The West Loop is the neighborhood bounded by the Chicago River to the east, Grand Avenue to the north, Ashland to the west and I-290 to the south. It has exploded with activity in the last 10 years; at any given moment, you’ll find umpteen construction cranes, all dead-set on urban domination. All these new […]
Every year, in the weeks before Valentine’s Day, romance becomes the name of the game. Tables are reserved, flowers arranged, and chocolates purchased. Restaurants are full to bursting and couples feel the love on Feb. 14. But what about Feb. 15, and beyond? This year, let’s keep that Valentine’s spirit going. By all means, check […]
Updated Feb. 6, 2019 Editor’s Note: Chicago Restaurant Week has been extended through Feb. 12. Unlike the great hullabaloo of the “Big Four” winter holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, and New Year’s Eve), when restaurants full-to-bursting turn away business and reservations at hot new spots (and popular older favorites) are impossible to come by, January stretches […]
Joffrey Ballet’s production of “Anna Karenina,” a world premiere collaboration between Joffrey Ballet and The Australian Ballet, will be gracing the Auditorium Theatre’s stage Feb. 13-24. Once you see Joffrey’s take on Tolstoy’s classic tale of political ambition and forbidden passion, you’ll come to understand that if a picture is worth a thousand words, surely a […]
The 17th annual Jean Banchet Awards for Culinary Excellence, presented by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, were held at the South Loop’s Venue SIX10 on Sunday, Jan. 13 with over 400 people — a mix of culinary insiders, media, and fans — in attendance. The late, great chef Jean Banchet, who is credited with bringing fine […]
Allow me to state the obvious: Candy ain’t just for kids. As a matter of fact, I’d argue that the majority of candy — and the plethora of candy stores that have cropped up in the past decade — aims squarely at the over-21 crowd. Sophisticated tastes (think buttery toffee flavored with curry and coconut, […]
Even the most seasoned home entertainer could use a little backup. “When hosting a party, you should always remember to ‘BE A GUEST!’” says Jodi Fyfe, founder and CEO of Paramount Events. “Hire others to do the work and clean up.” Need a little more direction? Here’s how to be the host with the most this holiday season. […]
The only thing better than a special meal shared with family and friends is one that you don’t have to cook yourself — or clean up after. These clever city and suburban restaurants serve up that most elusive of all combinations: a killer private room or space for personal dining, plus swoon-worthy food. The Albert […]
The James Beard Foundation (JBF) might be based in New York City, but they certainly seem to love Chicago. Since 2015, our “toddling town” has been the site of the James Beard Foundation Awards, and we’ve certainly had our share of winners, be they chefs, authors, broadcast journalists, sommeliers, or restaurateurs. The JBF returns to […]
Sometimes I just want to be heard. I’m exhausted from dining out in of-the-moment restaurants and shouting “conversations” at my dining partner. True story: A few summers ago, we were dining in a then-new, pricey Fulton Market restaurant with friends, and the music was so egregiously loud that we asked the hostess if it could […]
