Savoring Chicago is about discovering the best food stores in the city and suburbs
— the bakeries, pastry shops, butchers, fishmongers, ethnic grocers,
gourmet specialty shops, cafes, wine stores, and more.

Savoring Chicago™ is a quarterly newsletter that highlights Chicago's gastronomic best in the way of food shops, markets, and producers. It is for food lovers who delight in the discovery of Chicago's rich culinary treasures! Each issue covers a specific category of food and profiles a variety of wonderful stores around the city and suburbs — some new, some well established, some not well known. You receive useful, detailed information about what each shop offers.

The idea for Savoring Chicago began when I searched for wild boar meat to make a delicious cinghiale pasta dish similar to what I had eaten in San Gimingiano, Italy. I was unable to find what I needed, but enjoyed the search and realized that others would, too — for a variety of foods. Like many food lovers, nothing excites me more than the hunt for good and interesting culinary finds and sharing them with others, which is how I came to launch Savoring Chicago.  

Savoring Chicago is also for people who want to eat right and eat delicious and diverse foods. With more people appreciating the taste of market-fresh produce and seeking out organic products, Savoring Chicago strives to highlight good-tasting, authentic food: food that is fresh, homemade, and natural, so that eating is a satisfying everyday experience. 

The Search for the Best. In preparing my articles on food purveyors, I explore Chicago’s neighborhoods and suburbs in search of the specialized and ethnic culinary treasures Chicago offers. My explorations uncover the best of such delicious foods as baby Danish lobsters, naturally smoked fish, dry-aged beef, gourmet foods to go, crispy foccacia, Georgian bread, Swedish pickled herring, Italian gelato, Indian sweets, Russian cheese blintzes, and more!

The Traditional and New. Some proprietors are from one generation of a family to the next, keeping much-loved traditions alive. Others are entrepreneurs starting exciting new ventures. In visiting a food establishment, I present my findings as an everyday shopper, telling you what is offered, what the specialties are, and useful tips owners give me. I’m not a food critic. I don’t try to rate. I’m just your typical food enthusiast who asks: “Would I shop here again? Would I recommend this place to others?”

The Joy of Discovery. Like hunting at a flea market or uncovering a lucky find at a garage sale, Savoring Chicago will appeal to food lovers who delight in the discovery of great finds. I hope Savoring Chicago tempts you to explore new places, talk to shop owners, and delight in discovering the gastronomic best Chicago has to offer!