One of my earliest food memories was the discovery of a pear tree in the schoolyard way back in kindergarten. It was a sunny late fall day and as I ran through the leaves, the strangely shaped brown apples caught my eye. The sweet aroma of wet leaves and fallen fruit was too much to […]
“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 […]
Everyone loves chocolate chip cookies, and who doesn’t have a favorite recipe, whether its a classic right from the bag of chips, or an old stand-bye handed down from mom. There are hundreds of variations to choose from, that suit every taste. Every taste except mine, that is. My family and friends know I’m picky […]
In the midst of a cultural revolution, visionary winemaker Bernard de Nonancourt created a daring wine that combined a structure of freshness with soft character. Making non-vintage rosé champagne was virtually unthinkable prior to 1968. Inspired by the times of French King Henri IV, a distinctive and elegant bottle was created to celebrate this special […]
A twinkling tree stands above a sea of colorful presents, while a crackling fire and spiced hot apple cider tempt young and old alike. Cakes, cookies, and pies may satisfy the little ones, but these decadent chocolate truffles flavored with rye whiskey, ginger, and vanilla are a perfectly decadent treat for adults. Templeton Rye was […]
Laurent-Perrier Demi Sec is a blend of 45% Chardonnay, 40% Pinot Noir, and 15% Pinot Meunier. This champagne is aged for at least three years. The wine is then dosed with a liqueur made up from cane sugar dissolved in wine from the same cuvée. When you look at the brilliant and intense golden yellow […]
Spring time has finally arrived in Chicago and the streets are busy with hungry locals and tourists in search of something good to eat and all of Chicago’s best restaurants are ready with new spring menus to entice them. I recently had the pleasure of dining at Chuck’s: A Kerry Simon Kitchen to sample their […]
When I woke up this morning the windows were iced over once again, and there is another 3” of fresh snow on top of the dirty gray snow that has been piling up over the last 2 months. I feel like this winter will never end, and as I make a pot of coffee I […]
“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 […]
On Valentine’s day I met my husband at his office and we went to one of our favorite restaurants in town for hot tomato soup and herbed bread. Afterwards, we went to the grocery store for a few things and after he saw me pick up a package of chocolate covered butter cookies, then a […]
Today dear readers, you will thank me for this post. With the following home-made vanilla recipe, you will not only save money, but you will come to appreciate how valuable it is to know just what it is you are eating. Now, I’m sure many of you are thinking “I don’t have time for this”or […]
As I raised the blinds this morning I was blinded by the glare of freshly fallen snow. It looks pretty at first but after days of constant flurries it is enough to send me back under the blankets to continue my hibernation. I want to shut myself off from the dreary grey skies and colorless, […]
A Cook's Canvas 