Chicago restaurants with long lines—which are worth the wait? Hot Doug's, Xoco, and more
Our critic hates waiting for food almost as much as he loves eating it. Here, five spots where the irresistible force meets the immovable line
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Lollapalooza 2010 lineup to be revealed at Debonair Social Club on Monday night
I’m a huge Lollapalooza nerd, and I don’t mind saying so. I get a thrill from having any laminated festival-related press pass strung from a lanyard around my neck. All year, I think about Lolla-worthy nail polish colors and the kinds of outfits I’ll need for each of the three days…
Weekend Photos: Beauty Bar
The Chicago location of Beauty Bar, the national chain of salon-themed lounges beloved by scenesters from Brooklyn to San Diego for its $10 martini-and-manicure special, officially opened its doors last Thursday in the old Sonotheque space. Our photographer checked in when the night was still young and the nail polish was still wet—the manicure deal runs from 5 to 11 p.m. most nights—with DJs Skyler and Kid Color…
Get Glowing: Chicago bars go energy-efficient for Earth Hour tomorrow night
Always careful never to stumble into bad lighting, I wholly approve of any excuse to flip the switch altogether in favor of candlelight’s ever-flattering glow. That’s why Earth Hour (tomorrow night from 8:30 to 9:30) is my favorite new-ish holiday…
You Never Sausage a Menu
To Be Perfectly Frank
Alexander Brunacci kept the opening of Lincoln Park’s new Franks ’N’ Dawgs (1863 N. Clybourn Ave.; 312-281-5187) quiet, despite having some serious coattails to ride—his brother, Frank, is the chef at Sixteen, the Trump tower restaurant.
High Heels, Hot Cheese & (more) Haughty Bouncers: Tips & tricks from a weekend's events
I stayed in last night for the first time in weeks, and, scarcely knowing what to do with myself other than watch Dancing With the Stars and Gossip Girl, I did just that. It was satisfying, from the Duck Walk tofu Pad Thai to the moody Gossip Girl opening sequence set to my favorite Rihanna song of the moment, Rockstar 101 (feat. Slash). But, since this blog is all about going out…
Weekend Photos: Taj Gibson @ Bull & Bear’s March Madness Tipoff
Pro ballers fill out brackets, too. On Thursday, the Chicago Bulls’ power forward and 2009 first-round draft pick Taj Gibson hosted a March Madness kickoff party at the River North sports bar Bull & Bear—and while Gibson was gracious enough to sign autographs, he kept one eye on…
St. Patrick's Day @ Chief O'Neill's
A green Wednesday night may an even greener Thursday morning make, but judging by the St. Patrick’s Day crowd at Chief O’Neill’s, it was well worth it. Our photographer headed to the Northwest Side pub, one of our 100 best bars, to snap the Triallta Irish Dance Company, the Emerald Society Pipe Band, and legions of Irish (and Irish-ish) revelers…
The best bread pudding in Chicago
How stale bread soaks up the glory: our favorites from M. Henry, Pitchfork, Hearty, Mrs. Murphy and Sons Irish Bistro, Southport Grocery and Café, Suzette’s Crepêrie, and Gaetano’s Restaurant
The Real McKoi
Roll Out
Steven Song, who owned Tsunami, the Gold Coast sushi temple that closed last spring, returns to the scene with Masu Izakaya (1969 N. Halsted St.; no phone yet), scheduled to open late this month in the space that housed Minnies. It’ll be the second izakaya—Japanese after-work bar—to open in two months (Izakaya Hapa was first). “Izakaya dishes are a little bit…