Leading the charge, unsurprisingly, is Alinea, with an average check total of $736. that places Grant Achatz's restaurant at fourth on the list. more ›

In an interview on WSCR-AM 670 a few minutes ago, Lettuce Entertain You scions RJ and Jerrod Melman told afternoon hosts Terry Boers and Dan Bernstein that they expect the Paris Club, the ambitiously hip French bistro project they're putting in the former Brasserie JO space, to open the second week in January. more ›

Joan Nathan has authored a terrific new cookbook about French-Jewish cuisine, offering a set of recipes many food lovers have never seen. "Quiches, Kugels and Couscous: My Search for Jewish Cooking in France" takes readers through this previously under-documented food culture and includes twists on many traditional french specialties. more ›

Time flies in a couple of months. It was in early July when news broke of Brasserie JO closing at the end of August. Well, the end of August is here. Brasserie JO closes Sunday Saturday after 15 years of business. Chef Jean Joho is working with HUB 51 (and Lettuce Entertain You scions) RJ and Jerrod Melman to create a "casual and funky" neighborhood French restaurant in its place. more ›

The James Beard foundation announced their annual awards semifinalists this morning. Jean Joho and Paul Kahan are nominated for Outstanding Chef, with Joho's Everest getting a nod for Outstanding Restaurant. L2O is up for Best New Restaurant, while a staggering 11 area chefs are bidding for the title of Best Chef: Great Lakes. Included on that list are avec's Koren Grieveson, Avenue's Curtis Duffy, Suzy Crofton, and Paul Virant of Vie. Full list (in PDF format) is available here. more ›

There are a couple of really interesting beer dinners of note in the coming weeks that could wind up being hard reservations, if you're the type to wait until the last minute to get reservations. more ›

New York magazine got their hands on a copy of this year's James Beard award ballots (check it out for yourself here) and as usual, our city's restaurants are well-represented. more ›

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The James L. Beard Award nominees were announced yesterday and as in years past, Chicago represented. And the Chicago-based nominees are: Outstanding Restaurateur: Richard Melman, Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises Outstanding Chef: Jean Joho, Everest and Paul Kahan, Blackbird Outstanding Restaurant: Frontera Grill and Spiaggia Rising Star Chef of the Year: Graham Elliot Bowles, Avenues Outstanding Pastry Chef: Mindy Segal, HotChocolate Outstanding Service: Tru Outstanding Wine Service: Bin 36, Wine Director Brian Duncan Best Chef, Great... more ›

Frequent viewers of "Check Please" will know what we're about to describe. One of the guests will describe the wine he may have paired with his meal, and the camera will do a quick cut to Alpana Singh, who has her head turned to the guest, listening intently. That look turns to an enthusiastic, knowing gleam if the guest chose an Alsatian riesling. It's one of those rare occasions where Singh lets her guard... more ›

Color us not too shocked. Monday night's James Beard Awards were handed out in New York City, and Chicago's Shawn McClain took home the Best Chef: Midwest prize, beating out Naha's Carrie Nahabedian for the coveted award. McClain won for his work at Spring. Other Chicagoans weren't so lucky. Poor Grant: Danny Meyer over at NYC's The Modern beat him out for Best New Restaurant and Thomas Keller's famed French Laundry whupped both Jean Joho's... more ›

Tickets are now available for Recipe For Relief, the Jimmy Banos-led culinary benefit for the survivors of Hurricane Katrina. On Oct. 6 from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. at The Grand Ballroom at McCormick Place South, 2301 S. Martin Luther King Dr., the event includes music, a silent auction and cookbook signing with Rick Bayless. To be clear, Chicagoist is heartbroken than such an event is necessary but we have to tell you that as... more ›

Yesterday the nominees for the biggest prize awarded to select members of the culinary world were announced and, not surprisingly, Chicago is well represented. more ›

The China Grill is opening in the Hard Rock hotel today, so plan your social events calendar accordingly. The restaurant is the fifth China Grill, following in the noble footsteps of its New York, Miami, Las Vegas, and Mexico City predecessors. Join us now, won't you, and let's say it unison: Mexico City? Anyway. more ›