restaurants – In Good Taste

Where to Get the Best Fried Chicken in Chicago

Maris Callahan — Thu, 12 Jan 2017 03:52:22 +0000

This past fall, I began writing for Chef Magazine, a trade publication for chefs and foodservice professionals. My most recent story ‘Let’s Play Chicken‘ was about some the ways that chefs across the country are putting their own spin on the ubiquitous bird (hint: a lot of them are partial to fried chicken). I interviewed a lot of chefs and researched a lot of cooking techniques and two things were very apparent: even though chicken is one of the easiest things to cook at home, people love to order it in restaurants, and wow do people really love chicken when it’s fried. Growing up, there was a fast food joint in my hometown called Chicken Holiday, where you could order chicken to feed a family of four for under $10. I’m pretty sure that Chicken Holiday would fry anything that could be fried — shrimp, clams, scallops — but my family was usually partial to the blue and white striped buckets with chicken breasts, thighs and drumsticks. There was also a robust side dish menu that in retrospect, was a fat kid’s dream: crinkle-cut French fries, corn fritters, cheesy broccoli, macaroni and cheese, dinner rolls. If my current preferences are any indication, […]

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Bucks County: Caleb’s American Kitchen

Maris Callahan — Sun, 06 Sep 2015 21:33:55 +0000

It’s not often that I dine out and then think, “I could eat every meal here.” At Caleb’s American Kitchen, a BYO New American restaurant helmed by Chef Caleb Lentchner, I had this thought after every course. Lentchner, the former executive chef and general manager of New Hope’s Marsha Brown has created a bright, modern eatery with a menu inspired by all things American including steaks, burgers, lobster, shellfish, Creole, California and of course, local and regional farmers from nearby PA and NJ. Adjacent to Peddler’s Village in Bucks County, PA, this bistro style BYOB eatery is a distinct interpretation of what American cuisine should be: clean, simple, fresh and full of natural flavor, but representative of numerous regions and cultures. Caleb’s is built around the idea of showcasing signature dishes from around the nation — meats and cheeses from Iowa, Oregon and Pennsylvania, Kansas City Strip Steak, Maryland Crab, Hawaiian tuna poke. Using the ever-popular farm-to-table concept, chef cooks with tomatoes from his own garden and rotates the menu seasonally, so it’s difficult to recommend specific dishes. My party of three began with two salads, first being beet, goat cheese arugula salad topped with house pickled beets, candied orange segments, spiced goat cheese, toasted almonds tossed in […]

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Bucks County: Golden Pheasant Inn

Maris Callahan — Sun, 06 Sep 2015 19:54:04 +0000

If, living in a city, you find yourself driving to The Golden Pheasant Inn, you’re going to think to yourself: “why am I out in the middle of nowhere?” Then you’ll see the inn’s stunning wraparound front porch with picturesque views of the Delaware River. Around the back is an outdoor dining patio that has a luxury resort vibe, but is as comfortable as if you were sitting in someone’s backyard. That’s when you’ll know for sure that country living has some perks. And we haven’t even gotten to the food yet. The Golden Pheasant Inn is known for more than just its charm and hospitality. The beautiful building is believed to be the longest continuously operating commercial property along the Delaware Canal. Today, the inn retains its architectural integrity and continues to be used as a lodging facility—as it has for its entire history. Built in 1857, the Golden Pheasant Inn served as early commercial buildings constructed along the Delaware River and the Delaware Canal to serve mercantile traffic. An important gathering place, the tavern was the social hub for farmers, travelers, and later, canal men and vacationers. Now, registered on the National Registry of Historic Places, it’s a luxe lodging option for travelers and […]

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13 Drinking & Dining Adventures in New Orleans

Maris Callahan — Wed, 28 Jan 2015 02:03:58 +0000

There is a lot of art and culture to experience in New Orleans and some of it takes place behind the bars and in the kitchens of the numerous restaurants, eateries and bars in the Big Easy. When you think of the foods in NOLA, it might be jambalaya and beignets might come to mind, but the culinary culture is far richer than your standard issue Cajun cuisine. From elegant dining to dive bars and from baked Alaska to corner bakeries, the restaurant scene in New Orleans is both delicious and unforgettable. Even though four days in New Orleans is not nearly enough time to put a dent in the city’s best restaurants, it is enough time to experience more than a dozen new favorite dining adventures in New Orleans, with options in and around the French Quarter. Brennan’s Brennan’s, located in the historic French Quarter, originally opened in 1946 and was reopened in late 2014 after a year-long closure for renovations. The eatery, famous for its lavish breakfast menu, is credited with the creation of Bananas Foster. At the helm of the kitchen, chef Slade Rushing churns out Turtle Soup, Artisanal Eggs Benedict and Crispy Veal Cheek Grillades over Cheddar Grits while pastry chef Brett Gauthier keeps the lavish desserts […]

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Phoenix: Postino Wine Cafe

Maris Callahan — Fri, 23 Jan 2015 05:45:54 +0000

Whenever I travel, I prefer to dine in restaurants favored by the locals than the white hot, brand name restaurants that are buzzing in the media. In the Valley of Sunshine, the first restaurant I dined was Postino Wine Cafe, a comfortable, rustic and bustling eatery that boasts unique and approachable wines with simple, delicious and locally grown fare. Whether you live in the Phoenix area or you’re traveling there for a respite from the harsh winter weather in other areas of the country (cough…Chicago….cough) then Postino is about to be your new go-to for dinners out. Postino East, housed inside the Grainbelt building in the heart of downtown Gilbert’s historic Heritage District, opened in 2012 just steps from the famed Gilbert water tower. The restaurant is comprised of a mix of indoor/outdoor dining, iconic yellow garage doors and an outdoor green-space for the kids. On a Tuesday night, every seat was full and the decor is warm and welcoming. Being from Chicago where the outdoor dining season is, well, limited, the outdoor area was by far my favorite part of the ambiance. More importantly, however, is the food. The best way to start your meal is by ordering family style from a playful array […]

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