The Chicago Traveler

I don’t need a lot of artistic foods on fancy plates to be happy. Sometimes, all I crave is a big helping of barbecued meat. Sometimes, all I need is Honey 1 BBQ.
The best kind of rib is one which you have to actually tug or eat off the bone, rather than falling off the bone, because that’s a sign of good slow-cooking. (“Fall-off-the-bone” is usually a result of boiling or steaming.) Chef and owner Robert Adams, Sr., smokes the ribs over cherry, hickory, and oak for about three hours. And the incredible flavor is a testament to just how …read more

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My cooking skills are limited to tuna sandwiches and grilled cheeses. Fortunately, for the holidays, I have a rather large family full of talented cooks who make a great Christmas dinner. However, if you’d rather eat out and let the professionals handle the kitchen heat, here’s a list of Chicago restaurants that will be open for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Christmas Eve
• Deleece: The popular Lakeview restaurant will serve up a four-course family-style meal along with its regular menu. (5:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m., $35) link
• Cyrano’s Bistrot and Wine Bar: The prix-fixe here includes dishes like roasted goose …read more

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Hey dude. For some totally rad dishes served along with some bodacious décor, you’ve gotta check out this wicked place called Sola.
Alright, so my surfer lingo could use some work. What can I say, I’m from the Midwest. Nonetheless, Sola’s flavorful menu is heavily influenced by the Pacific, which is no big surprise considering chef and owner Carol Wallack grew up surfing and has a second home in Hawaii. Even the restaurant itself is decorated with hues of amber, beige, and orange… making the occasionally long wait for a table feel like a day at the beach.
Hawaiian, Asian, and Californian …read more

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What would Independence Day be without fireworks? “Celebrate the independence of your nation by blowing up a small part of it.” (The Simpsons, “Summer of 4 Ft. 2″) So where is there to go to see some bright lights and loud booms?
A grand display complete with great music can be found at the Taste of Chicago tonight, but you don’t necessarily have to be at the Taste to enjoy it. In fact, many spectators enjoy the colorful explosions from Navy Pier, and some Chicagoans will even be witnessing the spectacle from the Chicago River on cruise ships and private boats.
Of …read more

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Even though Chicago has steakhouses by the dozen, Myron & Phil’s has a quality and flavor that turns its customers into weekly regulars. It is a family-owned, third-generation business with an extensive menu of chicken, seafood, and steaks. Owner Mark Freedman believes that while many other restaurants produce pretty dishes that you may want to take a picture of, his kitchen turns out dishes you just want to eat.
This old-school steakhouse maintains its classic look with black-leather seats and dark-wood walls, providing an intimate, past-era atmosphere and attracting a mature clientele. The meals even start off with classic relishes: a …read more

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