By Jae-Ha Kim
Chicago Sun-Times
June 28, 2002
Loosen your belts. It’s that time of year again. Starting today at 11 a.m. and continuing for the next 10 days, we’ll all be in a feeding frenzy at the 22nd annual Taste of Chicago.
“We’re very excited about this year’s Taste,” says Cindy Gatziolis, director of public relations for the Mayor’s Office of Special Events. “We’ve got some great restaurants serving all different kinds of food, from Italian to Jamaican to Korean to Thai.
“And we’re also having some unique events, like our Fashion From Trash show (5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday in the Living Pavilion). Designers like Vera Wang, Nicole Miller and Tommy Hilfiger all designed pieces made from recycled plastic products.”
The Living Pavilion will host events such as Ukrainian egg decorating, yoga and pilates–well worth checking out if you plan on working your way through the 74 restaurants (including 11 newcomers to the Taste).
“We try to make the whole experience pleasant for everyone,” says Gatziolis. “Food obviously is the primary reason that people come to the Taste of Chicago, but we’ve also got great shows and live music–all for free. It’s a great place for the family to come and enjoy time together in the fresh air.”
Of course, the freshness of that air can fluctuate, depending on how hot it is out and how many other thousands of people are right there with you. Last year, more than 3.5 million patrons came out for the Taste, and the city is expecting that figure to be bettered this summer.
Watching your weight is never easy at any food fest. But there are ways to work the Taste into your diet if you’re mindful of what you’re eating.
First, don’t trick yourself into believing you’ll eat less if you have a hearty breakfast or lunch beforehand.
“Eating at these type of food fests is rarely about hunger,” says Karen Miller-Kovach, chief food scientist at Weight Watchers. “It’s usually about eating until you’re nauseous. Eating a light meal may take the edge off overeating, but you’re still going to eat.
“Don’t beat yourself up about eating more than you normally would. But be aware that vendors sometimes up the fat content more than normal because it’ll keep the food moist and delicious longer. There’s no reason to deprive yourself; but if you’re estimating the number of calories in an item, error on the high end.”
Another simple way to save on calories is to eschew the sugary drinks. A glass of pop has about 150 calories. Opt for water or, if you must, a diet soda. And treat the Taste like a buffet. Scope out the entire area, selecting what you want the most. Then come back and get it. That way, you’ll have burned off some calories before you take your first bite.
“People who are watching their weight should look for dishes that contain fruits or veggies and shy away from fried foods,” advises nutritionist Gina Hammarlund. “Many of the ethnic dishes are made with veggies. And, remember to purchase the ‘taste’ portions rather than the full-size.”
Of course, it helps if you have a game plan. Taste veterans such as Melissa Rettenmund, 27, of Rogers Park, work out like a fiend at least a week before each year’s Taste.
“I find it really difficult to resist the wonderful tastes,” she says. “I try to make reasonably healthy selections, but it’s difficult to pass up cheesecake!”
Adds fellow Taste fan Sarah Donaldson, 28, of Evergreen Park, “I am constantly dieting, so from the minute I arrive I go straight to the Dominick’s booth and buy a huge bag of cherries and eat them all. That is my big indulgence.”
Not everyone has that kind of willpower, though.
“There is absolutely nothing there that does not blow a diet,” says Maria Gracias, 38, of Lincoln Park, who doesn’t believe in denying herself at the annual food fest. “But there are moments in life where it is worth indulging and that is one of them.”
Eleven new restaurants will be introduced to Taste patrons. The international flavor includes:
Blue Mountain (1319 W. Wilson), Booth No. 2. Serving jerk chicken and festival bread, jerk pork and festival bread, Jamaican beef patties.
Fireside (5739 N. Ravenswood), Booth No. 5. Barbecue pork sandwich, muffaletta sandwich, fried crawfish tails, Cajun meatloaf balls.
La Justica (3901 W. 26th), Booth No. 3. Fajita, tamales, chicken taco, beef taco.
Reggio’s Pizza (340 W. 83rd), Booth No. 55. Cheese pizza, spinach and tomato pizza, sausage pizza, hot and spicy Buffalo chicken wings.
Soju (1745 W. North), Booth No. 15. Kalbi (beef ribs), yakitori (teriyaki chicken on a stick), mandu (Korean egg roll), duk boki (rice sticks in a spicy sauce).
The Outpost (3438 N. Clark), Booth No. 60. Corn (plain or with chili butter), citrus soy steak skewers with sweet potatoes, Australian baby lobster, honey herb-marinated chicken.
Wishbone (3300 N. Lincoln), Booth No. 58. Pulled pork sandwich, dill pickle, black bean cake sandwich with mango salsa, corn muffin.
Whether you’ve only got a few bucks to spare or a wad of cash to blow, you probably won’t leave the Taste hungry. If you’re like most of us, you arrive at the Taste year after year, and have no idea where to starting sampling (or you return to your tried-and-true favorites). To help you navigate this year’s Taste, we’ve compiled a few “sample menus” for you to peruse, depending on just how much you’re planning to “taste” (kind of a guide to
getting the most for your money). We’ve tried to include a suggested “appetizer,” “entree” and “dessert” option for each price bracket. A strip of 11 tickets costs $7, which makes each ticket equivalent to about 64 cents. The number of tickets required for each item is listed in parentheses.
11 TICKETS:
Harold’s Chicken: fries (3)
Little Quiapo: egg roll (4)
Millennium Steakhouse: coconut-lime sorbet (4)
15 TICKETS:
Ann Sather: cinnamon roll (4)
Quang Noodle: pad thai (7)
Helen’s: watermelon slice (4)
25 TICKETS:
Soju: Korean ribs (6)
Vivo: sorbet (6)
Bella Luna Cafe: beer-battered artichoke hearts (7)
Kasia’s Deli: pierogi (6)
50 TICKETS:
Hey Sushi: inari sushi (5), spicy Chicago maki roll (6)
Eli’s the Place for Steak: grilled sirloin sandwich (8)
BJ’s Market and Bakery: mustard fried catfish (7)
Chicago Market: grilled lobster tails with potatoes (9)
Jaipur Palace: tandoori chicken (6), vegetable biryani (4)
Zephyr: hot fudge sundae (5)
This year, the DIRECTV and Weather Channel Family Village and Fun Time Stage will provide nonstop activities and live entertainment geared especially to children.
Family Village activities include: a child fingerprinting program, “ZooRay for Books,” face painting, storytelling, Jumping Jack inflatable dome, Krazy Karaoke, family bingo and more.
Fun Time Stage highlights: Disney songwriter Dave Kinnoin, Mr. Tapps and Happy Clams (tonight); Missy Vail, Cari Ingle, Cassandra Long and Kameron Fry (Saturday); teen magician Jason Reberski, MB2, Cari Ingle and Cassandra Long (Sunday); Dinner Dogs, Karen Jordan sing-along and Radio Disney (Monday); White Sox stars, Caldwell Tapping Eagles and Gus Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago (Tuesday); Taste of Talent Contest for Kids, On Broadway Dancers from Coal City and Carolina Carattini (Wednesday); Taste of Talent All Stars Day, Taylor Moore, Dance Academy, Kristin Corbett and Tasty Noise (Thursday); Shelly Mack Dance Experience, Justin Roberts, Gibbs Brothers and Strong (July 5); Ella Jenkins, Maestro Harrell, Happiness Club and Cosmic Fool (July 6); Sandy Lucas, Don Wand the Master of Mixed Up Magical Mischief and the Jesse White Tumblers (July 7).
For more information and complete schedule, including show times, call (312) 744-3370; www.cityofchicago.com.or/specialevents.
* Register from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Sunday for the Kid’s Dash, for kids 12 and under. T-shirts and prices for all participants. Fee is $5 per child.
* The United Airlines Giant Ferris Wheel (4 tickets) and the Water Flume (6 tickets) are located on Columbus, just north of Balbo.
* Olympic-style diving and slapstick stunts by the SBC Ameritech World Professional Extreme Team High Divers will entertain at 1, 3, 5 and 7 p.m. daily.
* Lite bites: Many booths offer mini-portions of items at reduced prices for those with not-so-heavy appetites.
* Babies: There are diapers and changing supplies, compliments of Dominick’s, at the Parent Helper Tent in the Family Village.
* Best time to go: Lines are few and activities abound at lunchtime and weekday afternoons.
