Bruce Finkelman and Peter Toalson, the masterminds behind Empty Bottle and Bite Cafe, give the gastropub a new spin at this trifecta restaurant, bar, and inn—and tackle all three with tenacious attention to quality. The executive chef, Jared Wentworth, offers the familiar (sloppy Joe, Kobe burger), as well as what some might consider the more … Read more
“Start with our fries,” says Brendan Sodikoff, Gilt Bar’s young owner. Sodikoff claims he spent two months trying every potato, every technique, every salt, and every seasoning before he “got there.” His fries set the philosophy for his River North restaurant, which he describes as “simple American food at popular prices”: Take something as basic … Read more
The Wanderer
Via Italy, Scotland, London, Northern Ireland, a cruise ship, and the line at Charlie Trotter’s, the peripatetic Isacco Vitali arrives in the western suburbs at Isacco Kitchen (210 Cedar St., St. Charles; 630-444-0202), which opened at…
From bikinis to animal costumes, attire ran the gamut Saturday at Kirkwood‘s second annual Polar Bear Party. Some folks seized the opportunity to strip to their swimsuits for an invigorating hot-tub dip in the bar’s beer garden; others bundled up in fake fur and watched the festivities from dry land. Our photographer captured both camps; browse the photos…
This time last year, I donned a sequined dress and went to two over-the-top Oscar viewing parties: a Moet shindig featuring gold-body-painted champagne girls, and the Center on Halsted’s red-carpet bash. When I got home, I had no idea who won what and had to look it all up on TMZ.
I’ve already gone out a lot this week, so this year, I’m kind of hoping some friend will pop out of the woodwork and invite me over to…
Anyone who follows my Twitter or Facebook feeds (sorry, what an unbearable thing to write—and worse, to link to) may remember that I lost my Little Red Wallet last Saturday night. It contained an Illinois driver’s license featuring a particularly fetching photo of yours truly, my CTA Chicago Card Plus, and my Art Institute press pass—among other things. Please let me know if…
Re-Tayloring
Change of plans: What was slated to be the second location of Nella Pizzeria Napoletana (2423 N. Clark St.; 773-327-3400) at 1359 West Taylor Street has transmogrified into Davanti Enoteca, an Italian small-plates concept with Luigi Negroni (Carlucci) as chef. The owner of both places, Scott Harris, says, “Nella [Grassano, a partner at Nella] is just not ready.
LONGMAN & EAGLE Just when gastropubs reach a tipping point, along comes one with sleeping quarters upstairs. Talk about an overnight success. 2657 N. Kedzie Ave.; 773-276-7110 BIG STAR Memories of the Pontiac Cafe fade a little more with each taco. 1531 N. Damen Ave.; 773-235-4039 XOCO Now that he serves the best tortas and … Read more
I have a love/hate relationship with the Bravo reality show The Millionaire Matchmaker. That’s the one that follows silky-tressed L.A. matchmaker Patti Stanger and her motley crew as they set up a rotating cast of weirdo “millionaires” with an endless array of wannabe actresses and pharmaceutical sales reps with suspicious extensions…
As the last few Olympic events played out in Vancouver over the weekend, a clutch of battle-ready contestants gathered in the West Loop for a fierce competition of their own: West End’s second annual spelling bee, featuring a $1,000 grand prize. There was agony, elation, beer in boots, and a caller clad in a bumblebee costume—and our photographer was there to capture the contest in all its glory, G-L-O-R-Y, glory…
