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Jeff Ruby
Hopeless Romantics
By Jeff Ruby
There are Chicago's 20 most desireable singles—and then there's everyone else. The Closer trolls MySpace for least likely candidates. Read more
Welcome to Toqueville
By Penny Pollack, Jeff Ruby, Jennifer Tanaka, and Dennis Ray Wheaton
Chicago has arrived as one of the premier dining cities on the planet, and we feature the men and women who have put it there. Read more
Heads of State
By Jeff Ruby
The 1960 Nixon-Kennedy presidential election proved that a successful candidacy cannot be had without photogenic appeal. But in the coming gubernatorial race, both major-party candidates seem equally challenged when it comes to having a bad hair day. Read more
Ban Wagon
By Jeff Ruby
No one’s quite sure what will happen when the sale of foie gras becomes illegal in August under the strictures of the city council’s ban. In search of clues, The Closer looks back at prohibitions past. Read more
The Le Français mess, the Moto offshoot, and yet another gastropub
By Penny Pollack & Jeff Ruby
The Truth Is Out There

By now, news of the trouble at Le Français (269 S. Milwaukee Rd., Wheeling; 847-541-7470) has appeared everywhere—but does the closing, due to a small electrical fire, really spell the end for the restaurant? The owner, Mike Moran, claims Le Français will reopen. When?

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Hanging Out with the Redwalls
By Jeff Ruby
What happens when a hot local band goes out for a night on the town with a reporter: they drink a few beers, shoot some pool—and do nothing even remotely stupid. Read more
Reversal of Fortune
By Jeff Ruby
The Closer recently visited a tarot card reader and a psychic, asked them the same eight questions, then checked their answers against those of three other, less expensive sources: a Ouija board, a Magic 8-Ball , and my six-year-old nephew. Read more
Team Spirit?
By Jeff Ruby
Chicago Bulls mascot Benny the Bull isn?t the only furry friend who's run into trouble on the sidelines. The Closer reveals more members of his ornery order. Read more