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Best Bites Chicago

2014 Best Bite #23: No. 21 juice, Owen+Alchemy

For the third year in a row, I’m using each day in December to celebrate the rest of the best bites (and sips) that I didn’t get to blog about in 2014, posted in chronological order. Browse all of this year’s Best Bites, or look back at year-end Best Bites from 2012 and 2013.

No. 21 juice, Owen and Alchemy
No. 21 juice with blueberry, basil, grapefruit, and lime

Why it’s another 2014 Best Bite: Owen+Alchemy opened in Logan Square this year as the first “juice apothecary” of its kind, with a staggering selection of sleek glass bottles filled with concoctions of every color. My first selection was Number 21, a blend of blueberry, basil, grapefruit, and lime. Every sip began with a punch of basil, which I loved, and then glided into a delicate balance between sweet blueberry and tart citrus.

The details: Owen+Alchemy, 2355 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago.

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Best Bites

2013 Best Bite #8: Basil + Cream + Roasted Strawberries from Middlewest

Each day in December, I’m celebrating the rest of the best bites (and sips) that I didn’t get to blog about in 2013, posted in chronological order. Browse all of this year’s Best Bites, or look back at 2012’s Best Bites.

Cake with basil, cream, roasted strawberries, ladyfingers, and pistachios
Cake with basil, cream, roasted strawberries, ladyfingers, and pistachios

Why it’s another 2013 Best Bite: I made this icebox cake out of Middlewest magazine for the Fourth of July and it was a hit. While the whole process was a bit time-consuming, the intense flavors were completely worth it. Layers of basil-infused whipped cream and soft, caramelized strawberries soaked into the spongy ladyfingers, with sweet and crunchy pistachios to top everything off.

Here is an awesome step-by-step video – made by Middlewest, not me! – if you want to see how the cake is assembled.

View another post about Middlewest.

The details: Purchase Middlewest here.