CHEF’S TRAVELOGUE
Chicago, more than just deep dish pizza and hot dogs
Chicago is often referred to as America’s Second City, but it doesn’t play second fiddle to New York. Known for its long sporting and architectural history, the metropolis is also well-loved for its museums, jazz festivals, and of course, food.
Many of Chicago’s signatures actually originate elsewhere, giving rise to its reputation as having one of the most eclectic ethnic and culinary makeups among all the American states. The locals don’t always use the actual official names to refer to their neighbourhoods which can add to the confusion. For instance, you could live in West Town, but still say that you live in the East Village area of the Ukrainian Village. And if you’re from Lake View, you could be from East Lake View, Boystown, Wrigleyville or Depaul.
With its rich musical history, it’s no surprise that Chicago offers the most number of dance and music festivals in the country. Apart from the famed Chicago blues, the city is also known for its distinctive style of jazz; house music (invented and popularised in the ‘80s by record producer and remixer Frankie Knuckles), as well as stepping and ghetto-juke music, both of which originated from the city’s South Side. When it comes to food, Chicago offers infinite venues with a lively buzz to match its trendy ethnic mix. The burgeoning bar and pub scene offers great drinks and fine dining quality food.
The ambience is always chic yet relaxed, with top service minus the stuffiness. No matter what’s your cup of tea, you will be able to find it in Chicago, and most likely, you’re going to love it.
Celebrated variety
Thanks to Chicago’s geography, you’re able to find practically anything from the north to the south, with the differences in temperature and terroir allowing for a wide variety of produce. With the rise of more fine dining restaurants and organic food lovers, there is a greater demand for quality produce. Despite being more mid-west orientated, more and more top notch products can being readily found in Chicago’s markets. I highly recommend visiting Logan Square Farmers Market and Maxwell Street Market, both of which are bursting with great local produce. For quality imported products, head to Eataly Chicago. The vibrant Italian marketplace features an interesting mix of food markets and Italian eateries. There is an impressive selection of authentic produce available at very reasonable prices, including a huge selection of artisanal cheeses and charcuterie.
While Chicago is home to several different ethnic foods, and amazing South American and Asian districts, the city still holds on strongly to some of its heritage street food dishes. For example, the jibarito is a traditional Puerto Rican sandwich using flattened, fried green plantains instead of bread. It’s native to Chicago and traces back to the restaurateur Juan Figueroa who introduced it at his Puerto Rican Borinquen Restaurant in Humboldt Park in 1996. Some of Chicago’s other iconic classics include Chicago-style hot dogs, which were born in the post-great Depression era and have risen to the ranks of a Chicago staple. Dig into a steamed all-beef frankfurter on a poppy seed bun and served with the works. Just remember not to ask for ketchup whenever you have a hot dog here; Chicago-style deep dish pizza, which is closer to a quiche than a traditional pizza pie; the Italian Beef – a thinly sliced seasoned roast beef sandwich originating from the 1930’s served au jus on a long Italian-style roll; and the famous Maxwell Street Polish Sausage, a sandwich consisting of a grilled or fried Polish sausage topped with grilled onions, yellow mustard and pickled whole, green sport peppers, and served on a bun.
For fine dining, Chicago has carved a niche for itself with the likes of Grant Achatz, chef-owner of three Michelin-starred Alinea. In my opinion, it’s the most creative restaurant in the world and a must-try if you are in town.
Sinful cake shakes and more
For great casual food, Portillo’s is a popular taqueria known for its sinful Italian beef sandwich bun with caramelised onions and Polish sausage; and its chocolate cake shake. The cook actually blends a thick slice of double chocolate cake in the liquidiser. It’s a 1,000 calorie shake, and you can run a marathon after, but it’s so worth it. Head to Rubi’s at Maxwell Street Market for tacos, (The market is only open on Sundays.) It’s the address for sensational, cheap tacos with a full-on Mexican atmosphere.
Honky Tonk BBQ is a classic, rustic Midwest barbeque style eatery that specialises in smoked spare ribs, apple-and-oak-smoked pork, and beef brisket. If you’re more of a burger lover, check out Kuma’s Corner for its serious burger menu - and they have a Sons of Anarchy overall feel, complete with a metal-head waiter.
Vying for the top handmade deep dish pizza spot is the familyowned Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria. The word on the street is that the pizzeria has stayed close to its 40-year-old original recipe, including ingredients like fresh mozzarella cheese from the same small dairy that has supplied the pizzeria over the four decades.
Finally, after a long day of working or if you’re having a late night out with friends, find your way down to Jim’s Original (it’s open 24/7) and get yourself a Polish sausage with mustard and onions.
Combing through the Windy City
Start the day with brunch at Giordano’s for pizza and enjoy that with a stroll along the Chicago Riverwalk, a continuous walkway with restaurants, bars and urban attractions. You’ll immediately understand how Chicago got its blustery reputation. Pass by Portillo’s for lunch for a Chicago style hot dog or the iconic Italian beef sandwich. Order the latter hot with giardiniera peppers or sweet with sweet peppers; dipped or wet (the bread is quickly dunked), juicy (wetter) or soaked (even wetter). Al’s Beef in Little Italy claims to be the inventor of the sandwich and has won countless awards since its founding in 1938. Another popular dive for Italian beef is Mr. Beef on Orleans, a small space known for its big flavours. The popular joint is always busy despite having just standing counter space and communal sitting tables.
For fine dining, head to The Blanchard, or even better, Alinea; the latter offers modernist New American cuisine with a choice of
three distinct dining experiences. There’s no à la carte menu menu, only choices of tasting menus. The private Alinea Kitchen Table offers the most intimate, innovative cutting-edge experience, The Gallery @ Alinea on the first floor boasts a 16-18 course menu, while The Salon @ Alinea on the second floor offers 10-14 course menus.
Finally, for great watering holes, you can’t beat Dusek’s Board & Beer, Jim’s Original, or the famous Green Mill Cocktail Lounge; the latter was the official hangout of Al Capone and his cronies in the 1920s.
Daniele Sperindio, 31, has trained under top chefs such as Yoshihiro Narisawa of two Michelin-starred Narisawa, and Grant Achatz of three Michelin-starred Alinea. Sperindio was also the sous chef at the (now defunct) Michelin-starred Antica Osteria del Bai in Genoa. After a stint in Miami, he moved to Singapore in 2012 as group head chef of Tippling Club. Sperindio is currently the executive chef at ATLAS, offering a mod-european menu accentuated with eclectic flavours.