The Foodie Thread

[YankeeFan]

All right, we've got pizza and hot dog threads, but we lack a thread for foodies.

This is it.

I'll start if off. I'm super excited for Friday night's dinner.

I've written on other threads about the guy that started a meatball sandwich truck. Well, he used to be the chef at the fancy restaurant at the Palmer House Hilton here in town.

His meatball business is doing well. He's got three trucks now and he has people working for him.

So, he's decided to do some fancy dinners 3 nights a week in the small space he has to cook his meatballs.

It's not in a good part of town, and it only fits 10 people, but it looks awesome.

It's strictly a tasting menu -- something like 12 courses.

There are some great pictures on his Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/elideaschi#!/elideaschi?sk=wall

And this review is pretty extensive and has a ton of pictures: http://www.lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=32383&p=383249

Yelp also has a few glowing reviews: http://www.yelp.com/biz/el-ideas-chicago-2

It's $125.00 per person and, since they don't have a liquor license, it's BYOB. They suggested a sparkling wine.

I was able to get the reservation yesterday because someone canceled and they tweeted that they had an opening.

And then in a small world coincidence, I had a meeting this morning at the coffee bar in the Whole Foods down the street. I ended up running into the chef who was on his way out after doing some shopping. I let him know that I was coming in on Friday and that I was looking forward to it.

Who's next?

 

[Uncle.Ruckus]

So what's the point of this thread? Anything food related? Upcoming restaurant trips? What you're currently eating? Recipes? Any? All?

 

[YankeeFan]

So what's the point of this thread? Anything food related? Upcoming restaurant trips? What you're currently eating? Recipes? Any? All?

Yeah, basically.

I think "Foodies" know who they are.

So, if you've tried something new, spotted a trend, went to an awesome meal, let us know.

 

[YGBFKM]

the small space he has to cook his meatballs.

Hopefully it doesn't get too sweaty in there.

 

[Uncle.Ruckus]

$125 sans alcohol? Seems steep.

 

[YGBFKM]

Actually, a place for recipes and such would be great. I know we have the what's for supper thread, but some new blood might get the food-obsessed among us to share their secrets. TBF, I'm looking at you.

Also, YF can post stuff about new fancy restaurants which I can then mock.

 

[YankeeFan]

the small space he has to cook his meatballs.

Hopefully it doesn't get too sweaty in there.

You'll appreciate his sense of humor.

His Shweddy Balls are made with Tunisian-style lamb, chicken, and a spicy tomato sauce.

http://www.meatyballsmobile.com/MB/Our_Menu.html

 

[YankeeFan]

$125 sans alcohol? Seems steep.

Yeah. But Alinea is $210 and Next, which is the Alinea guy's new place is usually around $165. (They sell pre-paid "tickets" through their website, and it's impossible to get into.)

http://www.alinea-restaurant.com/pages/menus/menu.html

But, this should be pretty cool. The guy's a good chef. I've gotten to know him a little bit, and he's a good guy too, so that makes it easier.

And, since it's BYOB, that'll save a little money.

 

[YankeeFan]

And, I knew YGBFKM would be along to mock me well before I started this thread.

 

[Uncle.Ruckus]

It's just weird the thought of spending that much on meatballs and such, no matter how delicious.

If I'm spending that, I'm going to Morton's or Gibson's or Ruth's Chris and getting a porterhouse the size of my head.

But let us know how it goes.

 

[YGBFKM]

I'd actually love to check out some of that stuff, but I have trouble buying clothes for myself, much less dropping two bills on a meal.

 

[YankeeFan]

It's just weird the thought of spending that much on meatballs and such, no matter how delicious.

If I'm spending that, I'm going to Morton's or Gibson's or Ruth's Chris and getting a porterhouse the size of my head.

But let us know how it goes.

No, no, no.

Meatballs is his day to day business. Sold off of a truck downtown. 8 bucks a sandwich.

Thursday, Friday, Saturday is fine dining. Sit down, 12 course tasting menu.

Totally modern stuff -- no meatballs.

 

[Uncle.Ruckus]

Oh, ok. Take pictures.

 

[Care Bear]

That lollipopped chicken looks amazing. Saw Batali make something similar on an old Iron Chef the other day. Love the idea of a "gourmet" wing. The smoked oyster looks awesome, too. Should be a fun night.

 

[YGBFKM]

I'll drag down this thread a bit by talking condiments.

Actually, salad dressing.

When I was a kid, my mom made all the family salads with Green Goddess. Loved the stuff. Years ago, though, I stopped seeing it in the store. Figured it had been discontinued. Wept a little.

Anyway, fast-forward a couple decades and I'm out recently with the wife and my mom at a really nice waterfront restaurant. Turns out, they offer a special salad ith Green Goddess. Our waiter then proceeds to tell us the history of it. Not that fascinating, but who ****ing cares. I found my baby again.

Well, my mom, being a mom, goes back home and tracks down the stuff. They still make it. I'm pleased. Even better, my mom sends us two bottles of the stuff with our latest baby-related package. I still love the stuff, but I'm not even the biggest fan in the house.

It's the anti-ketchup; it makes EVERYTHING taste better. It brings people together.

Anyway, back to pretentious meatballs and ****.

 

[Uncle.Ruckus]

There's an Italian slur to be had in that last line, but I can't come up with it.

 

[JR]

I generally dislike the "foodies" label. Bunch of overly pretentious people taking pics of their plates and posting them on Twitter. But YF, I know what you mean.

And places like Ruth Chris's or Mortons don't attract foodies. They attract the corporate crowd who have more money than brains. Price has no relation to quality.

Here's a link to an astonishingly good "nose to tail" resto here in Toronto. They make their own charcuterie. That includes smoking their own bacon and making their own sausages--pork and lamb.

http://thebeastrestaurant.com/

Prices are reasonable and can best be described as casual elegant.

 

[Sam Mills 51]

So what's the point of this thread? Anything food related? Upcoming restaurant trips? What you're currently eating? Recipes? Any? All?

Yeah, basically.

I think "Foodies" know who they are.

So, if you've tried something new, spotted a trend, went to an awesome meal, let us know.

You're looking for foodies among sports journalists? Might as well try to get folks in Bel Air to write a how-to on dumpster diving.


(One time, the good chef with the Carolina Hurricanes tried serving salmon cakes as a pregame meal. As the then-AP sports editor for North Carolina succinctly put it, "we're sportswriters. Simple sh_t." Whalercanes staff got the message and things improved in a hurry.)

 

[YankeeFan]

Here's a link to an astonishingly good "nose to tail" resto here in Toronto. They make their own charcuterie. That includes smoking their own bacon and making their own sausages--pork and lamb.

http://thebeastrestaurant.com/

Prices are reasonable and can best be described as casual elegant.

This guy was a chef at a top restaurant:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Butcher-Larder/150638594982815#!/pages/The-Butcher-Larder/150638594982815?sk=info

He would butcher his own animals.

He's now opened his own butcher shop. He makes charcuterie, sausage, and Pâtés/terrines.

He does one hot sandwich & one cold sandwich every day.

He's supplying a bunch of restaurants & doing well.

He also does demos/classes.

This was the least graphic photo of one I could find:

 

[YankeeFan]

Oh, and in addition to YGBFKM making fun of me, I was counting on your participation when I started the thread.