During our visit to VTK we tried a few different cocktails, but the one that caught our eye (and our taste buds) was called the 10 Mangoes. It’s the most expensive cocktail on their list, at $9.50, but it was also the most distinctive. It’s made with mango puree and a homemade vanilla-lime syrup. It’s a little complicated to make at home, but worth the effort. Before you start thinking that it’s just a fruity drink, give it a try – it’s got a serious kick. One of the things we like best about the 10 Mangoes is that the mango and syrup don’t mask the taste of the rum. Below, find the official recipe, as well as some tips for making it at home! more ›

We first visited Vong’s Thai Kitchen almost four years ago, after seeing its dessert selection featured on an episode of "Top Five" on the Food Network. An oasis of good taste and value in a section of River North dominated by large chains like P.F. Chang’s, VTK was created by Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten in 2002. Vong’s Thai Kitchen is labeled as French/Thai fusion, but it leans heavily towards the Thai, offering faithful renditions of traditional specialties in a trendy downtown atmosphere. more ›

After months of spying and accounts of shooting around town, Bravo finally announced the contestants for the next season of "Top Chef" today (you can read the release here). While the lineup of chefs vying to impress Padma and company are largely from the coasts, three of the contestants have Chicago ties: more ›