Marissa Conrad

White port and tonic is best with a dry version of the Portuguese wine as the crisp finish is the perfect partner to a bitter, bubbly tonic.

Get your Thanksgiving guests buzzed, but not drunk, with a white port and tonic

June 5, 2019 at 5:47 p.m.

“It’s a great alternative to gin and tonic,” says Beatriz Machado, wine director at the Yeatman Hotel in Gaia, Portugal, of the porto tonico (in English, port and tonic). The...

Bear spends time at Cody's Public House on May 24, 2018, in Chicago.

Chicago dog bars: Where everyone knows your pup’s name

May 31, 2019 at 9:02 p.m.

It wasn’t quite 8 p.m. at Cody’s Public House, a bar in Lakeview, when a player in the Tuesday night darts league approached the ATM to find Millie, a regular,...

Wrigleyville bars: Guide to 48 spots around the ballpark

April 5, 2021 at 3:49 p.m.

Wrigleyville is a whirl of intensity when the Cubs are playing, a crazy quilt of offerings that is amplified during the postseason. How to navigate the mishmash of bars before,...

The burger at Publican Anker is well worth the $12 price tag.

At Publican Anker, a burger that doesn’t need a fried egg or bacon

May 2, 2019 at 5:59 p.m.

Publican Anker, a less-pork-driven sibling to The Publican, is one of those restaurants where you want to order every veggie on the menu; choosing between, say, Nichols Farm heirloom tomatoes...

Kusanya Cafe is the kind of place where you can get a cup of coffee, check out the community board, print a school paper or simply jump on the internet. You'll see people huddled together over papers strewn across the wood tables or someone walking in simply to say hello to the small staff. Because the nonprofit cafe roasts its own coffee on-site in small batches, don't hesitate to order that lavender iced latte ($3.49) or a plain cup of coffee. The breakfast and lunch menu is lush with references to famous musicians, like the Lupe Tabasco breakfast sandwich ($2.29). It features a thin egg patty, with melted cheese and Sriracha on ciabatta, and you can add sausage, spinach and tomato for an extra charge. The cozy and brightly lit environment is exactly where you want to catch up on some work or meet up with friends. 825 W. 69th St., 773-675-4758, <a href="http://www.kusanyacafe.org/">kusanyacafe.org</a> — Grace Wong

The Hemingway daiquiri gets a (strong) upgrade at South Water Kitchen

July 2, 2019 at 8:59 p.m.

Happy hour in the Loop just doubled down on the happy: The talented Melissa Carroll, formerly of Spiaggia, recently took the reins at South Water Kitchen at the corner of...

Drink This: Tequila and whiskey are fast friends at Masa Azul

July 2, 2019 at 8:59 p.m.

I don't often choose a cocktail based on its name. But when I was at Masa Azul trying to decide between two drinks that sounded up my alley, I went...

Barrio, new restaurant from ‘Top Chef’ alum Katsuji Tanabe, opens Saturday

July 2, 2019 at 8:59 p.m.

"Cooking is the only thing I take seriously in life," says chef Katsuji Tanabe. "I'm very sarcastic, not serious, except when it comes to my food. Cooking is make it...

Six wild Burgundian snails are the star of the wood-grilled escargot ($12) at Le Sud. The Roscoe Village restaurant's version of this dish is not hiding in a pool of garlic butter or served in a scalding hot dish. Presented on a skewer, the mollusks are brushed with olive oil infused with herbs de provence before they're grilled, absorbing a delicate smoky flavor that lingers in your mouth. Tender and buttery, the snails are served with a few generous pats of herb butter that melt, adding another layer of fragrance and lusciousness. A side of green salad dressed with olive oil, lemon and salt provides a bright contrast to the skewer and a hearty country bread serves as a foundation for assembling a makeshift toast point. The portion is small, so make your dining companions order their own. $12. 2301 W. Roscoe St., 773-857-1985, <a href="https://lesudchicago.com/">lesudchicago.com</a> — Grace Wong

Free tacos today at Taco Bell thanks to Warriors win

May 2, 2019 at 5:55 p.m.

Taco Bell is giving out free Doritos Locos tacos today, thanks to the away-game win by the Golden State Warriors last week. The chain's Steal a Game, Steal a Taco...

Eat This: The $38 crudite platter at Clever Rabbit

July 2, 2019 at 8:59 p.m.

Paying $38 for a crudite platter sounds legit insane, I know. My first thought when I saw the thing on the menu at Clever Rabbit: I could get a steak...

The ‘Nduja at Coalfire

May 2, 2019 at 6:26 p.m.

This is the Leonardo DiCaprio of pizzas — it sweeps every awards list. And for good reason: Chefs whip ricotta with 'nduja (en-DOO-ya), a spicy salami that's soft enough to...

All Stories