Author: michael austin

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Evanston's Stained Glass features wine and foie gras

The Stained Glass (1735 Benson Ave., 847-864-8600), an Evanston restaurant that would fit right in if it were in River North or Lincoln Park, prides i [...]

Ranalli's reopens, adds a name

The Old Town standby Ranalli's (1925 N. Lincoln Ave., 312-642-1300) is open for business again after a months-long shut-down for remodeling--and perha [...]

Biograph Theater almost ready for its close-up

Victory Gardens Theatre is closing in on its grand opening of the restored Biograph Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Ave, in Lincoln Park. To pre-celebrate t [...]

Tips on blogging

Hey, not that anyone who writes for YoChicago needs any pointers (except maybe, me), but perhaps some of you kids out there are thinking of taking a s [...]

Dinner and drama in a mansion

Lookingglass isn't the only place for live theater along the Magnificent Mile. Just a few steps off Michigan Avenue, at Lawry's The Prime Rib (100 E. [...]
Saving Northbrook

Saving Northbrook

Can a quaint village retain its charm despite growth and inevitable teardowns? These days, the old water tower in Northbrook is a clean slate, cons [...]

Quiet little Northbrook is home to large corporations, but still has its charms

Continuing today's obsession with Northbrook...It is places like the Landmark Inn tavern, and the 163-year-old Northbrook Garage, across the street, t [...]

Northbrook in the movies

There's only one thing that screams "The '80s" more than hair mousse. (Wait...there are two things because I just thought of Members Only jackets.) [...]

100-yard stare gives you strength

I learned something today at the Midwest Buddhist Temple in Old Town, and I want to teach it to you Yo's. (That apostrophe to the left, by the way, is [...]

Bicycle repair prices are too high in Chicago neighborhoods

In fact, they are farcical. Today, while meeting a friend for lunch in Bucktown I thought I'd kill a few minutes by stepping into the bike shop on the [...]

Hot tea in the summertime

Say what you want about evil chains but I just had a delightful experience at Caribou Coffee near the corner of Clark and Halsted, just south of Wrigl [...]

Lollapalooza costumes come to Chicago

Tourists walking around the Loop near Grant Park this weekend may have thought the circus was in town and the performers had free reign of the place. [...]

Buying the whole bar a round

Ever do it yourself, buy the bar a round? A couple of nights ago we posed the question to the bartender at Lange's, a corner tavern that has evaded th [...]
Riding high

Riding high

Highwood now a hotspot in shadow of Highland Park's upscale homes, downtown Here's a trip for you. Make your way up to the north side of Highland Pa [...]

Hot tea in the summertime

There's no shame in iced tea, but let's think about it in the way it was intended--hot. And let's think about it as we head into the most sizzling par [...]

Chicago, the victim of "the great upscalization"?

Playing off of Joel Hoglund's piece yesterday about colorful housing and oversized metal dogs, take a look at this story, The Ghosts of the Billy Goat [...]

Will The Village follow the Three Penny?

With news of the Three Penny theater closing down, the Biograph closed, how far behind can the Village theater be? At Clark and North, the Village has [...]
Changes in attitude

Changes in attitude

Des Plaines earns new image with housing, retail and a model downtown The story of Des Plaines, at least this story of Des Plaines, starts and ends w [...]

Lunchtime music in Daley Plaza

I played music in Daley Plaza yesterday for their daily summertime concert series. We blasted out Irish jigs and reels, and rollicking songs with such [...]

Chicago taxis take on New York look

How about those glowy, triangular advertising doo-dahs that have been popping up on top of Chicago taxi cabs lately--the kind that New York City cabs [...]
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