After beating five other chef contestants in the digital series Top Chef: Last Chance Kitchen, Ahn—who was a professional golfer before becoming involved in the culinary arts—earned a spot on the show, where he will be representing Chicago's food scene and showing his own unique approach to cooking. He started things with a bang, being selected as one of the "top chefs" in that episode, although someone else won for having the best dish. Ahn definitely looks formidable.
At the actual event, attendees applauded whenever Ahn was on screen, and he was kind enough to let the small group of media figures/influencers there to select from the menu while serving other items —like the truffled Caesar bites that won him the role on the show. Everything—from the addictive ranch-flavored popcorn to the gnocchi della gonna—was wonderful.
Adalina's website is https://www.adalinachicago.com/.
—Sudden departure: Dom's Kitchen and Foxtrot, we hardly knew ye.
Signs were posted to numerous stores as the chains announced the abrupt closures of two Dom's stores and 33 Foxtrots across the Chicago, Dallas and D.C. areas, NBC Chicago noted. "We explored many avenues to continue the business but found no viable option despite good faith and exhaustive efforts," a notice from the companies read.
The signs posted to doorways at multiple locations ranged in messages from "Foxtrot closed forever (not a joke)" and "$180,000,000 in the hole" to "Closed. It was nice serving you."
Initially, this was especially baffling because, especially in Chicago's River North and Gold Coast areas, these chains were blossoming. It's just another reminder that you never know what's really going on somewhere.
However, the two had merged several months ago, per Eater Chicago. Outfox Hospitality—the combined venture of the two Chicago-based entities—is filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, according to the Substack newsletter Snaxshot. And the Lincoln Park location was allegedly making a profit while the Old Town site struggled. (The latter pushed out Plum Market in a controversial move.)
And a former employee at the Foxtrot store in Old Town has filed a proposed class-action lawsuit, per Axios.
—Brunch in "the Brook": The Oak Brook spot Blanco Cocina y Cantina, 2022 Spring Rd., has a new brunch menu.
Menu highlights include bacon-and-egg cheese crisps (aka Mexican pizzas), ancho-spiced French toast, grilled Mexican street corn, a taco selection, avocado Caesar salad, taquitos and more—as well as cocktails such as mimosas, margaritas and coconut mojitos. Brunch is 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.
For more, visit https://www.blancococinacantina.com/.
—Changes: Logan Square restaurant and salumeria Lardon, 2200 N. California Ave., is expanding its culinary offerings and launching new dinner programming, spearheaded by a new executive chef: Rodney Staton. (Prior to joining the Meadowlark Hospitality team, Chef Staton spent time honing his skills at Spiaggia, Longman & Eagle, Bite Cafe and The Drawing Room, with culinary stops in New Orleans, Las Vegas and Seattle. The longtime Chicagoan also previously owned and operated Haywood Tavern, in Humboldt Park.)
Recognized by Michelin with Bib Gourmand designations in 2022 and 2023, Lardon has cultivated a reputation as a destination for cured meats, bistro-inspired sandwiches, locally roasted coffee, a boutique wine list and an expansive amaro selection since opening its doors in 2021. Highlights from the new dinner menu include beet fourchette (with horseradish creme, smoked trout roe, dill, cucumber and grilled flatbread); duck confit and cabbage salad; steak frites; trotter cake (with frisee, poached egg, mustard and sherry vinaigrette); and pasta "rags" (with fava beans, peas, maitake mushrooms, spring onion, beurre monte and parmesan).
—Pair necessities: LondonHouse Chicago and B-Cycled Bottles are collaborating in the days leading up to Cinco de Mayo (May 5).
Having also marked Earth Day (April 22), the two came up with a special margarita served in an upcycled Clase Azul glass designed by B-Cycled founder Brandon Eckenrode. Guests who purchase the cocktail get to take the upcycled glassware home with them.
The Mi Cielo ("My Sky") margarita, which costs $50, is made with Clase Azul reposado tequila, fresh pressed cantaloupe juice, Mallorca melon tea syrup and cherry vanilla bitters, with a watermelon powder rim.
—Feel the heat: Speaking of drinks, the River North sports spot Jake Melnick's Corner Tap, 41 E. Superior St., is now bringing the heat with the XXXX Margarita.
For years, Jake Melnick's has offered XXXX Wings, which are tossed in a housemade sauce featuring habanero, Carolina reaper and ghost peppers. Throughout May, the spot will offer the margarita, in honor of Cinco de Mayo. The cocktail starts with jalapeno-infused tequila and Jake Melnick's House Margarita Mix. The glass is heavily rimmed with a powdered version of the XXXX sauce and the drink is topped off with fresh sliced jalapenos. See https://www.jakemelnicks.com/.
—To market we go: Most farmers' markets in Chicago will get going in early May (except for Green City Market, which is already underway). But here a couple to keep an eye on:
*The Wicker Park Farmers Market is officially back for its 24th summer season, which launches on Sunday, May 5, at 1425 N. Damen Ave. There'll be kid-friendly activities with Cruelty Free You + Me; BODYBAR Pilates classes every Sunday at 8 a.m.; and yoga classes at 9 a.m.
*Uptown Farmers Market Presented by Chicago Market has partnered with a handful of vendors, such as Los Rodriguez Farm, Andrew's Heirlooms, Smiling M Farms, Tamales Express and John Bailey Honey (to name a few) since first opening. New vendors this year include Spicy Grrrls Hot Sauces, Marek's Authentic Polish Food, Keep It Savory Salt Co. Refresco by MO, Avrom Farm's Chicken & Waffles, and Zaikadelic.
—I won't drink to that: I recently asked my Facebook family how they would describe the taste of Malort.
I received some colorful answers, such as "Freshly juiced Band-Aids," "Like drinking a permanent black chisel point marker from the '70s," "feet with grapefruit notes" and "Peppermint toothpaste grown in manure."
However, my favorite might've been "It tastes like fighting your dad."
Drop me a line (hot news, tips, etc.) at future3733@yahoo.com. Much more news, interviews, reviews, etc. can be found at SAVOR with Andrew (http://future3733.substack.com ).
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