Michael Austin – Page 11

Kusanya Cafe is the kind of place where you can get a cup of coffee, check out the community board, print a school paper or simply jump on the internet. You'll see people huddled together over papers strewn across the wood tables or someone walking in simply to say hello to the small staff. Because the nonprofit cafe roasts its own coffee on-site in small batches, don't hesitate to order that lavender iced latte ($3.49) or a plain cup of coffee. The breakfast and lunch menu is lush with references to famous musicians, like the Lupe Tabasco breakfast sandwich ($2.29). It features a thin egg patty, with melted cheese and Sriracha on ciabatta, and you can add sausage, spinach and tomato for an extra charge. The cozy and brightly lit environment is exactly where you want to catch up on some work or meet up with friends. 825 W. 69th St., 773-675-4758, <a href="http://www.kusanyacafe.org/">kusanyacafe.org</a> — Grace Wong

Wines’ bright flavors match summery spaghetti recipe

July 2, 2019 at 3:59 p.m.

One of the season's champion flavor combo's — tomatoes and basil — come together in this simple spaghetti, but a perhaps unexpected ingredient is the secret: breadcrumbs. Bread on pasta?...

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

What to make, and drink, on your summer cabin vacation

June 3, 2018 at 12:57 a.m.

If you're vacationing at a cabin, there's (probably) not a corner store at the ready for you to grab the ingredients you forgot. That's why it's best to keep recipes...

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

The best wine bottle to give for any occasion

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

Every now and then, we need a nice little gift for an occasion that doesn't revolve around the "holidays." We're talking about weddings, birthdays, graduations, cookouts, boat rides, housewarmings, hoedowns...

What you need to know about Chilean wine

July 2, 2019 at 3:59 p.m.

In the wine world, "Chilean" used to be code for "good everyday wines for a steal." They weren't wines that, after a first sip made people go, "Dios mio, nothing...

French wines with an Italian bread salad? Of course!

July 2, 2019 at 3:59 p.m.

One of our favorite summer dishes, panzanella, the bread and tomato salad of Italy, is changed up here, just a bit and with respect, by adding a skewer-ful of grilled...

Recommended cavas include Anna de Codorniu Blanc de Blancs Brut Reserva Cava, from left, 2013 Naveran Dama Brut Cava and Mercat Brut Cava.

10 cavas that deliver more than their prices ask

June 3, 2018 at 4:10 a.m.

I get the sense that most people like cava, the sparkling wine from Spain, because it is accessible, fun, easy to drink and affordable. There are other reasons to like...

Sweet-as-candy Sun Gold tomatoes offer contrast to the richness of Italian sausage and goat cheese.

Why wine is a friend to Italian sausage

July 2, 2019 at 3:59 p.m.

The savoriness of Italian sausage is complemented by the sweetness of just slightly cooked Sun Gold cherry tomatoes in this effortless pasta dish. The wine should be as easy. We...

Shiraz we like from Australia's Barossa Valley includes bottles from Barossa Valley Estate, Yalumba and Two Hands Wines.

12 bottles of Australian shiraz to try, starting at just $13

July 2, 2019 at 3:59 p.m.

If not for a typo on a registration form, the world-famous Barossa Valley wine region in South Australia would have been spelled like the place it is named for in...

Made with olive oil, green olives, capers and dry sherry, this easy chicken recipe is a salute to Spain.

What wine to drink when you’re cooking with sherry

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

When you're cooking with sherry, what wine do you pair with the finished dish? The key lies in the acidity. Because sherry is highly acidic, you need a lower-acid wine...

‘Where do I start learning about wine?’ Our columnist has the answer

July 2, 2019 at 3:59 p.m.

The two wine questions I get asked most are "What is your favorite wine?" and some version of "Where do I start?" The former question comes from people well into...

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