The almond croissant from Sweet Thang Bakery (also can be found at Sweet Occasions).

I was eating it while driving and it was so delicious that I did not realize the light had changed and could not figure out why people were honking at me

Sweet Thang
www.sweetthangcakes.com
1921 W North Ave
(773) 772-4166

Sweet Occasions and More-Andersonville www.sweetoccasionsandmore.com
5306 N Clark St
(773) 275-5190

Grilled guanciale with soft polenta and gorgonzola/marscapone stuffed grilled dates.

Timo (5.12.07)

Smoked pork loin in peppercorn gravy, andouille stuffing, Chuck's BBQ.

The best thing I've eaten in Chicago recently was the Avocado Cream dessert at Ambria. The avocado cream, which was every custard lover's fantasy, was accompanied by carmelized pineapple and a salted caramel sauce, as well as relatively a forgettable tuile-type thing that added a welcome textural contrast if not much else. This was paired with a glass of awesomely buttery Sauternes. My companion and I, already more than full from the excellent meal preceding, burst into a fit of giggles this dessert was so spot-on. It was all we could do to keep from licking the plate.

Also, the flavors in the Oysters Casino, a dish I've never particularly liked, were so perfectly balanced I may have been converted. Though I will likely have to look hard for a comparable version once Ambria closes. sigh.


Overall, the very best thing I've eaten lately was unfortunately not local. During a recent trip to Northampton MA, I had the chance to share in two amazing loaves of the Hungry Ghost's amazing bread.

The first was a fougasse fresh from the oven and full of pungent oregano. My friends and I fell upon it like fiends, barely giving it the chance to cool. The crust was perfectly crisp and the interior struck the desired balance between tender and chewy.

This is, at 4.50 a loaf, not inexpensive every-day bread, but still, the next day found us tearing into one of their french batards just as ravenously. Savoring the contrast between the firm crust and the airy, tender interior is in my mind a nearly religious experience.

If you're ever in western MA, the Hungry Ghost is a more than worthy destination.

Hungry Ghost Bread
62 State St
Northampton, MA 01060
(413) 582-9009

just stopped and got some liver wurst(best) from drier's in three oaks,michigan.that is some good stuff.bought a ring of bologna also.good but just not as enjoyable as the liver.

liver wurst(best) from drier's in three oaks,michigan

I grew up on that stuff. As a kid, the bologna was my preference. Now of course, though, I have to agree- the liverwurst is where its at. For me Drier's product is definitive of its kind. Maybe I'll stop there this weekend, hmm.

chocolate truffles from belgium

in connecticut, a dessert called chocolate decadence from Temple Grill

more recently, some hazelnut cake at julius meinl

the new item at Chiu Quon bakery in Uptown: creme brulee egg tart ... as close to Hong Kong you can get in Chicago

a taco dinner at Pablo's in Old Blue Island

one carne asada and two pastor tacos, washed down with a mexican coke, from Carniceria Leon.

Especially the pastor.

My own chicken paprikash, made with paprika brought back from Hungary by a friend and a Wettstein's chicken.

Strip some fat from the chicken and put it in a big frying pan to render. Sauté a big onion, chopped, in the chicken fat. Add two-three tablespoons of paprika and some sea salt. Stir and cook 3-4 minutes. Add a whole chicken, cut into pieces. Sauté in the chicken fat over medium heat for 10-12 minutes, turning from time to time. Add a cup or two of chicken stock (in my case I just used poured off some of the broth from the giblets and neck I was cooking separately). Cover and simmer over low heat till the chicken is tender, turning chicken once or twice more in the process (maybe another half hour?). Turn off heat. Stir in one carton sour cream. Serve over hearty noodles. Enjoy.

Everything from TAC Quick I've had recently. That would be the pork neck, the boar pad ped, the duck curry, the crispy on choy (oh, especially that!) Even the papaya salad qualifies, even though its heat level caused lasting physical pain.

Rack of lamb, with carrots and rice on the side, and the best dessert I've ever had (fruit tart on a "sweet crust" that tasted like shortbread with a thin custard inside) at a tiny little restaurant called Zoe in The Plains, near Athens, Ohio (home of Ohio University). The meat was perfectly done with a cherry sauce on top, and the carrots and rice were simply prepared, but an ideal pairing with the lamb.

If you're ever in southeast Ohio, I highly recommend this tiny little gem.

http://www.45701.com/zoe/

el_cheapo wrote:the new item at Chiu Quon bakery in Uptown: creme brulee egg tart ... as close to Hong Kong you can get in Chicago

Is it like a Portugese egg tart? I haven't been in a few weeks.

Murgha Tikka Musalam and Balti at Mitali East on 6th St between 1st and 2nd Ave in NYC. Simply awesome Indian cuisine there.

the pork neck, the boar pad ped, the duck curry, the crispy on choy

Ditto. Haven't tried the boar yet, tho. That's next on my list (Unless the duck curry's still up on the board. Boy, was that good!)

1. pork ribs glazed with imported Italian crystalline honey over bacony lentils at La Piazza in Forest Park, with pools of pan drippings and honey around the edge of the plate. Unconventional, and yet among the best barbecue I've had in Chicagoland. Falling off the bone, no gristle, excellent fat, sear, and chew. Drool... (from a special small plate tasting menu)

2. a "Hans's Favorite" sandwich at the University Market (57th street and Kimbark in Hyde Park), featuring:

- Medici butter croissant, just baked
- liberal smears of Honeycup mustard
- Boar's Head Westphalian ham, cured hard with ribbons of rich fat
- fresh red tomato
- perfectly green and crunchy iceberg lettuce
- Boar's Head Extra Sharp Cheddar Cheese*

* a substitution from their usual Swiss

Last Friday evening the husband and I took my Mom to Barrington Country Bistro to celebrate her birthday. It had been a few years since I had been there for dinner, but more recently have eaten a few lunches. One of the appetizers on the list of specials for the evening was Seared Fresh Foie Gras Finished with a Sherry-Honey Glaze, served with a Caraway-Infused Corn Flan and Candied Celery. The husband and I both ordered it and it was out of this world. It reminded us of a similar appetizer that we had enjoyed at Naha before the foie gras ban. My main course was some wonderful Osso Buco. Definitely a meal that we'll be thinking abut for a while.

http://www.barringtoncountrybistro.com/index.html

Dinner for four last Friday night at Habana Libre spawned several tasty Cuban/Puerto Rican dishes--arroz con pollo (a little wet for my tastes, but favorful), plantains, ropa vieja, croquettes. But by far, the best:

Fried Pork (on the menu as Puerco Fritas, I believe)

Transcendent.


Habana Libre
1440 W. Chicago
312-243-3303


cjk

i apologize because it's not in Chicago, it's in DC. Johnny Monis' foie gras fritter. Oh my lord.

Shortly followed by his mascapone stuffed and roasted date.

messycook wrote:The almond croissant from Sweet Thang Bakery (also can be found at Sweet Occasions).

I was eating it while driving and it was so delicious that I did not realize the light had changed and could not figure out why people were honking at me

Your post prompted me to try the almond croissant last week. I picked it up at Sweet Occasions on Damen. I was really let down - it was dense and had almost no almond filling. It makes me wonder if Sweet Thang is still supplying Sweet Ocassions.

I really like the croissants from Bakery Crescent (Japanese) in Arlington Heights. I haven't been there in awhile, but I do love their red bean filled pastries. I posted some pictures here.

Bakery Crescent
270 E. Algonquin Road
Arlington Heights, IL 60005
847.956.6470

After a couple hours of drinking with some visiting co-workers from out-of-town, this sandwich really hit the spot:



Twisted Spoke bills this as a "fried bologna sandwich", but it's really a "griddled bologna sandwich" and it was delicious. Crispy warm slices of bologna, raw onion, lettuce and tomato on a decent (if not a little bland) bread. The fries were hot, crisp, and salty and I was very happy.

Twisted Spoke
501 N Ogden (also at 3365 N Clark)
Chicago
312-666-1500
http://www.twistedspoke.com/

Best,
Michael

The lavash bread from Argo Bakery (grace a Devonathon) grilled with olive oil and garlic -- now that xleb

Pucca wrote:

messycook wrote:The almond croissant from Sweet Thang Bakery (also can be found at Sweet Occasions).

I was eating it while driving and it was so delicious that I did not realize the light had changed and could not figure out why people were honking at me

Your post prompted me to try the almond croissant last week. I picked it up at Sweet Occasions on Damen. I was really let down - it was dense and had almost no almond filling. It makes me wonder if Sweet Thang is still supplying Sweet Ocassions.

I'm sorry Pucca! I wonder what's going on with them?

Something I am SURE about lately from Sweet Occasions (on Clark is their lemon meringue ice cream. So good, I was sad when I was done with my cone, dreamt about it for a day, and went back for another & was overjoyed when they still had it!

Slices of Zingerman's chile-cheddar sourdough, topped with two-year-old white cheddar and broiled until the cheese has melted and started to brown a bit. Finish it off with a little bit of the Spice House's Vulcan Fire Salt or Maldon.

Yum.

eatchicago, I know that we refer to "food porn" on a regular basis around here, but your photo reminds me of literal porn.

I like it.

Blackbird's seared maine diver scallops with green garlic, sea beans, preserved kumquats and crispy potato.

Coffee and hazelnut gelato from Evanston's Linz & Vail on Central Street- nothing better on a hot, sunny afternoon!

Roasted beet and goat cheese sandwich from Bleeding Heart Bakery, at Green City Market this morning.

Even though I still miss the Bistro Campagne burgers (a casualty of attention being focused on Crust, one assumes).

The duck frites with truffle mayo at the Pump Room.

Every time I eat them, they just get better. I simply can't believe that everyone is making such a big deal over the frites at Hot Doug's or Sweets and Savories when these guys are around. You get a massive cauldron of fries that are crisp and rich, and they're paired with a truffle mayo that I could just fall into and drown happily. And I don't even LIKE mayo.

Everyone I've introduced these fries to agrees with me. They're the best kept secret in Chicago.

The spicy, cold beef tripe spiked with ginger at Hon Kee. Perhaps not everyday fare...although I've been slurping it down for the last 3 days. (Carrying out a whole pound may have resulted in tripe-abuse.)

Tiramisu gelato at Massa in Elmwood Park. The full tub was brought out fresh just after we arrived.

Massa
7434 W. North Ave.
Elmwood Park
708-583-1111

a big bowl of beef curry noodles at thai bowl on taylor yesterday
it's not the bestest thai spot but the curry broth was soooooo good and a great deal for the value (a bit under $7).
I wanted to drink the broth on its own it was so good.. the noodles were nice and hot, the beef was a litte tough but good and the big slices of red onion and a nice dab of spicy fish sauce sealed the deal