Updated Feb. 6, 2019 Editor’s Note: Chicago Restaurant Week has been extended through Feb. 12. Unlike the great hullabaloo of the “Big Four” winter holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, and New Year’s Eve), when restaurants full-to-bursting turn away business and reservations at hot new spots (and popular older favorites) are impossible to come by, January stretches […]
Plunging temperatures and the season’s first snowfall make me want to hibernate under eight or 10 blankets and practice my favorite brand of mindfulness — I am one with the couch. Ohm. The only catch is that winter weather makes even the sportiest of us loath to exercise. My solution? Ultra-healthy dinners, which means minimized […]
There’s a new fast-casual restaurant in town: The Simple Greek is open in Highland Park. Marcus Lemonis, host of CNBC’s “The Profit,” is a partner in the restaurant, a franchise out of Philadelphia that he first worked with on his show. The Simple Greek emulates the much-admired Chipotle model of an open food assembly line, where […]
Evanston is a diverse town with a lot of great ethnic food, but until very recently, Mongolian-Russian cuisine has not been on the menu. Owner Ulzii Hughbanks, who moved from Mongolia to America in 2005, was determined to change that, and we’re oh-so happy that she decided to open The Funky Monk, a small and […]
Cinco de Mayo celebrates the batalla de Puebla when the native Mexicans defeated Napoleon’s army on May 5, 1862. I can’t think of a better way to celebrate the holiday than to prepare and feast on traditional Mexican fare. My friend, Maria Concannon, owner of Don Juan’s Restaurant in Chicago, tells me there is a […]
How many times have you tossed a bunch of rotten asparagus because you never got around to cooking that risotto?
Remember that college essay you wrote about what famous people you would like to invite to dinner? Obviously, the correct answers were Woody Allen, Cher and James Beard. Worked for me.
If you had told me 22 years ago, back when I was managing Frontera Grill and Topolobampo, that in 2012 I would be writing a theatre review of Chef Rick Bayless starring in a Tony-winning theater production, I would have laughed. Sure, Rick is a fantastic chef. But can he act? Can he dance? Can […]
It’s Dr. Seuss’ birthday! So celebrate March 2nd with Green Eggs and Ham. Pesto is the secret green ingredient and it gives the eggs a nice zip. We promise your kids will eat them in the rain or on a train. In a house and even with a (pet) mouse.d Prep time: 5 minutes Cook […]
I used to love to cook for my 3 children, but once I started working full time, it became less of a joy and more of chore.
