Rachael Ray

Half the fun of discovering a new restaurant is sharing it with people you know will enjoy it. As Rachael Ray’s resident restaurant guru, here’s an inside look at what I report back to Rach about some of my favorite restaurant finds and food experiences! From: Kappy To: RR Sent: Friday, February 15, 2013 3:19pm Subject: Wildcat Country Food - Tucson, AZ Hi Rachael - I was recently in Arizona - Tucson to be exact - for a good friend’s wedding. I haven’t really spent much time there besides driving through on my way from Miami to L.A., so I didn’t know what to expect, food-wise at least. We’ve known our friends for about eight years, so I’ve been hearing about all of their hometown favorites [...]...

Hopefully, the remains of Hurricane Sandy’s wrath have left you and your loved ones safe and with nothing more then your lawns blanketed in leaves, gutters stuffed to the gills and your windows covered in yuk.  So for those who now are ready to tackle this season’s outdoor clean-up here are several tips and tools that will help you minimize the time spent doing it and which won’t break the bank nor a nail.  BTW if you have a child of age 5 or older this is a terrific family activity. If you have no children, ask your BFF or a neighbor who has since they will probably not mind sharing theirs so they can enjoy a ‘break’ of their [...]...

Half the fun of discovering a new restaurant is sharing it with people you know will enjoy it. As Rachael Ray’s resident restaurant guru, here’s an inside look at what I report back to Rach about some of my favorite restaurant finds and food experiences! From: Kappy To: Rachael Sent: Monday, August 6, 2012 2:02pm Subject: Best Rooftop View in Chicago Hey RR - Remember that restaurant we went to last time you were in Chicago, Perennial Virant? It’s that one where mixologist Erin Hayes made us some crafty cocktails… Anyway, their rooftop bar just opened and the view is insane. I know that they gave you a sneak peek when it was a construction zone, but this place is madness. [...]...

By now, if you’re even an occasional reader of my blog, you know that I reside in Chicago. You may also know that I have a fondness for the Chicago-style hot dog. That’s because when people say the word “hot dog” - or any reference about the encased meat - I usually go on to explain how I basically grew up in the Vienna Beef factory in Chicago, IL. Vienna Beef is the maker of the true Chicago-style hot dog. From a young age, my father owned his own food company through Vienna; today, my brother owns his own stand, Josh’s Hot Dogs. Without a doubt, I’ve consumed my fair share of dogs over the years. I’ve never liked my [...]...

If you head on over to Chicago’s West Town neighborhood these days, you’re bound to find some new, tasty and happening restaurants. I recently dined at a couple of them that are worthy of some praise. First was West Town Tavern. Don’t think of your typical local tavern when you’re dining here. Recently awarded a Bib Gourmand from the Michelin guide, their contemporary food is anything but ordinary. The duo in Chef Susan Goss and husband Drew have a sweet little gem of a spot in Chicago’s West Town. The space is rustic and comfortable and the menu is intriguing. We started with the Crispy Lobster and Crab Cake served with Green Goddess Dressing. Along with that we added the Tavern Potato [...]...

Lao Sze Chuan 2172 S. Archer Avenue Chicago, IL 60616 312-326-5040 With a trip to China in my near future, there wasn’t much time left to warm up my taste buds. I had heard the rave reviews about this small Chinatown establishment and couldn’t wait to try it out, so off I went one weekday afternoon with my brother. We started with the Eggrolls, which, the menu stated, were some of “Chicago’s best.” I enjoyed them while my brother vowed to not use them to fill up space in his stomach. Despite the 90 degree weather, we both ordered Hot and Sour soup and still thoroughly enjoyed it. Not to be missed was the Mongolian Beef, probably one of the best Mongolian beef dishes [...]...

I’m no dummy: when the opportunity to pop into to Rick Bayless’ Xoco for lunch appeared, I jumped on it. I happened to stumble in there on a Thursday afternoon when the daily torta (sandwich) special was the Mole Poblano-Braised Pork served up with wood-grilled onions, fresh cheese and crunchy fresh garnishes like radish - all cooked in their wood-burning oven. Post-torta, I could not resist getting Xoco’s new Mexican Vanilla soft-serve ice cream. I got mine topped with maple pecan bacon streusel and salted caramel sauce. Yes, you read that right. If you are ever within a few blocks radius of Rick Bayless’ Xoco and asking yourself whether you should go, [...]...

It’s been a strange 36 hours. Yesterday I was coping with the fact that I had been singled out for praise on a gay chubby-chaser blog; today, I’m in an immaculate, elegant hotel room in Indianapolis, reflecting on the six hamburgers I just ate at Steak ‘n Shake. Is this really the man I want to be? A weirdo that sits in a hotel room thinking about hamburgers, fit to be admired only by fat-fetishists? As Johnson once wrote, “this is not the life to which Heaven is promised.” The blog, Chubarama, meant well. They found a video of myself and Michael White, my favorite chef and a big man, from The Feedbag. (Citysearch empowers me to go around and find [...]...

I went to a great cocktail party this weekend and I was really impressed with how the hostess, who by the way is 7 months pregnant, handled the whole party. Here’s what I thought she did well: The time: It was from 6-9pm so everyone was out at an early hour. I loved that because I was home and in my jammies watching the news by 10:30! The food: She had all hors d’ouevres and dips so there was no sit down meal, but there was plenty to fill you up and I certainly did not leave hungry. She lives in an apartment so the dips and appies were scattered all over the living room where we were mingling. [...]...