The Next Chapter We knew the acclaimed chef Laurent Gras (Fifth Floor in San Francisco) was hooking up with Rich Melman and his Lettuce cronies, but we weren’t sure how or where. Now it’s clear: Gras is taking over the Ambria space (2300 N. Lincoln Park West; 773-472-5959). “Our goal all along has been to … Read more
Looking for a great place to linger over a cocktail? That special outdoor patio? An authentic Irish pub or dance palace of the moment? Whatever your need, we’ve got the perfect bar or club to satisfy it
Aaron Whitcomb, the highly touted executive chef of Room 21 (2110 S. Wabash Ave.; 312-328-1198), has left. “Aaron is a great chef, but he’s a young kid,” says owner Jerry Kleiner. [Note: he’s 30.] “He was overwhelmed by the volume and the pressure. He just couldn’t take it anymore and kept saying it would be … Read more
Saturday and Sunday brought the return of the Wells Street Art Festival and the Old Town Art Fair-my absolute favorite weekend of the year. Because I live in Old Town, I consider these my festivals-essentially, a block party in my front yard for about 70,000 people. And since the Wells Street fest and I are … Read more
Under wunderkind chef Grant Achatz, Alinea has become perhaps the most talked about restaurant in the country. We sent a reporter to work in the kitchen for a week to find out how his culinary high-wire act all comes together.
Douglas Rodriguez, Miami-based executive chef who owns restaurants in three time zones. His latest, De La Costa,opens in July in the River East Art Center.
Rock the Warehouse; Minnies; Celebrity Beat
The Chicago area is full of both pastrami purists and newfangled innovators. With some new delis entering the scene, we sized up a few of the latest offerings alongside some old favorites.
This month, Nagrant sat down with Gabino Sotelino, whose 27-year-old Lincoln Park masterpiece, Ambria (2300 N. Lincoln Park West; 773-472-5959), will serve its last meal on June 30th.
Fine service at West Town’s Five Star While on a recent visit to Five Star (1424 W. Chicago Ave.), my latest favorite watering hole, a friend compared its strip of Chicago Avenue (near Ashland Avenue) to Ukrainian Village’s Division Street. It’s true that neighboring hot spots such as Cleo’s, The Darkroom, Tuman’s, and Sonotheque have … Read more
