Road trips are great for inspiring spontaneity and indulging one’s sense of adventure, and in Northern California, a region surrounded by such diverse beauty, the drive is often as rewarding as the destination. Quaint towns, fertile valleys, rugged coasts — no matter which direction you head, there’s something to be seen and, usually, eaten. So […]
Here’s an insider’s guide to the very best eats in Chicago. (Headed further north? Don’t miss our North Shore Dining Guide.) KEY: BLD (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner); Br (Brunch) Andersonville BIG JONES Southern Just off a recent renovation, this is chef Paul Fehribach’s love letter to the American South, inspired by its people and history. The cornbread! The […]
Romance isn’t dead — it just needs a little nudge now and then to keep it alive. Every year, in the weeks before Valentine’s Day, the romance machine starts up. Tables are reserved, flowers are arranged, and chocolates are bought. Restaurants are full to bursting and couples feel the love on Feb. 14. But on […]
The dead of winter is a notoriously slow time for the restaurant business. The big holidays are over, and with them the office and family parties, special meals with visiting relatives and kids home from college, and generally all festivities. Valentine’s Day — always chaotic, a one-day winter doldrums reprieve — is on the horizon, […]
So you’ve lucked into Chicago Bulls or Blackhawks tickets, or maybe you’re on your way to see Katy Perry, Jay Z or Arcade Fire weave their particular brand of musical magic. Either way, you’re headed to the Madhouse on Madison. The big quandary, of course, is where to eat beforehand? The United Center is awesome for many […]
Maybe it’s just because it hasn’t felt like the holidays yet, what with the 50-degree weather, green grass, false budding on trees and all, but we’re well into December and New Year’s Eve is coming whether we like it or not. Happily, here in the Chicago area, there’s a plethora of choices, from the low […]
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 […]
I probably shouldn’t be telling you this, because it’s already crowded, even on a recent Tuesday night when the Cubs hadn’t yet thrown in the towel. But the truth is, you need to know about La Principal, a new full-service Mexican restaurant in Evanston. Authentic Mexican Street Food Located on the site of the old […]
First, adult versions of the grilled cheese started popping up on menus all around town. Now, it’s perfectly acceptable for adults to order macaroni and cheese for dinner at a restaurant. Of course, the grown-up versions are a far cry from the bland stuff from a box. Modern mac and cheese is made with bold […]
Just as the fall is a harbinger for new fashion trends, so is it a time for brand-spanking new restaurants. There’s a lot of news to share: restaurant openings (and closings – sob!), singular food and wine dinners, and special events. Get your stomachs – and wallets – ready. Hot New Restaurants “Top Chef” fan […]
