This is the time of year wherein everyone I know is traveling: between Thanksgiving and Christmas, it feels like my transplanted group of friends is in mass-migration mode, heading back to where we ...
In the vast culinary landscape of Chicago, where every corner boasts a unique flavor, my gastronomic journey took an unexpected turn over the last year. As a chef, my taste buds have traversed the ...
It’s an age-old important question: what’s for dinner? Maybe you’re only feeding yourself, or maybe you’ve got a roommate, partner, or kids to consider when making your decision. Most nights I cook a ...
When I first starting hosting parties at my house 22 years ago, I felt like I had to make everything from scratch. I literally made ketchup and mustard from scratch! But then I quickly realized that ...
Working at The Chopping Block, one of the most common questions I get asked as a chef actually has nothing to do with cooking at all. Guests always want to know “What’s your favorite restaurant?”
It all started seven years ago at a bar. That’s how all good stories start, right? I had just finished a softball game, and I started chatting with one of my teammates, Gina. Somehow (not surprising ...
Crossroads Diner at Virtue Restaurant: Humble Southern Heritage Fare
Crossroads Diner: At the Intersection of Hospitality & Community has finally made its way home to Chicago! The dining scene has more than plenty to satisfy my wanderlust cravings. There is no ...
Even if you are a Chicago native, you may not realize that Chicago has its own version of Giardiniera. My father-in-law who was born and raised in Chicago recently moved out west and went into shock ...
I have lived in Chicago all of my life. I grew up eating Lou Malnati’s, Giordano’s, and eating from plenty of other deep-dish pizza places. I want to emphasize that I have a bottomless love for ...
With Summer officially halfway over, now is the time to get outside and take advantage of our beautiful Chicago evenings. Last week I had friends visiting from LA, and we embarked on a power-tour of ...
