When we were kids, few meals evoked such excitement and anticipation as macaroni and cheese. Whether it was mom’s homemade, hot from the oven, or the strangely orange stove-stop version that came from a box, mac and cheese was one of those rare meals of choice for even the most finicky kids among us. Truth be told, not much has changed now that we are adults. Our tastes may have matured, but they have not really refined. We still love the dish. Luckily for us, adult restaurants have caught on and steaming spoonfuls of soft macaroni dripping with melted cheese are no longer the stuff of childhood dreams. Then again, the decadent creations being served up today are not your mama’s mac and cheese! more ›

The past year has been something of a nirvana for local craft beer fans, as their local options increase with the openings of Metropolitan Brewing, Half Acre Beer Company and Revolution Brewing. If all things go well, a fourth microbrewery/brewpub will be joining those ranks by late summer. more ›

Over a week after being closed thanks to over 1,000 rat droppings, the West Loop Bar Louie has reopened after passing its second reinspection last Friday. It was the third Bar Louie location to have a closure this year: the Hyde Park location was closed to do rat droppings on October 1 and the location near UIC was closed in August for fruit flies. more ›

Apparently when it comes to Health Department re-inspections, Bar Louie on Randolph doesn't bother trying to correct their infractions. They failed their re-inspection yesterday with exactly the same violations that caused the Department of Public Health to shut them down in the first place. more ›

The Health Department shut down another Bar Louie yesterday, this time at 741 W. Randolph (a press release from Tim Hadac at the CDPH says that it's still shut down as of post time). The major violation was the discovery of over 1,000 rat droppings in a basement storage area. Inspectors also found doors with gaps allowing insects and rodents easy access, fruit flies, overflowing dumpsters, no hot water and no sanitation solution in an automatic dishwashing machine. more ›

When Chicagoist heard that Moxie, the Wrigleyville restaurant previously noted more for its garage door facade and dark décor than its food, was re-opening, we shrugged. A friend of Chicagoist succintly worded it in an e-mail exchange last week, “Does Wrigleyville really need another tapas restaurant?” more ›

If 2004 was the year of tapas, or small-plate dining, then 2005 will be the year of the Comfort Food. Comfort food — think hearty, filling — has been making its way onto menus for some time now. After 9/11, the school of thought was that restaurant patrons wanted something that would soothe the mind as well as sate the belly. Meatloaf, for instance, has popped up in some unexpected places such as Bar Louie,... more ›

Another reason to vote: Free food, special drinks, discounted books and more. We've tried to summarize specials that are going on around town, but of course, feel free to add any we've missed! more ›

Man, five o'clock cannot come fast enough. We love when the weekend is brimming with autumnal goodness, and we can't help but celebrate by using overly cheesy and obvious icons. Here are three of our picks for the oh-so-enjoyable last weekend in September: more ›