Michael Austin – Page 16

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

Oregon wines match a cheese ‘burger’ made with halloumi

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

Unlike many meatless burgers, which rely on grains or beans, this one is all cheese. It's built with halloumi, which keeps its shape when griddled and which pairs well with...

Why tempranillo is star grape of Spain, no matter what you call it

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

This is one of those big-fish-in-a-big-pond situations. The pond is Spain, the place with more vineyard acreage than any other country on earth, and the fish is tempranillo, Spain's big...

Wines that taste of spring for pasta dish that conjures it

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

Spring is a ways off, but you can conjure it with the flavors of baby artichokes and fresh lemon in this quick pasta dish. Likewise, fresh flavors of citrus, pears,...

Rueda Spanish white wine a mouthful of summer in depths of winter

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

And now for some affordable, refreshing white wines from Spain. That's a pleasant group of words, isn't it? I'm thinking of the wines from the Rueda region in this case...

3 wines that play well with grilled cheese and savory/sweet onion jam

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

Salty and a bit sweet, rich and a bit tangy, this grilled cheese with onion jam, adapted from "The Epicurious Cookbook," is everything we want for dinner (there are even...

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 makes celebrities jump into winemaking?

June 6, 2018 at 2:38 a.m.

There is a saying among the people who take grapes and turn them into our favorite beverage, and it goes like this: To make a small fortune in the wine...

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

Go crisp or rich for wines with earthy black bean and bacon soup

May 2, 2019 at 2:11 p.m.

Among our pantry staples, a can of black beans is pre-eminent — you can do so much with them, side dish, salads, soups, more. A little doctoring in this recipe...

Mumm’s the word to celebrate Cubs spring training

May 2, 2019 at 2:11 p.m.

One of the most soul-stirring phrases a major league baseball fan can hear in the wintertime is "Pitchers and catchers report on ..." The phrase is always followed by a...

A savory pie for butternut squash fiends; 3 wines to match

May 2, 2019 at 2:11 p.m.

Pie and wine for dinner? Sounds like an indulgent night alone, remote in hand — but make that a savory pie, and you've got yourself a dinner party. This simple...

Linguine is the foundation of a dinner brightened with basil, lemon and white wine, while gently poached chicken and a little cream provide some heft.

Wines to punch up a citrusy pasta dish for wintry days

June 6, 2018 at 7:18 a.m.

When you have a dish with high acidity, you can go two ways with the wine: match or contrast. This pasta dish with lemon, white wine and capers would taste...

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