Top 5 Restaurant/Bars to Offer Escape to the Past Schaller’s Pump (opened 1881) Daley’s Restaurant (opened 1892) The Berghoff (opened 1898) Cape Cod Room (opened 1933), but hurry: it closes forever on January 1, 2017 Klas Restaurant (opened 1922), their motto by the front door: “Enjoy yourself! It may be later than you think.” —David Hammond
Top 5 Foods That Give Comfort during Coming Hard Times Short rib Stroganoff at Bavette’s Bar and Boeuf Chicken pot pie at Miller’s Pub Ginataang Gulay at Isla Pilipina Homemade ravioli at Gio’s Cafe and Deli Biscuits and gravy at Honey Butter Fried Chicken —Rosemary Lane
Top 5 Warm, Comforting Bars to Ride out the Apocalypse The Grafton Pub & Grill: muted lighting, mix-and-match folk musicians jamming, already halfway to a celluloid dystopian tavern Miller’s Pub: angry-drinking in dim lighting under the L tracks, balm for bruised souls Honky Tonk BBQ: rest your elbows, order an Old Style and drink your feelings away Kelly’s Pub: drinking here is more optimistic than parroting hopeful sentiments on Twitter Moody’s Pub: right combination of crackling fire and buzz of conversation can effectively shut out the world —John Carruthers
Top 5 Food Organizations Worth a Look Culinary Care Growing Power Zero Percent Common Pantry Healthy Schools Campaign —Lauren Knight
Dining and Drinking Editor for Newcity, David also writes a weekly food column for Wednesday Journal in Oak Park and is a frequent contributor of food/drink and travel pieces to the Chicago Tribune, Plate Magazine and other publications. David has also contributed chapters to several books, including Street Food Around the World, Street Food, and The Chicago Food Encyclopedia. Contact: dhammond@newcity.com
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Dining and Drinking Top 5 of 2021 I like street food, but I also like eating high-end, white tablecloth dinners. I guess I just like eating.
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Dining and Drinking Top 5: September 2021 As of this writing, the following events are still scheduled for September, though with Delta dangling over our heads, who the hell knows what might happen…or not happen. Check respective websites for updates.
