The Chicago Traveler

Chicago is well-known for its pizzas and beefs, but we’re a lot more than just fast food. Take Brasserie Ruhlmann steakhouse for example. This four-star establishment in River North (just east of the Freedom Center) makes dinner more than a meal; it’s an event.
People from New York City may recognize the name; the eatery is a spin-off of a restaurant by the same name at Rockefeller Center. With a mosaic floor, grand floral arrangements, and red-plush seating, Brasserie Ruhlmann is dressed to the nines. Up to 500 guests can fill the 10,000 square feet (929 m2) of space at a …read more

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This season of the Bravo Network’s Top Chef was filmed here in Chicago, exposing competing chefs from all over the country to all the culinary treats the Windy City has to offer.
The last Quickfire Challenge tested the five remaining contestants’ butchering skills. Each chef was given 20 minutes to cut and clean seven “tomahawk” chops from a side of beef. They were then given an additional 30 minutes to cook two of those chops to the guest judge’s (Rick Tramonto) preference: medium-rare.
Chicago has a long history with beef and livestock. Chicago was home to the Union Stock Yards, the …read more

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As Hispanic Heritage Month comes to an end, here’s a look back at some of the moments in which The Chicago Traveler celebrated Latin culture and tradition.
• Two to Tango: There are places throughout the city where you can learn and practice this passionate dance from Argentina.
• La Pasadita may not look like much on the outside, but it’s quite possibly one of the best taquerias in the city.
• Carnivale features Brazilian, Cuban, Colombian, and Puerto Rican food which the executive chef likes to call “Latin soul food.”
• A Mexican sauce made from chile peppers and other spices, mole comes …read more

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“If all mankind minus one were of one opinion, and only one person were of the contrary opinion, mankind would be no more justified in silencing that one person, than he, if he had the power, would be justified in silencing mankind.”
–John Stuart Mill, On Liberty

Intellectual freedom is the right of every individual to both seek and receive information from all points of view without restriction. While we may not agree with each other’s opinions, we must defend each other’s right to express those thoughts. Our democracy could not exist without the freedom to express different ideas.
Censorship suppresses those ideas …read more

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If you like meat and a lot of it, Fogo de Chão is the place for you. This all-you-can-eat spot will certainly get you in touch with your carnivorous side.
As soon as you walk in the door, you can smell all the delicious meat in the room; however, you’ll probably also notice the immense salad bar with a wide selection of greens and sides, enough to satisfy even your vegetarian friends. The white tablecloths and exposed wood beams tie everything together in a sophisticated atmosphere.
The fixed price menu is worth every penny of its $50. You’ll start off with the …read more

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For a perfect pairing of great wine and fantastic food with an amazing atmosphere, head to Hubbard Street and stop in at Coco Pazzo, one of Chicago’s best Italian eateries.
As soon as you walk into Coco Pazzo, you’ll notice a fabulous antipasto display and the wonderful aroma of fresh-baked bread. The restaurant features an open kitchen, an almost theatrical experience where the star of the show is the wood-burning oven. Simple, rustic Tuscan dishes emerge, including several house-made pastas, steaks, and fresh seafood. The fish is shipped straight from the Mediterranean, the flour comes from Naples, and the salt makes …read more

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One of the largest tourist attractions in Illinois begins this weekend: the Taste of Chicago. For ten days, over 70 restaurants from all over Chicago set up tents on a half-mile strip near Grant Park, allowing millions of people to sample an incredible amount of food from several cultures. Whether you like fast food or elegant entrees, you can find it at the Taste, along with cooking demonstrations, live music, and kids’ entertainment.
It is definitely the place to be when it comes to summer in Chicago, and I try to go every year. Located right behind the Art Institute, admission …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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If you’re looking for a spot with fabulous food, a sensational space, and amazing atmosphere, you’re going to want to visit Carnivale. It is one of Chicago’s liveliest restaurants with a nightclub feel to it. The building is a huge space (35,000 square feet), but it’s broken up into smaller dining-area nooks and crannies. The entire space is colorful and energetic, marked with custom-made metalwork, velvet curtains, multi-colored plush chairs, fabric-covered chandeliers, and a jewel-colored skylight.

The restaurant features Brazilian, Cuban, Colombian, and Puerto Rican food which executive chef Mark Mendez likes to call “Latin soul food.” The menu is consisted …read more

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Sometimes, you want to skip right over the meal and just indulge yourself, satisfying that sweet tooth with dessert. If you’re feeling especially decadent, you might want to check out the following temptations.
David Burke’s Primehouse is normally known for its mouth-watering steaks but the signature dessert is nothing to scoff at either. “It’s a silver-plated tree with ten stems, each stem holding a cheesecake lollipop,” explains Jason Miller, an executive chef. Each little cheesecake ball is loaded with a different topping, like white and pink chocolate and crushed pistachios, for example. The whole thing is served alongside a small bowl …read more

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