"It does this magical thing where it feels like it’s 100% a French bistro and 100% a basement rec room in Kenosha, Wisconsin. It is a weird thing they do, and they do it very well." Curious to know more? Listen to the latest episode of Dish From Chicago Magazine.

“When I came back from court that day, I was crying on the couch. The irony was, as hard as we fought for the video, I didn’t want to watch the murder of a 17-year-old kid.”

“I recognize Posey’s influence. Yet I also taste Ploshehanski’s new-to-me culinary voice — fond of thoughtful surprises, committed to the art of sauce making, and Francophilic to its core.” buff.ly/oimdaDv

It’s not just that Brandon Johnson lacks political savvy. He also lacks the tools that past mayors used to bend the council to their will: patronage and money. buff.ly/2YXPPvG

Listing of the Month: The former Hyde Park home of a textbook exec is ready for its next chapter.

Journalist Jamie Kalven wrote the first story that detailed what happened that night, revealing the existence of the dashcam video. Says Kalven: “I often think about Laquan McDonald in parallel to Emmett Till.” buff.ly/3QLq5CZ

The days of domineering mayors, which date back to the rule of Richard J. Daley, seem to have come to an end. Thanks to two consecutive weak, inexperienced mayors, the council has been clawing back power it lost long ago. buff.ly/2YXPPvG

Whether it was previously a ComEd substation in Chicago or a former dairy farm in Oswego, these five properties boast major design appeal for potential buyers. buff.ly/g8YzY1b

“Toni [Preckwinkle] pulled up in her car and beckoned me. The first thing she said was ‘16 shots.’ She is the first person who uttered that phrase.”

Review: Creepies, from the Elske team, still needs some refining, but it’s already the city’s most exciting place to eat. buff.ly/oimdaDv

Laquan McDonald’s death may well have become just another statistic if not for journalists, activists, and lawyers who worked to unveil video evidence. Here, 10 years later, they recount their experience. buff.ly/3QLq5CZ

“I have every piece of ‘Chopped’ swag that has ever been made. It’s an immaculate collection — mostly T-shirts and hoodies. But I can’t ever wear any of it, because I’d look like a schmuck.” buff.ly/F6INxI0

“I got a call from someone in law enforcement. They’d seen the video and knew that the incident was being covered up. They told me it was an execution and that the police shot that boy like he was nothing but a dog in the street.”

Dish Episode 14: John and Amy discuss Creepies, the new French Midwestern bistro from the Elske team, along with two tavern-style pizza places making waves.

On the 10-year anniversary of the release of the Laquan McDonald video, the people who brought it to light—including Loevy partner Matt Topic—recount how it happened.

Have I introduced you yet to Chicago’s own Walter Eckersall, the subject of my recent biography? Born in Woodlawn, athlete at Hyde Park High School & UChicago, prominent Tribune sportswriter? (Book recently featured in @chicagomag.com) www.chicagomag.com/chicago-maga...

With Chicago now on its second consecutive weak leader, the City Council is growing in power. buff.ly/2YXPPvG

Doors Closing: “Whereas the L was once a societal leveler, the means by which Chicagoans of all types went to their job or school or party, frustration with its unreliable service and fears about safety are leading those who can to abandon it.” www.chicagomag.com/chicago-maga...

The video dropped like a bombshell 10 years ago this month. In our new oral history, the key players recount how they helped bring the transformative video of Laquan McDonald’s death to light.

These five properties were given new life and modern updates.

Ten years ago this month, dashcam footage was released showing Laquan McDonald being shot to death by a police officer. Nothing would ever be the same again.

“He’s the city’s top conservator of monuments, sculptures, and fountains — the guy you trust to preserve and clean Chicago’s finest public works.” www.chicagomag.com/chicago-maga...

As the feds cracked down on immigration in Chicago this fall, filmmaker Carlos Javier Ortiz’s camera was rolling. These stills and footage show a city in crisis — and a city defiant.

At Passenger, a new stationery store in Evanston, you’ll also find paper used for lamps, sculptures, and jewelry, as well as Azuma bags.

Your Sunday long read ☀️: The International Film Fest may have wrapped, but we're always a movie town. This 2023 piece looks at Siskel & Ebert's early WTTW days and how it set the stage for their influential partnership.

Ever tried a calamansi shrikhand doughnut? How about a kaaju latte? Get yourself to Samira Cafe and try one of these unique menu items. buff.ly/JYxqWYy

Happy November, culture nerds! See everything we're recommending for this month: buff.ly/oZF1m3y

“She’s not worried because she has papers,” said her son, speaking for his mother, whose English is limited. “Right now, though, they don’t go with papers, they go with color.”

State lawmakers have passed a $1.5 Billion funding bill that saves the CTA from massive cuts. Take a look at our story from the spring to better understand how we got here and what was at stake. buff.ly/uzHaVVN

"Everything he touches, he’s thinking generations ahead: How is his fingerprint going to help that piece survive in the long term for prosperity?” buff.ly/iGXnO6z

"We call ourselves cable-ebrities," says @thetedallen.bsky.social. "It’s a certain level of fame that is kind of helpful: People are nice to me, but I can walk around cities." buff.ly/F6INxI0

Making a pastry shop stop this weekend? We suggest snagging one (or more) of these menu items at Sarima Cafe. buff.ly/JYxqWYy

How Evanston’s Passenger rekindled one man’s lifelong fandom of stationery stores. buff.ly/k6WK3bl

All of the homes in our Fox River Valley real estate roundup are older — whether midcentury modern, Queen Anne-style, or custom-built in the 1980s — but they also have tasteful updates.

the masked agents raid our neighborhoods. what do they cover up? (yesterday) is their promise & their charge. José Olivarez's poem for our times.

“People like myself and others I know feel like there’s a better way of doing this,” Ortiz says of the crackdown. “It’s almost cruel on purpose.” www.chicagomag.com/chicago-maga...

www.chicagomag.com/chicago-maga... this is insane

As the feds cracked down on immigration in Chicago this fall, filmmaker Carlos Javier Ortiz’s camera was rolling, showing a city in crisis — and a city defiant. buff.ly/CMQe2oc

Dajnowski has been taking care of local public art for nearly 35 years. He’s the guy you trust to preserve and clean Chicago’s finest public works.

“I’m never gonna understand the fear that it is to be brown under this administration, so I’m gonna stand on the corner and do what I can,” said the woman, who is on this corner three or four days a week.

Low-intensity warfare is uncanny. We continue to go to work, bring kids to school, shop for groceries, etc. But our everyday routines are punctuated by random episodes of spectacular violence; war as a way of life.

Awesome article on Andrzej Dajnowski www.chicagomag.com/chicago-maga...

The ‘Chopped’ host, 60, on the knife you need, cable-level fame, and his weakness for chips.

Filipino and Indian flavors converge at Sarima Cafe. Here's what we think is the perfect order at the new Bucktown spot. buff.ly/JYxqWYy

“A couple hours ago, a guy passed by saying, ‘Be careful of immigration,’” an Albany Park resident said. “It’s always quiet here, but out of nowhere, they decided to come, to hit our community.” buff.ly/C7bCnyn

"A poet reacts to the immigration crackdown in his hometown the way he knows best: through verse." www.chicagomag.com/chicago-maga... @joseolivarez.bsky.social is the foreword author of LINGERING INLAND, edited by @andyoler.bsky.social cc: @chicagomag.com

The oldest town in Illinois was also the state's first capital. Get the history here:

My city Under Siege. www.chicagomag.com/chicago-maga...

“It’s almost cruel on purpose.” Ortiz says of the immigration crackdown. But he's heartened by the response from people across the city. “They’re organizing communally. It’s amazing seeing other Chicagoans standing up.”

So glad people are producing art and music to help us reflect about what's happening. I heard a great song yesterday too about protest in Chicago rn.