They Bring All The Boys To The Yard

Posted on 18 May 2012 by AmandaPuck

When something called BadHappy opens – there is no other choice but to give it a try! Poutine, a speciality of Quebec, is a mouth watering dish of crispy fries with gravy and cheese. At BadHappy, Chef Tom Kern puts his own spin on Poutine. It is so BAD, its GOOD. With ingredients such as Foie Gras Gravy, Chicken Fried Sweetbreads, and Braised Veal Cheek, we had to try them all.

The Quebecer is my favorite. Fromage Beaucronne and St. Hubert Gravy. Very reminiscent of Disco Fries from NJ/NY.

Da’ Local is a nod to Chicago with House Sausage, Sharp Cheddar Curd, Hot Giardiniera, Pepper & Onion Gravy.

One Hot Asian with Viet-Pork Patties, Headcheese, Jalapeno Curd, Daikon & Carrot, Kimchi Sauce.

The Redneck with BBQ Pork, Mac-n-Cheese, Fried Okra, Carolina Cole Slaw, PBR Gravy.

HappyFace – Braised Veal Cheek, Garlic Curd, Chicken Fried Sweetbreads, Kale, Foie Gras Gravy.

The Good, the Bad and the Happy – Pork Belly, Braised Veal Cheek, Fromage Beacronne, Truffle Mayo, Foie Gras Mousse & Gravy with a Sunny Egg.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Shake.

And a BadHappy Birthday Cake shake. They bring all the boys to the yard. Just sayin’.

Indie Burger

Posted on 14 May 2012 by AmandaPuck

If you like all things organic and your beef grass fed – Indie Burger is your place for Burger Nirvana.

The all grass fed beef is portioned before they get flattened and griddled.

And they even make their own beef bacon, perfectly cooked until extra crispy.

The fries are fried crispy in organic oil – and topped with a seasoning combo that will leave you craving more.

And here it is, the Indie Burger, complete with special sauce. Even their shakes and toppings are organic. And the coffee La Colombe.

Indie Burger.

See it here on watch312.com.

Urban Brunch Series

Posted on 23 April 2012 by AmandaPuck

Gilt City Chicago sure knows how to throw a great party. The Urban Brunch Series was created in conjunction with Gilt City and Barista Prima Coffeehouse - an exclusive collection of the world’s finest Arabica coffees roasted in the tradition of Europe’s most celebrated coffee houses for the Keurig and Keurig Vue single cup brewing systems. Superstar Chef Mindy Segal from Hot Chocolate was on hand to pair a fabulous brunch with the brews for 70 guests. They arrived in Ubers, had photos taken with Postagram and sipped coffee and Fantinel Prosecco bubbles! We all felt like we were on vacation with the live tunes, courtesy of the People’s Music School.

Designed for the passionate coffee lover, Barista Prima was brewing coffee all morning long.

Everyone was going crazy for Chef Mindy’s Strawberry-Rhubarb bellinis.

Croissant Wrapped House-Made Breakfast Sausages with Maple Syrup.

Quiche is WAY cool – with English Peas, Gunthorp Farm’s Ham and Roth Kase Gruyere.

Petite Brioche French Toast, Lemon Curd, and Preserved Klug Farm Bluleberries.

Hamming it UP!

And compliments of Barista Prima – we all get our own brewers at home. I cannot wait to brew more Barista Prima Coffeehouse coffee at home using my new brewer!

All photos courtesy of Francis Son.

The brunch kicked off the Gilt City Chicago Insider Sale.

ROCKIT Burger Bar

Posted on 22 April 2012 by AmandaPuck

On watch312.com in May – we are doing two episodes on one of America’s favorite foods, the burger. It is National Burger Month after all. One of the stops was at the newly concepted Rockit Burger Bar, where partner Arturo Gomez and and Chef Amanda Downing helped us get our burger on with these ones, piled high creative toppings.

The MacDaddy – black angus patty with braised short rib, mac & cheese and Yukon waffle fries.

The Farmhouse – black angus patty with BBQ pulled pork, applewood smoked bacon and curly fries.

The HOTTIE – black angus patty, breaded stuffed jalapenos, pepper jack, ghost pepper aioli and fries.

Chef Amanda Downing does an impressive job with towering presentations, and each burger is paired with a unique flavored aioli.

Rockit Burger Bar.

See it here on watch312.com.

And for the record – partner Arturo Gomez said the only way to eat a burger, is to just pick it up and BITE RIGHT IN!

Pastry Chef Toni Roberts at Baconfest Chicago

Posted on 16 April 2012 by AmandaPuck

Best. Idea. Ever.

Bacon Wishes & Pork Belly Dreams

Posted on 15 April 2012 by AmandaPuck

Baconfest was baconly. Over 50 tastes of crispy pork heaven were served during the bustling dinner portion of the event. Generous beer samples from Greenbush and PBR. Here are some highlights …

Paulina Market’s Cream of Smoked Bacon Soup served in a mini baguette.

Sweet Baby Rays Mississippi Bacon Teasers. Sweet and salty. Their Porchetta Cubano was also great.

694 Wine & Spirits. Their Kick Ass BLT. And it did just that.

Kudos to Mark Steuer from The Bedford for these Bacon Beignets with Bacon Sugar.

Trevor Hoyte from IPO always makes his tastings look great. Sous Vide Pork Belly with Popcorn Pudding, Pickled Ramps and Spicy Chicharrone.

I hate to pick a fave. But this Vanilla Bacon Bourbon Milkshake was delicious from Three Aces. My boyfriend had 3, coincidentally.

Toni Roberts from The Wit and her brilliant arena for foraging bacon truffles in a terroir of cookie crumbles.

Sixteen‘s sophisticated Milk Chocolate and Smoked Brown Sugar Tarts from the always gorgeous Sarah Kosikowski. We made room for those.

Jason Paskewitz from Gemini Bistro crisped the competition with Bacon x 3. Hand rolled porchetta ravioli with crispy pancetta chip and warm bacon vinaigrette.

And finally Black Dog Gelato’s Whiskey Bacon Pops.

On the exit we still smelled of bacon, lucky for us.

Cake!

Posted on 15 April 2012 by AmandaPuck

Hands down the best cake in Chicago was unanimously voted. Sweet Mandy B’s. For sweet Cece’s birthday, with a guest appearance by Olivia.

Sun Wah Duck Lovin

Posted on 10 April 2012 by AmandaPuck

Nothing is better than this duck fest at Sun Wah BBQ. And the duck carvers rock. The duck fat did even splat on my phone. Thank goodness for lots of napkins.