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

Coca - Cola Sponsors Fete Select TV and Hispanic Heritage Month

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Sept. 16th marked the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month which is celebrated in the US - a national holiday that began under President Lyndon B. Johnson and highlights the significant contributions Latinos have made on US culture.

Coca-Cola and Fete Select TV celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with an inside look at Mercat a la Planxa.

Inspired by Catalan cuisine, acclaimed Executive Chef Jose Garces' new restaurant shows us of why Latino chefs are making a huge impact on fine dining.

Mercat a la Planxa on Fete Select TV.
Mercat a la Planxa
638 S. Michigan Ave.
Chicago, IL
www.mercatchicago.com

Check out Fete Select TV's new segment on Mercat a la Planxa.

Labels: chicago dining, chicago restaurants, dc crenshaw, dinner, fete chicago, fete select tv, hispanic heritage month, mercat a la planxa, nbc 5 chicago, nbc 5 street team, new restaurants

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

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

DC & Johnny B on 97.9 The Loop Friday Morning

Thursday, July 31, 2008

Tune in to 97.9 The Loop during the 7:00 am hour Friday morning, as D.C. guest appears with morning radio personality Johnny B.

D.C. will provide his review of four new restaurants in Chicago, which include OTOM, C-House, Hub 51 and Ajasteak. Drop us a line after the show and let us know if you agree with his take on these new hot spots in the Windy City!

If you miss the morning show, check out DC's blog on eFete.net tomorrow for his take on Chicago's new restaurants.

Labels: 97.9 The Loop, ajasteak, C-House, chicago, dc crenshaw, dinner, fete, fete select, fete select tv, fine dining, Hub 51, Johnny B, Otom, restaurants, WLUP