Quick Bites

By Chuck Sudo in Food on Sep 4, 2008 5:35PM

• Counting down the days until we receive our copy of the Alinea cookbook in the mail. While we've been spending lots of time at the Alinea Mosaic (a perk of advance purchase), Michael Ruhlman - one of four food writers commissioned to write an essay for the book, offers a sneak preview of the books contents. It cannot come to us soon enough.
• The Local Beet has quickly become one of our favorite new local food blogs. this week they have a guide to fall and winter CSAs and local produce box drops.
• Chicago Gluttons has the most hilarious review of San Soo Gap San ever.
• The latest local chef to branch out to Vegas? Shawn McClain of Spring, who's partnered with the MGM's City Center complex on an as-yet-undisclosed concept. (Note: McClain's PR reps have set up a preview of what to expect for his Vegas concept with a media/VIP dinner September 21st at Spring.).
• Mike Sula has nothing but superlatives for the tacos de guevera at Birrieria La Barca Jalisco.
• More teasing of the Publican. This time, Mike Nagrant interviews executive chef Brian Huston.
• Gemma Pertie (aka Pro Bono Baker) writes about her experience dining on the Empire Builder train from Chicago to Portland at Drive-thru.
• Finally: a correction to one of our listings in last week's "Friday Buffet" installment. Cityscape at the Holiday Inn Merchandise Mart is not offering half-priced appetizers for the kickoff to NFL season this weekend. The beer flights, however, are still in place.