Christkindlmarkt 2012

I was searching previous threads for Christkindlmarkt. I was surprised that it had been about four years since it was really a topic of conversation. I'm taking a bus trip into Chicago on Dec. 1 (the kind where for $20.00 they drive you in, dump you and pick you up to take you home...a good deal). I was thinking about going to Christkindlmarkt if it wasn't too bitter cold out. Are the previous food recommendations for Christkindlmarkt still valid? I was also thinking about taking my knifes in to Northwest Cutlery to be sharpened. I've looked at the maps, is it much of a walk from Christkindlmarkt, or should I just take a cab? If the wait is too long for the knife sharpening, does Chicago Cutlery have an option where they will mail the knifes back to me? I've also noticed that the Publican and French Market are in the area. So many choices! What do you think?

It's a bit over a mile from the Daley Center to NW Cutlery. Weather permitting - an easy walk. Cab ride should be around $7.

Things don't seem to change much at the Christkindlmarkt. Recommendations from the past are probably still valid for the most part. Also, unless you have a huge number of knives, NW Cutlery should be able to sharpen them while you wait. There's lot's to look at and wish for in their store while you are waiting.

stevez wrote:Also, unless you have a huge number of knives, NW Cutlery should be able to sharpen them while you wait. There's lot's to look at and wish for in their store while you are waiting.

Agreed, unless you want a super-dull serrated knife done; we had to leave such a knife for that. Note that they close at 2:00 on Saturdays.

You could also walk three blocks from Northwestern Cutlery to the new Morgan St station on the Green Line and ride the 'L' downtown for $2.25.

NW Cutlery is actually within walking distance of the Daley Center (1.1 miles). Or you can jump on the #20 Washington bus (EB).
I recommend the potato pancakes with a side of gluhwein, especially if you're not driving! That stuff is potent. And a cone bag of gingerbread to take home.

One of my favorite things at the Market are these hard candies in the Candy ?Sweet House on the west side of the set up.
They look like tiny pieces of fruit, and they are hard all the way through, not filled.
I can't seem to find them anywhere else , on line, live, candy stores...
When I go back this year I'm going to buy like 6 bags of them to last me the whole year!

I also love the coconut coated almonds on the other end of the market.
and the chocolate dipped fruit.
and I usually buy one beautiful glass and feather bird for my interdenominational celebration tree (LOL)

Ann Fisher wrote:You could also walk three blocks from Northwestern Cutlery to the new Morgan St station on the Green Line and ride the 'L' downtown for $2.25.

Exactly what I was going to say.
The other thing is that at NWC you're a few blocks from Haymarket. If you're of a beer drinking persuasion and you have a few empty growlers lying around the house this would be a great opportunity to bring some awesome Chicago brew home with you.

Do any of the knife laws in Chicago, which limit the length of knives being carried, limit culinary knives you can carry with you as you stroll around town? Might be something you want to check into, as it strikes me as being potentially an issue. Not as big an issue as in London, where a pizza cutter can get you into trouble, but still worth looking into, I think. Even more so if you take public transportation.

Wow...so many thoughts, ideas and info. Thanks!

Cynthia wrote:Do any of the knife laws in Chicago, which limit the length of knives being carried, limit culinary knives you can carry with you as you stroll around town? Might be something you want to check into, as it strikes me as being potentially an issue. Not as big an issue as in London, where a pizza cutter can get you into trouble, but still worth looking into, I think. Even more so if you take public transportation.

Anecdotally, I see cooking school students on the L all the time with their chef knife bags. I don't know what the laws say, but I suspect you'll be fine as long as your not waving your knives around.

The GP wrote:

Cynthia wrote:Do any of the knife laws in Chicago, which limit the length of knives being carried, limit culinary knives you can carry with you as you stroll around town? Might be something you want to check into, as it strikes me as being potentially an issue. Not as big an issue as in London, where a pizza cutter can get you into trouble, but still worth looking into, I think. Even more so if you take public transportation.

Anecdotally, I see cooking school students on the L all the time with their chef knife bags. I don't know what the laws say, but I suspect you'll be fine as long as your not waving your knives around.

I have never been caught, either in school or now when I go to freelance jobs. Although mine are kept in a giant rolling case like a suitcase, so maybe it's not obvious.

Pie Lady wrote:

The GP wrote:

Cynthia wrote:Do any of the knife laws in Chicago, which limit the length of knives being carried, limit culinary knives you can carry with you as you stroll around town? Might be something you want to check into, as it strikes me as being potentially an issue. Not as big an issue as in London, where a pizza cutter can get you into trouble, but still worth looking into, I think. Even more so if you take public transportation.

Anecdotally, I see cooking school students on the L all the time with their chef knife bags. I don't know what the laws say, but I suspect you'll be fine as long as your not waving your knives around.

I have never been caught, either in school or now when I go to freelance jobs. Although mine are kept in a giant rolling case like a suitcase, so maybe it's not obvious.

I suspect not having them out in the open, where they can be seen -- or where someone could grab one from you -- is the key. It just struck me as being the sort of thing that might be watched more carefully during busy holidays with lots of crowds.

Once I get them back, I plan to duct tape (I love that stuff) into flat cardboard containers. I think I will be OK walking around...getting on a plane...no.

OK...so has anyone gone yet this year? Anything new and/or different? Your favs? Tips, tricks and other schemes?

Still no roasted chestnuts For those, I need to head to Allium.

We were there yesterday, but in-between meals and Really weren't hungry.

I can report that I personally always enjoy drinking warm spiced wine from a little commemorative mug while strolling about Daley Plaza. (Even if the mug is made in China.)

Headed into the warming tent and watched the end of the Bears game with a cold Spaten.

Observed a huge proportion of people seemed to be going for chocolate covered stuff on a stick.

We went on Saturday to see Santa and to eat lunch. I really enjoyed the Kilometer dog - spicy hungarian sausage with a nice snap, along with some sauerkraut. I am not a fan of that bread, it is a bit tough, but that is how I remember it in Germany as well. Husband enjoyed the potato pancakes. There was a guy who has a Schwabisch food tent off the beaten path on the outskirts of the main area. he was so nice, gave my daughter samples of the noodles and spatzle. The noodles with sauerkraut and diced ham really hit the spot, it is perfect comfort food for a chilly day. Gluhwein was also tasty, well balanced, not too sweet. We purchased some delicious Waffelrollchen from the sweet test- crispy rolled up wafer with dark chocolate. The bag is almost empty):
As always, a great way to start off the Christmas season.
LO

I'm planning my first visit to the Christkindlmarkt next week -- and these posts have me really looking forward to it -- especially the comments about sausage, noodles with ham, and potato pancakes. And here I was wondering if we'd need to fit in dinner between the market and our play that evening.

Not to distract from the food discussion, but although I haven't been to the Christkindlmarkt in some years, every year when I put up and decorate the Christmas tree, as I did this past weekend, I am delighted to find the lovely painted glass ornaments that I bought at the market. Two are tinted-glass, gold-accented baubles, and one is a quite realistic-looking airbrushed-glass hummingbird. I recommend the glass ornaments at the market as inexpensive, lasting, and beautiful souvenirs or gifts.

Katie wrote:Not to distract from the food discussion, but although I haven't been to the Christkindlmarkt in some years, every year when I put up and decorate the Christmas tree, as I did this past weekend, I am delighted to find the lovely painted glass ornaments that I bought at the market. Two are tinted-glass, gold-accented baubles, and one is a quite realistic-looking airbrushed-glass hummingbird. I recommend the glass ornaments at the market as inexpensive, lasting, and beautiful souvenirs or gifts.

the ornament booth is my wife and sister's favorite part as well. I have a very nice hot dog ornament hanging on the tree right now from a few years back.

Christkindlemarket fans, I'm here to report back now that I have attended. The weather was stellar, which resulted in wall to wall people. First on the list, I stood in line for my boozie boot. After that, I didn't care about standing in lines. I stood in line for the kilometer dog, fried potatoes, potato pancakes, soft gingerbread a pretzel and beesting cake. I'm really surprised that no one has mentioned the beesting cake. Yeowsa....best thing I ate. It had a light cake base, thick layer of custard and a crunchy top of sliced almonds and sugar/spice. I also thought the "cheese cake" pretzel was pretty darn good. The pretzel was filled with a sweet cream cheese mixture. The kilometer dog was good with an interesting smokiness. Fried potatoes good, but not a lot of flavor. Potato pancakes lost some of their allure when I noticed them just slapping pre-made frozen patties on the grill. Couldn't find any special ones with onion or bacon in them. Kind of bland. Wonderful crowd of people...got chummy with several groups at the standup tables. I also spent part of the day getting my knives sharpened at Northwest Cutlery. I was surprised at the small size of the store and the neighborhood feel of the place...I really liked it. I also took a gawk at the Christmas tree at Macy's and bought some Frango Mints (25% off). Finished my day standing in line for 45 minutes for Garrett's popcorn (the only thing my son asked me to bring home for him). By then the boozie boot had worn off. If anyone knows of a recipe that would equal the beesting cake at Christkindlemarket let me know...I keep thinking about it! Christmas cheer!

Many on Facebook are commenting that its very crowded there and are calling for the Christkindlmarkt to be moved as it has outgrown its space.

I kind of like it at Daley center but not if its too jammed to move around in.

toria wrote:Many on Facebook are commenting that its very crowded there and are calling for the Christkindlmarkt to be moved as it has outgrown its space.

I kind of like it at Daley center but not if its too jammed to move around in.

I suspect the temp has a lot to do with that. In years when it's freezing I expect the crowds will return to normal.

That is true. I was there today and it was not really crowded. Sure there were people there. I had the kilometer sausage and some potato pancakes. Took the bienenstich cake home on the train. Its delicious. Two layers of yeast dough filled with custard and with a toasty crunchy sugary topping. Very good.

Found the noodle guy. He's at the far northern end, and if you ask he'll give you a split order of the cheese spaetzle and sausage/kraut/noodle concoction--that along with the complements of cold beet and cold potato salad is well worth the &7 entry fee particularly if you're looking for a carbo load. The Bienenstich was also a find at $3, and although it was far from the best-of-the-breed that I've had in some cafes, I'd order it again in a minute. The prices of the the soups at the sw end have been raised slightly (I think) but the lentil remains a good starter on a cold night.

Speaking of ornaments again but also food, isn't it a German (or is it Austrian?) tradition to hang a pickle ornament on your Christmas tree? Can't remember the story behind it, but I've seen pickle ornaments on Christmas trees in a few homes. I seem to recall seeing some bright green glass pickle ornaments at the Christkindlmarkt.

Katie wrote:Speaking of ornaments again but also food, isn't it a German (or is it Austrian?) tradition to hang a pickle ornament on your Christmas tree? Can't remember the story behind it, but I've seen pickle ornaments on Christmas trees in a few homes. I seem to recall seeing some bright green glass pickle ornaments at the Christkindlmarkt.

It's a German myth -
http://www.german-way.com/christmas-pic ... ament.html

When we moved to Milwaukee, we were told that the pickle ornament was a local tradition.
We had never heard of it before.

I experienced this tradition growing up in New Jersey at my uncle's house.