Taking another bite into unique culinary experiences, Chicago (McCormick’s Place) will host more than 200 local restaurants as part of Culinary Crossroads from May 1-25.
Chicago, besides Washington, D.C. will be the first city to host a NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) summit and the first city in 30 years to hold both NATO and G8 (forum for the governments of eight of the world’s largest economies). For foodies, international politics means international eats. Each time you eat from one of these eateries, you will receive a code; receiving three codes gives you a chance to sign up for a chance to win Chicago’s gourmet eating package along with many other prizes.
Chicago’s Culinary Crossroads brings to you a wide variety of different food cultures and flavors. Chefs from each G8 nation will partner with many of the participating restaurants to make dishes and show cooking demonstrations and lectures at Chicago Public Schools. Some of the participating restaurants are 720 South Bar & Grill, Adobo Grill, America’s Dog, Ann Sather Andersonville Restaurant, Arun’s Thai Restaurant, Bistronomic, and more. Special menus that will be seen are from America, Sweden, Mexican, German, Norwegian, Thai, Italian, Mediterranean, French and more. Get a taste of the different foods countries have to offer in this yummy experience!
Although many of the restaurants are about 40 minutes away and are either downtown or close to downtown, visiting one of these places in the summer is sure to be a great way to spend your afternoon. But bring a couple of friends along because the bill will be so high from all the delicious food you will be willing to try! If you’re looking for new experiences, here are three international styles to start with:
THAI
Thai food is very diverse, whether you get fried rice with pork, or steamed rice topped with roasted duck, they are served in bite-sized slices or chunks so that way you won’t need a knife. A typical meal might include a clear soup (perhaps bitter melons stuffed with minced pork), a steamed dish (mussels in curry sauce), a fried dish (fish with ginger), a hot salad (beef slices on a bed of lettuce, onions, chillies, mint and lemon juice) and a variety of sauces into which food is dipped. This would be followed by sweet desserts and/or fresh fruits such as mangoes, durian, jackfruit, papaya, grapes or melon. Hors d’oeuvres include spring rolls, satay, puffed rice cakes with herbed topping.
FRENCH
French food is another very different style of food and cooking. Some traditional meat dishes are Coq au Vin (cockerel in red wine), Cassoulet (beans stewed with pork, duck or mutton), Confit de Canard (“preserved” duck), Steak Tartar (raw ground beef). In many regions, the French use many animal-innards like chicken gizzards, tripe, chitterling sausage, and goose or duck liver.Veggies in France are not used as a big part of their meal, usually just for a side dish. Many vegetables that they do include are mushrooms, leeks, string beans, tomatoes, onions, and a variety of lettuces and leafy greens, but the most famous vegetable dish shares its name with a cute animated movie, ratatouille. Bistrot Margot’s restaurant is sure to have a delicious suprise for you if you never had french food.
MEDITERRANEAN
Mediterranean cuisine is consists mostly of fresh fruits and vegetables. There is a huge emphasis on poultry, seafood, rice, grains, beans, and pasta. Grilling or boiling is a famous method of cooking for the Mediterranean.Olive oil is also a big hit when preparing food. Many yogurts and cheeses will also be seen at a Mediterranean restaurant. Foods like eggplant, artichokes, squash, tomatoes, onions, mushrooms, cucumbers, and other greens will be served served fresh, baked, roasted, sautéed, grilled and puréed. Roti’s menu is sure to knock your socks off if you decide to visit this amazing restaurant.
