A carbonnade is a Belgian beef stew made with beer and onions, but this version is lightened up with chicken thighs. It’s a one-pan, fast and kid-friendly weekday meal. Chicken Braised with Beer and Onions Serves 4 6-8 boneless, skinless chicken thighs (figure 2 per adult, 1 per child) 3/8 teaspoon allspice 1 tablespoon canola […]
How thin is the veneer of civilization? Pretty skimpy if we believe “God of Carnage,” now running at the intimate Citadel Theatre in Lake Forest. Michael and Veronica have invited Alan and Annette to their Brooklyn apartment to discuss a touchy subject. Their 11-year-old son was hit in the face with a stick by the […]
The days of heavy-handed window treatments are over. It’s time to lose the hefty cornices, ornate hardware, overdone tassels and trim, and opt for window treatments that offer warmth and style, and still let the light shine in. So whether you revise or redo your window treatments, here are some decorating ideas from local interior […]
How long is too long for an opera? Looking from the outside in at the Lyric Opera of Chicago’s production of Wagner’s “Die Meistersinger Von Nurnberg,” even the most devoted fan might tremble at the thought of committing about five-and-a-half hours to one opera. Fear not. In every aspect, the singers, the musicians, the set […]
Assassination, betrayal, politics—“Julius Caesar” has a lot of potential, but in this modern retelling, the audience is left looking for the heart of the production. The story is familiar; Caesar rises to power after a successful military campaign. But the people’s wish to crown him king threatens the new republic. Senators, including Cassius and Brutus, […]
The Amalfi Coast is a dramatic 28-mile stretch of coastline in southern Italy. Known for its romantic Italian villages, stunning panoramas and sandy coves, the Amalfi Coast is home of la dolce vita. Driving along the coast is not for the faint at heart. Often, the road is so narrow that two cars cannot pass […]
Nestled along the Fox River, McHenry cherishes the past with its treasure trove of antique and vintage shops lining the historic downtown’s three block stretch. Yet McHenry looks to the future with many new retail boutiques, many of them independent, women-owned businesses. So grab the girls and head just 35 miles northwest of Chicago where […]
Theatergoers in search of serious fare need look no further than Lookingglass and “Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo.” Directed by Heidi Stillman, the award-winning, Tony-nominated play by Rajiv Joseph marks an uncommon departure from Lookingglass Theatre’s usual in-house repertoire. Fair warning—this play is not for the timid, nor the occasional theater fan looking purely […]
Drury Lane Theatre’s nearly flawless production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Sunset Boulevard” throws down the gauntlet to all other musicals in quest of 2013 Jeff Awards come October. This is West End-quality musical theater with merely a trek to the near west ‘burbs (Oakbrook Terrace) required to take it in. Director William Osetek’s stellar cast […]
Nothing is worse than hearing the Marimba ringtone jangle you awake at 4 a.m. — especially when it’s a wrong number. Use your iPhone’s “Do Not Disturb” mode for better sleep or just for some quiet time. What is Do Not Disturb mode? When you turn on DND, the iPhone holds calls, texts and alerts, […]
