Bartenders give insight into our favorite drinks
From its historic anti-Prohibition, speakeasy culture in the 1920s to the mid-century brewery boom in the Midwest, Chicago has always been one of the hardest-hitting, bar-centric, alcohol-appreciating cities in the nation. Few other places in the world -- if any -- have a citywide signature way to take shots.

The trials, tribulations of eating with a conscience
I have a lot of conversations about food that start and end with one question: Where is it from? Not quite two months into my summer-long experiment with local eating, I have become like a broken record with that question. Before I consider whether it fits my menu plan, looks tasty or is overpriced -- I have to ask where the food is from.

Get hooked
If you're stuck in that sad moment when the nicest chunk of your fishing trip souvenir fell irretrievably through the cracks of your grill, into sooty depths below, it's time to move on. Even the most seasoned outdoor gourmets agree that it's pretty tricky to grill fish without it sticking to the grill, drying out or falling apart, but it doesn't stop them. So take a lesson.

Turn to French for take on classic American treat for summertime
Like a tiny chunk of childhood that may only pop up on certain occasions, an elephant ear is a symbolic summertime treat. Back then, it was the perfect snack while waiting for a pony ride at a circus, perusing the exhibits at a state fair, or stuffing into your mouth to push back the nauseating sickness that rose up after riding a wild roller coaster. Now, with just a single bite, it brings back every enjoyable experiencing at a circus, state fair, or amusement park with a rushing tide of cinnamon and sugar.

Not all salads are a healthy alternative
There's nothing like a cool, crisp salad for a summertime meal, but what we like to think of as a healthful, nutritious green lunch can be a gluttonous, fat-laden artery-clogger if we're not careful.