Looking to get your eating habits back on track? Eat Like the Pros (ELTP) is an organic Chicago meal delivery service dedicated to meeting the needs of anyone looking to improve their health and wellness through good nutrition. Since working with Eat Like the Pros for the past 4 months,I realize that what is great about this company is its flexibility, convenience, fresh menu items, and its proven success with both athletes and non-athletes alike!

Our clients include professional athletes, busy Chicago/suburbs executives, families, and wellness-oriented people that strive to achieve optimal health. Owner Julie Burns’ past experience working with professional athletes including the Chicago Blackhawks, Chicago Bulls, Chicago White Sox, and Chicago Bears players has culminated in the development of a meal delivery service designed to meet the needs of active people by providing portion controlled real food from clean sources in a convenient, customized and personalized way. The “build your own” meals are flexible to meet your needs. Want only dinners? No problem! Want to add on breakfasts the next week? Great! They even offer customized meal plans to more effectively meet your health goals.

Whether you’d like to lose weight, gain muscle, improve health, or maintain body composition, Eat Like the Pros has it covered at breakfast, lunch and dinner. They use organic and locally grown ingredients whenever possible. They only use 100% grass-fed and grass-finished beef and dairy and other pasture foraged meats and eggs to truly provide premium fuel as nature intended. For more information, visit Eat Like the Pros or email customerservice@eatlikethepros.com.

Flexible + Vegetarian = Flexitarian. This term, coined by Dawn Jackson Blatner, a registered dietitian and author of The Flexitarian Diet, was the recurring theme of her cooking class at Merchandise Mart’s The Chopping Block. As my fellow classmates and I gathered into the instructional kitchen, our tastebuds waited anxiously for the 5-course meal to come. Dawn not only served up tasty dishes, but shared her nutrition knowledge, and culinary how-to’s, along with a side of laughs! “Hey, if sprinkling a little sugar on your fruit or a little salt on your vegetables means that you’ll eat them, go for it!” she jokes.

Dawn’s flexitarian approach to healthy eating is so down-to-Earth—literally! It is pro-plants, not anti-meat, which is great for anyone that still wants to enjoy grass-fed beef and pasture-raised poultry like me! Being pro-plants is something we all need to be though, and if you never thought you would CRAVE vegetarian dishes, think again. Take beans, for example. If you add a citrus flavor in the mix, blah becomes BAM! And it’s not just with beans. I learned some tricks about mixing the right type of flavors with the right type of foods—this is extremely useful for when I have only a few food items left in my fridge and pantry to work with. My favorite recipe of the night was the simple and refreshing Zucchini Carpaccio with Mint & Pinenuts. The highly-touted mandolin (a kitchen tool used for quick and precise slicing and cutting juliennes) is the MVP for this recipe, convincing me that I must invest in other culinary tools beyond the apple slicer if I really want people to take my cooking seriously! Other delish recipes included: Three-Ingredient Honey Apple Tart, Slow Roasted Tomatoes with Giant Beans and Olives, and Portobello Parmesan. Mmmmm.

When I asked Dawn what her favorite part about teaching this class is, she replied, “Showing people how to use super nourishing ingredients to create delicious food fast is my passion and in class I get to experience people trying and enjoying my food which is beyond rewarding.”

Dawn teaches at The Chopping Block each month at both the Merchandise Mart and Lincoln Square Mall locations. To learn more about her class, view her recipes, or purchase her book, The Flexitarian Diet, visit: dawnjacksonblatner.com.

schwa

[shwah}
–noun Phonetics.

1. the mid-central, neutral vowel sound typically occurring in unstressed syllables in English, however spelled, as the sound of a in alone and sofa, e in system, i in easily, o in gallop, u in circus.
2. the phonetic symbol ə, used to represent this sound.
3. a seriously amazing restaurant in Wicker Park, run by hilarious, creative, generous men who understand their food, their clientele, and what it means to truly have some “Christmas Spirit”.

All three definitions are accurate, but the third one is especially pertinent. Especially since we all learned about the first two in grade school and then forgot about them entirely until right now this second when I reminded you.

And then I more or less forgot about the whole concept of schwas for about eighteen years when my boyfriend told me that he wanted to go to Schwa (the restaurant) for his birthday. So I called for a reservation towards the end of November, maybe around the 24th, and left a message on their machine.

They got back to me in December. Not because they hated my message and not because they suck at phones, but because they are a small restaurant. And when I say “small restaurant”, I mean that there are literally twelve tables in the whole place, so getting a reservation is not the easiest thing because they’re trying to fill their restaurant to the best of their ability.

Anyway – they got back to me on a Saturday morning in December and I missed the call. So I swore repeatedly and called them back immediately.

They got back to me the following Wednesday and asked me if I’d like to come in that night. I immediately accepted and then called my boyfriend to let him know (it was his birthday present, after all) and we spent the next hour or so being incredibly giggly and excited about going.

Quail Egg Ravioli with Shaved White Truffle at Schwa

I say “the next hour or so” because the boys at Schwa called me back and were incredibly apologetic when they told me that the City of Chicago would be doing some work on the pipes or something out in front of their building and would be shutting off their water to do so. So we would NOT be able to experience the wonders of Schwa that night because of some public works nonsense. To make up for the inconvenience, the boys at Schwa offered me my pick of days and times to go for dinner – and considering I’d waited for two weeks for them to get back to me in the first place, this was an incredible gesture.

So I rescheduled for the following Wednesday and broke the news to the boyfriend.

The following Tuesday, Schwa called to reconfirm my reservation and offer some wine advice (they’re BYOB) to my giddy self. That same day, I lost my job. My boyfriend told me that I should cancel the reservation and save my money for things like groceries and so on and I was apprehensive because it’s his birthday present and I’d budgeted for it and really wanted to go.

But the next day I called to cancel because he’s right. And they’re sympathetic – maybe a little moreso than usual because we’ve been playing phone tag for a month and they kind of know me by now. So I canceled and they were nice about it and I went along my merry way.

Five minutes later, my phone rang. It was Schwa.
And they wanted us to come for dinner anyway. And they were going to pay for it.

And then I cried because I am a sap and because that kind of extreme kindness and generosity are so rare these days. And because things like this only happen in the movies.

So we went. And I cannot even begin to tell you how wonderful it was. All ten courses were perfect and inspired (standouts included an apple pie soup, ravioli with shaved truffles, brown butter, and a quail egg, and deconstructed peanut butter and jelly with homemade root beer and black pepper ice cream for dessert). There are no waiters – the chefs bring you your food and then tell you about it in a way that is personable, charming, and comes across like your smartassed friends telling you about the amazing food they just made that they’re genuinely proud of.

I can’t say enough good things about Schwa. The food’s amazing. The guys who run the place are great chefs who come up with fantastic, inventive dishes. Thank you, Schwa. Thank you for an incredible night and your generosity.

I’ll be telling people about how awesome you are until I’m blue in the face.

So your significant other suggests exploring Joliet for date night. Don’t worry, there’s more than NASCAR races and the creepy old prison.  If your significant other is anything like the one I married, he’ll start with an idea and you’ll do the planning. Do not fear, I have a list of suggestions to give you the right amount of Joliet without scaring either of you off.

To appreciate your trip, brush up on your Blues Brothers trivia. Channel your inner Joliet Jake before you depart.
Start the night with dinner at The Department.  The restaurant is the old police station with tons of character and gives a hearty nod to the Joliet of yesteryear.  The rotisserie chicken is tender, juicy, and delicious but the Isis salad is an incredible vegetarian option. In fact, the biggest thing I miss about working in Joliet is the Isis salads I would get for lunch occasionally. The Department also has a fairly impressive martini menu.

After dinner, hit up a show at the historical and recently renovated Rialto Square Theatre, a favorite establishment of Al Capone. You can walk there from The Department. On January 23, Cabaret is playing but if you can hold out until March 3, Hairspray will be there.  I saw The Temptations there with some coworkers and adored the entire evening, from the theatre itself to the great entertainment.

Celebrate the end of a fun evening at Chicago Street Pub and chat up some of the locals.  The people of Joliet who were born and raised there know all the interesting, colorful lore of days gone by. It’s a tragically historic town, parts of it having burned down during the civil rights movement, but it’s been restored to a vibrant, special place that truly deserves a visit to appreciate its history.

(photo: daskerst)

When I need to lift my spirits without spending money on retail therapy, one of my favorite things to do is go out for brunch with friends. Luckily, there are so many great restaurants in Chicago that serve brunch, I never run out of options of scrumptious things to try. After taste-testing my way around the brunch places that Chicago has to offer, I’ve compiled a list below of my favorites.

Toast Two
Location: Bucktown
I put this one at the top of my list because not only is the food delicious, the décor is quirky and perfectly reflects the name, with toasters from every decade gracing the walls. They’re known for their stuffed French toast, but I’m a savory girl, so I ordered an omelet along with chicken sausage stuffed with apple and gouda cheese, both of which exceeded my expectations. Toast Two is in Bucktown, while the original Toast is in Lincoln Park. They don’t have a website, but you can check out their menu, here.

Ann Sather
Locations: Andersonville, Lakeview, Broadway, and Southport
I have one thing to say about Ann Sather and it’s a very important thing. Are you ready? Cinnamon Rolls! All egg entrees come with two mouth-watering, gooey cinnamon rolls on the side. Do you really even need another reason to go? If you do, you can check out Ann’s menu here.

Meli Café and Juice Bar
Location: Greektown
The early bird gets the bacon at Meli, so set your alarm to avoid the crowd. The wait can be up to two hours, but the food is worth it. The ingredients are so fresh, they virtually melt in your mouth. I ordered a skillet and it was enough food to eat for brunch and dinner that night. With such a vast food selection and a healthy juice bar, you can satisfy your appetite in any way imaginable. And, it’s all presented so beautifully, you might just want to take a picture! (I did.)
See Meli’s menu here.

Orange
Location: South Loop
You really can’t call it brunch without a mimosa or bloody mary. Save some money and bring your own, because two of Orange’s four locations are BYOB! Orange gets points for its creativity, including the Frushi, fresh fruit presented as a sushi platter. I’m a fan of the pancake flights, which feature four flavors of mini pancakes, choices of which change weekly. Just like Meli’s, they have a juice bar where you can choose any combination of flavors and have your juice brought to your table just minutes after being squeezed. Visit their website to check out the list of locations and their menu.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned along my journey to discover the best brunch places in Chicago, it’s this: The one word or women-named bruncheries rule.

Photo credit: Simondee

Chicago is full of fantastic places to eat. In our melting pot, you can find any kind of food that your heart desires and any kind of family run specialty store to help you make that perfect ethnic dish.

I am a fan of Italian food. Ok, I may be a little biased since my father is an Italian immigrant. It should be no surprise that I spend a lot of my time roaming Chicago in the pursuit of the most perfect, rich flavored Italian dishes.

Most of the time finding these types of Italian food means having to shell out a ton of money, but not this time. I have found some of the best tasting and moderately priced Italian restaurant whose menus may make your head spin.

Here are my top three:

Mia Francesca

Offering entrees that rarely ever go over $25.00, Mia Francesca offers rich flavors in a romantic, cozy setting. Often visited by stars when they are in town, Mia Francesca’s is one of 19 Francesca’s in the Chicago-land area.

Their menu changes every two weeks or so, but one constant on their menu that I must have every time I visit is their carpaccio.

-If you have never had this sliced raw sirloin appetizer with various toppings including parmesan cheese and arugula, I suggest stepping out of the box and giving it a try. It is truly a unique dish that I find myself craving…

3311 North Clark Street, Chicago (773) 281-3310

Pasta Palazzo

Talk about fast Italian food at amazing prices! Pasta Palazzo takes amazing Italian food to simpliticy. The restaurant itself is one room. You can watch the chefs prepare your food while sitting at the bar or enjoy some bread and oil at one of their bar-style seating areas.

The menu, which features nothing over $10 is filled with fantastic options but there are two options, an appetizer and a entree that stand out from the rest. Their Grilled Calamari with a Lemon-Herb Vinagrette is mouth watering and always fresh.

I can’t go there without having their farfalle pomodoro formaggio. Which has bowtie pasta with fresh tomatoes, basil, goat cheese and pine nuts. If you enjoy spicy food, they can modify for you.

1966 N. Halsted, Chicago (773) 248-1400

Topo Gigio

Topo Gigio was a mouse and the star of an Italian puppet show from the 60’s. Who knew that a restaurant inspired by that little mouse could garner so much attention from local and national celebrities.

A romantic Old Town location makes it hard to get seating. Make sure to call ahead for reservations. With rich Italian flavors, Topo Gigio sticks to the classics that have worked for years.

The menu is a tad bit pricer than the other two listed options, dishes peak around $25. I recommend the campanelle alla norma, which is campanelle pasta with eggplant and aged ricotta in an arrabiata sauce. It is on the spicy side, but it is fantastic.

1516 North Wells, Chicago (312) 266-9355

One of my favorite things about living in Chicago is that there is a seemingly endless supply of new and different restaurants.  Each one tries to be more unique and chic than the next.  My boyfriend and I devote our date nights to trying new restaurants and it seems that we’ve tried all types: fancy, simple, and completely over-rated.

Our fanciest (and funniest) date was to Trump’s “Sixteen.”  We were by far the youngest people there and tried our hardest to break our server’s “penguin” like manners and façade.  As we do with all of our servers, we just wanted to know his name and chat with him like a friend.  We decided on ordering the tasting menu.  We figured if we were at the Trump we should go big, be surprised and order food we wouldn’t know how to pronounce. The first course (of several) came out and we could barely make it through the server’s long and fancy explanation before we looked at each other and laughed out loud at the tiny little creation, complete with a “squiggle” of liquid garnish.

The courses did get better (and bigger) and the service was second to none.  In fact, the service was so exquisite that we started to wonder if there were hidden cameras on our table.  We joked that we should time how many seconds it would take for one of the staff to come over and refill our glass after one of us took a sip of wine. They made it to us within seconds each time.  The atmosphere was the most unique I’ve ever experienced in Chicago, perhaps because of the beautiful view, very dim lighting and decadent crystal chandelier in the center of the restaurant. It was such a treat to dine at “Sixteen”, but we (and our $18 cocktails) aren’t planning on running back there in this lifetime.

This weekend we attended a 30^th birthday dinner at a simple Italian restaurant, a hidden gem on Armitage in Lincoln Park called “Tarantino’s.”  They had amazingly authentic food and great service.  We had a party of 20 without any slips in service, quality or timing which is quite a feat.  I don’t love Caesar salad but I had a taste of theirs and, honestly, I’m still thinking about it!  I also ordered the Black Linguine which was served with fresh shrimp and mussels in a spicy red sauce- excellent, and a new favorite!  I had never been to Tarantino’s before but I’d tell anyone to go there because it fit the bill of quality, service and atmosphere.

But sometimes curiosity prevails and you just have to try those buzz-worthy restaurants.  After trying to get a reservation for some time, we finally got in at Perennial.  The interior of the restaurant is pretty: wood floors, what seems to be live foliage and trees with a modern flair.  The backroom had lots of pretty Christmas “trees” with blue lights and ornaments.  Overall though, we were disappointed; especially after hearing such a buzz about it.  It was very loud and the seating wasn’t intimate.  Our server was on the verge of snotty, and the menu was very limited.  We did LOVE their Crudo, though, which is very flavorful raw fish drizzled in oil, lemon and herbs.

So when it comes to my favorite Chicago restaurants, I’ll pick simple any day.  All the hype, glamour and over-the-top attempts at being the most unique sometimes ruin the whole experience.  Maybe all of that glitz and glam covers up the whole point of dining out in the first place: great food and friendly service.

I’ve never been what you’d call a particularly wealthy person. Ever. There’s never been an instance that I can think of in my life where I can say I was literally rolling around on a big pile of money. But that doesn’t mean I can’t eat like I’m the kind of person who has a lot of money – right? And there’s no reason that I can’t have an amazing night out that’s as fantastic as IF I had a ton of money – right?

But the point I’m driving at here is that I like to go out. I like to eat an obscene amount of really tasty food. And sometimes I can justify spending a lot of dollars, but a lot of times I can’t. Since Chicago is such an insanely food-and-drink-driven down, it can be a little overwhelming just to pick a place for dinner.

So. I am here to help you with that – by offering an expensive option, a mid-range option, and a cheap option for various kinds of meals and occasions.

Today’s Occasion: Important Person In Your Life’s Birthday

Expensive Option: Tru
Remember that one time when you were made of money?
That was fun, wasn’t it?

Or maybe you weren’t made of money, but you’d budgeted for this event (and it is an event) and decided to be treated as though you were made of money and eat the best food you’ve ever had in your life that managed to be all kinds of fancy and refined while still coming off as a steak-and-potatoes kind of meal. You’ll eat things you’ve never had before, and some amazing spins on intensely rich classics that manage to taste completely different than anything you’ve ever had.

I recommend the Chef’s Collection – because going to a place like this isn’t something you do very often. So you might as well go balls out. Total food bill for two people getting the Chef’s Collection is $290.

Mid-Range Option: The Publican
Pig, Shellfish, Beers: The Publican in a nutshell. Community dining, locally farmed ingredients, and perfect cuts of meat – all thrown into a place that manages to magically be dim and bright, open and intimate, classy and casual – all at once.

You eat with your hands. You eat pork rinds of all things, with your hands, and they taste like heaven. You make friends with the other people at your table, and you discuss the different things you’ve all ordered and marvel over the extensive (and I do mean extensive) beer list.

Try the trio of three hams and the pork rinds as appetizers and finish with the waffle for dessert. Total food bill with those three and two entrees will run you about $75 for two.

Inexpensive Option The Bluebird
Technically this is a “gastropub”. Even more technically this place is “awesome.” It’s quiet, it’s intimate, it’s got high ceilings and exposed brick and dim lighting and an inventive and varied menu that will have you eating rabbit and thinking about how it’s not nearly as gamy as you’d imagined rabbit to be and then suddenly you’ve eaten all of it.

There’s also the “pub” aspect of the place, which is second to none in terms of quality and selection. But don’t let the gorgeous gorgeous bar fool you – this isn’t the kind of place you’d go to to make poor decisions. The Bluebird has more class than just about every other booze-serving establishment I’ve ever been in.

An appetizer and two entrees will run you about $45 – which, for someone who’s important to you, isn’t a total bank breaker.

Photo credit: JOE_M500 and Stringbot

I have a confession to make.

I live in the suburbs…and I like it.

Gasp!  I know, I know!  Can you imagine?  Oh, the horror of it all!  To live in the suburbs with all those mini vans, soccer moms, and Olive Gardens!

Well, now that we’ve gotten that out of our system, I would like to take on the daunting task of showing you that there is more to eat in the suburbs than Olive Garden!  Though, I would like to point out that almost all of my city friends ask to go to Olive Garden when they venture out this way.  I’m just sayin’…

Since the suburbs are copious and widespread, and there are more delicious restaurants than can feasibly fit into one post, this will only be a smattering of what we suburbanites have to offer in terms of tasty cuisine.  For this post, I had intended on focusing on Asian restaurants, but even that got a little out of hand.  So, for now, we’ll just chat about my favorite Japanese restaurants in the area.

Japanese food is far and away my favorite Asian cuisine.  Lucky for me, I have some of my all-time favorite Japanese restaurants just minutes from my house…

Sushi Cafe:

Located in South Elgin, Sushi Cafe easily became my absolute favorite place to go for sushi.  Now, it should be pointed out that I’m a fan of “fake” sushi.  I love California Rolls, Shrimp Tempura rolls, and…well that’s about it.  My husband, however, likes all the other stuff, so we’ve tasted our fair share of goodness at Sushi Cafe.  If you are a fan of California Rolls, I cannot say enough good things about the Spicy California Crunch Roll.  To die for.  My husband is a big unagi fan, and he loves the Chicago roll.  Overall, it’s a charming little sushi restaurant with big flavors and reasonable prices.

Swordfish & Wildfish:

Swordfish is located in Batavia, and it’s the only location that I’ve personally been to.  Wildfish has locations in Deerfield and Arlington Heights.  Swordfish is our favorite place to go for a special occasion dinner.  We’ve celebrated several of our anniversaries there.  It’s a hip, contemporary setting that features delicious sushi, as well as tasty main courses.  Generally, we stick to the sushi, but the tempura is lovely as well.  Swordfish also has an extensive wine menu.

JuRin:

JuRin has locations in Geneva and South Elgin, and both are excellent!  JuRin offers sushi, tempura, and tasty noodle dishes, but the real reason to go there is for the teppan-yaki grill.  While eating at the grill can get pricy, the food is delicious and the cooking is extremely entertaining.  This very friendly restaurant is our favorite place to go for family birthdays.  If you have a large group, I recommend getting a reservation, especially on the weekends.

So, there you have it!  There really is real food out here in the suburbs.  I hope that some of you city-folks will get your brave on, hop on the train, and journey out here to try some of these fabulous places.  I’ll even pick you up at the Metra station!

Original photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/98214568@N00/1848397061

There are things that I know I’m good at. For example, I’m a great multi-tasker, I can plan an amazing event, and I can pack a suitcase like a pro.

And I know there are things that I just can’t do. Such as, simple arithmetic, running more than a mile, and last but not least cooking.

I confess: I can’t cook. I’m a single, 20-something who lives alone that gets way too much take-out and eats way too many frozen meals. What makes me even more sad? My dad and my sister are excellent cooks. My sister even went to culinary school. In terms of being a whiz in the kitchen, I rank worst in my family.

To rectify this situation, I went out to find myself a cooking class that could teach me how to be a better cook. A Groupon “coupon” led me to one of the Mix It Up classes at Bespoke Cuisine.

A little background on Bespoke Cuisine before I jump into my night. Bespoke is a catering company that also hosts interactive cooking parties at their loft-like kitchen in the West Loop. In addition to private cooking classes for larger groups, Bespoke also hosts Mix It Up classes which are held a few times a month with different themes for each class. Past classes include French food, Tuscan nights, and Asian grilling. Classes are usually followed by a family style meal in Bespoke’s dining room or a cocktail party if it is an appetizer class. Mix It Up classes are $80 per person.

Because things are always more fun with friends, I forced two of my friends to also purchase tickets for the class and we arrived after work this past August for the summer appetizers class (baby steps for this first time chef).

First off, I have to say anywhere that is BYOB makes me squeal so I was delighted to find that I could bring my own wine to imbibe with. For anyone who doesn’t like to drink, soft drinks are provided by Bespoke. My friends and I got there a little late, but we opened up our wine and sampled the cheese trays which were also provided for us by Bespoke before we started cooking.

The set up of the night was pretty simple. After our mingling hour and cheese platter sampler, the head chef divided us up into groups and we were then assigned a chef to work with and two appetizers to make. And I have to note that I don’t think one of the chefs was bad looking so I automatically felt like I was being taught by the Voltaggio brothers on Top Chef.

My group made watermelon cubes with aged balsamic and Boursin and sweet pepper tartlettes. My only complaint for the whole night was that my group seemed to have the very simple appetizers to make considering some of the other things on the menu involved grilling, blending, and actual baking. I would have liked to try my hand at grilling the steak for the steak skewers.

I loved that hands on teaching is what our class is all about and because of this each member of my group was given a chore to do. A few of mine included cutting peppers and prepping the tartlettes. I liked that we were able to prepare everything ourselves and that the chefs were just there to give tips (like how to cut a pepper without cutting off your fingers).

When the appetizers were complete, we were encouraged to serve the other members of the class with what we had prepared so there was more time for mingling. Mingling = a great opportunity to meet new girl friends and cute chefs.

My final verdict: BYOB, cute chefs, free recipes & a better knowledge of creating great food? This place is totally worth its price tag.