Tickets are now on sale for the eighth annual Whisky Fest. The event, to be held April 4 at the Hyatt Regency downtown, is one of those big ticket events that sells out way in advance. more ›

Who needs a drink after this year's primaries? Don't worry, with both Mardi Gras and Super Tuesday today, there's plenty going on around town where you can get your drink on, and watch the election returns. more ›

Attention, aspiring Jaslenes: Tyra and Co. have developed a new reality-TV show for fashionistas, but this one actually requires contestants to be able to read, unlike ANTM (and possibly write, too). The contestants on the yet-to-be-named show will compete in two challenges on each episode, "an individual competition and a team competition, in which each squad will submit a page for "The Book," a mock edition of [a fashion] magazine." The season winner will win a vaguely defined "job in the fashion industry." Please tell us the job us being Ms. Jay Alexander's assistant. Please? more ›

at the Hyatt Regency Ballroom. Because who wants to shake hands in a cold Iowa parking lot when you can kick it at the Hyatt in Chicago? more ›

Before we go to the listings, we want to bid farewell to the Tribune's Kevin Pang, who's heading over to the Tempo section. But he leaves the food beat with a profile of Peter Engler, the city's foremost expert on mother-in-law sandwiches, street food and other south side cheap eats. Shaw's Crab House concludes this year's edition of their "Royster with the Oyster" festival with their annual tent party at their Hubbard Street location tonight.... more ›

Get pumped, paleoconservatives and libertarians — Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul will be in town tomorrow for a support rally. As a presidential candidate, Paul has gained a small but dedicated following, campaigning on a more defensive military role, a reduction in forces around the world, and the elimination of government-funded social programs. While his candidacy has inspired the short-lived (and only kind-of funny) lolrons, it has also inspired this much funnier website. If you'd... more ›

To some people – more specifically the U.S. food safety police – sous vide are two very bad words. But the people at Cuisine Solutions, an international food manufacturing company with its U.S. headquarters in Alexandria, Va., that utilizes this style of cooking for the food it prepares for the first-class cabins of Air France and American Airlines, as well as large hotel chains, are working hard to change that perception, and at their recent... more ›

Malt Advocate's Whisky Fest Chicago has become an annual tradition. Like filing an extension on our taxes and wondering how many runs the Sox need to produce to guarantee a win in spite of their pitching, it's become a spring tradition. Yesterday we recieved word that this year's Whisky Fest (held next Friday at the Hyatt Regency Downtown) is sold out!! At a starting price of $105 a ticket, Malt Advocate's raking in some serious... more ›

After seeing local newsrooms inundated with Bears "news" stories this weekend, we finally caved. Well, actually, this story is about the Saints, but we're still keeping to the spirit of the game. A linebacker for the unlikely star team got a surprise Saturday when coming out of the Hyatt Regency at McCormick Place: a paternity suit. Danny Clark, who actually started out in the suburbs of our fair city and played at U of I,... more ›

There are all kinds of ways to volunteer and support your causes. Some require that you walk a 5K. Many take time and dedication. Most are geared at raising money. So if you’re a little light on the time and effort, and walking just isn’t your thing, maybe you’d like to donate some cash to the AIDS Foundation of Chicago (AFC) this Thursday and eat chocolate all night. As far as that whole community service thing goes, there are certainly less appealing options. more ›

A consultant to McCormick Place recommended Tuesday that a food court with a "1900s Chicago" theme be added to the mammoth convention center. Citing the lack of dining options in the area, consultant William J. Caruso advised the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority, who owns McCormick Place, that a food court be built at the front of the South Building, next to the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place. McCormick Place, the country's largest convention center, can... more ›

Famed Chicago chefs Gale Gand, Rick Tramonto and Rick Bayless are among those cooking sample dishes for the 13th annual Bag Hunger Auction. Held on Nov. 15 at the Hyatt Regency Chicago, the silent auction benefits the Greater Chicago Food Depository. Gand and Tramonto co-chair the event, which features more than 25 chefs from notable Chicago restaurants including Tru, Frontera Grill, Topolobampo, West Town Tavern, TIMO, 160 Blue, Ina's and Heaven on Seven. Food and... more ›

Alain Roby, pastry chef at the Hyatt Regency Chicago, set the world record for tallest chocolate structure last week in New York when he created a 20-foot, 8-inch tall replica of the Rockefeller Center, the Empire State Building and the Chrysler Building. Roby was in NY as part of the "Food Network Challenge," which also saw challenges for best pizza dough tossing and popcorn sculpting. Chicagoist didn’t know there were that many people who practiced the ancient art of popcorn sculpting, but apparently there are enough to fill an hour-long "Food Network Challenge." more ›

Astute readers of Chicagoist, and fellow Chicagoist-os/Chicagoist-as, know that we kneel at the altar of the Church of Whiskey (Kentucky Straight Bourbon denomination), which nicely complements the Church of Baseball. When an event that celebrates the virtues of all whiskies comes around, we whet our lips in anticipation, stock up on Gatorade, and take large amounts of B complex vitamins before we head out. Hot on the heels of the junior varsity spring formal St.... more ›

Feeling a little submissive this weekend? more ›

You know how great the self-check in kiosk is in the airport? Just swipe your card, verify your registration, drop your bags and you're off to the big, fun security line? Well, look forward to the self-check in kiosk at hotels. more ›

Sure, we're about to be blasted with some arctic air this weekend, but that doesn't mean we fantisizing can't start about warmer weather ahead. And warmer weather means baseball! At least, if you're a White Sox fan... more ›