Chicago: Dose Market

Things are getting hectic now as we enter finals week, so don't expect too many updates this month.

With that said, hopefully this post will tide you over until the next one.  Last month, I visited Dose Market  for the first time along with Queen G and Carmen in support of a friend whose organization, Hand & Cloth, was tabling there (check out their website for gorgeous kantha blankets and an even more impressive mission: http://handandcloth.org/).

Once a month a bunch of local vendors gather together at the River East Art Center for a food and fashion extravaganza.  It's basically the ultimate playground for hipsters: 

While Queen G and Carmen oohed and aahed over fashion accessories, I was most excited about the food. So many free samples!

There was Vanishing Granola:

The pistachio spice was my favorite.

There was Sea + Cane Sweets:

Besides a superb selection of caramels (sea salt, dark chocolate sea salt, and cabernet sauvignon), the most unique offerings at the table were their chocolate salami and white chocolate truffle "cheese."

I bought two bags of almonds from Mama's Nuts:

The gingersnap almonds and the smoked paprika almonds are only two options out of the array of creative nut treatments.

The entrance fee came with a free drink coupon.  Since I'm not a fan of alcohol, I passed on it:

Ripasso, the relatively new Italian joint in town, also had a table.  We tried their rotolo alla bolognese for $9:

A little overpriced in my opinion, but still good.

There was no way we could possibly walk away from this awesome suckling pig galantine from Smoking Goose:

Just look at how pretty it is:

The galantine was almost creamy in texture.  Not bad for $8.

One of the most popular food tables was Cheese Dream:

This frenchie grilled cheese sandwich was definitely worth the line (thank you, Carmen for braving it!):

This picture so doesn't do it justice because it doesn't capture the richness of the melted baby swiss cheese and the sweetness of the caramelized onions.  So.  Good.

Queen G is friends with the owners of Bang Bang Pie, so we made sure to save room for dessert:

Thank goodness we did, because this dark chocolate chess pie with blood orange infused olive oil and sea salt was RIDICULOUS:

As was the coconut lavender cream pie:

Guh.  I can't wait for the opening of their storefront.

We kept seeing people walking around with these beautiful slices of bacon and finally traced it back to Bang Bang Pie.

Unfortunately, they were all sold out by the time we got there.  So it was a freakin' miracle when Queen G later produced the last of the candied bacon:

That's what happens when you have friends who know people in the food industry.  Miracles.  I don't question how or why.  I simply partake.  And enjoy.  By far the best candied bacon I've ever had.

It can be quite a squeeze at Dose Market, so make sure to get there early.  Ticket are $8 online or $10 at the door.  Learn from our mistake and park in the right garage to get the discount.  Definitely a fun way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

Hipster outfit optional.


Dose Market
River East Art Center
435 E Illinois St
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 321-1001
http://dosemarket.com/