Author Archives: Peter - The Roaming GastroGnome

Born and raised in the beautiful Mid-Hudson Valley of New York State, moved to DC for a job, stayed way longer than I thought, got married and moved to Chicago for her job. It's an awesome city!

What’s for Sunday Dinner – Beef Shanks Osso Buco Style

My favorite Italian restaurant dinner is osso buco.  The big falling-off-the-bone piece of veal, the marrow, the pairing of risotto Milanese, it’s a big, heavy dish best saved for special occasions when dining out.  Because of the heartiness of it you don’t normally find it on menus in the summertime.  Like most braised meat dishesContinue reading “What’s for Sunday Dinner – Beef Shanks Osso Buco Style”

I Love My Panini Press

A long time ago I bought something from Williams-Sonoma which of course put me on their email list.  One day I received an email from them about a big sale on a Breville panini press.  It was pretty heavily discounted so I bought it.  One of my most favorite purchases.  Plug it in and whileContinue reading “I Love My Panini Press”

Top Chef – prelims pt. 2

Well at least that’s over with.  I think the third group got shafted a bit.  Each of the other groups basically had an ingredient challenge while these chefs had a time element added.  Instead of having the same time as everyone else, some had more,  some had less.  This little twist really looked like itContinue reading “Top Chef – prelims pt. 2”

A Fundraiser (with food by Hot Doug’s)

Didn’t get a chance to review Top Chef last night due to the fact Tivo’s recording time was scheduled for later (yeah yeah operator error).  Needed Tivo’s help since we were attending a fundraiser my brokerage (Baird & Warner City North Office cross promotion here) had for Neumann Family Services of Chicago.  It was heldContinue reading “A Fundraiser (with food by Hot Doug’s)”

Michelin’s Chicago Bib Gourmand List is Out

The Michelin Guide released it’s 2012 Chicago Bib Gourmand restaurant list today.  A restaurant on the Bib Gourmand list means it is a favorite of the inspectors and has high quality food where the price of an appetizer, entrée, and glass of wine is below $40.  Restaurants included in the 2012 Michelin Guide Chicago willContinue reading “Michelin’s Chicago Bib Gourmand List is Out”

Black Bean and Smoked Pork Soup

[Update 3/4/2012 I submitted this recipe to SoupaPalooza.  Hope it gets noticed! Come join SoupaPalooza at TidyMom and Dine and Dish sponsored by KitchenAid, Red Star Yeast and Le Creuset] One of the many things I love about Chicago are the butcher shops.  Being a realtor is great for roaming around to different neighborhood butchersContinue reading “Black Bean and Smoked Pork Soup”

What’s for Sunday Dinner – Bourdain’s Boeuf Bourguignon

As the colder weather starts setting in here in Wrigleyville my thoughts and ideas on dinner turn towards braised dishes, roasts, soups, and stews.  I enjoy grilling in the summertime but fall and winter are great times to cook.  The kitchen is always warm and cozy, the house is filled with delicious aromas, and youContinue reading “What’s for Sunday Dinner – Bourdain’s Boeuf Bourguignon”

Kitchen Essentials – Truffle Salt

Every home cook and professional chef has their own favorite ingredient, spice, seasoning, etc.  For me the one must have ingredient I always make sure is in the cupboard is truffle salt.  It’s great with anything on eggs, meats, in sauces, on popcorn, with potatoes, risotto, macaroni and cheese, and pasta.  You’d be hard pressedContinue reading “Kitchen Essentials – Truffle Salt”

The Eater 38 Club

A couple of weeks ago Cheryl (a.k.a. Mrs. G-Gnome, her scientific code name) mentioned one of her co-workers came up with an idea of using the Chicago Eater’s “Eater 38” list of restaurants to explore some new places.  Sounded like a good idea, restaurants are added and dropped when the list is updated every fewContinue reading “The Eater 38 Club”