Jun 29, 2007 7:19 pm US/Central
New Flavors Tempt Diners At Taste Of Chicago
7 Restaurants Make Debut At Taste
by Vince Gerasole
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
While Chicagoans are eager to take a bite out of the world's largest food fest this year, the chefs making their Taste of Chicago debut are excited to fire up the heat and showcase their tasty treats.
"There's not enough green tea and kaba kaba out there in the world to bring me down right now," said Chef David Blackmon from Blu 47, one of the new restaurants at the Taste. "I am excited like a kid going to Great America."
As CBS 2's Vince Gerasole reports, at Blu 47 in Bronzeville, Blackmon tweaks American dishes with unexpected flavors. At the Taste, he'll serve up chicken wings with a pesto aioli sauce, and his grilled chicken tarts. Combining black beans, fried won tons, Monterey Jack cheese and cilantro make up a unique combination.
"Think of nachos in a whole Asian southwestern fusion kind of way," Blackmon said.
River North's Vermilion is one of the few places you'll find french fries dusted with mango powder and drizzled with tamarind chutney.
"People are so experimental when they come out – they want to try something new," said Chef Maneet Chauhan from Vermilion.
Chauhan delights in combining Indian and Latin flavors. In addition to the fries at the Taste, she's serving up chicken burgers peppered by Indian tandoori spices with a chipotle mayo.
"It's a cuisine which hasn't been done anywhere before," Chauhan said.
BB's on Hubbard may be new to the Taste this year, but they're serving up an old Chicago classic. That classic is the savory turtle soup, drizzled with sweeter Sherry originally served up by Bud Binyon at his legendary restaurant. The family continues the tradition at BB's.
Chef Matt Will from BB's said he gets tired of people asking if there is turtle in the turtle soup. "It's turtle soup, it's got turtle in it," he said.
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