“So what the hells is that schlocky mess?” you might be thinking when you look at this photo. Well, all you need to know is that Cocoa Puffs and Golden Grahams cereals morphed together Rice Krispie treat-style to form this pretty awesome dessert I spotted on the counter of the Chicago Bagel Authority. If my confectionary calculations are correct, the hybrid of the memory-inducing sugar cereals incorporates the flavors of graham crackers, chocolate, and um, marshmallows…did someone say Rice Krispie s’mores? Anyway, I didn’t get one, but I sure was fascinated. I do love everything else in this Armitage Avenue steamed bagel sandwich lunch mainstay. With most sandwiches still under $6, it’s a steal, but sadly enough, the restaurant seems to be the only thing still bustling on the strangely ghost-town-esque Lincoln Park strip. Chicago Bagel Authority, 953 Armitage Ave., 773.248.9696
Category Archives: ..and more
Chicago Bagel Authority
Filed under ..and more, quick lunch, random spottings
Burger Baron
In an ongoing effort to try to pay more attention to details around me, I continue to wonder about places I pass on an almost daily basis. Like Burger Baron. It’s one of those breakfast, lunch, dinner, salad, gyro, burgers (duh), chicken, hot dogs, “beefs” places that seems too good to be true, yet I have never ventured inside. Easily mistaken for Burger Barn, the Baron is never empty, so someone’s eating there. If you actually have, give me the scoop. In the meantime, I do like how their Web site tells you to “have fun,” but the highly random music reminiscent of Enigma circa 1997? Um. Yeah, you’re going to want to turn down your speakers. Burger Baron, 1387 W. Grand Ave., 312.733.3285
Filed under ..and more, quick lunch, random spottings, thick
Black sesame flan at Kaze
We saw black sesame flan on the dessert menu of Kaze in Roscoe Village and had to have it. Not only because the description included slightly sweetened basil seed extract, fresh cherries and sugar candy, but because we knew that the crazier any dessert sounds at Kaze, the better it probably is. I already gushed over my obsession with their asparagus pudding last summer, and must now express my newfound infatuation with black sesame flan. From the color you expect almost a green tea mousse, but the black sesame imparts a nutty flavor that strangely reminded me of a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup. The sweet basil seed extract may look like ants making a beeline for a picnic but it’s addictive and serves as almost a sweet syrupy dipping sauce for the flan. Spun sugar garnishes are pretty, but let’s face it, meant to be broken into delicate crunchy candy bits that add even more texture and sweetness to the dessert. But keep in mind that at Kaze, the best isn’t only saved for last, they also have killer sushi, seafood entrées and sweet potato soup to start. Kaze Sushi 2032 W. Roscoe, 773.327.4860
Filed under ..and more, great for date, I like to eats
The buzz over “Antennae”
I guess I figured $200 ant eggs would’ve given it away, but it appears some close friends were asking me to tell them more about the insect restaurant story posted on April 1. I also realized that a reader looking back at the post someday or searching for edible insect recipes may not notice the date, hence scouring Division street for crispy worms this summer. Antennae (I almost went with Insecto) may work in Mexico, but alas, it was just a foodie April Fool’s joke. Heh.
Filed under ..and more
And the mystery post winners are…
I love the mystery posts, but I love mystery post guessers even more! I’ve had a slew of recent winners who are all furiously working away at their guest blog posts as we eat. Tonia Kim of Toki Collection guessed the Sushi Wabi sink, while Catherine “Cathy” Pilgrim kicked it back to October and correctly guessed the EAT sign from Salt and Pepper Diner. She’s already got her Mojo Spa post in mind. Molly Schemper of the fab Fig Catering identified the red buddha as the Urban Belly logo, and Kate Bongiovanni of the fitness blog fit-ink.com must not have been counting calories when she guessed the study in American Gothic hot dogs mural in the bathroom at Hot Dougs. And amid all the mystery post craziness, I’ve failed on my promised (and re-promised) reviews of Sunda, Hoosier Mama and more…but watch for ’em and more mystery posts to come!
Filed under ..and more, mystery spot
Roto-foodie
Have a Bite
I could never tire of the eye candy at Rotofugi, from colorful plush monsters to ass-kicking vinyl ninjas, robots and other inanimate objects. But I truly can’t get enough of the tiny and totally freakin’ adorable food toys from Japanese company Re-Ment USA (warning, serious cute factor ahead) I spotted this weekend. Lilliputian burgers, shakes, fries, kebabs and more are in the “Have a Bite” collection, while rice bowls and cakes are hidden inside the “Triple Meals Deluxe.” The “Fun Meals” collection includes wee waffles and berries while “Sushi Bar” features a sushi, tea and wasabi meal called “Wasabi makes my eyes watery.” Like baseball cards and many of the toys at Rotofugi, the collections are packaged in “blind boxes,” so you don’t know which one you’re getting, but they’re all so darn cute it hardly matters. 1953 W. Chicago Ave., 312.491.9501
Triple Meals Deluxe
Burger shop toys
Filed under ..and more, random spottings
Bleeding Heart Bakery cupcakes
It’s the first day of spring! I’d say to celebrate with a red velvet, but I’m going to add the s’mores cupcake from Bleeding Heart Bakery to my list of new loves. The campfire-inspired creation features a chocolate cupcake covered with lightly brûléed marshmallow fluff and a chunk of what tastes like a graham cracker in cake form. A dab of mint chocolate frosting hiding inside is a welcome surprise and I love the red wrapper. I spotted these at the Coffee Studio, but I assume you can score them at the bakery as well. Bleeding Heart Bakery, 1955 W. Belmont.
Filed under ..and more, I like to eats, random spottings
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