James Beard Winners Dish on Their Favorite Chicago Eats

When the James Beard Awards come to town May 2, chefs, mixologists, sommeliers and restaurateurs from across the country will descend upon Chicago for a delicious, sometimes debaucherous, weekend of eating and drinking. Here, past award winners share their Chicago favorites and spots they can’t wait to try. “I definitely want to make a stop […]

5 Things to Do: April 15-17

This weekend, see new shows at Chicago Shakespeare Theater and Piven Theatre Workshop, watch one (or more!) of 150 movies at CIMMfest, find garden inspiration and antiques at Chicago Botanic Garden or dine at some of the area’s best restaurants. “Othello: The Remix” Opens April 12 Chicago This is the first weekend of the Q Brothers’ […]

5 Things to Do: April 1-3

Hello, April! Kick off the month with a relaxing weekend at Four Seasons Chicago, a date night event at exhale Evanston, a robot party at MSI and a political play at Victory Gardens Theater. Plus, April is Chicago Dance Month, so enjoy some breathtaking shows this weekend or make plans for the weeks ahead. Date […]

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 […]