Perhaps the biggest open secret in my life is my heritage. The Irish last name is a red herring. I’m actually one-hundred percent Hispanic. Although I never did learn to speak Spanish in childhood, I did learn a thing or two in the kitchen. My most cherished culinary memory from childhood will always be my mom’s Spanish rice.
When I told the Gapers Block editors last week that I wanted to take them up on their last-minute offer to interview Food Network celebrity chef Sandra Lee, creator of the Semi-Homemade television and cookbook empire, their response was instructive: ‘You’re not going to shred her, are you?’
Today on Gapers Block, read my comparison of the two thin-crust pizzas in New York Pizza Slice Smackdown, and my attempt to like something–anything–of the merely Fair Fare at Francesca’s Forno. Note to Santullo’s: places like Francesca’s and New York Slices are why I love you so.
Your mileage may vary, but my favorite Windy City grilled cheese just got extra buttery. It’s at my equally favorite neighborhood brunch joint, downtown Chicago’s Orange on Harrison. Read all about the sandwich of my dreams in my review of Orange on Harrsion today on Gapers Block.
Last weekend, foodie partner-in-crime Jamie and I headed to Andersonville’s Icosium Kafe crepe joint to flee the downtown Air & Water Show crowds. And you can head over to Gapers Block today to read my review of the place.
This week, I am your official Internet media whore, friends. On the heels of yesterday’s debut of my Huffington Post Chicago byline, beginning today you can also find my words in Drive-Thru, the foodie section of Chicago’s venerable Gapers Block news and features site.