Dish Flash: Grant Achatz Talks Hollywood
The latest interest in Alinea’s celebrated chef revolves around talk of a documentary of his life, directed by R. J. Cutler. We probed Achatz for details…
Ad Categories: Dining & Drinking
Footsie Index Goes Chocolate
Excuse Me, Your Purse Is Melting
Edible shoes. Edible jewelry. Edible handbags. This is not the usual direction of a trained chocolatier. But Rieko Wada, a graduate of the French Pastry School, is about to unveil just such a line of chocolates. Wada, along with her daughter, Kasumi Wada, is launching their popular online chocolate store, Chocolatines, as a bricks-and-mortar…
Dining Tidbits
Steve’s Deli, Mantou Noodle Bar, The Century Public House, and Sunda
Weekend Photos: Bull & Bear
Since we first heard about Bull & Bear (431 N. Wells St.) way back in August, the “luxury sports bar&” playing field has gotten a heck of a lot more crowded. But this new spot from the Stone Lotus team, which finally opened on January 22nd, has one thing other newbies don’t: in-table taps. That’s right: You can pour your own beer from the comfort of your booth. We snapped barflies serving up their own suds at the bar’s grand opening…
Junk Food
It’s easy to imagine Chicago’s finest chefs slaving away over a hot stove with truffle oil in hand and foie gras at the ready. But when they get off work, many are just like the rest of us, which is to say: They eat junk. We asked seven culinary stars where their lowbrow desires lay—and instantly felt better about ourselves
Two If by Terra
Theocracy in Action
“Despite the economy seeming to decline, our business has increased every month in a lot of ways,” says Theo Gilbert, chef-partner of Terragusto (1851 W. Addison St.; 773-248-2777). “We still turn away a couple of hundred people every week, so we’re opening a small restaurant similar to Terragusto to handle the overflow.” The new Terragusto (340 W. Armitage Ave.; 773-281-7200) bows this Friday (January 23rd) in the same mini shopping center as…
Weekend Photos: Darkroom
As the behemoth that is the greater Wicker Park/Bucktown nightlife scene continues its crawl southward, spreading its mission of martinis throughout West Town and Ukrainian Village, much of the activity has been centered on and just off Chicago Avenue, where new watering holes pop…
Dish Flash: Bahena Resurfaces
Geno Bahena, whose list of opened and closed restaurants is so long we’ve lost track, has plans to open Coco’s, a Puerto Rican/criollo spot at Division and California (that’s Humboldt Park) with a seviche bar on the second floor. “This will happen within a month or so, but…
Bayless Blinks, Blue Water Sinks
Market Sharing
The Market House (Doubletree Hotel, 300 E. Ohio St.; 312-787-6100), a 150-seat modern American restaurant focusing on local suppliers, has designs on a February 15th opening. “I don’t want to get labeled as comfort food,” says the chef, Scott Walton (The Sheraton, Harry Caray’s), a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America. “It’s more a warm big feel to the food, driven by local farmers and…
5 Overhyped Nightlife Trends of 2008
Group punch bowls for sharing, as seen at Rebar (401 N. Wabash Ave.). Sexy or suspect? Germaphobes, discuss. The persistence of bottle service, as seen at Crescendo (222 W. Ontario St.)—despite a tanking economy and nose-diving 401(k)s Handcrafted cocktails, as seen at The Violet Hour (1520 N. Damen Ave.). Do tipsy nightlifers really … Read more