Mexican influence rising, one restaurant at a time

It’s a banner week for Chicago Mexican food lovers!

Chef Chuy Valencia and Soraya Rendon opened Chilam Balam Cocina Mexicana, named for the historic Mayan chronicles, on Friday in Lakeview. The 45-seat BYOB serves a mix of small plates and seasonal Mexican entrees, such as roasted leg of lamb in a sauce of mulato chilies, bitter [...]

Oh, those Armenian cooks!

Heads up, folks, one of the best church festivals in Chicago is coming up Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 15 and 16, when St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Church in Belmont-Cragin holds its 34th annual Armenian fest.
The event is special because the churchwomen make all the food from scratch themselves. Some years ago, I was [...]