Chef Wallack & Sola's "Wagyu Beef Burger" Heading To Miami's South Beach

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

A burger is a burger right? Wrong; Well, at least not to foodies and culinary experts. In-fact, I bet that most folks around Chicago can probably tell you where to find their favorite burger, even if they aren't foodies. I recently tried a burger that is vying for the "best burger" title at the "Amstel Light Burger Bash" and I liked it. I really, really liked it.

Carol Wallack, is the Executive Chef at Sola restaurant and one of two Chicago chefs (Rick Bayless) invited to participate in the "Amstel Ligh Burger Bash" competition. Hosted by Rachel Ray, the event takes place in Miami on Thursday February 19th and is part of the 2009 Food Network South Beach Food & Wine Festival. The South Beach Festival is one of the premiere culinary and wine events in the country and features some of the biggest culinary stars in the industry.

Chef Wallack is competing against some top notch chefs, but I think that her "Wagyu Beef Burger" may have a chance. The signature "Wagyu Burger", which has taken Chef Wallack over 20 years to perfect, is Allen Brother's Wagyu Beef, cambazola cheese, house-made bacon, carmelized onions and arugula all squeezed between a soft pretzel roll. The Chef likes to serve the burger medium, which I normally don't do, but her suggestion went over very well. Of course, you can't have a burger without their truffle fries, which were the perfect complement to the beef.

In celebration of the "Burger Bash", Sola is serving the delectable burger all weekend long (February 19th - 22nd). The burger is normally only served during lunch and dinner on Thursdays and only during lunch on Fridays.

Sola is located at 3868 N. Lincoln Ave. (773) 327-3868. For more information log onto www.sola-restaurant.com.

Labels: carol wallack, chicago dining, chicago restaurants, D.C. Crenshaw, fete select tv, food and wine festival, food network, sola restaurant, south beach miami, wagyu beef burger

City Provisions Supper Club Farm Dinner

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Cleetus Friedman, owner of City Provisions Catering and Events, has put together an exciting event to educate, enlighten and entertain his guests.

Joined by Two Brothers' Brewery from Warrenville, Illinois and Faith's Farms of Bonfield, Illinois, the Farm Dinner is designed to help guests gain a better perspective on the origins of their food, the farming process, and how this all gets incorporated into the dining experience.

At 2 p.m. guests will meet at City Provisions (1820 West Wilson, Chicago , Illinois ) and board a chartered bus to Faith's Farms with arrival scheduled at around 4 p.m..

The experience will comprise of a five course meal with meat raised at Faith's Farm, paired with beers by Two Brothers and will also include a hayride tour of Faith's Farm, courtesy of farmer Kim Snyder. Jim Ebel, brewmaster at Two Brothers, will be on hand to discuss the brewing process and speak about the beers.

The Farm Dinner
Saturday October 18, 2008
RSVP to Brenda Uraski at 773-293-CITY (2489)
www.cityprovisions.com

Labels: chicago dining, chicago events, city provisions, cleetus friedman, D.C. Crenshaw, dinner, farm food, fete chicago, fete select, fete select tv, organic food, supper club

MICHIGAN AVENUE MAGAZINE CELEBRATES THE LAUNCH OF THEIR PREMIERE ISSUE

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Michigan Avenue Magazine, one of the most buzzed about launches in Chicago 's media history has hit the shelves September 15, 2008. The 360-page premiere issue features cover model Cindy Crawford and contributors including Mayor Richard M. Daley, Michelle Obama, Oprah Winfrey and Bill Zehme .

The launch issue will be celebrated on Saturday, September 20, 2008 with a red carpet extravaganza at The James Hotel at 55 East Ontario, hosted by cover star Cindy Crawford , and topped off with a performance by Destiny's Child singer Michelle Williams .

Michigan Ave Mag will celebrate the lifestyles and passions of this city's most affluent and sophisticated readers. High-impact covers and witty, intelligent editorial content will make Michigan Avenue magazine a must-read. Every issue will feature interviews, fashion stories, an inside-look with celebrity contributors, product and accessories trends, home design, art, restaurants, theatre, entertainment, and amazing photos of the people and places that make Chicago so special.

Check out Michigan Avenue Magazie at www.michiganavemag.com

Labels: chicago events, cindy crawford, D.C. Crenshaw, fete select, james hotel, launch event, michigan ave magazine

This "House" Packs "Power' and Elizabeth Taylor History

eliza
Longevity in any industry is rare nowadays, but especially within the restaurant industry. A combination of great food, service, location and price is what every restaurant owner desires, in order to make their venue last. Chicago restaurant veteran Jimmy Alexander has been doing it for years, and now has another winner with his new restaurant Powerhouse.

Built in a historic landmark in Chicago's Fulton River District, Powerhouse gets its name from the Western Railway power plant. The main dining room vibe reminds me where powerful business meetings take place, but the separate bar area is much more casual and contemporary. The menu, by Executive Chef Jeff Mauro, is packed with an array of traditional American dishes with a powerful twist. One of my favorites was the Tartare of Hawaiian Ono, an appetizer item. The Lemon Risotto and Wild Boar Rack and Loin were also very tasty and enjoyable. One of the highlights of the menu was the famous Alexander salad dressing on their Romaine Hearts salad. Mr. Alexander explained that the salad dressing has been on the menu at all of his restaurants since the 1950's. In-fact, Conrad "Nicky" Hilton enjoyed the dressing so much, that he had it shipped to his 1950 wedding with Elizabeth Taylor, for their dinner reception. Now that’s a history lesson for you. The desserts are plentiful with a selection of cheescake, cake and sorbet, but the winner hands down were the Sweet Potato Doughnuts! Being a doughnut connoisseur, I have to say that these were the best doughnuts that I've ever had. Period! Gotta try the doughnuts folks.

Powerhouse is located at 215 Clinton Street between Randolph and Fulton. It's open for lunch and dinner and their casual bar is a great place to watch the game. You can check out their web site at www.powerhouserestaurant.com or call (312) 928-0800 for reservations. As always, check out Fete Select TV for an inside look at the newest and best restaurants in the city.

Labels: chicago dining, conrad nicky hilton, D.C. Crenshaw, dinner, elizabeth taylor, fete, fete chicago, fete select, jimmy alexander, powerhouse restaurant

City Provisions Connects You With Your Food

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

We've heard and seen it several times this year. A food recall that caused unwelcoming health problems and a major scare amongst consumers from around the world. There was spinach, beef, tomatoes, jalapenos, mussels, tuna salad and even popcorn that hit the news wire at some point. It's great when the FDA finds the source of an E. coli breakout, but it's very hard to a pinpoint the food origin.

Worry no more, well at least when you eat the cuisine catered by Cleetus Friedman of City Provisions. Founder and Executive Chef, Cleetus lets his clients know exactly where their food comes from. Therefore, he actually connects his customers to the food that they eat, by using local ingredients from local farms. Imagine knowing the exact farm that your ham sandwich or tomato salad came from. How great to have dinner at a farm that provides you with everything on your plate? Everything is fresh, organic and good. They have a suggested catering menu and specialize in custom menu planning.

CleetusFriedman was recently selected as one of the Chicago Sun-Times 50 people changing Chicago. He is definitely doing his part by using products that are easily recyclable or biodegradable. City Provisions is doing everything possible to be Eco-Friendly. They introduce a lot of their customers to their cuisine via Supper Club events. I will partake in their five-course vegetarian Supper Club tonight where cuisine and beer, donated by Great Lakes Brewery, will be paired. The theme is "Sustainability with Food and Drink" and their September 20th Supper Club theme is "The Farm Dinner" at Dietzler Farms. For more information about reserving a spot at the table log onto www.cityprovisions.com. City provisions is located at 1043 N. California Ave.

Labels: catering, chicago, city provisions, cleetus friedman, D.C. Crenshaw, eco friendly, fete select, fete select tv, organic food, restaurants

Chicago Chocolate Tours

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Check out Chicago native Valerie Beck's creation of Chicago Chocolate Tours. Choose one of our four routes in different neighborhoods - the Magnificent Mile, Gold Coast, Downtown Loop, or Andersonville - and experience six wonderful chocolate shops or bakeries on each route. Depending on the route, you'll experience chocolate shops from famous favorites to hidden treasures, and from big brands to small often women-owned chocolate boutiques.

You'll be escorted by a lively and knowledgeable tourguide on a fun and fascinating walking tour to a variety of chocolate shops, where you'll sample the specialties of the house and meet the chocolatier, owner, or manager, for a behind-the-scenes talk about what makes the chocolate unique.

You'll sample more chocolate than you can finish. From truffles to tortes to tasty cocoa beverages, experience it all!

The tour is $40 person and when you take a Chicago Chocolate Tour, you will help save the world. In addition Chicago Chocolate Tours donates a portion of proceeds to CARE ( www.care.org ), an international humanitarian organization that helps women around the world exit poverty through entrepreneurship.

Sign up at www.chicagochocolatetours.com

Labels: chicago, chicago chocolate tours, chicago events, chocolate, D.C. Crenshaw, fete, fete chicago, fete select, fete select tv, food, mag mile, michigan ave, nbc 5 chicago, nbc 5 street team, truffles

Richard Roeper's New Book DEBUNKED!

Wednesday, July 2, 2008

I attended a book release party last week at Otom for Chicago Sun-Times Columunist and co-host of "At the Movies",Richard Roeper. His new book DEBUNKED! Conspiracy Theories, Urban Legends, And Evil Plots of the 21st Century is a breezy but fact-filled dissection of more than two dozen of the most popular urban legends and conspiracy theories of the 21st century. How many people do we know that always has some sort of out of whack and illogical theory about the most recent events that have happened, whether tragic or triumphant. To some folks, there is always a cover up or secret being with held from the public that makes the event questionable and unbelievable. From conspiracy theories such as the melt down of the WTC during 9/11 to man landing on the moon, and Barack Obama's Muslim secret, Roeper "Debunks!" illogical suggestions and sets the record straight.

It's also very easy for such conspiracy theories to make it's way around cyberspace and plant a seed of doubt based on unproven facts. If you're on a million email lists like I am, then you've received countless videos and articles about such things; Mostly from that one friend who is the lead conspiracy theorists. Most of the time they're very entertaining and interesting to watch and read, but for those that more easily influenced they're real. Check out what Richard has to say about "The Secret", Princess Di, grilled cheese, and American Idol, and compare your theories with those that are out there.

Labels: book release, book signing, conspiracy theories, D.C. Crenshaw, Debunked, efete.net, fete, Otom, Richard Roeper

ZED 451... Just Another Upscale Brazilian Steakhouse?

Wednesday, May 7, 2008

Do we have enough of these all-you-can eat Brazilian steakhouses in the city or is ZED 451 different? I had a chance to attend their pre-grand opening a couple of weeks a go and had a great time. I revisited this past Sunday and enjoyed cocktails on their rooftop deck. However, I'm not sure if the dining experience at ZED 451, located at 739 N. Clark St. downtown Chicago, will be any different than the others that populate the city.

I think the main difference of this steakhouse is their layout of the space, which is enormous and unique. The rooftop deck may be a hot popular hang out this summer to enjoy cocktails and appetizers. I'll soon return to officially partake in their dining experience.

Labels: blog, brazilian steakhouse, chicago, clark st., D.C. Crenshaw, downtown, efete.net, fete, fete select, fete select tv, fine dining, restaurants, ZED 451