David Hammond – Page 8

19th-century Viennese chef Franz Sacher would be pleased, I think, by the version of his eponymous chocolate cake served at Café Selmarie in Lincoln Square. First, the top of each slice of Sacher torte is decorated with his name, elegantly written in chocolate script. Second, the cake is a real looker: Layers of chocolate cake are mortared with raspberry preserve and chocolate buttercream; the whole thing is then frosted with more buttercream and wrapped in a smooth sheet of bittersweet chocolate — firm enough to be eaten on its own, if you like, with a fork. Third, every bite is delicious. The devil's food cake is firm and pleasant, while the raspberry offers a deep berry counterpoint to all the chocolate. $4.20. 4729 N. Lincoln Ave., 773-989-5595, <a href="http://cafeselmarie.com/" target="_blank">www.cafeselmarie.com</a>. — Bill Daley

Drink This: For travel buffs, a cocktail inspired by Mark Twain’s travelogue

June 8, 2018 at 8:32 p.m.

Choosing a cocktail to kick off dinner is a decision not to be taken lightly. "Innocents Abroad," says Roger Landes, head bartender at The Loyalist, "is always my recommendation for...

Six wild Burgundian snails are the star of the wood-grilled escargot ($12) at Le Sud. The Roscoe Village restaurant's version of this dish is not hiding in a pool of garlic butter or served in a scalding hot dish. Presented on a skewer, the mollusks are brushed with olive oil infused with herbs de provence before they're grilled, absorbing a delicate smoky flavor that lingers in your mouth. Tender and buttery, the snails are served with a few generous pats of herb butter that melt, adding another layer of fragrance and lusciousness. A side of green salad dressed with olive oil, lemon and salt provides a bright contrast to the skewer and a hearty country bread serves as a foundation for assembling a makeshift toast point. The portion is small, so make your dining companions order their own. $12. 2301 W. Roscoe St., 773-857-1985, <a href="https://lesudchicago.com/">lesudchicago.com</a> — Grace Wong

Eat This: A fried-pickle superfan tells you where to get Chicago’s best

May 2, 2019 at 12:47 p.m.

I am a fried-pickle aficionado, and I've spent probably too much time pondering the value of pickle coins vs. spears, sweet vs. dill, cornmeal batter vs. flour. But Gary Wiviott,...

With tea, it's best to cup before you buy. And no, it has nothing to do with suction cups.

The art of tea cupping, explained by a Forest Park tea shop owner

June 9, 2018 at 12:14 a.m.

The word "cupping," to some, may refer to the ancient medical practice of suctioning the skin to encourage blood flow. If you're a tea enthusiast, however, cupping refers to the...

How to understand the mystery of tea, with 6 classic types

June 9, 2018 at 1:15 a.m.

With cooler weather coming, warmer beverages sound better every day. Still, you can drink only so much coffee, and some of us are perhaps already a little, um, over-caffeinated. Maybe...

Drink This: How about a little tequila in that green juice?

June 9, 2018 at 3:32 a.m.

The phrase "cold-pressed juice" conjures up images of early mornings, yoga pants and Fitbits. But now, you can quaff a version of that BluePrint cleanse in your evening cocktail at...

Eat This: Some of the best ribs in Chicago, found at El Che Bar

May 2, 2019 at 12:46 p.m.

Lamb, the other red meat, has a way to go before Americans consume it in anything like the quantities that we devour beef. "People think lamb is gamy or barnyard-y,"...

Drink This: Raise glass of authentically brewed Hefeweizen at Hofbrauhaus

June 9, 2018 at 9:53 a.m.

Hefeweizen, southern German wheat beer, has been brewed at Munich's Hofbrauhaus since 1602 — and right now at Hofbrauhaus Chicago. The Hefeweizen at Hofbrauhaus Chicago isn't just German "style" beer;...

Drink This: Finally, a bloody mary that’s not over the top

June 9, 2018 at 11:51 a.m.

The bloody mary so often seems just silly, festooned with bacon, pizza, sliders or other zany accoutrements, more gag than beverage. At West Town Bakery & Diner, though, they get...

Licor 43: An underrated liqueur finds its place

June 12, 2018 at 5:32 a.m.

Over dessert at Fig + Olive in Chicago, we enjoyed a glass of Licor 43, a light yellow liqueur that conveys flavors of vanilla, toasted marshmallows, powdered sugar and very...

Sotol might be the next Mexican spirit you’ll be ordering

June 11, 2018 at 9:14 p.m.

Tequila, popular in margaritas since the '30s or '40s, has gotten a big boost in recent years, as premium — and lately artisan — versions have moved in. Its cousin...

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