Best Restaurants in Chicago: 30 under $30

We found a whole slew of great ways to eat well for less—trusty BYOs, prix fixe stunners, and places that don't seem to realize how good they are

By Dennis Ray Wheaton & Jeff Ruby

Cue, Shtick: Alan Gross' new dark comedy High Holidays comes to the Goodman Theatre

A long-ago Chicago stage hit propelled Alan Gross into a screenwriting career—and 14 years of thankless toil in Hollywood. This month, the playwright, back in town, brings a new dark comedy to...

By Marcia Froelke Coburn

Prince of the City: The mysterious mob hit on 1920s Tribune reporter Jake Lingle

He spent lavishly and hung out with the city's elite, including Al Capone. His murder in a passageway under Michigan Avenue outraged the city, until the truth emerged—that he was corrupt to his...

By Richard Babcock

Trashed: The death of Michael York and how heroin has invaded the Chicago suburbs

Nearly two years ago, the body of Michael York turned up in an alley on the West Side. The high-school student had died of an apparent overdose after a weekend bacchanal at a St. Charles mansion,...

By Bryan Smith

Table of Contents

Contributors

November 2009: Bryan Smith, Joe Meno, Richard Babcock, Robert Krughoff, Saverio Truglia

By Graham Meyer

Feedback

In November’s letters: Responding on Todd Stroger and a beef

America's Game: On James McManus' new book, Cowboys Full: The Story of Poker

From living rooms to casinos to the White House—poker pulses in the veins of the American character. Or so says James McManus in his new book, written while he gambled online

By Joe Meno

Bicuspid Bliss: Best dentists in the Chicago area

Have dentophobia? Never fear. Here are 40 of the finest dentists in the Chicago area

Social Networking: Old Town Social

A newcomer aims to turn chuggers into urban sophisticates

By Amalie Drury

Role Call: A Who’s Who in Court Theatre’s production of The Mystery of Irma Vep

By Catey Sullivan

Trio Trouble: Three-bedroom condos a tough sell downtown

Late-summer study by Appraisal Research Counselors says the three-bedroom condo has been the hardest hit

By Dennis Rodkin

Schindler’s List: Tom Dart Rescues Lawyers

By Edward McClelland

Playing Keepaway: Why D.C. Democrats are so unsure about Alexi Giannoulias

By Edward McClelland

Making History: How Anne Burke met Eunice Kennedy Shriver and the Special Olympics began

As a young PE teacher in 1968, the future state supreme court justice Anne Burke worked tirelessly to realize the first Special Olympics—opening a long and tangled relationship with Eunice...

By Lucinda Hahn

Best Restaurants in Chicago: 30 under $30

We found a whole slew of great ways to eat well for less—trusty BYOs, prix fixe stunners, and places that don't seem to realize how good they are

By Dennis Ray Wheaton & Jeff Ruby

Ale Lives: The making of a beer—Revolution Brewing's Cross of Gold

By Jennifer Wehunt

Mini Review: The Cellar in Evanston

By Penny Pollack

Bill Kim’s Belly Shack opens in Logan Square

By Jeff Ruby

Budget Beat: Abuelo’s Mexican Grill in Pilsen

By Jill Rohde

Singled Out: Randal Jacobs grills Hibachi Chicken Wings at Elate

By Penny Pollack

Burgers: Edzo’s Burger Shop & DMK Burger Bar

Two new burger projects by People Who Get It

By Jeff Ruby

Pizza: Nella Pizzeria Napoletana

Nella Grassano takes thin-crust pizzamaking to the next level

By Jeff Ruby

Pour: 2007 Cousiño Macul Antiguas Reservas

More like a restrained Bordeaux than a flashy Napa cab

By Dennis Ray Wheaton

Off The Shelf: Developer hopes price cut sells condos at Winnetka’s Library Plaza

By Dennis Rodkin

Diminished Expectations: Rehabber Ron Kozil laments lost profits at Mozart Manor

By Dennis Rodkin

The Lab Mystique

A place where every five-year-old intimidates me

By Jeff Ruby

Kiss Off: Fall’s new red lip shades

About Face: Makeup artist Hillary Fenton shares tips

Six products. Two radically different looks. The makeup artist Hillary Fenton shares her tips for achieving a fashionable face without breaking the bank

By Cassie Walker

Heavy Metal: Best nail polish colors for fall

Rock the latest nail hues: blues, bronzes, and sultry blacks

Bohemian Boom: A guide to Pilsen

Planning a trip to Pilsen? If so, use this guide

By Joanne Trestrail

A Family Affair: On the Ponces' new project, On TV/Off TV

A mother-daugther team find inspiration in local TV personalities

By Marcia Froelke Coburn

Bitten!: Chicago-area vampire enthusiasts

The second Twilight movie comes out November 20th, andTV series such as True Blood continue to suck in new vampire fans. But for two longtime local enthusiasts, vampire stories are more than a fad

By Crystal Yednak

Sales Check: A roundup of November’s sales, store openings, and shopping news

By Bridget Maiellaro

Workshop: Annie Novotny opens a store in Pilsen

By Rebecca Little

Eccentric Company: On composer/lyricist Andrew Lippa

Andrew Lippa embarks on his spookiest project yet

By Catey Sullivan

Rock and Role: Jon Langford inspires All the Fame of Lofty Deeds

The musician Jon Langford inspires a play

By Robert Loerzel

The Insider: Tim Daisy

Five picks from the versatile Chicago new-music drummer whose trio, Vox Arcana, opens the Umbrella Music Festival on Saturday, Nov. 7th, at The Hideout (1354 W. Wabansia; umbrellamusic.org).

By Neil Tesser

Double Play: The International Contemporary Ensemble (ICE)

The 30-member group returns to the MCA for its first concert with the Finnish composer Kaija Saariaho.

By Nora O'Donnell