Hunting for hidden gems, an in-depth look at Cariño, south side doughnuts and Roscoe Village, pastry capital?

The year's top prizes are out (and we don't mean the French tire ones), Reddit becomes a place for food people to talk to fans, and Mike went to Maxwells and John's

Paring down wine pairings, Thomas Keller went where in Chicago?, and reviews of DeNucci's, La Grande Boucherie, and Top Butcher Market

37 years of Frontera Grill, the chef behind vegan Latin food, and reviews of Bon Yeon, Mano Modern Cafe, and the party boat

How that hot new French bistro popped up everywhere, Nick Kindelsperger spills it at Reddit, and reviews of Cariño, Brasero, Ramova, and FAFO

Etta betta figure it out, Anelya conjures memories for critics, and bang bang Maxwell's purple potato

Taco omakase and other delights at Cariño, what's with that place with the blue rice, and why don't I feel like going out right now?

Banchet Awards happen, Beard Awards gear up, debating the anti-service at John's, and I review Nettare

Beating the system at John's, looking for a replacement for a different John's, and the story of the nearly extinct Francheezie

Beef omakase, Korean egg sandwiches, service charges without service, and the return of a 19th century Chicago liqueur (not that one!)