Everyone knows that Chicago — smack-dab in the heart of the Midwest and in-between coasts — is a hard-core steak town. But man does not live by red meat alone, especially if he wants to live for a while. So look to the water, be it lake, river or sea, for your next hit of […]
There’s no shortage of speedy, freshly made pizza around town these days; quick gourmet pizza in the Chipotle mold is all the rage. But 800 Degrees is different — this is Neapolitan-style pizza, with a beautifully blistered crust that’s just the right amount of chewy and char. The same company that brought us Umami Burger […]
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 […]
Thanksgiving may only be one day of the year, but the leftovers tend to linger a while in your fridge. And if turkey is going to make a second appearance over the holiday weekend, it needs to be in a different form, if for no other reason than to shake things up a little. So […]
Thanksgiving may only be one day of the year, but the leftovers tend to linger a while in your fridge. And if turkey is going to make a second appearance over the holiday weekend, it needs to be in a different form, if for no other reason than to shake things up a little. So […]
Updated Feb. 20, 2017 I wasn’t the only one up in arms when the New York Times published a recipe for pea guacamole. In fact, the entire Internet flew into an uproar, and rightfully so. Guacamole is not to be tampered with. At its finest, it is simple and unfettered by fancy add-ins. The nuanced […]
With the bustle of the holidays quickly approaching, you probably have plenty of parties to plan. How do you host with elegance and ease? Make It Better consulted three top-notch Chicago private chefs for their tips and tricks. Executive chef and owner of My Private Chef, Chris Tong, has been creating distinctive cuisine and upscale […]
The Lake Forest crowd is a clubby bunch, and when they find someplace they like, they descend upon it in numbers. Westwood Bistro, which opened last year, certainly fits that bill. Yes, I’m a little late to the party, but better late than never, right? It was jammed to the gills on a recent visit, […]
Did you collect a shelf full of Mason jars back when they were all the rage? Maybe you no longer want them front and center as tabletop décor, but no need to toss them just yet. We mined Pinterest (and a few of our other favorite sites) to find clever ways to repurpose your Mason jars. You’ll […]
Beloved throughout the country, Gigi’s Cupcakes opened in Wilmette on Oct. 28, offering a rotating menu of more than 300 cupcake flavors. Piled high with icing, Gigi’s cupcakes are a national phenomenon — but don’t miss out on other breakfast options including muffins, pies, breads, cinnamon rolls and a host of other treats, all baked […]
