FEATURES
Read about the latest industry techniques, trends, and ideas as well as personal stories from restaurant professionals around the country.
![Let's Talk About Wine](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f063187ead18a2e98ba7f9b/1684591943823-6GQLD0L698ES47G8IL60/Screenshot%2B2023-05-20%2Bat%2B10.10.03%2BAM.jpg)
Let's Talk About Wine
Publican Anker Somm Sommelier Bret Heiar says oldschool wine verbiage has had a long enough run.
![Somms Act Like They Don't Know](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f063187ead18a2e98ba7f9b/1684594128502-5Y63PZWAWZHWE1H7KFKB/baja_wines.jpg)
Somms Act Like They Don't Know
If you don’t know Baja wines, here’s your primer from Sommelier Ryan Arnold.
![The Spirit Free Beverage and Inclusive Hospitality](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f063187ead18a2e98ba7f9b/1684588806053-50YX5T534PRHE2PRZ6AE/chicago_oriole_CH_2018-0076.jpg)
The Spirit Free Beverage and Inclusive Hospitality
At Oriole and now Kumiko, Bartender Julia Momose is creating a canon of drinks that everyone can understand and enjoy.
![Monday Morning Espresso Martini](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f063187ead18a2e98ba7f9b/1684585772675-0OVL20HNVLX1U0QDUS9E/Gala%2B-%2BLiz%2BPearce%2B%25289%2529.jpg)
Monday Morning Espresso Martini
With leftover wine on her mind, Bartender Liz Pearce builds an espresso martini.
![Smoked Salmon Head Spectacle](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f063187ead18a2e98ba7f9b/1681205713620-GI24DHSE2JDM0S8S98Q9/CafeMarieJean8.jpg)
Smoked Salmon Head Spectacle
At industry-favorite Café Marie-Jeanne, no “little fishies” platter is complete without a staring-back-at-you salmon head from Chef Mike Simmons.
![Causing a Stir](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f063187ead18a2e98ba7f9b/a748219a-cd17-4609-9991-f72e8cc411c6/Screenshot+2023-05-20+at+9.10.44+AM.jpg)
Causing a Stir
Causing a Stir's Alexis Brown and Ariel E. Neal are doing grassroots work to break down barriers for women bartenders of color.
![The Super Fun Idea Book](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f063187ead18a2e98ba7f9b/097ee23c-c8c6-4b27-a58c-e00c0a803876/dse_4033.jpg)
The Super Fun Idea Book
At Chicago's Girl & the Goat, Pastry Chef Nate Meads figured out how to harness young cooks’ energy and zany ideas.
![The New Snickerdoodle in Town](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f063187ead18a2e98ba7f9b/1681207147453-Z00FTUNCUNUT6VIA1UXT/FatRice14.jpg)
The New Snickerdoodle in Town
Elaine Townsend's snickerdoodle at The Bakery at Fat Rice is a salty, egg-yolk-filled masterwork.
![Intuitive Creativity at Smyth](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f063187ead18a2e98ba7f9b/1681820016705-KHWVAZ8M2HSM90MTTI5J/Smyth-19.jpg)
Intuitive Creativity at Smyth
For Chef John Shields of Chicago's Smyth, every dish must have purpose.
![Do the Zaremba](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f063187ead18a2e98ba7f9b/1684587715968-7EJRBDGA6RA3FINDUHFU/Screenshot%2B2023-05-20%2Bat%2B8.53.33%2BAM.jpg)
Do the Zaremba
Get your body ready for service with these stretches from a break dancer turned beverage director.
![Mexican Cuisine in the Heartland](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f063187ead18a2e98ba7f9b/1684584761488-CK8BRSCDH5KTVTA9DRPV/AntiqueTaco-5.jpg)
![He’s Bringing Pasta Back](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f063187ead18a2e98ba7f9b/1682196725323-ULZUAXOCM9G2VK31ET2S/MapleAndAsh-5.jpg)
He’s Bringing Pasta Back
Forget bread. You want pasta to mop the sauce from Chef Danny Grant’s charcoal-roasted seafood tower.
![What’s Your Sign?](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f063187ead18a2e98ba7f9b/1681069228191-1WY7AZ9PI8H7THVZXE0X/Blackbird1.jpg)
What’s Your Sign?
An astrologer opens up new creative possibilities as she divines dishes’ elements and signs.
![Family Histories on the Plate](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f063187ead18a2e98ba7f9b/1681207777501-IKOZOK8CUX73DLTP0PSK/Monteverde6.jpg)
![Here Comes the Sun(flower) Oil](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f063187ead18a2e98ba7f9b/1681673217905-K46OJA3XRESX4YLD6XNC/CellarDoorProvisions-11.jpg)
Here Comes the Sun(flower) Oil
Explore the spectrum of sunflower oils—from light and tepid to dark and musty.
![2018 Chicago Kitchen Notebook](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f063187ead18a2e98ba7f9b/1681820498316-QE6Y6F2Q74L42FMXZK52/Scofflaw-3.jpg)
2018 Chicago Kitchen Notebook
An in-depth look at some of our favorite dishes and cocktails from our time on the ground in Chicago.