Max Out in Glencoe

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Finding the time to play golf is a challenge on many different levels, especially while living in the city. The first challenge is making the tee time early enough to avoid being on the course the entire day. Secondly, the location must not be too far from the city and should have easy access away from major traffic. Thirdly, the golf course itself must be void of a lot of water, trees and brush that will limit the number of balls that I lose. Lastly, but most importantly is the club house food, which should be good enough to make up for bad shots and a high score. The Glencoe Golf Club seems to have at least the latter locked down with their newly renovated restaurant Max’s on the Green.

Larry Estes, President and founder of Catering by Max’s, opened Max’s on the Green with the intentions of making it more than a food venue for golfers. His hopes are to attract locals to dine at Max’s on the Green throughout the week, regardless of golfing. The menu consists of breakfast and lunch, but the dinner menu deserves the most attention. Atypical of most club house options dinner entrees include dishes such as the Salmon Filet, Lobster Ravioli, Pork Chop and Skirt Steak. The Greg Norman Kobe Burger was delicious and consists of an 8 oz beef burger grilled to your liking and served on a pretzel bun. Be sure to complement the burger with cheese fries or onion strings. Although Max’s is known for their Italian Beef the Grilled Chicken sandwich topped with your choice of BBQ sauce or honey mustard is the way to go. They still have the traditional golf course grub, including sandwiches, salads and wraps and a few dessert menu items. All meals can be enjoyed inside the restaurant or on the outside deck overlooking the ninth hole. Max’s transforms into a traditional restaurant setting with waiters and servers only during dinner hours.

The Glencoe Golf Club is located on the North Shore at 621 Westly Rd and is not too far from the city. The public golf course is gorgeous and scenic. For more information about Max’s on the Green and the Glencoe Golf Club log onto www.cateringbymaxs.com or www.glencoegolfclub.com. Check out Fete Select TV for a review of the newest and best restaurants in Chicago.

Labels: catering, chicago dining, chicago restaurants, dc crenshaw, fete select tv, glencoe, glencoe golf club. max's on the green, italian beef, kobe beef, larry estes, north shore

My Best Dining Experience Ever!

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

A month before my second wedding anniversary I was trying to decide what I would do for my wife. Of course our first year anniversary was special, but my goal was to make our second year just as memorable. My new Facebook friend, Pam Spritz, is a sassy, cute, and energetic mother and grandmother. Our connection came through the birth of my son Tru on August 5th and her granddaughter Sunney Lou on August 6th. Pam also has a son, Jordan, the founder and Executive Chef of Jordan's Food of Distinction (JFOD). He asked to cook for my wife and I on our anniversary and what followed was the best dining experience ever!

JFOD is in an unassuming location on Thomas St. near Ashland and W. Division St. The dining room and kitchen are open and connected. The room is intimate, homey, quaint and exudes food. I never imagined upon my arrival that such a modest spot would leave us with an incredible experience. We were their special guests for the evening. A table set for two complete with candles and a flower arrangement created by Pam that reflected my wife's wedding bouquet. Cocktails, wine, and champagne flowed steadily. A dining scene that heightened all of our senses. The eight courses prepared for us were stunning and included "Marinated Hawaiian Black Fin Tuna and Japanese Day Boat Hamachi", "Pan Roasted Diver Caught Scallops with Slow Poached Fresh Water Baby Rock Shrimp", "Crispy Soft Shell East Coast Whole Crab" and "Extra Virgin Oil Poached Artic Salmon". The dessert, "Candied Fresh Ginger and Warm Brazilian Mango", was ridiculously good.

Jordan customizes his cuisine to individuals. He actually interrogates his clients about their likes, dislikes, lifestyle etc. He wanted to know who we were, which allowed him to create and produce a menu that evening that hit home and provided a unique dining experience. His inspiration came from two famous Chefs, Charlie Trotter and Rocco Dispirito. Trotter taught him quality vs. quickness and Dispirito helped him to respect ingredients that come from farms.

JFOD is non traditional in their approach to dining. Although we had many courses, they don't matter here. It all depends on what the customer wants and likes. The more pickier the customer and the more challenging the task, the more excited Jordan becomes. For example, he once prepared a meal for a Japanese company that wanted 15 different dishes that represented the flavors of 15 different countries where they were located. The client has been a repeat customer ever since.

JFOD, on any given week, has artistic chefs from top Chicago restaurants such as Alinea, Trotter's, Moto, and NoMi that help out in the kitchen . Jordan wants his clients to feel that they had the perfect meal, at the perfect time, in the perfect place, during the perfect season. He wants his cuisine to reflect everything about life and the bubble that surrounds them at that moment. Everything that represents that meal.

JFOD can host up to 75 people for a cocktail party and 2 - 40 people for a sit down dinner. If you want a dining experience customized to your palate, then JFOD is a must try.

Jordan's Food of Distinction, 1551 Thomas Street, Chicago, IL. www.jfod.com (773) 278-8111

Labels: catering, charlie trotter, chicago dining, chicago restaurants, cuisine, dc crenshaw, farm food, fete chicago, fete select, fete select tv, jordan spritz, jordan's food of distinction, rocco dispirito

Going Gourmet in the Burbs is AOK

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

There’s nothing like taking to the streets to find a new place that can tempt my taste buds with incredible food. Chicago offers a lot of hidden gems that don’t necessiarly make the popularity dining circuit, mostly due to location. I love to share my hidden gems with everyone, especially when it comes to food done right, regardless of location. Recently, I made a trek away from my normal dining circuit in the city and headed to the burbs to try a new food concept created by another foodie. I didn’t really know what to expect, but after I took my first bite I knew that the thirty minute Sunday ride was worth it.

The concept is prepared gourmet foods. The place is AOK Gourmet, a new caterer and gourmet food shop in Skokie, IL. Owner Andrew Kalish prides himself in providing the finest homemade foods using only the freshest ingredients. From gourmet sandwiches to herb marinated whole beef tenderloin, everything is made fresh right from their kitchen. I had the pleasure of establishing some of my favorites during my outing. The BBQ Chicken Panini and Mediterranean Chicken sandwiches were ridiculously good. I also enjoyed their Chicken Florentine wrap with a side of Cavatappi Pasta Salad. Some of the more popular side items are their Herb Garden Tuna Salad, Classic Chicken Salad and Rustic Roasted Sweet Potato Salad. For you vegetarians the homemade Veggie Burger and Israeli Couscous w/Veggies are very tasty as well.

AOK Gourmet prepared foods change daily for optimal freshness and they have quickly become the caterer of choice on the North Shore. However, corporations and and other folks in the city are calling on them more these days. AOK Gourmet caters breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner or simply call for take out or delivery. Not a bad idea for the upcoming holidays.

Visit AOK Gourmet at 4950 Dempster Street, Skokie, IL. (847) 329-3800. www.aokgourmet.com. For more info on the hottest new restaurants in the city check out Fete Select TV at www.efete.net.

Labels: andrew kalish, aok gourmet, brunch, catering, chicago dining, delivery, dinner, gourmet food, lunch, sandwiches, skokie il, suburbs

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

City Provisions Farm Dinner

Thursday, July 24, 2008

City Provisions Farm Dinner
July 26th - Reserve Now!


SPACE IS LIMITED, CALL TODAY
Featuring Two Brothers Brewery, Dupage County and Faith'sFarm, Bonfield, Illinois

Saturday July 26, 2008
The day will begin at noon by meeting at City Provisions, where you will board a chartered bus, furnished with "educational props," as you learn about the Two Brothers' brewing process. They will also discuss their Process, Mission, and transition into their belief in supporting local farms.

Upon arrival at Faith's Farm, Kim Snyder will give a history of the farm, along with a tour of her sustainable wonderland. They will end the day with an educational dinner and beer pairings.

Dinner will feature Two Brothers beers - with history and descriptions by Jim Ebel - while the menu will celebrate different regions of BBQ throughout our country, utilizing the provisions from Faith's Farm - a pork-heavy tasting, mind you.

Artist, Melissa Monore, will be making plates and serving platters specifically for the event. You will have the option of purchasing her work at the end of the dinner.

This is an extremely casual event. In fact, you will be walking around on a farm, so prepare accordingly. You may want to bring bug spray, a hoodie, and a camera - along with a tremendous appetite.

The Farm Dinner includes round trip transportation from City Provisions to Faith's Farm, the farm tour, dinner with beer pairings, and other bonuses. Cost is $125 per person. Reservations are required as they are limited to the amount of seats on the bus. Cancellations within 72 hours of the event will be charged in full.

Beer will be donated by Two Brothers Brewery.

Reservations are being accepted today at 773.235.CITY (2489) or email at info(at) www.cityprovisions.com.

Join us for Chicago's Greatest Supper Club

Labels: catering, chicago, city provisions, dc crenshaw, farm food, fete, fete select, fete select tv, fine dining, fresh, organic