Today, a sample of some of the vendors at this year's Taste of Chicago will be setting up in Daley Plaza. A selection of the new vendors, including Texas de Brazil, Lao Sze Chuan, Beggars Pizza and Chicago Sweet Connection Bakery, will be on hand, according to the Sun-Times, which recommends Lao Sze Chuan's Dry Chili Chicken (we'd have to agree). Though, if it actually gets to 98 degrees, going outside to hunt down inferno-chicken might not be quite as popular. more ›

Iin his review of Eivissa from June, Anthony praised the Old Town tapas hotspot's service and reasonable prices, especially the cocktails. He also had reservations about Dudley Nieto's merging of traditional tapas with some of the more ridiculed aspects of the molecular gastronomy movement like foams. But Nieto's resume, especially the number of restaurants he's worked at around town, nearly rivals Geno Bahena for Happy Feet. more ›

We've got some Election Night Specials. Punch your ballot and drink card in the same evening. Then you won't care who wins until you wake up and turn on the news and have to gnaw your arm off so you don't wake her up. Whatevs! more ›

Grill out and eat out, folks, while the weather allows. We're gearing up for Mexican Independence day by eating some pollo asados. Mmmmm. More fun ahead so get those calendars out. more ›

Welcome to the Friday Buffet. Let's see what interesting food events are coming up for your enjoyment! more ›

The logistics needed to pull off an event as large as Lollapalooza are enormous. Accommodating the needs of what amounts to a small town within a city take months of preparation. For those vendors and sponsors lucky enough to be able to do business within the gates it also makes for invaluable advertising. more ›

The Chicago Department of Public Health announced today that nine salmonella cases around Chicago have been linked to tainted tomatoes served at Adobo Grill, both at its Wicker Park and Old Town venues. more ›

Some events in the next seven days to consider saving your freshly shoveled parking space with a few chairs. more ›

It's pretty light this week as folks recoup from the holidays. There are plenty of events starting early next week for gourmands throughout the city. more ›

Moving forward in our quest to give you readers some options for going out on New Year's Eve so you aren't procrastinating. more ›

'Tis the season for free champagne tastings. Get started tonight at the Artisan Cellar (located on the first floor of the Merchandise Mart) with a sample of some rare bubblies from 4-6 p.m. Learn all about the history of smothered foods from author Wilbert Jones, the author of Smothered Southern Foods. Jones' lecture, "Smothered - Southern Style" is being held Saturday at the Chicago History Museum, sponsored by the Culinary Historians of Chicago. The lecture... more ›

Some things to do this weekend, and into next, as an excuse to dress in costume. Rare and fine wine auction house Hart Davis Hart is holding an auction of private collections from both coasts today from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. at Tru. The auction is free to attend, but anyone taking the time to head to Tru and not eat is an idiot, quite frankly. Lunch today at Tru is fixed-priced at $75.... more ›

Asking for salt and lime with a premium tequila has long been a pet peeve of ours, but since we regularly found ourselves behind a bar, we bit our tongue. Not anymore — we're demanding you shed the "training wheels." It isn't as though we're talking about mixtos here, where nearly half of what's in the bottle is cane sugar. These days every major tequila brand seems to be launching a 100-percent, pure agave line.... more ›

Mention fish tacos to people and chances are that they either give you the gas face and say “Eewww!”, or repeat the term and giggle. Simply typing those words conjures in our mind innuendo-laced memories of our Uncle Stu holding his index and middle fingers to his mouth, flicking his tongue between them and talking about how he loved "eating fish on Friday at the 'Y'." Today’s Tribune, however, is all about fish tacos. Kevin... more ›

Cyrano's Bistrot is open again, after a week and four inspections to combat a roach infestation caused by condo renovations above the restaurant. Congratulations, Chef Didier. Just don't expect us to visit anytime soon. Gabriel Magliaro of Half Acre Beer Company has been busy. Half Acre and Bloodshot Records have a promotion where Bloodshot is offering a sampler album as a free download to Half Acre fans. Magliaro will also be at Whole Foods... more ›

Another week, another all-you-can-eat Friday Buffet. The photo alone is giving us cravings for some shark meat. - It's National Ice Cream Month. Feeling charitable this afternoon? In the mood for ice cream? Then head over to Atwood Café between 2-4 p.m. and take part in their annual ice cream social to benefit the Fairy Godmother Foundation. Atwood chef Heather Terhune will donate $1 from every ice cream sold (graciously donated by Ciao Bella gelato)... more ›

If you are horrible kids like we are, you won't be able to make it home this weekend to see mum. There will be plenty to do this weekend to keep your mind off of it though. Besides, it's always great to take advantage of the great Mother's Day brunch specials around town. The Pony's will be playing at Looptopia around 8:45 p.m. Looptopia, Chicago's "white-night" like celebration will run from 5 p.m. - 5... more ›

In this special Mother's Day edition of YFFB, we'll help you find a way to say "I love you" even if you have been the sort of child this year that your mother never wished she had. We kid, we kid. We know Chicagoist readers know how to treat their respective moms right. Say It With: ... an e-card. Whenever we come across anything with an e-card it reminds us of the early days of... more ›

This week's theme: Cinco de Mayo. More specifically, the Anglicized version of Cinco de Mayo. Let's get on with it. Everyone Has An Opinion: In conjunction with National Hamburger Month, the folks at Yelp! have released a thoroughly underwhelming list of their top five places to get a burger in town. The site that brings together user reviews of all the "hidden gems, hot spots, and amazing small businesses you've never heard of or fanatically... more ›

It's Easter, y'all. That means, in addition to the re-enactment of the Passion happening as we write this in Pilsen, churches will be filled, families will gather, and restaurants will offer Easter Brunch specials. We have a few for you, in addition to the usual complement of food news and notable events. So sit back and unbuckle your belts. Who Comes Up With These Names, Anyway?: Leave it to us to be late to the... more ›

You know those restaurants where you could close your eyes, point to anything on the menu, and end up with an out-of-this-world dish? That’s Don Juan’s Restaurante in Edison Park. Frontera Grill, Salpicon, and Adobo Grill may hold claim to some of the best Mexican food downtown, but family-owned Don Juan’s has been an Edison Park mainstay for just as long, or longer. On most nights, a lively crowd packs the main dining room with... more ›

Chicagoist's search for the best Mexican food in the city took an upscale turn with a trip to Old Town favorite Salpicon. Before dining there, we had never even heard of this gem of a restaurant, as whenever we heard "upscale Mexican," we would think of Frontera Grill, Topolobambo, or Adobo Grill. Salpicon is nestled on the south end of Wells, almost to Division St. The night we went it was gray and drizzling outside,... more ›

Chicagoist tries to drink a little bit of wine when and where we find ourselves in an opportunity to do so. We'll attend free tastings, wine-and-food pairings, region-specific classes, steal your boxed wine, and even take a free pull at Jewel paired with the pizza that's not supposed to taste frozen (it always tastes frozen, by the way). Our inbox has been flooded with reminders the past month of this tasting happening tomorrow night at... more ›

Tonight, the League of Chicago Theatres celebrates the first anniversary of “Theater Thursdays.” The weekly series lures younger professionals to the theater on a traditionally slower night by offering drinks, appetizers, and discussions with knowledgeable professionals. The reception and munchies return to the Goodman Theatre tonight for William Shakespeare’s Pericles. Fitting too, since that’s where it all began last January. Tickets are $40, pre-show starts at 6pm for a 7:30pm curtain. Pericles is one of... more ›

Pilsen is a neighborhood currently battling the winds of change from the neighborhoods surrounding it. With the gigantic University Village development project reaching its northern edge businesses throughout the neighborhood are undertaking minor repairs or full-on overhauls in the hope of courting new homeowners down to spend their money in the galleries, storefronts, and taquerias, while still maintaining the working-class family feeling that draws so many Mexican immigrants to settle down there and the... more ›

While most people think Cinco de Mayo is Mexican independence day, Chicagoist is telling you it's not. It's a day for eating food and doing tequila shots, silly! To figure out where to eat and drink tonight check out Citysearch, Metromix or do a search for Mexican eats on the LTH Forum. New City says Adobo Grill and Frontera Grill are the spots to hit for good guac and Citysearch has a good list of... more ›