May 2008 Archives
"Welcome to my home" is the gregarious greeting you'll receive when you enter Papa's Cache Sabroso on West Division Street. Owner Victor Garcia, known to guests simply as Papa, has a big personality that permeates his dependable neighborhood restaurant. The inside of Papa's, with colorful beach and Puerto Rican flag murals, speaks to Papa's pride in his home country and the delicious fare he serves.
Tastybeat recommends Papa's popular jibarito sandwich, offered with both steak and chicken. This unique sandwich substitutes fried plantains* for bread. Sandwiched between the plantains, the jibarito contains juicy rotisserie chicken or steak, sautéed onion, tomato, lettuce, cheese and mayonnaise. And be sure to request Papa's special hot sauce to bring out the flavors of this scrumptious treat. To round out your meal, order a side of spectacular Puerto Rican rice and beans.
If you're not in the mood for a jibarito, try Papa's famous rotisserie chicken or a dish of tostones (crispy fried plantains) with rice and beans. The vegetarian-prepared beans are simmered with Spanish adobo, dried green and red peppers, and a savory tomato sauce.
This Humboldt Park gem speaks to the refreshing diversity in Chicago. You can order your meal to go, eat in, or eat al fresco in their sidewalk seating.
Happy Eating,
Tastybeat
* Plantains are flavorful, semi-sweet cooking bananas used in much Central American cuisine.
Papa's Cache Sabroso
2517 West Division (map)
Chicago
(Delivery available)
Restaurant Hours:
Monday-Thursday: 10:30am-9:30pm
Friday & Saturday: 10:30am-10pm
Closed on Sunday
Once summer's in swing, join Tastybeat's own Mary and Jennifer for a Cooking Fools class on June 26th. We'll take to the rooftop for a special outdoor kitchen cooking class! On the menu: char-roasted cedar-plank salmon, smoky rice and beans, low country shrimp boil, grilled salad, and dessert. If you can't make it to this class, check out Cooking Fools' schedule for other cool offerings throughout the summer including Sushi Making, Girls on the Grill, Mexican Rooftop Party and many more!
Happy Cooking,
Tastybeat
Cooking Fools
1916 W. North Avenue (map)
Chicago IL
773.276.5565
Hours:
Mon-Sat 11:30 am-9:00 pm
Sun 12:00 pm-7:00 pm
Cooking Fools, a gourmet kitchen in Bucktown specializing in fine take-out fare, carries globally influenced food and wine and offers recreational cooking classes (beginners welcome). Cooking Fools is committed to great style, quality ingredients, and common sense. Like their name implies, the Cooking Fools don't take themselves too seriously; they want their customers to have fun with food.
Tastybeat insists you make your way to Cooking Fools to pick up a pint or two of their house-made mango habanero sorbet. Just one spoonful and you'll get it: an intense burst of fresh mango followed by a spicy kick of habanero pepper. Exceptional! Tastybeat recommends pairing this one-of-a-kind sorbet with a delicious Mexican, Asian, or Indian meal...a perfect ending to a full-flavored, spicy feast.
Stop by Cooking Fools and pick up some refreshingly original mango habanero sorbet. In the heart of Bucktown, Cooking Fools is easy to spot. Look for the giant whisk hanging above the door at 1916 W. North Avenue.
Happy eating,
Tastybeat
Cooking Fools
1916 W. North Avenue (map)
Chicago IL
773.276.5565
Hours:
Mon-Sat 11:30 am-9:00 pm
Sun 12:00 pm-7:00 pm
The Green City Market opened on Wednesday, and Tastybeat considers this one of the most delicious signs of spring. Green City Market offers an abundant supply of fresh produce, food stuffs, flowers, and more. In their commitment to connecting local producers and farmers with the public, chefs, and food organizations in and around Chicago, Green City Market offers educational programs and special events. This Saturday, May 17, Green City Market celebrates its 10th anniversary with a special rally. Tastybeat will even be there hosting a table from 9:00 - 1:30, along with other Chicago organizations. The Green City Market anniversary rally will celebrate local sustainable agriculture, with special appearances by acclaimed local chef Rick Bayless and Mayor Richard Daley. Also expect many fun activities for the whole family.
We hope to see you at Green City Market this Saturday. Please stop by the Tastybeat table so we can say hello!
Note: Visit the Chicago Tribune and the Chicago Reader for information about all the farmer's markets in the Chicago area.
Happy Grazing,
Tastybeat
Green City Market
Located at the South end of Lincoln Park between 1750 N. Clark and Stockton Drive. (map)
Wednesday and Saturday
Hours: 7am -1:30pm
Conte Di Savoia is a fourth generation Italian deli & market with old-world character. Since 1948, the Di Cosola family has been serving authentic Italian foodstuffs and sandwiches to the neighborhood. Their delicatessen, nestled among other appealing shops on Taylor Street, has a loyal following among Americans and Italians alike. And for good reason! Every day of the week, locals line up for the wide variety of excellent Italian specialties at Conte Di Savoia.
If you're looking for a good place to start, two of their best sellers are:
The Italian Sub - ham, salami, capicollo, provolone cheese, lettuce, tomato, oil and vinegar dressing atop crusty Italian bread. Classic and very tasty.
The Mozzarella Cheese Sandwich - Mozzarella cheese, fresh basil and sun dried tomatoes on Italian bread. Simple but delicious.
And Tastybeat got the inside scoop on this gem: the house made mozzarella! Available only on Saturdays and Sundays, Conte Di Savoia's delicate, moist, creamy mozzarella is truly superior. Plan to get there early or call in your reservation ahead of time, because this wonderful specialty flies out the door. It's that good.
Besides sandwiches and cheese, owners Anna and Mike Di Cosola and their two sons can show you a wide variety of Italian wine, coffee, olive oil, and hard-to-find imports. So stop in for a little shopping, and if you have time take a seat at one of their half dozen tables to enjoy a memorable tramezzino (that's sandwich, in Italian).
Mangiare Bene,
Tastybeat
Conte Di Savoia
1438 W. Taylor Street (map)
Chicago, IL
312.666.3471
Hours:
9a.m.-7p.m. Monday-Friday
9a.m.-6p.m. Saturday
9a.m.-4p.m. Sunday
Conte Di Savoia West
(Serving cold sandwiches, panini and other hot Italian specialties)
2227 W. Taylor Street (map)
Chicago, IL
312.666.4335
Hours:
9a.m.-5p.m. Monday-Friday
Miriam and Jerardo Cerdas opened their humble Costa Rican restaurant on Milwaukee Avenue in 1990. This delightful gem is always packed for good reason. Irazú serves up traditional, tasty Costa Rican fare at very fair prices. And there's something for everyone on the menu. You'll find authentic Costa Rican steak, pork, and chicken dishes served with rice, beans, and sweet plantains; satisfying huevos rancheros (served all day); and several non-meat options including a vegetarian plate with the veggie of the day. The food at Irazú is always fresh, the service relaxed and friendly.
Tastybeat suggests you try one of Irazú's fantastic steak sandwiches, especially the Pepito Sandwich. Served on crusty French bread, the Pepito is layered with rib eye steak, sautéed onions, cheese, pinto beans, and Lizano sauce. The Lizano sauce, a traditional Costa Rican condiment, gives the sandwich just the right depth and tanginess. Another excellent choice is the Casada dinner, a scrumptious dish of rib eye steak or chicken breast with caramelized onions served with white rice, black beans, sweet plantains, cabbage salad, beets, and an over-easy egg. And be sure to try the homemade salsas. Muy delicioso!
Irazú does a bustling carry-out business, too, but we think this modest spot is delightful for eating in. In the warm weather, enjoy your meal on the casual front patio. And don't forget that Irazú is BYOB, so come prepared with a refreshing six-pack (might we suggest Negra Modelo?) or enjoy one of Irazú's yummy fruit shakes. Note: Cash Only!
Buen Probecho!
Tastybeat
Irazú
1865 N. Milwaukee Avenue (map)
773-252-5687
Hours
Monday-Saturday 11:30am-9:30pm
Closed Sundays
