ELIZABITES

January 20, 2009 · 12:05 am

Chilean fruit

So, we didn’t only down stiff Pisco Sours on the trip, thanks to the Chilean Fresh Fruit Association, we were lucky enough to tour the fresh fruit orchards and vineyards of Chile. Most were 1-2 hours from Santiago by bus, surrounded by lush green hills, a back drop of the Andes and a constant stream of warm sunlight. We were able to see everything from where the fruits are grown, packed and then eventually shipped from the port city of Valparaiso. It was a fascinating look at how fresh Chilean fruit including blueberries, avocados, table grapes, apples and pears make it to the grocery store looking lovely, even in the dead of winter.

Red table grapes, Copiapo Valley, Chile

Green table grapes, Copiapo Valley

Organic apple orchard, Placilla, Chile

Handmade birdhouses are a haven for insect-eating birds in the organic orchards

Blueberry orchard, Lampa, Chile

Blueberries ready for shipping, Vitalberry, Lampa, Chile

Pears being sorted, Placilla, Chile

Sauvignon Blanc Grapes, Manent Vue Winery

Sauvignon Blanc Grapes, Viu Mament Winery

Vineyards, Viu Mament, Chile

Colorful crates stacked up at Greenvic Organic Orchards, Placilla, Chile

Valparaiso, the main port for exporting Chilean fruit

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January 19, 2009 · 12:05 am

Pisco Sour

Well, I never managed to finish one, but I tried three different Pisco Sours in Chile, two in Santiago and one in the historic seaport city of Valparaíso. Stateside, I’ve tried the refreshing local version served at the Violet Hour and at The Slanted Door in San Francisco. But the ones in Chile, where the drink supposedly originated (Peru also hotly stakes its claim on the cocktail), were stronger and more flavorful with frothier egg whites, fresh fruit juice and tart Pisco liquor (a South American liquor made from grapes). I tried the traditional Chilean version (Pisco, lemon or lime juice, simple syrup and bitters), which was very similiar to the one I sipped at The Slanted Door, but much stronger. The Peruvian-style Pisco was even better, with more limejuice than lemon, less egg white froth and just one small dash of bitters. But my favorite didn’t seem to have any egg whites or bitters, but was spiked with green chiles that lent a bit of heat to cut the acid and sweetness. I also loved the glassware, which was either a narrow glass goblet or Champagne flute, and each restaurant has a Pisco Sour menu with variations featuring fruit or ginger. They serve them everywhere, even in the airport and they kicked off pretty much every meal we had.

Traditional pisco sour from La Cocina de Javier, Santiago, Chile

A Peruvian pisco sour at Cinefuegos, Santiago, Chile

Pisco sour with green chiles at Cafe Turri, Valparaiso, Chile

Pisco sour with green chiles at Cafe Turri, Valparaíso, Chile

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January 18, 2009 · 6:26 pm

Chile week

Lemme tell you, it wasn’t easy to leave 85-degree temps for the Chicago tundra that awaited, but I returned from my week long visit to Chile over the weekend. I have lots to report, from the green chile-spiked Pisco Sours to my visits to organic apple orchards, blueberry fields, vineyards and more. We ate awesome seafood, steak and empanadas, drank Chilean wines including Carmenère, and tried local delicacies like miel de ulmo honey, lucuma fruit jam and Serrano ham potato chips! I’ll be posting stories and pics from my visit all week, finishing up on Friday with some of my favorite non-food related photos I captured in and around Santiago as well as the historic port city of Valparaiso and more. Enjoy.

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January 10, 2009 · 12:13 pm

Chile bound

Elizabites is on the move again, this time to South America. I’m heading there for work this week, and will be exploring everything from the avocado orchards to the vineyards. Needless to say, I am more than just pretty psyched. There won’t be much posting, but check back for updates if I can swing ’em. If not, regular blogging and trip coverage will return in about a week!

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January 10, 2009 · 12:07 am

On the table: Le Colonial

White tablecloth, white paper, two plates, two napkins, two forks, two knives, two sets chopsticks, two wine glasses, two candles, vase with orchid. 937 N. Rush St., 312.255.0088

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January 9, 2009 · 9:05 am

Meet Meatpaper

Print magazines may be in trouble, but I hope they never get rid of Meatpaper, a very cool San Francisco-based meat culture magazine I recently discovered. The design of the print publication rocks, and I love the Web site where you can see “featured meat art” and a great “meat love” animation dug up from 1989.

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January 8, 2009 · 12:05 am

Sonotheque signs

Sumptin’…I don’t know what..is happening to the Sonotheque façade in the way of a renovation (anyone know?). I guess it was time for a facelift on the six-year-old West Town music lounge, but I hope they keep the old Casey’s Liquors sign still painted on the outside brick wall. I remember getting kegs from Casey’s back in my Racine/Lake loft-party days, and the sign brings back memories. Sometimes they’re facing alleys or are partly cut-off by building additions, but I love spotting these hidden signs from the past on brick walls around the city, anyone know of any other great ones? Sonotheque, 1444 W. Chicago Avenue

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January 7, 2009 · 12:05 am

Sweet on Fox & Obel

Pretty much every corner of Fox & Obel is eye candy, but I love their bulk candy section with rare finds like white chocolate gummy bears, mango licorice, Valrhona chocolates of varying cocoa percentages and “bizarre” jawbreakers. The perfect pit stop before a movie across the street. 401 E. Illinois St., 312.410.7301