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Truffles To Die For

Truffles To Die For

Chocoholics aren't known to be a picky bunch, but just because you're happy to pop Hershey kisses in a pinch doesn't mean you don't recognize quality. Luckily Chicago has its fair share of luscious chocolatiers selling indulgent, decadent truffles, from ganache-laden wonders that make us weak in the knees to exotic-touched truffles that are decidedly racy...

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Originally published December 11, 2006, Centerstage Chicago
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Wine Goddess Diana Hamann

You've got less than 10 minutes to duck into a wine shop and grab a bottle for dinner. But what will pair best with spicy food and stick with the concept of tasty, blissfully cheap BYO dining? Luckily, there are people like Diana Hamann in the world, an all-around wine expert who's as jazzed about turning people on to wine as she is about sipping stuff that's inexpensive...

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Originally published November 27, 2006, Centerstage Chicago

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Kamikaze-Style Cooking

Kamikaze-style Cooking

I don't see my aversion to cooking as much of a loss: Chicago is full-to-bursting with top-notch chefs and finger-licking cheap eats. But when a too-familiar relationship with local delivery drivers left me feeling a bit gross, I did my research and signed up for cooking classes at five of Chicago's best recreational cooking schools. Here's how I did...

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Originally published November 27, 2006, Centerstage Chicago

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Review: Chili Mac's 5-Way Chili

Chili Mac's 5-Way Chili

Chili Mac's 5-Way Chili isn't for the indecisive. With a bevy of choices to be made before you can sink your fork into this phenomenal dish, those more accustomed to the one-size-fits-all variety of chili may feel overwhelmed. First to consider is the actual chili; there are four varieties on the menu here....

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Originally published November 2006, Centerstage Chicago

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Visiting the Land of 12,000 Cheesecakes

Eli's Cheesecake Factory Tour

Anyone with a sweet tooth worth its weight in chocolate enamel knows that Chicago is home to the Eli's Cheesecake Company. But did you know that the factory, which pumps out upwards of 12,000 cheesecakes a day is open to the public for tours...and tastes? Located on the Northwest Side, Eli's factory tour is a no-lose proposition: a bit of history, a belly of silky sweet cheesecake and a bevy of trivia bits mean even the most casual fan will find it well worth the trip...

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Originally published November 20, 2006, Centerstage Chicago

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Perfectly Paired Thanksgiving

Mom has the turkey under control, leaving you with the task of bringing the wine. But what wines can hold their own against this mammoth meal? We asked five wine shop owners to fill us in on their favorite Thanksgiving pairings, whether you need to round out your table for less than $20 or find the holiday totally splurge-worthy...

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Originally published November 13, 2006, Centerstage Chicago  

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Get Juicy

Juice bars are like a choose-your-own adventure for your guilt-free taste buds. But heading outdoors for your workouts (or that quirky little yoga studio down the street) doesn't mean you have to turn your back on that post-workout treat. Take a look at this list of gym juice bars that are open to the public and serve everything from space-age powders to straight-from-the-farm produce...

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Originally published October 23, 2006, Centerstage Chicago

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Pizza Joints at the Top of Their Game

Pat Bruno knows pizza. Dating his love of the pies back to Saturdays in upstate New York when his Calabrian mother would make pizza from scratch, he can talk toppings like you wouldn't believe. Centerstage recently sat down with Bruno, hungry to hear his top five spots to grab a slice of a regional specialty. As a true die-hard, Bruno didn't bother with details like ambience and appetizers. Here, it's all about the pizza...

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Originally published October 2, 2006, Centerstage Chicago

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Review: Chubby Wieners

Chubby Wieners

Before you get any naughty ideas, know that Chubby Wieners is named after the owner's Uncle Chub. Clean and sparse, four green booths, a counter and an open kitchen occupy a space that's colored by a colorful mural of Chubby the hotdog...

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Originally published 2006, Centerstage Chicago

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Tea Comes Out of the Bag

All the Tea in Chicago

It's no surprise that Susan Blumberg, author of the guidebook All the Tea in Chicago, grew up drinking tea, mainly tagging along with her mom to afternoon teas while on family vacations. But it was in the five years after college, while studying and working in Hong Kong, that Susan's tea habit really flourished...

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Originailly published August 7, 2006, Centerstage Chicago

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