“Our intention with Bloom is to focus on bringing flavorful, healthy, and affordable vegetarian food to the everyday family, while also being desirable and appealing to even the non-vegetarian. This way we can all do our part by being better to the planet and be healthier.”

The Owners of Bloom Plant Based Kitchen

Bloom Plant Based Kitchen began its life last year as a ghost vegetarian pop-up kitchen inside Amaru, a popular Latin restaurant in Wicker Park. The concept proved so popular, chef/owner Rodolfo Cuadros looked for its own space, finding it in the former Links Taproom. Since its opening in July, Bloom has earned perfect five-star ratings on Google nearly 30 times. That’s rare, especially for a new restaurant.

This kitchen specializes in unique vegetarian/vegan combinations, mixing Latin, Indian, and other international flavors that please the eye and the palate, and is staffed by knowledgeable servers. The airy, bright decor draws attention to a shelf where they grow their own microgreens. 

Most importantly, Bloom accomplishes what it sets out to do- serving vegetarian food that can appeal to a non-vegetarian audience. “We are not vegetarian or vegan,” wrote one Google reviewer. “But plenty of delicious dishes here to satisfy anyone and walk away full!” Another reviewer noted, “Most other vegan spots in Chicago are comfort food with meat substitutes. Bloom has very creative dishes like coffee carrots!”

Bloom’s coffee carrots are far from the only creative dish on their menu. All menu items are 100% vegan and gluten-free. Plates are served tapas-style and meant for sharing. Many reviewers raved about Bloom’s Cultured Cheese Board, festooned with almond goat cheese, aged truffle cheese, spirulina blue cheese, seasonal marmalade, flax seed crackers, and house pickles. ‘Quick Bites’ include Baja Tacos, made with banana blossom tempura, hemp seed tortilla, fermented cabbage, smoked chili oil, and cilantro. Beet Dumplings pairs a beet-coconut wrap with sunflower spinach filling, tahini, coconut ginger foam, and garlic chips. Or the flavorful Lottery Peppers, a combination of shishito peppers, lentil piquillo hummus, ginger tamari glaze, and mixed seeds.

Other enticing selections include a Thai Papaya Salad, a fruity, nutty mix of green papaya, cucumber, carrot, mint, serrano chili, sesame ginger coconut aminos, toasted sesame, and cashew. ‘Big Boys’ entrees include a Tamal Coloradito (trans., ‘infused with color,’) with ancho adobo banana blossom, macha beans, salsa verde, and mole coloradito. Bloom’s Lasagna has a pumpkin seed bolognese, sundried tomato marinara, celery root, heirloom tomatoes, and basil cashew béchamel. Other ‘don’t miss’ items under the ‘Del Horno’ (trans., ‘from the oven’) selections include Heirloom Tomato Flat Bread, with basil, crispy shallots, thyme, tamarind saba, white bean, and sprouts, or the Shroom & Chorizo Flat Bread. Chorizo? Isn’t that a sausage? Not when it’s made from sunflowers, served with San Marzano marinara, coconut mozzarella, and arugula!

Desserts are equally creative, featuring Avocado Key Lime- not a pie, but made with avocado key lime ice cream, almond ginger crumbles, cashew caramel, coconut texture. Coffee Break combines chocolate coffee mousse, aerated chocolate, toasted hazelnut, and a cashew caramel.

Bloom Plant Based Kitchen is located at 1559 N. Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago, IL 60622. Hours are Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday, 5pm–9pm; Friday and Saturday, 5pm–9pm; and Sunday, 5pm-8pm. The restaurant is closed Tuesdays. For more information, click here. 

Alison Moran and Dean’s Team Chicago

Summer may be officially winding down, however there are still many BBQs ahead, so you need your grill in tip top shape. Here are some of the most common gas grill problems and how to fix them!

Excess Smoke: If your grill is releasing an unusual amount of smoke when you turn it on, there may be an accumulation of grease at the bottom that needs to be cleaned. Use a strong grill brush to give it a proper cleaning and make sure to preheat it for fifteen minutes before using it again.

Ignition Problems: If your igniters aren’t producing any flames, there could be a variety of problems. If your ignition is independent of the body of the grill, then you may have a malfunctioning button or faulty wiring and the parts will have to be replaced. Otherwise, check to see if the igniter is clogged or has any blockages. The wiring and switches may have to be replaced if all else fails.

Uneven Heat: Grills with uneven heating can cause poorly cooked meals and annoyance. Make sure the holes along your burners are free from any residue. A good scrub with a grill brush should do the trick.

Orange-Yellow Flames: If you are seeing orange-yellow flames coming from your grill, there may be a problem with the control valves or venturi tubes. To fix this, locate the adjustment screw and turn your grill to low. Then, loosen the screw until the flame has a bluish tint. Afterwards, make sure to turn off the gas and tighten the venturi tube screw.

Low Flame, Low Temperature: When your grill isn’t reaching high enough temperatures, there could be a problem with the fuel line regulator. Fixing the regulator involves disconnecting the gas line and turning all control valves to high for one minute.

So much to do, so little time! Inching ever closer to fall, this weekend offers many opportunities for amazing experiences in your community, as well as art, music and festivals!

Start your weekendwith Lincoln Square’s September Stammtisch, on Friday September 17, from 7:30pm-11pm at the Dank Haus German-American Cultural Center, 4740 N. Western Ave, at the 6^th floor Skyline Lounge & Terrace. A Stammtisch (German for ‘regulars’ table)’ is an informal, friendly get-together, held on a regular basis. September’s Stammtisch will feature delicious food, drink, and snacks for purchase, good conversation and gemeinschaft (community). Masks are required. Suggested donation is $5.

For a delectable feast of food and music, head to the Eighth Annual Lakeview Taco Fest on Saturday, September 18 and Sunday, September 19, on Southport between Addison and Roscoe. The fest also features special beer and taco pairings, two music stages featuring acts like Sixteen Candles and Stache, crowd-pleasing Mexican wrestlers (Luche Libre), and activities for kids. Visitors can text-vote for local eateries competing for the honor of the title ‘Chicago’s Best Taco.’ How do you like yours? Traditional chicken, steak, chorizo and beef, or stuffed with imaginative ingredients such as mushrooms, seafood, goat and duck? A $10 suggested donation benefits the Friends of Lakeview. 

The Fifth Annual artfest Michigan Avenue will be held at the base of the iconic Chicago Tribune Building, 435 N Michigan Ave., on Saturday, September 18 and Sunday, September 19, from 10am-5pm. Showcasing the work of 70 juried artists from across the country in a wide variety of mediums, this “all-art” show features every medium available, from gorgeous glass and jewelry to functional wearables and sustainable, up-cycled artworks.  Reservations are encouraged. Free admission.

Savor a selection of more than 150 craft beers and ciders at Lincoln Park Zoo’s Sixth Annual Craft Brews Beer Festival, on Saturday, September 18, from 5pm-10pm, 2200 N. Cannon Drive. Beer tasting stations will be set up throughout the zoo’s beautiful gardens during this adults-only, after-hours event. Ticket holders will also enjoy food for purchase, music, lawn games, and the zoo’s amazing animals.  General admission tickets include entry to Lincoln Park Zoo beginning at 6 p.m. as well as (20) 3oz tasting tickets and a souvenir tasting glass. Tickets range from $20-$65.

The Chicago Blues Festival is the largest free blues festival in the world. This year, Chicago in Tune wraps up its celebration of music in the home of urban blues on Saturday, September 18, at Millennium Park’s Jay Pritzker Pavilion. From 5:30pm-8:30pm, you can enjoy a celebration of the 50^th Anniversary of Chicago’s legendary Alligator Records with Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials, Nick Moss Band, and the Cash Box Kings with special guests, Shemekia Copeland, Billy Branch and Wayne Baker Brooks. Free admission.

Get to know your neighbors and experience your community at the Wicker Park Farmer’s Market!  On Sunday, September 19^th from 8am-2pm, at 1425 N. Damen, the Wicker Park Farmer’s Market hosts a variety of family-friendly activities, as well as great displays of farmer’s market-fresh cheeses, fruits, flowers and vegetables. Other features include displays from local artists, and a full roster of activities, including meditation with Kadampa Meditation Center from 8:15am-8:50am, Pilates with Club Pilates Wicker Park from 9am-9:45am, and Children’s Storytime with Cruelty-Free You & Me from 9am-11am. Emily Franke provides music from 10am to noon. Masks are required. Free admission.

 Alison Moran and Dean’s Team Chicago

We usually assume that food borne illness only comes from meat and seafood. However, we’re increasingly seeing outbreaks caused by produce items such as romaine lettuce, melons and cucumbers. Believe it or not, there is an easy solution: washing under cold running water! This simple rinse is sufficient to remove microbes, pesticides and dirt. Soap and bleach may seem like a good idea, but they can leave residue that makes you just as sick. When tested, commercial produce washes were found to be less effective than distilled or tap water. So, when it comes to special washes, save your money. If you do want a little extra oomph in your wash, you can use a brush on sturdy produce like melons, apples, citrus, peppers and cukes. More delicate produce can be cleaned sufficiently by rubbing with your hands, & using a paper towel or clean dish cloth to dry & remove even more bacteria. Pro-tip: always wash the outside of produce even if you are not eating the skin! Cutting will transfer contaminants from the surface to the inside. 

White mushrooms can be rinsed briefly & wiped dry with a paper towel. Other fresh mushrooms like oysters, portobello or shiitake have lots of gills which trap water even after a quick rinse, so try brushing them with a pastry brush to remove dirt. Wipe with a slightly damp paper towel for more stubborn dirt. 

Root vegetables like carrots, potatoes, onions and beets do well with a rinse and a good scrub with a stiff brush. You can also include melons in this category as they grow close to the ground. Leeks are also root vegetables, but tend to need extra soaking as they have multiple layers that trap a lot of dirt and sand. Start by cutting off the tops and bottoms of the leaks. Slice them in half vertically then cut them into half-moons. Separate the slices and soak them in a large bowl of ice water for 15 minutes. Once you see all the dirt accumulate on the bottom of the bowl, lift the leeks onto a paper towel lined baking sheet to dry. 

Salad greens and herbs, similar to leeks, can be put in a large bowl to soak. Swish them around a bit in the water, then let them sit so the dirt and sand can settle at the bottom of the bowl. Greens like kale, spinach and collards are especially dirty because they are grown in sandy soil, so be sure to trim and rinse them first before soaking. Dry all your leafy greens in a salad spinner or on a towel lined baking sheet. 

Berries are delicate & expensive so take special care here! Try to only purchase as much as you will use in a day or two because they can go bad fairly quickly. Check for and discard any berries that are overly soft or have mold, as they will cause the good fruit to deteriorate even faster. It’s best to wash berries just before using so they don’t accumulate mold. Use a colander and dip them in a bowl of cold water, let them soak for a minute or two then dry on paper towels. This protects the delicate berries from being crushed. 

It may seem like a lot of extra work at first, but really it’s very easy! Just a few minutes of deliberate care will give you crisp delicious produce that is safe to eat. 

Kathleen Weaver-Zech and Dean’s Team Chicago

After a short work week (for some of us), it’s time again for another Chicago-style summer weekend as we inch closer to the next season!  Take advantage of it while you can and enjoy every last bit of summer!!

Pairing delicious food and drinks on the Harris Theater rooftop at Millennium Park (205 E. Randolph Dr.) as well as leading restaurants and venues citywide, Chicago Gourmet has reunited for 2021 along with Go Gourmet, the Hamburger Hop, and Grand Cru x Two.  Join top chefs, sommeliers, and mixologists for unforgettable cuisine and spirits throughout the month of September.  Come join us in celebrating the city’s world-class and uniquely diverse restaurants for some familiar fun and new favorites!

The aromas, sounds, tastes and traditions of Greece will be brought to you this Saturday (12 p.m.-11 p.m.) and Sunday (12 p.m.-10 p.m.) at the Lincoln Park Greek Fest being held at St. George Greek Orthodox Church (2701 N. Sheffield Ave.). This popular annual cultural celebration not only serves up authentic flavorful food, great music, dancing and pure fun, but also promises that everyone will be proudly Hellenic for at least a day whether you’re Greek or not! Opa!

You know the end of summer is near when the plaza at NEWCITY (1457 N. Halsted St.) in the Lincoln Park neighborhood hosts the final Lincoln Park Summer Sundaes: Clybourn this Sunday (11 a.m.-2 p.m.).  This final celebration will feature live music, activities, games, free ice cream from Yoberri Gourmet for the first 100 people who stop by and mention “Summer Sundaes,” as well as complimentary summer goody bags (while supplies last)!

Returning for its 36^th year, the Printers Row Lit Fest is the largest free outdoor literary showcase in the Midwest taking place this Saturday and Sunday (10 a.m.-6 p.m.) in Chicago’s historic Printers Row neighborhood.  Award winning journalist and novelist Dawn Turner will open the festival on Saturday (10 a.m.) to discuss her new memoir.  Plus, two-time Pulitzer Prize winner and National Book Award winner Colson Whitehead will appear on Sunday (4 p.m.) to discuss his new book Harlem Shuffle with Dr. Ivy Wilson. Also, 400 pre-signed copies of Harlem Shuffle will be provided to attendees in advance of the book’s publication date!

The Lakeview East Festival of the Arts returns for its 16^th year this Saturday and Sunday along Broadway Street from Belmont Avenue to Hawthorne Place. Not only will this festival showcase 100+ juried artists featuring world-class original paintings, photography, sculptures, furniture, jewelry and more, but also will feature live music on multiple stages, wine, beer and food booths, an interactive garden oasis, an interactive kids’ area and much more! The festival runs from 11 a.m.-7 p.m.; however, additional hours (until 10 p.m.) on Saturday have been added for live music, food, and drink tents!

Both our major league baseball teams will be home this weekend if you want to take in some baseball.  The Chicago Cubs will host the San Francisco Giants (now home to Kris Bryant) at Wrigley Field this Saturday and Sunday at 1:20 p.m. and the Chicago White Sox (now home to Craig Kimbrel) will be hosting the Boston Red Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field this Saturday (6:10 p.m.) and Sunday (1:10 p.m.).

Sue Moss and Dean’s Team Chicago