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The Heathman

The acclaimed Heathman Hotel is situated downtown in the heart of  Portland, Oregon’s Financial and Cultural Districts. This sophisticated boutique hotel offers luxurious accommodations and award-winning service – a refreshing blend of Portland history and modern hospitality. From its renowned Heathman Restaurant and Bar with Culinary Director Philippe Boulot, a James Beard Award for Excellence winner, to its remarkable … Continued

L’Abattoir

Chef Lee Cooper’s French dishes are sophisticated and ultra-fancy; the Gastown destination would make for a romantic evening out. The restaurant was built in the 19th Century and is the site of Vancouver’s first jail. Originally buttressed to the city’s main butchery and meat packing district, the name L’Abattoir pays homage to the neighborhood’s colourful past. … Continued

Robson Street

A stretch of commercial buildings and shopping boasts great Japanese izakaya (pub) establishments like Hapa (1479 Robson Street, Vancouver – (604) 689-4272). Robson Street Robson Street, Vancouver, BC

Tuna Tartar from Bistronomic

Martial Noguier never quite settled into his previous assignments. At one sixtyblue, his cooking would veer into French territory, but the fact diners were there for Michael Jordan’s connection as much as anything, probably limited his creativity. At Café des Architectes, inside the Hotel Sofitel, he explored his roots a bit more, but still, he was a … Continued

Top 5 Salads in Chicago

Warm weather always results in the same sort of lunch, during the week at least. I guess that’s why everyone in L.A. is so thin. It’s the salads! (Easy on the dressing, of course.) In Chicago, there’s nothing better than a thick, tender hunk of shortrib over a mound of polenta in December, but come … Continued

Top 5 Places for Gluten-Free in Chicagoland

This time of year is just murder on people with special requests, allergies and gluten-intolerance.  There are backyard barbecues, graduation lunches and wedding showers, not to mention menus full of pasta, starch and flour.  Whenever I do stories on ABC about GF-friendly places in town, we get a huge response, and this post from the … Continued

Top 5 Ethiopian Restaurants in Chicago

Some would say New York chef Marcus Samuelsson should get some credit for making Ethiopian sexy. I say tear me off a piece of spongy injera, scoop up a mildly spicy berbere-laced doro wat (stew) and pass the intense, earthy coffee, and you won’t need a celebrity chef to convince you this is seriously delicious (although the man did … Continued

Top 5 Margaritas in Chicago

Today is Cinco de Mayo, a relatively minor holiday on the Mexican calendar (Independence Day, Sept. 15, ranks much higher), but it somehow has become an excuse to party. Kind of like Hallmark turned “Secretaries Day” into an unofficial holiday requiring lunches, gifts and of course, greeting cards. With today’s event, the fine folks at … Continued

Top 5 Roasted Chickens in Chicago

The best roast chicken I ever had was at Zuni Café, on Market Street in San Francisco. I’m not sure what Judy Rodgers does to it – they’re most likely brined to retain moisture well ahead of time, and the heat, well, I’m positive it comes from a lot of hardwood. Chicago isn’t exactly a roast … Continued