Slightly off topic but the best thing I want to eat that I haven't tried is gatto in umido. I'm hoping some old peasant family in a remote corner of Tuscany makes it at home.

Mozzarella Sticks from Pizzamakers in Country Club Hills. A relative owns it and I've been going since I was little. Growing up I always wondered why getting sticks anywhere else never tasted the same. I didn't realize until I was older that the sticks are housemade as is the mozzarella they're made with. Delicious. Great thin pies too. Really hit the spot after living in London for 7 months.


Pizzamakers
19030 Crawford Avenue
Country Club Hills, IL 60478
(708) 799-1900

http://www.pizzamakersinc.com/

pacent wrote:The shrimp course at Next, El Bulli. Wow...

Yeah, for me too. Probably a tie between that one, the liquid chicken croquetas, or the sweet carrot foam. Phenomenal. Go, NEXT!

The grilled cheese at Grahamwich. A goopy, messy, buttery delight (probably best to be eaten in situ).

Quoting entirely from a 2008 review of Chuck's Cafe review by uniaddict

Pavo en Mole Negro – sliced slow roasted turkey in mole Negro, which having over twenty five ingredients is the most complex mole from Oaxaca, Mexico, served with mashed Yukon Gold potatoes with queso cotija and esquites (pan seared corn with crumbled pasilla chile)

I've had this once before, but last night, was the best ever. Not only was it the best, but TURKEY OF THE GODS, the flavor, the spices.... just the aroma of the dish arriving at the table got me excited. This is the best thing I've ever eaten EVER anywhere, and it's worth a trip whenever this appears on the specials menu. I don't know what else to say other than EVERYONE needs to go and try this dish, it will knock your socks off!!!

I could easily schedule my life around this.

Yukgaejang, a spicy, salty, and slightly sour (how's that for alliteration?) shredded beef and glass noodle soup, from Banpojung, my neighborhood homestyle Korean restaurant at Foster & Kimball.



Had to seek it out after seeing Serious Eats's feature of the dish at Joong Boo Marketplace.

...In my opinion, most dishes merit a try, but the spicy beef and veggie soup (Yook-Gae-Jang [No. 16], $7.50) is an approachable dish that really hits the spot. With plenty of braised beef, glass noodles, and scallions, the unctuous and mildly spicy broth is seasoned with Korean chili paste and flakes—the same used to prepare the two accompanying house-made kimchis...

http://mobile.chicago.seriouseats.com/2012/03/five-kimchi-dishes-we-love-in-chicago.html

Ann Fisher - That sounds life-changingly good.

Bahn Mi Chicken Taco from the Brown Bag Lunch Truck (purchased in Hyde Park). Official description is "boneless, skinless chicken thighs, 48 hour brine, char-grilled to smoky perfection. Served with bahn mi fixin's and soft corn tortillas."

Beautifully packaged, this was everything promised and more, from the thick little artisanal tortillas to a funky tiger-cry dipping sauce, micro-shredded daikon pickle with lovely cilantro and pepper, and a hearty portion of charred, flavorful, and still-tender chicken. Bolder flavors and more textural contrast than I've had from any other food truck this bustling year, although I am on record with a craving for Don Rafa's carnitas bowl with pickled cactus and fat-rich smoky beans.

Zuppa Forte (di soffritto (?)) at Spacca Napoli.

This thick and meaty stew from Campagna is chock full of guanciale, veal, tripe, heart and other innards in the SN version. If you have even a little love of offal, get to SN. I knew to ask based on a hot tip from a couple of LTHers. The server frustratingly did not mention, then misdescribed the soup. She didn't have me sized up right, I'm afraid. Adding a squeeze of the good lemons on hand at SN took this over the top for me.

I also really enjoyed my calzone with scarola, anchovies and capers hand crafted (including hand kneaded dough) by the apparently, and deservedly, legendary Casertano pizza man Franco Pepe in town for a short time. Here's a link to a very nice thread over at pizzamaking.com

http://www.pizzamaking.com/forum/index. ... ic=18166.0

Fried pigeon in a small fishing town on the north side of Penang. It came out so hot that you couldn't touch it, and it had subtle flavors of turmeric and coconut. I never knew pigeon could be so moist. We had to order a second. I wish all fried bird tasted this good.

Trout Rillettes I made with fresh Asiago cheese, arugula and other greens. The one on the left has shaved fennel and raisins in the biscuit.


Trout Rillettes by TrackBelle, on Flickr

Pepperoni roll at Jimmy's Pizza Cafe. Buttery, garlicky, crispy carmelized cheese. Fantastic.

Balena Saturday Night:

Smoked Mackerel, Aioli, Pangrattato, Soft Cooked Egg

Gone in 60 seconds.

DMChicago wrote:Balena Saturday Night:

Smoked Mackerel, Aioli, Pangrattato, Soft Cooked Egg

Gone in 60 seconds.

Agreed! I had this at Balena last night and really enjoyed it. Strong smoked flavor, but otherwise the fish was almost raw and had a great texture. I'd post about Balena, but I was by myself and didn't get to sample too many dishes so I'm not sure it warrants a full review.

As an out of towner this would have never happened without LTH... awesome lunch at Oasis Cafe. I had the mediterainian combo with lamb. The lamb was so juicy and well seasoned and the "hot sauce" they serve had quite the kick. Thanks to everyone who posted on Oasis for Lunch in the Loop!

Tie between the "Better than a Gyros" and "Meatball Sandwich" (now all beef!) at Publican Quality Meats. Got a chance to tour the kitchen and curing rooms. Pardon my crassness, but that place is a god damn wonderland. The N'duja was spectacular as well.

cheffjeff wrote:Tie between the "Better than a Gyros" and "Meatball Sandwich" (now all beef!) at Publican Quality Meats. Got a chance to tour the kitchen and curing rooms. Pardon my crassness, but that place is a god damn wonderland. The N'duja was spectacular as well.

Amen, bro! I love PQM. I've only been there twice now, but even though I have to drive downown from my northwest side office, I don't mind a bit.

Lancelac wrote:

DMChicago wrote:Balena Saturday Night:

Smoked Mackerel, Aioli, Pangrattato, Soft Cooked Egg

Gone in 60 seconds.

Agreed! I had this at Balena last night and really enjoyed it. Strong smoked flavor, but otherwise the fish was almost raw and had a great texture. I'd post about Balena, but I was by myself and didn't get to sample too many dishes so I'm not sure it warrants a full review.

Third! It was definitely my favorite dish last night. Actually it was the only one I liked last time (excluding desserts of course!)


Balena - Smoked Mackerel by agashi, on Flickr

The croissant I had at Tartine bakery in San Fran this morning was the best I've had. Buttery, steamy, flaky, crispy.

Amen J Valentino. The best, anywhere. Have you tried the Morning Bun? Croissant dough but rolled with orange zest and cinnamon sugar. The single most transcendent pastry I've ever eaten in my life. I keep trying to work up the courage to make the dough (I have the book), but the multi-day lamination stage is intimidating me!

The morning buns looked great but I didn't have one. I have the book too-no croissant attempt made by me either.

Mirchon Ka Salan at Himalaya in Houston, TX.

The succulent whole green chilies evoked fond memories of Lao Hunan's 'Famous Hunan Chili', while the curry (which, according to the menu contains over 75 ingredients) was as complex as any I've tasted. We ordered seconds.

Okay - three LTHers visit Balena and only comment is about the egg?!? I'm heading there tomorrow and was hoping to have a little intel. I know that at the very least, I'll be ordering the egg!

The smoked shrimp, smoked trout, smoked pepper and garlic salmon, and fried pickles from Calumet Fisheries. Finally made it and the fried items disappointed except the pickles which had this genius dill breading!

Should have followed CrazyC's rec and gone smoked all the way.

Next time its smoked and pickles.
I know they have crackers but I think if they sold out a little and had some nice water crackers on hand it could make quite the pairing with the fish...

Although I am sure I'll be asked if I expect Evian or Aqua Panna there next...

bone marrow app @ Benny's(fantastic, buttery and loaded with marrow):

Blood sausage from Publican Quality Meats. Combined it with some eggs and green onions for breakfast. Perfecto.

plesantly surprised by some honey stung fried chicken from the Shrimp Barn in Minooka, IL. REally good crispy fried chicken with a little drizzle of honey gave it a nice candy coating.

got some carryout for myself without the honey and snarfed that 1/2 bird when I got home as well..

best bites ive had all week.

like $7 for a small half bird.


Shrimp Barn
125 Mondamin
Minooka, IL.

http://www.shrimpbarn.com

they've been open a few months, get their shrimp/gator fresh from the gulf and have Abita. Owner was a nice cat.

Thanks for the heads up on the Shrimp Barn, Jim, and thanks as always for keeping us informed on what's good to eat south and west of Chicago. I've got that spot in Minooka marked on my map now, in anticipation of drives down south to see family this spring and summer.

Some good ol' Tex-Mex style chicken and sour cream enchiladas with a roasted tomatillo avocado salsa and garlicky refried beans. Made 'em last weekend. M-M-good.

Single cheeseburger at Au Cheval. Holy crap.