French restaurants haven’t completely gone out of fashion. A little bistro in downtown Highland Park is giving the North Shore reason to go out to eat. It’s run by a couple with decades of experience in the restaurant business, with a simple menu of French classics. You may think French bistro fare consists of mainly … Continued
The colors, textures and temperatures are constantly in flux inside the Snow Dragon Shavery in Lincoln Park. The owners realized they could take something like snow and give it some nuance. “Chicago is known for snow, so why not make the flavor of snow – with Taiwanese and Hawaiian ice – so we just came … Continued
There are several Jamaican restaurants scattered throughout the city with most of them clustered in two polar opposite sides of the city. You can find them either on the South Side or near Rogers Park. One of those North Side spots recently re-opened across the street in Evanston with a larger space and expanded menu, … Continued
With graduations, wedding showers and other summer events, you might be in need of some great gift ideas. A Southwest Side sweets shop may have just what you need. Uzma Sharif trained at the French Pastry School, worked a bit in Europe, but came back to Chicago, where, for the past year-and-a-half, she’s been making … Continued
I’ve been spending a lot of time recently inside some new food halls. Yesterday, I featured a new one in Pullman, on the far South Side. Now, I head to the West Loop for part two, on the side of the new McDonald’s world headquarters where 13 food vendors have set up shop. Most food … Continued
Lin-Manuel Miranda might be the most famous artist of Puerto Rican descent, but there’s no question in Chicago, the jibarito is the most famous sandwich. Created near Humboldt Park by Puerto Rican cooks, the sandwich has spread all over the city, including one shop on Harlem Avenue where just about every customer orders one. Whenever … Continued
There are technically only two weeks left of spring, but since winter was so brutal, a lot of crops are going to be late this year. That means you’ll still be able to find plenty of ramps, favas, spring peas and asparagus, and if you missed seeing green on your plates, there’s one restaurant in … Continued
Most of the city’s Vietnamese restaurants are concentrated around Uptown, with a few exceptions. One of those would be in north west suburban Norridge, near the Harlem Irving Plaza Mall. That’s where I found myself recently, enjoying a lot more than just bowls of pho. Viet Taste 7221 W. Forest Preserve Dr., Norridge 708-452-7655 … Continued
Stephanie Izard is one of the city’s busiest, high-profile chefs. Not only does she oversee several restaurants in Chicago’s West Loop, she’s also an “Iron Chef” on TV and does a lot of charity work. But she recently added a new restaurant to her portfolio – this one more Peruvian inspired – and it’s … Continued
There is a lot of chicken to be found in Chicago these days from Southern fried to Nashville hot and even Korean-inspired. Northwestern University students have been the lucky recipients of a relatively new chicken joint in Evanston where you can try the Korean-inspired sandwiches and wings- or not. 10Q Chicken816 Church St., Evanston 847-859-6100
The flavors of the Philippines are not commonly known in Chicago. Most of the mom-and-pop restaurants are in Niles, Skokie and Morton Grove, but a few recent additions in the city are educating diners with some new menu items – including a brand new spot in Wicker Park. Cebu2211 W. North Ave. 773-799-8650