We were so excited to see the latest issue of Dwell, because the kitchen on the cover looks very familiar! It's Art and Chelsea's loft in Chicago's Pilsen neighborhood, which we featured here last summer. More

We love a book with a good story and a worthy social cause behind it, but even more than that, we love a great collection of recipes. Soup recipes, in particular, these days. We found all of these things in the Soup & Bread Cookbook. More

When you walk through a supermarket produce section or farmers' market, it may seem like there is a wide variety of fruit available, but there are actually thousands of varieties of tree fruit that aren't commercially grown. The Chicago Rarities Orchard Project is working to bring some of those varieties back to the spotlight. More on that below, plus a family recipe for quince paste! More

Are you making any holiday candy to give away as gifts or serve to guests? We've been inspired to experiment with some new candy recipes, but first we wanted to get some expert advice. So we turned to Lauren Pett of Rich Chocolates & Candies, part of Chicago's Sweet Collective. Before you start your next batch, check out her tips below. More

Chicago's new Dill Pickle Food Co-op has opened its doors in time for residents of the Logan Square neighborhood to stock up on plenty of local and organic food for the holidays. It's a good thing too, because despite a wonderful (but seasonal) farmers' market, grocery options in the neighborhood are somewhat limited. More

The long-awaited Chicago French Market opened its doors yesterday at the Ogilvie Transportation Center. We were there bright and early to check it out. More

Gene's Sausage Shop at Delicatessen Meyer is now open for business in Chicago's Lincoln Square neighborhood. After two years of anticipation, we finally got a peek inside. More

A Chicago button maker's cheery, modern kitchen redesign has us swooning. More on that below, plus baked grapes, a lovely turnip salad for Rosh Hashana and fresh homemade lunch ideas. More

It was late spring when I visited Art and Chelsea's Chicago kitchen, and the vibe and tastes reflected that perfectly: Warm enough for an open balcony connecting from the kitchen and spring-y enough for fresh herbs seeming like a very new indulgence. The kitchen itself also reflected a newness and originality not always a given in loft conversions.

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City: Chicago
Population: 2.8 million (9.5 million in the metropolitan area)
Local specialties: Deep-dish pizza, Chicago-style hot dogs, steak, beer, local produce, various ethnic dishes

Perhaps best known for its deep-dish pizza and eponymous hot dog, Chicago is truly a city of neighborhoods, and home cooking here reflects that. Midwestern comfort food holds a special place in Chicagoans' hearts, although many cooks here now prefer a lighter, more seasonal approach, most of the time anyway. More