HM-Food + Drink
Born To Cook
Hyatt Lodge, Oak Brook Executive Chef, Joshua Karther By Larry Atseff The Hyatt Lodge, Oak Brook, is known for its beautiful setting. Now you are about to learn a little about Joshua Karther, Executive Chef. In his position, in a typical day, he has to make sure the cooks in the kitchen are efficiently, and…
Read MoreBon’ Appetit!
Celebrate Oak Brook as a dining mecca with ‘Restaurant Week’ April 22-30 By Larry Atseff For a town of less than 10,000 residents, Oak Brook has become very well known for its restaurants, even restaurant chain headquarters. And, we want to celebrate Restaurant Week, April 22-30, with you. How Oak Brook Became A Dining Mecca…
Read MoreHail to the Chef
Drake Oak Brook Hotel’s Executive Chef, Ezequiel Dominguez By Larry Atseff Some of the biggest names in dining are located in Oak Brook. Yet, one of the biggest, busiest, and best kitchens in Oak Brook isn’t even associated with those big names. The chef that runs the whole operation is very quiet and unassuming but…
Read MorePremium Cocktails Ready to Drink!
Community Rallies Behind Local Foundation By Emma Wolf Bar2Table Co-founders, Scott Allen and Charlton Gronlund, share their story of starting their own premium canned cocktail business and expanding it to be sold in stores and gaining a loyal following along the way. In 2017, Scott Allen and Charlton Gronlund set out to create the perfect…
Read MoreRestaurant Week Oak Brook
Oak Brook Restaurant Week April 22nd-30th A dining Mecca with nearly 60 Restaurants! Beatrix AMERICAN CUISINE 272 Oakbrook Center, Oak Brook 630 491 1415 California Pizza Kitchen AMERICAN CUISINE 551 Oakbrook Center, Oak Brook 630 571 7800 Driftwood Grille AMERICAN 17W648 22ND St, Oakbrook terrace, Oak Brook 815 374 3893 J. Alexander AMERICAN 1410 16TH…
Read MoreRich’s Recipe for remarkable restaurants
The Story of Rich Melman’s “Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises” By Larry Atseff R.J. Grunts Started It All A little more than 50 years ago, on June 10th at 11:31 am, to be precise, Rich Melman and late, first partner, Jerry Orzoff, opened R.J. Grunts, a few steps from the Lincoln Park Zoo on Chicago’s near…
Read MorePhil Vettel Reviewed Fine Dining In Chicago For 31 Years
By Larry Atseff We recently had the opportunity to sit down with Phil Vettel, who recently retired after writing dining reviews for the Chicago Tribune for 31 years. Naturally, we picked out a comfortable neighborhood spot, known for its food, Sam Vlahos’ Pierce Tavern in Downers Grove. Phil started out covering general news topics for…
Read MoreBest of 2021
Congratulations to Hinsdale Magazine’s 2021 “BEST of Reader Favorites”! By Larry Atseff 2021 marks the sixth year we have asked you to vote for the “BEST of Reader Favorites” across more than 40 categories, ranging from all types of eating places, to home remodelers, repair services, cleaners, salons and more. In another most unusual year…
Read MoreThe Sam Vlahos Approach To Neighborhood Restaurants
By Larry Atseff When talking with Phil Vettel about his experience as a restaurant critic, we chose Sam Vlahos’ Pierce Tavern in downtown Downers Grove to sit down and talk. Sam joined us and we got some perspective from him about running a successful restaurant, as an owner of three different neighborhood operations. Restaurants have…
Read MorePaul Virant
Local Restauranteur Reintroduces Vistro Prime By Kerrie Kennedy It’s been a long year of home cooking and takeout food, but as vaccine rollouts give Americans the confidence they need to return to in person dining this spring, restaurant owners are hoping for a robust recovery. For local restaurateur Paul Virant, who owns Vie in Western…
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