chef beverly kim

December 16, 2012 sarah lee

Beverly, Johnny & Matty

The initial contact...

Summer of 2006, I caught up with my ex-college roommate Paula, and had a quick chat about food.

Paula gave me the lowdown about her sister Beverly, and mentioned that she was in Seoul for a few months. So what do I do? The usual crazy Sarah move. Called up Beverly in Seoul (please note that I have I only seen her once before at this point, and we barely knew each other), and asked her if she would like to possibly partner up with me on a restaurant project in Chicago!

So the story began…

longman and eagle

February 11, 2012 sarah lee

Chicago=Delicious overload. Yes!!!

For food lovers out there who have never been to Chicago, this is THE ONE city you do not want to miss out on. The thing I miss most about my hometown Chicago-proper brunch and bourbon/whiskey bars. Both extremely difficult to find in Seoul. My sister-in-law Jiye took me to Longman and Eagle-a fairly new spot that opened in Logan Square last year. The moment I saw their bourbon/whiskey rack, I was already convinced. Their menu? Uh, fried chicken & waffles, pastrami spiced pig head, wild boar sloppy joe, duck egg hash with duck confit...ok I should just stop. Not surprising these combinations are common in Chicago: home of foodies, amazing chefs, and locals who truly practice everything 'sustainable'.

Eat. Sleep. Whiskey.

my little muffin

May 7, 2011 sarah lee

Amazing how this little bean can navigate through an iPad!

My little muffin Audrey...

Visiting my niece was the highlight of my trip to Chicago a few months ago. Arriving just in time for her 2nd birthday, and left right when her terrible (I mean terrific) two's kicked in, this auntie is missing her like crazy!

Thinking about how I can get her to come to Seoul, gomo is waiting:)

my chicago artists

April 20, 2011 sarah lee

Introducing a few of the most talented artists from Chicago-Grace, Cindy, & Kenny. I was able to capture them in one studio, and spent an afternoon catching up on the latest and greatest gossip...uh, I meant discussing world politics over coffee:) I sooo miss working with these guys, and I've been scheming up a plan on how to get all three to join me in Seoul!

chicago: food like no other

March 28, 2011 sarah lee

Home=Food

My recent visit to hometown Chicago, I was able to over indulge on all my favorite eats! Didn't quite have the time to hit all my favorite hot spots, but I did a pretty darn good job adding the calories:) Was it worth it? Absolutely...

Chicago's got everything when it comes to food...and I must warn you, you may leave hungry after viewing this gallery!

Pizza @ Spacca Napoli Pork Bahn Mi @ Ba Le Italian Beef @ Portillos

girl and the goat

March 21, 2011 sarah lee

Hailing from Evanston, IL-Chef Stephanie Izard's latest 'Girl and the Goat' in Chicago has definitely made its mark in the Chicago food scene! The 2008 winner of Bravo's 'Top Chef' has found her niche in her hometown Chicago. Chef Izard shares her 'comfort food' through pork, seafood, and everything in between.

Variations are endless...

Jiye and I were ecstatic to land reservations at this hot spot on my trip to Chicago, although it was a 4:45pm rsvp. Nonetheless, it was perfect because we had a chance to chat up with Stephanie, and of course had to invite her to Seoul to check out our food scene! Chef Izard was ever so sweet, and sent us 3 dishes compliments from the kitchen! Our original 5 small plates turned to 10 somehow, and I couldn't be more content :)

Girl and Goat was delicious overload, definitely on the top of my list of Chicago's favorites! Patiently awaiting Chef Izard's next spot to open! To be continued...

in search for 'the taco'

March 13, 2011 sarah lee

al pastor taco @ taco sinaloa

The comfort food of all times: Tacos!!!

My Soul food...in search of the best tacos, I apologize that this post features just Chicago and Los Angeles. I didn't realize how difficult it is to find descent tacos, until you actually leave the U.S.! My short trip to the states, I took advantage of eating every taco in sight...sometimes even three times a day!

a love letter to audrey

December 29, 2010 sarah lee

audrey at her 1st birthday-february 2010

This is a love letter to my beautiful niece Audrey Haeun Lee. A letter long overdue...for my close friends, you guys know how crazy I am about this little bean! There hasn't been one get together where I wouldn't go online and showcase her photos! kkk.

Unable to run around with her, since my arrival in Seoul 10 months ago, was pretty brutal. Thanks to skype and facebook, I feel that I'm somewhat living her life vicariously through the images posted by my brother Ray and his wife Jiye. Not to mention in the earlier days (my family claims this), her baby photos resembled me when I was young! Of course over time, she is an absolute mirror image of Ray, along with Jiye's sweet femininity and charm! Hahahaha...

My heart skips a beat every time I think of her...

last days in chicago....

February 23, 2010 sarah lee

As most of you may know, I left Chicago recently to pursue my next adventure-working with celebrity chef Edward Kwon in Seoul! I will be posting more entries regarding my stay in Seoul, but I wanted to share a few things I will so miss in Chicago...

water tower and the john hancock building-chicagocoffee at julius meinl-chicago

alinea. perfection.

January 25, 2010 sarah lee

Alas, I finally had the amazing opportunity to dine at Alinea on my brithday-America's leading restaurant, located right here in Lincoln Park Chicago! Chef and owner Grant Achatz is absolutely stunning with his gastronomic explosions! I cannot begin to describe all the emotions that took place in this divine, 3 hour meal. From the service, to the personal sommelier, as well as the pastry chef who presented one of the desserts on the actual tabletop-completed the story. Each course was in perfect order, paired with the perfect wine, and excitement followed every second.

this chicagoan knows how to eat!

January 19, 2010 sarah lee

My love affair with food continues...will I really have time to hit all my favorite spots in Chicago by the time I leave? I also recently got back from Los Angeles, and I must admit, I have been pleasantly surprised with the great food every time! The photos will speak for themselves...

@ mana food bar-vegetarian hot spot in wicker park

chicagoans know how to eat!

December 30, 2009 sarah lee

I have a few months left in chicago, and my goal is to check out new restaurants or places I have not been too...and of course some of my favorites as well. Last week, I checked out Rick Bayless' new restaurant-'Xoco.' It's the sister restaurant to his 2 other restaurants (Frontera Grill & Topolobampo), all connected in the same building on Clark St. This spot is somewhat of a fast food/inexpensive restaurant, featuring the 'street foods' of mexico. They are known for their bean-to-cup hot chocolates, and their amazing homemade churros!

Ahogada-golden pork carnitas, black beans, tomato broth, spicy arbol chile sauce, pickled onions at xoco

back in chicago...

December 28, 2009 sarah lee

I arrived in Chicago 3 weeks ago, and Chicago has been all about snow and freezing temperatures! I definitely miss the sunny, perfect Sydney weather. So what have I been doing? Well, aside from planning on travel plans in the near future, I have been testing out some fun recipes!

Recently, a good friend and fabulous chef Beverly Kim and I made pizza dough from scratch. Yes, I am embarrassed to admit that I have never tempted to make pizza dough from scratch! Bev's favorite recipe is from Julia Child's baking book...and it did take some time. However, it was definitely worth it!

I made extra dough, and made some neopolitan pizza's for my brother Ray and and his wife Jiye...and Ray said it was the best! A very nice compliment...from a strong food critic.