"Dine With D.C." Menu for Wednesday April 29th, 2009

Monday, April 27, 2009

Please join us for the second of four private dining series featuring Executive Chef Jordan Spritz of Jordan's Food of Distinction. The "Dine With D.C." dinner is hosted at the JFOFD intimate private kitchen studio (1551 W. Thomas St.) and only allows up to 20 guests. At $65 per person, the menu is below and includes unlimited cocktails and wine. Please RSVP to dc@efete.net to reserve a seat at the table. Please inform us if you have any food or allergy restrictions.

Amuse
Norwegian Langoustine Cream Cappuccino with Herb Foam and
Crispy Apple Wood Smoked Bacon

1st
Japanese Hamachi Yellow Fin Tuna with Toasted Coriander Scented Pickled Red
Onion Emulsion and Spring Pea Shoot Oil

2nd
Deep Water Tropical Skate Ray with Slow Braised Stinging Nettle Puree and
Organic Baby Candy Cane Beet Terrine

3rd
Confit of Niman Ranch Prime Beef Strip Loin with Olive Oil Poached Shallots
Murray River Sea Salt and Black Turnip – Yukon Gold Asiago Pave

4th
A Study in Rare Spices
Withered Frankincense Tear Frozen Ice Cream
Toasted Black Cardamom Frozen Ice Cream
Vietnamese Cassia Cinnamon Frozen Ice Cream
Chilled Spicy Pasilla de Oaxaca Broth

Labels: chicago dining, chicago restaurants, fete select tv, jordan spritz, jordan's food of distinction, private dining, washington dc, west division, wicker park

It's All About la Famiglia at Rosal's

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

There are three things that can make a restaurant shine. Great food, excellent service and a good vibe. Although many restaurants may have those characteristics, there are very few that truly exhibit an instant homey feel. The neighborhood spot Rosal's is all about food and family. Walking into this family owned restaurant instantly makes customers want to stay for a while.

Rosal's, located in Chicago's "Little Italy" neighborhood is named after the dream of Roseanne and Salvatore Perry, hence Rosal's. The 19 year old Italian restaurant is about wonderful Sicilian food served in abundant portions. The menu is extensive and is sectioned by Antipasti, Pasta & House Favorites, Vitello, Pesce, Pollo, and Carne dishes. All of the dishes that came out of the kitchen looked absolutely scrumptious, but there are few favorites that may help to narrow the selection process. The "Grilled Calamari" is a must start with dish. The "Eggplant Parmigiano" and "Shrimp Alla Anival" are pasta entrees that are very popular among regulars. Meat dishes such as the "Veal Steppanjohnno", "Chicken Scallopini with Prosciutto" and "Grilled Pork Chops" will satisfy any hearty appetite. The bread on the table is warm when you sit down and the olive oil sprinkled with parmesan dipping sauce is perfecto! The waitstaff will encourage substituting sauces or adding meatballs that will help make the perfect meal. Don't expect a prententious environment, but an intimate, cozy and family atmosphere that saw many tables chatting with one another.

The desserts are tradtional with "Tiramasu" and "Cannoli" on the menu, but the "Peanut Butter Pie" could do the trick as well. The prices are very reasonable and bottles of wine are very affordable. Rosal's is located at 1154 W. Taylor Street. For more information log onto www.rosals.com. For more dining options and an inside look into Chicago's newest and hottest restaurants watch Fete Select TV on www.efete.net.

Labels: cheap dining, chicago dining, chicago restaurants, dc crenshaw, fete select tv, italian food, italian wine, little italy, neighborhood restaurants, rosal's italian cucina

The Health Conscious Foodie - Cool Chefs

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

While networking and researching in the addictive world that is Facebook, I came across a Cool Chef, Chef Joshua. He is not a chef in the real sense, as in 'trained at some culinary institute', but more of a passionate food lover that we all should know. He is a Personal Chef, Foodie, and a Cool Chef. Yes, he is the man behind TheCoolChefs.com, a site for dope chefs, healthy eats, and cool people. Being that this describes all of you, check it out. But first Chef Joshua has a few tips to share when it come to enjoying the art of cooking:

• Never Follow the Recipe!
• No Fear!
• Make Love to Your Food.
• Keep it Simple.
• Eat Your Neighborhood & Buy Local!

He's a Cool Chef Indeed.

Visit http://www.thecoolchefs.com where you can share your love for food by creating your own page, posting you healthy eats recipes, and adopt other recipes that are posted.

Health & Happiness,

Jessica Marie CHHC AADP
Holistic Nutrition Practitioner
Lifestyle and Wellness Coach

CHEW Chicago - Complete Health Education & Wellness
President & Founder
http://www.chewchicago.com

Dine With D.C. at JFOD

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Fete Features A Private Dining Experience With Executive Chef Jordan Spritz of "Jordan's Food of Distinction".

Starting on Wednesday April 22nd, D.C. cordially invites 20 guests to enjoy an incredible dining experience in a private and intimate setting. Jordan Spritz, founder and Executive Chef of Jordan's Food of Distinction, is allowing us to invade his studio kitchen for a guaranteed memorable evening.

Jordan works to craft the perfect menu to satisfy his customers palate. From cozy comfort food to the most refined degustation, Jordan has wowed celebrities, executives and yours truly in his kitchen. The loft-like space, encrusted in exposed brick, provides a unique canvas for diners to enjoy a perfect meal.

D.C. will host a private dinner for 20 guests every Wednesday evening starting at 7:00 pm from April 22nd - May 13th.

RSVP to dc@efete.net to reserve your seat at the table with me. RSVP's are on a first come first served basis.

Dine With D.C menu for April 22nd, 2009

Amuse
Organic Black Cherry - Current - Watermelon Soup with
Creamy Stilton and Toasted Fennel Oil

1st
Tropical Guava and Lime Citrus Marinated Blue Fin Tuna Poke with
Organic White Soy - Sake - Cilantro Reduction

2nd
Tree Ripened California Apricot Crusted Diver Caught Scallops with
Dark Grapefruit Caramel and Spring Chive Oil

3rd
A Study in Water Depth
500 ft and Below:
Steamed Loup de Mer with
Lemon Scented Arugula Emulsion and Organic Baby Purple Carrots

100 ft and Above:
Pan Roasted Barramundi with
Organic Yellow Cauliflower Fondue and Marinated Baby Breakfast Radish

40 ft and Above:
Olive Oil Poached Chilliwack River Fat Belly Salmon with
Whole Roasted Japanese Matsutake Mushrooms and Organic Baby Mint Peas
4th

Aromatic Tahitian Vanilla Bean and Hawaiian Farms Buttermilk Panna Cotta with
Dried Yellow Raisin Consommé and Sweet Pickled Rhubarb Salad

$65 per person includes unlimited wine and cocktails. JFOD accepts credit cards and checks.

Check out Jordan's Food of Distinction at www.jfod.com

RSVP to dc@efete.net

Labels: caterers, chicago dining, chicago restaurants, dc crenshaw, fete select tv, fine dining, jordan spritz, jordan's food of distinction, private dining, west loop restaurants

South Loop's Taste of Spain

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Chicago's South Loop has had a gradual makeover within the past 10 years. South Wabash has its own restaurant row with hot spots galore lining either side of the street. A new restaurant, Tapas Valencia on South State Street once housed a big sports bar, but the venue recently changed hands and is hoping to attract local customers to taste their version of Spanish cuisine.

Like most tapas places Tapas Valencia boasts a full menu of hot and cold dishes, including soups and salads. However, the satisfaction factor is hit or miss. The small plates that were considered hits or pretty good flavorful dishes were the "Pimiento con Pollo", imported sweet peppers stuffed with chicken salad; the"Pato con Setas", a grilled duck breast on sauteed wild mushrooms and the"Cazuelita de Pollo", featuring a chicken breast casserole with vegetables and cream of pimiento. Tapas that were very average and not that impressive were the "Zarzuela de Mariscos", a casserole of shrimp, clams and scallops and the "Tostadas de Salmon Ahumado", which was a basic smoked salmon and caviar plate. Their version of lobster bisque also missed the mark. The dessert menu has about ten different selections and the standout was the "Tarta de Pera", a pound cake with pear served with caramel sauce and ice cream.

Tapas Valencia is housed in a pretty big space and had an industrial feel that wasn't very inviting. The service was a little shaky, but picked up throughout the evening. Their wine list is extensive and highlights wine from various regions in Spain. Wine flights are available to try along with specialty martinis and red or white sangria. The restaurant may not be a target destination for north siders, but is a good spot for the neighborhood and adds another dining option to the South Loop.

Tapas Valencia is located at 1530 S. State Street in the South Loop. Log onto www.tapasvalencia.com for more information. Watch Fete Select TV on www.efete.net to get and inside look at the newest and best restaurants in Chicago.

Labels: chicago dining, chicago restaurants, dc crenshaw, fete select tv, nbc chicago street team, sangria, south loop, south state street, spanish cuisine, spanish wines, tapas valencia

The Health Conscious Foodie - Nourishing Pilates

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Lengthen, strengthen, and tighten with Pilates!
CHEW Chicago Inc - Complete Health Education & Wellness and Veria Natural Wellness are teaming up to offer a comprehensive Pure Pilates and Essential Nourishment Workshop. Pilates Instructor and Classically Trained Dancer Marissa Gomer and Holistic Nutritionist and Wellness Coach Jessica Marie are collaborating to lead students on a path to a healthy relationship with their bodies, inside and out.

LEARN the basic principles of Pilates to ensure your complete muscular benefit from the set of controlled exercises.

EXECUTE a comprehensive power Pilates mat workout with creative phrasing rigorous repetitions, and challenging body awareness patterns.

ENJOY a healthy snack from the Veria Cafe with Jessica Marie while she discusses the benefits of replenishing your system with whole foods and proper nutrition.



Saturday April 25 12pm-3pm $35 per person
Veria Natural Wellness
2010 N. Halsted
Chicago IL 606014
773 281 3467

CALL TO REGISTER!

Health & Happiness,

Jessica Marie CHHC AADP
Holistic Nutrition &
Lifestyle Improvement
www.chewchicago.com

Good Eats For Cheap

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Finding a good place to watch the big game can sometimes be a challenge. The challenge is finding a place that has a good crowd, plenty of televisions, but most importantly great food and drinks. Chicago has a lot of those places to choose from, but if you just head a little north of downtown, O'Donovan's Pub & Restaurant is the place to be.

O'Donovan's, located in the North Center neighborhood, can attract a large crowd. However, the venue is spacious enough for everyone to get a table or a seat. The food tastes much better than the average pub in town and the cocktail specials are just what you're looking for in this economy. Their menu consists of burgers, sandwiches, paninis, wraps, soups, salads and a variety of appetizers. But they also have hearty entrees such as "Prime Rib", "BBQ Baby Back Ribs", "Brick Chicken" and "Chicken Marsala". The mashed, baked and au gratin potato side dishes alone will have you salivating. O'Donovan's has weekly drink specials. Depending on the day, you can enjoy five dollar martinis, five dollar champagne cocktails, or half off a bottle of wine. There is also a thirty cent wing and two dollar burger and fries night. Their Sunday brunch features an all you can eat buffet for $13.95 that includes an omelette and waffle station. O'Donovan's Easter brunch will increase to $15.95 per adult and $7.95 per kid.

A nice touch that also adds a little entertainment to O'Donovan's is Al James the magician. Al provides 'table-side" magic for guests that includes card, coin and rope tricks. He creates images with balloons for kids, which makes the restaurant family friendly. O'Donovan's outside cafe and beer garden makes it the perfect hangout place during the summer months, which keeps north-siders coming back again and again.

O"Donovan's is located at 2100 W. Irving Park Road. For more information or to make brunch reservations call (773) 478-2100 or log onto www.odonovansbar.com. For more restuarant reviews and to get an inside look at the newest and best Chicago restaurants, watch Fete Select TV on www.efete.net.

Labels: cheap dining, chicago dining, chicago restaurants, cocktails, dc crenshaw, fete select tv, irving park road, o'donovan's pub, sports bars