Joseph Hernandez – Page 32

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

Parson’s now selling its signature hot sauces

June 11, 2018 at 3:27 p.m.

Parson's Chicken & Fish, Logan Square's destination for fried chicken and ample patio seating, is now bottling and selling its housemade hot sauces for retail. Available in chef Hunter Moore's...

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

Patti LaBelle unveils new cobblers, cakes for Walmart — how do they taste?

April 7, 2019 at 9:26 a.m.

'Shout out to Patti LaBelle, honey!" And with that auspicious beginning, James Wright Chanel's YouTube love letter to Patti LaBelle's branded sweet potato pie went viral — to the tune...

Eat This: Ask for the ‘pasta back,’ a secret menu item at Maple & Ash

May 2, 2019 at 12:42 p.m.

The Gold Coast's most irreverent steakhouse, Maple & Ash, is always full of surprises. Take the seafood tower, that dramatic monolith of steakhouse culture. With his usual playful exuberance, chef...

Agua fresca, refreshing and easy to make at home, takes off in Chicago

June 9, 2018 at 8:18 p.m.

'Agua fresca." Even saying it conjures visions of sandy vistas, straw hats blocking out tropical sun, and technicolor Collins glasses sweating beads of condensation. The name is translated as "fresh...

5 things to eat, drink, do this weekend

June 11, 2018 at 6:51 p.m.

This weekend's hitlist runs the gamut, from a do-good barbecue to a vegan pie party. 1. Soak up the sangria What is summer if not for sangria? Celebrate the seasonal...

Big Star unveils reserve whiskey list with impressive single-barrel options

June 10, 2018 at 12:29 a.m.

Not to alarm you, but autumn is creeping up on us. (Cue sad face.) While we begin the downward slope into the cooler part of the year, lots of us...

Lend an ear to corn and shrimp pancakes that celebrate summer

May 2, 2019 at 1:05 p.m.

We're at the apex of the summer vegetable harvest, and there's no time like the present to stock up on favorites like zucchini, tomatoes and corn. Especially corn. Shuck a...

Seize the season: 5 dishes that show off the beauty of late-summer tomatoes

May 2, 2019 at 1:05 p.m.

Tomatoes are synonymous with late summer — when ripe and plump, they promise to explode with juice and flavor, a comforting reminder than sunshine can be contained and that tomatoes...

Drink This: Delicious, dairy-free nut milks at new Lincoln Square cafe

June 11, 2018 at 9:01 p.m.

Lincoln Square is not wanting for cafes and coffee shops. On the southern corner of Lincoln and Montrose avenues, it starts with Julius Meinl; continue north on Lincoln toward the...

5 things to eat, drink, do this weekend

June 10, 2018 at 10:06 a.m.

Travel the world this weekend without leaving the city. From a Louisana-style crayfish boil to a festival with food from up and down Italy's boot, the events on our weekend...

All Stories