100 Chicago restaurants open Christmas Day 2011

You don’t have to cook Christmas dinner.

Chicago fetes Beaujolais Nouveau 2011

Beaujolais Nouveau 2011, the first young wine made this season in the Beaujolais region of France, goes on sale at the stroke of midnight the morning the third Thursday of November with great celebration around the world. Here are a few places that will be pouring it in Chicagoland beginning Nov. 17. Mon Ami Gabi, [...]

Five uncommon Chicagoland spots for food with live music

Break out of your entertainment routine and check out these options for dining with live music and no cover.

10 delicious things to do in Chicago Memorial Day weekend

Summertime at last! Is there anywhere better than Chicago to spend Memorial Day weekend? We don’t think so. Here are just a few of the things to do this weekend. Watch the Chicago Memorial Day Wreath Laying Ceremony and Parade in the Loop, 11 a.m. Saturday, May 28, free. After the opening ceremony at the [...]

Six Chicago restaurants that have stood the test of time

Happy anniversary to these Chicagoland restaurants! It’s well known that most eateries don’t make it to their first anniversary, so count these as successes. Market Bar, West Loop, celebrates its second anniversary today with beer tastings starting at 6 p.m.; tomorrow, a Ketel One patio party with a hosted open bar, beginning at 6 p.m. [...]

Top 10 places to celebrate Mardi Gras in Chicago

Call it Mardi Gras, Fat Tuesday, Shrove Tuesday or Carnival … it’s the last hurrah before Lent. If you don’t observe Lent, that doesn’t mean you can’t celebrate. Here are our picks for Mardi Gras events around Chicagoland.

Chicago wines and dines

Drink up, Chicago wine lovers, at these upcoming wine dinners at area restaurants. Reservations required. La Madia Hirsch Wine Dinner, River North, 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 4, $87. David Hirsch of Hirsch Vineyards, Sonoma, Calif., will be on hand for a a six-course dinner pairing his 2007 San Andreas pinot noir, 2007 and 2008 Bohan [...]

Eat this! The Chicago hot dog, born in the Great Depression

The “banquet on a bun” had its origins in a Maxwell Street vegetable cart. (Part 2 of a series in honor of National Hot Dog Month.)

The Chicago-style hot dog: ‘A masterpiece’

“A hot dog is a masterpiece,” says Jim Photopoulos, proprietor of Photo’s Hotdogs. (Part 1 of a series in honor of National Hot Dog Month.)