Cover Story

Of Prime Interest
by Dennis Ray Wheaton

As bold as a steak house, our dining critic names the 20 best places to eat Chicago’s pride and joy: prime aged beef

Features

The Breakaway
by Bryan Smith
When Rocky Wirtz took charge of the woeful Chicago Blackhawks last fall, he quickly ushered in the kind of changes that would make his father, Bill, spin in his grave.    

Conceivable Options
by Debra Pickett
Chicago’s 24 fertility centers make parenthood possible for scores of unconventional couples and single mothers. But has our bustling fertility economy outpaced the ethics? Plus: One woman explains why she put her hopes of motherhood on ice.   

The Bright Side of Dark
by Stacey Jones
Black, gray, and midnight blue—great evenings out in the sumptuous, the gorgeous, the unbelievably beautiful. 

Departments

Arena
PAGE TWO Obama’s coattails: Who gets the biggest boost? ARTS & CULTURE The Chicagoan, that lusty "babe" from the Jazz Age, resurrected; The Blip noshes in Naperville; Englewood expat Derrick Rose; even the hipsters love Mavis Staples; the American Girl phenomenon, probed; new music from The Sea and Cake. Also: A jazzy suggestion for Thanksgiving weekend fun SERVICE DESK Who are the funniest comedians in Chicago? We pick 12 new faces. Plus: Illinois campaigns, out-of-state money STYLE Plates, napkins, and serving utensils, oh my! Who knew turkey dinner could get so sexy?

Table
South American standout; Noguier’s newest challenge; the hottest spots right now

Cheers
by Sarah Preston
Old Oak Tap takes root; drink your vote with campaign cocktails

Reflection
by Cornelia Maude Spelman
Through a friendship with The New Yorker’s fiction editor William Maxwell, a daughter reconnects with the past of her parents.  

Checkbook
by Robert Krughoff
Looking for collision repair? Check out our list of 28 of the best Chicago-area auto body shops.  

Deal Estate
by Dennis Rodkin
Local housing news

The Closer
by Jeff Ruby & John Kenzie
Who can protect us from substandard meat? Steak Man!

Chicago Guide®
Seeing double at Steppenwolf; an illus-trated guide to body drumming; more

Restaurants
Clarendon Hills boasts a bistro; Spring is as good as ever.

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