On The Chaser’s agenda for tonight: a little something called the Beer Hoptacular, at Uptown’s Aragon Ballroom. I plan to use this event to, um, soak up (ha! ha ha!) as much beer expertise as possible in an attempt to overcome my chronic beer-ordering anxiety, which often leaves me stammering or nearly speechless when confronted with the…
Even Chinatown’s staunchest fans (we are among them) have to admit there’s a certain predictability to its restaurants. So when a newcomer does things differently, we notice. Tao Ran Ju, the lively BYO, is well worth noticing. If you’re up for a hot pot (there’s a built-in heating element at each setting), start by choosing … Read more
When Flamingo’s Fine Mexican Seafood in Mount Prospect closed last year, taking its famed fish tacos with it, we lost a surprisingly good restaurant. Fret not—Flamingo’s skilled chef, Jorge Almaraz, is back on the scene, heading up the kitchen at a comfortable west suburban corner tap. This time, Almaraz shows off his versatility with a … Read more
Deca’s seafood tower On May 3rd, the poshy-posh urban oasis known as The Ritz-Carlton Chicago culminated its transformational charge into the 21st century by reimagining the fountain-bedecked 12th-floor café as an Art Deco brasserie and tavern and calling it Deca Restaurant + Bar. “We wanted to evoke a sense of fun,” says Mark Payne, the … Read more
1 “They’re spending a trillion dollars in Massachusetts? It must really be something.” 2 “I think I still have food poisoning from Ireland. So what looks good? Sashimi?” 3 “That’s just too much taxable income. And who would be crazy enough to give those kinds of benefits?” 4 “No, I didn’t walk that way today. … Read more
AGELESS BEAUTY: An enduring chain lands in West Town
THE PIG BANG THEORY: Two new restaurants span the distance between rumpled urbanites and sleek fashionistas—with a bridge made of pork
Scott Harris Shocker!
Complete this analogy. People magazine : Kim Kardashian :: Dish : ___ . The answer is Scott Harris, a partner in two dozen or so restaurants (notably the Francesca’s family) who seems to have news for us every time we talk to him…
Sola (3868 N. Lincoln Ave.; 773-327-3868) is on the move….
Not even the outstanding views from Market’s rooftop deck could detract attention from the Blackhawks’ nail-biter of a win against the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday. Our photographer headed to the one-year-old West Loop sports bar, just a slap shot from the United Center, to capture the drama, the elation, the beer, as patrons watched…
