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Chicago Magazine

The Answer Man

Critic’s Choice

OK Supercomputer • Absolutely fascinating article [“The Computer That Will Change Everything,” February]. Its processing capability is almost beyond comprehension. Imagine speed increasing a trillionfold in just the last 40 years!

CITY OF BIG QUESTIONS

Talking Points • This month’s conversation starters

Bikes vs. Business • A hardware store’s closing in Logan Square brings to a head the rising tensions over protected bike lanes.

The Rookie • At 53, new White Sox manager Pedro Grifol is getting his first shot at running a team.

MEET THE WHITE SOX’S NEXT STAR • Three things to know about Oscar Colas

Chicago’s Country Roots • Mark Guarino’s new book, Country and Midwestern, looks back at when our city was a country music capital. Here’s what we learned.

Waiting for the Bus A tragicomedy

Mies in the Woods • The modernist master inspired a home in sylvan Riverwoods.

Where It’s @

Irene Michaels • Actor, musician, equestrian, cat walker

Fab Five • Look for this quintet of buzzy artists at this month’s Expo Chicago.

AGENDA • Top 10 reasons to fill up your calendar this month

Restaurant Reboots • Three newly revamped concepts reflect how dining out has changed since the pandemic.

Pasta Prince

Downtown Terroir • The new Chicago Winery in River North brings in grapes from around the country for its own take on vino.

Spring Showstopper

The Hot List • 10 places everyone’s talking about (in order of heat)

Outside the Box • A former factory becomes one couple’s expansive yet orderly entertainment zone.

The Plant Whisperer • Nika Vaughan shares tips for building a lush green scene inside your home.

Sky as Your Ceiling • A revamped Lincoln Park rooftop brings living room vibes outside.

The Life of a Server Lifer • In his decades of working in restaurants, the author has served celebrities and deployed sass. He’s also found fulfillment.

BEST NEW RESTAURANTS • THESE 11 TOP NEWCOMERS ARE ALL ABOUT DELIVERING BOLD FLAVORS AND GOOD TIMES.

A Critic’s Plea: No More Tasting Menus • The glut of these sky-high-priced restaurants puts the best cooking in town out of reach.

5 Best New Sweets

HOUSE DIVIDED • Trax Records helped launch Chicago’s own musical genre, but the artists behind the influential label say they weren’t fairly compensated. Now they’re fighting for what’s theirs.

EVERYONE AGAINST US • In this exclusive adaptation of his new book, a former Cook County public defender describes what it’s like advocating for the accused—and recounts the injustices he witnessed.

Coach Redux • The luxury house returns to Michigan Avenue, refreshed.

Small Wonder • A pint-size Andersonville shop puts kids first with handmade clothing and accessories.

Collette Pollard’s Spot for Statuary • A scenic designer for Chicago’s top theaters reveals her go-to artisan for sculptures.

Zetta Elliott • Creative and car-free, the prolific author explores her adopted hometown on foot.

Rebecca Makkai • The novelist, 44, on her first bad review, ADHD’s upside, and a certain tweet about red hats

ALWAYS HAVE AN ANSWER TO “Where should we eat?”