Lettuce Entertain You owner Rich Melman refused to modify an employment contract awarding Gras a lifetime supply of M Burgers and Wow Bao dumplings.

Best of Chicago 2010

Chicago

Haven’t these stories been written again and again since the 1970s? The institutional memory of magazines isn’t what it once was, or maybe all the editors who knew what kind of palate this city has have retired or passed on to the Italian beef stand in the sky; a September Gourmet piece on prime taquerias came with a condescending note that Chicago food was finally coming into its own! (Tell Kamehachi at 40, Charlie Trotter’s at 20 and Blackbird at 11.) Savorier is Saveur’s October issue, the first devoted entirely to a single city: Chicago’s grand “gustatory landscape.” Along with the foodie slick’s customary drool-inducing photography, the magazine’s a treat of neat pieces, starting with a sweet, short bio of Rich Melman, who’s been partnered in 130 restaurants in 65 years, written by former Playboy editor Jonathan Black. “We’re restaurateurs,” Melman says, “Not brain surgeons.” And how long has Melman not been doing brain surgery? Thirty-six years. All the news that’s fit to eat! Peter Sagal confesses to being part of Chicago’s foie gras underground; but why go on? The issue’s only five bucks: the plumpest amuse-bouche of the month.

Best of Chicago 2007

Foodlife
If all food courts were this good, this diverse and charming, we’d have world peace. Or something. Creator Rich Melman’s innovation extends beyond the tasty offerings—from pizza to stir-fry to barbecues, wraps and much more—and into the process itself. They’ve overcome two challenges that baffle many a food-court family-the problem of four people wanting to buy food at four shops, but out of one pocketbook; and the potential frantic chase for a table afterward. We’ll let you see for yourself how they did it.

Mezzanine Level, Water Tower Place, 835 North Michigan (312)335-3663

Best of Chicago 2002