Hot Dogs and burgers have gone upscale, and gourmet burgers and dogs are popping up in fine dining, casual dining, street food and even in vending machines. Hot Doug’s, in Chicago, is one of the most famous, upscale hot dog joints, serving dogs and sausages with every delicious combination you can imagine. The specials are incredible, combinations such as Calvados Smoked Duck Sausage with Morello Cherry Mustard and Goat Cheese, shows how far a traditional hot dog has come. All the dogs Read more »

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The National Restaurant Show was held a few weeks ago in Chicago, IL. While it seemed to be smaller than in past years, I still found a few interesting items and ideas. Let’s start with the “Best of Show”, for me it was the Cholive. (http://dish-bliss.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/Cholive-_NRA_blog_062010.jpg) Cholives are olive shaped dark chocolate truffles filled with creamy ganache. They are marketed as the perfect pairing for cocktails, and fit the bill. Read more »

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I was recently in the Windy City for a quick trip and decided to visit the Publican, a “gastro-pub” style venue by Chef Paul Kahn. Chef Kahn is already well established as an innovative chef in the Chicago restaurant scene, and having dined at another Kahn restaurant, Avec, I knew I wouldn’t leave hungry. First, let’s discuss what defines a gastro-pub. The term came out of traditional pubs in England that with the culinary revolution in Britain began serving  Read more »

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