By Chicago TribuneNov 02, 2020 at 1:01 pmAdvertisementThere’s never a bad time for chicken wings, and, in fact, football season is a pretty good time to enjoy some saucy drums and flats — not to mention stress eating through election results on Tuesday. In that spirit, we’ve collected 18 of our favorite places for wings. It’s called public service journalism, and you’re welcome.Bird’s Nest is a classic neighborhood pub near DePaul with plenty of seating and TVs for taking in the game, plus some pretty hot wings. Bird’s Nest offers several wing sauces, but its self-titled hot sauce is the...…By Chicago TribuneNov 02, 2020 at 1:01 pmAdvertisementThere’s never a bad time for chicken wings, and, in fact, football season is a pretty good time to enjoy some saucy drums and flats — not to mention stress eating through election results on Tuesday. In that spirit, we’ve collected 18 of our favorite places for wings. It’s called public service journalism, and you’re welcome.Bird’s Nest is a classic neighborhood pub near DePaul with plenty of seating and TVs for taking in the game, plus some pretty hot wings. Bird’s Nest offers several wing sauces, but its self-titled hot sauce is the...WW…

Anybody interested in buying a like-new air-purifying system? How about some custom-made, acrylic table dividers? Barely used. It might not actually be for sale (yet), but pandemic-weary restaurateurs say they’re not far off. Advertisement In addition to the loss of revenue and likely layoffs for large numbers of dining industry workers, Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s (which goes into effect Friday in Chicago and is either already in effect or will be Saturday for the collar counties) is dealing another financial blow to restaurants that have invested heavily ahead of winter. It’s money that, until...…Anybody interested in buying a like-new air-purifying system? How about some custom-made, acrylic table dividers? Barely used. It might not actually be for sale (yet), but pandemic-weary restaurateurs say they’re not far off. Advertisement In addition to the loss of revenue and likely layoffs for large numbers of dining industry workers, Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s (which goes into effect Friday in Chicago and is either already in effect or will be Saturday for the collar counties) is dealing another financial blow to restaurants that have invested heavily ahead of winter. It’s money that, until...WW…

AdvertisementBy Chicago TribuneOct 16, 2020 at 6:57 pmAfter more than three decades as one of Chicago’s peak dining experiences, Everest is stepping down. The four-star restaurant will serve its last meal on New Year’s Eve.“Many times in life, you have to know when it’s time for something to end,” said chef/proprietor Jean Joho. “It feels good, after all this time, to close.”AdvertisementThis year has seen a number of high-profile Chicago restaurants announce their departure. But in the case of Everest, Joho said, the coronavirus pandemic was not a factor.“It’s all about the lease,” he...…AdvertisementBy Chicago TribuneOct 16, 2020 at 6:57 pmAfter more than three decades as one of Chicago’s peak dining experiences, Everest is stepping down. The four-star restaurant will serve its last meal on New Year’s Eve.“Many times in life, you have to know when it’s time for something to end,” said chef/proprietor Jean Joho. “It feels good, after all this time, to close.”AdvertisementThis year has seen a number of high-profile Chicago restaurants announce their departure. But in the case of Everest, Joho said, the coronavirus pandemic was not a factor.“It’s all about the lease,” he...WW…

AdvertisementBy Chicago TribuneSep 20, 2020 at 8:45 amLawry’s the Prime Rib, which has been a fixture on Ontario Street (just west of Michigan Avenue) for 46 years, is calling it quits at the end of the year. Staffers were notified Saturday.The coronavirus, recent civil unrest and an expiring lease all contributed to the decision, said Ryan Wilson, CEO of Lawry’s Inc.Advertisement“In a year of incredible turmoil, this is a tough one for sure,” he said. “But with the industry in general in such a state of flux, we felt we had to push the pause button.”Note the use of “pause button,” and not...…AdvertisementBy Chicago TribuneSep 20, 2020 at 8:45 amLawry’s the Prime Rib, which has been a fixture on Ontario Street (just west of Michigan Avenue) for 46 years, is calling it quits at the end of the year. Staffers were notified Saturday.The coronavirus, recent civil unrest and an expiring lease all contributed to the decision, said Ryan Wilson, CEO of Lawry’s Inc.Advertisement“In a year of incredible turmoil, this is a tough one for sure,” he said. “But with the industry in general in such a state of flux, we felt we had to push the pause button.”Note the use of “pause button,” and not...WW…

AdvertisementBy Chicago TribuneJun 30, 2020 at 6:43 amThe coronavirus claimed its highest-profile Chicago restaurant victim to date, with word that Blackbird, 619 W. Randolph St., was closing for good after more than 22 years as one of the area’s finest restaurants.“We’ve labored long and hard over this decision,” said partner Paul Kahan. “But in an incredibly small, tight dining room — operating at only 25% capacity for who knows how long — and removing the opportunity to do private dining, it becomes incredibly difficult to manage.”Advertisement“Think of what 6 feet of social distancing...…AdvertisementBy Chicago TribuneJun 30, 2020 at 6:43 amThe coronavirus claimed its highest-profile Chicago restaurant victim to date, with word that Blackbird, 619 W. Randolph St., was closing for good after more than 22 years as one of the area’s finest restaurants.“We’ve labored long and hard over this decision,” said partner Paul Kahan. “But in an incredibly small, tight dining room — operating at only 25% capacity for who knows how long — and removing the opportunity to do private dining, it becomes incredibly difficult to manage.”Advertisement“Think of what 6 feet of social distancing...WW…

AdvertisementBy Chicago TribuneMay 07, 2020 at 12:10 pmWhen Illinois restaurants were ordered shuttered by Gov. Pritzker in mid-March, restaurant owners, chefs and workers braced for several weeks of zero income. When the order was extended through April, and then May, the industry pointed to June.AdvertisementBut Pritzker’s , announced Tuesday, set the earliest-possible day for reopening at June 26, and that date is by no means definite.For an industry already struggling to hang on, the news was devastating.Advertisement“It hasn’t been the best 24 hours for me,” said R.J. Melman, president...…AdvertisementBy Chicago TribuneMay 07, 2020 at 12:10 pmWhen Illinois restaurants were ordered shuttered by Gov. Pritzker in mid-March, restaurant owners, chefs and workers braced for several weeks of zero income. When the order was extended through April, and then May, the industry pointed to June.AdvertisementBut Pritzker’s , announced Tuesday, set the earliest-possible day for reopening at June 26, and that date is by no means definite.For an industry already struggling to hang on, the news was devastating.Advertisement“It hasn’t been the best 24 hours for me,” said R.J. Melman, president...WW…