Rick Bayless is a highly acclaimed chef of Mexican cuisine, especially in the Chicago area. He has over five restaurants and catering companies in Illinois, and he is widely known for his television show, Mexico One Plate At a Time on PBS. Bayless has made multiple appearances on the Food Network, so it is not surprising that the channel has praised many of his restaurants, including Topolobampo. Located on North Clark Street in downtown Chicago, the restaurant is right in the middle of all the action. “Topolo,” as the frequent visitors call the restaurant, is known for being the quieter, possibly classier version of its sister site Frontera Grill, also owned by Bayless. Rick’s goal is to enhance the typical reputation that Mexican cuisine has by putting an upscale twist on the food, while maintaining the authentic flavors and techniques.
In most households moms are masters of the kitchen—always knowing the perfect meal to prepare for when you’re feeling down or sick, to celebrate an accomplishment or special occasion, or just a favorite dish that brings everyone to the table no matter their busy schedules. Show your mom how much she means to you and how much you appreciate all she’s done, and cooked, over the years by treating her to a delicious dinner on Sunday, May 12th. Enjoy each other's company at one of these delicious NYC restaurants that are sure to get mom’s coveted seal of approval at first bite of their Mother’s Day prix fixe menus and specials.
The sight of the bright floral-print Marimekko umbrellas clustered in Worth Square intersection between Broadway, Fifth Avenue and 25th Street means spring has finally arrived—especially for those who lunch daily in the Flatiron District. The bi-annual outside food market, Madison Square Eats, which kicked off a month of tasty eats on Friday, May 3rd, features thirty of the most popular eateries in the city. The pop-up food market is perfect for an al fresco lunch or dinner featuring both brick and mortar restaurants as well as food trucks. From now until May 31st you can try your best to eat your way through Worth Square sampling dishes from returning Madison Sq. Eats alums such as ASIADOG, Mighty Balls, Roberta’s, Nunu Chocolates, Momofuku Milk Bar, ilili, Mayhem & Stout and market newcomers, Dreamscoops Ice Cream, Eleni’s New York, Mason Jar NYC, MMM ENFES, Mrs. Dorsey’s Kitchen, SEOUL LEE BAR B CUE, Sunday Gravy NYC, and Third Rail Coffee.
Madison Square Eats is open from 11am to 9pm daily from now until May 31st.
The First Annual Sustainable Seafood Week is taking place in NYC from May 13th through May 19th! The mission of the events during this week are to bring awareness to food origins while shedding light on the benefits of supporting local fisherman, chefs, and organizations. The events vary from chef demonstrations to film screenings and 5-course dinners. Here's three Sustainable Seafood Week events that shouldn't be missed!
This benefit will kick-off Sustainable Seafood Week and display some of the most sustainable wild-caught and farm-raised seafood in the area. The event will take place on May 13th from 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm at Riverpark (490 East 29th Street). You can buy your tickets here.
This upcoming weekend kicks off the summer partying scene with Cinco de Mayo parties all over the country but there’s also another event worth celebrating this weekend that honors all things southern. The “greatest two minutes in sports” gives you an excuse to wear a ridiculous bonnet with feathers, tulle, and more while sipping on a traditional drink, the mint julep. Bad bets and thoroughbred racehorses aside, the 139th Annual Kentucky Derby is reason to celebrate with these events, drink specials, and snacks.
Upon entering the dining area of Oya, the first thing you'll notice is its strikingly luxurious interior design. Ornamented with chandeliers, feather covered columns, and a few of those cool fire pits with the glass in the bottom, you can’t help but anticipate an equally opulent meal. Oya delivers.
The menu features an array of carefully engineered sushi, small and large plates, and a prix fixe menu for lunch ($22) and dinner ($36). I was very hungry so I decided against sushi and instead ordered two of Oya's Land Small Plates: BBQ Sticky Ribs and the Beef Short Rib Wellington. The sticky ribs had a delicious caramel sweetness that was like eating those Werther’s Originals my grandmother would give me, except the ribs weren’t old and melted together. Cooked to the perfect tenderness, slathered with a soy-lemongrass glaze, and complimented with citrusy coleslaw, the BBQ Sticky Ribs were an interesting and delightful spin on a southern comfort staple.
Selling out in less than two weeks, The Village Voice Choice Street event is set to be one of the fastest growing and most sought out food festivals to hit the city. The little brother of The Village Voice Choice Eats food tasting event, Choice Streets brings together the city’s favorite food trucks all into one venue. As much as we love food trucks, that tends to be the most aggravating aspect of our love-hate relationship—tracking our favorite trucks down. Like Choice Eats, which brings together Village Voice’s favorite restaurants from throughout the five boroughs, Choice Streets takes out the traveling and gives foodies an opportunity to try food trucks that may never make their way over to their neighborhood or near their job.
Food and wine are universal pleasures that go hand-in-hand with eachother. The culinary world has invented an art form when it comes to pairing wine with the perfect dish. Companies like Planet Bordeaux, aim to educate wine aficionados on the various flavors and blends that are available in markets all over the world. Recently, the company visited Chicago to host an event at the Skydeck of the Willis Tower. The event was open to the public from 5pm to 8pm and was enjoyed by about 300 guests. Multiple wineries attended the event and allowed visitors to taste samples of their wine selections. Visitors were exposed to many selections that are not even available in the U.S. market as of yet. Visitors were also able to make notes on their favorite beverages and meet with representatives from the wineries if they were interested in discovering more about each one.
You’ve got the tequila, Coronas, and the frozen margarita machine packed with ice to kick off the first weekend of May. Chances are you bought maracas and the biggest sombrero you could find from the party store. The only thing missing is great eats to round out your Cinco de Mayo celebration. Here are five recipes to make your Cinco de Mayo unforgettable and probably help keep you off the floor after doing one too many tequila shots!
Appetizers:
Guacamole & Chips (Courtesy of Bon Appetit)