My friend Rich has always been a little afraid of food. OK. A lot afraid of food. Not that he doesn't eat. It's just his palate is what we might call "unsophisticated." But, with a little VittlesVamp inspiration (OK. Nudging.), Rich decided to explore the wonderful world of being a newbie foodie.
Coincidentally, at the same time he decided to pack up his tastebuds and hightail it out of New York. He up and moved to Chicago and decided that the Windy City was a mighty fine spot to take his palate out for a test-drive - solo.
He was right. So right that he just happened to walk into Avec, well before its chef, Koren Grieveson, won the James Beard Award for "Best Chef: Great Lakes." His big revelation at this hip Chi-town haunt?
Chorizo-stuffed Medjool Dates with Smoked Bacon and Piquillo Pepper-Tomato Sauce.
That's a whole lot of flavor for a fledgling foodie.
I almost wept when Rich dropped me a line to tell me about this irresistible combination of sweet and smoky. Had I tried it before? It was all so new to him.
OMG. Rich doesn't need me anymore. He can find fine eats on his own now. I think my newbie foodie is growing up.
I'm so freakin' proud!
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