Chef Izard's new diner concept will open (we hope) in the spring of 2012. more ›

We reported a few weeks back that Gioco, the South Loop Italian spot owned by KDK restaurant group, had mysteriously closed. Red Light, another KDK restaurant, had closed for good the same week, but Jerry Kleiner insisted that Gioco would re-open. He was telling the truth. The restaurant will re-open tomorrow at 5 P.M. with a new menu which includes home-made gnocchi with wild mushrooms and an antipasto assortment of cured meats and cheeses. Kleiner restaurants have been having some difficulties in recent years, so we'll see if the redesign of Gioco sticks. Here's hoping things work out this time, though with the upcoming opening of Tribute, Gioco may have some competition on their hands. more ›

Earlier today, we heard from Eater Chicago that Red Light, the west loop/restaurant row Asian fusion mainstay, had closed, likely for good. We just got official word from Jerry Kleiner, part owner of KDK restaurant group, which controls both spots. Speculation has been fairly negative for KDK, owners of Marche (closed), Opera (just closed) and the still-hopping Carnivale. Gioco, their South Loop Italian spot, closed last weekend as well, and it was beginning to look like the group was in serious trouble. Red Light recently announced a new menu and a new chef, but it looks like they are gone for good. Gioco is apparently coming back. more ›

A few dozen protesters gathered at Addison and Western on Valentine's Day to shake their collective fists at the city's red light cameras. The protest was part of a larger nationwide effort to fight the spread of red light cameras by the Liberty Restoration Project. The Expired Meter reports the Chicago effort was spearheaded by Republican Scott Tucker, who is running for State representative in the 11th district. In an interview before the demonstration, Tucker told The Expired Meter “I think it’s a quality of life issue… it’s a tax presented as public safety.” more ›

Anyone who has received a $100 ticket in the mail for blowing through a traffic light is familiar with red-light cameras. Beginning in 2003, these cameras have been installed at some of Chicago's busiest interactions in an attempt to curb traffic accidents. But are they meeting their goal? more ›

In case anyone hasn’t gotten the memo, the economy sucks. In our beat, that usually means more coverage of expensive restaurants closing their doors, but there is a larger world beyond the reach of truffles and foie gras. Visits to the Greater Chicago Food Depository are up 35% this year, as more and more people need help to feed their families. Some of Chicago’s best chefs have decided to do something about it - and you can help them out. Plus, you can get some pretty amazing food. What could be better? more ›

We are looking to you, dear reader, to let us know where you'd like us to visit for our Food Pr0n series. Any restaurants in particular have you curious? Comment below or Twitter lstolpman. Here's a reminder of where we've been: more ›

This could be the year that we gravitate past the gingerbread doublewide trailer with snack cracker outhouse that we make every Christmas and into some real pieces of art like former Chicagoista Shannon Saar's gingerbread homage to Pilgrim Baptist Church. Gingerbread patterns outside of graham crakcers frighten us, so we're intrigued by this gingerbread house and hors d'oeuvres lesson at Red Light on Sunday. Red Light chef Jackie Shen will show attendees how to create a gingerbread house with royal icing, along with three hors d'oeuvres recipes: meatballs, Asian chicken wings and edamame hummus. Sparkling wine will also be served. more ›

Pictures are worth a thousand words, right? We're starting a new series in which we showcase pictures of some of the offerings at various Chicago restaurants. If you have any suggestions of restaurants whose food you'd like to see, comment away. This week's restaurant is Red Light, located at 820 W. Randolph.
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Chicago took another step towards fulfilling Mayor Daley’s vow that by 2016, we’ll have cameras on “almost every block.” more ›

The Randolph Street Market District, home to Marché, Sushi Wabi and more, is one of the most popular and big-ticket dining areas in the city. But how do they fare under the withering gaze of the City Department of Public Health? Sushi Wabi had troubles with violations 33 and 34. Violation #33 requires "all utensils shall be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized after each usage, as well as all food and non-food contact surfaces of equipment... more ›

Joining Current Conditions in its "new regular feature" designation is Quick Bites, a weekly wrap-up of some of the interesting topics debated and discussed in Chicago's food media. The Time Out Chicago blog scooped Dish on Marcus Samuelsson news; the Ethiopian-born chef will be opening a new restaurant, C-House, in the Affinia Chicago Hotel in early 2008. Samuelsson is known for his work at New York's Riingo and Aquavit. If you've been feeling a little... more ›

This ain’t your ordinary brown sack lunch. When your Reuben comes with butter-sherry sautéed onions and the sloppy Joe hails from New Mexico with jalapeños and chilies, you know you’re not going to have just an ordinary sandwich at this charming lunch spot in Logan Square. Maybe that’s because the head chef and owner, Malaika Marion, who trained at CHIC (Cooking and Hospitality Institute of Chicago) and Le Cordon Bleu, has racked in time at... more ›

If there’s anything Chicagoist loves, it’s giving the nod to girls with talent. And, we also love good causes. So imagine our delight with an event that does both. Enter: the 10th Annual Girl Food Dinner. Held last Sunday at West Town Tavern (1329 W. Chicago), the Girl Food Dinner raised funds for the Greater Chicago Food Depository. The full price of the $125 ticket went to the cause, and we’re happy to report, the... more ›

Has anyone else seen all those ads that say "play dodgeball in your car" or something? Yeah, we sort of didn't get it, but it turns out that (turn off your speakers) Put It In Play is in town this weekend. Head on over to U.S. Cellular's Lots A, B and C to race around in Toyota's car-dealership-meets-playgroud activities. Is this just a huge marketing strategy? Sure. But you get to race cars and stuff, and that seems cool, if vaguely unsafe. more ›