In a city awash in cocktail bars focusing on bitters, tinctures, rare spirits and low lighting, Billy Sunday stands out for its, well, Midwestern hospitality. Rarely have I sat at a bar and been made to feel so comfortable, no matter who was working. Named for the early 20th Century prohibitionist, this Logan Square bar … Continued
I spent the day in Boston with my friend and colleague Marco Werman, host of both PRI’s The World as well as Boston Calling, a regional program in Massachussetts. I took him around town for some intensive ethnic eating; each of the three stops – Armenian in Watertown, Brazilian in Cambridge and Vietnamese in Dorchester … Continued
[Note: this tour already took place in 2014, but I’ve included the itinerary here in case you’d like more information about my larger, group tours] New Orleans has always held a unique place in my heart. From late nights in the Quarter as a college kid, to lazy rides on the St. Charles streetcar as … Continued
I realize not everyone wants to go all-in and cook like a maniac on Thanksgiving, and fortunately, a lot of restaurants feel your pain (actually, their employees feel the brunt of it, since they’re the ones working all day long). It does seem like every year a few more restaurants figure people are throwing in … Continued
Chicago’s Begyle Brewing company has been doing things a little bit differently ever since they opened, and this week’s pick is certainly part of that approach. The company is a CSB – Community Supported Brewery – much like the CSAs you find from local farms during the summer. You get a new beer every month … Continued
Some of the state’s top smokers are joining forces for a great cause. The newly-formed Illinois BBQ Alliance (which has 14 restaurants and counting) is presenting the first-ever “Autumn Smoke” on Sunday, November 2nd, from 2 – 6 p.m. at Joe’s Bar (940 Weed St.), which will benefit Stand Up For Kids, a national non-profit that … Continued
It’s last call for the world’s best bartender. After nearly three years serving as the Beverage Director at The Aviary – Chicago’s cutting-edge bar – and garnering every conceivable award in his industry, Charles Joly is leaving the West Loop bar at the end of the month to seek out the opportunities now presenting themselves. … Continued
You have to hand it to the Illinois Restaurant Association. Not only do they take constructive criticism, they act upon it. A few years ago, I was fairly critical of Chicago Gourmet, after a weekend spent waiting in lines longer than an NFL rap sheet due in part, no doubt, to a Groupon that flooded … Continued
There are no vitamin C deficiencies this week, but a small, Lake Mills, Wisconsin brewery called Tyranena is using a little humor to create a slightly bitter IPA they’re calling scurvy. Since it contains orange peels – one of the remedies for said affliction – they’re hoping that if you have a pirate in the … Continued
How time flies, especially if you’re shucking. This Friday, Shaw’s Crab House kicks off it’s 30 year anniversary celebration with yet another Oyster Fest Block Party. As usual, there will be live music, Goose Island beers, a boat load of fresh seafood and tons of oysters (approx. 15,000) from both coasts. A lively Oyster Slurp Off … Continued
Despite the fact those relentless summer weekend festivals are pretty much over, there’s still plenty of eating, drinking and live music going on this weekend in Chicago. WXRT is teaming up with Goose Island tomorrow for the 312 Urban Block Party. The event happens at Fulton and Wood (main stage is on the corner of … Continued