Andersonville

Shop Local – Milk Handmade in Andersonville, Chicago

The Andersonville Chamber of Commerce recently celebrated their 50th anniversary and they hosted bloggers for a culinary, shopping or medley tour. The tour included tastes, history, discounts and a chance to speak to the owners at each stop. Today I want to show you one of the spots on the medley itinerary: Milk Homemade.

Milk Handmade has independent, handcrafted goods from local designers. Including clothes, bath items, jewelry and more. An absolute must is the horchata scented candle –– fresh cinnamon scent will make your mouth water, home smell delicious and makes a great gift.

Consider shopping local the next time you are looking for something unique for yourself or others.

Milk Homemade Candles

Milk Homemade Candles

Viking Breakfast at Svea – Andersonville, Chicago

Svea Chicago Dining Room

Svea Chicago Dining Room

Svea is a cozy Swedish diner in Andersonville filled with viking helmets, flags, Dalecarlian horse tablecloths and Valkommen signs making everyone feel welcome.

Svea Delebarlian Horse
Svea Love One Another Sign

Svea is a neighborhood favorite so don’t be surprised if you have to wait for a seat if you arrive after 9am on the weekend (they do not take reservations). I suggest coming hungry and getting the viking breakfast: Eggs cooked to order, falukrov (Swedish sausage), Swedish fried potatoes (you can substitute sliced tomatoes) and two Swedish pancakes with lingonberry jam. The pancakes are more of a crepe in thinness with a spongy texture. Be sure to order the limpa as your bread choice, it’s a slightly sweet rye bread.

Svea Viking Breakfast – Swedish Pancakes
Svea Viking Breakfast
The Swedish potato pancakes are also worth a try as well as the rice pudding with lingonberry jam.
Svea Swedish Potato Pancake
Svea Rice Pudding
Svea also serves traditional lunch items such as herring salad and Swedish meatball sandwiches. They have a great family atmosphere as well as a diner counter for anyone dining solo.
Notes: No website, Facebook page and cash-only.
Svea Breakfast Spread Chicago

Svea Breakfast Spread Chicago

 

Little Bad Wolf – Andersonville, Chicago

Little Bad Wolf Chicago Mural

Little Bad Wolf is the type of neighborhood bar/restaurant that is a “perfect for” spot. It’s cozy with communal wooden tables yet cool with wolf artwork and teal button tufted back booth –– along with the great vibe, music, food and cocktails make LBW perfect for:

Casual drink at the bar
First/casual date
First meeting place for a drink/bite before going out
Dinner with a couple of friends
Small plates
Late night bite

Have a peek inside:

A thoughtful Continue reading →

It’s Gumbo and Paczki Time! Fat Tuesday in Chicago

Tomorrow is Fat Tuesday and for many that means filling up on some serious fat before the Lenten season begins. For others it signals a time to celebrate and eat as much gumbo and paczkis as possible.

Here are some of Chicago’s best places for gumbo and paczki.

Big Jones serves gumbo ya-ya, “It all begins with the roux, made in the traditional Cajun style, with our andouille sausage, chicken, pork, and aromatic Arkansas rice.” See the gumbo in my Tastemade video.

Shaw’s Crab House has seafood gumbo full of fish, okra and fresh vegetables.

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Big Jones – How do you like your grits?

Saturday morning brunch at Big Jones in Andersonville was a nice change from the jam-packed breakfast places. Not that this place was empty but when I walked in I felt the pace change and I could be in New Orleans instead of Chicago. As much attention was given to the grits and potatoes of each dish as the main attraction of trout and eggs. For anyone that is trying grits for the first time I highly recommend starting with the cheese grits, you will not be disappointed. Good for anyone that likes to ease their way into the morning.

Fish and Grits: corn flour-dredged Rushing Water trout, cheese grits, two eggs, cornbread

Eggs New Orleans: lump crab cakes, popovers, poached farm eggs, béarnaise sauce, potatoes O’Brien