May 222013
 

Grab a visual full meal deal from this River North restaurant, tucked away on Hubbard across from the former Steve’s Deli space. I’ll need to return again before delivering a full report, but I’m encouraged by my first visit. Special thanks to twitter followers @DyanaKF for the Black Cod recommendation and @justinrivera86 for suggesting the Frostee and Frites. Both were delicious!

Carpaccio

Lighter-than-air Carpaccio is anchored by crunchy peppercorns.

Black Cod Baume & Brix

The black cod float atop a disk of forbidden rice.

Berkshire Pork Chop Baume & Brix

Berkshire Pork Chop, dotted with cherries and kale.

Frostee & Fries Baume & Brix

Frostee & Fries: like Wendy’s, only better

Baume & Brix
351 W Hubbard St
Chicago, IL 60654
(312) 321-0351

May 192013
 
Box of Daisy Cutter

Think outside of the box for Craft Beer Week.

I’m trying to participate in Chicago Craft Beer Week, but you know how it is with life. I have to give some professional time to the NRA Show this week and while I’m all for shining a spotlight on different breweries, it feels like too much trouble to track them down on a schedule. Instead, I’m celebrating the “spirit” of these fine BEvERages by hoisting a few new-to-me local brews and visiting favorite pubs.

I live within easy distance of Half Acre Brewery (4257 N Lincoln Ave.), so I popped into their tap room to see what they had to lure me away from my steady favorite, Daisy Cutter.

Howler & Growler

Growl & Howl

I was on the hunt for a hoppy beer, and nearly came home with a Howler of Akari-Shogun, a light wheat beer with a rich infusion of hops and cool appeal to inner manga geek. However, one glass of Stargazer, a light, hoppy lager with a clean finish and amber glow turned me around. This is a refreshing beer that I could drink as a session brew or pair well with spicy ethnic food. I had visions of Stargazer as my new Summer favorite, except…

Stargazer isn’t listed on Half Acre’s list of seasonal or collaboration beers. I have no idea how long this will last at the tap room, and the staff was firm about it not showing up in bottles. Too bad. I guess I’ll hoist my little howler too and fro while I can, and keep an eye open for a beer to bring to summer parties and to have on hand. If I’m really lucky, maybe I’ll score a six-pack of 3 Floyd’s White Zombie.

I’m very happy I found both beers, and will make more effort to visit the tap room again soon. So far Craft Beer Week has been a success! Have you found a new favorite during Chicago Craft Beer Week? Lemme know!

Half Acre Brewery

May 152013
 

I was walking along Hubbard last night, when I spotted Firecakes from across the street. As I’m the sort of girl who jaywalks for pastry, there was no question of checking it out. Sadly, they weren’t open. Like most dough nut establishments, they close shop when they sell out. I had to spend a whole night plotting my return.

Vanilla Firecakes Donuts

mmm, vanilla donut

The Vanilla Donut with crunchy vanilla sprinkles wasn’t the headline of my donut dreams, but I ended up choosing it over the Chocolate Long John or Jelly Filled. It was the little specks of vanilla bean that lured me in. Worth the wait? Yes! Most places phone in their vanilla attempts, but this was rich with vanilla flavor and didn’t rely on a power coating of sugar-sugar-sugar to carry the treat. I may have licked the extra icing off the wrapping paper. Maybe.

Selection of Firecakes Donuts

Mmm, donut selection

There were other temptations to blow my daily calorie count including apple fritters and lemon verbena meringue donuts. Firecakes is a little out of my way in the mornings, but it will be worth the occasional detour. Donuts are priced between $2 to $3 each. They do deliver orders of 1 dozen or more, so if you’re planning an awesome meeting for your office (or want people to show up with completed TPS reports) Firecakes is a nice choice.

Firecakes Donuts

Mmm, donut store

Firecakes Donuts
68 West Hubbard Street
Chicago, IL 60654