Tag: 2012 best bites

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Best Bites

2012 Best Bite #20: Jersey Shore pizza, Graffiato

Each day in December, I’m celebrating my best bites (and sips) in 2012, posted in chronological order.

Jersey Shore pizza
Jersey Shore pizza

Why it’s a Best Bite: For the second part of the trip I mentioned in yesterday’s post, I spent a few days exploring DC and spending more time with friends. As avid Top Chef fans, we decided to check out Mike Isabella’s first restaurant, Graffiato. Considering where we’d spent the days prior, it seemed especially fitting to try this edible tribute to the Jersey Shore. The crispy calamari and provolone made excellent toppings, and the zing of the cherry pepper aioli against the blistered crust brought the pizza together.

The details: Graffiato, 707 6th St. NW, Washington, DC.

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Best Bites

2012 Best Bite #19: Mason jar cocktails, Back Bay Ale House

Each day in December, I’m celebrating my best bites (and sips) in 2012, posted in chronological order.

Mason jar cocktails

Why it’s a Best Bite (Sip): In August, I reunited with a group of great friends from college at one friend’s family beach house in Atlantic City, New Jersey. One of the many highlights was this sunset dinner outside on the lively patio’s picnic tables. While we came for the seafood, we also came for the novelty of “Basin Mason” cocktails served in 32-ounce mason jars. I admit that I fell in love with the presentation – there’s just something about slowly sipping from a vessel that’s down-home humble and beach-chic at the same time. I was partial to my fruity hurricane, pictured above between a mojito and a Long Island iced tea, but the oversized drinks come in enough varieties to suit nearly everyone.

The details: Back Bay Ale House, 800 N New Hampshire Ave., Atlantic City, NJ.

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Best Bites

2012 Best Bite #18: Summer crostini and watermelon salad

Each day in December, I’m celebrating my best bites (and sips) in 2012, posted in chronological order.

Summer crostini
Summer crostini
Watermelon salad
Watermelon salad

Why They’re Best Bites: These two dishes epitomized summer cooking for me, so I’m combining them into one post. Both came from recipes that caught my eye online, and relied almost exclusively on ingredients from my neighborhood farmers’ market. For the crostini, I subbed in local nectarines instead of peaches, along with local mozzarella, local bread, and the juiciest local heirloom tomato I could find. With basil, balsamic, and freshly ground pepper to top it off, these crostini were bursting with flavor and could stand alone as a meal. The watermelon used in the salad also came from the market, its sweeter-than-normal flesh contrasted against the salty feta and crunchy pumpkin seeds. The salad paired great with grilled meat, but would also make an excellent first course on its own. Both dishes involved minimal preparation and just let the seasonal produce speak for itself, exactly how summer meals should be.

The details: Check out the crostini recipe from Joy the Baker and the watermelon salad recipe from Top Chef contestant Grayson Schmitz.

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Best Bites Chicago

2012 Best Bite #17: Fried bologna sandwich, Au Cheval

Each day in December, I’m celebrating my best bites (and sips) in 2012, posted in chronological order.

Fried bologna sandwich
Fried bologna sandwich

Why it’s a Best Bite: Of all the nostalgic diner food that Au Cheval reimagines and refines on its menu, this bologna sandwich has probably captured the most attention around the city, and for good reason. The bologna is made from mortadella that’s cured in-house and griddled, then piled onto brioche with gooey melted cheese. This well-executed and supremely delicious sandwich is definitely best shared, even though things might get a little messy.

The details: Au Cheval, 800 W Randolph St., Chicago.

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Best Bites Chicago

2012 Best Bite #16: Ensalada Azteca, Native Foods Café

Each day in December, I’m celebrating my best bites (and sips) in 2012, posted in chronological order.

Ensalada Azteca
Ensalada Azteca

Why it’s a Best Bite: This is my idea of a salad: a bowl packed with bright, healthy ingredients – jicama, quinoa, pumpkin seeds, currants, and avocado, to name a few – that add diverse textures in addition to their flavors, and a punchy dressing – mango-lime vinaigrette – that brings it all together. The second time I ate this salad over the summer was after a beach volleyball game, and it was just the right way to refuel. View the recipe on the restaurant’s blog.

The details: Native Foods Café, 1484 N Milwaukee Ave. and 1023 W Belmont Ave., Chicago.

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Best Bites Chicago

2012 Best Bite #15: Smokey violet smash, Maude’s Liquor Bar

Each day in December, I’m celebrating my best bites (and sips) in 2012, posted in chronological order.

Smokey violet smash
Smokey violet smash

Why it’s a Best Bite (Sip): When it comes to cocktails, I have a soft spot for muddled mint and fruit, so I was looking forward to trying one of the smashes at Maude’s. This one featured gin, Crème de Violet, and bitters in a scotch-rinsed glass, “smashed” with sugar and loads of citrus and mint. Sipping this smooth, complex, outstandingly balanced drink on a summer evening was pure bliss. Plus, I’m a little partial to purple, thanks to my alma mater.

The details: Maude’s Liquor Bar, 840 W Randolph St., Chicago.

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Best Bites Chicago

2012 Best Bite #14: Chicken tacos, Antique Taco

Each day in December, I’m celebrating my best bites (and sips) in 2012, posted in chronological order.

Chicken tacos
Chicken tacos

Why it’s a Best Bite: When I heard Antique Taco described as “a taco stand meets farmers market meets Anthropologie,” I had no doubt that the atmosphere would be delightful. My first visit was for a close friend’s birthday, and we were immediately impressed by all the artistic details (such as the intricate china pictured above). Of all the tacos we ordered, I didn’t expect these to be my favorite, but I appreciated the subtle, sweet-and-sour balance of marinated chicken, honey yogurt, pickled red onions, and cucumbers. The market-fresh ingredients and generous fillings make the tacos here a contender for the city’s best.

The details: Antique Taco, 1360 N Milwaukee Ave., Chicago.

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Best Bites Chicago

2012 Best Bite #13: Kentucky-fried quail, Longman & Eagle

Each day in December, I’m celebrating my best bites (and sips) in 2012, posted in chronological order.

Kentucky-fried quail
Kentucky-fried quail

Why it’s a Best Bite: It’s tough to pick just one dish from Longman & Eagle, one of my very favorite restaurants, but this one especially wowed me. The Kentucky-fried quail was nicely battered and juicy, covered with just the right amount of peppery country gravy, but it was really the crumbles of foie gras-enriched corn bread that put the dish over the edge. That unlikely union of two of my favorite flavors made every bite sing. And let’s face it: everything tastes even better at an outdoor table on a perfect early-summer evening.

The details: Longman & Eagle, 2657 N Kedzie Ave., Chicago.

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Best Bites Chicago

2012 Best Bite #12: Baby octopus gyro, The Peasantry

Each day in December, I’m celebrating my best bites (and sips) in 2012, posted in chronological order.

Baby octopus gyro
Baby octopus gyro

Why it’s a Best Bite: I was eager to try The Peasantry as soon as it opened, as I adored the upscale street food concept and already was impressed by its sister restaurant, Franks ‘n’ Dawgs. While our whole meal was enjoyable, I particularly loved each of the components of this gyro: meaty grilled octopus, luscious roti, and especially the added touch of the grapes. I savored this dish’s uniqueness, and concluded that it successfully evoked the essence of street food.

The details: The Peasantry, 2723 N. Clark St., Chicago.

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Best Bites Chicago

2012 Best Bite #11: Mozzarella sticks, Roots Handmade Pizza

Each day in December, I’m celebrating my best bites (and sips) in 2012, posted in chronological order.

Mozzarella sticks
Mozzarella sticks

Why it’s a Best Bite: These earn the distinction of being the first memorable cheese sticks I’ve ever had. It’s largely due to the mozzarella, which is hand-stretched in-house (as seen in this video), plus expertly seasoned breadcrumbs. Dunking these into marinara was a fantastic way to begin a meal outside on Roots’ patio with a few of my closest girlfriends.

The details: Roots Handmade Pizza, 1924 W Chicago Ave., Chicago.