The 25 Best Pizzas in Chicago

In this article we run down the best pizza places in Chicago. The Pizza Top 25, Chicago style!

By Jeff Ruby

What's Driving the Sale of Downtown Luxury Condos?

UP!: While the local housing market struggles to climb out of the doldrums, wealthy would-be homeowners are plunking down sky-high sums for lofty, luxurious homes in new downtown condo towers....

By Dennis Rodkin

On the Life and Work of Chicago Architect Harry Weese

RECONSTRUCTING HARRY WEESE: At his peak in the sixties and seventies, Harry Weese was arguably Chicago’s preeminent architect, a visionary whose ideas helped revive the city’s fraying downtown...

By Robert Sharoff

Rolled vs. Hand-Stretched Pizza Dough

ROLLING IN DOUGH: Do you want someone touching your pizza? Yes, you do

By Jeff Ruby

Chicago Singles 2010

DOUBLE TAKE: Meet our hotly anticipated 20 most eligible singles of 2010

By Noah Isackson, Esther Kang, Nora O’Donnell, and Jennifer Wehunt

Table of Contents

Contributors

July 2010: Catey Sullivan, Ashley Parker, Jeff Ruby, Robert Sharoff, Erika Dufour

By Graham Meyer

Feedback

IN JULY'S LETTERS: Fresh views on false identities and figure skating

The Shady Lady review

WHO'S THAT LADY?: Dion Antic is back and pulling the strings at a new River North lounge

By Amalie Drury

Vintage 338 by the Numbers

NEW MATH: Burned out on nightspots named after their addresses, we came up with an alternative equation for the numbers behind Lincoln Park’s newest wine bar, Vintage 338 (since we’re barflies,...

Lincoln Park Brownstone Moves Quickly after Price Change

THE PRICE WAS RIGHT: Brownstone moves quickly after sellers take a realistic approach

By Dennis Rodkin

Beachfront Winnetka Home Scores Top Price Since 2006

SAND DOLLARS:

By Dennis Rodkin

PMI Report Offers Hope for Chicago Homeowners

NOT-SO-RISKY-BUSINESS: A report projects a big quarterly drop in the risk of further declines in home values in the Chicago area.

By Dennis Rodkin

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

By Penny Pollack & Jeff Ruby

Blago Portrait Contest Winner

THAT FACE: Our pick for the unofficial portrait of Rod Blagojevich

By Esther Kang

Checking in with the Chicago Contingent of the Obama White House

MIDWEST WING: Giordano’s pizza ordered from the White House? Goose Island beer at Washington parties? A crew of young Chicagoans has followed Obama to the capital. They are bringing a touch of...

By Ashley Parker

4 Questions for the Grill on the Alley Waiter Manfred Wangard

By Jeff Ruby

Aripo’s mini-review

BUDGET BEAT: The arepa is the star attraction at this new family-run Venezuelan charmer.

By Jill Rohde

On the New Rick Bayless Cookbook, Fiesta at Rick's

By Penny Pollack

Rendezvous Bistro mini-review

By Penny Pollack

Donatella Mediterranean Bistro Evanston mini-review

By Jeff Ruby

Best Popcorn in Chicago

POPPING OFF: Popcorn was designated by the Illinois General Assembly as the official snack food of Illinois in 2003—a well-deserved honor. Popularized more than a century ago by pushcart vendors,...

By Denise Peñacerrada

Best Crêpes in Chicago

CRÊPES: Leave it to the French to perfect a food that can never be too thin or too rich

By Penny Pollack

Top 40 Chicago Words—Our Contributions to the English Language

OUR TALK: Chicago’s history weaves through English—we identified the 40 words where the city’s voice speaks loudest

By Graham Meyer

Condos in 1925 Building Evoke a Grander Era

THE WAY WE WERE:

By Dennis Rodkin

Jameson Realty Revives Sales at Silver Tower

EXORCISING THE GHOSTS: A new realty team helps revive sales at dormant downtown Silver Tower

By Dennis Rodkin

Conneely Group Hopes Countryside Condo Rentals Buy Time

ON THE CLOCK: Developer hopes rental strategy buys more time

By Dennis Rodkin

Whole Foods Versus Shoplifters: The Conundrum

THE ACCIDENTAL THIEF: A local mom is banned from Whole Foods for life for accidentally walking out with an item she didn't buy.

By Jeff Ruby

On Blair Thomas and His One-Man Show, “Hard Headed Heart”

STRING AWAKENING: Blair Thomas is making up his own performance genre as he goes along

By Catey Sullivan

Interview with James Cuno, President of the Art Institute of Chicago

JAMES CUNO:

Rethinking the Evolution of Modern Design with Smart Museum Curator Richard Born

HAVE A SEAT: We study four chairs and the designers’ influences on one another

By Cassie Walker

Pullman Hosts Backyard Film & Music Festival

A new outdoor film fest with an indie vibe pops up at the Pullman State Historic Site

By Robert Loerzel

Exploring the Interurban Trail near Port Washington, Wisconsin

ROAD TO ZEN: Discover bliss on the Interurban Trail

By Catey Sullivan

Artsy Mobiles

THE SHEET: These mod mobiles double as hanging art—once Baby grows up, they can become chic dining room pieces

By Barri Leiner Grant

On the New Book, “Frank Lloyd Wright’s Robie House”

PUZZLED: A photographer and an architect team up to highlight one famous house

By Geoffrey Johnson

Baby and Maternity Stores in Chicago

Countdown to Baby

Nine months. One baby-to-be. Way too many to-dos! Tuck this hip and helpful countdown into your maternity jeans—it’s sure to take the guesswork out of finding the most stylish items for you and...

By Barri Leiner Grant

Best things to do in Chicago in July

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

By Jennifer Wehunt