« BEST NEW RESTAURANT BEST NEW DISH » The 27-year-old Atlanta native is getting rave reviews for his Italian fare at Davanti Enoteca, one of our picks for best new restaurants. Here, he shares how got his start in the business, where he sees himself in ten years, his mother's favorite dish at the restaurant, … Read more
« BEST NEW CHEF BEST NEW DESSERT » Chef Doug D’Avico gives us the scoop on his perfectly seared swordfish—including the key ingredient and his secret technique What was your inspiration for the dish? My basic idea was that I wanted to do a shore lunch, so I kind of took the simple concept and … Read more
« BEST NEW DESSERT BEST NEW BITES » Read how the 30-year-old ex-chef stumbled into his profession, what makes a great bartender, his favorite watering holes, and more. What brought you to Chicago? I moved here for culinary school back in 2001. I went to the Cooking and Hospitality Institute of Chicago (CHIC), which is … Read more
« BEST NEW DISH BEST NEW BARTENDER » We’ve tasted fantastic pies, tiramisùs, and crème brûlées, but only the che (pronounced “jay”) at Saigon Sisters—a warm custard made with butternut squash and coconut milk—left us with a lasting impression. Chef Matt Everson tells us more about the seasonal treat, which we hope will make a … Read more
Today, an old friend requested recommendations for a North Side BYO dinner spot—making restaurant suggestions to pals is one of the unofficial duties of a dining editor. After writing him a lengthy reply, I figured I’d pass along the list to you, our readers…
This just in: On a phone call today with Martin Cournane—the co-owner of Wilde Bar & Restaurant and Beckett’s Public House, both in Lake View, plus the in-the-works Lady Gregory’s (5260 N. Clark St.) in Andersonville—I got the scoop on some upcoming changes, including how Cournane is putting two new hires to work despite a high-profile setback…
The question “Where’s your office?” borders on the existential for a freelance worker bee like me. There’s a white desk and a lumbar-friendly chair in my dining room, and that’s where most of my writing gets done. But some days I’m a WiFi nomad, chasing the signal all over the city between interviews, tours, meetings, and, yes, cocktails…
Sixteen muscly maids put up quite a fight at the Chicago League of Lady Arm Wrestlers’ (CLLAW) ninth annual event this Friday at Joe’s Bar on the Near North Side…
Everyone has a story, as we writers relish pointing out. But when I stopped by Wrigleyville’s longtime reggae club The Wild Hare last night to interview the owner, Zeleke Gessesse, about why he’s closing the place on May 15th after 25 years, I found myself in the presence of someone with a Story—capital S, plus italics…
I only met Ric Hess, the longtime co-owner of the Lake View bar Sheffield’s, a handful of times, but he was right up there among the most gregarious proprietors I’ve known. Hess died of a heart attack in January, and I still think about him every time I drive past his place…
