MLA ‘08 Blog

Will you be in Chicago for MLA on either Thursday, May 15 or Friday, May 16 and looking for a place for dinner with librarian colleagues?

Contact Gerald Dujsik at gdujsik@ico.edu to sign up for a specific Dine-Around. Contact the host if you have questions about the food, meeting time/place, etc.

Thursday, May 15, 2008

Erwin: An American Café and Bar
2925 N. Halstead (map)

• Limit to Diners: 5
• Meeting Place: MLA Hospitality Desk at the Hyatt
• Meeting Time: 5:30 pm
• Dinner Reservation: 6 pm
• Price estimation: $40-$50 per person plus tax and tip and cab ($$63-76)
• Host: Jim Shedlock, j-shedlock@northwestern.edu

Russian Tea Time
77 East Adams (map)

• Limit to Diners: 7
• Meeting Place: MLA Hospitality Desk at the Hyatt
• Meeting Time: 6 pm
• Dinner Reservation: 6:30 pm
• Price estimation: Main entrees $17-$29
• Host: Pat Pinkowski, Patricia.Pinkowski@alz.org
• Additional Info: Those who want to take a cab can meet us there. The restaurant offers vegetarian options in addition to a wide selection of meats. It also offers a large selection of teas and Russian vodkas. They will give us separate checks.

RL (Ralph Lauren) Restaurant
115 E. Chicago Avenue (map)

• Limit to Diners: 7
• Meeting Place: MLA Hospitality Desk at the Hyatt
• Meeting Time: 5:30 pm
• Dinner Reservation: 6:00 pm
• Price estimation: Main entrees $19-$42
• Host: Carol Jeuell, cjeuell@childrensmemorial.org

Friday, May 16, 2008

La Petite Amelia
618 Church Street, Evanston, IL (near Hotel Orrington)

• Limit to Diners: 7
• Meeting Place: Lobby of the Hotel Orrington, 1710 Orrington Ave., Evanston, IL
• Meeting Time: 6:30 pm
• Dinner Reservation: 6:45 pm
• Price estimation: Main entrees $10-$25
• Host: Ramune Kubilius, r-kubilius@northwestern.edu

Redfish Restaurant
400 N. State Street (map)

• Limit to Diners: 6
• Meeting Place: MLA Hospitality Desk at the Hyatt
• Meeting Time: 6:30 pm
• Dinner Reservation: 7:00 pm
• Price estimation: Main entrees $17-$24
• Host: Dianne Olson, dolson@lumc.edu

Tavern at the Park
130 E. Randolph (at the Prudential Plaza)

• Limit to Diners: 7
• Meeting Place: MLA Hospitality Desk at the Hyatt
• Meeting Time: 7:00 pm
• Dinner Reservation: 7:30 pm
• Price estimation: Main entrees $17-$38
• Host: Dalia Kleinmuntz, DKleinmuntz@enh.org
• Additional Info: Reservation under Kleinmuntz. 2 block stroll.

The MLA ‘08 Restaurant Guide (pdf) is now available on the meeting website. Find everything from cheap eats to fancy steak houses, from meatloaf to vegetarian.

The Guide covers restaurants in the neighborhoods nearest the Hyatt, all within walking distance. But if you’re feeling adventurous, don’t hesitate to wander further out into the city. Chicago has a great diversity of restaurants, representing culinary traditions from around the globe.

Metromix and Yelp are two review sites that can help you identify additional dining options. The hotel concierge and MLA members at the Hospitality Booth can also help with suggestions and directions.

Have a favorite that’s not on the list? Leave a comment below . . .

You may not have been here to see the River turn green for St. Patrick’s Day, but rest assured there’s no shortage of Irish spirit–and Irish pubs–in Chicago. (photo from GreenChicagoRiver.com)

There are many options within walking distance of the conference hotel. North of the Chicago River are a slew of Irish-themed bars, including several on Clark Street. Lizzie McNeil’s is a neighborhood place located just across the river from the Hyatt, with a river-view patio open in warmer weather. The relatively new bar D4 is designed after a Georgian townhouse in Dublin, and has a good beer selection. The line at Fado winds around block come St. Patrick’s Day. Celtic Crossings offers a somewhat different feel, with no shamrocks, no food, and no frills; pull up a stool, and have a pint and a chat.

If you’re looking to get out into the city . . . In the South Loop neighborhood is Grace O’Malley’s, where in addition to the beer and whiskey you’ll find more upscale menu options (including a weekend brunch). Head North to Paddy Long’s, a new pub opened by a Dublin native, where you’re likely to find soccer and rugby on the TVs. And in the heart of Lincoln Park is the popular Galway Arms; stop in for the live Irish music session on Sunday evenings.

Have another recommendation? Leave a comment below.

Lizzie McNeill’s Irish Pub
Address: 400 North McClurg Court
Phone: 312-467-1992

D4 Irish Pub & Cafe
Address: 345 E. Ohio St.
Phone: 312-624-8385

Fado
Address: 100 W. Grand Ave.
Phone: 312-836-0066

Celtic Crossings
Address: 751 N. Clark St.
Phone: 312-337-1005

Grace O’Malley’s Restaurant-Pub
Address: 1416 S. Michigan Ave.
Phone: 312-588-1800
Directions: Catch a south-bound bus on Michigan Avenue, or take the Red/Orange/Green Line to the Roosevelt stop.

Paddy Long’s
Address: 1028 W. Diversey Pkwy
Phone: 773-290-6988
Directions: Take the Brown Line to the Diversey stop.

Galway Arms
Address: 2442 N. Clark St.
Phone: 773-472-5555
Directions: Take the Brown/Red Line to the Fullerton stop, or the #22 Clark bus.

Every city and region has them – foods that are uniquely local and contribute to the area’s reputation. For example, Philadelphia is known for its cheese steaks and St. Louis for its fried ravioli; New England for chowder and the South for fried chicken. So what is Chicago known for? There are three foods that immediately come to mind: hot dogs, pizza and Italian beef.

The Chicago Hot Dog

The Chicago hot dog (aka, the Chicago dog) is one of the original street foods though instead of sold from push carts, today you will find the Chicago hot dog offered from food trucks (located mostly near construction sites) and neighborhood stands. What makes the Chicago hot dog unique is its makeup and construction. A true Chicago hot dog MUST be made by the Vienna Beef Company. Founded during the Chicago World’s Columbian Expedition (1893), the company introduced Chicago to the Vienna-style (i.e. frankfurter) weiner. The dog is made from pure beef, nothing else, and is sealed in a natural casing. (Honest, this is not something from Upton Sinclair’s The Jungle). The dog MUST be steamed, though boiling is sometimes used; a grilled dog is referred as a chardog. The dog MUST be served on a poppy-seed bun, and the following condiments are also MUST haves: yellow mustard (ketchup on a hot dog is supposedly against the law in Chicago), bright green relish (go figure!), onions, tomato wedge, pickle spear, sport peppers and celery salt. The concoction is sometimes described as a salad with a dog or a dog dragged through a garden. One reason for their popularity, which likely started during the Depression, is that the Chicago dog is a cheap but full meal. See this road map for the real thing: http://www.viennabeef.com/culture/chicagostyle.asp.

Also popular with Chicagoans is the dog’s brother, the Chicago Polish. This sandwich is basically kielbasa or Polish-style sausage, served grilled on a bun with yellow mustard and grilled onions.

If you are coming to MLA and want a true Chicago hot dog close to the Hyatt Hotel, try Portillos at 100 W. Ontario or Hot Diggity Dog at 251 E. Ohio. The place that always seems to get national attention is the Superdawg at 6363 N. Milwaukee. A Chicago dog is served here on a “cushion of fries” and is also known for the 12-foot high figures of a hot dog couple (Maurie and Flaurie) that stands over this popular drive-in.

Chicago Deep-Dish Pizza 

Everyone by now has heard about Chicago-style pizza. This style is generally known as deep-dish and has several unique features. A Chicago deep-dish pizza is made with cornmeal and olive oil, not your typical, foccacia-style bread dough. The pizza crust is shaped in the pan to form the sides and is then partly baked. The cheese in a Chicago-style pizza is on the inside with the chunky tomato sauce going on top of the cheese followed by a blend of grated cheeses. A stuffed pizza is the same style but with the extra ingredients – sausage, pepperoni, vegetables – going on top of the cheese and covered by the tomato sauce. Pizza in America is a post-World War II phenomenon and was brought to Chicago by Ike Sewell when he opened his Pizzeria Uno restaurant (29 E. Ohio). Another popular location is the Gino’s East restaurant located at 162 E. Superior and Lou Malnati’s at 430 N. Wells.

Italian Beef 

Another Chicago iconic food is Italian beef. This popular sandwich is very Chicago. If you ask Italians from the East coast what is Italian beef, they can’t answer because they never heard of it. Basically, Italian beef (sirloin butt or top/bottom round) is well roasted with broth seasoned with garlic and oregano. Once the beef has cooled, it is thinly sliced deli-style and then reheated in its own juices. Served on an Italian roll, the sandwich is dipped in the warm juice and then hot peppers or giardinieria is added. It is often joked that you have to eat the sandwich slightly bent at the waist so as not to ruin your shirt or tie from the soggy but delicious beef. One great location for Italian beef is the beer garden at Navy Pier. The city schedules live entertainment there and you have a terrific view of boat traffic and friendly crowds plus a view of the Chicago skyline. Unfortunately, the Navy Pier beer garden is only open from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Most neighborhood hot dog stands also sell Italian beef as well.

Enjoy!

- James Shedlock, Northwestern University

Calling all fans of great architecture! The Chicago MLA ‘08 meeting coincides with Oak Park’s famous Wright Plus, a tour of homes and buildings designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and his contemporaries. Frank Lloyd Wright’s (FLW) home for 20 years, Oak Park and adjoining River Forest boast more FLW buildings than the anywhere else in the world.

On Saturday, May 17th, visitors from around the world come to enjoy the Wright Plus Housewalk, featuring rare tours of the interiors of eight private homes and two landmark buildings, designed by FLW + contemporaries. Visitors enjoy interpretations of the homes’ history and architecture, including discussions of the original occupants’ lifestyles. Additional events are planned for the entire weekend.

Offered just once a year, Wright Plus sells out quickly. Visit the Wright Plus website to see images of the featured Housewalk homes, for information on ticket details (including group sales), and online ordering.

The tour begins at the FLW Home and Studio Center located at:
931 Chicago Avenue
Oak Park, IL 60302
708-848-1976

Directions (Ask for help at the Hospitality Booth if you need clarification.)

Metra Rail
Walk to the Bus Stop at Columbus Drive between S. Water St. and Wacker Dr. Board the 124 Navy Pier Express Bus. Exit at Canal and Madison. Walk into the Northwestern Station, a blue glass-covered building. Take westbound Union Pacific West Line train to Oak Park. Exit at Oak Park stop. Walk north on Marion Street Mall to Lake St. Turn right on Lake to Forest Ave. Continue north on Forest to Chicago Ave. The FLW Home and Studio is on the corner of Forest and Chicago. 10-15 minute walk. Check the train schedule.

CTA (a great chance to ride Chicago’s famous “El”, often featured in movies)
Walk West to State St. Walk south to Lake St. Locate the State and Lake “El” station. Take westbound Green Line to the Oak Park Ave. stop. Walk under tracks and go north on Oak Park Ave. to Chicago Ave. Turn left (west) and walk 3 blocks to the FLW Home and Studio. 10-15 minute walk. Trains run approximately every twenty minutes.

Insider Tip: There are a lot of great restaurants in Oak Park. Two within easy walking distance are Penny’s Noodle Shop and Giordano’s Pizza. Just head west along Chicago Avenue to reach them. Penny’s, located three blocks west, features a diverse menu of noodle dishes from all over Asia. Giordano’s, located two blocks west, makes a delicious deep dish Chicago-style pizza. Both are great choices for meat-lovers and vegetarians.

Penny’s Noodle Shop
Address: 1130 W. Chicago Ave., Oak Park
Phone: 708-660-1300
URL: http://www.pennysnoodleshopoakpark.com

Giordano’s Pizza
Address: 1115 W Chicago Ave., Oak Park
Phone: 708-386-2223
URL: http://www.giordanos.com

- Andrea Garren