The Chicago Traveler

Like everyone else, you’ve probably been more conscious about where and how you spend your dollar. You’ve scrimped and saved, pinched every penny, and clipped every coupon. But every once in a while, you need to spoil yourself and splurge a bit. Here are just a couple places with incredible libations for jaw-dropping prices.
One of the most exquisite spots to eat in Chicago is Tru in the Streeterville neighborhood. This stylish example of haute cuisine features a progressive French menu. Items on the tasting menu in the past have included various dishes of white truffles ($250), rare vintage Clos des …read more

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It’s that time of year again. The Taste of Chicago is an annual food festival, where dozens of restaurants from across the city gather along Columbus Drive. Millions of locals and tourists sample hundreds of dishes from every cuisine imaginable, from hot dogs to ravioli to veggie gyros to pad thai to empanadas to omelets… Everything and anything edible can be found at the Taste, along with cooking demonstrations, live music, a wine garden, and kids’ activities. New additions this year include a sports pavilion and an international entertainment pavilion.
Admission is free, but the food and drinks aren’t. Tickets come …read more

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This season of the Bravo network’s Top Chef was filmed here in Chicago, exposing competing chefs from all over the country to all the culinary treats the Windy City has to offer.
This week’s Quickfire challenge required each of the chefs to create a taco dish that was suitable for fine dining. Along with earning its creator immunity in the following Elimination challenge, the winning dish was placed on the menu at Rick Bayless’ restaurant, Topolobampo. Sure, it may sound funny, but the flavors here are amazing. You can read more about it and its sister restaurant in my post: Frontera …read more

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Anyone who’s interested in food knows about Rick Bayless, Chicago’s own celebrity chef. Specializing in Mexican cuisine, he is known for countless cookbooks, his PBS series Mexico: One Plate at a Time, and two great restaurants here in Chicago: Frontera Grill and Topolobampo.
The two restaurants share the same building and bar and have a hip, colorful atmosphere. Both offer some of the best Mexican food you’ll ever have. For a more casual feel, try Frontera Grill. Just remember, Frontera takes a limited amount of reservations for all sizes. So, more than likely, you’ll be in for a long wait at …read more

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Don’t let the bright, neon, this-close-to-tacky colors on the outside of May St Café fool you. Inside, you’ll find upscale chic, incredible art pieces, and a warm, inviting atmosphere that you won’t want to leave.
Chefs and owners Mario Santiago and Guadalupe Aguilar often come out to check on their guests to see how they’re enjoying the Mexican and Puerto Rican menu. Many of the dishes are made with organically grown vegetables, so most of the selection is seasonal. However, first-timers absolutely must try the French double cream brie and pear quesadillas. Even patrons who stick to the basics like chips …read more

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Welcome to 2008! If you’re starting off this New Year with a headache, a stomachache, and a dry mouth, I’m going to guess that you had a very good time last night. But now, you barely have enough energy to read this sentence! Don’t worry; we’re all guilty of a little overindulgence now and then. But before you reach for that hangover-helper myth, here are a few facts:
• Eating greasy food does not help cure a hangover. Eating fatty foods before you start drinking may help slow the absorption of alcohol, giving the liver more time to do its job. …read more

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Normally, seeing palm trees and animal prints in any establishment will make me want turn right around and run away. However, despite its questionable décor, Café Laguardia boasts a menu that couldn’t be more authentic, even if it came straight from Cuba.
Actually, the menu is Cuba-born. More than 50 years ago, the founder opened his own restaurant in Bainoa, Cuba. When he decided to move to Chicago, he brought all his recipes with him and opened a casual, family-operated eatery in what is now the Bucktown neighborhood. The atmosphere is very relaxed while the live music is always energizing. Take …read more

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¡Salpicón! in Old Town (a little more than a block south of Wildflowers) is decorated with bright yellow and blue walls and pink-and-white tablecloths, but customers are attracted to this high-end Mexican eatery for more than its colorful atmosphere. In fact, this small yet upscale restaurant is often filled to the brim with fans of owner Priscila Satkoff’s culinary skills, so reservations are certainly recommended.
So what’s all the hubbub about? The word “salpicón” is a conjugation of the word “salpicar,” meaning “to splash,” so let’s start off with a drink. The horseshoe-shaped bar pours out margaritas, cervezas, wine, and over …read more

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As Hispanic Heritage Month comes to an end, here’s a look back at some of the moments in which The Chicago Traveler celebrated Latin culture and tradition.
• Two to Tango: There are places throughout the city where you can learn and practice this passionate dance from Argentina.
• La Pasadita may not look like much on the outside, but it’s quite possibly one of the best taquerias in the city.
• Carnivale features Brazilian, Cuban, Colombian, and Puerto Rican food which the executive chef likes to call “Latin soul food.”
• A Mexican sauce made from chile peppers and other spices, mole comes …read more

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Just steps away from the Brown Line, Café 28 dishes out Cuban and Mexican cuisine with a hip, urban atmosphere. The exposed brick walls and dark wood accents keep everything comfortable and relaxed.
If you think that all Latin food is the same, you’d be very mistaken. Cuban food is a bit more unorthodox: white rice, black beans, plantains, many Caribbean and Spanish flavors. Mexican dishes are more indigenous to their origin country: peppers, tortillas, etc. They are two very different worlds. Because of this interesting and unexpected pairing, many familiar dishes are kicked up with a unique twist.
For example, the …read more

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