I just returned from a week-long culinary tour of a food city so great, it even has its very own Michelin Guide – Chicago. If you’ve never been, my recommendation comes with a bit of a warning. Train first!
You can start right now by practicing your culinary muscles in your own neighbourhood fine dining establishments, ethnic restaurants, creative eateries, take-away windows, fabulous food shops and artisan café’s. Mossy on up to specialty bars that offer the very best salumi, chocolate, oysters or cheeses with a glass of something sparkling. Eat in a cave, in the clouds, in an old factory or on the go. Then try what inspires you at different candy shops, cupcake lairs, chocolate spas, tea houses, donut bars and breakfast bistros. What? You don’t have such a plethora of choice in your neighbourhood? Then train in Chicago!
Chicago is an incredibly walkable city so you can work off those extra pounds from certain overenthusiasm. The city is in a grid so it’s hard to get lost (unless you’re directionally challenged, then there’s no hope for you), the river and parks offer beauty, the food finds offer excitement, the museums offer a distraction and the activities offer everything from mild fun to terrifyingly, once-in-a-lifetime feats.
I tried to take it all in on my 5-day trip but unfortunately it was just enough time for me to learn what I couldn’t taste – pity! While I think I choose wisely, I feel like I’m leaving more behind than I could possibly devour. There were so many missed opportunities to haunt me and regrets for the foods that went uneaten.
I did …
..have the greatest conversation with Jason Hopkins of Goddess and Grocer who when he found out I was Canadian, insisted on informing me where to get the best poutine in Chicago – “really, you gotta try the poutine at The Bad Apple”.
..scarf down the honey butter fried chicken with candied jalapeno mayo from the bistro of the same name
..stuff the most chocolaty of chocolate donuts into my mouth at Stan’s Donuts
..try all flavours of Garrett Popcorn from their many shops
..try the salumi and cheese board washed down with prosecco at Eatily
..dip my fingers in the fried quail egg bacon polenta at The Signature Room at the 95th while sipping on their Bloody Mary of the Month; Liquid Swords
..swooned over my brioche and Bicherin at the Nutella Bar at Eatily
..a faceplant in the Chocolate Bar at Chocolate at The Pen
..mix my own flavours of chocolate at Vosges Haut Chocolates
..dive into the Green Papaya Salad from Embeya
..inhale the cold smoked foie gras at Sixteen
..dig into a deep dish pizza at Giordano’s
..savour the black squid ink pasta at Balena’s
..nosh on the braised wild boar campfire mole from Moto & ing Restaurant
..enjoy the Pesto Mozzarella Flatbread with more prosecco at The Walnut Room in the amazing Macy’s department store
..eat far too many Hot Fudge Milano’s at the top of the John Hancock Building
..insist on a flight of gourmet hot chocolates at Mindy’s Hot Chocolate
I regret not …
..having time for the highly touted poutine or the Truffed Enough Burger at The Bad Apple
..getting to Terry’s Toffee, I hear they’re the best toffee in the world
..trying the amazing 3 Cheese Penne Mac at the Goddess and Grocer
..sinking my teeth into the Porkbelly Reuben at Mindy’s Hot Chocolate
..take in a leisurely brunch of Pecan and Praline French Toast with a mimosa at Beatrix in the River North
..nibbling on hot peanuts and listening to local experimental jazz at Andy’s
..timing it right to take in the Taste of Chicago (July 9 – 13)
..getting a chance to eat Chicago’s famous deep dish pizza at The Ledge at SkyDeck
..having the focus to find Chicago’s farmers markets
..walking and take in the aromas of Chicago’s North Side piled high with ethnic restaurants from Asia, Africa, Poland, Sweden, Iraq, Mexico, Tel-Aviv and India
..scheduling time to take in some shopping along the Magnificent Mile
..uncovering the “guest burger” at Publican Quality Meats. It changes every week, I heard when I was there it was the Ryan Poli’s Big Baby Burger – aughhh
..not getting to taste any of the glistening barbecued ducks hanging by their necks in the window at Sun Wah BBQ
..partake in The Langham Chicago’s afternoon tea in The Tiffin. It’s the sister property of the Langham in London – the best Afternoon Tea in the world!
..downing a shot of Malort, Chicago’s very own distilled bitter
..sipping the Ipsento at Ipsento. It’s a latte (espresso and milk) named after the restaurant that is wildly popular because of the mix of honey, coconut milk and a pinch of cayenne
..not trying the lemon filled donut with yuzu curd from the burgeoning sweet and fried empire called Glazed and Infused
..not checking out the 778, 4 x 8-foot garden plots that make up the Peterson Garden Project – the concept is amazing!