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Housing Bulletin—Assessing Mr. Toll’s F
By Dennis Rodkin

While releasing some downward-sliding sales figures last week, Robert Toll—the CEO of Toll Brothers, a national home-building company—gave an informal letter grade to each of several regional markets where it operates. Chicago got an F.

That’s not to say that the housing market here has tanked more than in other parts of the country. In fact, as I read it, that low grade suggests that buyers here might be more cautious or judicious than elsewhere. The F is Toll’s assessment of how each market is doing vis-à-vis his company’s sales performance. He reported 38.9 percent of people with contracts to...

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It Ain’t Over ‘Till the Rock B(r)and Sings

Paris Fashion Week is terminé. And while you're checking out the new talent in Chicago—and perhaps still trying to process the colorful surreality at Vuitton (I know I am)—I'd like to offer a postscript or two.

Rodnik
On Monday, I chatted with Rich and Phil, the guys behind the new label Rodnik. If the retailers picking them up are any indication (ikram and Barney's for this season), these guys have got chops. And also humor...

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Celluloid and Cellulite

Two things everybody around here is talking about: fashion and film. We’re coming upon Fashion Focus Chicago, a week of hoopla surrounding local designers and local retailers. I’ll be blogging the whole thing, camera in tow. It’s also time for the Chicago International Film Fest. And since I can't possibly be two places at once, I'm thrilled that Chicago's web editor, Esther Kang, will be scouting the fest. So for the next few weeks of Coda, you get two bloggers instead of one! Read her scoop on opening night...

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What Your Wheels Cost
By Barbara Nellis
The price of owning a car is skyrocketing, taking a significant chunk out of the family budget. And with gas prices on the rise, there seems to be no brake in sight. Read more
Movable Feasts
By Michael Nagrant
Call them “underground,” “unofficial,” or “occasional.” Whatever the name, restaurants that don’t have a permanent address and that eschew traditional licensing are popping up all over town. Eating at one is the dining equivalent of choose-your-own adventure: diners, who exchange hushed e-mails to get on the list, show up where they’re told and eat whatever the chef feels like preparing. It’s fun, sure. But at $25 to $100 a pop, are they any good? Chicago checked out a few to find out. Read more