Boka Restaurant Group Sweeps First-Ever Eater Chicago Awards

From left: Rob Katz, Giuseppe Tentori, Stephanie Izard, Ryan Poli, Kevin Boehm (Photo: Boka Restaurant Group)


The ceremony for Eater's first-ever awards for Chicago restaurants took place Monday in New York.

Alinea Chef Immortalized at Barney's NY

(Photo: Natasha Liberman)


Gold Coast luxury retailer Barneys New York just unveiled its Christmas window display, and guess who got his mug in the mix?!

He Won't Be Cooking, But It'll Still Sell Out!

(Photo: Rick Bayless)


Just got word that Rick Bayless (Frontera Grill, Topolobampo, Xoco), Art Smith (Table Fifty-Two) and Charlie Trotter (Charlie Trotter) will sit on a panel with Frank Bruni (writer for The New York Times Magazine and former Times restaurant critic) and talk about food at the Chicago Cultural Center.

The first-ever TimesTalks in Chicago: Chicago Chefs Live! happens 6:30-8pm on Nov. 19 and you can get the $25 tickets here.

The event is followed by a book sale and signing.

In Trouble Already?!

"Gastro smokehouse" Ole Hardwood opened in the South Loop the last week of October and is already having a few issues.

Laurent Gras Is OUT At L20

A well-placed Ultimate Insider tells 312DD that French chef Laurent Gras, executive chef/partner of L20, is out at the upscale Lincoln Park restaurant. He left a few days ago.

UPDATE: Time Out has more details on Gras' sudden departure.

Five Cent Roast Chicken on Sundays

(Photo: Chef Luciano & Gourmet Chicken)


Rocky Gupta is making a comeback of epic proportions.

The owner of Chef Luciano & Gourmet Chicken has spent the last few months renovating his famous Near South Side restaurant to its original glory (when it used to house a White Castle), and he's throwing a grand re-opening celebration all month.

'The Queen of Candyland' is in Town!

Dylan Lauren of Dylan's Candy Bar.


Today is National Candy Day, and guess who's in town to make sure we celebrate in style?!

That would be Dylan Lauren—the undisputed "Queen of Candyland"—who's behind the Dylan's Candy Bar brand.

Are They Still Shaking On 'On The Rocks?'

Mixologists Debbi Peek and Charles Joly rep Chicago on NBC's "On The Rocks" bartending competition.


How did Chicago's own do on the first episode of the third season of "On The Rocks," NBC's awesome, nationwide bartending competition?!

I've got the video right here, so you can check out The Bristol's house mixologist Debbi Peek and Charles Joly, the chief mixologist for The Drawing Room.

It's a nailbiter for sure!

"On the Rocks" airs 12:05am Sunday, immediately after "Saturday Night Live."