Cover Story
Best New Restaurants
by Jeff Ruby and Penny Pollack
The past year saw more great chefs and bartenders dialing back, steak houses digging deeper than ever, an unlikely sushi standout launched in Ukrainian Village, and a future kitchen stud unleashed on Taylor Street. We cover it all and plenty more in our assemblage of 22 great places to eat right now.
The Diva’s New Direction
by Amalie Drury and Beth Wilson
Ikram Goldman may no longer be the mastermind behind Michelle Obama’s wardrobe, but the boutique queen has other plans: quadrupling her retail footprint and altering her personalized sales formula.
Love Rules
by Mara Tapp
The playwright Sarah Ruhl is back at the Goodman Theatre with the premiere of Stage Kiss, an exploration of love and the line between fantasy and reality.
Mr. Nonstop
by Jonathan Black
Howard Tullman, Chicago’s hardest-working serial entrepreneur, is busy creating a digital-arts alternative to the four-year college degree.
SUMMER FASHION 2011
Must-Have Trends
Stripes, solids, metal chains, and, yes, a $1,500 beach towel. Plus: Top sunscreens and fave perfumes; Chicago design studio Vagrant Nobility makes its debut.
Suit Up
by Stacey Jones
Sizzling swimwear.
Go Long
by Stacey Jones
Floor-skimming pants, dresses, and skirts.
Departments
Arena
Meet Michael Metzger, an artist inspired by Borges and Home Depot carts; just in time for Art Chicago/NEXT, three emerging artists to know now; a talk with the new Fourth Ward alderman, Will Burns (he’s 37!); Grease gets an overhaul; feminist thoughts on Playboy and porn; “Pocket Guide” Warhol-hops.
The Escape Artist
by Catey Sullivan
The Indianapolis 500 draws thousands to the city—all the more reason to go.
Style
An artist celebrates spring with seeds and sangría; work wear gets hip.
Cheers
by Amalie Drury
What would Hemingway think? We assess a new River North pub.
Table
Paul Virant teams up with a dynamic duo; savory pies; how hard can it be to make seafood stew?
Sports
by Jonathan Eig
Laurie Schiller, of the women’s fencing team at Northwestern, might be the most successful college coach you’ve never heard of.
Business
by Jennifer Tanaka
Nick Kokonas, the money guy behind Alinea, may be chef Grant Achatz’s equal when it comes to innovative thinking.
Healthy Chicago
by Karen Springen
A new pill offers a nonsurgical alternative for removing basal cell carcinomas. Plus: Tips for avoiding skin cancer.
What I Was Thinking
by Jeff Bailey
Gary Kelly, CEO of Southwest Airlines, discusses on-time performance, luggage that flies for free, and the perils of popularity.
Deal Estate®
by Dennis Rodkin
The Pampered Chef founder downsizes in Hinsdale; a favorable outlook for local remodeling; condo news from the city and suburbs.
Outer Drive
by Jeff Ruby
Anonymous restaurant reviewing: journalistic gold standard or antiquated parlor game?
Chicago Guide®
May makes a splash: jellies, whales, fish tales.
Restaurants
The new chef at Café des Architectes doesn’t miss a beat; Gemini and Mercat get two stars each.
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