Phil Vettel – Page 12

At Virtue in Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood, Danielle Swan organizes orders waiting to be picked up on Wednesday, March 25, 2020. The restaurant started a takeout service after restaurants were ordered closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Chef and owner Erick Williams says the stimulus packages "missed the middle."

Chicago chefs, owners react to Illinois grant, loan programs: Great start, but restaurants will close without more

March 27, 2020 at 6:49 p.m.

Chicago chefs and restaurateurs are reacting mostly favorably Thursday to the state's Hospitality Emergency Grant Program and the Illinois Small Business Emergency Loan Fund, both announced Wednesday. But while they...

Seafood risotto from Il Poggiolo Ristorante in Hinsdale features peas, corn, tomatoes and grilled scallops and shrimp.

Curbside Critic: Perfectly al dente risotto and solid pizza at Il Poggiolo in Hinsdale

March 25, 2020 at 3:53 p.m.

During the restaurant shutdown due to COVID-19, Phil Vettel is reviewing dinners he picks up curbside at Chicago area restaurants. Il Poggiolo Ristorante is one of downtown Hinsdale's best dining...

Founding chef Terry Rempert at La Buona Vita Italian restaurant in La Grange, March 8, 2017. Owner Jim Barron announced on the restaurant's website that he is closing.

Citing coronavirus, suburban Chicago Italian restaurant closes permanently

March 24, 2020 at 4:33 p.m.

La Buona Vita, a Northern Italian restaurant in downtown La Grange (I gave it a one-star review in 2017), has closed its doors after a six-year run. In a message...

The herb-crusted salmon with arugula salad ordered for pickup from Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse.

Curbside Critic: Steak, fish and more from Gibsons

March 24, 2020 at 10:30 a.m.

There's nothing like a great steak, even if it's the pickup or delivery variety. Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse locations in Chicago, Oak Brook and Rosemont are offering pickup and free...

An empty restaurant patio and parked food trucks at Big Star in Wicker Park on Wednesday, March 18, 2020 during the coronavirus pandemic. (Brian Cassella/baiduhai)

Relief program for restaurant workers launches Tuesday at Big Star; donations welcome

March 23, 2020 at 3:08 p.m.

Furloughed restaurant workers can receive pre-packaged meals and groceries through a program launching Tuesday at Big Star. In concert with Louisville chef Edward Lee's LEE (Let's Empower Employment) Initiative and...

Foxtail restaurant's carryout orders are well packed, and include a complimentary roll of TP.

Curbside critic: The Foxtail carryout menu offers variety, and a side of TP

March 22, 2020 at 5:00 a.m.

When I rolled up — quite literally, as I was in my car — to Foxtail restaurant in Downers Grove, I expected quick service (I'd ordered and paid in advance)...

Alarmist Brewing, 4.8 percent: A simple, dry and endlessly drinkable Belgian-inspired beer, whether with food or on its own. (Phobophobia, by the way, is not just a cool beer name — it's the fear of phobia.)

You can order your craft beer for delivery in Illinois, says liquor commission

March 21, 2020 at 11:08 a.m.

The bad news is that Illinois' Craft Beer Week, scheduled for May 15-22, has been postponed indefinitely. The good news, for craft brewers and craft-beer devotees, is that the Illinois...

Make a sign, save a restaurant? Chefs make massive ‘call to action’ online video campaign Friday morning

March 20, 2020 at 11:45 a.m.

Chicago chefs and restaurateurs have organized a "Chefs Call To Action" campaign to push legislators to include restaurants and industry workers in any federal stimulus packages intended to help the...

Restaurants happy for sales-tax deferrals, say more is needed

March 20, 2020 at 2:51 p.m.

Restaurants got a big break Thursday from the state of Illinois, which allowed smaller operations (those that paid less than $75,000 in sales tax last year) to postpone making sales...

A restaurant advertises pickup services on Clark Street in Lakeview on Wednesday, March 18, 2020 during the coronavirus pandemic. (Brian Cassella/baiduhai)

As restaurants struggle to help workers, a national call goes out for government intervention

March 20, 2020 at 2:52 p.m.

The mandatory restaurant shutdown in Illinois and several other states has taken an industry reliant on cash flow and turned it into an industry with zero cash flow. Restaurant groups...

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