Best of Chicago 2010

Eighty-three winners in dining, arts & entertainment, shopping, and more

An Unlikely Friendship with Dan Rostenkowski

A FRIENDSHIP IN WINTER: How a 34-year-old high-school dropout and recovering alcoholic found inspiration and a buddy in the irascible, imperious Dan Rostenkowski, the fallen political giant

By Bryan Smith

Raising Chicago: An Illustrated History

In 1855, the city embarked on a far-fetched scheme to hoist itself out of the mud and gunk. On the 155th anniversary of the project's launch, we take a lively illustrated look back.

By Lilli Carré

Table of Contents

Contributors

August 2010: Lilli Carré, Brendan Pelsue, Robert Buscemi, Nina Kokotas Hahn, Daniel Shea

By Graham Meyer

Feedback

IN AUGUST'S LETTERS: Questioning our taste in movies

On Groupon and its founder, Andrew Mason

THE REAL DEAL: Groupon, the social-media-driven shopping site, is the hottest Internet start-up in town. Can it become the city’s big high-tech breakthrough?

By Marcia Froelke Coburn

Fountainhead Bar Review

GETTING TO KNOW YOU: I break the ice with my new neighborhood bar

By Amalie Drury

Marshall Marcovitz Sells Old Town Home at $200K Loss

NEW NO MORE: Home’s outmoded décor may have led to loss on recent sale

By Dennis Rodkin

Hewitt Horn Builder Matthew Ehrhard Pays Tribute to David Adler’s Ryerson house

A TRIBUTE TO DAVID ADLER: Builder honors architect by paying homage to his Astor Street house

By Dennis Rodkin

Housing’s Catch-22

By Dennis Rodkin

Greek Islands and Bob Chinn's: Big Crowds, Mediocre Food

SECRETS OF THEIR SUCCESS: These two area restaurants pack in the crowds and remain amazingly lucrative, despite serving dishes that rarely rise above mediocre. What’s the lesson?

By Jeff Ruby

The Hot List: 10 places everyone’s talking about and dining at in August in order of heat

By Penny Pollack & Jeff Ruby

Loving Hut Mini-review

LOVING HUT:

By Joanne Trestrail

Girl & the Goat Mini-review

GIRL & THE GOAT:

By Penny Pollack

Urban Burger Bar & Sono Wood-Fired Mini-review

URBAN BURGER BAR & SONO WOOD-FIRED:

By Penny Pollack

La Boulangerie’s ‘Bread Flix’ Delivers in Logan Square

LA BOULANGERIE:

By Denise Peñacerrada

Baker Boys Lays Claim to ‘Best Cheesecake in the World’

The bakery's coffee cheesecake has perfect flavor combo and texture

By Penny Pollack

Graham Elliot Bowles Plans Sandwich Joint Grahamwich

SLICES OF LIFE: Pizza, burgers, tortas: Move over for two pieces of bread with yummy stuff in between

By Penny Pollack

Secret Dining in Chicago: Sunday Dinner Club Founder Tells All

NOTES FROM THE UNDERGROUND: Secret dining clubs? Just surf the net for blogs by foodie blabbermouths. Now one chef tells what it's like to host a dinner club in her home.

By Christine Cikowski

Top 40 Chicago Sports Moments

CHICAGO’S GOT GAME: Spanning more than 100 years, the city’s 40 most memorable sports moments mix thrilling victories with agonizing defeats

By Noah Isackson, Geoff Johnson, and Shane Tritsch

West Lyndale Condos Get Renovation, Price Cut

GUT FEELING: Developer overhauls building but retains vintage features

By Dennis Rodkin

Price Cuts at Lake Forest’s Amberley Woods

PRICES AXED ON TUDORS: Price cuts at North Shore project make 15 condos more affordable

By Dennis Rodkin

Riverside Prairie-style Condos Rented Until Market Improves

WAITING GAME: Sellers deal with “horrible timing” by renting condos

By Dennis Rodkin

Chicago Bar Project's Sean Parnell Knows His Drinking Trivia

BAR EXAM: Getting schooled in trivia about Chicago pubs, inns, and lounges by the city’s greatest barfly

By Jeff Ruby

Sample Foreign Cultures with Chicago’s Adult Education Offerings

STUDENT VISA: Without leaving Chicago or the suburbs, grown-up students can get a taste of foreign cultures far, far away

By Nina Kokotas Hahn

Trek Bicycle Store in Highland Park

SHOPPER: Cyclists (and those who aspire to be) have a new playground

By Rebecca Little

The Girls of Murder City, by Douglas Perry

LADIES' FRIGHT: A new book reintroduces a cast of murderous women from the 1920s

By Robert Loerzel

Adam Sklute to Close Chicago Dancing Festival

PAS DE DUSK:

By Sarah Collins

Vintage Bazaar Pop-Up Shop at Congress Theater

VERY VINTAGE:

By Bridget Maiellaro

Mary-Arrchie’s Abbie Hoffman Festival Explained

STEAL THIS SCENE: Let the theatrical rumpus begin

By Catey Sullivan

Door County Wisconsin Travel Guide

WILD SIDE: Take the road less traveled in Door County

By Catey Sullivan

Interview with John W. Rowe, CEO of ComEd Parent Company Exelon

We talk to the energy company exec about politics, nukes, and climate change

Prescott Tolk to Open for Jon Lovitz at The Improv

TOP DOG: So far, it’s been a good year for Prescott Tolk

By Robert Buscemi

Best Summer Hair Products

THE SHEET: When it comes to summer hair products, we’re all about a little straight talk

By Barri Leiner Grant

Materious Duo Discusses Their Philanthropic Modern Designs

MATERIOUS: Stephanie and Bruce Tharp put a domestic twist on design

By Cassie Walker

Best Hair Salons in Chicago and the Suburbs

THE HAIR AWARDS: We combed through our network of stylish Chicagoans for this list of 32 recommended salons in the area

By Barri Leiner Grant, Megan Lovejoy, Bridget Maiellaro, and Beth Wilson

Best things to do in Chicago in August

POCKET GUIDE: A cultural short-list for August, in order of buzz

By Jennifer Wehunt