Chicago magazine May 2011 Best New Restaurants Cover

Chicago magazine’s May issue hits newsstands Thursday, April 14th. To schedule an interview with one of our writers or editors, please contact Natalie Marquez at nmarquez@chicagomag.com.

Best New Restaurants (cover story): From Sable Kitchen & Bar’s root-beer-glazed braised bison short-rib sliders to Davanti Enoteca’s baked focaccia filled with melty Crescenza cheese, Chicago magazine’s dining experts devoured dishes throughout the city to deliver this year’s list of 22 great places to eat right now. The story also gives honors for the best chef (Davanti Enoteca’s Jonathan Beatty), bartender (Sable Kitchen & Bar’s Mike Ryan), and dish (Bistro One West’s seared swordfish with radicchio coleslaw and green-onion butter sauce).

The Diva’s New Direction: Ikram Goldman may no longer be the mastermind behind Michelle Obama’s wardrobe, but the boutique queen has other plans: quadrupling her retail footprint and altering her personalized sales formula.

Love Rules: Playwright Sarah Ruhl is back at the Goodman Theatre with the world premiere of Stage Kiss, a comedy exploring love and the line between fantasy and reality.

Mr. Nonstop: Howard Tullman, Chicago’s hardest-working serial entrepreneur—who remade Kendall College and gave Rahm Emanuel a place to call home—is busy creating a digital-arts alternative to the four-year college degree.

Pair of Aces: Nick Kokonas, the money guy behind Alinea, may be chef Grant Achatz’s equal when it comes to innovative thinking.

Summer Fashion: Must-have trends, top sunscreens, and favorite perfumes. Plus, sizzling swimwear and long looks—floor-skimming pants, dresses, and skirts.