Laura Ratliff

Chicago’s deep-dish fans, prepare for a crispy-cornered shake-up: Milly’s Pizza in the Pan, one of the city’s most buzzed-about pan pizza spots, is saying goodbye to Uptown and heading west to Noble Square this summer. Owner Robert Maleski, who launched Milly’s out of a Logan Square ghost kitchen in 2020 slinging just 10 pies a day, confirmed that the pizzeria will relocate to 925 N. Ashland Avenue, in a space formerly occupied by Pizza Metro. If all goes to plan, the new shop will open by the end of July, with the Uptown location (1005 W. Argyle St.) staying in service until then. While Milly’s remains mostly a takeout-and-delivery operation, the new space will be even cozier, with just 12 seats upfront. What the new project will lack in dining room square footage, it will make up for in pizza-making power: the spot comes with a Middleby Marshall conveyor oven (aka the “Cadillac of pizza ovens”), a massive upgrade from the convection oven Maleski used in Uptown. With it, Milly’s will double production from 60 to 120 pies daily. Known for its caramelized crust edges and chef-driven layering of high-quality ingredients, Milly’s has drawn comparisons to cult favorites like Pequod’s and Burt’s Place, while repping deep dish as something more than a tourist trap. “We feel that this space will take our pizza to another level,” Maleski shared on Instagram. Despite the excitement, Maleski says he’s sad to leave Uptown, where neighbors embraced his small business from day one. “It’s

If you’re craving a taste of Old Havana—minus the passport—you’ll find it in the heart of Little Havana at Café La Trova, which just secured the number 13 spot on the prestigious North America’s 50 Best Bars list for 2025. The ranking, unveiled at a live ceremony in Vancouver this week, celebrates the continent’s top cocktail destinations, from Mexico City’s reigning champ Handshake Speakeasy (number 1) to buzzy newcomers like New York’s Clemente Bar (number 11). But Miami’s lone representative on the list, Café La Trova, is no stranger to global accolades—and no ordinary watering hole. The brainchild of acclaimed cantinero Julio Cabrera and James Beard Award-winning chef Michelle Bernstein, along with her husband, restaurateur David Martinez, La Trova is a blend of culinary craft and Cuban nostalgia. Expect your daiquiri shaken by white-jacketed bartenders who literally dance behind the bar while a rumba band plays on. Photograph: Michael PisarriEl Guayabero from Café La Trova Cabrera’s menu is a love letter to Cuba’s golden age, with drinks like the Presidente (Havana Club Añejo Clásico rum, blanc vermouth de Chambery, dry curaçao and grenadine) and the tropical Hotel Nacional (rum, apricot liqueur, pineapple and lime) capturing the spirit of pre-Revolutionary Havana. Bernstein complements the cocktails with elegant twists on Cuban classics, like Serrano ham Cubanos and steak empanadas that some say are the best in Miami. In a city brimming with beach clubs and rooftop lo

Brooklyn’s wildest new attraction has scales, sticky feet—and may be snoozing in a sweatshirt hood. Opening early next month (tentatively, the second week of May) in East Williamsburg, the Gecko Gallery will showcase NYC’s largest public collection of rare and endangered geckos—around 150 of them—all inside a single 400-square-foot basement below the McKibbin Lofts at 255 McKibbin Street. Photograph: Courtesy of Gecko Gallery The pint-sized reptile museum is the passion project of two local biologists and lifelong animal lovers, Richie Laleh, 29, and Joseph S. Migirov, 19, who say their fascination with geckos started as kids. “Where some people look past them, we share a common fascination,” Laleh tells Time Out. “Geckos are some of the most diverse animals in the world.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Gecko Gallery NYC (@thegeckogallery_nyc) What began as a private collection in their Brooklyn apartments has now evolved into a public venue, following encouragement from building management to open the space to the public. Visitors can expect to see show-stealers like the nearly extinct Madagascar leaf-tailed gecko, a giant day gecko (yes, the Geico one), and a cuddly New Caledonian giant gecko named Kermit, who’s been known to nap in Laleh’s hoodie. The geckos are sourced from zoos, licensed breeders and occasionally through wild rescues, with the goal of strengthening captive gene pools and promoting conservation. “We envision a

Raise your glass, Chicago: four local bars just landed on the 2025 North America 50 Best Bars list—and a fifth is already being hailed as the next big thing. The newly announced ranking celebrates cocktail excellence across the U.S., Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean, with Chicago’s Kumiko leading the city’s showing at number 10 and earning the title of Best Bar in the Midwest USA, sponsored by Tia Maria. But Kumiko isn’t just a bar—it’s a meditative escape in the West Loop. Created by Julia Momosé and the team behind Oriole, it’s a place where welcome tea replaces party shots. The bar’s serene, wood-accented omakase counter boasts just eight seats, where diners taste a progression of Japanese-influenced bites like seaweed-slicked uni, wagyu glazed in black garlic molasses and milk toast crowned with fermented honey ice cream, paired with imaginative sake and shochu cocktails. If mindfulness could be distilled and served in a glass, it might taste like Kumiko. Photograph: Clayton Hauck Joining Kumiko are three more Chicago favorites: Best Intentions (number 25), a “five-star dive” in Logan Square where the drinks are every bit as good as the vibe is laid-back; Meadowlark (number 38), a cozy, cerebral Humboldt Park bar where drinks are named after birds; and Bisous (number 39), a newer arrival that’s all elegance and ease, with a French-inspired flair. And then there’s Lemon, which hasn’t even cracked the top 50—yet. The cocktail spot was named the Campari One To Watch, an aw

Krysta Rodriguez has been a New Yorker for more than two decades but this summer marks a full-circle moment: bringing Smash home to Broadway. Rodriguez, a longtime favorite on stage (Spring Awakening, Into the Woods) and screen (Smash, Halston), stars in the highly anticipated musical adaptation of the beloved New York-based TV series, now playing at the Imperial Theater. We caught up with the 40-year-old actress to talk about her experience stepping back into the Smash universe, her favorite New York rituals and where you might spot her with a dirty martini in hand. On bringing Smash home to Broadway “It’s really special,” Rodriguez tells Time Out. “We filmed the series in New York, we were in real theaters and there with a lot of theater people. Now, we’re really there with theater people. There’s something special about being able to bring it home to where it was with all the people who do actually make that art form.” As someone who grew up in the industry, Rodriguez says there’s a deep personal resonance with this production and being surrounded by like-minded people. “Brooks Ashmanskas [her co-star] is doing his 16th Broadway show,” she says. “It’s part of the fabric of who we are, and we’re happy that we get to share that.” There was one moment when it all really clicked. “When the marquee went up, it was like, Wow, it’s actually happening," she remembers. “And at our first preview, we’re literally talking about a dress rehearsal during a dress rehearsal. It’s very me

TripAdvisor has spoken—and New York City is officially home to not one, not two but three of the best hotels in the entire country. The travel platform just released its 2025 Travelers’ Choice Awards: Best of the Best Hotels, and NYC’s own Luma Hotel Times Square, The Evelyn Hotel and The Wallace made the coveted top 10 list for U.S. stays. Coming in at number five, Luma Hotel Times Square delivers modern luxury right in the middle of the action. Think sleek, contemporary design, oversized windows with skyline views and a location that puts you steps from Broadway, Bryant Park and Grand Central. Reviewers rave about the warm service, quiet rooms (yes, really—in Times Square), and in-room robot butler, Alina, who drops off amenities with sci-fi flair. Landing at number eight is The Evelyn Hotel in NoMad, which offers a charming mix of Art Deco style and boutique comfort. Housed in a historic 1903 building, the property has been stylishly renovated with custom furnishings, rainfall showers and a cozy ambiance that’s a world away from the chaos outside. Guests love the walkability factor—with Madison Square Park, Eataly and the Flatiron District all just blocks away. Rounding out NYC’s showing at number 10 is The Wallace, an Upper West Side favorite for travelers itching for understated elegance without the Midtown frenzy. The all-suite hotel blends upscale finishes—plush bedding, marble bathrooms and high-end tech—with an air of relaxed sophistication. Plus, the hotel is within

Ready to feel like a kid again? The world’s largest bounce house—yes, a 24,000-square-foot inflatable playground—is bounding into Long Island next month, and it’s bringing an entire festival of over-the-top fun with it. The Big Bounce America tour will set up shop at Broadway Commons in Hicksville from May 10 through June 1, offering four weekends of giant slides, ball pits, foam parties, obstacle courses, DJ sets and more. Tickets start at just $22 for a three-hour pass but, heads up: this event usually sells out fast, so snag your spot early. The star of the show is the World’s Largest Bounce House, standing 32 feet tall and packed with everything from basketball hoops to oversized colorful characters. At its heart is a live DJ spinning tracks for games, dance-offs and general inflatable chaos, with special sessions for toddlers, families and even adults-only bounce parties. But that’s just the start. Test your endurance on The Giant, a 900-foot-long inflatable obstacle course with 50 different challenges, or duke it out at Sport Slam, a bouncy arena packed with goals, hoops, nets and battle zones. Kids (and kids at heart) can also blast off at airSPACE, a space-themed zone featuring aliens, moon craters and a five-lane slide. New this year is OctoBlast, a deep-sea-themed inflatable foam party where you can dance under giant octopus tentacles to live DJ beats—because why not? As tour manager Noa Visnich puts it: “We need more fun in the world—and what better way th

The Knicks are throwing down outside The Garden tonight—and you’re invited. To hype up Game 5 of Round 1 in the NBA Playoffs, the team is hosting a free block party at Knicks Plaza at Plaza33 (that’s 33rd Street between 7th and 8th Avenues), just steps from Madison Square Garden. The celebration tips off at 5:30pm with Knicks-themed activities, games and fan experiences. Expect a street party vibe complete with a DJ, giveaways and plenty of face-painted superfans. Then, settle in at 7pm for the main event: a giant outdoor watch party presented by Spectrum, where you can catch every playoff action surrounded by fellow orange-and-blue faithful. Photograph: Courtesy of MSG Sports Before the game gets underway, fans can hit up the Fan Plaza Presented by Dunkin’, where they'll get to partake in meet-and-greets and perhaps even chat with Knicks alumni, plus experience a vertical jump challenge, a dunk contest on the Knicks Crosstown Express Bus (yes, that’s a real thing) and photo ops galore. There’ll be giveaways and free samples from Dunkin’, plus prizes, games and live hosting to keep the energy high. The Knicks haven’t said which alumni are showing up, but with the playoffs heating up, you can bet there’ll be some big names swinging through. No ticket is required: just bring your Knicks pride and show up early to grab a good spot. Whether you’re watching the game inside MSG or outside with the crowd, it’s a perfect night to be a New York fan. It helps that it's absolutely bea

The MTA is getting serious about fare evasion. This fall, New Yorkers will start to see a futuristic fix popping up across 20 subway stations: modern fare gates designed to foil even the most determined turnstile jumper. Four vendors—Conduent, Cubic, Scheidt & Bachmann and STraffic—have been tapped to pilot the agency's next-gen fare gate designs at five locations each as part of a broader crackdown on fare evasion that costs the system up to $800 million annually. The new gates, which feature tall glass paddles and advanced object detection technology, are meant to prevent climbing, holding or forcing gates open, tactics the MTA says are all too common. “They generally use paddles that open and close and are very difficult to force open, hold open or climb over,” Jamie Torres-Springer, President of MTA Construction & Development, told WABC. “They use the most modern sensor object detection and machine learning technology to open and close only for fare-paying passengers.” These gates are just one piece of a sweeping MTA initiative to modernize the system and restore trust among riders. It's part of the same push that brought brand-new subway maps to every train—a cleaner, easier-to-read redesign that reflects how New Yorkers actually move through the city today. (If you're wondering how it compares to the classic version, here’s a side-by-side look.) Anti-fare evasion efforts specifically include delayed egress doors, gate guards and reconfigured turnstiles to stop “backcock

It’s official: California’s love affair with cars is so intense, we’re about to literally run out of license plate numbers. After nearly 45 years of the trusty old format—one number, three letters, three numbers (think: 1ABC234)—the California DMV is preparing for a historic switch-up. Starting next year, newly registered vehicles will sport a fresh sequence: three numbers, three letters and one number (something like 123ABC4). Why now? Blame a perfect storm of fast-tracked car sales and a little geopolitical drama. Thanks to fears of soaring vehicle prices triggered by trade wars (yes, tariffs strike again), Californians have been snapping up new cars at record rates. The California New Car Dealers Association reported an 8.3% jump in new vehicle registrations in early 2025 compared to last year. That surge pushed the DMV’s plate inventory into the fast lane toward depletion—about a year earlier than expected. For context, California’s current numbering system kicked off way back in 1980 with “1AAA000.” It was designed to crank out more than 158 million unique combinations, but 13.2 million cars (and counting) later, even that massive stockpile is drying up. As of now, plates are being issued in the “9UBA000–9UBZ999” range, racing steadily toward the finish line at “9ZZZ999.” And no, you won’t suddenly be stuck without a plate. The DMV has the next system lined up and ready to roll. It's a simple reshuffle, not a revolutionary redesign. (Though, seriously, can we please brin

Miami’s newest culinary stars aren’t just cooking great food—they’re shaping the future of the city’s dining scene. Twenty-four of the most exciting chefs, pastry chefs, bakers, bartenders, sommeliers and restaurateurs have just been named the 2025 StarChefs Miami Rising Stars, earning national recognition for their creativity, leadership and deep ties to the community. Estefania Andrade of Trippy Kitchen is turning heads with her stacked churrasco steak sandwich, while Tam Pham of Tâm Tâm is serving an unforgettable massaman goat curry. Meanwhile, Maria Teresa Gallina and Nicolas Martinez of Recoveco are drawing crowds with their spiced golden chicken, and Juan Manuel Umbert is putting a luxe spin on handmade pasta at PASTA. And that’s just the beginning. Each Rising Star was handpicked after in-person tastings and interviews with over 100 Miami hospitality pros, evaluated on national standards for innovation, presentation, ambition and, of course, incredible food and drink creations. As StarChefs managing partner Will Blunt put it: “Hospitality professionals in Miami are successfully representing the city’s dynamic cultures and communities with respect and intention. As the focus shifts west—beyond the beach—a new generation of chefs, bartenders, sommeliers and restaurateurs are thinking locally by emphasizing South Florida produce, catering to year-round residents, and embracing Miami’s global influences while paying homage to the industry leaders who have come before them

Starting May 1, the Chicago Public Library (CPL) is rolling out some major policy shifts—and you’re going to want to bookmark this. First up: eCards are officially being retired. Until now, eCards have allowed both residents and out-of-towners to borrow digital materials, but the CPL claims it's time to prioritize those who actually live (and pay taxes) in the city. So if you’re an eCard user, you’ll need to head to a library branch by August 1—or whenever your card expires first—and apply for a full access or temporary access card. Getting a full access card is simple, just bring a photo ID with a Chicago address (or an ID plus a utility bill, etc.). Full-access cardholders can check out up to 50 physical items, borrow 10 OverDrive eBooks, stream five Hoopla titles per month, access a Wi-Fi hotspot and receive digital museum passes. (Basically, it’s like VIP access to all things library.) If you can’t prove your Chicago residency yet, you can snag a temporary access card. It’s good for 90 days, but it offers only limited perks: five physical items and no digital downloads. Digital borrowing limits are also being reduced slightly. During the pandemic, CPL bumped up digital checkout caps to meet skyrocketing demand. Now, they’re scaling back to keep things sustainable: a maximum of 10 OverDrive checkouts (down from 15), a maximum of five holds (down from 12) and a maximum of five Hoopla titles per month (down from eight). Blame the skyrocketing cost of ebooks—libraries pay way