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Slideshow after the jump... more ›

John Bubala, chef/owner of the popular Timo restaurant on an industrial strip along Halsted Street near Milwaukee Avenue gets it right there. And now, with his recently opened Baccala in Wicker Park, he gets it right again. Shocker. When you use super-fresh ingredients, many from local farmers and ranchers, coupled with rich, velvety butters, creams and olivey olive oil, how can food not taste darn good? Baccala’s menu doesn’t stray far from the type... more ›

"I have one criteria, this is my one litmus test for guys and I could not marry someone if they didn’t pass this test. They can’t like Dave Matthews Band." more ›

"spring" via ten-nine. more ›

We haven't made our way down to the recently-opened Juicy Wine Company on Milwaukee Avenue yet, but their pricing strategy is something we can definitely get behind. It's also a risky proposition, if it doesn't work. more ›

Trendy eyewear store Eye Want in Wicker Park (err ... what other eye center also offers tattooing services!?) is pairing up with the Lions of Illinois to raise funds for cutting edge research at the Lions Eye Research Institute at UIC. This event takes place on Saturday, February 17, from 6:30 - 10:00 p.m. If you go, you'll get free drinks, hor d'oeurves, and sweets. There will also be a Charity Art Auction that will... more ›

You bought tickets months in advance, cleared your schedule, and surprised your relatives with tickets to Chicago’s hottest show. Turns out your Wicked tickets were one of 2006’s least original holiday gifts. Last week’s gross for the Broadway in Chicago cash cow set a new local record — around $1.4 million. Remarkable as that sounds, the Chicago production was still outdone by its counterparts in Toronto ($1.5M), London ($1.7M) and New York, whose $1.8 million... more ›

Away from the confines of Chicagoist, we have something of a mutual admiration society happening with the fine fellas from B News Update, who provide a view at Bridgeport from the natives' perspective. They extended an invitation to us, and by extension to you all, to participate in their inaugural neighborhood pub quiz tomorrow (7 p.m. sharp at Bernice's Tavern, 3238 S. Halsted). It's a great way to get to know the neighborhood, almost necessary for those of you who tell us to "'F' Bridgeport," and you'll get to meet some FOC-ers ("friends of Chicagoist") in the process. Should you show up, order a bottle of Tyskie. more ›

On Milwaukee Avenue, in the heart of Wicker Park, is Rodan -– a restaurant/lounge whose reputation far exceeds the actual experience. According to our server (who did a bang-up job taking care of the diners as the only one working) explained, the name Rodan comes from a 1950s Godzilla movie. Rodan was a winged monster who was both a friend and enemy to Godzilla. These opposites were present in the restaurant Rodan as well.... more ›

If you know where to look, you can find scores of bakeries throughout the city that still bake their goods in the traditional Eastern European manner: full of buttery and sugary goodness. Since this is "South Side Cheap Eats", however, you can talk up the praises of the bakeries in K-Town and Milwaukee Avenue on your own time. more ›

And not in a good way. Chicagoist, along with hundreds of other people, were forced to walk home tonight because of a fire on the rear car of a Blue Line train. No trains were running in either direction between Washington in the Loop and Damen Avenue. The alternate route is the #56 bus that runs up Milwaukee Avenue, but that was so packed that the drivers were not even stopping at the stops.... more ›

Are you finally going to heed those voices in your head this year? Your siblings asking you to stop buying them sweaters they won’t wear, your parents begging off the coffee table books, or your significant other wincing at the edible lingerie? Haven’t you promised yourself you’d get them something new and unique? Chicagoist has plenty of gift ideas, and so does the local arts community. A few of this weekend’s arts events are geared towards holiday commerce and helping you find that perfect, one-of-a-kind gift to impress friends and loved ones while expunging those pesky voices. more ›

826CHI, a non-profit organization, supports students with their writing skills and helps teachers inspire their students to write. David Eggers’ writing center hits Chi-town! Help them pay their security deposit by attending a show at the Metro Sunday evening. For ten bucks, we will be entertained by Archer Prewitt, Scotland Yard Gospel Choir, Babyteeth, and Watchers. 826CHI may sound familiar if you’ve ever wasted time at McSweeney’s. They offer programs that strengthen students’ power... more ›

It’s a bad sign when even watching the news makes you miserable. While the flood waters have started to recede along the Gulf Coast and positive stories are emerging about Katrina survivors reunited with their families, the 24/7 aftermath coverage and Oprah’s inspired but rather graphic reporting have worn us down. As we approach the anniversary of another tragedy, we will set aside time to reflect but still plan to get on with our weekend.... more ›

We Americans spend a lot of time crowing about our cultural exports. But this week the global chicken comes home to roost in Chicago. It comes in the form of Guatemalan fried chicken phenom Pollo Campero (annoying music alert!). Then, in a few months it cackles again with the arrival of Mexican broiled chicken behemoth, Pollo Loco. more ›

Chicago's busy festival season kicks off this weekend with the Milwaukee Avenue Block Party in Wicker Park on Saturday and the Windy City Hemp Fest in Montrose Park on Saturday & Sunday. Chicagoist has tickets to the Ravinia Festival and is also looking forward to the Printers Row Book Fair, Taste of Chicago, the Outdoor Film Festival, the 21st Annual Chicago Blues Festival and the 26th Annual Chicago Jazz Fest. more ›