The Michelin Guide releases its first rankings for Chicago on Wednesday. We've already expressed a bit of cynicism about the rankings, and others have criticized the guide for using out of date standards, pandering to Yelp and including some mysterious choices on their existing lists. Last week, the Bib Gourmand, the Michelin awards for best value, were released to a flurry of attention, and it's only going to get more intense as the week progresses. more ›

You might look at that headline and think, "Canning? Simple? You must be kidding." That's what we thought until we tried it - turns out it's simple, fun and surprisingly rewarding. You don't need expertise, fancy equipment or anything else - just a few hours of free time and some fresh veggies. You barely even need a recipe - trial and error is probably the best approach, with some basic principles. You also get the intense satisfaction of looking at rows of neatly labeled jars sitting in your pantry. We canned cucumbers and carrots - this is the recipe for the cucumbers, but we're glad to provide more! more ›

MenuPages Chicago has compiled a handy guide to surviving a tasting menu, and just in time for those of us with reservations to L2O and Alinea over the holidays. We wholeheartedly endorse Step #5; leave that step to the professionals. [MP Chicago] more ›

The Reader's Guide to Late Night Dining is now online, and there's the expected eclectic mix of diners, hot dog stands, taco joints, upscale pub grub, and places where only the fearless dare enter. Even better is that the range of offerings encompasses a wide stretch of the city and connecting suburbs (big love for Gene & Jude's Red Hots in River Grove!). If you're at the stage in life where "I'll sleep when... more ›