Why is Chicago's beauty a secret few seem to know about? (Lincoln: rooftop, live)

[Vlajos]

Originally Posted by Irishtom29

I used to go to the Lakeside tavern on the East Side for fresh walleye and lake perch. It's gone now though, I think it moved to Indiana.

I think lake perch are almost extinct.

[prelude91]

Originally Posted by Vlajos

Really I've had walleye on at Brown Trout, North Pond and Publican just off the top of my head. I've had smelt and ramps too. But that probably doesn't count.

Of course Minneapolis has good restaurants, just nowhere near as many (or as good) as Chicago. Walleye or not

Count towards what? I dont think you are capable of comprhending the question.

[Vlajos]

Originally Posted by prelude91

Count towards what? I dont think you are capable of comprhending the question.

Count toward being local for those who can't follow.

[andrew61]

Originally Posted by Vlajos

I wish Wisconsin and Minnesota had more international foods, like Indian, Thai, Japanese, Spanish, Vietnamese, Russian, Greek, Pakistani, French, Mongolian, Morrocan....

I'm pretty sure you can find most of that in the Twin Cities area.

[andrew61]

Originally Posted by prelude91

A little off topic, but I wish Chicago had more regional foods that were from Lake Michigan. Minnesota and Wisconsin are big with Walleye, and we all know the coasts have regional dishes from the Oceans.

Yeah, I've seen Lake Superior whitefish on restaurant menus from time to time, but don't recall ever seeing Lake Michigan anything...

[savalas]

Originally Posted by prelude91

Im not sure what point your trying to make, but do you not think it is bizarre we have this huge body of water butting up against the city, and virtually no food from it is used in local cuisine?

You must not get around much.

[Attrill]

Invasive species have wreaked havoc on local fish in Lake Michigan, there really aren't many commercially viable populations left. The fish just aren't there to support them being a big seller in Chicago.

Anyways, fresh water whitefish aren't incredibly flavorful or unique (as compared to things like lobster, crabs, shrimp, clams, etc.). I've been to a number of Northern Midwest fish fries with local fish and they haven't been much better than going to Red Lobster. Places like Publican and North Pond are going with Walleye to follow their locavore philosophies, the majority of the flavor comes from the preparation. They could just as easily swap out farmed whitefish in many of the dishes.

[MoItaly]

Originally Posted by Drover

Heh -- one week in January might disabuse those poor Floridians of any thoughts that living here full-time is such a great idea.

LOL. Don't think so, I know the winter is harsh in Chicago, but I am not a "Floridian", I live in Florida. I'm from NE Italy, so I am used to 4 distinct seasons. In Trieste, Italy, where I was born and spent the first 32 years of my life winter is3 -4 months, in the 30's mostly. Plus there is a strong, frozen wind (not everyday) that hits the city coming directly from Siberia. It's called the "Bora". It would be considered a hurricane category 2 or 3 in the USA.
Winter doesn't scare me much; after all after 12 years in Florida I am just recently getting used (a little bit) to the heat, which I suffer more than the heat.

[prelude91]

Originally Posted by MoItaly

LOL. Don't think so, I know the winter is harsh in Chicago, but I am not a "Floridian", I live in Florida. I'm from NE Italy, so I am used to 4 distinct seasons. In Trieste, Italy, where I was born and spent the first 32 years of my life winter is3 -4 months, in the 30's mostly. Plus there is a strong, frozen wind (not everyday) that hits the city coming directly from Siberia. It's called the "Bora". It would be considered a hurricane category 2 or 3 in the USA.
Winter doesn't scare me much; after all after 12 years in Florida I am just recently getting used (a little bit) to the heat, which I suffer more than the heat.

What a small world, I have a lot of family that is from Trieste, I spent 3 months there several years ago. Glad you enjoy Chicago, Salute!

[sunnyandcloudydays]

Originally Posted by Drover

Yeah, no kidding. A freaking frost advisory on May 16th??

At least it's climbed up to a skin-blistering 53 degrees today.

Good one