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January 2009
Bright Knights
Introducing our seven Chicagoans of the Year for 2008: a concerned mom, a neighborhood activist, a pair of dance makers, an altruistic chef, a Bronzeville historian, and a soulful singer with a voice for the ages. Read more
Junk Food
By Karl Klockars
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 Read more
Fairey Tales
By Rebecca Little

Newly Knighted

Heath Ledger as the Joker in The Dark Knight

Hot off the press: We can put the speculation to bed. Heath Ledger did indeed score a posthumous Oscar nom for his much-buzzed-about turn in The Dark Knight, as announced Thursday by the Academy. If you missed the flick—costarring Chicago—during its first run...

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Sale at Pagoda

Pagoda Red, purveyor of Asian antiques and artifacts, is having a warehouse sale this weekend (Saturday and Sunday, 10-5) at 1201 W. Washington Blvd. Look for discounts of up to 80 percent. All sales are final.

—Gina Bazer

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On the Market: Wright Redone Right in Oak Park

List Price: $1.295 million
The Property: This house, one of a trio that Frank Lloyd Wright designed in his off-hours while employed by Louis Sullivan in the early 1890s, has been extensively renovated and expanded, all with a careful eye on the home’s history...

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In Bed with Kindel

Bedside Manor, a boutique that sells luxe linens, has signed a deal with Kindel Furniture Co. in Grand Rapids to carry a selected collection of the company’s handcrated pieces. Kindel has been making furniture in the U.S. since 1901 (it is sold locally at Macy’s and a couple other stores). At its four Chicago-area locations starting in March, Bedside Manor will feature a Louis XVI poster bed, occasional tables and chest from the Dorothy Draper collection, and upholstered bedroom chairs.

—JAN PARR

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Two If by Terra
By Penny Pollack & Jeff Ruby

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...

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Memorabilia, art, sales, and more
By Bradley Lincoln
Hey, how about that—we have a new President! To celebrate the Inauguration and honor the Commander in Chief with something more fitting than a six-pack of Jones’s “Orange You Glad for Change” soda pop, Oak Park’s Careful Peach home boutique has designed and commissioned some exclusive Barack-collectibles with gravitas. Pick up a hand-etched Champagne bottle depicting Obama’s name, election dates and percentages, and a donkey kicking some serious elephant ass for $90. It was crafted by Peter Morava of Morava Glass Studios, who also did the light fixtures in that tricked-out vintage trailer we featured in the Sept.-Oct. issue. (Peter also happens to be married to the Peach’s owner, Karen.) The Peach is also campaigning its sterling silver-and-resin Obama/Biden cuff links, handmade in the O.P. (Karen tells me that at least three pair were actually in D.C. yesterday—maybe you caught a glimpse?). Save some more change at Restoration Hardware, where they pledge to cut $100 off any purchase over $400, including reduced and online sales, until Jan. 26. Mention code RNPR019 at checkout; offer good in red and blue states. And to get your cabinets in order, the Container Store is holding its annual 30 percent-off Elfa shelving sale, through Feb. 9. Read more
Housing Bulletin: Sellers, Stay Home
By Dennis Rodkin
Do you want to help heal the U.S. economy? Don’t list your house for sale this year. 
That’s the main point I took away from the Chicago Association of Realtors’ Regional Economic Forecast 2009, held January 15th at the Palmer House. The panel, which I moderated, featured presentations by three economists  and a leading Chicago real-estate analyst. The consensus among them was... Read more