The Real Chicago

Top Menu

  • Home
  • E-newsletter
  • Contact

Main Menu

  • Home
  • The Big City Blog
  • General Features
  • Around Town
    • First Look – Reviews
    • Hidden Gems
    • Inside Scoop
  • Eat. Drink. Shop.
    • Good Eats
    • Signature Dishes
    • A Round of Drinks
    • Shop Around the Corner
  • The Local Angle
    • Chicago Insider
    • The Local Corner
    • My Chicago
  • Interviews
  • Forum
Sign in / Join

Login

Welcome! Login in to your account
Lost your password?

Lost Password

Back to login
  • Home
  • E-newsletter
  • Contact

logo

Header Banner

The Real Chicago

  • Home
  • The Big City Blog
  • General Features
  • Around Town
    • First Look – Reviews
    • Hidden Gems
    • Inside Scoop
  • Eat. Drink. Shop.
    • Good Eats
    • Signature Dishes
    • A Round of Drinks
    • Shop Around the Corner
  • The Local Angle
    • Chicago Insider
    • The Local Corner
    • My Chicago
  • Interviews
  • Forum
  • Chicago’s hidden gems: Kiss Kiss Cabaret, Unabridged Bookstore, Lulu Belle’s Pancake House and TNT at The Annoyance

  • New on the scene: Recapping recent restaurant and bar openings in Chicago

  • The Big City Blog: A Chicago summer bucket list

  • Outdoor drinking: A guide to some of our favorite beer gardens and rooftops in Chicago

  • A day at the museum: Exploring the iconic Field Museum in Chicago

Chicago Insider
Home›featured-blogs›Chicago Insider›The Chicago Insider: Eric Edholm on farmer’s markets and a love affair with Paul Kahan restaurants

The Chicago Insider: Eric Edholm on farmer’s markets and a love affair with Paul Kahan restaurants

By TheRealChicagoOnline
April 18, 2012
1107
0
Share:

Ever wish you had an active local’s advice on how best to enjoy your own city? We have too, so here are some answers

Eric Edholm

How long you’ve lived here: Almost 10 years.

What you like best about Chicago: The food scene, the music scene, the skyline (best in America), the big-city-small-town feel, biking the lake path, the people.

Best meal you’ve had recently: Maude’s Liquor Bar had some killer marrow, tartare, terrine and — to wash it down — a hell of a Sazerac that made me dream of New Orleans. Oh, and Purple Pig and Longman & Eagle (brunched there) also are worthy mentions.

Favorite big-name restaurant: Blackbird or Publican. Toss-up. Avec, too. Clearly, I am a Paul Kahanophile.

Favorite “hidden gem” restaurant: Mariscos el Veneno on Ashland between Cortez and Augusta. The kind of place you might drive by a thousand times and never go to. When I went, I was the only gringo in the place; they asked me if I wanted the English menu. That’s authentic food, folks. It’s loud, crowded, BYOB, as casual as an auto body shop and packed with big, full flavors and awesome, fresh, tasty seafood. Get whatever you want — it’s all good — but for a life-changing meal, order the Chapuzon Del Mar, which translated, I have been told, means “a dip in the sea.” Oh yeah, dude.

Best sports bar to catch the game: Since I have moved to the West Town area, the choice has been Roots Pizza. Plenty of TVs, lots of space, comfy chairs and a few of the strangest (in a good way) pizzas you ever will see.

A great night out with friends usually includes… a nice dinner out, maybe a drink, and then a good, long walk afterward, assuming it’s nice outside.

Favorite store or best shopping area: I notoriously don’t shop. It’s usually food-related, so it would be Fox & Obel or The Spice Shop, I guess.

The best way to spend a spring Saturday in the city: Farmer’s market. Ramps and morels season.

One thing every visitor must do here: Take the architectural tour. Becoming cliché? Maybe. Essential? Yep.

Secret Chicago spot: Garfield Park Conservatory. Amazing how few people know about it. My fiancée and I wanted to get married there. Instead, we just look at cool plants once or twice a year.

Underrated activity in the city: Few things — Windy City Rollers match was fun years ago when I went; any Sunday-night show at Schubas; drinks at the Beachwood; dog beach up on Montrose.

TagsAvecBlackbirdChicago farmer's marketFox & ObelGarfield Park ConservatoryLongman & EagleMariscos el VenenoMaude's Liquor BarPaul KahanPublicanPurple PigRoots PizzaSchubasWindy City Rollers
Previous Article

The Chicago Insider: Erin Shovlin

Next Article

Cupcakes: The increasing popularity of this (nearly) ...

0
Shares
  • 0
  • +
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

TheRealChicagoOnline

Related articles More from author

  • Chicago Insider

    Chicago Insider: Samantha Cybor on West Loop restaurants and First Fridays at the MCA

    September 1, 2010
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • Chicago Insider

    The Chicago Insider: Bobby Gonzalez on the Purple Pig, Rick Bayless and dancing at The Underground

    June 7, 2012
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • My Chicago

    My Chicago: What is the best restaurant you’ve been to recently?

    February 10, 2014
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • Chicago Insider

    Chicago Insider: Nicole Vasquez on exploring neighborhoods, Café Iberico and wine by fireplace at D.O.C.

    March 27, 2015
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • General Features

    Chicago’s best burgers: Food blogger Kit Graham’s favorite spots for a fantastic burger in the city

    December 4, 2018
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • The Local Corner

    Local Corner: Exploring Chicago’s popular Six Corners intersection in Wicker Park

    April 16, 2018
    By TheRealChicagoOnline

You might be interested

  • Around TownGeneral Features

    Alfresco dining: Outdoor seating is key for these Chicago restaurants

  • Around TownGeneral Features

    Funny people: Five spots to enjoy some classic Chicago comedy

  • Around TownGeneral Features

    New on the scene: Recapping recent restaurant and bar openings in Chicago

Originally launched in 2006, The Real Chicago — as a glossy entertainment magazine, website and email newsletter — has consistently provided the very best insider information, features and reviews to help both tourists and active locals get the most out of exploring the greatest city on Earth.
© Copyright The Real Chicago. All rights reserved.