octopus Archives - Chicago Reader

Music

Pianist Craig Taborn finds new ways to adapt while remaining true to his erudite, curious aesthetic

by Peter Margasak February 1, 2018August 18, 2021

Last month at the Winter Jazzfest in New York I saw keyboardist Craig Taborn share his deep love of heavy metal as a member of drummer Dan Weiss’s new Starebaby project—laying down fierce drones and doomesque power chords on synthesizer. At this point, nothing about Taborn ever surprises me—he’s got incredibly broad tastes, and he […]

Blogs

Cooking with a hard-to-find Peruvian pepper

by Julia Thiel October 25, 2017August 18, 2021

Challenged to create a dish with aji amarillo, a South American pepper, chef Joshua Marrelli of Bakersfield Wood-Fired Grill experiments with every version he can find.

Blogs

The octopus and fish go down fighting at Shiroi Sushi

by Mike Sula May 26, 2016August 18, 2021

The food dies right on the table at the Korean-owned sushi spot in Glenview.

Blogs

Webster’s Wine Bar: Telegraph, transformed

by Julia Thiel October 14, 2014August 18, 2021

Webster’s Wine Bar has moved into the former Telegraph space in Logan Square, taking on most of Telegraph’s chefs.

A green papaya salad with midwestern shrimp is delicately sweet, sour, and spicy.

MFK offers an underground refuge

by Mike Sula August 16, 2014August 18, 2021

The Spanish-focused seafood spot is a testament to virtuous simplicity.

Best of Chicago

Best Jackson Pollack Imitation on a Plate

by Michael Gebert June 25, 2014August 18, 2021

The kitchen calls it the “murder splatter.”

Handmade orecchiette with fennel sausage, kale, and slivers of toasted garlic

Brendan Sodikoff’s new Italian spot enters a crowded field

by Mike Sula May 30, 2014August 18, 2021

Cocello, Brendan Sodikoff’s new Italian spot, enters a crowded field.

A generous bowl of donburi, topped with shaved rib eye and caramelized onions

Ani: All-purpose Japanese for a neighborhood that can use it

by Mike Sula May 5, 2014August 18, 2021

Ani, Arami’s younger brother, brings all-purpose Japanese to Lakeview.

Octopus and potato salad, with chunks of house-made "Spam," sweet crunchy beans, and spicy pickled brussels sprouts

Bottlefork: A fine chef meets the Dec

by Mike Sula April 4, 2014August 18, 2021

At Rockit Ranch’s Bottlefork, a fine chef meets the Dec

Silky fillet of loup de mer and tender rings of calamari, garnished with artichoke hearts and capers and buoyed by blood orange preserves

Chef Lee Wolen reboots Boka

by Mike Sula March 28, 2014August 18, 2021

The decade-old restaurant and flagship of the Boka group maintains its relevance.

You can easily get lost in the squid-ink bucatini—in a good way.

At Paul Kahan’s Nico Osteria, two worlds collide with a bang

by Mara Shalhoup February 1, 2014August 18, 2021

At Paul Kahan’s Nico Osteria, two worlds collide.

You can make a satisfying night out by picking over some of the nearly two dozen small-plate options.

Azzurra EnoTavola is the season’s Italian sleeper

by Mike Sula December 13, 2013August 19, 2021

Azzura EnoTavola offers simple, soulful Italian food from the folks behind Anteprima and Bar Ombra.

The starkest difference between Gogi and any of the remaining Korean barbecue houses in the city lies in the quality and freshness of these protein choices.

Gogi Korean barbecue reignites the fire

by Mike Sula October 25, 2013August 19, 2021

Gogi Korean barbecue reignites the fire.

Juicy and succulent, Tanta's pollo a la brasa is one of the best versions in town.

Tanta: Peruvian time is nigh

by Mike Sula October 4, 2013August 19, 2021

Tanta: Peruvian time is nigh.

A selection of “seacuterie” includes whitefish rillettes, thinly sliced octopus carpaccio, and a “bouillabaisse” aspic bombe in which bits of shellfish are suspended.

Travelle is all over the Mediterranean

by Mike Sula September 27, 2013August 19, 2021

Travelle, Tim Graham’s restaurant in the Langham hotel, covers too much of the map.