America’s Best Margarita Bars & Piñata sugar cookies

Cinco de Mayo is on Saturday and I was looking around for some good margarita recipes and came across Food & Wine’s list for Best Margarita Bars. It’s no surprise that Big Star made the list. You should head over there if you don’t mind the wait. Check out the entire list – America’s Best Margarita Bars | Food & Wine.

If you are feeling particularly crafty this year, you should definitely make some piñata sugar cookies.

Image via sheknows.com

In fact, I think these would go quite nicely with a margarita. The recipe and a how-to video for the cookies can be found, here.

¡Buen provecho y salud!

America’s Best Margarita Bars | Food & Wine.

Fresh Moves – Mobile Produce Market | Chicago

Photo via .seedingchicago.com

“The drought is over!” This is the message Fresh Moves is sending to Chicago. Fresh Moves was created to serve communities in Chicago that fall within a food desert, areas that have no access to grocery stores or healthy, affordable food. Imagine having to travel miles to get fruit or vegetables. This is especially hard for people who are elderly or are constantly working and the only free time to get food is late at night and takes 2 buses and a train to get there.

I love food trucks and this repurposed CTA bus is top on my list for the needs it is serving. Consider volunteering your time or donating to Fresh Moves to help keep Chicago fresh.  To find out more information check out their website: Fresh Moves – Mobile Produce Market |.

Image via http://freshmoves.org/

Need a Skin Detox? Official Glowing Green Smoothie (R) Recipe

I’ve been trying to eat a bit healthier these days. This morning I woke up and began making the greenest smoothie I’ve ever had. I knew it would be good for me but what about the taste? That was my excuse for sitting on the recipe for, well…months.

My blender isn’t very big so I used about half what the recipe calls for in spinach and romaine but used all of the fruit and still had enough for two servings this morning and another two for tomorrow. I don’t need to tell you how healthy this is, one serving has about as many greens as most people have in a week, makes your skin glow, helps you lose weight, etc. What I need to tell you is this is good. Not just kind of good but, for real good. There is really no reason you shouldn’t make it. The fruit gives it a sweet taste, it is very filling and it is very easy to make. You can easily change up the greens (kale, arugula) and the fruit (strawberries, blueberries) to suit your taste.

Image via kimberlysnyder.net

The original recipe is at the link below but these are the proportions I used:

• 1 ½- 2 cups very cold, filtered water
• 2 cups spinach, chopped
• 1 cups organic romaine lettuce, chopped
• 2 stalks of organic celery
• 1 organic apple, cored and chopped
• 1 organic pear, cored and chopped
• 1 organic banana
• 2 Tbs. fresh organic lemon juice
• Ice cubes (the extra coldness can help newbies with the taste)

Check out Kimberly Snyder’s site for more recipes and information.

Kimberly Snyder’s Official Glowing Green Smoothie (R) Recipe.

Oregon Chardonnay Finds Its Voice – NYTimes.com

Chardonnay Grapes (Photo credit: pmarkham)

This weather is getting warmer and that gets me to start thinking about white wine again. A good friend of mine is a wine maker in Oregon at the Lemelson Vineyards. As any winemaker he is proud of what is produced but so is the wine drinking world.

Image via NYTimes.com

The New York Times rates their reserve chardonnay #1 in a recent tasting. Congratulations! I am awaiting a bottle in the mail to try. The 2009 Reserve chardonnay from Lemelson is described as, “…very much reminded me of a good Pouilly-Fuissé, with its lively energy, seemingly ready to uncoil in the mouth, and subtle flavors that might best be described as mineral, spicy and nutlike, but not fruity.” Now that is a description.

Despite being the most popular white wine among Americans, chardonnay has had a bad rap. As this article points out with the first sentence, “IN the beginning, there was chardonnay, and it was not good.”

This is changing in the Willamette Valley as the “second wave of Oregon chardonnay has appeared in the last decade or so, the product this time of conscious decision-making and more confident winemakers.”

So if you have ignored Oregon chardonnay in the past consider it again. If you are looking for something new, check out this list. Especially the 2009 Reserve chardonnay from Lemelson Vineyards.  Cheers!

Link to the full article:

Oregon Chardonnay Finds Its Voice – NYTimes.com.

The Rooftop Patio is Open @ Owen & Engine | Logan Square

Owen & Engine Front Door & Sign

The weather has been amazing in Chicago and it got me thinking of places that would be opening up their outdoor seating. My first visit last year to Owen & Engine was after they closed their rooftop but I have been patiently waiting for the weather to be warm enough to sit outside at Owen & Engine. This British pub has three floors of food and drink goodness.  The food is authentically British “elevated” pub food, well-designed interior but with a neighborhood tavern feel. A wide selection of beer and spirits along with a nice selection of Pimm’s Cups.  They take their cocktails very seriously – think old timey mixologists but are very welcoming and relaxed. Decor is beautiful from the amazing bathroom wallpaper and tin ceilings to the fireplace on the second floor and the rooftop. It’s right across the street from a movie theater so you can do dinner and a movie quite easily.

I started with the beet salad. Generous portions of fried goat cheese and beets. It hit the spot.

Then onto the Gunthorp Farm Chicken Wings with Piment d’Espelette, sherry vinegar and chive créme fraiche. Deeelicious, not your typical small, overcooked wings. You can immediately taste the quality of the meat and the crisp was just right and flavor was spot on (don’t the British say that?). Bit of spice from the Piment’Espeltette and extra flavor from the creamy crème fraiche. Also happen to be half off on Wednesdays. These are second to my favorite wings in the city…but that is for another post.

Charcuterie: Housemade sausages and cured meats, stout mustard, sweet pickles and brown bread. On this particular night they served smoked head cheese, lamb coppa, duck pate wrapped in bacon (because pate isn’t pate unless it’s wrapped in bacon) and duck confit. I didn’t partake of this dish but was assured by a seasoned meat-eater every piece had great flavor and was up to their high standards.

Owen & Engine Charcuterie

I have been back to Owen & Engine two other times but unfortunately did not have a camera with me. However, if you are a burger fan, and really who isn’t, then you will not be disappointed with the burger O&E serves. The chips are amazing too.

The Slagle Farm beef burger with caramelized onion, house potato bap and chips. This burger is worth its reputation. Very juicy and very rich. In fact I ate half and was satisfied (I mean, I did eat all of my chips) and had the rest for lunch the next day. I think there are versions that come with an egg as well. Hey, why not?

On a cold night winter night I ordered the pot of hot chocolate served with cinnamon toast. Really ridiculous to get by yourself because the chocolate is so rich and you can’t possibly drink the whole pot. But it was everything you want hot chocolate to be. Strong, rich and smooth. Ideal for 3 people to share and good for breakfast/brunch or when you want a non-alcoholic drink to warm you up.

The drinks are worthy of an entire post to themselves. But with names like, Nook & Cranny, Tempest and Wounded Swede you get the picture of the thought and creativity put into their beverage menu.

Owen & Engine 2700 N. Western Ave. Chicago, IL

Thirsty? Chicago’s Tastiest Cocktail Roundup

Just in time for the weekend. Hope this gives you some ideas if you are looking for some new cocktails.  I tend toward the sweet but at every one of these restaurants/bar they offer a savory selection as well.

As we all know, Chicago has its fair share of bars so I am sure I am missing tons of places, it’s just that I haven’t been there yet. So give me a good excuse to venture out and let me know your favorite cocktail(s) in Chicago. On my wish list is The Aviary.

Cocktails that I do not have photos for but on the list:

Big Star: San Antonio Sling – Herradura Plata, St Germain, grapefruit

Twisted Spoke: Bloody Mary – Road Rash Mary & Beer Back. Top secret special spices, meat garnish, and a beer back, it’s practically a meal

The Violet Hour: Pretty much anything on the menu.

Sunda: Peared Sake: Grey Goose La Poire, Zipang sparkling sake, pineapple juice, ginger syrup, cinnamon rim

The Bristol: Poire & Elderflower: Grey Goose Le Poire, St. Germain, white grape juice, lemon sour.

The Bristol Poire & Elderflower

Mercadito: Little Market – Olmeca resposado, fresh pineapple, chile guajillo, cilantro, pico piquín

Arami: Nigata River - Funaguchi Kikusui Sake, cucumber

Arami Nigata River

Roka Akor: Blood Orange Margarita – Espolón Reposado Tequila, freshly squeezed lime juice, Stirrings blood orange bitter syrup and Solerno Blood Orange Liqueur. Shaken and served up or on the rocks, with our chili salt rim. Finished with orange essence.

Roka Akor Blood Orange Margarita

Pump Room: Vodka Thyme Lemonade -  Absolute Citron, homemade lemon thyme syrup

Union Sushi + Barbeque Bar – The Sparrow Bee: El Dorado 5 Year Rum, lemon, honey syrup, mint, Bittercube Jamaican #2 Bitters

Union Sushi & BBQ The Sparrow Bee

Trump Rebar – Red Dragon (on the left): Spicy blend of Belvedere jalapeño infused vodka & fresh raspberry puree, accented with fresh lime.

Trump Rebar Red Dragon

Zocalo: Novo Fogo Guava Margarita – Novo Fogo Cachaca, fresh lime juice and guava nectar

Wakamono: The Geisha: Passionfruit vodka, tropical nectars, fresh lime.

Wakamono - The Geisha

Being Healthly Tastes Good – Native Foods Cafe – Lakeview

After last week’s meal at Grahamwich I was looking for a healthy option for lunch. I had heard the buzz about Native Foods but was a bit skeptical. I’ve encountered vegan food dressed up to “be like” burgers, pizza etc. and have been disappointed. After my experience at the Native Foods Cafe in Lakeview I couldn’t believe it took me so long to get there and I am very happy I live close by for future visits.

The Cafe is bright and open with artwork covering the walls. The staff was really helpful to this newbie and even complemented me on my order. I signed up for a Native Rewards card and received a free drink.

With my order placed I was handed a huge glass to fill with fresh watermelon fresca. Tasted like summer with a hint of mint. They also have free refills so I could drink as much as I wanted. I might have gone back 3 times…

The Portobello and Sausage Burger was the special for the day and come with a side. Next time I am there I will get the sweet potato fries but this time I chose the Moroccan Lentil Soup. It was packed with flavor, hearty and with a healthy garlic kick. Might not want to order it if you are on a date.

The Portobello and Sausage Burger have juicy grilled portobellos, homemade Native Sausage Seitan, caramelized onions, pomodoro, sweet roasted garlic, creamy pumpkin seed pesto and mayo. This was definitely the best vegan burger I have had and better than any veggie burger I have had and up there with the best turkey burgers I have had. In fact, if I had to choose between this and a turkey burger I would choose the vegan burger. For real. The portobellos were grilled to perfection, tender, meaty and earthy. The Seitan (protein rich wheat meat alternative with a similar texture to meat when cooked) was reminiscent of sausage but wasn’t trying to be, I thought it tasted better. Rich and a bit spicy. The pomodoro, garlic and pumpkin seed pesto were a great combination and added more complexity to the burger. Can you tell I liked it?

The Greek Gyro: thinly sliced Native Peppered Seitan sautéed with shallots on quinoa, steamed vegetables, and kale with lemon garlic sauce and hummus. Served with grilled flatbread. This is truly a bowl of goodness. So many flavors and I can’t believe that something this healthy can taste so good.

Moral of the story, get you to Native Foods Cafe. It’s whole foods made deliciously and affordable. Not to mention the fact there are 3 Chicago locations.

Chicago – Lakeview: 1023 West Belmont Avenue Chicago, IL 60657

Chicago – Loop: 218 South Clark Street Chicago, IL 60604

Chicago – Wicker Park: 1484 North Milwaukee Avenue Chicago, IL 60622

Telegraph – Logan Square

While at dinner with friends someone mentioned that they never order chicken when they go out to eat. We all chimed in with similar reasoning about how it is boring, you can make it at home, why spend the money, etc. I agreed but the exception popped into my mind, Telegraph. While there last October I had a taste of their Grilled Amish Half Chicken dish. This dish made me want to break the “no ordering chicken in a restaurant” rule.

Before we get to that, Telegraph is a wine bar by the people behind Webster’s Wine bar. The chef is most recently from  avec and the food reflects this.  I can see why it is described as rustic with its vintage lighting and natural reclaimed wood. But I think it has more of the dark and romantic vibe. Perfect for a large communal meal (as you’ll see in the pictures below) but also perfect for a date tucked in a corner with some wine and snacks.

The wine descriptions are pretty entertaining, “a life-affirming, citrus & sea-spray driven, lightly sparkling dry white that makes the soul smile.”  It was a warm night and I love all things Spanish so I went with the 2000 Lopes de Heredia ‘Tondonia’ Rioja Alta and yes it did taste, “very alive & fine.”

The menu changes frequently so these may not be available currently but worth ordering if on the menu. First courses:

Roasted beets, baby romaine, bella rosa, honey vinaigrette, earl grey smoked bacon, evalon cheese

Caramelized seasonal mushrooms, pearl barley, vegetable demi, and poached egg. This was unexpectedly rich in flavor, hearty and could rival any meat dish. Poached egg was perfectly cooked as well.

Second courses:

Grilled hanger steak, potatoes o’brien, crawfish demi. A very solid dish that will not disappoint on flavor.

Braised rabbit pappardelle pasta, lavender, seasonal nut bolognaise, celery root puree. The flavor combination was entirely unique, I haven’t had lavender, nut bolognaise and celery root together before and I am here to tell you, it works. The rabbit was cooked well and had a nice flavor, not too gamey. I didn’t ask but I wouldn’t be surprised if the pasta was house made. I took my leftovers home. I would order this again.

On to the pièce de résistance, grilled Amish half chicken, delicata squash stuffing, tamarind, annatto seed, and cilantro. The chicken was grilled to perfection, juicy and flavorful. It beat the hanger steak in flavor. The annatto seed and cilantro give it a hint of Latin American flavor and the squash gives a rich dimension. The croutons are a thing of beauty; huge and soft with a nice mix of herbs and deliciously buttery. If this is on the menu during my next visit I will order it. You should too.

After all that food we were actually talked into dessert:

Vanilla Panna Cotta. Okay, I admit, it didn’t take that much convincing when presented with the chance to eat cream, sugar and milk. However, it was the perfect light end to a heavy meal.

Telegraph tends to be busy on the weekend so a make a reservation or be prepared to wait. Anyone looking for a good date place should come here.

Telegraph 2601 N Milwaukee Ave At Logan Blvd

It’s Mardi Gras, Let’s Go Back to New Orleans – Yuki Izakaya

This weekend, a friend of mine  was boarding next to a flight to New Orleans and she sent me a text reminiscing about our trip to Mardi Gras back in the day (very memorable but not repeatable). It got me thinking of my most recent trip to New Orleans and a place I fell in love with, Yuki Izakaya. Happy Fat Tuesday,  Laissez le Bon temp rouler!

I had been to Frenchman street early in the trip for dinner and drinks at the gastro pub, The Three Muses. Very good food (fried pickle chips, Moroccan Lamb Shank Pizza, Fish Tacos), even better drinks, friendly atmosphere and great live music. So on the last night there we decided to take a break from the French Quarter and go back to Frenchman street. Wandering down the street trying to figure out where to go I heard some faint music that caught my ear. Getting closer I could tell it was an accordion and pictured a Frenchman in 1950 playing “La Vie en rose.” The sounds were coming out of a bar that looked to be Japanese…I was intrigued.

You could describe Yuki Izakaya as a dive bar I suppose. It’s got all the good characteristics of dive bar (immediate comfort, strong drinks, cool crowd, kitschy decor, dark, atmosphere of being content where you are) without the bad (dirty, greasy and beyond scary smells — although the bathrooms here need to be brighter).  Technically an Izakaya is a Japanese pub that is a casual, after work type place that also serves small plates.

Listening to the accordion, drinking one of the best lychee martinis I have had in my life and watching the Japanese animated movie flicker on the brick wall I thought, this is one of those bars you see in movies that looks impossibly cool and you just know doesn’t exist. I was in love.

I can be a sucker for some kitsch too.

Yuki Izakaya is a nice break from the New Orleans/French Quarter/Mardi Gras madness. Go for the live music and drinks but based on reviews the food is also worth it. Stuff your face; it is Fat Tuesday after all.

525 Frenchmen St, New Orleans, LA 70116

Cheap(er) Eats For Those on A College Student’s Budget in Chicago

I’m pleased to introduce Nicole Adams. She currently works with Westwood College and enjoys designing, writing and of course eating.  She is Alicia Tastes Life first guest blogger! 

Cheap(er) Eats For Those on A College Student’s Budget

–on behalf of Nicole Adams of Westwood College

Chicago is a big city with a diverse population. As immigrants from all over the world have arrived at the Windy City, they’ve brought their various culinary traditions with them. Chicago college students and residents, therefore, have a lot of opportunities when it comes to affordable ethnic dining.  It’s nice to actually take advantage of the idea of “a little goes a long way”.  Perhaps, you can spend your remaining budget on a special night out at Blackbird, or a nice slow food establishment.  In the meantime, the question remains, where can I find the best food in town for the best price?  I have chosen an array of cuisines and neighborhoods.  Here are just a few spots you shouldn’t miss if you’re looking for a hip, cost efficient place to dine.

Image via city-data.com

If your palette longs for red pasta sauce or grilled calamari, consider Lucia’s on North Avenue. Lucia and Dominick, the friendly owners of this long-established Italian Restaurant, have managed to keep this gem a neighborhood go-to. The options are endless.  When it comes to take out, they are very fast and efficient.  This Italian eatery has it’s own deli; so don’t hesitate to order a fresh made sandwich or custom salad (most under $10).  If you do decide to cozy up and eat in the dining room, be sure to note the BYOB option and no corking fee.  I would recommend pairing your own wine from home with the Artichoke Ravioli.

Image via farm4.staticflickr.com

Sultan’s Market is another idea of a generously priced, yet tasty, place to throw down some George Washington’s.  For only $2, you can order the Baked Spinach Pie or Grandma Zarifa’s Lentil Soup.  Of course, Hummus and Curry Basmati Rice are also great items on this Mediterranean inspired menu, but one of the biggest perks is having small and large portion options.  The ingredients are flavorful and taste is authentic.  Sultan’s Market has been in Wicker Park for years, and they have recently added a new location in Lincoln Park.

Image via city-data.com

Saving the “latest for last”, it’s not easy to fight the craving for fast late night tacos. Wicker Park’s standing tradition of a 2AM Flash Taco had to make it to this post.  As the previous statement implies, it’s obvious that this is where you would most likely spend the latter part of your evening.  Flash Taco originated when two Mexican immigrants began selling delicious tacos in Humboldt Park from an ice chest.  Flash built on this idea and tradition that his ambitious parents started and Flash Taco has become the perfect place to get filling, satisfying food.  Most items are under $6, and the Steak Burrito or Chili Relleno tacos are the way to go.  Don’t forget to order a horchata to sip on while you wait.

Hopefully these suggestions will meet any time crunch and budget on your next cheap eat outing. Another suggestion, that I’ve recently found useful for finding deals on good food, is the Scout Mob app.  You can download to any Smartphone and is available and free to Chicago subscribers.  The site most recently featured 50% off Lalibela Ethiopian restaurant in Edgewater.  If you need your olive tapenade fix, there’s a 50% off deal for Atomix Coffee in the Ukrainian Village.  The deals change, but the app is nice to have as a reference when trying to meet the right match, on any occasion, for your taste buds.