Soul food: Creamy baked mac ’n’ cheese

Phil Lempert TODAY Food Editor • Profile • E-mail

We started our trip to Chicago at the beginning of November with a joke about the old “Cheezborger, cheezborger, cheezborger” skit on “Saturday Night Live” that immortalized the Billy Goat Tavern — the inspiration for the somewhat restricted menu at the fictitious lunch joint run by John Belushi. So what better way to end our stay in Chicago than by visiting a restaurant that does, in fact, specialize in cheeseburgers? But since they offer seven different types of cheese to add to their burgers and the crust on the onion rings includes ground almonds to give them an extra-special crunch — there’s no chance of being reminded of the Olympia Café (the skit’s venue) here.

This recipe for Mac and Jack was stolen from corporate chef John Chiakulas of Mity Nice Grill, famous for comfort food dishes as satisfying as home-made, but better, thanks to a chef's clever touches. So if you are in Chicago and the cold winter wind is making you crave some good comfort food like meatloaf, mac and cheese or roast chicken, seek out Mity Nice in its hidden location — it's tucked between the first and second floors of Water Tower Place. You'll be transported back in time with simple and delicious fare and in-restaurant baked pies and cakes.

About the chef: Even as a young entrepreneur, John Chiakulas was destined to be in the restaurant business. At the age of 10 his mother remembers when he opened his first "restaurant" serving cheese sandwiches and hotdogs to his brothers starting at 10 cents. A native of Chicago, Chiakulas began his professional career bussing tables while in high school and received his first cooking job at Gordons restaurant in Chicago.

An Italian chef by nature, Chiakulas prides himself on the use of bold flavors and the creation of new soups and sauces. In 1992 Chiakulas became the executive chef at Scoozi!, where he continued his Italian creations using simple and fresh ingredients.

In 1994 Chiakulas became a corporate chef and had the opportunity to work at many Lettuce Entertain You restaurants, often filling in as interim chef. With a love for chocolate and a nickname to follow, Chocco-latte (pronounced in Spanish), Chiakulas' latest passion is the creation of new and exciting pastries.

Mity Nice Grill
Water Tower Place (Mezzanine Level)
835 N. Michigan Avenue
Chicago, IL 60611
312-335-4745
www.leye.com

Mac and Jack is served at Mity Nice Grill for $9.95 at lunch and $11.95 at dinner.

Want to nominate your favorite restaurant dish for a “Steal This Recipe” feature? Just e-mail with the name of the restaurant, city and state, and the dish you would like to have re-created. Want to know more about Phil and food? Visit his Web site at www.supermarketguru.com.

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