Monday, February 22, 2010

Most Mispronounced Foodie Words

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Gnocchi is pronounced "NYOH-kee."


The Stew offers a fun feature on the most mispronounced foodie words, but the best part is in the comments section when readers attempt to "correct" the author on spelling/pronunciation on pączki and panini:

"'Panini' is plural; the singular is 'panino' and is the diminuative of 'pane,' which is a bread roll. 'Panino imbottito' is Italian for sandwich."

"Good try on pączki, but by missing the curlycue at the bottom of the ą you spelled 'packages' instead of 'donuts.'"

"Uh no, Paczki is not pronounced 'Poonch-key,' It's pronounced 'PONE-chkey' where PONE rhymes with Own."

Stage Bites: The Weekly Dining & Drinking Guide

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Danielle de Niese stars as "Susanna" in "The Marriage of Figaro" at Civic Opera House. (Photo: Ken Howard)


Every Monday look for the week's top performances paired with the best deals before and after the show:

The Alcyone Festival 2010 at Lincoln Square Theater (Berry United Methodist Church, 4754 N. Leavitt Ave.). The works of prominent Cuban-American playwright Maria Irene Fornés are explored, including Letters from Cuba, Manual for a Desperate Crossing and Summer in Gossensass. 8pm Thursday-Saturday; 3pm Saturday (through Feb. 27). Get tickets here.

Bistro Campagne: Chicago Restaurant Week continues through Sunday, and you'll luckily be able to get the deal at this popular French bistro. Three courses for $32 includes entree choices Miller Farms roasted chicken topped with wild mushroom ragoût, grilled wild salmon with roasted Brussels sprouts, and steak frites.

LM Le Restaurant: Another French-focused neighborhood resto is on the Chicago Restaurant Week beat. Menu specials include pan-seared Diver scallops, brown butter crepes and beef cheek Bourguignon. $32 for three courses here too.

Tank Sushi: You'll find tasty maki on the menu at this highly recommended area fave, but also great is that you can get it half-price 1:30-6pm every Saturday and Sunday.


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Deleece's stuffed pork. (Photo: Deleece)


Desperately Seeking at Chemically Imbalanced Theater . If you've had experience with personal ads, you'll definitely appreciate this improvisation based on a random ad from the Chicago Reader's "Matches" section. BYOB, but bring your own cups, ice and bottle opener. 8pm Saturday (ends Feb. 27). Get tickets here.

Deleece: There's a number of tasty items on the menu, but we especially dig the grilled pork tenderloin stuffed with spinach and bacon, and served with garlic green beans, a savory apple cobbler and champagne caramel demi glaze.

Frida's: Head here after the performance for late-night botanas , or "Mexi-tapas," that are served after 10pm Thursday-Saturday.

Tango Sur: Bring enough booze for supper and the show because this Argentinian, meat-centric spot is BYOB. The menu never changes, but bring a good group to take advantage of heaving plates of grilled steaks, seafood and chicken.

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Prairie Fire's spicy grilled goat sausage. (Photo: Ron Kaplan)


The Marriage of Figaro at Civic Opera House. Mozart's most famous opera (based on a stage comedy by Pierre Beaumarchais) stars Kyle Ketelsen, Danielle de Niese, Anne Schwanewilms, Mariusz Kwiecien and Joyce DiDonato. Edward Gardner conducts. 2pm Feb. 28. Get tickets here.

N9NE: The West Loop's toniest steakhouse is also participating in Chicago Restaurant Week, with choices like organic salmon dressed up with a Chinese mustard glaze and a Hangar marinated steak paired with garlic fries. The deal's $32 for three courses, but for an additional $10 you can add popular snacks like the crispy rock shrimp or lobster risotto.

Prairie Fire: The West Loop's newest hot spot is owned by award-winner chef Sarah Stegner. Head here for brunch (9:30am-2pm Saturday-Sunday) items like the bacon waffle with maple syrup or the golden browned chicken schnitzel with lemon-caper sauce and sautéed local potatoes. Or, if you can wait until the restaurant opens for dinner at 5pm, definitely get the spicy grilled goat sausage.

Province: The organic-focused resto participates in Chicago Restaurant Week with pan-roasted West Coast Petrale sole and Gunthorp Farms duck confit, but we need to tell you how excited we are that they put the carrot cake on the special menu! It's topped with honey ice cream in a honey-vanilla drizzle.