Remembering Charlie Trotter's

Charlie Trotter in his famed dining room

Did you ever make it to the world-class restaurant that Charlie Trotter owned/chefed for decades, in Chicago? As you probably know, Trotter died suddenly on November 5th, at just 54. He had closed his famed foodie mecca a couple of years ago, saying he wanted to do something else with his life.
We managed to get there once for a fabulous, multi-course, extravagantly expensive dinner. It must have been 10 years ago, but I can well remember the evening. Strangely enough, I can't remember much about the food, only that it was a genuine pleasure to spend hours in that dining room.
Chicago remains a fantastic restaurant city, but Trotter's was unique and I'm sure has been missed.
And now he won't be doing anything else, poor man.
RIP, Charlie Trotter.

Chicago eats: Frontera Grill, Cafe Spiaggia and Xoco

I'm in Chicago for a few days -- such a wonderful restaurant town it is.
Our first stop is always Frontera Grill, Rick Bayless's regional Mexican cuisine par excellence. In these photos -- Frontera's grilled cobia (mild, white fish) with a terrific pumpkin sauce, spaghetti squash and a marvelous marriage of delicious ingredients.
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That's all I have time for right now....more to come!

Frontera Entree

50 Best Restaurants in the World: Which U.S. Restaurants Made It?

The annual San Pellegrino "World's 50 Best Restaurants" list was announced Monday, to much fanfare. Number one for the second year in a row was Noma, in Copenhagen, Denmark.
How did U.S. restaurants fare?
Two American fine-dining meccas made the top ten, the renowned (and you-can't-get-a-table) Alinea in Chicago (#6) and Thomas Keller's New York Per Se (#10 -- first time on the list).

Here's the Top 10:
1. Noma -- Denmark
2. El Celler de Can Roca -- Spain
3. Mugaritz -- Spain
4. Osteria Francescana -- Italy (Modena)
5. The Fat Duck -- England
6. Alinea -- Chicago/U.S.
7. D.O.M. -- Brazil
8. Arzak -- Spain
9. Le Chateubriand -- France
10. Per Se -- New York/U.S.

Only three other U.S. restaurants made the top 50 list: Daniel (#11), 11 Madison Park (#24) and Momofuku (#40).

We go to Chicago at least once a year and have tried a number of the city's best restaurants, but we haven't yet attempted to get a table at Alinea--we hear it's virtually impossible. But one day....
The chef (pictured above) is known for artful food creations, including a couple of dishes shown here.

Tapas, paella and summer fun

In Lincoln Park, a near suburb of Chicago, we made a return visit after several years to Cafe Ba Ba Reeba, a Spanish & otherwise Latin, indoor/outdoor establishment on North Halsted Street.

The cocktails were good -- everything from 5-6 types of sangria (our fave was the passion fruit) to excellent house margaritas.

We did not try the paella -- next time, for sure -- but stuck with the smaller tapas plates. The portions discourage gluttony, and there were plenty of healthier, light dishes.

Shown above is an heirloom tomato salad and a smoked salmon dish.

(This post is being done on the Megabus betweeen Chicago & Cincy, and it's hard to do over the bumps in the road!)

Xoco in Chicago

This is Rick Bayless's new venture -- he's the genius chef behind Frontera Grill and Topolobampo, the regional Mexican restaurants on North Clark Street in Chicago. Xoco (pronounced choh-ko) is a slang word for little sister, a waiter at Frontera told us. It's right next door to those great Bayless landmarks. Photos show my perfect sandwich and salad and an exterior of the storefront.
While waiting in line to have dinner at Frontera last week, we chatted with a couple who recommended Xoco for breakfast. I didn't think we'd fit it in at all, but on our last day in town I gave up on the Michigan Avenue shopping scene--to crowded--and headed on over. I arrived right at noon, just before the line started snaking out the door.
As with all Bayless's restaurants, it was worth the wait.
This is ultra-casual--you order at a counter, they give you a number, and when there's a spot for your party at a counter or table, they bring your food to you. The choices at lunch center on tortas (really good sandwiches on amazingly yummy rolls), either baked in a woodburning oven or grilled.
I decided on the Woodland mushroom baked torta: woodland roasted mushrooms, goat cheese, black beans, arugula and chile salsa. I also got a side salad of romaine, arugula, jicama and cucumbers--and I'm so glad for that because it came with the best salad dressing I have had in living memory! (I asked the cook about it later and got the ingredients: olive oil, lime juice, cilantro, pureed avocado and a little sour cream. She did not give me proportions but I am going to try making it.)
The sandwich could not have been better.
The menu also includes six entrees served only after 3 PM (night comes early in Chicago--remember it's on central time and closer to the north pole). All those sound fabulous--dishes such as pork belly vermicelli, seafood stew (shrimp, mussels, catfish, red chile, potatoes, onions, etc.), wood-roasted chicken pozole, short ribs, and so on.
One more thing you must know. Xoco also features "bean-to-cup chocolate" drinks with "Mexican cacao beans ground on premises."
I want to go back to Chicago soon if only to eat here at least a couple more times. Bueno!

Over-indulging in the Windy City

We arrived yesterday afternoon and went a little wild with the food and drink. First we hit Nacional 27, a place renowned for its mixologist, a man named Adam Seger. He whipped up a fabulous cocktail off the menu, no idea what was in it but it was yummy. Then we went to our favorite Chicago resto, Frontera Grill. It's gourmet Mexican--not like any other Mexi resto you are likely ever to have tried--and luscious. We split an appetizer of three different ceviches, each had a couple glasses of wine and an entree, plus each a dessert.

On the walk back to our hotel we went by Pop's for Champagne--yes, a Champagne bar. Against our better judgment we stopped in for a nightcap.

Today we're at a conference (the ostensible reason for the trip) and have vowed to dial it back a little for the rest of our stay.

Cheers!