In Tokyo, students, coworkers, and pals will gather at an izakaya to drink beer and highballs, snack on yakitori, and hang out until the last train home. Hugo Leung, who owns Bridgeport’s Shinya Ramen House, tapped this spirit two years ago to open Izakaya Shinya, where he serves Japanese bites and drinks to after-work and … Read more
Ask a sourdough baker, a sauerkraut maker, or anyone else who dabbles in fermentation: Time is the secret ingredient for unlocking profound layers of flavor. Take, for instance, black garlic, produced by holding standard garlic at warm temperatures for days or even weeks. “It slowly caramelizes until it’s black, with a raisiny, molasses-like flavor,” says … Read more
That’s great news for sauce lovers, but these plates aren’t designed quite right for today’s dining culture.
The longtime chef talks about his new vision for the West Loop favorite.
Creepies, from the Elske team, still needs some refining, but it’s already the city’s most exciting place to eat.
In a scene that’s rapidly evolving, with splashy newcomers and international influences, we rank our 12 favorites. Plus: unexpected wines, the best potatoes, leftovers tips, and more.
If Margaret Pak could write her story in food, kadala curry — a comforting stew of black chickpeas in coconut gravy — would be a recurring motif. “It’s pretty near and dear,” the Thattu chef says, noting it first entered the plot as breakfast shared in the home of her in-laws in Kerala, India, and has been the sole … Read more
These are the nominees for Chicago’s 2026 dining and drinking awards.
