Recommendations

Find | Over The Counter Ingredients

Urbanbelly Foods Sauces

We have a new line of sauces from Urbanbelly Foods including Seoul Sauce, a combination of soy sauce and balsamic vinegar that we use as a dipping sauce for dumplings and to dress edamame, and Belly Fire, a serrano chili based hot sauce that appears in special broths and in our bloody mary mix we've served at pop up brunches.

 

Three Crabs Fish Sauce

I am a true devotee of Three Crabs fish sauce, no other brand will do. We use it to season pretty much everything thats not vegetarian.

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Chef’s Recs | Chicago

Find | Food Purveyors

Green City Market | Green Acres Farm & Three Sisters Garden

I'm a big fan of many of the farmers who sell at the Green City Market, but I am especially proud to use products from Green Acres Farm, operated by Beth & Brent Eccles, and Three Sisters Garden, operated by Tracey Vowell and Kathe Roybal. Beth's grandfather was a Japanese immigrant who began farming in Indiana in the 1930s and sold to restaurants in Chicago's Chinatown. She continues the tradition he started by offering Asian greens, cucumbers, and herbs that are essential to our cuisine. Tracey was a chef at Frontera Grill for many years and truly understands what the professional kitchen demands. We use her pea shoots and corn grits year-round.

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Find | Markets & Food Shops

Joong Boo Market

It’s is a Korean grocery store on Belmont and Kimball, just off the expressway. There are so many unique and hard-to-find items including seaweed, rice cakes, and chili paste. Korean blood sausage is not to be missed!

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Find | Restaurants

Restaurants I’d Take A Visiting Chef

Goosefoot

I tend to stay away from the fine dining haunts, but this might be reason to make an exception. Chris Nugent is one of the nicest folks in this business and deserves all the accolades he's received. Now that they've been selected Best New Restaurant by Chicago Magazine, I hope I can still get a reservation.

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Off the Beaten Track

Pleasant House Bakery

It’s in Bridgeport, a neighborhood southwest of downtown, and they have amazing meat pies, especially the Chicken Balti, plus they farm their own produce.

Maria’s

Follow up with a stop next door at Maria's for craft beer.

El Cubanito

I love the cuban sandwich at El Cubanito on Pulaski in Logan Square. It’s operated by a husband and wife team, just like our restaurants.

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Quintessential Chicago Experience

Lou Malnati's

For a pan pizza with butter crust. Say what you will about New York pizza versus Chicago pizza - there's no doubt this is indulgent and delicious. I can't even eat dairy and I still love it!

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Chef’s Recs | Chefs

Chefs John Shields and Karen Urie Shields

Formerly of Town House in Chilhowie, Virginia. I worked with both John and Karen at Charlie Trotter's - before they were a couple. He was a Best New Chef selection in Food and Wine in 2010. They just moved to Philadelphia and are about to take the city of brotherly love by storm.

Chef Justin Cogley

He’s the Executive Chef of Aubergine in Carmel, California. He was my intern at Charlie Trotter's and quickly rose through the ranks to be chef de cuisine before helping to open the Elysian Hotel, now Waldorf Astoria Chicago. 

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More Recs

Download the F.E.D. iPhone app and use Bill Kim’s recs on the go -- as well as recommendations from other pros.

Details

Details of Bill Kim’s recommendations for where to eat, drink and shop in Chicago, IL.

Recipes

- Kimchi Stew with Braised Pork