Nicole Schnitzler

Translating to “I’ll leave it up to you,” the Japanese omakase—a high-end, multi-course tasting menu—descended upon Chicago’s dining scene a few years back with the debut of spots like Kyōten, Mako and Yume. Today, that interest only continues to grow with the arrival of venues like Sushi by Scratch Restaurants and Sushi Bar, plus some of the best sushi restaurants in Chicago offering their own special takes on the experience. And once seated and settled, what’s not to love? Guests are invited to sit back, relax and allow the kitchen to guide them through a one-of-a-kind evening comprising pristine bites from oceans around the globe that are paired with wine, sake and Japanese whisky. From a 10-seat stunner in River North to a West Loop hotel’s ode to hip-hop and hamachi, here are Chicago’s best options for omakase menus right now. RECOMMENDED: Discover more of the best tasting menus in Chicago

In the thick of winter in Chicago, it can be easy to bundle up and lay low (we see you, Netflix and chill)—but let us not make a habit of hunkering down in this town, where world-class culture cues us into action. Case in point with Chicago Theatre Week, a multi-day celebration of local musicals, comedies, operas and beyond. With dozens of participating productions across more than 50 Chicagoland theaters—all featuring tickets at $30 or less—there’s never been a better time to round up your fellow arts enthusiasts for a show (or several).  From 19th century-inspired improv to a Bob Dylan-scored musical, here are some of the best Chicago Theatre Week performances to catch now. For ticket prices, dates and content advisories, check out the CRW website. What is Chicago Theatre Week? More than 100 participating productions at the best theaters in Chicago, the suburbs and everywhere in between will offer tickets at discounted price points of $15 or $30 (or less) during the promotion.  When is Chicago Theatre Week? Chicago Theatre Week is February 8-18, 2024.

Located just north of Chicago, Evanston is best known as the home of Northwestern University but it also boasts gorgeous beaches and an excellent dining scene. The city is full of contrasts—delicious dives and amazing bakeries complement elegant steakhouses and seafood restaurants—and brand new concepts thrive alongside decades-old institutions. Some spots are delivery- and takeout-only, so you’ll want to bring your food to a park or one of the tables at Fountain Square. Whatever you’re looking for, hop on the Purple Line or Metra and check out one of the best restaurants in Evanston. RECOMMENDED: The best restaurants in Chicago

Home to a vibrant theatre district, several Tony Award-winning theatre companies and a world-renowned comedy scene, Chicago is always brimming with entertainment—and this spring is no different. World premieres, hotly anticipated returns and comedy pairs and are all part of the theatre circuit this season, each one providing a new reason to hire a sitter and gather the group for dinner in the Loop, followed by a show. From indie scripts to international blockbusters, here are the best theatre acts to catch in Chicago this spring. RECOMMENDED: Discover the best theatres in Chicago

These days, the best restaurants in Chicago are putting just as much thought into décor as they are menus. Heck, the James Beard Foundation even praises the craft with an award category in restaurant design (fun fact: Pacific Standard Time took home top honors in 2019). Some of our favorite restaurants and bars are taking their decorating efforts one step further and doing it up in the most unexpected place: the bathroom. And why not? Considering the long-lasting impact of the holistic dining experience—from soundtrack and service to lighting and libations—these industry aces understand the value in making the commode just as fun as it is functional. Serving ’70s vibes and stellar skyline views, these are the most beautiful Chicago bathrooms in which we’ve ever had the pleasure of piddling.

Nestor Gomez will always remember the night he stopped by Green Mill’s 2014 poetry slam: For the first time, he was going to read his own poetry to a live audience. “I put my name on the list to tell a poem,” says the 47-year-old Guatemala native. “But then I realized that everyone was telling their poems in English, and I only knew how to tell mine in Spanish.” Gomez didn’t get onstage that night, but after attending a few other slams and storytelling gatherings, he eventually stood in front of a crowd a few months later and recounted his first day as an immigrant in Chicago and the comedy-of-errors process of learning that the same word can have varied meanings to Latinos from different countries. When he was crowned the winner, he started to see storytelling and poetry reading as much more than a hobby. In 2017, he founded 80 Minutes Around the World: Immigration Stories, a bimonthly happening that celebrates the narratives of immigrants, their descendants and their allies through live readings. “Storytelling is an easy way to relate our experiences, and it has the power to build bridges across communities,” he says. “I’m an immigrant and English is not my first language, but people still find ways to connect with my story, even if their lives are different.” At the gatherings, the storytellers tackle all sorts of themes: For example, a South Korean immigrant explained why having her name pronounced correctly was so important to her, a first-generation American spoke abou

Going out to eat by yourself can be simultaneously terrifying and liberating. Will there be seats at the bar? Will you be bored out of your mind? Will everyone around you know you're alone? Shake your fears and experience some of the best restaurants in Chicago solo. Who knows—you might discover that there are some serious perks to taking yourself on a date, like not having to share your fries or entertain small talk. The best restaurants for solo dining in Chicago are warm, welcoming and have excellent cocktail menus to ease your nerves. From one of the top Michelin star restaurants Chicago has to offer to a pasta palace in Logan Square, these restaurants will gladly hook you up with a table (or barstool) for one. Feel confident going stag at the best places to dine alone in Chicago.

Inspired by Michael Schiffer’s 1989 film starring Morgan Freeman, this theatrical adaptation explores the life journeys of its characters, especially with regard to the bonds they form over time.

Fans of the hit show will enjoy this theatrical rendition from Robert Leleux and director Eric Swanson, who together consider what Miami’s iconic quartet would be up to nowadays. Grab some friends for a night of throwbacks and laughs.

Gather a group of friends for this show, an off-the-cuff ode to Jane Austen that has gained a loyal following in the 15 years since its debut. The cast calls upon an audience suggestion to inspire the show’s title (ensuring a totally new performance each time), then creates a long-form, Regency Era "Rom-Com" with Austen tropes and manners of yore. Expect a tale of laughs, love and surprises.

Director Elizabeth Margolius presents a different take on this celebrated musical, which centers on tradition and family. Set in a small Russian village, a milkman tries to protect and impart wisdom on his five daughters as they grow up, fall in love and begin families of their own—all in the midst of social and political change. Come early for a bite at their onsite restaurant Lucille, plus specialty cocktails inspired by current shows.

Duluth, Minnesota, 1934. A group of wayward travelers meet in a guesthouse filled with music, resulting in moments of connection and hope. Written and directed by Conor McPherson and featuring Tony Award-winning arrangements by Simon Hale, the production reimagines 20 iconic Bob Dylan songs, including “Forever Young,” “All Along the Watchtower,” “Hurricane” and “Like a Rolling Stone.”

Everyone’s favorite Steves take to the stage yet again this June, when they grace The Chicago Theatre for two nights with their “You Won’t Believe What They Look Like Today” tour. Expect plenty of jabs at Hollywood and the oddities of fame, and, of course, some affectionate and sharp puns at one another.

The Lyric Opera captivated audiences with its 2019 debut of this Broadway classic—and they’re bringing that magic back for three weeks this June, when we’re once again in the world of Sharks and Jets—and of Maria and Tony. Leonard Bernstein's music and Stephen Sondheim's lyrics soar as strongly as ever, reminding spectators that even in the midst of power battles and familial strife, love perseveres.

Chicagoans are some of the fortunate few to welcome these two comedy legends for their first joint tour this May, when they descend on The Chicago Theatre for three sets across two days. The two will spend each evening sharing tales from their decades-long friendship and careers—all of which is bound to incorporate the same wit and charisma that was quick to win over fans in works like Mean Girls and Parks and Recreation.

Written by Donnetta Lavinia Grays and directed by Valerie Curtis-Newton, this Chicago premiere touches on some of the most powerful themes felt within a family: sacrifice, love and endurance—all through the lens of a parent-child relationship. When Monique and her daughter Sam arrive to their family’s home in Brooklyn, the family begins to question what such an arrival means, and what it is they’re leaving behind of their lives in Georgia. Buckle in for an emotionally layered story that hones in on family bonds and their expansive nature.

Directed by Sivan Battat, Martin Yousif Zebari’s Layalina tells the story of an intergenerational family that seeks to restore a sense of home after emigrating from Iraq to suburban Chicago. As each family member navigates their own grief and identity, they realize the significance of belonging to a place—and to each other.

Inspired to open a modern steakhouse in honor of her father Arnie Morton (of Morton’s Steakhouses), Amy Morton opened this smart, welcoming restaurant in the heart of downtown Evanston. Situated in a 19th -century barn that once served as a horse stable for Borden Milk, the space boasts soaring ceilings, a well-dressed bar and rich, mahogany hues throughout. Settle in for sophisticated eats from James Beard-winning chef Debbie Gold, including a caviar sandwich, roasted half chicken and solid surf and turf selection.

Housed within The Graduate Evanston hotel, this restaurant features updated takes on traditional American dishes featuring elevated, seasonal ingredients. Executive chef Edgar Coronado helms the kitchen, spinning out flavorful plates like king salmon rillette with chips, herbs and endive, braised lamb shank with lentils and root vegetables, and Cacio e Pepe Gnocchi with pecorino Romano and black pepper. Bartender Bad Birdy oversees the drinks list, drawing inspiration from local movie mogul John Hughes his 1980s hits (think the shiso and St. Germaine-laced Don’t You Forget About Me or the Planes, Trains, & Automobiles, a modern play on the Paper Plane).