Class Act Reimagines the Dinner Party
The new Bucktown tasting menu restaurant brings diners together in new ways.
Custom Placements: Dining Lead
The Trotter Way
In his new memoir, an acclaimed chef recounts working for a culinary legend — and how their relationship soured.
Stuffed Plantain at Mahari
As we passed assertively spiced and brightly flavored dishes around the table — salmon rice fritters with mango chutney, a lamb burger with Haitian pikliz and pineapple — a consensus emerged among our omnivorous group that the star of the evening at Mahari was the mushroom-stuffed plantain. To make the vegetarian entrée (a beef version is also available), executive … Read more
The Case for Reviewing While High
Chicago’s dining critic explains why cannabis makes him better at his job.
Second Life
When we last saw John Avila, he was slinging Indonesian food at Minahasa in Revival Food Hall. The chef built a fan base there for beautifully seasoned dishes, but slow traffic forced him to close. It always felt like his food deserved its own space, which it now has in Rendang Republic, a counter-service spot … Read more
Ice Cream Dreams
From spicy sundaes to classic dips, soft serve seems to be everywhere this summer. Here are our four favorites.
Crust Fund’s Royko Pizza
If you ask John Carruthers, the best Friday pizza night starts on Monday morning. That’s because the tavern-style crust he’s perfected as the creator of home-based Crust Fund Pizza owes its cracker crunch to a dayslong cold dough fermentation followed by a 12-hour cure. “The cure dries the dough and ensures a crispy crust and … Read more
The 10 Hottest Restaurants in Chicago Right Now: August 2025
The city’s most buzzed-about restaurants this month, in order of heat
Jackman & Co. Will Bring English Pub Favorites to Glenview
The new spot from Ballyhoo Hospitality is slated to open this month.