On a wintery night, with snow squalls making an outing all the iffier, the OPRF Chamber of Commerce packed the ballroom at the Nineteenth Century Club on Jan. 30 for its annual Bite Nite. Despite the challenging weather, more than 300 food lovers ventured out to sample the fare.
Some tastes were from local institutions, but others were there to introduce themselves.
Karma & Spice is a mother-daughter cottage baker cooking team from River Forest specializing in sweet and savory bites with bold Indian flavors. Ruby Tea is just getting off the ground with their hibiscus, ginger, honey flavored beverage available at The Sugar Beet. Kind Café was back for a second year, showcasing the catering company’s plant-based chickpea and artichoke salad.
Fatso Hard Kitchen won over many with their apricot glazed meatballs and jambalaya. Opportunity Knocks served up pickles that pucker, and creates jobs for people with intellectual and developmental differences. Aquafaba featured vegan sweets and savories.
Local restaurants made the sample worth the step too.
Billy Bricks dished up mac & cheese and their alfredo pasta. “It’s an opportunity to not only be a part of the community, but to increase visibility. That’s especially good considering the upcoming construction on Oak Park Avenue,” Billy Bricks’ manager Ana Careaga said.
Daly Bagel brough out the schmears, serving plain bagels with a variety of cream cheese concoctions: rosemary & olive oil, blueberry and goat cheese, buffalo blue cheese and Chicago hot dog (everything but the hot dog itself).
A stride away was Smoothie King with their signature blends of healthy drinks. Sister restaurants Betty’s Pizza and Pasta doled out dry-rubbed wings, while Kettlestrings Tavern wowed with gnocchi with butternut squash sauce. FARE dished several options, including a basil turkey meatball.
Taco Mucho showcased their catering menu with spicy chipotle chicken salad and roasted street corn. “This is a tough time of the year to get foot traffic. I enjoy this event as a time to relax and enjoy community building,” owner Ron Aleman said.
Ticket holders had the opportunity to sample from each vendor.
“It’s like a taste of Oak Park all in one great spot,” Kimberly Adames said.
“I got to try Mulatta. I hadn’t been there before,” Jana Burke said.
While there was a cash bar, there were a few tipples to try. PRP Wine decanted samples from the bottles they bring to home parties – sort of a Tupperware party for wine! Poor Phil’s made it pour Phil’s with a black Manhattan cocktail. A sip of a different sort came from Olive & Well, who paired their specialty olive oils with aged balsamic vinegars.
“The watermelon tartar from Mother Preppers was my favorite,” Valerie Kahn said. Her husband, Josh Gershenson, agreed and added, “There are so many places here that I’ve been meaning to try.”
Hoof another promenade for dessert!
Blackout Baking Company included their triple chocolate cookies and a peanut chocolate tart. Sugar Fixé showed what a celebration sweets table can be with macarons, cookies, cupcakes and bars. Spilt Milk tempted with Rice Krispie treats, brownies and more.
“It’s like everything all at once,” first time Bite Niter Victoria Lozano said.
“We’ve been coming ever since we found out about it,” Mark Cleofe said. “And we’ll be back.”
