Boston's Best Restaurants and Attractions

Boston has always been a haven for history buffs, and it remains so: just take the Freedom Trail to see exactly where those irate revolutionaries threw an impromptu tea party back in 1773. It’s also the undisputed college mecca of the East Coast — studyboston.com puts the number of Boston-area college students at 250,000. But […]

Community Celebrations: Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria

Chicagoans love their deep dish, and Lou Malnati’s has been serving its cheesy goodness for 45 years. The first Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria opened in Lincolnwood on March 17, 1971, and as their website says, “Lou always thought it was funny that an Italian should open a pizzeria in a Jewish neighborhood on an Irish holiday, […]

Chicago’s Best Sandwiches Right Now

Perhaps Oprah says it best, as she shills endlessly for Weight Watchers: “I. Love. Bread.” Oprah, truer words were never spoken. We hear you. We are with you. Carb watchers be damned, because bread is where it’s at. Especially when two thick, crusty slices of it surround gooey cheese, braised meats, crispy bacon and aioli […]

Community Celebrations: The Bottle Shop

The Bottle Shop celebrated 10 years of business in December, and just like a fine bottle of wine, The Bottle Shop only gets better with age. The Bottle Shop offers a craft beer and wine bar, outside seating and lounge area, gift boxes, wine and beer classes with a professional, and a wine and beer club. You […]

One-on-One With Chicago’s James Beard Rising Star Chefs

The James Beard Awards are coming back to Chicago this May and three Chicago chefs received semifinalist nods in the Rising Star Chef category. (Jenner Tomaska of Chicago’s Next was named a finalist on March 15.) Here, they tell us what moves them and how it feels to be recognized on the restaurant industry’s biggest […]

New in Town: To-Die-For Dumplings at Imperial Lamian in River North

There is some drop-dead gorgeousness happening at the very new, very chic Imperial Lamian in Chicago’s River North. This Indonesian import is sure to take the neighborhood by storm; it is the first American outpost for the brand. Named for China’s famed, hand-pulled la mian noodles (made on-site here in the open kitchen by Wang […]

Chicago’s Think Jerky is Leading an Artisanal Jerky Movement

Beef jerky is making a very big comeback. Not that it ever really went away, but it’s no longer consigned to the snacks-of-shame aisle at the truck stop and 7-Eleven. Once the mainstay of hunters, rig operators and hikers, beef jerky is now the low-fat, high-protein darling of paleo dieters and CrossFit fanatics. This ain’t […]