HM Food + Drink
Rich’s Recipe for remarkable restaurants
The Story of Rich Melman’s “Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises” By Larry Atseff R.J. Grunts Started It All A little more than 50 years ago, on June 10th at 11:31 am, to be precise, Rich Melman and late, first partner, Jerry Orzoff, opened R.J. Grunts, a few steps from the Lincoln Park Zoo on Chicago’s near…
Read MorePhil Vettel Reviewed Fine Dining In Chicago For 31 Years
By Larry Atseff We recently had the opportunity to sit down with Phil Vettel, who recently retired after writing dining reviews for the Chicago Tribune for 31 years. Naturally, we picked out a comfortable neighborhood spot, known for its food, Sam Vlahos’ Pierce Tavern in Downers Grove. Phil started out covering general news topics for…
Read MoreBest of 2021
Congratulations to Hinsdale Magazine’s 2021 “BEST of Reader Favorites”! By Larry Atseff 2021 marks the sixth year we have asked you to vote for the “BEST of Reader Favorites” across more than 40 categories, ranging from all types of eating places, to home remodelers, repair services, cleaners, salons and more. In another most unusual year…
Read MoreThe Sam Vlahos Approach To Neighborhood Restaurants
By Larry Atseff When talking with Phil Vettel about his experience as a restaurant critic, we chose Sam Vlahos’ Pierce Tavern in downtown Downers Grove to sit down and talk. Sam joined us and we got some perspective from him about running a successful restaurant, as an owner of three different neighborhood operations. Restaurants have…
Read MorePaul Virant
Local Restauranteur Reintroduces Vistro Prime By Kerrie Kennedy It’s been a long year of home cooking and takeout food, but as vaccine rollouts give Americans the confidence they need to return to in person dining this spring, restaurant owners are hoping for a robust recovery. For local restaurateur Paul Virant, who owns Vie in Western…
Read MoreThe Perfect Coffee
The Freshest coffee aroma brings you to Café La Fortuna When you are walking through the Courtyard at Village Place, between Hinsdale Ave. and First Street, you can’t help but be drawn to the fresh coffee aroma that takes you right to Angela Lavelli’s Café La Fortuna. It really is a bit of good fortune.…
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