Midwest Foodie Destinations

WILL DRIVE FOR FOOD: Craving a road trip? These five towns have it all: great scenery, lots of things to do for the whole family, and—here's what's new—amazing restaurants and artisanal foods,...

By Ann Christenson, Noah Isackson, Lena Singer, and Jennifer Tanaka

Best Swimming, Biking, Golfing, and More

OUTDOOR FITNESS GUIDE: Four sports that will make you break a sweat and have fun

By Rachel Bertsche, with additional research by Andrea Scott

Oprah Winfrey and OWN on the Ropes

TOO BIG TO FAIL? Chicago's former media queen is struggling to save the network that bears her name. How things went so wrong—and how Oprah is handling the career challenge of her life

By Susan Chandler

Jay Doherty and the City Club of Chicago Under Fire

CLUB JAY: Has the powerful lobbyist Jay Doherty, the president of the City Club of Chicago, transformed that venerable organization into a means to enrich his clients—and himself? The Illinois...

By David Bernstein

Five Best Things to Do in June

THE SHORTLIST: Five musts from our June culture calendar

By Lena Singer

The Perfect Summer Playlist

Songs for lounging in the sun or a lakefront drive, chosen by industry insiders and ordered for optimum impact

By Selena Fragassi

13 Chicago Concerts to Buy Tickets for Now

ANTICIPATION INDEX: Shows you can't miss, in ascending order of expectation

By Mark Guarino

Rising Chicago Musicians Offer Throwback Sounds

Four local acts put a twist on a timeless style—and all hit the stage this summer

By Kevin McKeough and Selena Fragassi

Kelly Hogan’s New Album: Made the Old-Fashioned Way

FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS: How to get a record made 20th century-style in the YouTube era

By Kevin McKeough

Inside the Mind of Pitchfork Impresario Mike Reed

The People, Places & Things drummer on what he’s listening to, what inspires him, where to hang out in Chicago, and musicians to watch

By Kevin McKeough

2012 Summer Music Preview

The top 13 shows you can't miss this summer, locals to hear now, summer's catchiest tunes, and more

Great Value on the Gold Coast

THE RICHE NICHE: A fifth-floor three-bedroom on East Lake Shore is marked down by more than one-fourth

By Dennis Rodkin

Indianapolis Colts Co-Owner Sells Near North Townhouse

HORSE TRADING: The NFL team’s vice chair and her husband almost break even on the house bought from her father, Jim Irsay

By Dennis Rodkin

David Adler-Designed Villa Sells at Steep Discount in Lake Forest

SHIP TO SHORE: The 95-year-old lakefront mansion goes for 27 percent of its original asking price

By Dennis Rodkin

Chicago’s Least Expensive Homes Even Less Expensive

TREND: The bottom tier of city’s housing stock lost more value than those above it

By Dennis Rodkin

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

Chicago’s most-buzzed-about restaurants this month

By Penny Pollack and Jeff Ruby

A Guide to West Loop: Where to Eat, Shop, and Play

INSIDER’S GUIDE: With the opening of a new el stop and summer fests galore, Oprah's old stomping ground is now a juicy destination all its own

By Jennifer Swann

Jim Oberweis Finally Wins One

MILK DUD NO MORE?: The dairy-magnate-turned-perennial candidate is the GOP nominee for a state senate seat

By Ben Goldberger

Illinois: Corrupt or Not?

MIXED MESSAGES: Two reports on public corruption in Illinois and other states are at odds

By Ben Strauss

Potentially Great Chicago Combinations

SKETCH BOOK: What do you get when you combine Cloud Gate and the Chicago River? The El and Willis Tower? Our cartoonist has some ideas

By Corrine Mucha

Northwestern Lacrosse’s Secret to Success

QUICK STICK: How the NU women's lax team went from nowhere to six national championships in little more than a decade

By Geoffrey Johnson

Architect and Designer Carlos Martinez Picks His Favorite Things

The designer of the tech-incubator 1871’s office space on “informed, purposeful, and compelling” design

By Heiji Choy Black

Sales Check

Store openings and deals this month

By Julie Ma

Hypercolor Sportswear for Summer

Neon hues give ultralight clothes and gear added zip

By Heiji Choy Black

Brunello Cucinelli Opens in Chicago

SHOPPER: The new emporium for earthy cashmere and luxe leather comes to North Rush

By Beth Wilson

Square One to Open in South Loop

Alex Hernandez and Ron Vaisman’s wine and cocktail bar is scheduled to open in June

By Carly Boers

Dominique Tougne on Chez Moi and the Bistro Biz

By Penny Pollack

Best Milk Shakes in Chicago: Favorites from Allium, Choppers, Edzo’s, and More

STRAW POLL: Beware the brain freeze: We lead you to the area’s best shakes

By Carly Boers

What’s New, What’s Coming, and What’s Cheap in Chicago Dining

Moderno in Highland Park, Piccolo Sogno Due, City Tavern, and Tandoor Char House

By Jeff Ruby, Penny Pollack, and Joanne Trestrail

Reviews: Nellcôte and Balena

ROCK AND ROLL: Nellcôte makes Randolph the official epicenter of glam; Balena breezes onto Halsted as the essence of casual cool

By Jeff Ruby

Finding the Perfect Bike in Chicago

CRUISE CONTROL: Jeff Ruby tries everything from a hybrid to a recumbent and finds himself in an existential crisis

By Jeff Ruby

Brendan Sodikoff’s Chicago Food Empire

The 33-year-old culinary wunderkind and restaurateur du jour talks about the Doughnut Vault, Gilt Bar, and the upcoming Bavette’s