Sometimes I just want to be heard. I’m exhausted from dining out in of-the-moment restaurants and shouting “conversations” at my dining partner. True story: A few summers ago, we were dining in a then-new, pricey Fulton Market restaurant with friends, and the music was so egregiously loud that we asked the hostess if it could […]
When we first moved to the Chicago area in 1989, I knew that we would miss our San Francisco friends and family, the gorgeous view from every vista, the nearby wine country, and, of course, the fog. What I didn’t consider was how much I would miss Trader Joe’s. That realization hit me, hard, when […]
Taco Tuesday? Sure. We’re down with that. But why limit yourself to one day of the week? Truthfully, any time is taco time, but what better day to salute this humble, hand-held deliciousness than National Taco Day, Oct. 4? We’ve pulled together some of our favorites in and around Chicago for a quick and handy […]
Fall sports are back in action, and athletes — from pee-wee to professional — need their sustenance. Energy bars to the rescue! They’re portable, they fit easily in the pocket of your shorts, they keep well. And it’s not just athletes that they appeal to: Who among us hasn’t grabbed a bar for breakfast as […]
There’s a magical sliver of time, from July to September, when a bounty of Midwest fruits and vegetable show up in all their bright, colorful glory at the markets. And then, almost as quickly as they arrived — POOF — they disappear. But lucky for us, some of our favorite local chefs have mastered the […]
James Beard Foundation’s sixth annual Taste America is coming to Chicago Oct. 25 and 26 and we couldn’t be more excited — especially since we are the first to announce the incredible lineup for the kickoff reception, to be held in the West Loop at The Lakewood on Thursday, Oct. 25 from 6 to 9 p.m. […]
Summer’s over, school’s begun, and you’re back in town. The question of the hour, obviously, is where to eat? While you were at the lake/camp/family reunion or generally off having fun elsewhere, your must-try list of new restaurants has grown. Allow me to break it down for you. Bar Ramone 441 N. Clark St., Chicago […]
Beans or no beans? In many kitchens, that question throws down the gauntlet. Is it really chili if it uses legumes? Or tomato? There are seemingly as many variations on prize-winning chili recipes as there are stars in the sky — or at least stars on the American flag. Texas style means chili con carne, […]
September is Whole Grains Month, so swap processed grains for more nutritious, heart-healthy whole grains — which include the bran, germ, and endosperm. Whole grains are becoming increasingly popular, from buckwheat and barley to millet and whole wheat. Look for the whole grain stamp while grocery shopping (there are 12,504 products registered for stamp use in 58 countries!) […]
September is National Honey Month, so before it’s over, we thought we’d give some love to the sweet stuff. Although honey should be used sparingly just like any other type of sugar, it boasts a number of health benefits that make it a smarter choice than plain old granulated sugar. It contains powerful antioxidants, and […]
