“I never went to cooking school,” says Stephen Wambach, but for someone without formal training, he’s managed to build an impressive resumé: The guy is the former corporate chef for Laurent Tourondel’s BLT Restaurant Group and has opened restaurants everywhere from Hong Kong to Miami Beach. As for his new venture, Epic, the 190-seat industrial … Read more
Vows of silence and chastity don’t sound terribly fun—and don’t even get us started on hair shirts. But you can’t go wrong with fresh-ground prime burgers, hand-cut fries, New York–style pizzas, and Belgian-style beers brewed on-site. Opening just such a 240-seat brewery next to a massive movie theatre sounds like a sure thing, and that’s … Read more
“Most people are doing small and medium plates. We don’t do anything small,” says Scott Harris (Francesca group), who has teamed up with Jimmy Bannos (Heaven on Seven) to open a hip spot for “wine, swine, and cheese” in the heart of the Mag Mile. Inspired by new Manhattan boîtes like Terroir and Gottino Wine … Read more
One step into this richly hued Lincoln Square BYO and the mellow aroma of Indian spices mingled with soft sitar music guarantees instant warmth. So does the friendly owner, Shah Kabir, who welcomes customers while his family keeps watch over the curries and vindaloos. “We all love to cook,” Shah says, “and to spend our … Read more
This 2007 old-vine zinfandel exhibits a virtuous lusciousness seldom found in a $15 zin
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The luxury kitchen cabinet retailer Poggenpohl has teamed up with Airoom Architects, Builders and Remodelers to make remodeling your kitchen easier. While it has always been possible to get basic kitchen elements (cabinets, appliances, and countertops) installed through Poggenpohl’s Merchandise Mart showroom, this partnership makes it easier for customers to undertake larger overhauls that require acquiring building permits, running new electrical, and opening up walls. A Poggenpohl kitchen will be on display at the Airoom showroom in mid-January.
—GINA BAZER
The Fiery Furnaces play Lincoln Hall. Just because you’re pinching pennies doesn’t mean New Year’s Eve has to fall to the gutter. Chicago offers a diverse concert lineup that beats overpriced hotel events, so you can stay on budget without staying in. Local jam band Umphrey’s McGee returns to the Aragon Ballroom, accompanied by the … Read more
RED SHIFT: Did the recession make drinkers spend more, drowning their sorrows, or spend less, saving their pennies? Neither, really—the big change was decreased beer sales and increased sales of wine and liquor. Here’s how much alcohol Illinois distributors have sold to retailers, bars, and restaurants between 2007 and June 2009, measured in gallons. Hard … Read more
A bumper crop of luxury watches to help us keep our New Year’s resolution: punctuality
“We use our own rye starter that nobody can duplicate or put their hands on,” says Savely Barkan, the Russian-born owner of House of Bread. This crazy-small, nondescript bakery tucked into a nondescript mall in Wheeling doesn’t have too many other secrets: Crowds pack in for 19 varieties of fresh-baked loaves. Did we say small? … Read more
