President, Barack Obama.

Four Seasons Hotel, Georgetown
2800 Pennsylvania Ave, Washington DC

Date: January 18th, 2009
8 pm - 2 am

Featuring 1,500 of the most distinguished talents from academia, industry, and politics as well as several acclaimed celebrity guests in music and film.

High end cocktail reception, catered by the Four Seasons event staff;

Formal tributes to notable scholars, identified for their direct contributions to education;

Live musical performances and celebrity hosts;

Back Tie Attire

Tiered Ticket Pricing:
Graduate Level: $350 each
- General Admisson
- Limited open bar
- Commemorative Inaugural Gift

Doctorate Level: $550 each
- Complimentary tended bar service throughout the evening
- VIP amenities, including exclusive networking lounge, complimentary valet lounge and coat check
- Additional live performances and live band
- Commemorative Inagural Gift

To purchase tickets visit www.americanscholarsball.org. Reference Fete in the sponsor code section.

Labels: american scholars, barack obama, dc crenshaw, events, fete select tv, four seasons hotel, inaugural ball, washington dc

The Real Mole Deal in Logan Square

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Let's face it, there are a lot of restaurants in Chicago that feature Mexican cuisine, but there are only a handful that really, really stand out.

You can place the new Logan Square eatery Real Tenochtitlan (2451 N. Milwaukee Ave.) in the standout category. Let's say it together: Re-AHL-teh-NOCH-tee-tlahn.

Executive Chef Geno Bahena's specialty is mole sauce. Mole literally means "concoction" and describes a whole genre of sauces. Mole is complex to make and also represents the tradition of Mexican cooking. There are seven classic moles from a southern Mexico region called Oaxaca by which all moles are categorized.

Bahena features a different mole each night of the week, and they include, Amarillo, Manchamanteles, Verde, Chichilo, Rojo Coloradito, and Negro.

The menu is filled with a combination of traditional and specialty dishes that will make your meal memorable. Real Tenochtitlan credits the quality and authenticity of their dishes to the use of harvested fresh local organic ingredients.

Appetizers such as the Sopes Surtidos -- corn masa boats with a sampler of fillings like chicken, plantains, and black beans with chorizo, are a great way to get your meal started.

Memorable specialty entrees include a Natural Black Angus trater steak, a Chilean sea bass dish and a Sugar River Farm baby rack of lamb. I had the Negro specialty mole, which is considered the king of moles. Spicy and sweet the Negro mole contains over 28 ingredients that gives it a nice thickness and an intense flavor.

Skipping dessert here is not an option. The 10 desserts range from Mexican bread pudding and key lime pie, to buttered crepes and a warm individual pumpkin cake.

The restaurant is BYOB, which is another great reason to enjoy this restaurant during this challenging economy. The environment compliments the more upscale Mexican cuisine, and they have a separate dining room for private parties.

Take my word for it: Real Tenochtitlan is the real deal.

Labels: byob, chef geno bahena, chicago dining, chicago restaurants, dc crenshaw, fete chicago, fete select tv, logan square, mexican cuisine, mole sauce, real tenochtitlan

Fashion Forward by Renae: Jewelry with a rich history

Monday, December 22, 2008

Not many people wear brooches anymore, but that doesn't matter to Sophie Simone Cortina. She has come up with a way to "recycle" them, along with their counterparts--vintage beads and baubles from international destinations. Her collection, Sophie Simone Designs, is worldly yet delicate, strong yet feminine--and most of all--new yet rich in history.

A celebrity reporter who was born in Venezuela and raised in Mexico City by a French mother and Mexican father, Cortina was exposed to diverse cultures at a young age. She came to the United States to attend the University of Miami on a tennis scholarship, and then began traveling again for her job, staying on top of the international celebrity beat. Her artistic passion was reborn while traveling, and she picked up the hobby of jewelry making (which she began when her grandmother gave her a few antique brooches). After receiving an amazing response from friends and family for her collection, she decided to pursue her hobby further.

"I continued finding more unique antique and vintage centerpieces that caught my eye in all corners of the world," she says. "I am inspired by nature, the different cultures that I get to experience, and by the beauty that surrounds us at all times."

Cortina's inspiration is evident in each and every unique creation. Combining vintage pieces with precious and semi-precious stones and metals, her collection has drawn the attention of mega-stars. She has made jewelry for Madonna and her daughter Lourdes, and even sold her entire collection to Pierce Brosnan, who bought 10 pieces for his wife and a necklace for every single woman on the crew of one of his films.

She plans to continue designing unique pieces for women all over the world, "recycling beauty from one generation to the next," as she says. It is quite a lovely thought that translates very well in each piece of Sophie Simone jewelry.

Cortina will make unique pieces based on a brooch, pendant or beads that you give to her. You can also purchase pieces she has made with the treasures she brings back from her travels. Prices range from $40 - $700 depending on the type of materials used and intricacy of design.

"When making each one of my designs I always finish with a short meditation: I focus on love, peace and light," she says. "I believe that the energy that is infused in the stones and within the entire piece is transmitted and felt."

To learn more about Sophie Simone Designs, visit http://www.sophiesimone.com/.

Renae Placinski is the managing partner of Maven LLC, a hybrid publicity and promotions company featuring clients in the lifestyle industry. From fashion to restaurants to nightlife, Maven is on the cutting edge of what's going on in Chicago and beyond. Visit www.maven-chicago.com for more information.

Labels: chicago, fashion

To Dine For By Maddie: Semiramis is More than Semi Awesome

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Looking for a way to kill an afternoon, my friend Jordan and I decided to check out a Lebanese restaurant in Albany Park that we had seen on WTTW's hit show Check Please. Over the river and through the woods we drove (over the highway and through Humboldt Park) to Semiramis (4639 Kedzie at West Eastwood) for what would prove to be some pretty great middle eastern fare. We figured it was the perfect time to get a little extra bang for our buck, although it may have all evened out in gas mileage.

In typical Maddie fashion, I wasted no time and ordered the sumac seasoned fries served with garlic mousse to munch on while we waited. Sumac, derived from a flowering plant, is a berry that is dried and ground up into a vibrant reddish plum colored powder that gives a serious lemony flavor and tang. Served searing hot in a paper bag, the french fries gave off a clean and fresh scent from the copious amounts of sumac they were covered in. This freshness was quickly erased by the dragon breath I got from ONE bite of the insanely garlicky garlic mousse. It was very delicious, but it was a level of bad breath that took me an entire day to recover from.

Without hesitation, we ordered hummus, babaghanoush and pita to share. The hummus was creamy and light while the babaghanoush, an eggplant dip made with tahini (sesame paste) garlic and lemon blended with eggplant had a smokey element that I had never experienced before and really enjoyed. The highlight for me, was the falafel special. The texture of these surprisingly delicate chickpea croquettes was enhanced by the cabbage inside. The fried little wonders were served with pita, red cabbage, tasty crunchy cucumber pickles and Harissa, which is a typical North African condiment made from smokey hot red chili pepper paste, garlic, coriander, caraway, cumin and extra virgin olive oil.

Our trip to Albany Park proved to be a delicious and fun filled excursion, however I could not help but notice that my most favorite Lebanese bakery was just down the street. Al Khyam, a family owned bakery (and one I'm embarrassed to say I've never visited) supplies the fresh baked pita bread, hummus and babaghanoush (the best on a whole other level) to Pita Pete's (1571 Sherman, Evanston and 901 T. Lucinda, Dekalb), a must visit spot for healthy and fresh food and what I consider the best hummus and pita outside of the homeland.

Fashion Forward by Renae: Holiday deals and events

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

This season more than ever, shoppers are looking for the latest trends at reasonable prices. As many fashionistas know, this can be quite a challenge. But with the recession, several high-end retailers and boutiques are offering deals and special events to entice their clients to keep shopping. Here's the scoop on what some Chicago fashion destinations are doing:

Pivot Boutique (1101 W. Fulton Market, Chicago): This West Loop boutique offering eco-conscious fashion is slashing prices storewide by 40 percent, and 50 percent off three or more items (now through Dec. 14). From Dec. 15-23, save 30 percent storewide and 40 percent off three or more items. All menswear is 70 percent off until it's gone, signaling that Pivot is likely phasing out their menswear section.

Gray Boutique (1361 N. Wells, Chicago; 821 Chestnut Court, Winnetka): Gray customers can get 30 percent off all clothing and 20 percent off all accessories. The sale began yesterday, so get in right away for the best selection.

Mint Boutique (2150 N. Seminary, Chicago): No specific holiday sale here, but every weekend in December, shoppers can enjoy complimentary tea and cookies, plus free giftwrapping. Sounds like an enjoyable shopping experience to me!

Cusp (Water Tower Place Mall, Chicago; Northbrook Court Mall, Northbrook): Today through Dec. 14, if you buy one sale item, you get a second sale item for an additional 75 percent off. What a steal for designer items!

If you'd like to attend some holiday events, here are a couple unique ones coming up:

Thursday, Dec. 11, 6-8 p.m.: Eat.Drink.Shop. by Koros (1039 W. Lake St., Chicago). Stop by the Koros holiday party to--ahem--eat, drink and shop at this upscale boutique.

Wednesday, Dec. 17, 5-9 p.m.: Girls' Night Out by Sheque Chicago/Galleria Unico (44 E. Superior, Chicago). Want a break from Michigan Ave. holiday shopping? Destress with beauty treatments, including eyebrow threading and gold henna tattoos by Thread Away, manicures by Karen Nails, makeovers and massages. Also comp cocktails, small bites and desserts. Check out a runway show with luxury fur fashions by Hana K at 8:15. Plus, get a gift bag to go with a bunch of goodies. $25 in advance, $35 at the door. www.shequechicago.com.

Sunday, Dec. 14 and Sunday, Dec. 21, noon-3 p.m.: Fair Trade Holiday Sale by Bethany United Church of Christ (4250 N. Paulina, Chicago). Looking for a truly unique gift item that is also socially responsible? Contribute to fair trade practices by purchasing gifts here.

Renae Placinski is the managing partner of Maven LLC, a hybrid publicity and promotions company featuring clients in the lifestyle industry. From fashion to restaurants to nightlife, Maven is on the cutting edge of what's going on in Chicago and beyond. Visit www.maven-chicago.com for more information.

Labels: chicago, fashion

Bear Crimbo The Perfect Christmas Gift for Children

BEAR CRIMBO, is a heartwarming Christmas story of love, friendship, and hope between four friends.

A classic in the making! Bear Crimbo's story will resonate with parents and children alike and remind them of the importance of expressions of love, the strength of real friendships, and how one hug can make a difference in a child's life.

Soon to be an animated film.

Click on the image or on this link to learm more and to place an order.

Reference efete.net when ordering.

Labels: animated films, bear crimbo, childrens books, childrens story, christmas books, dc crenshaw, fete select tv, holiday gifts

Fogal and L'Artisan Parfumeur Host a Men's Shopping Night with Special Discount!

Tis' the season to save!

W ednesday, December 10, Fogal and L' Artisan Parfumeur at The 900 Shops (900 N. Michigan Avenue) are hosting a Men's Shopping Night with a special discount of 10% off ALL merchandise!

This is a night not to miss, all the fun begins at 7 :00 pm and goes until 8:30 pm and will have delicious appetizers as well as champagneserved.

Can't think of any good gift ideas? Don't worry , Fogal and L'Artisan Parfumeur is featuring Holiday Gift Sets for easy shopping.

Additionally, each customer will receive complimentary gift wrap with purchase for the Holidays. So come celebrate the Holidays and save!

Fogal and L' Artisan Parfumeur are located on theFirst Floor of The 900 Shops.

You don't have to be a guy to save - a ll ladies are invited too, come and shop for gifts or for yourself!

Labels: chicago shopping, fete select tv, fogal and l' artisan parfumeur, gift ideas, holiday shopping, men's shopping night, shopping specials at the 900 shops, the 900 shops

"Miami Nights" at Nacional 27

Nacional 27 and nationally-noted master mixologist, Adam Seger, hosts the Friday evening addition of "Miami Nights," a South Beach-inspired weekly event.

Nacional 27 transforms into a sexy South Beach nightclub through sultry signature cocktails, Miami fashion week footage and dynamic beats performed by special guest DJs and live percussionists.

Nosh on delicious tapas, ceviches and small plates, while enjoying a complete night out of dining and dancing.

Miami Nights, Fridays :

Miami Chill, 5:00pm-6:30pm
Complimentary South Beach-inspired Tapas and Ceviches

Live Percussion, 6:30pm-9:30pm
Master Drummer, Geraldo D'Olivera

Latin House Music, 9:30pm-11:00pm
Hot, South Beach Lounge Vibes
$10 cover charge includes complimentary Passion-Ginger sangria for ladies

Nacional 27 is located at 325 W. Huron St. downtown Chicago.

Labels: adam seger, chicago dining, chicago nightlife, chicago restaurants, dc crenshaw, fete select tv, miami nights, mixologists, nacional 27, nightclubs, south beach miami

To Dine For By Maddie: Takashi - Living Up To The Hype

Monday, December 8, 2008

Takashi, a name on my list of restaurants to try for months, quickly jumped to the number one slot when it's Duck Fat Fried Chicken appeared in Food and Wine Magazine's Top Ten Best Restaurant Dishes of 2008.

To me, the only thing better than a long overdue dinner with your best friend is when the food proves as fabulous as the company. This was surely the case last week when I FINALLY made it to dinner at Takashi with my oldest friend in the world, Phoebe. Hidden in the old Scylla space, the converted townhouse is a perfect location for Chef Takashi Yagahashi's namesake endeavor. Even his interior design degree is put to good use as the warmth and ambiance of the room was inviting on the coldest night we've had yet this year.

With 30% off all bottles of wine, we started the evening off right with a fantastic selection of Sauvignon blanc(Sorry, I enjoyed it so much that I have no idea what it's called) and the "Winter Roll" (above) - a twisted version of a tuna roll complete with Big Eye Tuna Tartare wrapped up in what appeared to be a noodle with wasabi, avocado, greens and surprisingly, a piece of toasty baguette for the vital crunch factor. It was served alongside of a smokey seaweed salad that can only be described as "a ten". Next, came the Soy-Ginger Caramel Pork Belly served with a pickled daikon salad and steamed bun. Set up like a deconstructed Bao Bun, this small plate was Phoebe's first (and I don't think last) taste of the belly and even I found it impressive - as we know I am a connoisseur. The sauteed Maine Scallops were served atop tiny soba gnocchi and smothered in a frothy parmesan celery root foam that was so good I would have happily eaten it as a soup. The star of the evening, the Duck Fat Fried Chicken did not let me down. In fact, I found the korean inspired dish light and refined despite it's name. Small pieces of bone in dark and light meat were served with a kimchi style cabbage - spicey and tangy yet not fermented as the dish is traditionally prepared.

Just before heading home to slip into a full on food coma, I had to sample at least one dessert. My selection was a Milk Chocolate Cremeux drenched in Peanut Butter crispies and set on top of what can only be described a gigantic smear of a gelatinous black current puree - which had the perfect effect of cutting the creamy gooey texture of the dessert.

I truly hope that Takashi survives what is definitely going to be a tough season for the restaurant business because I cannot wait to get back and try the Beef ShortRibs, Hudson Valley Foie Gras and Clay Pot Chicken..I could go on forever :)

Fashion Forward by Renae: New V. Mora collection to appear in 2009

Thursday, December 4, 2008

A new designer is appearing on Chicago's emerging fashion scene, and you can expect to see her collection in early 2009. Anna Livermore, a Columbia College graduate, is the creative designer behind V. Mora. According to the press release, the new V. Mora collection promises to "help women escape from the cookie-cutter, shapeless styles that are ubiquitous today by introducing a collection of unique and bold pieces that infuse a modern, playful take into the classic cuts that best flatter women's figures."

Anything that flatters my figure sounds good to me! Not to mention the bold color palate and vitality that's captured in the V. Mora Spring 2009 collection. Here's a little bit more about the brain behind the designs: Anna is a designer, seasoned buyer and fashion entrepreneur who began designing clothing in the second grade with paper poodle skirts for her entire class. She turned her creativity into a fashion design degree from Columbia College, and shortly after graduation began working as a buyer for two local boutiques.

Anna wanted to create something different than what she was seeing as a buyer, so she launched V. Mora, which boasts vibrant colors combined with classic cuts that are well suited for contemporary, confident women. Her talent and hard work is paying off in the Spring '09 V. Mora collection, a very cohesive and flattering group of dresses, skirts, tops, vests and more. Best yet, V. Mora offers high quality pieces at reasonable prices, combining the key elements of what many of us look for while shopping: fashion, function and affordability.

The V. Mora collection delivers in February, so keep your eyes out for Anna's designs in local boutiques. Her goals for the new year? To always design for the customer, utilize cuts that fit and flatter a woman's body and to inspire fashion by selling her collection on a nationwide level. Best of luck to this emerging designer! You can check out V. Mora by visiting http://www.vmora.com/. For inquiries, contact Anna at 773-540-4097.

Renae Placinski is the managing partner of Maven LLC, a hybrid publicity and promotions company featuring clients in the lifestyle industry. From fashion to restaurants to nightlife, Maven is on the cutting edge of what's going on in Chicago and beyond. Visit www.maven-chicago.com for more information.

Labels: chicago, fashion

To Dine For By Maddie: Eggs In Purgatory

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

After my Thanksgiving day food mill debacle, I had to concede the Mashed Potato Throwdown and issue my cousin Chuck a win - this was due to my lack of experience with the food mill and the gunked up mess it made out of my Robuchon fingerlings. Luckily, Chuck saved the day and made an extra 8 lbs of potatoes. In the end, we had far too many pounds of potatoes and out of guilt I spent the next day experimenting with leftover creations. The best was a reworked version of my sister Laura's favorite dish: Eggs in Purgatory.

The origin of Eggs in Purgatory is Naples, Italy and it is typically a dish made with eggs fried in leftover Marinara Sauce and eaten as brunch. I have yet to truly understand the relevance of the name - purgatory in layman's terms means to be in a temporary state of hell. My version is significantly heartier as I use mashed potatoes as a base. I take about two cups of leftover potatoes and mix in one egg and 2/3 Cups flour. After forming little balls of doughy potato, I fry them up in olive oil and end up with cute fried potato cakes. The original recipe calls for the eggs to be almost poached in the Marinara, however it does not make for such a beautiful plate. I prefer to warm the sauce and fry the egg sunny side up in separate pans and to make the egg perfectly uniform I like to crack it into a circle cookie cutter directly in the frying pan. After all of the elements are cooked separately, I set the potato cake on top of my Marinara and the fried egg sits on top of the cake. The final touch is a chive garnish which makes for a beautiful plate (above) and a happy sister!

Fleming's is the New Downtown Chicago Steakhouse Destination

Monday, December 1, 2008

Downtown Chicago is loaded with great steakhouses, such as Gibson's, David Burke's Primehouse, Capital Grill, Keefer's and Kinzie Chop House. Now we can add another restaurant to list that is located in the heart of the Windy City. Fleming's Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar made its debut a few months a go and is certainly a destination that folks are flocking to. Although Fleming's is nationally renowned for its Prime beef and steakhouse fare, their seafood selections, such as Tuna Mignon, Seared Scallops and Barbecue Scottish Salmon Filet are also very popular. Their dining room ambiance is elegant, but not pretentious. Their premise is to be sophisticated and comfortable without being overpriced.

Fleming's is critically acclaimed for its simple fare. They serve tantalizing side dishes family-style and have five different potato preparations. Their appetizers and salads complement the menu and the calamari is a must try. Scrumptious desserts such as Chocolate Lava Cake, Baked Peach Cobbler, and Creme Brulee are made from scratch daily.

The Fleming's 100 is their award-winning wine program that features 100 wines-by-the-glass. The wine list features boutique wines and other well known labels from around the world. Special 2-ounce wine tasting pours allows diners to select the perfect wine with their meal. The Reserve List offers more that 80 limited-availability wines by the bottle from internationally renowned wineries.

Fleming's is located at 25 East Ohio St. just two blocks from the Magnificent Mile. They are open seven days a week and are currently offering a special prix fixe menu. Their four private rooms are reserved for meetings or private dining. For more information visit www.flemingssteakhouse.com.

Labels: chicago dining, chicago restaurants, chicago seafood restaurants, dc crenshaw, fete select tv, fleming's prime steakhouse and wine bar, nbc 5 chicago, nbc chicago street team, wines by the glass