The Perfect One Day Chicago Outing With Food

At Lula Cafe, my daughter Ida K. Ansell ordered one of the few Chicago dishes that cannot be duplicated successfully in New Orleans—tomato slice, goat cheese, slivers of red onion and smoked salmon on top of a large, probabaly house-made bagel half---also known as a lox platter.---Pat Coland…

Spring Mystery Dinner: A Seasonal First

An important difference in being a volunteer board member server at South Shore Arts annual auction item mystery dinner, as opposed to being a server at anything else, is that Chefs Gary (Bartlett's) and Nicole (Bistro 157) take care that the support staff is well fed.---Pat Colander, Associ…

Pub crawl, scavenger hunt planned by downtown Valpo businesses

VALPARAISO | Downtown businesses will celebrate citizenship throughout the month of February with events, festivities and prizes.

Valpo first to get banner honoring National Guard

VALPARAISO | It's going to be a banner week beginning Saturday in downtown Valparaiso thanks to the National Guard and the Folds of Honor organization.

Tour to highlight Valparaiso's historic buildings downtown

VALPARAISO | The buildings in Valparaiso's downtown will be the focus of the historic preservation commission's final tour of the season today.

Valley gets first liquor license endorsement

VALPARAISO | With its promise to provide "amazing food consistently," the Valley restaurant received a recommendation of approval of its liquor license request from the city's Historic District Alcohol Beverage Licensing Committee on Monday.

Valpo again observes Earth Hour event

VALPARAISO | If there was a competition for going green, Valparaiso would beat the two top sports organizations in the world.

Two restaurants seek Valpo downtown liquor licenses

VALPARAISO | One new restaurant and one former one will be asking the city's Downtown Beverage Licensing Committee to endorse their applications for one of the city's downtown historic district liquor licenses.

Four female chefs lead the way in the kitchen and in life

Recently, I had the fun of visiting with four women I truly admire.

Mexican restaurant added to downtown dining menu

VALPARAISO | The city finally appears ready to award the sixth of its 10 downtown dining district liquor licenses.

Lots to eat in Valparaiso

My family had a blast this past Saturday, despite the weather, at the Taste 5 Festival in downtown Valparaiso. Bistro 157, Bon Femme Café, Don Quijote, Paparazzi, Pikk's Tavern and Valparaiso Community Festivals and Events came together for the second annual festival. It's a great opportunit…