A Sweet Tooth’s Guide to the Best Italian Cookies
Italy’s culinary prowess extends far beyond its savory staples like pasta and pizza. For those with a sweet tooth, Italian cookies offer a world of flavors, textures, and traditions, each…
Unexpected Italian Dishes For Your Thanksgiving Feast
As November begins, many of us start planning the familiar Thanksgiving menu we enjoy year after year. But what if you could infuse your holiday table with the charm of…
Try this Risotto Recipe to Keep You Warm This Fall
With the cooler weather, our seasonal dishes begin to shift and we make way for warmer bowls of steaming comfort foods. Whether you’re serving up soup or pasta, it’s important…
The Perfect Back-to-School Panini Formula
As school comes back in session, everyone’s minds turn to lunch ideas. Sandwiches are always a classic but can get boring after a few meals. An easy way to spice…
Garlic Fans Will Love These 4 Simple Recipes
Italians love cooking with garlic, and many of our favorite dishes claim it as the star. From the rich aroma that fills the kitchen to the burst of flavor in…
Picnic Like the Italians With These 5 Dishes
Summertime is just begging for you to get out and enjoy the sun. There is no better way than by indulging in delicious food from the Mediterranean. Italians have enviable…
Start Summer on the Right Foot With These 3 Pasta Recipes
Now that summer is here, it’s time to shift our plates towards more fresh and light dishes with seasonal ingredients to enjoy in the sun. But that doesn’t mean we…
5 Secrets to Preparing an Italian Mother’s Day Brunch
Moms treasure even the smallest gestures, but on Mother’s Day, a little extra thought goes a long way. Offering an experience is a heartfelt way to show appreciation, and cooking…
The Complete Guide to Limoncello
Limoncello is a symbol of Mediterranean zest and flavor. Its vibrant citrus notes dance upon the palate, transporting each sipper to the shores of the Mediterranean coast. The drink from…
6 Traditional Italian Easter Dishes to Try
Italians love to celebrate, and Easter is one of the most important holidays of the year in Italy. With big festivals, warmer weather, and the Vatican City nearby, there is…
The Perfect Italian Meal to Impress Your Valentine
There is nothing more romantic than a candlelight dinner of homemade pasta. For an extra special touch this Valentine’s Day, you can make your ravioli heart-shaped for a one-of-a-kind meal…
4 Healthy Italian Foods to Cook This Year
One of the most common New Year's Resolutions is to eat healthier. Healthy eating doesn’t have to mean giving up your favorite foods. Italy is one of the healthiest countries…
3 Ways to Celebrate the Holidays with an Italian Flare
Italy is a great place to celebrate the holidays, but you can enjoy their traditions right within your own home. Italians cherish and celebrate the time with friends and family…
Everything You Need to Know About Cooking Beef
Beef is one of the most beloved meats, cherished in home kitchens and restaurants alike. The world of beef offers a diverse array of cuts and cooking methods to explore.…
A Gourmet Risotto Recipe for Beginners
October is the start of the truly chilly part of fall, and the cool breeze means that it’s the perfect time to start cooking warm and cozy dishes. Risotto is…
3 Garden Fresh Soups for Fall
After a long season of growing and caring for your garden, it’s time to enjoy the fruits (and vegetables) of your labor. Fall is the perfect time for homemade soups,…
How to Cook the Best Gnocchi
Gnocchi is one of the best Italian dishes you can order when eating out. Gnocchi are great in soup, as a vehicle for sauces, or even baked into a casserole.…
7 Tips for a Successful Picnic
Summer is the perfect time to enjoy eating outdoors. A picnic can be a fun way to get outside and enjoy the company of friends and family around a cozy…
4 Recipes for Delicious Summer Pastas
In the summer heat, there is nothing better than a refreshing pasta dish. Whether it’s at a barbeque or your break room at work, fresh pastas can transport you to…
3 Italian Wines to Try This Spring
While hot spiked cider or a warm whiskey might be your drink of choice in the winter months, spring is just around the corner, and with it, springtime wine varieties.…
4 Ways to Prepare Your Spring Garden
Chefs and outdoorsmen alike patiently wait for the return of warmer weather. With spring quickly approaching, it’s time to start considering if you are going to plant a garden this…
6 Types of Tasty Homemade Candies to Make
Candy isn’t just for kids—everyone enjoys a sweet treat here and there—and making homemade candies can make them taste even better. No matter what flavor you prefer, there are many…
4 of the Top Romantic Italian Foods
With Valentine’s Day coming up, many people are making romantic dinner plans. A favorite that many people choose to eat in February are Italian foods. Whether you are making food…
6 Blue Zone Foods That You Should Include in Your Diet
America often produces fad diets that promise health benefits, but are unsustainable. However, certain regions of the world called Blue Zones have been practicing a diet for years that has…
3 Delicious Cookie and Cocktail Pairings
Whether you’re throwing a Christmas party or sitting around a fire at home on a cold winter's night, cookies are a classic holiday treat. This season, you can add a…
5 Delicious Italian Thanksgiving Side Dishes
Thanksgiving is generally an American holiday where you eat foods like turkey, mashed potatoes, and pie. On the other hand, Italians are known for their amazing cuisine, beloved by many…
4 Warm and Cozy Italian Drinks to Make This Fall
Nothing says fall quite like a warm and tasty Italian drink to keep you cozy while you enjoy the cool breeze. Toasty Italian drinks are perfect to sip on while…
4 Types of Alternative Noodles that Italians are Loving
Pasta is always a crowd-pleaser, with various options for flavors and add-ins. However, even Italians are looking for alternatives to their traditional pasta dishes. People often choose to swap out…
Impress Your Guests with These Italian Dishes
Italian dishes are a popular go-to for both an easy and delicious meal whenever hosting guests. When thinking of Italian dishes, many people’s minds jump immediately to pasta and pizza,…
5 Next Level Summertime Salads
Salads are the perfect summertime dish. They’re light and airy, but they can still be filling enough to keep you fueled for your day of fun in the sun. Salads…
4 Delicious Sauces to Pair with Grilled Steak
With summer comes the season of grilling. It’s no secret that steak is one of the most popular and decadent grilling meats—it’s a meat that is served regularly at barbecues…
How to Make Italian-Inspired Pastries
Although Italy is known for its pasta, Italian desserts are also popular and well known throughout the world. Favored Italian desserts include tiramisù, cannolis, panna cotta, torta della nonna, semifreddo,…
How to Make the Best Italian-Style Grilled Corn
There is nothing better than sitting outside with your family and friends, sharing a bottle of Chianti, and firing up the grill. Italian grilling is one unique way to roast…
Your Guide to Chicago’s 2022 Restaurant Week
It’s almost Chicago Restaurant Week, the week where restaurants throughout the city offer exclusive prix fixe menus to diners. Generally, these types of menus offer multiple courses for a fixed…
The Top Romantic Things to do in Chicago this Month
Spending Valentine’s Day in Chicago is a great way to have an extraordinary, romantic experience with your partner. Whether you choose to celebrate this special holiday in one of the…
4 Ideas for an Italian Inspired Brunch
Brunch is the perfect meal to gather with family and friends around a table to reflect and engage in conversation with cocktails and comfort food. If you are planning on…
Healthy Recipes for 2020
Many people are ringing in 2020 by setting healthy New Year’s resolutions. There are numerous healthy resolutions to choose from. For example, you can select a goal to eat more…
What the Albert is Serving for Christmas
Christmas is a special time of year filled with festive parties, time with family and friends, and exchanging gifts. It’s also known to be a time for appetizing foods, piquant…
How to Stay Happy During the Holidays
The holidays can be a wonderful time for laughter and good cheer, quality time with friends and family; and some delicious, festive food and cocktails. However, for some of us,…
3 Thanksgiving Wine Pairings
Whether your family gathers around to watch football games, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade or celebrates at a restaurant, there’s one thing all Americans have in common on the fourth Thursday…
New Fall Ingredients and Dishes
The leaves are changing here in Chicago, which means that some restaurants are starting to debut their new seasonal menus and fall ingredients. Lots of restaurants plan to incorporate different…
5 Questions To Ask When You Host a Rehearsal Dinner at a Restaurant
Planning a rehearsal dinner at a restaurant can feel like a daunting task. However, with good advice and planning, it can come together into a wonderful event. The first step…
5 Great Restaurant Patios in Chicago
Chicago is home to some of the best restaurants in the world, as well as some stunning city and lakeshore views. On a beautiful summer day in Chicago, it can be…
4 Spring Food and Drink Pairing to Try in 2019
Spring has sprung, and it is an exciting time in the food world—with the change in seasons, many restaurants are debuting their new seasonal menus. There is an excitement in…
3 Things the Best Restaurants in Chicago Have in Common
It is no secret that Chicago is home to some of the best food in the world. In this city, you can find virtually anything—from East Asian fare, to Mediterranean…
Local Spring Ingredients Chefs Choose in Chicago
Spring is right around the corner. Temperatures are warming up, and produce is starting to sprout out of the defrosting ground. While most people may be excited for warmer weather,…
How To Dine Like A Chicago Local
Visiting a new city that you have never been to before is exciting—there are tons of new sights to see and experience, and tons of new food to try. But…
How To Decide Where To Host a Rehearsal Dinner in Chicago
It is that time of year—love is in the air, Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, and people are getting engaged to start their lives together. Wedding planning will…
Why Chicago Restaurant Week is Incredible
Back by popular demand, for the 12th year in a row, Chicago Restaurant week is right around the corner. With almost 400 participating vendors, it is the city’s largest restaurant event…
Food Trend Fails of 2018
Food lovers often focus on what is up and coming in the food industry. The world of food is constantly changing and evolving, so keeping up with food trends is…
How to Boost Your Dining Experience in Chicago
Chicago is a fantastic city for dining, with wonderful restaurants throughout each neighborhood that have received high marks and boast top Chefs for culinary design. Yet while you will still…
How to Survive Happy Hour in Chicago
The ban on Chicago happy hours, which was established in 1989, has luckily been revoked—where now thirsty people on a budget can enjoy a glass of wine or a cocktail…
Wedding Rehearsal Planning Guide
When it comes to planning your wedding day, you don’t want to forget about the evening leading up to it. The rehearsal dinner can be an important event, as it…
Top Chicago Dining Trends
There’s no question—Chicago has a rich dining culture, and people travel from all over the world to experiences its restaurants and local cuisine. With top chefs, sophisticated plates, and seasonal…
The 5 Best Foods For Better Brain Health
Your brain is a major organ that needs adequate fuel throughout the day to best serve you. So, when you’re hopping around from one appointment to the next or you’re…
A Guide to Gin: The Best Gin Cocktails to Try Now
When it comes to making a refreshing, top-notch cocktail, you can’t go wrong with gin. Gin is a signature type of liquor that comes from the juniper berry, which has…
3 Ways To Use Leftover Foods in Your Meals
You cut up the heads of broccoli and toss the stalks, or finish off a plate of rotisserie chicken and ditch the bones. Sound familiar? Just think of how often…
4 Spring Recipes You’ll Want to Eat This Season
Spring is known for its beautiful, bright produce and herbal, grassy flavors. It’s easy to make light pasta dishes, salads, and healthy vegetable sides with spring staples, for clean eating that’s right…
The Best Ways To Cook With Cocoa
February is the month of love, so what better time to experiment with cocoa powder and nibs in the kitchen? Not only does cocoa taste delicious, as both a sweet…
3 Interesting Ways To Eat More Vegetables
Now that it’s 2018, you might be thinking of those New Years resolutions. A common one that comes to mind? Eat healthier—and that means loading up on those servings of…
Holiday Recipes: Dish ideas for Hanukkah, Christmas and Kwanza
No matter your religion or tradition, the holidays call for laughter, good company, and delicious food. With signature holiday recipes for each type of celebration, it’s time to experiment in the kitchen…
The Best Side Dishes For Your Thanksgiving Meal
Now that Thanksgiving is near, it’s time to think about the much-anticipated meal. And, when our favorite holiday only comes around once each year, it definitely requires some thought. Sure,…
3 Ways To Use Pumpkin For Fall
There’s no denying that the leading ingredient in fall recipes is pumpkin. Popping up everywhere—in soups, cocktails, desserts, and sides—it’s a seasonal treat that’s also really good for you. As it’s high…
3 Seasonal Fall Ingredients Popping Up On Menus Now
Now that it’s September, it’s time to embrace the leaves, the breeze, and of course, the season’s finest ingredients. By eating in season, you’re enhancing the flavor profile of your…
5 Private Dining Tips When Hosting An Event
When planning a private party, it’s a good idea to know some basic tips and tricks to help manage your time and limit stress. Having direction as to ambience, food,…
3 Delicious Toast Recipes For Morning Brunch
Sure, gourmet toasts make for a great meal or pick-me-up anytime of the day, but it’s not uncommon to wake up, bright and early, craving a slice of toast and…
How To Plan A Delicious Summer BBQ
Summertime calls for outdoor patios, BBQ’s, and festive gatherings. And there’s no better time to get your grill ready than over July 4th weekend, where friends and family come together to…
the Albert: Blending Art & Science On The Plate
You know the age-old question, “If you could enjoy a meal with someone, who would it be?”—Well, a few of those answers might have been “Albert Einstein.” The good news:…