The case may hinge once again on the finer points of municipal real estate law, but it’s the “disproportionately favorable terms” of the Daley-era agreement, as the Emanuel administration's lawsuit put it, that are really on trial. more ›

The City released a statement to media a few minutes ago from Corporation Counsel Stephen Patton announcing they filed a complaint to invalidate the concession agreement between the Chicago Park District and the management group that operates Park Grill in Millennium Park. more ›

Tons of Chicago restaurants are helping to find a cure. more ›

One of the actual bits of business conducted during Mayor Daley's final City Council meeting earlier this week was a proposal to allow Goose Island to sell concessions during concerts at Millennium Park. more ›

The owners of Park Grill in Millennium Park have a sweetheart deal with the Park District — a concession arrangement $275,000 and 4 percent of their gross receipts that frees them from paying gas, water, garbage, and property tax bills, with taxpayers footing the bill for half of the restaurant's construction costs. So why are they looking at getting out of the restaurant business now? more ›

If you are already drawing crowds to your venue for longish evening performances, you might as well capitalize on that fact by running some kind of restaurant or eatery directly nearby. Examples: the Rhapsody Restaurant inside the Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s “Symphony Center” complex, or the revenue-generating shenanigans of the Park Grill in Millennium Park. more ›

The sweetheart deal negotiated by the investors of Park Grill and the Park District has been covered before. But a good story is worth repeating, so we'll remind you, the taxpayer, what you're paying for at Park Grill: more ›

This week's listings kick off this evening at Merchandise Mart with "Chill: an International Wine & Culinary Event" sponsored by Luxehome and Wine Spectator. Proceeds from the event benefit the Respiratory Health Association of Metropolitan Chicago. The event runs from 5 - 8 p.m. Chicago Professionals for Youth is committed to improving the lives of local underprivileged youth through literacy and mentoring programs, college preparation, job training and career skills assistance. Saturday they're hosting... more ›

By all accounts, Park Grill in Millennium Park has been doing wonderful business. It's not surprising, given its location. They also have a sweetheart deal with the Park District. Instead of leasing their digs, Park Grill has a 20-year concession contract with the Park District, with a 10-year option. They also don't have to pay for water, gas, or garbage collection. Lowers the overhead for running the restaurant just a little bit, wouldn't you agree? more ›

Today Chicagoist launches "Current Conditions." In this new weekly feature, we'll be taking a look at the most recent health inspections of a series of restaurants on file at the city Health Department, so you don't have to. more ›

First item on the agenda is a month away, but a classic case of the early bird getting the worm. The Northern Illinois Branch of the International Wine & Food Society is sponsoring a seven-course dinner November 10 at Bonsoirée. Bonsoirée will do the cooking; IWFS is bringing the wines. Cost is $120 per person, and advance reservations (highly recommended) can be made here. This weekend is going to be a cold one to ride... more ›

Chicago basically shuts down on Christmas Day and, with few exceptions, the artsy folk follow suit. It’s one of only three days all year The Art Institute’s in hibernation. Mondays are typically slow anyhow, so we’ll barely feel inconvenienced. On the 25th, family, worship, Chinese food and a movie, and/or that date with Shaq and Kobe take priority. more ›

Jimbo's Lounge, Bridgeport's little sports bar that could, is not taking the loss of their lease lying down. Since news reports surfaced last month detailing the story of Jimbo's not having their lease renewed, a petition drive to save Jimbo's has so far netted signatures from 165 neighbors who would rather see the corner go dry, than see an establishment not run by owners Jimbo and Joyce Levato. The Levatos, meanwhile, are trying to... more ›

The problem with "Best Of" lists, especially when it comes to food, is that trying to convince people of why is like teaching a pig to dance: it only annoys you and pisses off the pig. So Chicagoist imagines that such is the case for this latest list, the Chicago Tribune's "Chicago's Best Burgers" list. Already we're set to go to the mat to defend our favorite burgers from the ones the Trib selected as... more ›

Tired of waiting for a table at all the hippest restaurants? Or of snooty hostesses confirming your deepest fears that you are, in fact, nobody? A new book from a Chicago author may solve your problem and guarantee you the hottest tables, freshest food, and most obsequious service. Make Mine Medium Rare: A Diner’s Survival Guide, by Robert Scarola, is designed to help you and your fellow diners get all that you deserve on your evening out. more ›