He's got a new cookbook to promote, was recently named the 2010 inductee into the Chicago Culinary Museum Chefs Hall of Fame and he's dropped 90 pounds thanks to cutting out sugars and exercising. Both daily newspapers have in-depth profiles on Art Smith today. Chris Borelli's writeup of Smith is a short Q&A where Smith touches base on his cookbook collection, turning 50 and being, in the words of the Smithsonian, "the most well-known openly gay chef in America." more ›

Chris Borelli can't find the balance between sincerity and snark in his positive review of Province on West Randolph, the new eco-friendly restaurant by former Nacional 27 chef Randy Zweiban. But he does say that it adds a level of affordability to the notoriously high-priced restaurant district. [The Stew] more ›

• Mercat a la Planxa's Jose Garces flays Bobby Flay on Iron Chef [Philly City Paper]
• Applebee's "owns riblets." Wonderful; another reason not to go. [NYT]
• Joanna MIller delves into a vegetarian nicoise salad. [My Vegetable Blog]