Chicago Restaurants

Letters to the editor from Homer Glen residents. Restaurant reality I work in a large restaurant in suburban Chicago. On a busy night, I am given a two- or three-table section. My ability to make money becomes limited if I can't "turn the table" (a...

Fans of raw fish can look forward to two new options coming to the South Loop this month. West Town's Kai Sushi plans to open its second location this month in Donna's Cafe's former space at 1255 S. State St. Owner John Tsendsuren said he'd always...

When life hands you lemons, make lemonade, or so the adage goes. The clever tippler knows to take that pragmatic advice one step further: Give those lemons a twist — be it a clever garnish, an unexpected flavor pairing or, even, a bright shot of...

The Oakwood sign on the roof is gone, but many people still associate that name with the building at 77 W. Huron Street, near the intersection of Clark Street in Chicago. Now called west77 Apartments, the 25-story tower has been transformed from a...

Q: You have a pretty big audience of friends. I bet they have the some of the same questions for you that I have. When you eat out, do you go with a group of people? Do you order extra dishes just so you can taste them? Do you take notes while you are...

Restaurant Michael in Winnetka feels a bit like stepping back into the famed Le Francais dining room in Wheeling, except it's cozier, a touch more casual, with brighter lighting and upbeat jazz gently playing on the speakers. It all makes sense because...

At least eight of Applebee’s 33 restaurants in the Chicago area are expected to close as its local franchisee seeks to reorganize its operations in Chapter 11 bankruptcy, a spokesman said late yesterday. The casual-dining chain has 2,000 U.S....

Nathan Rabin Nathan Rabin is the head writer for The A.V. Club. His books include “The Big Rewind” and “My Year of Flops.” He also collaborated on “Weird Al: The Book.” He has written for the Wall Street Journal,...

826CHI 826CHI is a nonprofit writing and tutoring center dedicated to supporting students ages 6-18 with their creative and expository writing skills, and to helping teachers inspire their students. 826chi.org Tom Acitelli Tom Acitelli is author...

You've already waited in line for popcorn at Garrett. You've endured verbal abuse at The Wieners Circle. And you've devoured the Chicago classic that is the Italian beef sandwich (Al's #1 and Johnnie's being the best, depending on who you ask). So...

Anthony Madrid Anthony Madrid lives in Chicago. His poems have appeared in Boston Review, Gulf Coast, The Iowa Review, Poetry and Web Conjunctions. His first book is “I Am Your Slave Now Do What I Say.” Rebecca Makkai Rebecca Makkai is...

The finest gnocchi in Chicago is served at Spiaggia and at A Tavola, and third place isn't even close. Recipes aside, the differences: Spiaggia luxuriates in Michigan Avenue opulence, with reams of glossy magazine paper having validated its four-star...