looks like a great time, sorry I missed it, I will definitely try to get to companion a thon. One question re Qaato - anyone know if its ok to bring in alcohol? A friend gave me some Tusker and I'm looking for an apt place to drink it. given that there are no kenyan places I know of, Qaato looks like it might be a good choice.

Last night at the Hopleaf GNR presentation, some talk turned to NCAT part 2.

There are definitely some promising spots remaining on the agenda (Los Niches, Asmara, Taste of Peru, Big Buns and Pita, and also Caracas Grill, which nr706 and I both would like to see admitted despite its being beyond the Devon line of demarcation, as long as Seth Z doesn't object too much ) There's also signs of a new internet cafe opening up somewhere on the west side of Clark down in that section, so we could do live 'thon documentation if we wanted!

The problem is that all of these except BB&P are pretty sit down oriented, so timing might be a problem. Actually even BB&P is not really fast food, even though some of the menu slightly suggests it. There seem to be two possible routes; I wonder if people have a preference.

1) apply the GAF strategy in advance, and have people go pick things up from several locations as the first step, and then convene with carry out in a central location. There's a park near Clark & Devon Hardware which would be fine, although I think we're beyond "park weather" until 2007.

2) just start making one-off plans to visit some of these places separately. This definitely diffuses things a bit, and perhaps there wouldn't be so much excitement about visiting these places if it weren't about really making a 'thon out of it. But it would still probably be fun.

I think I'm inclined to have #1 and make it something to look forward to for the spring, but some other folks at the table seemed anxious to "finish the job".

Opinions?

1) apply the GAF strategy in advance, and have people go pick things up from several locations as the first step, and then convene with carry out in a central location. There's a park near Clark & Devon Hardware which would be fine, although I think we're beyond "park weather" until 2007.

Mr. X and I were unable to participate in NCAT Part 1, but would be interested in Part 2. We would be willing to offer our home as the central location for Part 2. (We're right off of Clark and Lunt.) At this point, we'd have to look at early '07. Germuska -- PM me if you think this would work.

-The GP (Mary)

The GP wrote:Mr. X and I were unable to participate in NCAT Part 1, but would be interested in Part 2. We would be willing to offer our home as the central location for Part 2. (We're right off of Clark and Lunt.) At this point, we'd have to look at early '07. Germuska -- PM me if you think this would work.

-The GP (Mary)

I think it could definitely work, and it's kind of you to offer. Why don't you let us (or me by PM) know when you think the time is approaching.

We live very close to this area as well and have been exploring places one taqueria at a time. But we'd love to be part of part II.

I deeply regret missing Part 1. However, here we are in 2007 and among my resolutions for the new year is to attend an LTH event. I'd love for that event to be on North Clark.

Anyone care to lead those who seek a leader into this territory?

Anyone care to lead those who seek a leader into this territory?

Germuska led the first North Clark-athon. He is ready to lead the 2nd. Mr. X and I will provide shelter from the cold and a place to sample the goods. Look for a date soon!

-The GP

Yes, I think this could be a grand event with a nice place to convene. I think we would basically want to assign people who were coming to fan out to various places en route and bring carry out. It may not be the best reflection on all the restaurants, but what can we do... Just taking the big five that we hadn't hit at all would probably make for a pretty substantial spread of food:

Los Niches
Asmara
Taste of Peru
Big Buns and Pita
Caracas Grill

I've been re-interested in Banadir lately (continuing the Caracas Grill slide off the southern edge of the original boundaries) Adding it would set us up for a nice pair of themes: South American and East African (plus BB&P just sort of a dangling bonus)
Also new to the zone since last time around is Harold's Chicken if we just want to go over the top. And who would I be to say that we couldn't add in favorites from the last go-round, or places that people felt didn't get their due, or ones that people who missed the last time wanted to try.... I mean, could it be a Rogers Park food event without at least some Mexican? I'm not sure we got anything from La Cazuela

after all, nothing exceeds like excess...

folks who dearly want to get in on this are encouraged to mention any timing constraints, although of course if the GP and Mr. X are to host, their schedule rules. I'm out the weekend before President's day (2/17-18).

Pending timing, I'm in ... had a great time at N Clark-a-thon #1, thanks in major part to the organizer (now, who was that again?)

The weekend of February 3rd, 10th and the weekend of the 24th are all clear on my schedule.

And if we don't go for excess, who will?

GAF wrote:And if we don't go for excess, who will?

I'm glad you asked, Gary.... because I got a ride home from work today and discovered that we have a new addition to this stretch of North Clark which will set us up perfectly for dessert -- a beautiful garish flashy outpost of Dulcelandia at 6718 N. Clark

I did not have the chance to stop in, but it looked great from the street. Then again, I'm one of those who re-read Charlie and the Chocolate Factory every year in my childhood...

germuska wrote:

GAF wrote:And if we don't go for excess, who will?

I'm glad you asked, Gary.... because I got a ride home from work today and discovered that we have a new addition to this stretch of North Clark which will set us up perfectly for dessert -- a beautiful garish flashy outpost of Dulcelandia at 6718 N. Clark

I did not have the chance to stop in, but it looked great from the street. Then again, I'm one of those who re-read Charlie and the Chocolate Factory every year in my childhood...

Que Buena!

germuska wrote: Then again, I'm one of those who re-read Charlie and the Chocolate Factory every year in my childhood...

Thanks for sharing, Joe. Although I never read that story, I remember a moment of delight as a second grader in the school library when I reached for a book entitled "The Desert People." I anticipated a luxurious fable in which ice cream sundaes and cupcakes came alive and interacted. Imagine my disappointment when I discovered that "dessert" is spelled with two s's. An elementary anthropological study of the Hopi was just not what I had hoped for.

I would love to join the next North Clark excursion. The first weekend in February will not work for me, but otherwise, I am there.

We would love to join you for the next Clark-a-thon, but can we check with Cathy2 to make sure that it doesn't conflict (as usual!) with Culinary Historians? The 10th or the 24th would work best for us, assuming there is no CH meeting. Normally, Caracas Grill is not open for lunch; we will have to check. BTW, rumors that the proprietors of Caracas Grill are returning to Venezuela are apparently in error; they are just going back for the vacation, and will return this month.
Thank you,
Robert

HI,

February 3rd will be Chicago Foodway Roundtable with Antonius presenting his talk on Spaghetti Carbonara from Oxford Symposium 2006. I think there will be enough LTH interest perhaps another date will work.

Feb 10 is Culinary Historians meeting is Chef Jason Girard. He has worked at Buddy Guy's Blue's Club, though I don't know if he still works there.

Regards,

Lovely. All of those proposed Saturdays in February look good for me.

I'm feeling giddy like a schoolgirl over the prospects of my first LTH event. - Ahem - Well, not really THAT giddy. Actually, I'm not giddy at all, frankly. Although I'm sure it will be very nice.

Ok, ok... maybe a wee bit tingly.