Pastry Chef Anna Young is inspired by seasonality and nostalgia. “I try to think about not just what I like, but what our guests respond to,” she says. “Some dishes begin with a simple childhood memory – a piece of candy or chocolate.” Young discovered her love of pastry arts while studying at the Culinary […]
“Bonjour!” was the first thing I heard when I entered the luxurious lobby of the Sofitel Water Tower Hotel. The relaxed atmosphere and attentive staff are very welcoming and though I am tempted to linger awhile, my focus today is on the hotel’s crowning jewel, the restaurant Café des Architectes. The dining room has an […]
Those who know me and longtime readers know that I dream of being a Chef one day, having started my site years ago while living in southwestern Germany. I got my start with a stack of cookbooks that my husband gave me as inspiration to start pursuing my dream. If you had told me back […]
Though the tragic events in Paris on November 13th cast a shadow over À la carte Chicago, the spirits of my French colleagues gradually recovered as hope and determination replaced fear. One week later the 31st annual Passport to France event began with an uncorking of emotions in a celebration of French culture and resolve. […]
I recently had the pleasure of attending a private luncheon for the Consul General of France, Mr. Vincent Floreani. The event was part of À la carte Chicago, a celebration of contemporary French cuisine and culture. Fifteen guests gathered at Chez Moi in Lincoln Park to experience a four-course menu prepared by Executive Chef Dominique […]
In November, more than 35 local restaurants and organizations participated in the first annual À la carte Chicago. An 11-day celebration of French food, wine, and culture, with menus and events designed to excite and inspire, and A Cook’s Canvas was invited to cover several of the events. Restaurants across the city, most but not […]
The moment I entered Primehouse I was greeted by a wall of aromas, the most dominant of which was the rich, meaty, charred scent of perfectly grilled steak. My stomach immediately spoke up to remind me that I love steak, especially at a really good steakhouse. As the name implies, Primehouse is just such a […]
There are tacos and then there are tacos. Executive Chef/Partner David Dworshak (formerly of Carnivale, and Spring) of Takito Kitchen has created a delightful menu with a modern-contemporary spin on Latin-American cuisine. Takito Kitchen’s name is a phonetic version of “taquito”, Spanish for little taco. This Wicker Park restaurant is warm and cozy with a […]
“Where the water costs more than the wine” – Quartino Restaurant Italy can be hard to describe to those who have never been there. Beyond obvious things like ancient building facades and wonderful smells wafting out of kitchen windows and into the narrow cobblestone streets, there is a rhythm to life that takes a bit […]
I have to confess that even before arriving at Paris Club, I knew I was in for something special. When I started this blog I was living in Europe, where I was inspired by the variety of cuisines that were all around us; my favorite of course being french food. As I first stepped into […]
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