Chicago French Market has been a wonderful addition to the Ogilvie train station in its long-neglected northern lower level. It's too bad that it lacks the customers it deserves.
Customers are few and far between whenever I go there, which is whenever I'm in the neighborhood. Some two dozen vendors fill the stalls with everything from live lobsters to intricate French pastries. Canady Le Chocolatier sells handmade chocolates that are works of art nearly too pretty to eat. Frietkoten Belgian Fries & Beer brings back memories of my first trip to Europe many years ago. Saigon Sisters serves the best Vietnamese street food. And these are just a sample of the market's varied offerings.
One problem is that the market's location doesn't have a busy pedestrian traffic pattern like similar markets have in other cities, such as New York and Philadelphia. It's out of the way for anyone except commuters and nearby residents and office workers.
In spite of its location dilemma, the market is definitely worth a special trip. Anyone driving can get free parking for an hour with a $20 purchase. Hours are 7 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday-Friday and 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday. Check it out if you haven't been there.
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Monday, June 13, 2011
Out of Africa: Excellent South African wines
Wines of South Africa, a non-profit company owned by wine producers, recently conducted educational workshops at The Peninsula-Chicago that revealed some of the newer wines from the Cape winelands, many of which are not yet exported to the U.S. Although I already was familiar with a few good South African imports, particularly Sauvignon Blancs, I learned that red wine plantings have grown to make up nearly half of the production.
Two that I particulary liked were the Thandi Cabernet Sauvignon 2007, drinkable now due to its less-powerful tannins, and Nederburg's Ingenuity Red 2008, a blend of Italian grapes--Sangiovese, Barbera and Nebbiolo. This big wine will be even better in six-to-nine years.
Vernon Henn of Thandi Wines related an uplifting history of the company, the first in South Africa to be Fair Trade certified in 2003. In addition to using sustainable agricultural practices, Thandi employs local laborers previously excluded from the nation's formal economy who have become owners. The winery also sponsors day care centers, schools and other programs.
Thandi's corporate social investments are setting an example for the rest of South Africa's growing wine industry, which currently makes up three percent of the world's vineyards. "We borrowed the land from our children and will try to leave it in a better state," Henn stated.
Two that I particulary liked were the Thandi Cabernet Sauvignon 2007, drinkable now due to its less-powerful tannins, and Nederburg's Ingenuity Red 2008, a blend of Italian grapes--Sangiovese, Barbera and Nebbiolo. This big wine will be even better in six-to-nine years.
Vernon Henn of Thandi Wines related an uplifting history of the company, the first in South Africa to be Fair Trade certified in 2003. In addition to using sustainable agricultural practices, Thandi employs local laborers previously excluded from the nation's formal economy who have become owners. The winery also sponsors day care centers, schools and other programs.
Thandi's corporate social investments are setting an example for the rest of South Africa's growing wine industry, which currently makes up three percent of the world's vineyards. "We borrowed the land from our children and will try to leave it in a better state," Henn stated.
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