Best of Chicago

Good: the well spoken of, the longtime favorites, the new and surprising. Better: the perfect extra fillip, the graceful technique, the revelatory debut. Best: See below

The Great American Novelty

The Fluffy Ball? Check. The Robolite Pop Up Book Light? Been there, done that. This time around, JD Ma, a Darien entrepreneur who connects American sellers with Chinese manufacturers, is on to...

Michael Lenehan

The Jay Cutler Playbook

He swaggered into town with a gun for an arm and a penchant for shooting from the lip, raising hopes that he was the savior who would return the Bears to Super Bowl glory—but also questions about...

Bryan Smith

Numbers Man

He modernized Chicago’s emergency-response center, served as Mayor Daley’s chief of staff, and led (albeit briefly) the CTA—all before his 38th birthday. Now Ron Huberman, the Israeli-born...

Ryan Blitstein

I Married a Mad Man

A Chicago ad legend inspired countless memorable campaigns, my own unbelievable love story, and, decades later, a hit leading man

Myra Janco Daniels

Table of Contents

Contributors

August 2009: Myra Janco Daniels, Michael Lenehan, Ryan Blitstein, Nathan Kirkman, Rod O'Connor

Graham Meyer

Feedback

In this month’s letters: How to have more fun, and a few more tidbits on Hyde Park

A Brand-New You

When things turn tough, it may be time for a reinvention. These eight classes point the way

Joanna Topor Mackenzie

Dining Out: Reverse Commute

An old legend and a young stud both land in unlikely suburban spots—and administer shots of adrenaline to their respective kitchens

Dennis Ray Wheaton

For Pols on the Spot, One Phone Call

Who loves public corruption? Defense attorneys.

Katherine Hajduch

Do We Spot a Trend?

National news outlets are picking Chicago to be a local media incubator

Ben Strauss

Preferred ’Stock

A Humboldt Park labor of love earns our adoration

Kate Schwartz Seamons

High Society

Kate Schwartz Seamons

Shopper: Reintroducing Oak Street

After spending much of the earlier part of the year under construction, the new, reshuffled Oak Street holds on to its crown as the city’s most prestigious shopping destination. Here is our guide...

Rebecca Little

Pedalpalooza

Just in time for the height of bike season, an everything guide to two-wheeled fun

Rod O'Connor

Where Credit Is Due

A trio of rereleases prompt musicians to pay quiet homage to an ex-Wilco member, Jay Bennett

Mark Guarino

The Fitzgerald Era

Academics have always trumped athletics at Northwestern, but under the direction of Pat Fitzgerald, football has become no joke. Will he stick around?

Noah Isackson

Sales Check

A roundup of August’s sales, store openings, and shopping news

Bridget Maiellaro

You Should Know … Marcus Sakey

The reigning “prince” of crime fiction returns

Geoffrey Johnson

Conversation Starters

When scoping the city for its newest, most innovative creations, we couldn’t help but notice a captivating trend: layered, yet unpretentious pieces that kept us talking long after leaving the...

Barri Leiner

Buzz Builder

Triple-threat singer-songwriter-carpenter Joe Pug infuses folk music with new energy

Patrick Sisson

Going Off the Grid

With an architect’s help, a North Side couple turns a ComEd substation into a single-family home with solar panels and other “green” features

Dennis Rodkin

Uncommon Motor Row Threesome

Trio of condos share building and triplex layout but little else

Dennis Rodkin

All Bets Off

Big loss on James Gamble Rogers–designed house

Dennis Rodkin

Looking Ahead

Tower’s location could help preserve good views

Dennis Rodkin

Cutting Edge

Developer encourages condo sales with novel payment plan

Dennis Rodkin

Will Work for Friends

Online interactions will never replace the power of face-to-face meetings. But social networking can enhance those relationships—and may even land you a job

Rebecca Little

Sweet Dreams

The original comfort zones—ye olde bake shoppes

Joanne Trestrail

Hotel Action: Elysian

Jason McLeod, exec chef of the Elysian Hotel’s two restaurants, Balsan and Ria, has got a handle on Balsan’s artisanal comfort food three meals a day—croissants, gourmet charcuterie,...

Jeff Ruby

Brand New: Cibo Matto

By August all of Chicago could be hooked on this restaurant's promised roasted whitefish with peperonata, balsamic, and parsley oil.

Carrie Boyd

Coming Soon: Happ Inn Bar and Grill

Assets include a bucolic outdoor patio, old family recipes, and organic grass-fed beef.

Jeff Ruby

35th Street Café

If the casually charming 35th Street Café served nothing but its superb, just-made chips, we would still be fans. But there’s also actual food, protein and vegetables and things.

Joanne Trestrail

Pour: New Grist Beer

Dennis Ray Wheaton

Singled Out: Strawberry Shortcake

Sean Sanders, the chef/owner of Browntrout, loves to play around with familiar flavors from his past to bridge the gap between adolescence and maturity.

Penny Pollack

Street Food

Bayless takes his Mexican manifesto—tortas, caldos, and churros with hot chocolate for all—to the people

Jeff Ruby

Becoming Chicago

I thought living here made me a Chicagoan. Not everyone agrees

Jeff Ruby