File this under "favorite things ever." Longman & Eagle, the much-acclaimed Michelin-starred restaurant in Logan Square, knows how to handle criticism with grace and charm. Or with snark and bitchiness, we're not quite sure. Either way, we love it. They took a bad Yelp review and turned it into an amazing postcard, available at the restaurant. Whether you agree with the Yelper's assessment or not is up to you. more ›

To find "real" food in a supermarket, we've often been told to "shop the perimeter." In other words, stick to the produce, meats, fishes and dairy. The reason they are on the perimeter is that they need to be regularly restocked. In other words, they rot - one of the hallmarks of actual food. But, just in case you are ever confused (or want a good laugh), try this handy chart by Darya Pino of SummerTomato.com. more ›

The fun. show at Schubas last night sent the crowd home with smiles that would put post-orgasmic lovers to shame. It is easily one of the best shows we've seen this year ... nay, in the past five years. The exuberance of the band was met by an insatiable enthusiasm from the crowd to create a vibe that was both emotionally intense and utterly pleasurable. more ›

Nate Ruess must be some kind of jerk. more ›

The Format's Nate Ruess, Anathallo's Andrew Dost, and Steel Train's Jack Antonoff make up the core of new "super"-group fun., but we're told the auxiliary line-up fluctuates from show to show. We were just sent an MP3 of a jaunty tune off their forthcoming full length and just had to share it with you. more ›

No one knows - yet - how many tons of food were collected during the local mobile food drive known as the Chiditarod this year - but more than 500 participants spent a damp Saturday afternoon hauling at least 25 pounds of food per team over the finish line. more ›

Our pal Matt over at Spud Art spotted someone's victimless urban prank, and wondered.... more ›

A 14-year-old Illinois girl was on a cruise off the coast of California with her family when her appendix burst. The USS Ronald Reagan was dispatched to rescue her, and they did--including a helicopter transport between the ships. [Trib] more ›

The clock is ticking, lovelies--get those presents purchased and fast. If you still need some last-minute help, though, take the Chicago bus to these three stores where we can practically guarantee you'll find something. We'll be running posts like this all week, so if you know the perfect store, drop us a line: tips@chicagoist.com more ›

We know what we're doing Wednesday: Heading to The Annoyance to see three of our favorite local comedy all stars. Jared Logan, Robert Buscemi and our pal Steve Delahoyde (of grumpy-curing fame in these parts) have teamed up yet again for the third installment of "Three Dumb Men," a variety show that features stand-up and video and probably other stuff. Special guests include Brady Novak and Kristen Studdard, both of whom we adored last... more ›

Unless you stayed inside all day yesterday (and that wouldn't have been a bad idea, because it was dis-gusting out there), you couldn't miss the super-slippery sidewalks all around the city. An ice storm Saturday night made traveling around the city extra-treacherous due to the thin coating of ice on sidewalks. Chicago city officials, being their normal helpful selves, urged people to salt their sidewalks and walk carefully when it's icy. And also to look... more ›

It's the most wonderful time of the year. Time to buy presents! Which means it's time for Chicagoist's annual gift guide. For 2007, we're looking at lots of Chicago-centric gifts (plus a few random goodies thrown in for fun). Tickets, memberships, art, decoration, kits, classes, clothes — we've got you covered.... more ›

There are good ideas and there are great ideas. Doctors at Loyola University Medical Center have devised a way to make sure surgical sponges don’t get lost in people anymore. Hooray for medical technology! They’re going to put bar codes on the sponges, and a nurse will scan the sponge before it goes in and the system will tell the nurse if any sponges have been left inside. more ›

Get ready for more fluffy white stuff. Our area's under a snow advisory until tomorrow, with precipitation expected this afternoon. Brace yourself for between three and six inches of snow today and tonight, plus more tomorrow. And it's time to bust out your for-real winter coat — the temperature will drop to 13 degrees tomorrow night. (Tonight should be a cozy 24. Get your cocoa/hot toddy/fancypants tea stuff ready.) Where's this weather system coming... more ›

We’re dusting off our roller skates and sprinkling some glitter on them. We’re going to a place where nobody dared to go. The love. The echos of long ago. You need the world to know They are in Xanadu. Tonight, one night only, it’s Sing-along Xanadu at the Music Box Theatre for the midnight movie. Start warming up your vocal cords while practicing backwards, forward, and couples. more ›

But there are a bunch of cute links at the bottom as a brain cleanser. The body that washed up in Zion Wednesday has been IDed as missing kayaker Walter Doroba. The Gurnee man had been missing since October 28. A three-year-old in Kenosha shot and killed himself while apparently playing with his mother's pistol, which she kept in her nightstand. Sergio Chavez, 5, was killed when a television set fell on him in... more ›

Alderman Howard Brookins Jr. of the 21st ward was hit with a lawsuit this week that claims he owes $41,819.18 in back rent for the Loop offices of his law practice. Brookins didn't know about the suit until the Sun-Times contacted him. Sounds like a fun phone call: S-T: Hi, this is a reporter from the Sun-Times. Brookins: [dryly] Grand. S-T: I'm calling about the lawsuit. Brookins: The what? S-T: The lawsuit? That your office... more ›

The Blackhawks benefited from the return of Martin Havlat on Wednesday night. Havlat, who had missed 22 games due to a shoulder injury, scored Jjust 43 seconds into his return to action on a backhander to the upper-left corner of the net to give the Hawks a 1-0 edge on the Tampa Bay Lightning. He would go on to score again in just 12 seconds into the second period, scoring off a shot from the... more ›

We HATE the term Black Wednesday. more ›

Okay, we had so much fun with yesterday's things that were awesome, we figured we'd bust out another list for today. Plus there's a boatload of terrific stuff. Today in awesome: more ›

In a past life we worked as a talent buyer for a local club, and one of the pleasant surprises of our life at that point was bringing in bands from out of town that were so much better than their demos. The Milwaukees, out of New Jersey, were brought to our attention by a friend, and while their demo was so-so, we took a chance on them anyway and gave them a show. The... more ›

The Empty Bottle just announced that Black Kids will be playing the club's New Year's Eve show this year. The band walked away from this year's CMJ as the clear winner of the "Most Breathlessly Admired by Bloggers and Mainstream Press Alike." However there's still no word on whether Black Kids will be this year's Arcade Fire (massive!), Clap Your Hands Say Yeah (petered out!), or Voxtrot (fizzled before anyone actually saw them!). more ›

Flurries possible tonight, but this weekend shouldn't be too, too chilly. Which is good because there's a ton of fun stuff going on tomorrow: Paula Deen has two live shows at the Chicago Theater tomorrow. BYO sticks of butter, we're guessing. Tickets start at $45 and are still available for both the 11am and 4pm shows. Not in the mood for angioplasty? Head over to the DIY Trunk Show, at Pulaski Park auditorium. We're starting... more ›

Ah, it's like shootin' fish in a barrel over at Chicagoist EOYW headquarters. We know how passionate you guys can get about these things, so we'll cut right to the chase: more ›

Can Mike Madigan and Rod Blagojevich please, please get a reality show? That way, when they have a "nonproductive" meeting like they did today, we have a full serving of drama to go with our intense disappointment and frustration? Today's meeting, between Blago, Madigan, Mayor Daley and state legislative leaders, was an attempt to make progress on the state transit funding...oh, let's call it an "issue." (Clusterfuck? Mess? Problem? Bargaining chip? Dick-wagging contest? All... more ›

We love Blur. And Super Furry Animals. And Happy Mondays, Pulp, and Supergrass. So it's not surprising that we enjoy Chicago-by-way-of-the-'burbs outfit Ultra Sonic Edukators. The group's writing style is firmly rooted in the mid-'90s British explosion; some fault them for that, but we are of the opinion that the world would be better off if more bands took their cues from that point in time. more ›

There's a fun little story that's been making it's way around the internet over the past few days. Blogger Rob Donaghue went to hear bigtime Chicagoist crush Anthony Bourdain speak last week in New York. Bourdain, ever-wry, suggested that the best way to find a great restaurant in today's internet savvy age, is not to read Zagat or Michelin guides, but rather, to provoke the nerds. He writes, His answer was to take the city... more ›

Got the itch to do something fun tonight, given the unseasonably warm weather? We feel you. Options: One of Chicagoist's favorite charities, Mustaches for Kids, has its kick-off get together tonight at Jake Melnick’s Corner Tap, 41 East Superior St. The "growing season" starts Nov 19, so tonight's get-together is all about planning and making pals. 'Stachey! The International Interior Design Association has its Bizarre Bazaar in the Teknion Showroom on the 10th floor of... more ›