2010 has been a mixed year for Chicago restaurants. Despite some notable openings, the recession continues to take its toll as restaurants have fewer dining dollars to compete for. Metromix has put together a gallery of many of the restaurants that have closed in 2010, and it brought a tear to our eyes. So naturally, we decided to share it with our readers - either out of a sense of nostalgia or of sadism. more ›

We love avec so much that sometimes we dream about the food; our most recurring dream being the bacon-wrapped chorizo stuffed dates. So we immediately became intrigued with the class, "Favorite Restaurant Recipes Revealed" at The Chopping Block when we noticed the date recipe was included. The class is also a chance to learn how to make Asian squash dumplings from Urban Belly, fire-cracked mussels with harrisa butter from Tizi Melloul and vanilla cupcakes from Sweet Mandy B's. This is a demonstration class, so you won't actually be making them, but you will get to eat generous tastings of the food prepared. We're not sure how exact these recipes will be but if they get us a step closer to recreating those dream dates at home then we'll take it. more ›