Blog Archives

Wine Bar Brunch: Give Ampersand an Exclamation Mark!

Posted on January 28, 2016 by Robert Johnson

Countless restaurants host weekly brunches — typically on the weekends, and often restricted to Sundays — when they offer extensive buffets or otherwise expand their menus with an array of creative dishes. Most of those brunches serve sparkling wine-based beverages…

Tagged with: Ampersand Wine Bar, brunch, Chicago, eating out, Illinois, restaurants
Posted in Wine Buzz

My Favorite Chicago Pizza Restaurant and How You Can Have Amazing Pizza at Home

Posted on January 6, 2016 by Robert Johnson

In case you hadn’t checked your handy dandy food-and-wine holiday calendar, be aware that this is National Pizza Week. Chicago is known for its pizza, and during the 12 years I spent living in the Windy City, I ate a…

Tagged with: Chicago, Chicago style pizza, dining out, Illinois, Pizza, restaurants, travel
Posted in Wine Buzz

Pairing Wine With ‘Junk Food’ Favorites at Chicago’s Volo

Posted on January 5, 2016 by Robert Johnson

Volo Restaurant and Wine Bar is one of the most popular destinations in Chicago for wine lovers. Located in a boutique storefront, with both street parking and easy access to public transportation, the space combines cozy and chic design elements…

An Authentic Wine and Tapas Experience in Chicago

Posted on July 17, 2015 by Robert Johnson

When it comes to reviewing food or wine, the older I get, the more I realize that absolutely nothing beats experience. When talking about experience, it’s important not to confuse it with age. I’ll take a 25-year-old restaurant reviewer who…