This Week’s Episode: MingHin, Farmhouse Chicago, and Forno Rosso
Hello!
I can hardly believe we are halfway through the new season! After tonight’s episode we will be on a brief hiatus until after the holidays. Unfortunately the weather of late has reminded me that it is, in fact, that time of year already. I’m just finishing up a major home project and am looking forward to having my friends and family over for some good food and drink this holiday season. Check, Please! shoots all summer, so winter is when I’m able to get back into my own kitchen to cook. I just bought some new cookbooks and can’t wait to try out some recipes over the holidays.
This past Wednesday evening I interviewed Lidia Bastianich at the WTTW studios and – wow – what an amazing woman. I had met her at various dinners and events but until I started preparing for the interview I had no idea what a powerhouse she is. Lidia is the embodiment of the American dream. Her family fled the Communist regime in Yugoslavia when she was a child, moving from Italy to the East Coast of America. With her then husband, she opened an Italian restaurant in Queens, that led to another one and ultimately to Felidia in Manhattan. They actually liquidated all of their assets to do this, and it paid off. Felidia received 3 stars from the New York Times securing her place as a player in the highly competitive New York dining scene. Her restaurant empire now includes: Del Posto, Esca, Becco, and Lidia Pittsburgh and Lidia Kansas City. She is a best-selling cookbook author (10 cookbooks and 2 children’s), an Emmy award-winning television host (right here on PBS for nearly 20 years with four different series). She is a partner in the Italian food emporium Eataly and makes wine with her son Joe via her company Bastianich Vineyard. And in her free time she develops products for her specialty food line LIDIA’S. But more important than her accomplishments is her warm nature – you feel like you are with a favorite aunt or an inspirational teacher that fosters confidence to get in the kitchen and cook when you’re sitting across from Lidia. I am looking forward to my next event with her! And if you don’t already, be sure to tune into her new show debuting on WTTW11 this season!
Now, I know every week I say how fun the episode was to shoot and this week is no exception. Folks…this is the comfort food episode: dim sum, pizza, and down home cooking all make an appearance! I frequent Chinatown, but had never been to MingHin until it was recommended by our guest on Check, Please! After visiting for the show, I booked a dim sum brunch there for my birthday. Dim sum is all about gathering those close to you, eating a meal together, and sharing your latest news. For my birthday, we reserved a private dining room upstairs (there are plenty and perfect for a larger group) and we tried everything. The large, round table was perfect for conversing and the lazy Susan made sharing food a snap. Although many of my friends had never dined in Chinatown, they have now been back since because of our brunch at MingHin (followed by bubble tea at Joy Yee). Forno Rosso was recommended to me by some Italian expat friends and then later was recommended to the show. It’s only one of two pizzerias in Chicago that are VPN certified, which means that it is authentic Neapolitan-style pizza. There are stringent criteria to which the pizzaiolo (pizza-maker) must adhere. The original location (which is featured on this week’s episode) is near where I grew up and they are expanding to the West Loop soon! Lastly, we have Farmhouse Chicago, one of two Farmhouse locations (the other is in Evanston) that describe themselves as “farm to tavern restaurants,” with a long list of craft beer-on-tap selections. It has been a chilly week here in Chicagoland, and all I have been craving is comfort food. Farmhouse serves up some perfect cold weather options…fried cheese curds and fried chicken anyone?
I hope you enjoy this week’s episode, and let me know if you try any of the places and what you think! I wish you all the warmest, happiest holidays and I’ll see you back here in the New Year!
Cheers,
Catherine
