Food

Pasta e Fagioli (or, if you prefer, ‘fazool’) is one of those comfort food Italian dishes that improve with age and taste better a day after it’s made, writes Robin Robertson in “Vegan on the Cheap” (Wiley).

Some people swear by frozen custard. Others prefer the creamy taste of gelato. Then there are those who just like soft-serve ice cream.

GRAYSLAKE – Tie on your bibs and get ready to eat your fill of homemade spaghetti at the annual spaghetti dinner hosted by United Protestant Church of Grayslake.

GRAYSLAKE – The Grayslake Lions Club will host its 47th annual Steer Roast from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 12, at Grayslake Middle School, 440 N. Barron Blvd., in Grayslake.

GRAYSLAKE – The food at Pat’s Pizza in Grayslake is so good, even fish like it.

Atlanta landmark restaurant Mary Mac’s is steeped in tradition going back 65 years. John Ferrell bought this destination eatery from long-time operator Margaret Lupo who, in turn, had acquired it from founder Mary McKinsey.

BARRINGTON – I drive past the Catlow Theater on Main Street in Barrington fairly frequently, and I’ve long wanted to stop in and see the historical venue for myself.

A popular spot for Italian-American comfort food in Brooklyn now makes its menu accessible to home cooks everywhere in a new specially adapted book, “The Frankies Spuntino Kitchen Companion & Cooking Manual” (Artisan). It’s the work of veteran chefs Frank Castronovo and Frank Falcinelli, in conjunction with food writer Peter Meehan.

GRAYSLAKE – Twelve-year-old Tyler Ponce has a burger recipe so great it beat out thousands of entries in the fifth annual Red Robin Kid’s Cook-Off.

Pastry chef, food writer and blogger David Lebovitz, in his latest cookbook, “Ready for Dessert: My Best Recipes” (Ten Speed Press), calls his Fresh Ginger Cake “one of the most renowned” desserts in his repertoire.

GURNEE- Recently, a co-worker and I were in the mood for a Chicago-style hot dog. So, we decided to try Old Chicago Red Hots, 5404 Grand Ave., in Gurnee. In reflecting on the experience, I'm proud to report that this establishment has carried on the Chicago food traditions quite well.