Published on September 29, 2017, at Liquor.com, this article shares the fascinating details of how to commit to a theme in a new Chicago bar — Otto Mezzo — that serves mostly only Italian spirits, all Italian wines and beers and is a seductive, beautiful “escape.” Article and photos here. **Sadly, not long after this was published, the bar unexpectedly… Read more →
My August 2017 Alaska Beyond Magazine 5-page travel article on the best in Chicago food, arts and hotels now… www.paradigmcg.com/digitaleditions/abm-0817/files/99.html As Alaska Beyond magazine called it quits in 2021, the articles have all been taken down. My article content is below: The Windy City has long been one of the country’s great food cities for sheer diversity alone. From rare… Read more →
Covering the 11 hottest cocktails of the month around the US at Liquor.com, you’ll find my bar and drink recommends this month at these bars/restaurants (click on each for the featured cocktail): Read more →
Covering the 11 hottest cocktails of the month around the US at Liquor.com, you’ll find my bar and drink recommends this month at these bars (click on each for the featured cocktail): Dirty Habit, San Francisco The Gin Joint, Charleston Archipelago, Washington D.C. Rusted Mule, San Francisco The Drake, Oklahoma City Two Birds/One Stone, St. Helena (Napa) Saint Leo, Oxford,… Read more →
This article was first published in two parts (one and two) at Table8 where I am national editor. Chicago ever remains one of the country’s great food towns. My recent return to visit family, friends and attend the James Beard Awards and surrounding activities as a judge, of course, yielded more worthwhile spots in a range of prices and categories.… Read more →
This article was first published here at Table8 where I am national editor. More on Chicago food recommends here. Chicago ever remains a great drinking town. My recent return to visit family, friends and attend the James Beard Awards, yielded more worthwhile spots. I appreciate the vibe and the gracious service at Tiki favorite, Lost Lake, especially post-fire with their… Read more →
Another year, another few hundred bar menus tasted and perused around the globe. This year was the most full yet: I visited over 25 cities in 10 different countries. Which means weeding through best tastes is even more complicated. Given the vast range, I have three 2013 lists (more for best in food/dining here): 12 Best New Bars in San… Read more →
My first feature for Distiller Magazine was on Chicago with a multi-page print spread, my photos and three articles:
—My article on 10 of Chicago’s great bars as of July 2013 here
—An interview with Charles Joly, beverage director at The Aviary here
An interview with Few Spirits founder/distiller, Paul Hletko here
My second return to Chicago in 6 months (and 4th trip overall) was a freezing journey, warmed by fantastic friends and family, food and drink. Here are more Chicago standouts and newcomers from late February. OWEN & ENGINE, Logan Square Perhaps my favorite find this visit is Owen and Engine, a gastropub-esque restaurant/bar marked by Old World British elegance (black… Read more →
My second return to Chicago in 6 months (and 4th trip overall) was a freezing journey, warmed by fantastic friends and family, food and drink. A highlight was visiting funky, small Few Spirits distillery in Evanston with Master Distiller Paul Hletko. In my book, Few is the most exciting distillery to come out of Chicago, both in the gin and… Read more →