New in Town: Peppercorns Kitchen in Evanston

Named for the famed Sichuan spice sprinkled liberally through its extensive menu, Peppercorns Kitchen is a modern, chef-driven Chinese restaurant located in the heart of Evanston’s bustling downtown. Yes, you’ll find many standard favorites, like Orange Chicken and Mongolian Beef, but you’ll also discover inventive regional delights such as Xinjiang-Style Sautéed Lamb, Dungeness Crab with […]

12 Margaritas You Should Be Sipping Right Now

In its purest form, the Margarita is the perfect blend of tequila, lime juice and triple sec, but of course, there’s room for interpretation. For the purposes of this particular article, I’m expanding the parameters to include tequila drinks with a citrus element, be it orange, lime, lemon, grapefruit or any of the myriad liqueurs […]

Brunch Time! Our New Favorites for 2016

Who doesn’t love brunch, that genius mash-up of breakfast and lunch, eaten on weekends when late-night shenanigans make early-morning breakfast an impossible dream? Thoughtfully, some of our favorite restaurants have recently jumped on the brunch bandwagon, dishing out miraculous egg-centric meals, entrée-sized desserts and hair-of-the-dog beverages that will happily bite back. So roll out of […]

Daytripper: Rosemont

This year, Rosemont celebrates its 60th anniversary. This village has transformed from a destination for business travelers into a true entertainment district full of restaurants, shopping and activities for all ages. Activity Hub Get your live music fix in Rosemont at the Allstate Arena, ranked by Pollstar magazine as the third-best concert venue in the […]

New in Town: Epic Burger in Evanston

In a bold move, local mini-chain Epic Burger has opened in downtown Evanston, just a block north of homegrown Edzo’s and a block east of national burger chain Five Guys. They’re betting that locals and Northwestern students will be enticed by their message of sustainability and mindful eating. The menu is pretty basic — choose […]

New in Town: Taco Lago Now Open in Wilmette

There’s a new taqueria in town. Taco Lago opened in Wilmette and serves gluten-free, farm-to-table Mexican food everyone can enjoy. And on your first visit, don’t forget a margarita or Mexican beer. The restaurant also features graffiti art created by a Pilsen artist and the wall will be updated every six months to showcase local talent. Taco […]

New in Town: Mrs. Green's Natural Market in Winnetka

Winnetka is now a little healthier thanks to Mrs. Green’s Natural Market, which opened on Jan. 27. This neighborhood store is dedicated to providing healthy and fresh produce by supporting local farmers and buying from suppliers who practice sustainability. If you want to live a natural and delicious life, then this might just be your […]

New in Town: Vanille Patisserie Opening in Lakeview

Just in time for Valentine’s Day comes the opening of Vanille Patisserie Lakeview, the third and newest outpost of owner Sophie Evanoff’s beloved artisanal bakery. Lincoln Park and the Chicago French Market locations remain open — and busy. If you’re a macaron fan, Vanille is a go-to bakery already; the Lakeview location, which officially opens Feb. […]