72 Chicago, My Kinda’ Town From:   drwo@woteki.com Subject: Chicago - my kinda’ town Date: June 1, 2004 8:32:29 PM EDT To:   aroundthekitchen@aroundthekitchen.info Reply-To:   aroundthekitchen@aroundthekitchen.info Cathie and I spent the Memorial Day weekend in Chicago. What a great city. I had been there several times before but not with so  much free time at my disposal. It’s a great town to walk around in. Has a great feel to it. And the food, starting with Chicago Dogs, hot dogs that is. Vienna Beef dogs on a poppy seed bun dressed with terrific condiments that even a lover of New York street vendor dogs has to admit are among the best. If you missed the NYTimes article on Chicago dogs a few weeks back, check it out. But better yet, have one -- or two! We also went to 2 great restaurants. One is Topolobampo, a restaurant serving Mexican cucina. Notice didn’t say “a Mexican restaurant”, as in an establishment that serves enchiladas, beans, rice, etc. This restaurant is overseen by Rick Bayless who has published some very highly regarded books on the cuisines of Mexico. The flavors are intense, interesting and surprising. The bar scene rocks here on Friday night, so even if you can’t get in to the restaurant at least get to the bar, have some little plate of something and a few margaritas and watch the people. We also went to Spiaggia, a high end ($$$) Italian restaurant that overlooks Lake Michigan. The food -- and service -- lives up to the magnificent view and the price tag. A real treat. Among other things, Cathie had some grilled scallops with fresh porcini mushrooms (’rooms flown in from S. Africa!) and I had a meltingly delicious cheese ravioli sauced with brown butter. The cheese course offered some very unusual and delicious cheeses. What’s cookin’ out there? T From:   kradit@earthlink.net Subject: Re: Chicago - my kinda’ town Date: June 2, 2004 10:53:40 AM EDT To:   aroundthekitchen@aroundthekitchen.info Reply-To:   aroundthekitchen@aroundthekitchen.info Chicago is definitely preferable to Las Vegas, however Sherri and I (in LV for work) ate at the new Bradley Ogden restaurant last night.  We had an asparagus soup with fried clams and bacon, a maytag blue soufle with rhubarb sauce and walnuts, crispy-grilled line-caught king salmon on a morel risotto, and grilled pork chops on a roasted porcini risotto with fennel froth.  All of the food was exceptional, the service was top notch, and the atmosphere was not typical Las Vegas.  I highly recommend it (if you are so unfortunate to be stuck in Las Vegas for work). From:   msimmon2@gsb.uchicago.edu Subject: Re: Chicago - my kinda’ town Date: June 2, 2004 12:37:56 PM EDT To:   aroundthekitchen@aroundthekitchen.info Reply-To:   aroundthekitchen@aroundthekitchen.info Topolobampo is fabulous, as is the upstairs (same building) Frontera Grill. A piece of surprising trivia on Spiaggia....it is owned by (gasp) the Levy Restaurant Group.  It’s a fairly common trend in Chicago...there are a handful of upscale, well-known restaurants that were once individually known then sold off to a group.  Lettuce Entertain you is another big group in the Chicago area.  Nacional 27 is another great place (big and loud, but great food), next time you visit. As far as dogs go, the best overall experience is at Weiner Circle...you must go next time, but be prepared for attitude! From:   msimmon2@gsb.uchicago.edu Subject: Re: Chicago - my kinda’ town Date: June 2, 2004 12:47:34 PM EDT To:   aroundthekitchen@aroundthekitchen.info Reply-To:   aroundthekitchen@aroundthekitchen.info Completely agree with your review.  I went in February and think it was the best meal I’ve ever had. During my stint in Trotter’s kitchen, I worked with Brian Ogden (one of Bradley’s sons...the other is also a chef in Japan).  He was planning the move to Vegas all throughout my time at Trotter’s so I was privy to the plan as it transpired....from picking out the dishes to working on the menu, etc.  Brian (the Chef de Cuisine)ended up taking about 5 people from Trotter’s with him (needless to say, Trotter was pissed).  I went there in February for business and met up with 5 other women from business school (sadly, Noah missed this experience), and we were given the grand treatment.  We tasted so many different items and they made us special courses and EVERY SINGLE ITEM was fabulous.  But (other than the blue cheese souffle that was already recommended) I suggest the pork chop.  It comes with a miniature pulled pork sandwich on a cheddar bisquit....mmmm!   We toured the kitchen, which was quite large and took photos with Bradley (at the urging of my friends....was quite embarrassed).  They have a HUGE (compared to Trotter’s) fish locker and so much space to work with. If ever in Vegas....GO! -Michelle