Recently in Food Markets Category

Owner Tracy Kellner opened her gourmet shop to offer high-quality cheeses, wines, bread, meats, and other specialty items for those looking to create a special picnic or last minute dinner on a busy night. Tracy, always on hand at one of her two store locations, is happy to help you create a tasty meal and suggest a perfect wine compliment.

Tastybeat recommends some delicious Provenance options for your 4th of July or next picnic:

• Blu Mont Bandaged Cheddar from Blue Mound Wisconsin. Aged for one year, this locally-made cheddar has wonderful notes of hazelnut and tropical fruit. But supply is limited, so get it while you can!
• To go along with your cheddar, try some spicy Molinari salami and sweet/hot peppadew peppers. Consider grabbing one of Tracy's goat cheese logs to squeeze into the peppadew pepper center for an added flavor boost.
• Try one of the always delicious Eat Green Foods sandwiches. Eat Green sandwiches are made with local, organic, or sustainable products and packaged in biodegradable wrappings. Tastybeat recommends the fresh mozzarella or roast beef.
• To round out your meal, ask Tracy to recommend one of her fun sparkling wines...perhaps a cava?
• And last but not least, be sure to add DAS Caramels to your basket. These locally made caramels will not disappoint and offer the perfect ending to your summer supper on a blanket.

Happy Picnicking!

Tastybeat

Provenance Food and Wine, Logan Square
2528 N. California (map)
Chicago
773-384-0699
Hours
Tuesday-Saturday 12:00pm-9:00pm
Sunday-Monday 12:00pm-7:00pm

Provenance Food and Wine, Lincoln Square
2312 W. Leland Avenue (map)
Chicago
773-784-2314
Hours
Tuesday-Friday 12:00pm-8:00pm
Saturday 11:00am-8:00pm
Sunday 12:00pm-7:00pm
Closed Monday

Todd & Holland Tea Merchants in Oak Park is a frequent destination for tea lovers all over the Chicagoland area. Since 1995, Todd & Holland has offered superior, unique teas handpicked from all over the world. Owner Bill Todd's lifelong passion for high quality teas inspired this special store. He and fellow owners Janet Todd and Marianne Richards offer a wealth of tea knowledge (and product!) for their customers.

Stop in Todd & Holland on West Madison Street to taste and peruse to your heart's content. You'll receive superb service from Janet or Marianne to select from among their numerous varieties of exquisite teas. When Tastybeat visited, Janet and Marianne shared their favorite picks for summer. This selection of black, green and herbal teas is perfect for enjoying on ice:

Black
Serendib Garden -- named after a Sri Lankan garden, this is a straightforward black tea that is clear, crisp and bright

Summer Solstice -- this green/black combination tea bursts with apricot, lemon and hibiscus, resulting in a refreshing and smooth iced tea

Green
Morning Dew -- this Japanese green tea is mixed with sunflower, cornflower and rose to offer a surprisingly fruity and fragrant concoction that smells exactly like a strawberry patch but tastes light and flavorful

Herbal
Sunburst Orange Tisane -- a beautiful mix of apples, hibiscus, lemon grass, orange edges and strawberries that brews to a magnificent magenta color and tastes like fresh fruit

Cold Brew
Peach or Pear Sencha -- these silk, ready-to-use pouches are perfect for overnight cold-brewed iced teas

When you visit Todd & Holland, be sure to check out their wide array of teapots and equipment.

A lovely teapot and selection of teas makes the perfect hostess gift (and a nice treat for your own home). Steep, pour, and enjoy!

Happy Brewing,

Tastybeat

Todd & Holland Tea Merchants
7311 West Madison Street (map)
Forest Park, IL 60130
Hours:
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday: 10am-6pm
Thursday: 10am-8pm
Saturday: 10am-5pm

Owners Rose and Bob Piccheitti of Red Hen live up to their credo "to bake great bread". Tastybeat considers Red Hen a special gem. Their bread is truly a step above the rest. Red Hen uses only the finest ingredients and even makes their own starters! And each and every single tart, muffin, and loaf of bread at Red Hen is lovingly made by hand. Once you try Red Hen, it's hard to eat bread from anywhere else.

Red Hen makes two dozen varieties of bread daily, from a classic baguette (Tastybeat's favorite) to the more creative types including sourdough, herb, and ciabatta. Tastybeat also recommends their flaky, buttery croissants, plain or oozing with chocolate. Truly delicious! And Red Hen offers outstanding deli sandwiches all day.

Happy Eating,

Tastybeat

Red Hen Bread
1623 N. Milwaukee (map)
Chicago, IL 60647
Phone: 773-342-6823

Monday-Saturday 7:00 am to 6:00 pm
Sunday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm

Red Hen Bread
500 W. Diversey (map)
Chicago, IL 60614
Phone: 773-248-6025

Monday-Saturday 7:00 am to 6:00 pm
Saturday-Sunday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm

Tastybeat was honored to be involved with the 10th anniversary celebration of the Green City Market on Saturday May 17th. Abby Mandel and all those affiliated with Green City Market have worked tirelessly to provide a diverse range of high quality foods, and to connect local producers and farmers to chefs, restaurateurs, food organizations and the public. Check out the Green City Market website for weekly events, including chef demonstrations, recipes, events and more! And, don't forget to make a trip to the market -they are open every Wednesday and Saturday 7am-1pm. We share with you some pictures of the rally at Green City Market on May 17th.

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

Michael Canady, owner of Canady Le Chocolatier, came to his craft through passion. During his world travels, working as an academic advisor in the oil industry, he sought out the tutelage of chocolate experts in Switzerland and Belgium. Visit Canady's quaint store on South Wabash Avenue, and right away you'll sense his hobby come to magnificent life. The finer things are all on display, from the house made chocolates, superb gelato (also made on-site), elegant packaging, and fascinating global treasures Canady has collected over the years.

And if you're inclined to receive a brief tutorial of your own, Canady is a pleasure to talk with. He will eagerly share his excitement for chocolate and gelato making, and his kitchen is even open to view.

Canady's chocolates are spectacular all year round, but with the temperature finally climbing we have homed in on the outstanding gelato. Canady Le Chocolatier offers a range of gelato flavors, from more traditional hazelnut and mascarpone to bright and unique choices such as pink grapefruit and pineapple. Tastybeat recommends the refreshing grapefruit; paired with a delectable hand-dipped dark chocolate orange slice, you'll be transported. Michael's favorite gelato is the more subtle mascarpone, also excellent.

Canady has created a wonderful gem of a store in his hometown Chicago. We highly recommend this South Loop destination.

Happy Savoring!
Tastybeat

Canady Le Chocolatier
824 South Wabash Avenue
Chicago IL 60605
312.212.1270

Hours:
Monday -Saturday: 11:30-9PM
Sunday: Noon-8:30PM (or later, weather permitting)

The Coffee & Tea Exchange has been roasting a carefully selected variety of fresh coffee beans from all over the world, right here in Chicago. Visit this classic Lakeview purveyor of coffees and teas for exceptionally crafted, top quality coffee (and tea). When you enter The Coffee & Tea Exchange retail store, you'll immediately sense their deep commitment to product; coffee and tea lovers will be in seventh heaven. And for Chicagoans preferring decaf, you'll be happy to know that the Exchange uses only the water process method for removing caffeine from their roasts.

Each bean variety at The Coffee & Tea Exchange is roasted individually to its flavor peak in their Chicago warehouse. For the customer, this means an assortment of unique, full flavors to satisfy an array of tastes.

Tastybeat recommends these two medium roast coffees:

• Kenya AA -earthy, a little heavy with floral notes, almost chocolatey


• Tanzanian Peaberry -smaller, sweeter beans that provide earthy dual flavors

Other superb picks can be found among their Fair Trade, Organic shade-grown coffees. Of these, the Guatemalan is a customer favorite, but be sure to inquire because they usually offer 3-4 fair trade coffees at any given time.

The knowledgeable staff at The Coffee & Tea Exchange, including Steve's daughter Lauren, are more than happy to help you with your selection. And while you're shopping, grab a fresh cup of brew for just $1.00--the best deal in town!

Happy Sipping,
Tastybeat

The Coffee & Tea Exchange
3311 North Broadway (map)
Chicago, IL 60657
773.528.2241
Hours:
Monday -Thursday 8AM-7PM
Saturday 9AM-7PM
Sunday 10AM-6PM

This gem comes to you chock full of flavor. Local Argentinean Lilliana Zecker has turned Tastybeat on to the diverse tastes of Argentina right here in Chicago. Here's the perfect itinerary for your next open afternoon:

First stop: El Mercado, a small market found on Southport. This corner store has been in the Di Sapio family for over thirty years. Lilliana recommends their outstanding, ready-to-cook chorizo sausage. Argentinean chorizo is a mild pork sausage with garlic and a blend of delicious spices. Lilliana also suggests bringing home their empanada wrappers so you can make your own fried or baked empanadas when the mood strikes. Lilliana has graciously shared her family's recipe.

Next stop: If you're getting hungry, head next door to the restaurant Tango Sur. Here, stylish owner Sergio Di Sapio serves up mouth-watering traditional meat empanadas. In Lilliana's words, when you eat Sergio's empanadas, "The grease trickles down to your elbows....so worth the experience!" And Lilliana shares this pointer: "Empanadas are to be eaten by holding the whole thing in your hand, and biting into it, no fork and knife."

Third stop: Now it's time to make your way to Buenos Aires Liquors and Deli. Here, warm and gregarious owner Mario Gimenez will greet you with a smile and a sample of one of his proud creations. Mario is famous for his triples de miga (simple, layered finger sandwiches), an Argentine staple. Tastybeat also recommends taking home these favorites:

Chimmichurri Sauce
This traditional condiment is made with parsley, oregano, garlic, salt, onion, red chile pepper, red wine vinegar and olive oil. Serve this flavorful sauce with grilled steak.

Empanadas
Mario serves empanadas daily, full of traditional ingredients—green olives, hard boiled eggs, red onions, raisins, paprika, red pepper, parsley, oregano, and garlic. Available with beef, chicken, or spinach.

Alfajores
A beloved popular dessert, alfajores are sandwich cookies made with flour and cornstarch dough. These baked cookies are filled with a sweet caramel mixture and coated with coconut. Mario bakes them fresh daily.

Wine
Mario recommends trying the wines of Argentina. He suggests a pleasant, full-bodied red Malbec with earthy notes. Or try the white Torrontes—a fruity, floral wine that's surprisingly dry. Mario is glad to help you choose the perfect bottle.

Happy Exploring!

Tastybeat
www.tastybeat.com

El Mercado
3767 N. Southport
773-477-5020
Hours
8:00am-8:00pm Monday-Saturday
8:00am-5:00pm Sunday

Tango Sur
3763 N. Southport
773-477-5466
BYOB
Hours
5:00pm-10:30pm Monday-Thursday
5:00pm-11:30pm Friday and Saturday
12pm-11pm Sunday
Tango on Tuesday nights after 7:00pm

Buenos Aires Liquor and Deli
3100 North Cicero
773-685-4241
9:00am-2:00pm Monday-Saturday
9:00am-2:00pm Sunday

With spring's promise in the air, what better place to celebrate than in our kitchens? For inspiration, we look to our French friends, known for their natural Joie de vivre (zest for life). The Thouvenots, who hail from Neuilly sur Seine in France and currently live in Evanston, have discovered many of their favorites away from home. If you too pine for that special joie de vivre, or if you just want to explore some fine French delicacies, here's a gem of a list:

• Reblochon cheese--a delicious cheese from the Alps region of Savoie. The soft, washed-rined cheese is made from raw cow's milk and is well aged with a soft center and nutty flavor that lingers on the tongue. This special cheese is traditionally served with a crusty baguette and a butter lettuce salad dressed with walnut oil, red wine vinegar, salt and Dijon mustard. Available at Whole Foods Market.
  
  
• Maille Dijon mustard and Maille gherkins--used as accoutrements with any meal. Can be found at Foodstuff's. Tastybeat Tip: While at Foodstuff's, consider picking up a container of decadent Aloutte creme fraise.
  
  
• Baratte butter--a high-quality European butter embedded with sea salt crystals called Fleur De Sel. Try spreading this flavorful treat on a good loaf of bread. You can find Baratte at Treasure Island.
  
  
• French Saucisson--a zesty sausage full of flavor and spice. This garlic sausage is made with chicken, pork, milk and cognac that together make a robust flavor. French Saucisson is typically enjoyed warm with a baguette and fresh roasted garlic. You can find it, along with a special selection of outstanding pates, at Schaefer's Market.
  
  
• Pineau de Charentes (pictured)--a special aperitif. Pineau de Charentes has a rather unique taste made from a blend of unfermented grape must and cognac brandy. Found at Schaefer's Market.
  
  
• Framboisier cake (pictured)--a vanilla cake bursting with a light vanilla cream and topped with fresh raspberries or a raspberry glaze (Tastybeat highly recommends ordering it topped with a layer of fresh raspberries.) Created by Dimitri and Keli Fayard of Vanille Bakery, this cake is a scrumptious treat for your eyes and palette. Be sure to check out Vanille Bakery's wonderful selection of French cakes, pastries, croissants, and of course, macaroons!

Bon Appétît!

Tastybeat

Whole Foods Markets

Foodstuffs Gourmet Foods

Treasure Island

Schaefer's Wines, Foods and Spirits
9965 Gross Point Rd
Skokie, IL 60076
P: 847-677-WINE (9463)

Vanille Patisserie
2229 N. Clybourn
Chicago, IL 60614
Tel: 773-868-4574
Fax: 773-868-0648

Sang Yi, owner of Dong Aha Oriental Food Mart, cooks up the most exceptional sweet and spicy chicken wings that Tastybeat has ever tried. Not what you might expect at this unassuming neighborhood market located in a nondescript strip mall. The wings, cooked up in the back of the store, are truly a find. The perfect headliner at your next party....March Madness, anyone?

Dong Aha's sticky fried chicken wings are coated in a mouth-watering combination of soy sauce, vinegar, ginger, garlic, chile pepper and sugar. It's a tantalizing (and predictably messy) recipe that does somersaults in your mouth. At the risk of sounding trite, Tastybeat proclaims them addictive....try just eating one. We dare you.

Be sure to call in your order ahead at Dong Aha Oriental Food Mart. When you do, they'll want to know if you want 'em mild or with a kick. Individual servings are available, as are party trays serving up to fifty, all at a very reasonable price. We feel certain you'll love Dong Aha's super tasty wings, and we also bet you'll get a kick out of picking them up at the store. Despite the intimate size of the place, you'll be met with an official microphone announcement of your order, delivered to you from the back of the store.

Happy Eating!
Tastybeat
www.tastybeat.com

Dong Aha Oriental Food Mart
3933 W. Touhy Avenue (map)
Lincolnwood, IL 60712
847-673-3055

Hours Monday-Friday 9:00am-8:00pm
Saturday 9:00am-9:00pm
Sunday 9:00am-7:00pm

Tucked into the fine dining landscape of Highwood are two delicious Italian gems. Poeta's Food Mart, an Italian grocery and meat market, and Pastificio, a Northern Italian specialty store, have been favorites to those in the know for over thirty years.

At Poeta's, you'll find brothers Domenic and Luca Poeta behind the meat counter. Knowledgeable and friendly, they are happy to patiently educate you on all of their delectable Italian specialties. After talking and tasting with Domenic and Luca's guidance, Tastybeat recommends:

Italian Sausage
Choose from spicy or mild. This homemade sausage is made with excellent quality pork shoulder and a mix of spices that is Poeta's secret recipe. Their sausage is in such demand that it is shipped all over the country!

Baressi Sausage
A special Italian sausage that is small, flavorful, and filled with pork, lamb, parsley, and grated cheese. Do not walk out the door without it!

Italian Beef
For a quick and tasty Italian beef dinner, pick up Poeta's top round of beef, slow-cooked until tender and sliced thin in fragrant au jus. All you need are the rolls.

Marinated Italian Skirt Steak
Fabulous skirt steaks marinated with Poeta's family recipe. The Italian marinade is tangy, sweet, and herb laden. Just start your grill.

To round out your dinner shopping, make your way around the corner to Pastificio. Here you'll find a variety of freshly made pastas and sauces. Our favorite is the lasagna--meat or spinach. Both are surprisingly delicate yet bursting with bright flavors. If you want to amaze your dinner guests, be sure to bring some home. Try this Tastybeat tip- drop off your own pans and Pastificio will fill them up with their lasagna. Bake in your own oven and pull them out steaming hot for a table of hungry guests. We won't tell!

Happy Eating!
Tastybeat

Poeta's Food Mart
520 Greenbay Road (map)
Highwood, IL 60040
847-432-3037
Hours
Monday-Saturday 8:00am-6:00pm
Sunday 9:00am-2:00pm

Pastificio!
122 Highwood Avenue (map)
Highwood, IL 60040
847-432-5459
Hours
Tuesday-Friday 9:00am-5:00pm
Saturday 9:00am-4:00pm
Closed Sunday and Monday

Supplier of top quality spices to local chefs, home cooks, and foodies alike, The Spice House celebrates its 50th year in business this year. Owners Tom and Patty Erd are well-respected in the Chicago food scene for good reason. Along with their wide array of excellent spices, they and their knowledgeable staff offer a wealth of information. To get in on the action and celebrate this fine company's longevity and success, Tastybeat recently sat down with Patti to ask about her favorite offerings of the moment. We've listed them here for you. Let the experimentation begin!

Vulcan Fire Salt
A fiery addition to your next meal, this hot salt is loaded with flavor and heat. It's hand-mixed and includes Louisiana chile mash, garlic, habanera chile, shallots, Tellicherry pepper, lime peel, Pimenton de La Vera, plicate, cumin, allspice, vinegar, and of course, salt. Try this all-purpose condiment on popcorn, pizza, Sunday morning eggs, bloody Marys, garlic bread, and any meat, vegetable, or fish.

Portuguese Salt Cream
The skimmed top layer of delicate salt crystals--the cream of the crop. Portuguese Salt Cream is a fabulous sea salt, delicate and slightly sweet in flavor, whiter and cleaner than the French variety, and much more affordable, too. Be warned: this pricing is not likely to last forever. So if you enjoy this salt, stock up!

Grains of Paradise
Small red-brown irregular seeds resembling peppercorns. Put them in your pepper mill to experience the pungent and peppery flavor with strong undertones of ginger and cardamom.

Japanese Seven Spice
This blend is new to The Spice House! Japanese Seven Spice is an all-purpose table condiment in Japan. This spicy hand-mixed blend includes orange peel, cayenne, ginger, Szechuan pepper, nori, and black, white, and toasted sesame seeds. Use this blend to flavor rice, soba noodles, udon noodles, and beef.

Cacao Nibs
For the dark chocolate fan these little nibs are the essence of dark chocolate before sugar is introduced. They are slightly bitter but still delicious. Add them anywhere you might add chocolate chips; instead of melting, they will stay crunchy. Try throwing them into your next batch of cookies or sprinkling them on top of cakes, brownies, or fudge.

If this is your first visit to The Spice House, you are in for a treat. It's just the place to inspire your cooking and introduce you to new tastes from around the world--and the perfect destination for stocking up on old favorites.

Happy Flavoring!
Tastybeat

Chicago Old Town Spice House
1512 North Wells Street Chicago
312-274-0378
Hours
Monday-Saturday 10am-7pm, Sunday 10am-5pm

Evanston Spice House
1941 Central Street
Evanston
847-328-3711
Hours
Monday-Friday 9am-6:30pm, Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday 11am-3pm

Geneva Spice House
577 South Third Street
Geneva
630-262-1777
Hours
Monday-Friday 10am-6pm, Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday 11am-3pm

Here's a gem that your eyes, nose, and mouth will love: Sukhadia's, a specialty foods store with an abundant array of Indian sweets and savories. Owner Jayant Sukhadia was born and raised in the Gulf of Khembhat, where his family has been making and selling street snacks for over 130 years. Twelve years ago, Jayant brought this passion and expertise to Devon Avenue in Chicago, where he has made and sold his family's delicious, unique treats ever since. And with his store's success, Sukhadia has recently expanded to Hoffman Estates.

Friend and Indian snack aficionado Kalpana Waiker introduced Tastybeat to Sukhadia's, and she has shared some of her favorite selections with us. Since there are over one hundred snacks and so many compelling flavors to discover, we recommend you bring this shortlist with you on your first visit:

Savory

Pan Poori
Kalpana's fun to eat, all-time favorite snack! This snack consists of crisp fried bread, small and round in shape. It's served with a mixture of potatoes, chickpeas, and cilantro chutney water. How to eat: Gently poke a hole in the crispy bread and fill with potato-chickpea mixture. Next, pour two teaspoons of chutney water into the hole. Now for the fun part--pop the whole thing into your mouth and enjoy the explosion of flavor!

Bhel Poori
An exotic spicy mixture of puffed rice, sev (noodles), crispy poori (fried flatbread), chopped potatoes, onions, and tamarind sauce.

Sweet

Patisa
A delicious flaky treat made with chickpea flour, clarified butter, cardamom, sugar, and topped with almonds.

Suterfeni (threads of cotton)
An unusual sweet treat with hints of saffron, cardamom, and almond. This sweet is made by hand in a three-hour process. A sweet, rice flour dough is smoothed out, stretched, and pulled until it resembles fine threads of cotton.

Happy Snacking,
Tastybeat

Sukhadia's
2559 W. Devon (map)
Chicago, IL 60659
773-338-5400
Hours: Open Daily, hours vary
Please call ahead

Sukhadia's
1016 Strawberry Hill Plaza
Hoffman Estates, IL 60169
11am-8pm everyday except Tuesday
Closed Tuesday

Note: The Sukhadia family also has stores in New Jersey and Manhattan under the Sukhadia name.

Here's the perfect Valentine treat for that special love in your life: truffles from Coco Rouge. Made of top mark chocolate with delicate hints of exotic flavors, Coco Rouge's truffles are a sweet soiree for the taste buds!

Pastry chefs Jeremy Brutzkus and Erika Panther (the husband and wife team behind this Division Street gem) met sweet at Le Cordon Bleu in London and then moved to Chicago to fulfill their passion: creating superior chocolates for all to enjoy. For years, Jeremy and Erika have sold their delicacies to the likes of the Four Seasons and the Park Hyatt's Nomi--high honors indeed. Then in October 2006 they opened their first retail location, a dramatic, loungey space for enjoying their decadent goodies which, besides truffles, include hand-crafted chocolate bars, toffee, and hot chocolate emulsion.

With a little expert help from Erika or Jeremy, have fun selecting a flavor profile to complement your beloved this February 14. Whether with a touch of spice and zing, something smooth and easy, or a burst of fresh succulence, you'll find the perfect way to your Valentine's heart. And to seal the deal, Coco Rouge will package your little tokens of love just beautifully.

As a preview, consider The Leatherwood for your belle or beau. It's one of Coco Rouge's many singular treats. Bittersweet chocolate ganache is folded with caramelized honey harvested from Tasmanian rainforest Leatherwood flowers. Dipped in yet more bittersweet chocolate and garnished with bee pollen and grains of sea salt, it's an exquisite example of Coco Rouge's evolved truffles. And for the traditionalists, classic truffles are readily available as well.

As an enticing final note, Coco Rouge will soon be making some exciting changes. Within a week or two they'll be making Parisian-style baked goods like tea cakes and macaroons, and they're also planning a light menu of savory bistro fare with a twist. Soon, too, you'll be able to court your darling or treat yourself with the click of a mouse: Coco Rouge's sweets will be sold online at www.cocorouge.com.

Happy Indulging,

Tastybeat

Coco Rouge
1940 West Division (map)
Chicago, IL
773.772.2626
www.cocorouge.com

Hours:
Tuesday - Saturday 12-10PM
Sunday 12-8PM

Looking for inspiration? The Super H Mart (or Han Ah Reum) is an exciting resource for the adventurous cook who wants to explore the diverse world of Asian cuisine or anyone who simply enjoys wandering a food market full of fresh surprises. In this massive Korean Supermarket, you'll find a wide array of imported Asian produce, fish, meat and dry goods. This unique food emporium started out as a small neighborhood grocery in Woodside Queens, NY, in 1982. Today there are multiple locations in the United States and Canada. In Chicago you'll find one in both Niles and Naperville.

When you visit Han Ah Reum, be sure to set aside plenty of time. You won't want to hurry when you peruse the produce section with its plentiful stock of exotic fruits, vegetables and Asian herbs. And the fish counter is a fantastic sight. Every day there is a plethora of sea life sold at hard-to-beat prices.

For someone relatively new to Asian foods and cuisine, the Super H can be a little overwhelming. So don't hesitate to ask for help. The staff is friendly and you can always find someone who speaks English. And here's a fun suggestion to help give structure to your shopping adventure: bring along your ingredient list for authentic Ozoni. What is Ozoni, you ask? Super H customer and Tastybeat's good friend Lance Toma has generously shared his grandmother's recipe for Ozoni, a traditional Japanese soup for the New Year. According to Lance, the Japanese believe that strength, power and prosperity will be infused into the lives of those who eat Ozoni in the New Year. Lance recounts, "I remember observing my grandmother making the soup, from beginning to end. It was such a critical ingredient of my childhood, and one that I have now passed on to my partner, son, and all of our friends who know to drop by our home every new year's day to join in this special meal."

Now Tastybeat passes this good luck, warm-hearted recipe along to you, our readers. And with it, many good wishes for a prosperous 2008!

Happy New Year!

Tastybeat

Super H Mart
Niles (map)
801 Civic Center Dr.
Niles, IL 60714
Tel: (847) 581-1212
8 a.m.-11 p.m. daily

Naperville
1295 E. Ogden Ave. (map)
Naperville, IL 60563
Tel: (630) 778-9800
8 a.m. -10 p.m. daily

Grandmother Toma's Ozoni

Ingredients

• 1/2 lb. boneless chicken
• 1 medium carrot
• 1 medium daikon (white Japanese or Chinese radish)
• 1 bunch mizuna
  Mizuna is a Japanese green mostly found in Asian supermarkets at New Year's, but can be found at some Japanese/Asian markets year-round.
• 1 1/4 tsp. dashi no moto
  There are quite a bit of options when buying dashi no moto. The easiest to find is Hondashi.
• ½ tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. shoyu (soy sauce)
• 1 package/roll of kamaboko
  Kamaboko is a prepared fish cake about 6 in. long, most often white and pink. At New Year's, more elaborate kamaboko appear in markets with beautiful designs.
• 5 large dried shiitake mushrooms
• 5-10 mochi (or "komochi," 2-3 inch white pounded rice balls)
  Mochi is the one essential and non-negotiable ingredient for Ozoni. You can get mochi frozen, but freshly pounded mochi is the best. It's warm and slightly sweet.

Instructions

Slice chicken diagonally into thin pieces and sprinkle lightly with salt. Place in boiling water until just cooked and tender. Drain.

Slice carrots and daikon about one quarter inch thick. Parboil about ten minutes or until almost tender. Set aside.

Cut off bottoms of the mizuna. Parboil the entire bunch of mizuna, about 2 minutes, until it starts to turn a dark green. Remove quickly. Once cooled, squeeze out the water and shape into a log. Cut the log into 2-3 inch sections. Set aside.

In a soup pot, bring about 5 cups of water to a boil and add dashi no moto. Turn down to a simmer and add the salt and shoyu, stir, and adjust seasoning to taste.

Thinly slice the kamaboko. Set aside. Soak the dried shiitake mushrooms in warm water until soft (about 10-15 minutes), cut off the stems, and slice thin.

To the soup pot, add the chicken, carrots, daikon, mizuna, kamaboko, and shiitake. Simmer for about 10 to 15 minutes.

While the broth is simmering, toast the mochi in an oven broiler. Turn the mochi to make sure it does not burn. The mochi will puff up in fun shapes. The outside of the mochi should be crisp and light brown.

Place the mochi in individual soup bowls, and carefully ladle the soup mixture on top, making sure each bowl contains all of the ingredients.

Here's a fresh gem for an afternoon or night out with friends!

Partners Rodney Alex and Alex Pearsall have created an inviting, smart hang-out/retail hybrid. The atmosphere downstairs at Juicy is intimate and modern, a great space to hang out with friends. Upstairs the volume turns up a notch. Most nights starting around 9:30, a DJ spins and it's a party.

At Juicy Wine Company, you can enjoy boutique wines typically only available at restaurants where you pay a considerable mark-up. At Juicy, you can enjoy these delicious wines at retail prices plus corkage fee ($15.00) - a real deal. In addition to hand-selected boutique wines, Juicy carries American Artisanal, Spanish, Italian and French cheeses. And after a six-month waitlist, the much in demand cured meats from Armandino Batali are finally available. What a treat!

Be sure to introduce yourself to Rodney when you check out Juicy Wine Co. He's the perfect host with a simple philosophy. Rodney wants you to relax and drink a big glass of wine (which he affectionately calls "the DIVA") and discover for yourself if you like it. This is a soulful experience, he says. And what better way to learn about wine than to drink and enjoy it? Tastybeat could not agree more.

Juicy's offbeat vibe might be just the New Year's Eve destination you've been looking for. They're calling it Juicy's New Year's Eve Revolution. Rodney says it's their revolt against spendy restaurants with over-priced food and wine that have become the New Year's Eve norm.

Two packages are available for the night:

Guerilla Movement ($75.00/person) This gets you unlimited premium wine, open bar, snacks, and all the Harold's fried chicken you can devour.

The Revolutionist ($800/table of eight -only available in upstairs room) This gets you the same as above, plus a bottle of Belvidere, 2 bottles of Dom Pérignon, special desserts created by Mindy Segal of Hot Chocolate, and party favors.

Cheers!

Tastybeat

Juicy Wine Co.
www.juicywine.com
694 N. Milwaukee
Chicago IL 60622
312-492-6620

Hours:
Mon-Thurs. 1pm-1am
Fri.-Sat. 1pm-2am
Closed Sunday

This gem arrives in time for the holidays -a favorite pie eating season of the year! Owners Mike Hines and Mikel Laughlin have created something special - PIE. And when you take your first bite, you'll be thrilled--and so will the lucky family and friends who share in these phenomenal pies with you.

Pastry chef Nancy Puttnam creates delicious pies with only the finest ingredients, including local fruit as the season permits. And Puttnam uses top-quality European butter for a crust that is delectably flaky and buttery. Scrumptious!

This season, select from these three unique holiday pies:

• mocha coffee pecan with an orange zest crust
• pumpkin and spice with a caramelized walnut trim
• pear, apple, cranberry with a crumble-style crust

Other PIE offerings include classic apple, key lime, chocolate cream, coconut cream, banana cream, lemon meringue and peanut butter. You can get your pie large (9-inch; $26) or mini (4-inch; $7). And if you like variety, try a flight of minis ($19). PIE sells the apple pie frozen, if you're hankering that just-baked aroma at home.

PIE will deliver your order within Chicago city limits. But if you pick up, you're in for a treat. PIE just happens to be tucked into the same space as Epoch, an elegant floral design shop. Pie plus flowers. What could be better?

Happy Eating,

Tastybeat

PIE
615 N. State Street (map)
Chicago, IL 60610
312.642.4192
www.piechicago.com

Hours:
Tuesday - Saturday 10am -5pm

If you haven't experienced Al's Deli in their first 58 years of business, what are you waiting for? Check out this lunch gem immediately.

In a quaint storefront on Noyes Street in Evanston, Francophiles Bob and John Pottinger carry on the tradition their father Al began nearly six decades ago. Al's Deli specializes in made-to-order lunches for one. Bob and John have no interest in sending you home with dinner for the whole family! This philosophy ensures that your meal is fresh and of the highest quality. In a word, FANTASTIQUE!

Al's best-selling sandwich is the smoked turkey. It's served on a delicious Red Hen baguette that Red Hen Bakery makes exclusively for Al's. This baguette has been modeled after one that Bob went crazy for in a small Parisian boulangerie. Couple your sandwich of choice with a bowl of soul-warming soup--always made from scratch, always vegetarian. Tastybeat's favorite is Cream of Tomato, but they are all délicieux. Top it off with an irresistible cookie or two. Your choices include Belgian chocolate brownie, chocolate chip, spice, pumpkin, iced butter, or oatmeal raisin. You'll have to get creative if you want to take more than four cookies with you, because that's the per customer limit. Though John might break this rule; Bob will not.

When you pay Al's a visit, ask them about the stream that runs below the store, the vintage oak refrigerator, their original art deco meat slicer, or the cash register that only tallies up to $3.99!

Bon Appétît,

Tastybeat

Al's Deli
914 Noyes Street
Evanston, Illinois (map)
847.475.9400
www.alsdeli.net

Hours of Operation:
11am-4pm every day except Wednesday (closed Wednesday)

This gem arrives in plenty of time for your holiday giving! City Olive, a beautiful new boutique in Andersonville, is flowing with over 40 varieties of olive oil from 10 different countries. Owner Karen Rose prides herself on the relationships she has formed with small, award-winning olive oil producers and distributors from all over the world. After a trip to Europe, Karen's appreciation for olive oils intensified. She learned about the differences among oils from various regions as well as which foods to pair different oils with, for delicious results.

Most of the oils (and vinegars) in City Olive are open for you to taste. When you do, be sure to try the Persian Lime olive oil together with the Framboise vinegar. This delightful combination is a Tastybeat favorite. And here's a tasty tip for any olive oil devotee--the first press oils of the season from Tuscany and California hit the City Olive shelves in mid-December. Call now to reserve your bottle...they go fast!

If you're looking for a short list, here are three delicious olive oils Karen recommends:

• Augello - a gold medal Sicilian olive oil that comes from a small farm of under 20 acres. This oil is made from a blend of olives and has a grassy, unfiltered taste. A nice finishing oil that pairs well with arugula and shaved parmesan.
• Biolea - an organic Greek olive oil using Koroneiki olives. This oil is very fruity with a strong, but not bitter, olive flavor. Pairs nicely with a salad of greens or roasted vegetables.
• Quinta Vale de Lobos - a Portuguese oil from a region north of Lisbon where olive oil has been produced since the 18th century. This oil, from a family-owned estate, offers a blend of Arbequina and Cobrancosa olives that yield mild and fruity oil with a peppery finish. It pairs very nicely with fish.

Karen and her staff package their oils and vinegars beautifully. They are sure to be a welcomed gift for anyone on your list this season, including you!

Happy Eating,

Tastybeat

City Olive
5408 North Clark Street (map)
Chicago, IL 60640
773.878 5406
www.cityolive.com

Store Hours
Sunday: Noon to 6pm
Monday: Closed
Tuesday - Thursday: 11am - 6:30pm
Friday: 11am - 7:30pm
Saturday: 10am - 8pm

Hisham Khalifeh has been a part of the fabric of Andersonville for over 25 years providing essential, but superior staples of the Middle Eastern kitchen. When you step inside the Middle Eastern Bakery and Kitchen Hisham will greet you and quickly convince you to try his warm, soft, out-of-the-oven, pita bread and fresh feta sliced to order. As you look around the store you will discover made-that-morning hummus, tabbouleh, chunky olive spread and much more, all made with Hisham's love and his commitment to ingredients with no additives, artificial ingredients or preservatives.

At this neighborhood gem, you will find a plethora of ingredients unique to the Middle Eastern kitchen. Dig a little deeper and you will find great prices on basmati rice, lentils, dried fruit and beans. The Middle Eastern Bakery and Kitchen also carries a wonderful array of spices. Try sumac, it is a fall flourishing spice which comes from bright red berries that emerge in late summer and thrive into winter. Hisham offers this burgundy colored, tart lemony tasting, vibrant spice year round. It is absolutely delicious when added to rice, vegetables and chicken dishes.

Here are a few ways you can enjoy sumac in the kitchen:

• Try roasting a chicken smothered in a paste made from 3 Tbs. sumac, 3 Tbs. olive oil, 2 crushed cloves of garlic and 2 tsp. cinnamon.
• Spice up potatoes with sumac and chili oven fries. Cut potatoes into wedges (with skins). Coat potatoes with a mixture of egg white, ¾ tsp. chili powder, 3 Tbs. sumac and ½ tsp. salt.
• Bake at 400 degrees for 40 minutes or until golden brown.
• Do what they do in the Middle East -put a little dish of sumac on the table and sprinkle on rice, roasted chicken or on your salad.

Enjoy your trip to meet Hisham and experience his wonderful market.

Happy Eating!

Tastybeat

Middle East Bakery and Grocery
1512 West Foster Ave
Chicago IL 60640
Tel: 773.561.2224

Find the Amidei Mercatino and you will feel like you are stepping into a narrow, back street in Italy. This special spot is a treat to all your senses. You will be inundated with the scent of fresh herbs and your eyes will feast on a vibrant range of seasonal, high-quality fruits, vegetables, and Italian specialties.

Even the busiest soul can't help but momentarily pause to experience the delight of the Amidei family and their intimate market. Ermanno is the owner, his pride shines through when he presents his discriminate, hand-picked selections. His knowledgeable, not to mention gorgeous, daughter, Ruthie, will be more than eager to help fill your take-home box to the brim with her delicious selections. Your box might include homemade fig preserves, imported and local Italian cheeses, handmade pasta, basil, and fragrant peppers. Ermanno told Tastybeat that in October shoppers will want to include in their box one of his ten different varieties of spectacular local squash.

You need to see this market before it closes for the season on October 31st. Also, mark your calendar for the day after Thanksgiving when Ermanno will be roasting chestnuts over an open fire -in Ermanno's words, "Like they did in the old country". Bon Appetito!

Amidei Mercatino

235 Southgate
Lake Forest
847-295-5890

Hours: 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday, May through October