Every college town has their specialties—restaurants that students favor for brunch, dinner, or that 2 a.m. slice of pizza. As my fellow college freshmen and I finished finals and came home for the summer, however, we couldn’t have been more excited to return to all of our favorite childhood spots. Everyone has their own list, […]
Now that school and the cold streak are finally ending, everyone is looking for ways to enjoy the summer sun. One classic way to get family and friends outside is with the promise of a picnic. Too often, however, we get stuck in the rut of standard pasta salads in plastic tupperware. Check out these […]
It’s Saturday night and you have choices to make. You’d love to see a good show but don’t have tickets. You’d love to try out a new restaurant but don’t have reservations. No need to stress, because we have a roundup of venues in and around Chicago that offer live music, great food and fun […]
Several local companies are spicing things up—literally—with fresh and innovative blends that can easily take a meal from ordinary to extraordinary. From Tonguespank’s flavored sea salts and liquor-infused spice blends to Spicemode’s Indian-inspired infusions, the options are endless. Chefs have long enjoyed experimenting with various spices from around the globe, but now they are more accessible than […]
Chicago, raise a glass to the latest and greatest app, Drizly, which allows legal-age drinkers to purchase alcohol to their door in under an hour. Partnered with local retailers such as Schaefer’s Wines, Foods & Spirits, Rayan’s Wine & Fine Spirits, South Loop Market, Kimbark Beverage Shoppe and Hops & Grapes, this app promises a satisfying […]
The new Cocoa + Co. was born of owner Kim Hack’s obsession with chocolate. Hack, a longtime food industry professional, feels that cacao beans—like grapes—have a distinct terroir, a sense of place. At her new Old Town store, you’ll find freshly baked creations from celebrity chefs Malika Ameen and Gale Gand; the work of 35 […]
Nourishing and full of antioxidants, fresh-pressed juice cocktails are a healthy new drink trend we can raise a glass to. We’ll happily toss aside cloying, artificially colored syrups in favor of fresh botanicals and juices for a more refreshing poolside happy hour. Making your own flavored syrups or pressing your own juices is an extra […]
Summer has finally arrived, which means it’s time for Make It Better’s annual “Best Of” survey! From restaurants to theaters, salons to boutiques, wedding vendors to landscapers, each year we poll you—our fabulous audience—to determine which businesses and resources are leading the pack in Chicago and on the North Shore. Voting is now closed. The winners […]
In a perfect world, I would sit down to a civilized lunch at a chic boîte every day. The reality is a little closer to standing in front of an open refrigerator with baby carrots and a bowl of hummus in hand, but a girl can dream, right? Meanwhile, in this alternate universe, I would […]
I’m not here to knock a good char-grilled burger or Chicago’s famous “char-dog”—they’re summer staples. But what about spring, when beach and pool season is on the horizon, but you’re still in your winter body? Grilled vegetables offer all of the smoky goodness with none of the guilt. Most vegetables fare well on the grill […]
