Muppets, pirates, and Hunter S. Thompson: Oh, my! On Saturday we sent our photographer to The Fifty/50, where Halloween tomfoolery included costume and pumpkin-carving contests, plus drink specials in mildly disturbing, only-on-Halloween shades. To the creatively costumed: We salute you. To the pumpkin artists, a word of advice: Next year, maybe wait to dip into the Witches’ Brew until after the carving contest is over…
I’ve spent a good chunk of my eight years in Chicago chillin’ in 60614, but last week I was lured outside of its bounds for two adventures with only these directions in common: Take Lake Shore Drive south.
Gilt by Association
Brendan Sodikoff, who has worked with Alain Ducasse and Thomas Keller—and currently with Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises—plans to open a restaurant called Gilt Bar in the old…
Two new burger projects by People Who Get It
Nella Grassano takes thin-crust pizzamaking to the next level
FRENCH TWISTS: We couldn’t be bigger fans of classic French toast—what’s not to like about simple fried, eggy bread with butter and maple syrup? It’s a dish open to infinite experimentation, seasonal tweaks, and, it must be said, occasional overkill. But we still love it, and so, apparently, do local chefs. Here are six of the best variations around.
First Sweetwater, now New Line Tavern (201 N. Clinton St.; 312-212-5463): Happy-hour options for downtown drinkers have been popping up practically every payday. On Friday we sent our photographer over to New Line, a new tap from the minds behind Seven Ten Lanes and Daily Bar & Grill in the old Powerhouse Building…
In anticipation of the upcoming Halloween festivities, I spent last Saturday trying to scare myself silly, with varying results. First up: Braving River North’s District Bar under strange and unusual circumstances. District is usually a see-and-be-seen kind of place, with a mix of youngish guys and girls watching…
Pollack’s Quick Hit
Jason Paskewitz’s latest home, Gemini Bistro (2075 N. Lincoln Ave.; 773-525-2522), is a comfortably sleek corner spot with lots of dark wood to make it feel intimate and Edison bulbs so you know it’s hip. And Paskewitz (621 Diner, Wave, JP Chicago) is right in…
No word on how, exactly, mustaches fit into last Friday’s bash benefiting breast cancer awareness at Amp (1909 N. Lincoln Ave.; 312-376-1860)—the drink specials, including a Dolly Parton margarita, we’re clearer on—but with nearly $500 in donations going to two nonprofits, who cares? Our photographer snapped party-goers trying out a full array of fake ’staches at the Lincoln Park bar.
