How Sweet It Is: Best Bakeries in Chicagoland

Chicagoans are carb loaders, and damn proud of it. Weather got you down? Eat some pie. Celebrating a win? Have a cupcake. Having drinks with the gal pals? Grab some macarons. You get the picture, right? So if there’s a public service to be performed here, it’s to narrow down the crowded field. But every […]

10 Diet Tips for Better Health, Plus a Heart-Healthy Cioppino Recipe

February is American Heart Month. Time to take stock of your diet and fit in some new, lighter entrees. In the past, I have developed healthy recipes for several cookbooks for the American Heart Association. The following are their basic guidelines. As you make daily food choices, base your eating pattern on these 10 recommendations: 1. Choose […]

Deep Dish Food News: Food is Love Edition

In February, it’s all about the love…and the food. And maybe for me they are one and the same. After all, the direct route to the heart is through the stomach, right? Bargains Galore Chicago Restaurant Week is here and runs through Feb. 12 (yes, I can count—it’s actually two weeks). Now is your chance to […]

‘Sweets’ For Your Sweetheart

Valentine’s Day is quickly approaching… don’t forget to stop by Nothing Bundt Cakes in Skokie for your sweetheart! Nothing says “I love you” like the handcrafted goodness of a Nothing Bundt Cake. This Valentine’s Day, share the love and if you’re lucky, they’ll share a piece. This cute boutique not only has delectable cakes, but […]

Easy and Delicious Heart-Healthy Snack Recipes

Though many of us are careful to plan healthy meals, when it comes to snacks we often end up grabbing something on the fly. We’re controlled by cravings, what’s readily available, and the time constraints of our busy day. The trick is to surround yourself with heart-healthy snacks so that all your options are good […]

Super Bowl Sunday: Where to Eat Your Feelings

Whether you’re a Patriots or Seahawks fan (or, like me, a Super Bowl commercials devotee and avid Katy Perry follower), the truth is you’ve got to eat. The question is, where? You don’t want to sit at home and watch because you’d like a really big screen and the excitement of a crowd. These restaurants […]

RPM Steak: Get Your Motors Running

The question begs to be asked: Does Chicago need another high-end steakhouse? As it pertains to Lettuce Entertain You’s newest restaurant, RPM Steak, an unequivocal answer: you betcha. In this meat-mad town, RPM Steak has quickly made an impression for deliciousness and excellent service, borne out by a recent visit. It’s hard to believe that […]

Winnetka’s O’Neil Triangle

Patrick O’Neil has owned many restaurants in different towns over the years—from Evanston to Racine—but it’s Winnetka that has his heart. “I grew up here,” shares O’Neil, “and Winnetka has always been our most successful location.” So it’s not a surprise, then, that there are three O’Neil-owned restaurants forming a hospitality triangle around the downtown […]