Vintage National Geographic covers papering the interior tell you that this new Pilsen BYO is not your ordinary taco joint. Sure, it’s got tacos on tap, but even better, a slew of tortas (sandwiches) on plump, freshly baked buns, a display case loaded with house-made desserts—don’t miss the Kahlúa-shot mocha tres leches cake—and water perked … Read more
“I was walking down this really obscure street in Beijing and happened on this Chinese guy,” says Randal Jacobs, the chef of Elate. “No shirt. Just shorts. Sitting on a milk crate grilling chicken wings on a hibachi grill.” Three orders of wings later, an idea was born. The wings Jacobs came up with … Read more
A newcomer aims to turn chuggers into urban sophisticates
Animated Cookies
Joe Bova and Jeff Steinberg, respectively an animator and a screenwriter, plan to open a bakery called Cookie Bar (2475 N. Lincoln Ave.) next month in a former Lincoln Park Starbucks. An animator and screenwriter? “In our private lives we entertained a lot,” says Steinberg. “People always loved anything we would bring to dinner parties. We started getting calls from…
Champagne and DJs are out; all sports, all the time is in at 6 Corners Sports Bar (1950 W. North Ave.; 773-235-5700), a revamped spot in the former D’Vine space, just east of the intersection of Milwaukee, North, and Damen Avenues in Wicker Park. We sent our photographer over on Saturday to check out the state of play; she spotted folks with eyes trained on the 13 flatscreens and giant projection TV. Come next week, there will be even more reason to watch, owners say…
I’ve been craving two things since the chill set in: good bourbon (as a native Kentuckian, it takes me home) and irresistible bread pudding. When I heard a new bar in Albany Park was combining both in one seemingly made-for-me item, I wasted no time in grabbing a pair of tagalongs—my sister Liv and my friend Jenny—and heading north…
Three-Pronged Approach
In 2009 it seems restaurateurs can’t go wrong with pizza, burgers, or beer. Or you can hedge your bets and try all three, as at The Lucky Monk (105 Hollywood Blvd., South Barrington; 847-898-0500), an upcoming 240-seat brewery from Jonathan Fox (La Madia) and Matt McMillin (formerly chef-partner at Big Bowl). Their pizzas will…
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…
