Features Can This Be the Midwest?Adventure vacations among alpine meadows, sandstone cliffs, forested islands, limestone canyons, and riverfront bluffs. Cream of the Cropby Dennis RodkinThese five nurseries, the area’s best, help local plant lovers perfect their gardens while cultivating their green thumbs. Emerald Cityby Jill RiddellBeyond Chicago’s asphalt jungle, the forest preserves of Cook, Lake, … Read more
Features Best New Restaurantsby Dennis Ray Wheaton and Anne SpiselmanOur reviewers’ search for this year’s best new restaurants turned up 20 entries at the top of their game, four new-wave fast-food joints, and a culinary traffic jam on Randolph Street. White Heatby Jonathan EigAfter more than two decades of affirmative action, Chicago’s fire department remains … Read more
Features Bones of Contentionby Steve FifferThe Field Museum’s $8.4-million new Tyrannosaurus rex specimen endured combat and catastrophe when it roamed the earth. But that was nothing compared with what happened 65 million years later: a bitter legal war over its remains. Talk Softly and Carry a Big Stickby Marcia Froelke CoburnWhite Sox batter Frank Thomas … Read more
Features Running with the Bullsby Jonathan EigThe media hordes who cover the Bulls endure long hours, lousy food, and endless clichés. Their real quest: a word, any word, from Michael The Colossus of Roadsby Dennis RodkinTwo proposed road extensions – of Interstate 355 in Will County and Illinois Highway 53 in Lake County – have … Read more
Features The Big Onion Awardsby Marc Spiegler and Todd PruzanIt’s enough to bring tears to the eyes: our fourth annual tribute to the bureaucrats, politicians, and other public bumblers whose greed, ineptitude, and shabby behavior irritated us immensely Birth of a Salesmanby Ted AllenWhen Sean Conlon arrived in Chicago seven years ago, his first career … Read more
Features The Power Packby Marc SpieglerPresenting Chicago’s 100 most powerful people, from Hizzoner and cronies to superrich business leaders to a certain hoops demigod Bound for Gloryby Jonathan EigNovelist Leon Forrest, author of the highly praised but rarely read Divine Days, always wanted to be recognized as a great writer. Last fall, facing the ultimate … Read more
Features The Best of Chicago A budget brunch with a touch of exotica; a suburban library with drive-through service; a tenor sax man who leavens his manic intensity with a sense of humor – these are just a few of our 100-plus favorite things as Chicago puts its best foot forward. Designing Manby Christine NewmanInterior … Read more
Features Great Dining ‘97by Dennis Ray Wheaton and Anne SpiselmanIs Cajun hot or not? How haute can you get? Ever passionate about finding great food, our expert reviewers stuffed themselves silly in search of dining enlightenment. Plus, Tara Croft asks: Can top chefs enjoy cheap chow? Dangerous Memoriesby Cynthia HansonA North Shore woman’s recollection under … Read more
Features Home Economicsby Geoffrey Johnson and Dennis RodkinWith the local real estate market booming, homeowners in the city and suburbs are wondering about trends, hot neighborhoods, and current housing prices. Our insider’s look at 275 towns and neighborhoods provides answers. The Last Wordby Jonathan EigMike Royko worked too much. He drank too much. He cared … Read more
Features Chicago Styleby Ted Allen and Lisbeth LevineFrom Issey Miyake and Donna Karan to leather pants and platform sneakers, this city is home to fashions both flashy and frugal – where people look fabulous wearing whatever they want to. How Do We Lookby Lisbeth LevineIssac Mizrahi, Cynthia Rowley, Chris Zorich, and other experts weigh in … Read more
