Living in Chicago, there are precious few patio days each year, so treasure every one of your breezy, sunshine-y days this summer by dining al fresco. Here are 11 of our favorite patios in the city and North Shore. The dec Rooftop Lounge + Bar at The Ritz-Carlton Chicago Twelve stories above Michigan Avenue is […]
When Memorial Day rolls around, we always get out the grill for dinner even if the weather doesn’t cooperate. It just feels right to kick off the grilling season that day. But rather than the typical burgers or ribs this year I am going to make a lighter supper for our fish-loving family. Halibut season […]
Michigan wineries pour their best at City Winery on June 1 for one night only. You are invited to enjoy an evening with 24 wineries and 100 premium wines without crossing the border. This second annual Michigan Wines Showcase-Chicago enables everyone to “taste Michigan” with vintages often not even available in Chicago, due to small quantities […]
Rarely when confronted with a breadbasket do we bother to stop and reflect on our surroundings. But it’s worth putting down the butter knife (just for a minute) to admire the dazzling and innovative design on display in Chicago’s many fine eating establishments. We toured some of the city’s (and the North Shore’s) most beautiful […]
Leeks are like onion and garlic’s shy sibling. All three are in the allium family, but the latter two produce stronger, more assertive flavors while leeks combine the toned-down essence of each. Despite their gentle character, leeks are both larger and dirtier than their familial counterparts. When it comes to choosing leeks though, larger isn’t […]
I think I can speak for Evanston in general when I say how nice it is to have Bangers & Lace take over the space once occupied by The Keg, which had a long and notorious history in our fair city. Gone are the days of sticky floors, underage drinking and the smell of old […]
The Mag Mile is a lot more colorful thanks to the new Dylan’s Candy Bar store, the newest outpost of Dylan Lauren’s (Ralph’s daughter!) über-popular NYC sweets superstore. Of course, there’s a wide variety of candy (think chocolates, gummies, popular nostalgic and novelty sweets and more found in fun, unique packaging), but you’ll also find […]
Cinco de Mayo celebrates the batalla de Puebla when the native Mexicans defeated Napoleon’s army on May 5, 1862. I can’t think of a better way to celebrate the holiday than to prepare and feast on traditional Mexican fare. My friend, Maria Concannon, owner of Don Juan’s Restaurant in Chicago, tells me there is a […]
Chef Shin Thompson is all about flavor at his new fast-casual concept, Furious Spoon. The ramen noodles are made fresh on site and they are tasty and toothsome. Choose from four terrific ramen soups (veggie, shoyu, miso or spicy “furious”), add toppings (poached egg and marinated mushrooms are musts, not to mention the pork belly), […]
Wicker Park favorite Bangers & Lace has opened a 4,200 square-foot outpost in Evanston on the site of the notorious Keg. It’s a big step up! Aside from a hip and fun remodel, they’ve got 32 craft beers on tap (including local favorite Temperance Beer) and inventive pub food from Chef Jesse Miller. We love […]
