Where should I get my NYE antipasti?

Hi,

I'm hosting a small NYE dinner this year and I've chosen an Italian "theme." I've also been informed by both husband and a guest that it would be great if dinner could be served during half-time of the Bears game. Grrr.... curses to network TV. How I wound up married to someone who gives a hoot about sports I'll never know, but I guess that's a topic for a different forum. Anyway, during the first half of the game I'd like to lay out a nice spread of antipasti to include cheeses, olives, cured meats, assorted veggies, bread, etc... I know I could probably get everything at Whole Foods, Fox & Obel, etc.., but I thought it might be fun to drive somewhere tomorrow where the main focus is Italian imports or housemade items. I'm looking for one-stop shopping and it would be great if we could grab lunch there as well. Any place within about a 45 min. drive from North Mayfair is feasible. Suggestions would be appreciated - thanks! Lynn

This thread should be a big help.

Happy new year.

Best,
Michael

Thanks so much Michael. My searching skills must be quite poor, because that thread didn't pop up during my (admittedly quick ) look. From Ed's list in that thread, do any of those places have seating areas for a quick lunch?

LynnB wrote:From Ed's list in that thread, do any of those places have seating areas for a quick lunch?

Freddy's (GNR Winner) and Conte di Savoia will have the most seating. Riviera (also a GNR winner) makes great sandwiches but has very limited seating.

If you're looking for a place where you can sit and have lunch and also pick up everything you'll need in one place, Freddy's would be my pick.

Best,
Michael

LynnB (and anyone making their first trip to Freddy's)

Don't forget to bring cash (no credit/debit cards) and, by all means, go early! Also, they're closed on Sunday...

There isn't much of a system for handling the crowds - no numbers handed out and called - so set yourself up close to the right side of the cash register and follow the crowd... Be sure to ask for any "special" cheeses (they're usually not on display) and definitely get some of their housemade breads and seafood salad...

Buon Anno,

Marc

Wow. Good to know. I'm a debit card girl - I hardly ever have any cash on me. We're going to check it out tomorrow morning & I'll be sure to stop at an ATM first. Thanks Marc & Michael - Lynn

Also call ahead, since Freddy's might be closed for the christmas/new years break. (I don't know if they are or aren't, but it's plausible).

Freddy's is open today, from 10am to 6pm. We got there about 11:15 and they were already doing a brisk business. Everything looked amazing, but we chose some marinated assorted veggies, feta, olives, etc., some salami in olive oil, a tomato foccacia still warm from the oven and a whole wheat ciabatta loaf which I promptly froze and will thaw out shortly before dinner tomorrow. It was sort of a deli-themed morning as we also stopped at Andy's Deli on Milwaukee Ave. for some Polish goodies to take to my dad next weekend in Wisconsin. Every once in a while I think about leaving Chicago (for warmer weather, or a lower cost of living, or less traffic/slower pace of life...) and then I find myself in places like these thinking "What am I nuts? This is the greatest city in the world!"

Andy's Deli
5438 N. Milwaukee Ave
Chicago

I can't speak for anyone else here, but I will say that the lack of Spring-like weather has been making me cranky! So this morning I told the husband we needed to just bundle up and get out of the house. Under the ruse of "we need olive oil," I was able to persuade him to chauffer me to a couple of ethnic groceries that have been on my list to visit for some time. Our first stop was Ann's Bakery in Ukrainian Village. I am a "savory" breakfast person - I can't stand to eat anything sweet in the morning, plus I tend to get on kicks where I eat the same thing every morning for a month (or more.) For awhile, it was a bagel and chive cream cheese, then hummus on anything, and now it's smoked salmon on pumpernickel. So, I picked up a couple of kinds of pumpernickel at Ann's along with some interesting-looking extra virgin olive oil and rosemary crackers. Pastries looked good, poppy seed bread looked good, but like I said, I'm more of a "savory" food person. Our next stop has nothing to do with food, but it's not far from Ann's - Alcala's Western Wear. I don't know what it is, but ever since our trip last summer to Nashville ( where I bought 3 pairs of boots - for the price of one!) I have had a serious attraction to this stuff. Maybe it's because nothing says "I don't care what's in the windows of Gap, Ann Taylor, Abercrombie, etc...." like western wear - and that's just the place I am in my life right now. If you have even the slightest curiosity, go. The selection is amazing and the staff very helpful (though I think a few are also packing heat. ) I got a shirt and the husband, who initially wanted nothing to do with the place, wound up with a nice pair of Levi's and an understated shirt. Next up was the supposed reason for the whole outing - the purchase of some olive oil. I remembered the Conte di Savoia rec from this thread and we headed to Taylor Street. This place was full of temptations, and in addition to the requisite olive oil, we also took home some salami, house-made vodka sauce, and 2 kinds of frozen ravioli - asparagus and goat cheese. All-in-all, a lovely afternoon. I'd say I'm at least half as cranky as I was yesterday. Bring on the Spring!

Ann's Bakery
2158 Chicago Ave

Alcala's Western Wear
1733 W Chicago Ave

Conte Di Savoia
1438 W Taylor

LynnB wrote: Our next stop has nothing to do with food, but it's not far from Ann's - Alcala's Western Wear. I don't know what it is, but ever since our trip last summer to Nashville ( where I bought 3 pairs of boots - for the price of one!) I have had a serious attraction to this stuff. Maybe it's because nothing says "I don't care what's in the windows of Gap, Ann Taylor, Abercrombie, etc...." like western wear - and that's just the place I am in my life right now. If you have even the slightest curiosity, go.

I've been driving by Alcala's for years, and I must admit I feel it is a great personal failing that I've never stopped in. This year for sure; thanks for reminding me.

Where in Nashville were these great value boot sales? I'll be there in May (I should start a thread...)

Hi Leek,

Boot Country! You can't miss it - it's right Downtown on the main drag not far from Ernest Tubb's Records. I wish we had spent another day/night in Nashville on our road trip last Summer, but I outlined the highlights of our brief visit in this thread - http://www.lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.ph ... +nashville
You have to skip through a lot of Waffle House chat, but the Nashville stuff is towards the bottom. Have Fun! Lynn