Second city clambake

The other day I was walking through the New, Ridiculously Gigantic Whole Foods (yes, I've been going there a lot) and did a drive-by of their seafood counter. Mmm...lobster. Clams. Ooh, wouldn't a clambake party be fun??

But, I don't know...a clambake in Chicago seems very out of place. Inappropriate, even. In my mind it's akin to - and I know this is a controversial statement - adding the extra "u" in "honor" on a wedding invitation. Did you suddenly become British? Would you seek out deep dish pizza in LA? Appalachian bluegrass music in Manhattan?

I guess this is my own personal mishigas. Luckily, Chicago Magazine does not share this viewpoint, and their June edition features a lovely Clambake held in - gasp! - Rogers Park. It's hosted by Dan Smith and Steve McDonagh of Food Network's Party Line with the Hearty Boys, who, to my point, ARE FROM THE EAST COAST, but then again they've been Chicago residents for 10+ years...

Photo credit: Tyllie Barbosa for Chicago Magazine

This is all pretty silly, isn't it?  I should probably just "clam up" and host a bake of my own, shouldn't I? [insert groan here]  Be sure to check out the Chicago mag link for more yummy photos and recipes.