162 N. Wynstone Drive in North Barrington: $1,975,000 | Listed on Aug. 9, 2019
This 9,736-square-foot North Barrington mansion has five bedrooms and eight bathrooms. The home includes waterfront views and is situated within a gated community. The interior of the home includes a mezzanine, double-sided fireplace and a two-story great room with floor-to-ceiling windows. The kitchen opens to a hearth room, breakfast area, deck and screened porch. The main floor also features a dining room, paneled library and master suite. The walkout lower level includes a second kitchen, gym, theater, billiard room, bar, wine cellar, and family room with a fireplace opening to the patio and private pool.
Agent: Heidi Seagren of Jameson Sotheby’s International Realty, 847-306-0600
Cody is an extremely sweet, gentle, and gorgeous 11-year-old, 10.8-pound male white Shih Tzu looking for a loving guardian.
This adorable little dog gets along with all other dogs and cats. He’s not exactly playful, but he co-exists absolutely beautifully with other gentle-natured dogs upon proper introduction.
He is great on leash; however he does walk pretty slowly and sniffs everything along the way. He is also great in the car and enjoys going for a ride.
Cody lived with a family for his entire life but had been shifted around from family member, to family member until being given up to rescue in pretty messy and neglected shape.
He was recently professionally groomed, and the groomer said he was perfect … just stood like a little statue. He looks and smells lovely.
He is neutered, up-to-date on vaccines, microchipped, and had a full senior work-up of bloodwork, urinalysis, fecal, and he just had a dental where he had 29 rotten teeth pulled! You can often see his two teeth sticking out when he smiles.
Cody does have a common condition called dry eye which he takes drops for twice a day.
To meet and possibly adopt Cody, please contact [email protected] for an adoption application.
Cody’s adoption fee of $250 benefits the rescued pets of Friends of Petraits.
America is currently as divided as it has ever been at any point since the Civil War. A big part of that is our media landscape, which operates under intense pressure from the profit motive and is thus hyper aware of how conflict moves the needle.
It’s across all facets of news, including sports, and perhaps Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Chris Paul said it best: “every time you see something in our league, on broadcast, what does it say? Oklahoma City vs. Portland. It always says ‘vs.’ So they almost always trying to put us against each other, never trying to unite and do things together.”
Paul said these words at an event launching his next business venture, Players TV: Athletes on Demand, adding that his new network is “about bringing everyone together.” With media always under high pressure to generate ratings, clicks, interactions, product sales etc, what follows online is only natural. You get a lot of eye-catching and attention retaining content like quizzes, top 10 lists, slide shows and sensationalist headlines. When there is no fear or controversy, the media will manufacture and supply it for the reader.
When there is no outrage or backlash against anything, you still have a handful of social media users out there ready willing and able to get angry over nothing. The media, sadly, amplifies this tiny minority of people and presents them in a way that gives them much more credibility than they deserve. Unfortunately that is the world we live in, where media consumers want information, but don’t want to pay for it. News consumers are also much more drawn to the tragic and scary news items than they are the uplifting, and that’s rather unfortunate as well.
We had an exclusive with former NFL tight end Vernon Davis, who is also involved in Players TV and we discussed the challenges of the media landscape. Specifically, how social media has put the media industry on it its head.
“Now social media that has changed the game,” Davis said at the launch event held at Tavern Club on Michigan Avenue during NBA All-Star weekend.
“Social media is the new thing, but it will be around for the next 3-400 years, cuz everyone loves it, it’s on demand, you can communicate with anyone…it’s access.”
In today’s media and social media landscape, consumers are usually going to outlets for confirmation and verification of their beliefs, not to acquire new information. That’s why our country is so divided right now- we can’t agree on basic facts anymore. Hopefully, there will be more outlets like Players TV, who seek to provide information directly from the source, without an intermediary and the spin that sometimes comes with it.
That would definitely go a long way towards, as Barack Obama puts it, “making the truth get eyeballs.”
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, which is partnered with News Now and Minute Media. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, currently contributes regularly to WGN CLTV and ChicagoNow.
He’s been a featured guest in dozens of media outlets including The History Channel. His work has been cited in hundreds of publications including the Wall Street Journal and Washington Post.
I’m Jerry Partacz, happily married to my wife Julie for over 40 years. I have four children and eleven grandchildren. I’m enjoying retirement after 38 years of teaching. I now have an opportunity to share my thoughts on many things. I’m an incurable optimist. I also love to solve crossword puzzles and to write light verse. I love to read, to garden, to play the piano, to collect stamps and coins, and to watch “Curb Your Enthusiasm”.
The snow may be lingering outside but that hasn’t stopped Aba from opening up their spectacular outdoor patio.
Look up and you’ll see the heating elements above, Photo: Carole Kuhrt-Brewer
We stopped by, the popular Fulton Market hotspot on the final Sunday of Chicago Restaurant Week to sample their CRW brunch menu.
The “outdoor” patio, that is partially-enclosed for winter, was beckoning.
I stepped “outside,” with tables adjacent the snow. Surprisingly the temperature felt quite comfortable due to the blazing fire pits, heating elements in the ceiling and blankets in baskets nearby–just in case. Let it snow! We were perfectly comfortable at our table adjacent the snow. Photo: Carole Kuhrt-Brewer
It was literally a breath of fresh air.
Without hesitation, I chose to sit “outside.” My dining companion agreed. Although the wind was blowing beyond the patio and the outside temperatures were in the ‘20s–we were perfectly comfortable–no blankets required.
We even took off our coats. We weren’t crazy and we weren’t alone as the patio was crowded and most were coatless.
“Outside” at Aba. Photo: Carole Kuhrt-Brewer
The Menu
Aba’s menu pays homage to Chef CJ Jacobson’s roots in California, incorporating a lighter style of cooking with influences from the Mediterranean including Israel, Lebanon, Turkey and Greece.
Signature dishes include Crispy Short Rib Hummus, Muhammara, Jerusalem Bagel with Labneh, Char-Grilled Lamb Chops, and Skirt Steak Shawarma.
Brunch
As I mentioned we went for CRW which ended February 9. The good thing is that the CRW items are all available on the regular brunch menu.
Besides being way too much for one person to eat (unless you just finished a marathon), I have no complaints. The $24 brunch menu offered a choice of two starters and a main entree–all could be easily sharable–as the portions were quite large.
With two of us we were able to order four starters which we shared. We each ordered our own entree. For starters we selected the whipped feta which turned out to be the perfect “dip” for the hot pita bread that is complimentary at brunch. We also ordered the Village Salad ($9.95 on the regular menu)–a fresh salad with mighty vine cherry tomatoes, persian cucumber, red onion, feta and greek vinaigrette. The Falafel was a bit of a disappointment–a little chewy and not terribly flavorful.
The highlight of the four starters was a surprise. The Dark Chocolate Babka ($7.95) which I had to be talked into ordering was outstanding. Babka comes from the Slavic word babcia, which means grandmother. Aba’s Babka is a sweet yeast dough baked in layers filled with dark chocolate, cinnamon, cardamom and raisins. Not only is it good–it is a looker–making it perfect Instagram feed. Feel free to repost my photo.
Starters. Photo: Carole Kuhrt-Brewer
For entrees we both ordered the Kefta & Eggs ($15.95) with lamb & beef kefta; fried eggs, tzatziki, lemon dill rice. The presentation was colorful, very California, and delicious.
The Vibe
There’s a hipster buzz to the space where Chef CJ’s California roots are evident not just in the menu but in the decor. The “sun-filled” atmosphere offers year around summer–no matter what’s happening outside.
A taste of California in Chicago. Photo: Carole Kuhrt-Brewer
The Bar Program
The bar program, crafted by Lead Mixologist Liz Pearce showcases rare Mediterranean-inspired wines and creative crafted spirits with a California accent.
Small Bites of Chicago
Upcoming Restaurant Weeks
Not unlike the Jimmy Buffet song, “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere,” it seems, especially in the winter, “it’s restaurant week somewhere” in Chicago.
This week (February 21 to March 1) it’s Andersonville’s turn with participating restaurants offering $10, $20, and $30 menu specials and prix fixe offers throughout the 10 day “week”. There’s a great lineup of restaurants participating some including, Big Jones, offering Mardi Gras favorites.
Starting February 28, head north to Lake Forest and Lake Bluff for their Restaurant Week.
Restaurant Week returns to the Village of Rosemont March 1 through March 7. Visitors are invited to take advantage of special prix fixe, three-course lunch and dinner menus at a wide variety of participating Rosemont restaurants.
Fat Tuesday February 25 Paczki Day
Time is winding done to indulge before lent. Especially in Chicago, paczki, a Polish pastry is a given, especially for Fat Tuesday (February 25). Some of the city’s best paczki can be found at Delightful Pastries but you have to get your order (minimum of a dozen) in by February 21.
Want to learn more about paczki, check out the 10 secrets of Delightful Pastries to the best paczki here.
River Roast’s Fish Fry returns on Ash Wednesday (2/26) and every Friday during lent (2/28 – 4/10). The feast includes battered and fried cod, malt vinegar fries, house pickles, coleslaw, and remoulade ($20 – 8 oz; $39 – 16 oz).
Fat Rice puts an interesting spin on Fish Fridays. Even though cod is not native to the coasts of Portugal, the fish has been a staple of Portuguese cooking since the 14th century. Bacalhau refers to dried and salted cod, a dish treasured across Portugal. Throughout the years, Bacalhau evolved into the main dish served during holiday dinners, from Christmas to Easter, and its popularity surged in the predominantly-Catholic country during Lent — a time when meat is considered forbidden.
At Fat Rice, the Bacalhau da vovó (Grandma’s Cod), is served as a spread with house-made bread, black olive, chilli, and mint. “The Bacalhau has been on our menu since Day 1 — it’s Chef Abe’s great-grandmothers recipe,” says Co-Owner Adrienne Lo. “It is light, creamy, and in our opinion, one of the best ways to eat salt cod. It’s been a staple on our menu for 7 years, and will always be on our menu for everyone to enjoy.”
St. Paddy’s Day
Is it too early to start thinking about St. Paddy’s Day? Never!
In Chicago, St. Paddy’s Day is more than a day. Many celebrations last all month. Here’s just a couple to get you started with more to come on Chicago Eats and Show Me Chicago.
City Winery at the Riverwalk will be opening for the St. Patrick’s Day Parade and dyeing of the River on Saturday, March 14, at 9:00 a.m.
Gallagher Way in the shadow of Wrigley Field will be celebrating the day on Sunday, March 15, from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. CST. Festivities will include live dance performances by the Trinity Irish Dancers, Irish dance lessons and a 12-piece band from the Old Town School of Folk Music. Guests will be able to watch a special performance by the Shannon Rovers Irish Bagpipe Band at noon, and partake in other activities including lawn games, face painting and family friendly crafts
Carole is an arts, entertainment and food journalist. She writes “Show Me Chicago” and “Chicago Eats” for ChicagoNow and covers Chicago places and events for Choose Chicago (City of Chicago) as well as freelancing for a variety of publications.
BARBARA REVSINE
I started writing when I was in grade school. And when I wasn’t writing or thinking about writing, I was reading what someone else had written. So it wasn’t a stretch for me to think about writing as a career. Neither was it a stretch to think about writing about food, a subject I’d always found interesting, more in terms of history, cooking, restaurants and culture than eating and critiquing. Decades after selling my first story, my interest in writing about food continues, and “A Bite of Chicago” gives me another opportunity to pursue my passion with people who share it.
Hopefully last month’s spike in foreclosure activity isn’t the beginning of a new wave of problems
Updated local foreclosure data from ATTOM Data Solutions posted yesterday showed a surprising spike in Chicago’s foreclosure activity for January, hitting a 15 month high. As you can see in the graph below the trend has been fairly consistently down for the last few years but January actually came in almost 21% higher than a year ago and that’s the largest percentage increase in 3 years.
In their US foreclosure press release ATTOM Data Solutions did give the Chicago metro area special mention for having a 14% increase in foreclosure starts from last year. However, I came up with a 19.9% increase for the city. But that wasn’t even the biggest driver of the overall increase in activity. In reality that was bank repossessions which hit a 15 month high. At least those represent the final stage of the foreclosure process so they do provide some closure in contrast to those foreclosure starts.
The Chicago metro area also got special mention for having the highest foreclosure rate in the country – We’re #1! – and then Illinois got honored for having the third highest state foreclosure rate.
Chicago Shadow Inventory
Finally we saw a decrease in the total number of homes that are in the foreclosure process. After plateauing for 4 months it dropped in January by 431 units, crossing below the 5000 unit mark for the first time since I’ve been tracking the data. When you look at the graph below you’ll see that there is this recurring pattern of plateaus followed by large drops. This data also seems to be a bit out of synch with the foreclosure activity data that I report above. It seems to drop or stagnate regardless of how much late-stage activity occurs. It’s almost as if there is a data problem. Nahhhh.
Chicago’s shadow inventory of homes in foreclosure is about 1/5 of what it once was.
#Foreclosures #ChicagoForeclosures
Gary Lucido is the President of Lucid Realty, the Chicago area’s full service real estate brokerage that offers home buyer rebates and discount commissions. If you want to keep up to date on the Chicago real estate market or get an insider’s view of the seamy underbelly of the real estate industry you can Subscribe to Getting Real by Email using the form below. Please be sure to verify your email address when you receive the verification notice.
After 20 years in the corporate world and running an Internet company, Gary started Lucid Realty with his partner, Sari. The company provides full service, while discounting commissions for sellers and giving buyers rebates.
Try as hard as you might to pretend that you had not much–make that nothing–to do with the rise and fall of former governor and convicted felon Rod Blagojevich, you, Illinois Democrats, created and nurtured him.
He was the scion of the Chicago, Cook County and Illinois Democrat party and your efforts to disown him are laughable and pitiable.
Worse, the system that him is the same corrupt and criminal enterprise that exists today.
In better days when J.B. Pritzker and Gov. Rod Blagojevich were pals. (Chicago Tribune )
Now in a futile attempt to disown Blagojevich, condemnations rain down on him from on high in the party. Most notably, Gov. J.B. Pritzker. He issued a statement, presumably with a straight face:
Illinoisans have endured far too much corruption, and we must send a message to politicians that corrupt practices will no longer be tolerated. President Trump has abused his pardon power in inexplicable ways to reward his friends and condone corruption, and I deeply believes [sic] this pardon sends the wrong message at the wrong time. I’m committed to continuing to take clear and decisive steps this spring to prevent politicians from using their offices for personal gain, and I will continue to approach this work with that firm conviction.
Berg reminds us that this is the same J. B. Pritzker who is under investigation for cheating on his property taxes (i.e. toiletgate). This same guy who once bowed before Gov. Blago asking to be appointed Illinois Treasurer. The taped conversation between the two was recorded by the feds as Blagojevich was trying to sell the “[fing] golden” senate seat that had been occupied by then president-elect Barack Obama.
Pritzker said he was “really not interested” in the senate seat, explaining that he was interested in getting appoint treasurer–the keeper of the state’s money.
“Ooh, interesting,” Blagojevich said during the November 2008 phone call. “Let’s think about that. You interested in that?”
“Yeah,” Pritzker responded, “that’s the one I would want.”
One can ask what the quid pro quo would have been if Blagojevich had named Pritzker treasurer. Not that the multi-billionaire couldn’t have come up with enough when Blagojevich asked him for a campaign contribution.
Blagojevich did ask Pritzker for a campaign contribution as they discussed the possible appointment. Like the $140,000 Pritzker and his wife had given to Blagojevich’s campaign from 2002 to 2006, according to the Chicago Tribune.
As a triumphant Balgojevich was returning home for an appearance on his stoop, like a Juan Paron emerging on the balcony of the presidential place, the Chicago Sun-Times was reporting:
Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan and several of his closest political allies are named in a new federal subpoena seeking records on a former ComEd lobbyist and his consulting work for a tiny southwestern suburb, the Chicago Sun-Times has learned.
A significant focus of the subpoena is Raymond T. Nice – a longtime campaign worker for Madigan’s Southwest Side Democratic organization who became an “independent contractor” for the village of Merrionette Park in 2015, according to records and interviews.
Indeed, Illinois is as corrupt as it was when Blagojevich was heading for prison. Moreover, you can reasonably argue that it is more corrupt. I’ve lost count of all the outstanding federal subpoenasand indictments there are; suffice to say it is probably more than in living memory.
Meanwhile, Blagojevich appeared Wednesday night on Fox News to regurgitate his claims of innocence, arguing that the real corruption in Illinois and the source of all his problems are to be found in the federal prosecutor’s office.
A reminder: It was a jury, not the prosecutors, Rod, who found you guilty.
P.S. I don’t need to be reminded that Illinois Republicans aren’t without sin. But they’re not running the state now. Or back when Blagojevich was the governor (who was amazingly re-elected by Illinois voters even when he was under investigation).
Want to subscribe to the Barbershop? Type your email address in the box and click the “create subscription” button. My list is completely spam free, and you can opt out at any time.
Hundreds of old cassette tapes were sitting in storage for the last ten years, and I finally had them back in my possession. The problem is, what to do with them now? Some are old band tapes that I want to transfer to mp3s, but many were mixtapes or copies of the real thing.
For instance, my older brother kept on losing The Smiths, Strangeways Here We Come, so I dubbed a copy for the car. It didn’t sound as good, but I always knew that it would be right where I left it.
Speaking of cars, how many tapes did you have in your car? I think I had over 50, stored in bins, plus the ones that were spilling over the cup holders, onto the passenger seat.
Anyways, I donated them to a person on Craigslist looking to do a project, who had never owned any cassette tapes. It actually made me feel good. But, I still kept the real ones, the original ones, even though most of them sound like shit. Now it got me thinking about vinyl’s triumphant return, and I wondered to myself, “Would cassette tapes ever make a comeback?”
Here are 5 Reasons Why The Cassette Is Not Making A Comeback.
1.) Sound quality. As an audiophile, did it ever really sound that good? I don’t think it had the warmth of vinyl or the clarity of CDs.
2.) Longevity. Didn’t the tape easily get crinkled or ripped, or stuck, or twisted? They just don’t last as well as other forms of music.
3.) Art and Information. There’s not a lot of room for lyrics or information. Even in later days when the jackets would fold out, you still had to squint to read them and there’s just not a very broad canvas for the cover art. CDs and records can stand upright, being displayed next to the player, showcasing the artwork.
4.) The hiss. I’d rather hear a record pop, than a tape hiss, because the hiss is constant. On some of these older tapes, the hiss never ends. Every listen is important, and if a record keeps popping or if a tape keeps hissing, I’m going to turn them both off.
5.) Streaming is just too easy for anyone to go back to cassettes anymore. It has ruined almost every format of music. CDs and vinyl have stayed afloat, but after the advent of streaming, the tape just doesn’t offer up enough to survive. Who wants to rewind, or fast-forward, when you can just click and play.
I know what you’re thinking, there are several artists releasing their new music on tape. As a matter of fact, I’m a huge fan of Polyvinyl, and they are doing this with most of their new releases. But, the point I’m trying to make is that is there isn’t as much value in buying a new cassette. The sound quality isn’t as good as vinyl and tapes are too much work. You don’t get a lot of bang for your buck, where I feel you do with vinyl.
What does the jury say? Are they still out, or have they come back?
Chicago is known for its vast food options. In fact, it’s safe to say that this city’s food culture is like no other. One of the top cuisines that continues to reign supreme here is Asian. Step on over to Chinatown and you’ll find yourself in abundance of options from sushi to pho. Over the past couple of years, ramen restaurants have become wildly popular especially during the cold winter months. A bowl of piping hot and flavorful broth can warm your soul and your heart.
“Ramen has become beloved by many in the U.S. in recent years and Tsujita is the pioneer of Tsukemen, so we wanted to extend this experience to Chicagoland,” says Chef Ikehata.
Chef Ikehata is a Japanese chef, restaurateur, and the mastermind behind a new ramen spot in Des Plaines called Chicago Ramen.
“We’re extremely excited to open our first ramen restaurant in the Midwest. TKY’s vision is to spread delicious ramen throughout the United States, providing techniques and recipes to those who want to make ramen. We hope that many people in Chicagoland will be satisfied and inspired by the taste of Chicago Ramen.”
Photo Cred: Nekia Nichelle
Chef Ikehata was trained at Tsujita in Tokyo, a beloved artisan ramen brand, which was selected one of the best 10 ramen shops in Tokyo by the readers of Japan Times in 2019. After more than 7 years of experience at Tsujita in Tokyo, Chef Ikehata was sent to Los Angeles to open and manage its first US location, which was described in 2017 as “the king of tonkotsu ramen in Los Angeles” by the late food critic Jonathan Gold of the Los Angeles Times.
He is proud that Tsujita set the standard for ramen in Los Angeles, winning acclaim from critics and writers alike, and, most importantly, satisfying a multitude of diners. And now that Tsujita has become a noodle juggernaut, Chef Ikehata wanted to share the taste of this authentic, Tokyo-style ramen with the Chicago metro area.
Yesterday during the grand opening many were blown away by the robust flavor of the broth. You can definitely tell that it was made with love, passion, and a lot of time.
“Ramen is like a course menu because it consists of soup, meat, and vegetables, and yet it’s affordable. We start with making broth, which takes about 60 hours to prepare, and we boil noodles very carefully each day,” Ikehata said. “And just before serving ramen, we heat each bowl to ensure that noodles stay warm. We treat each ingredient and utensil with care, a practice that adheres to Japanese artisanship.”
With every bite, you can really tell that each ingredient was made with care. Hats off to the chef! To get a slurp of this delicious ramen head on over to Chicago Ramen they’re open for lunch and dinner every day from 11am-11pm. You won’t be disappointed.
Get Updates on Celebrity Interviews, trendy Beauty & Fashion Tips, and coverage of Live Events
Meet The Blogger
Nekia Nichelle
Nekia Nichelle is a digital and broadcast journalist covering entertainment, lifestyle, beauty and pinch of fashion.
She has interviewed celebrities such as John Legend, Halle Berry, Jenny McCarthy, Brandy, Queen Latifah, Katie Couric and more.
When she’s not blogging, she can be heard on 107.5 WGCI, V103 and WLIT 93.9FM, as well as other stations, keeping you informed on all the traffic snafus during your morning commute.
Stay social with her on:
Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and Snapchat: @NekiaNichelle
Facebook Fan Page: @IamNekiaNichelle
The James Beard Foundation (JBF) announced today the six recipients of its 2020 America’s Classics Award. These are the restaurants across America with heart or as JBF says “timeless appeal.”
They are not the fancy Michelin starred, white tablecloth, multi-course sensory spots where you can spend a whole paycheck.
These are the restaurants that are the heart of America. Many are small, some don’t even have a website. They reflect the regions, the community and the people–the places where people feel at home.
These are not the places where people make reservations weeks or months in advance for foie gras, Dom Perignon, truffles and caviar but they are the places where people are willing to stand in line for tacos, chicken tenders, mudslides and specialities like barbecued cow’s head for however long it takes.
Places that say America. Places that are perfect for a road trip.
Here’s a look at the 2020 James Beard Foundation America’s Classic winners:
Zehnder’s of Frankenmuth, a chicken-dinner behemoth positioned between Detroit and Michigan’s summer lake destination, is decidedly on the beaten path. William Zehnder, Sr. and his wife Emilie bought a former hotel in 1928. Today the restaurant — part of a complex, run by third and fourth generation family members, that includes a hotel, waterpark, and golf course — can accommodate 1,500 guests and brings in close to a million people each year. Road-trippers come for family-style meals of crisp-skinned fried chicken, dressing, mashed potatoes, liver pâté, cranberry relish, cottage cheese, and more, all replenished until worn-out diners signal they’re ready for a scoop of sherbet with a paper American flag planted alongside the maraschino cherry. Then it’s time to pose for photos with a patient mascot in a rooster suit.
Puritan Backroom (245 Hooksett Rd., Manchester, NH; Owner: Arthur Pappas, Chris Pappas and Eric Zink)
Puritan Backroom.
In 1906, friends Arthur Pappas and Louis Canotas left Greece in search of a sweeter life. They opened the Puritan Confectionary Company in Manchester in 1917, the first in a line of ice cream shops and restaurants throughout the city. Their children followed in their footsteps, opening the Puritan Backroom in 1974. Today this location also includes a bustling takeout business and a conference and event center. Customers still line up for Puritan ice cream, and crowd into booths for American comfort food and Greek classics. Above all, they come for chicken tenders (which the Backroom claims to have invented), along with a mudslide or two, another house specialty. This New Hampshire mainstay has become a required stop for candidates passing through on the campaign trail. In an era of division, it is a rare nonpartisan space where everyone feels welcome. Today the restaurant is run by third-generation owner Arthur Pappas, son Chris, and son-in-law Eric. Chris Pappas, who caught the political bug growing up at the restaurant, is currently a New Hampshire congressman.
Oriental Mart (1506 Pike Pl., #509, Seattle, WA; Owner: Mila Apostol and Joy Apostol)
Oriental Mart.
In 1971, Mila Apostol opened Oriental Mart also known as “O’Mart” in Pike Place Market to give fellow Filipino immigrants the groceries and culture they missed from back home. Eventually, Mila and her eldest daughter Leila raided their store shelves to make adobo and sinigang for farmers delivering produce to the market. Word spread to Filipino flight crews and cruise ship workers, but also to Seattle at large. Today, Mila’s daughter Joy runs the retail side of their market stall, while Leila oversees a counter in the style of the Philippines’ turo restaurants, filling her glass hot case with the fried noodles known as pancit, juicy longanisa, and long-simmered adobo. There’s always sinigang; Leila adapts the classic tamarind-sour soup to its Northwest surroundings with salmon collars procured from neighboring fish vendors.
El Taco de Mexico (714 Santa Fe Drive, Denver, CO; Owner: Sasha Zanabria)
El Taco.
Among Denver’s thriving Mexican food culture, El Taco de Mexico is a lodestar whose appeal cuts across lines of race, class, and age. Maria Luisa Zanabria, a native of Mexico City, arrived in the city in 1985, first opening a trailer on Santa Fe Drive in Denver’s Art District. Her business grew into a small taqueria with a bright, bumblebee-yellow exterior. The serious, focused cooks (all women) keep pace with the all-day crowds, turning out tacos (carne asada, al pastor, and lengua are among the options), enchilada, gorditas, and weekend menudo. The restaurant’s crowning glory is the pork burrito, smothered in green chile humming with earthy spice. Made extra-heaping as a breakfast burrito stuffed with egg and chorizo, it brings bleary-eyed devotees back to life.
Armando “Mando” Vera and his family practice a near-lost art in South Texas: barbacoa de cabeza (barbecued cow’s head) buried underground in a brick-lined pit and smoked for up to 12 hours. The tradition stems from the region’s 19th century vaquero-cowboy culture; Vera’s father opened a restaurant serving the specialty in 1955. Barbacoa is for weekend feasts. Customers request meat by the pound or half-pound (cachete, or cheek meat, is a rich and popular cut) and then build their own tacos with tortillas, homemade garnishes, onion, and cilantro that come with each order. Brownsville is a four-hour drive from San Antonio, the closest major Texas city, but the chance to savor this disappearing border-town delicacy merits a pilgrimage
Lassis Inn (518 E. 27th St., Little Rock, AR; Owners: Elihue Washington Jr. and Maria Washington) Pictured at the top of the post
In Arkansas, ordering buffalo ribs will land you a plate of fried fish—seasoned, battered ribs cut from local big-boned buffalo fish. In Little Rock, the place to eat them is Lassis Inn. Founded by Joe and Molassis Watson in 1905, it started as a sandwich shop out of their home, with Joe later adding catfish and buffalo ribs to the menu. Lassis Inn (the name is a shorthand for Molassis) later became a meeting place for Civil Rights leaders like Daisy Bates during the ’50s and ’60s. Under current owners Elihue Washington Jr. and his wife Maria, it remains a community hub—a gathering spot where people come for buffalo ribs, cold beer, and warm conversation.
Over the course of the last week, the James Beard Foundation has revealed two honorees daily via the Foundation’s Instagram page in partnership with a selection of prominent food industry friends of the Foundation located in each of the honorees’ regions.
The America’s Classics Award is given to locally owned restaurants that have timeless appeal and are beloved regionally for quality food that reflects the character of its community. This year’s honorees join the ranks of over 100 restaurants across the country that have received the Award since the category was introduced in 1998. They will be celebrated at the annual James Beard Awards Gala on Monday, May 4, at the Lyric Opera of Chicago
Subscribe to Chicago Eats by email
If you would like to keep in touch with what’s happening in Chicago, like us on Facebook or subscribe to Chicago Eats by email. To subscribe, type your email address in the box below and click the “create subscription” button. Our list is completely spam free, and you can opt out at any time.
Let it snow! We were perfectly comfortable at our table adjacent the snow. Photo: Carole Kuhrt-Brewer
2 comments