Food & Drink

A customer recently walked into the wine store where I work. She was looking to pick up a few bottles to take to a dinner party and to stock up for the holidays. As we perused the white wines, I asked what she normally liked to drink. Her responses made it clear that she was […]

I grew up in Arlington Heights, a suburb about 30 miles from Chicago. Depending on traffic, driving downtown could take up to an hour, so our trips into the city were infrequent and usually reserved for special occasions. Once a year for my birthday, my father would take me to one of Chicago’s museums or […]

I’ve been to SCHEELS, and knew that somewhere in the back of my mind the store served soda, coffee and fudge. What I didn’t know is that Ginna’s Café & Coffee at SCHEELS offers a full menu. Indeed, I visited Ginna’s Café & Coffee with a group of friends that goes out for chili once […]

When we moved into my great-grandmother’s little old farmhouse over 10 years ago the quantity of stuff that cluttered every room was positively overwhelming. Nana wasn’t exactly a hoarder, but, like many folks who survived the Great Depression and a world war, she didn’t like to throw anything away. It might have been easier if […]

It was 1984. We had just bought our first house, an old farmhouse built in the late 1800s. The kitchen was outdated and needed renovation. There wasn’t a range hood over the stove, and over the years, the ceiling and cabinets had acquired a dingy brownish-grey patina from the buildup of decades of smoke and […]

Curious wine lovers have likely noticed a new category emerging in recent years. “Natural” wines have been popping up on wine lists and in boutique wine shops throughout the country. And while the current trend can be traced back to the early 1980s, natural winemaking has existed for centuries. If you’re lucky enough to have […]

I’m not sure why I love camping so much. It’s quite an effort, especially when kids are involved. Yet each year when the frenetic pace of summer relaxes into the steady amble of autumn, I simply cannot wait to make the lists and haul out the gear and prep the food and get outside for […]

Though it’s only the middle of September, Oktoberfest officially begins this weekend. Over six million people will be attending Munich’s annual beer bash which goes on for 18 days. Oktoberfest has spread across the globe, with major celebrations taking place in such diverse places as Brazil, Australia, China, Argentina, Japan, South Africa and Hong Kong, […]

As I stepped outside early this morning the shot of air that greeted me was cold and crisp, a welcome indication that the seasons are beginning to shift. Now that we’re in the homestretch of summer, chilly mornings are giving way to warm afternoons and our gastronomic focus has switched from sweet corn and blueberries […]

Summer’s end is just around the bend. My tomatoes and cucumbers are starting to get scarce, but the capsicum plants I’ve been faithfully tending are heavy with peppers and ablaze with color. It’s time to preserve some of this bounty for enjoyment over the winter months. Homemade giardiniera is a delicious way to preserve the […]