Hot and heavy may be great for kissing—but not so much for a summer meal. Opt for cool and light instead. Vietnamese shrimp summer rolls consist of fresh ingredients wrapped in rice paper and served at room temperature or cooled; they’re not deep fried or otherwise cooked on the outside like egg rolls or spring […]
Kefi is a Greek word (roughly) meaning passion, exuberance, joy, a lust for life. Think Zorba the Greek dancing on the beach, or the Greek custom of smashing plates. For owner John Tasiopoulos, it’s an expression that sums up how he feels about his family, his heritage and his mother’s food. Because at its heart, […]
As if the tiny new corner bakery on Evanston’s Central Street, just east of the Metra tracks, wasn’t adorable enough, it turns out that owner/baker Beth Welch and manager Kate Noble share more than a love of sugar—they’re sisters! They first learned to bake and cook from their beloved grandmother as they grew up fourth-generation […]
In summer, we’d rather warm up outside than in front of a hot stove or oven. Summer meals should be fast and easy and utilize the bounty of the season. Cold soups fit the bill. They’re a great way to convert fresh fruits and vegetables into a refreshing meal. Gazpacho is the heavyweight of cold […]
Traditional Japanese sushi is a true art. If you’ve seen the documentary “Jiro Dreams of Sushi,” then you know that it takes years of training to master the steps needed for perfection. Jiro Ono’s restaurant, located inconspicuously in a Tokyo train station, has three Michelin stars, yet he says he is still learning. The sushi […]
Nearly two decades ago, my friend, Abby Mandel, realized her dream of bringing a farmers market to Chicago. She worked tirelessly to secure the right location and non-profit status to make sure this would be a lasting institution for the city so more people could have access to locally- and sustainably-grown food. Thanks to the […]
Lettuce wilts. Mayonnaise spoils. It takes a special salad to maintain its flavor and appearance an hour into the heat of a summer picnic or barbecue–coleslaw, potato or Caesar won’t do. You can place this tasty and colorful corn salad on any buffet table and rightly expect to take home an empty bowl. The recipe […]
When you think of Brooklyn, what comes to mind? For me, it’s pickles. Pickles and Civil War beards. And hipsters riding gearless bikes, sporting said gnarly beards while eating homemade pickles from un-ironic Mason jars. So when I heard that a “Brooklyn Bistro” was opening in the old A La Carte space on Green Bay […]
We asked and, boy, did you answer! Make It Better’s Best of 2015 drew more than 105,000 verified votes across 10 categories. It’s obvious that you, our readers, feel strongly about the North Shore and Chicago businesses you love and are eager to help promote them. We were excited to see businesses asking their loyal […]
Make It Better’s Best of 2015 drew more than 105,000 verified votes across 10 categories. Share your thoughts with us on social media using the hashtag #MIBBestof2015. Go-To Eats Brunch Ten Mile House (North Shore) This newcomer has won a legion of fans with their sunny morning meal, not to mention the Hangover Fried Rice. 1700 […]
