Stories by Daniel Hautzinger

Chicago has 22 semifinalists in the "Oscars of food" this year, including in new beverage categories. The Awards will be announced in Chicago in June. 

In the wake of disaster, Oskar is forced to go into hiding when powerful forces array against him as he tries to discover the identity of the government traitor Mephisto.

Siegfried finds an enemy in Bosworth, the head of the blackout wardens, while James tries to settle back into civilian life as a father and Helen adapts as her sister grows up.

Eliza is still trying to get on Alexander Blake's good side, and finds more chances when a member of the Guild of Private Detectives is found dead.

Erling Wu-Bower's mother made elaborate feasts for Chinese New Year. He's joining with chefs from HaiSous and Momotaro to celebrate the Year of the Wood Snake, and shared one of his mother's recipes with us. 

January 17 is historically the coldest day of the year, but that isn't stopping the floating wetland the Wild Mile from enjoying food and drink in an outdoor festival on the river.

After several killings, Max and Oskar go undercover at a casino to try to track down the government enemy Mephisto.

Helen, Mrs. Hall, and Mrs. Pumphrey do their part on the home front while James confronts an illness during pilot training and Siegfried starts to give Richard more responsibility. 

With William staying in New York permanently, Eliza tries to impress his replacement so she can continue working with the police. But Alexander Blake refuses to hire private detectives.

Australian cafés are often cited as responsible for the rise of avocado toast, the flat white, and the refined all-day café. Now Chicago has one in Chapel Street Café.

From January 24 through February 9, hundreds of restaurants offer special fixed price menus during Chicago Restaurant Week. Here are some participants that opened or revamped last year. 

A prominent criminal is captured and offers information about an enemy of the Empire, whom Oskar begins to suspect is a high-powered government traitor.

Acclaimed for their beer and pizza, Middle Brow has begun applying its local, sustainable approach to wine, sourcing grapes from Michigan and experimenting with hybrid varietals tailored to the climate there. They're opening a second location in the state.

Comfort seemed to be the through-line of our most viewed recipes this year, whether it was a simple dish or an elaborate classic that still warmed the home and heart.

The porky rice-and-pea dish Hoppin' John is often eaten on New Year's Day in the South. Try Cook's Country's adaptation of Gullah Geechee cook Emily Meggett's original version.