Table For 2

Tomato Season At Coco Pazzo Cafe

636 N. St Clair

CHICAGO (CBS) ― It's tomato season, and you had better buy some fresh ones while you can.

CBS 2's Vince Gerasole takes us to a Table for 2 where the tasty tomato rules.

Ah, the simple beauty of tomatoes. And we're right at the peak of their short but sweet season. It runs just two months long from August to September.

"You know you're in the middle of summer when they come out and it's that time of year for the bright, fresh flavor to really show off," said executive chef Chris Macchia at Coco Pazzo Café.

Macchia makes the best of that short season by showing off dishes with a traditional Italian flare. That means no fuss.

"The simpler you prepare them the better, because you really want the flavor of the tomato to stand out," Macchia said.

In a traditional caprese salad, yellow and red tomatoes share center stage with some complementary friends -- rich, extra virgin olive oil, buttery buffalo mozzarella and earthy basil.

I used to live on this. This was my lunch every day for three years when I lived in Italy.

For the very traditional Tuscan salad called panzanella, Macchia starts by blending cucumbers, red onions and scallions.

"All these ingredients are mixed together with toasted bread, extra virgin olive oil and red wine vinegar and allowed to sit out at room temperature. The bread absorbs all the juice … from the tomatoes and makes for a pretty tasty salad," Macchia said.

But just what makes for a tasty tomato? When you bite into a tomato, what sensation should it have?

"It should be very fragrant, when you bring it close to your mouth it should have a very strong aroma. You want a very sweet, very acidic ripe flavor," Macchia said.

If you think cooking with tomatoes has to be heavy, Macchia begs to differ. He suggests topping your favorite summer grilled fish with marinated sauteed tomatoes. The olive oil and natural juices keep it light and lively.

"Let your imagination go wild," Macchia said. "Let the flavors of the tomato stand out."

Coco Pazzo Cafe at 636 N. St Clair and its sister restaurant, Coco Pazzo at 300 W. Hubbard, are hosting their first annual tomato festival.

But you need to hurry, it ends Sunday. You will find the dishes you just saw and many, many more at the restaurants.

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