March 28--Not much beats a toasty grilled cheese, especially to wind down a stressful day. Find an unusual version at Community Tavern, a French-inspired steakhouse in Portage Park. The star of the new bar menu, the manchego grilled cheese ($7), teams the salty cheese with juicy blueberry jam and slightly peppery watercress.
Executive chef Joey Beato says he chose to pair blueberry with manchego for a flavor contrast of sweet with savory. "Manchego has a delicious salty bite to it, and the blueberry has an almost floral sweetness," Beato says, noting that the salty-sweet combo isn't all that different from a PB -- just a little more adult. Pair with a glass of bubbly and enjoy. 4038 N. Milwaukee Ave., 773-283-6080, www.communitytavern.com.
Leah Pickett is a freelance writer.
