Marissa Conrad

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

32 Chicago restaurants, chefs and restaurateurs make James Beard semifinalist list

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

The James Beard Foundation announced the semifinalists for the 2017 James Beard Awards on Wednesday morning, and Chicago is well-represented. The awards are among the food world's big honors; many...

Michelin-starred chef Michael Mina will open 2 Chicago restaurants

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

Michael Mina, the Michelin-starred chef from San Francisco, will open his first Chicago restaurants this spring. Margeaux Brasserie, serving classic French food, will take over the third-floor restaurant space in...

We Tried It: New Shamrock Shake flavors at McDonald’s

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

On Tuesday, McDonald's welcomed four new Shamrock Shakes into the world. The Chocolate Shamrock Shake, Shamrock Chocolate-Chip Frappe, Shamrock Hot Chocolate and Shamrock Mocha all weigh in at 21 or...

What have you always wanted to know about Chicago food?

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

We want to hear from you. Of course, we always want to hear from you — which is why we include our reporters' email addresses at the bottom of every...

19th-century Viennese chef Franz Sacher would be pleased, I think, by the version of his eponymous chocolate cake served at Café Selmarie in Lincoln Square. First, the top of each slice of Sacher torte is decorated with his name, elegantly written in chocolate script. Second, the cake is a real looker: Layers of chocolate cake are mortared with raspberry preserve and chocolate buttercream; the whole thing is then frosted with more buttercream and wrapped in a smooth sheet of bittersweet chocolate — firm enough to be eaten on its own, if you like, with a fork. Third, every bite is delicious. The devil's food cake is firm and pleasant, while the raspberry offers a deep berry counterpoint to all the chocolate. $4.20. 4729 N. Lincoln Ave., 773-989-5595, <a href="http://cafeselmarie.com/" target="_blank">www.cafeselmarie.com</a>. — Bill Daley

Original Rainbow Cone to open for season March 4

June 6, 2018 at 8:22 a.m.

Original Rainbow Cone will start this year's ice cream season March 4, according to the shop's Facebook page. The iconic Beverly ice cream shop closes each winter; for many Chicagoans,...

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

Eat This: Monster cookie at Summer House is your dream dessert

May 2, 2019 at 5:48 p.m.

What's the first thing people notice about me? My size. (I'm huge.) The six things I can't live without: Butter, flour, sugar. Eggs. Oats. Apples. Where you'll find me on...

Racially insensitive pinata passed around at River North nightclub

June 6, 2018 at 12:20 p.m.

A group of customers was spotted passing around a racially insensitive pinata at a River North nightclub Sunday evening. A Tribune staffer caught the event on video. The video, shot...

Chicago’s restaurant of year, chef of year named at prestigious Jean Banchet awards

June 6, 2018 at 12:49 p.m.

The Jean Banchet Awards, Chicago's annual restaurant awards to recognize local talent, were held Sunday night at Venue Six10 in the South Loop. Dozens of members of Chicago's restaurant community,...

Acclaimed bartender Julia Momose to leave GreenRiver

June 8, 2018 at 6:21 p.m.

GreenRiver head bartender Julia Momose, named one of the best mixologists in the country this year by Food & Wine magazine, will leave her post at the end of the...

Drink This: It’s Tom & Jerry season!

June 8, 2018 at 7:03 p.m.

Walk by Miller's Pub, that iconic Loop haunt, now through New Year's Day, and the marquee lets you know it's a special time of year: "Tom & Jerry are here."...

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