Chef/Baker Ellen King | Photograph courtesy of Hewn
By Chef / Baker Ellen King
Just two miles north of downtown Chicago is where you'll find Evanston. Classically-trained chef Ellen King moved here after living in Seattle and opened Hewn, which specializes in a traditional style of bread baking. Stop by the bakery to try her rustic breads and check out her recommendations for these local restaurants and brewery tap rooms.
EAT
Schmaltz Potatoes | Photograph courtesy of Boltwood
Boltwood
I love going to Boltwood for our lunch staff meetings. I usually order the chicken sandwich with ginger slaw, the Boltwood salad, and Brian Huston’s crispy potatoes with garlic schmaltz and his special secret sauce. For lunch or dinner you can’t go wrong with any of the selections; everything is made with the freshest ingredients in creative and interesting ways.
804 Davis Street, Evanston, IL 60201 | T: 847.859.2880 | boltwoodevanston.com
Photograph courtesy of Found Kitchen
Found Kitchen & Social House
Nicole Pedersen is always doing something interesting. Right now they have a “Flexitarian” menu that satisfies both vegetarians and meat eaters. I love their burger for lunch. The space is comfortable and welcoming, almost like you are entering someone’s house. They also has a wonderful outdoor seating area during the warmer months.
1631 Chicago Avenue, Evanston, IL 60201 | T: 847.868.8945 | www.foundkitchen.com
Lucky Platter
This eclectic restaurant has been an Evanston staple since 1991, but is now under new ownership. The space has been remodeled and the menu slightly revised, but the heart and soul of the restaurant was left intact. They added a bar with several local beers and a mean fresh lime margarita.
514 Main Street, Evanston, IL 60202 | T: 847.869.4064 | luckyplatter.com
Photograph courtesy of Union Pizzeria
Union Pizzeria
This is my go-to restaurant after work. It's a fun, neighborhood place with outstanding wood-fired pizzas and unique, delicious small plates. SPACE, a small concert venue, is attached to the restaurant, contributing to the cool and fun atmosphere.
1245 Chicago Avenue, Evanston, IL 60202 | T: 847.475.2400 | www.unionevanston.com
DRINK
Photograph courtesy of Temperance Beer Co
Temperance Beer Company
Temperance was one of the first breweries to establish itself in Evanston. Claudia Jendron, the Brewster, makes ridiculously good beer. My favorites are the Gatecrasher IPA and the Greenwood Beach Pale Ale. While you can now buy their beer in stores all over Chicago, it’s even better to make a trip to their Tap Room and outdoor Beer Garden. The trick is how to find it -- it's off the beaten path, but that makes it an even more fun to experience.
2000 Dempster Street, Evanston, IL 60202 | T: 847.864.1000 | temperancebeer.com
Sketchbook Brewing Company
This brewery is also off the beaten path. It's one of those Evanston places that you have to know about in order to get there. Just head to the Lucky Platter and go south down the alley. It’s the first Community Supported Brewery in Evanston, where members get a monthly growler and other benefits. Cesar and Shawn are passionate about their craft and it shows.
825 Chicago Avenue (alley entrance), Evanston, IL 60202 | T: 847.859.9051 | www.sketchbookbrewing.com
Ellen King pictured on right | Photograph courtesy of Hewn
Ellen King
Ellen King is the co-owner and head baker at Hewn. She is a classically trained chef and previously worked in various restaurants in Seattle with a specialty in French, Mediterranean and vegetarian foods. She also served as the artisan cheese buyer for Whole Foods in Bellevue, WA. Ellen spent time at Quillisascut Farm School, a sustainable farm school in Rice, WA, where she first learned to bake bread in a wood fired oven. She has also been a chef instructor for the “Food as Medicine” culinary classes held in Evanston with Dr. Geeta Maker-Clark. Ellen attended the Seattle Culinary Academy where she was awarded the Les Dames d’Escoffier 2003 scholarship.
Photograph courtesy of Hewn
Hewn
Hewn's artisan breads are naturally fermented without any preservatives, chemical or additives. They use 100% organic ingredients and bake them fresh daily in an oven imported from Germany, which has a stone hearth and steam injection..
810 Dempster Street, Evanston, IL 60202 | T: 847.869.4396 | hewnbread.com
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