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Dan Jividen The Fondude
Dan Jividen is the elusive Fondude, who comes to your house, prepares traditional Swiss fondue, and leaves the table set for an interactive cheesy dinner for two. Read More
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Originally published on November 2, 2007
Do the Dude
The Fondude
She paces back and forth, trying to simmer down before her neighbor — the lanky one with the crooked dimple — arrives for the home-cooked meal she promised.
Home cooked. What was she thinking?
A knock at the door. Who is this tall, dark, handsome man of mystery, cloaked in culinary musk?
He puts his fingers to his lips (shhh), mouths the word Fondude, and finds his way to her kitchen to set up the kit for a romantic evening of dipping: fondue pot, table setting, fresh ingredients, magic love dust.
She flirts shamelessly with her date while The Fondude steeps three Swiss cheeses in white wine (for classic, robust flavor) and Kirsch cherry brandy. He sets the table, lays out a baguette and cornichons, and gives the 101 on how to not burn your tongue. Then he jets.
The tete-a-tete makes for a magical evening. And she considers ordering the fromage รก trois for the next time around.
Cheesy but true.
The Fondude (773-294-1962 or the-fondude.com). -
Brad Parsons Customized Ice Cream
Fairmont Chicago executive chef Brad Parsons started a customized ice cream program where no flavor is off limits. He'll prepare a batch of your dreamt-up concoction and ship it to your home. Read More
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Originally published on June 11, 2007
32 Flavors and Then Some
DIY Custom Ice Cream Flavors
There’s no dessert that gets pimped out quite like ice cream does.
Whoring around with chocolate chips, Oreo crumbles, sprinkles, nuts. Slathered in butterscotch sauce — work it.
You spoon some every night. But have you thought about the kind of ice cream you’re going to bed with?
Brad Parsons has. Which is why the Fairmont Chicago’s executive chef has created an ice cream program wherein you devise your own mouth-watering flavor (the kind Ben and Jerry would give their patchwork pants for). No taste is off-limits. Want avocado? Sure! Paprika? Okey-dokey. Bleach? Okay, that’s off-limits. But any non-life-threatening ingredient will do.
Parsons will perfect your dream cream, pack it up, and have it ready for you in 48 hours.
Ah, ice cream made easy. But don’t call it names.
That’s just cold.
Order your own pint at 312-565-6665. -
George Djurovic and Angie Kongabel August Grocery
Brother-sister team George Djurovic and Angie Kongabel offer up fresh, local, seasonal produce and ingredients at their supermarket, August Grocery. Read More
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Originally published on January 17, 2007
August and Everything After
August Grocery Opens
With months of winter yet to endure, you’ve been gazing longingly at your summer to-do list:
1) Resume social life.
2) Stash seasonal depression lamp. 3) Savor every moment. It won’t
last long.Why wait? Somewhere in Chicago, it’s August every day of the week.
August Grocery has opened, and it’s hot — year round. Owned by George Djurovic (Tru) and his sis Angie Kongabel (Four Seasons Catering), it may redefine your idea of a grocery store.
August delivers fresh, seasonal produce and ingredients to encourage the simplicity of home cooking. Intimidated? Don’t be. Search through Djurovic’s cookbook collection for a recipe, head home, and get cooking — or take home a fresh meal (one lunch and dinner per day).
So winter need no longer equal crappy frozen dinners, Netflix, and your cat. This year, throw a party, invite your friends, and enjoy August.
Even if the calendar still says January.
August Grocery, 1500 West Division Street, between Greenview and Bosworth Avenues (773-252-9560).