Jared Rouben Appointed Goose Island's Head Brewer

Things are certainly moving and shaking at Goose Island lately. Only a few months after Andrew Hroza stepped the Executive Chef position after John Manion moved to Branch 27, the beloved local brewery has now hired Southern transplant Jared Rouben to head the brewing operations. Rouben's roots are in the kitchen, having worked for notable restaurants such as Thomas Keller's Per Se and Todd Humphries's The Martini House. Rouben has already jumped into the local dining scene, working with local restaurants Mado, L20 and Vie on a variety of projects and has expressed interest in experimenting with molecular gastronomy for beer, dubbed "beer science."

Related:
New Head Brewer at Goose Island Clybourn has a Stellar Background as a Chef [Local Beet]
New Goose Island Brewmaster Brings Chef's Sensibility to Brewing [Chicagoist]

Full of Bull: Ferran Adria Not Closing El Bulli Permanently

No need to frantically book a flight to Barcelona two years in advance in hopes of securing a reservation to Ferran Adrià's famed molecular gastronomy restaurant, El Bulli. Despite a recent report from the New York Times that the restaurant is closing permanently, Adrià informed a Spanish newspaper that El Bulli will be only be on a two-year hiatus.

“Nothing has changed with respect to the announcement I made in Madrid in January,” Adria said.

“El Bulli will close its doors in 2012 and 2013, and will reopen in 2014.”

[via Serious Eats]

Buzz: Coffee Suppliers Move in on Chicago

Something dark is brewing (Photo: Stumptown Coffee)

Apparently other states have finally received the memo that Chicago isn't a food desert full of Midwestern simpletons — and they have started moving in on us. Resident staples Intelligensia and Metropolis seem to be seeing some small competition from non-local independent roasters. Portland's Stumptown Coffee recently nabbed newly opened Bagel on Damen, while Milwaukee roasters, Alterra, have been popping up at Oak Mill Bakery and Bleeding Heart Bakery, where they are hosting a coffee tasting and brewing demo on Feb. 20. Does this mean there's a chance San Francisco's Blue Bottle will branch out to Chicago? We'll keep you posted as this brews.

The Full English: Morning Breakfast Links

Sausage styluses in South Korea [Photo: Geekologie]

• The most adorable way to induce a coronary: Bacon Turtle Cheeseburgers [TIWYF]
• Fish fry: Asian carp kill the local eco-system, jobs [Chicagoist]
• Feds wake up and smell the mystery meat [Civil Eats]
• Vosges bacon chocolate chip pancake mix is kinda sorta good [Serious Eats]
• David Tamarkin's first-hand account on the Jen Gavin-Big Easy dramarama showdown [TOC]
• Food meats function: Sausage styluses [Geekologie]

Where In the World is Jared Van Camp?

Way to leave without saying goodbye! According to Old Town Social General Manager Shawn Meade, Executive Chef Jared Van Camp has booked it to sunny San Diego for the next two months to assist in the opening of sister restaurant, Quality Social. The new concept is slated to open March 11 and will mirror the Chicago brand with a few touches of Californian style. In the meantime, Yoni Levy has stepped up into Chef de Partie to hold down the kitchen until Van Camp's return.

Food Gone Wild: Phat Options for Mardi Gras

King of Cakes at Oak Mill Bakery (Photo: Carly Fisher)

You've already failed at those superficial diet resolutions from New Year's, so why not give it another go with 40 days of denying yourself sweets, meats and other indulgences for Lent? But before you atone on Ash Wednesday, it's a Mardi Gras hedonistic free-for-all! If you can't make it to N'awlins on February 16, here are five Chicago restaurants providing comparable options for unbridled debauchery (Within reason. Let's keep it classy).

Big Jones

(5347 N. Clark St., 773-275-5725)

Executive Chef Paul Fehribach seems to have casually whipped out the perfect Mardi Gras menu of muffulettas, fritters and chile-cheese crawfish etouffee, right down to the King Cake, a sweet yeast cake filled with pecan butter and brown sugar. Keeping with tradition, if you get a king cake baby in your slice, you’ll win something special. By "special," we're hoping delicious.

Carnivale

(702 W. Fulton, 312-850-5005)

When your restaurant's concept is 365 days of Mardi Gras, it's kind of a slap in the face if you don't do some crazy shit on Fat Tuesday. If an evening of live music, Brazilian dancers and stilt walkers doesn't impress you, at least you'll have Mark Mendez's menu to blow your mind.

Heaven on Seven

(600 N. Michigan Ave., 312-280-7774)

Face painters, live music from Professor John and beads — lots of beads, judging from the hundred or so hanging from Chef Jimmy Bannos's neck on the Heaven on Seven website. House favorites like Mardi Gras Jambalaya and Hoppin' John will be on hand, as well as a free slice of King Cake for every patron, flown in straight from party central in New Orleans.

Goose Island Clybourn

(1800 N. Clybourn Ave., 312-915-0071)

Taste of New Orleans without the cheesy festivities, Chef Andrew Hroza is breaking out the beer, bisque and beignets for a special Cajun-inspired beer dinner on Mardi Gras. The four-course dinner includes an amuse and five beer pairings for $40 (exclusive of tax and gratuity), with pairings such as Cajun surf 'n' turf with Lake Effect Imperial Red Ale and bourbon bread pudding souffle with Rind Grind Espresso Stout.

Smoke Daddy

(1804 W. Division St., 773-772-6656)

Trade in the winter blues for purple, green and yellow at Smoke Daddy's Fat Tuesday party. Louisiana brewery, Abita Brewing Company, will be sharing the Southern love with a free tasting from 7-10 p.m and a live performance by Cajun zydeco band, Carpetbaggers Local 606.

News Bites: Valentine's Day

Royal Miyagi oyster enveloped in the scent of a woman at Lockwood [Photo: The Pickled Tongue]

• Score the perfect Valentine's Day date with a little bribery [The Stew]
• Chefs whip up aphrodisiacs for their lovers [Grub Street]
• Best way to ruin a perfectly good relationship: a date at White Castle [Sun-Times]
• The scent of a woman is oysters, apparently. HOO HA! [The Pickled Tongue]
• 12 Valentine's cocktails to sip with your significant or toss back alone [The Kitchn]

Coming Soon: Überstein Wicker Park

As if the distance and frigid temperatures weren't enough, recent CTA cutbacks have really stuck it to West Siders trying to get in on some North Side German beer action. Wrigleyville Hofbräuhaus, Überstein seems to have quietly moved into the space belonging to former Wicker Park bar, The Ledge (1745 W. North Ave.). No details on an opening date, but if Snowpocalypse 2010 is any indication of things to come, we hope it's soon.

Super Bowl Snack Attack

This will never get old.

Both sports enthusiasts and haters can agree on one thing: the best part of the Bowl is clearly the snacks. And maybe the multi-million dollar commercial breaks and half-time show with The Who -- but mostly just the snacks. Whether you're getting rowdy with your bros at the bar or hurling chips at your television from the convenience of your living room, these restaurants have your Super Bowl menu covered.

Lockdown Bar

(1024 N. Western Ave., 773-451-5625)

New Ukrainian Village metal burger joint Lockdown Bar is turning down the Metallica and turning up the Manning for Super Bowl Sunday. With televisions lining almost every inch of space, every seat gets a perfect view of the game. Specials include half-price draft beers and Don’t Drop the Soap, a Bratwurst boiled in beer and grilled, served with fresh cut fries ($4). Uh...yeah. Opens at 4:00 p.m.

Gourmet Grub at People Lounge

(1560 N. Milwaukee Ave., 773-227-9339)

While you can't beat the guilty pleasures of a greasy chicken wing, tossing a little paprika on top certainly makes things more interesting. Wicker Park tapas spot, People Lounge, is offering a Spanish-inspired Super Bowl menu of spicy smoked paprika Buffalo wings ($6 for 10 wings) and Spanish nachos with aged manchego cheese, chopped chicken and olives ($6) to watch with the big game on two large flat-screen televisions. The bar opens early at 5:00 p.m. to give a head start with discounted traditional tapas from 5:30-7:00 p.m. and drink specials all night.

Hub 51 Super Bowl Discount
(51 W. Hubbard St., 312-828-0051)
Pulled chicken nachos? Check. Black bean turkey chili? Check. Awesome Super Bowl catering deal? Score. Skip the hassle and mess of making your own snacks -- you've got a game to watch! Hub 51 is offering 20% off all carry-out orders. Call 312-828-0051 for all orders.

No Boys Allowed! Anti-Super Bowl Party at Simone's
(960 W. 18th St., 312-666-8601)
If you are sick of being invited into the exclusive coterie of sporting events as "one of the guys" only to get stuck fetching beers, kick back with your home girls over a few Cosmos and a Sex And The City marathon. Stylish dresses and skirts score a free Cosmo. Crying over Carrie's dating disasters starts at 5:00 p.m.

WTFood: Selleck Waterfall Sandwich

[Illustration: Selleck Waterfall Sandwich]

The internet never ceases to amaze. What we have here is — well, just what it sounds like: Selleck Waterfall Sandwiches. If you have been waiting for a meta Food Network-Travel Channel hybrid blog featuring illustrations of Tom Selleck posing with various sandwiches in exotic waterfall locations, your prayers have been answered. So many questions — mainly, "Why?" Your guess is as good as ours.

Hot Time for Grabbing a Cold One

For all the crappy weather we have to put up with as Chicagoans, we deserve to drink good beer. Luckily, we can claim bragging rights to a handful of solid barley pop providers, including: Goose Island, Half Acre and Metropolitan. Hell, we'll even adopt Munster, Indiana as "South Shore" for a piece of Three Floyds.

Adding to the mix is newcomer Revolution Brewing Company, a labor of love from Handlebar owner and Goose Island vet, Josh Deth. Opening tonight, the brewpub plans on featuring a rotating tap of housebrews and local craft beers paired with gourmet bar food like duck confit pizza and bacon fat popcorn. Yeah, we're drooling on ourselves too.


Lots of big news from Goose Island. Only a day after word of eco-friendly Green Line Pale Ale, TOC's Julia Kramer reports the brewery's plans to “debut six beers and issue two re-releases in 2010, setting a record for new products in one year." Expect three variations of the Bourbon County Stout and the return of beloved trouble makers, Night Stalker and Demolition.

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Related

The Stew weighs in on Green Line Ale [Chicago Tribune]

Goose Island Announces Six New Beers for 2010 [TOC]
Tom Keith hops around Revolution Brewing Company [Local Beet]

Boom! There He Isn't

Fact check and mate. We have to hand it to Grub Street for some solid Nancy Drew work unveiling the truth behind the big Boom theory: it's not happening.

Likely cocktail: floating liquid-covered shot glass. [Photo: Lara Kastner]

Salivating over the prospects of a new Alinea outfit seems to have set off a sloppy chain reaction, starting with Grant Achatz toying with some ideas of a bar mixed with an unfortunate misinterpretation that was somehow picked up by at least two separate publications.

In addition to the fact that there is no bar officially announced, Alinea managing partner Nick Kokonas almost seems to take offense at the suggestion of such a low brow name. "For the record, we will never, ever open a place called 'Boom.'" [Grub Street]

Cookie Monsters: Lady Gaga and Other Morsels

Gaga best served piping hot. [Photo: Hipster Runoff]

• 'Lost' cookies to hold you over from this week's cliffhanger [Res-o-puh-lease via Serious Eats]
• Mile high club: Medical pot cookies turn out to be real downer [Washington Post]
• Lady Gaga's 25 most delicious outfits [Hipster Runoff]
• First look at Labriola Pasticerria [Gayot]