Lisa Shames

Chicago

Writer and Editor at Freelance

Former dining/senior editor at CS magazine, U.S. contributor for So Good pastry magazine

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Articles

Chicago’s new NADU is a full-on celebration of regional Indian cooking

6 days ago | opentable.com | Lisa Shames

Ever since celebrated chef Sujan Sarkar opened his first restaurant, he’s been on a mission to show diners the breadth of Indian cooking. NADU in Chicago is his latest and shines a spotlight on regional Indian cooking, from small village homes to street food in big cities. “This is not Indian cuisine, rather it’s cuisines of India,” says Sarkar of NADU’s menu, where each dish is labeled with its region of origin.
Explore the New Tilly Bagels, Bringing Chicago’s Bagel Rush to Fulton Market

2 weeks ago | chicago.eater.com | Lisa Shames

When Hannah Tillett and Mike Banaszak opened Tilly Bagel Shop in August 2023 on the ground floor of a Columbia College student building in the South Loop, they were blown away by the response. The married couple would eventually hire a “bagel bouncer” to help manage long weekend lines. “The demand was higher than we could have ever anticipated,” Banaszak says.
Julia Momose of Kumiko Plays Double Duty as Chef and Mixoligist

3 weeks ago | chicago.eater.com | Lisa Shames

Back on Wednesday, April 2 — the day the James Beard Foundation awards committee named Kumiko a 2025 finalist for Outstanding Bar — owner Julia Momosé found herself in a tight spot — literally. “I was switching out an air filter in a little crawl space at Kumiko,” she recalls.
4 must-try dishes at Chicago hidden gem NORIKO handroll bar

3 weeks ago | opentable.com | Lisa Shames

4 must-try dishes at Chicago hidden gem NORIKO handroll bar Creative handrolls are just the beginning of the fun at this intimate, underground spot.
Frank Scibelli’s Path to Restaurant Success

4 weeks ago | usfoods.com | Lisa Shames

In 1992 when Frank Scibelli opened his first restaurant in Charlotte, North Carolina, he knew he was taking a big risk. While he grew up in an Italian-American family, Scibelli had no professional experience running a restaurant. What the Springfield, Massachusetts, native had in spades, though, was a love of the magic and joy that can happen when folks are sitting around a table together eating simple, delicious food.
Skating, Flow Dancing And Vintage Vendors Are All Part Of This South Loop Event Thursday

1 month ago | blockclubchicago.org | Lisa Shames

SOUTH LOOP — While collabs are nothing new these days, Thursday’s Chicago Skate Rave will go to places others have not. The one-day event will bring together skaters (roller/quad and inline), vintage vendors, shuffle dancers and flow jammers under one 20,000-square-foot roof. Located in a former TJ Maxx store at 1008 S. Canal St., Chicago Skate Rave will run from 7-10 p.m. and is an 18-and-over event. Tickets are $10 and are available through Eventbrite.
How Chicago chefs gets serious when it comes to food allergies

1 month ago | chicagotribune.com | Lisa Shames

If we’ve heard it once, we’ve heard it a thousand times: “Does anyone at the table have an allergy or dietary restriction?” It’s become so ubiquitous when eating out that it’s hard to remember a time when we weren’t asked.
'You Can Still Have Fun When You're Old'

1 month ago | blockclubchicago.org | Lisa Shames

UPTOWN — It’s 4 p.m. on a chilly Tuesday afternoon, and even though beloved country music bar Carol’s Pub just opened for the day, the dance floor next to the raised stage and portraits of Dolly Parton and Willie Nelson is filling up with those itching to get their groove on. Some decided to pair their cowboy hats with plaid shirts. A few are letting their pointy-toed cowboy boots do the talking. Others kept it simple, opting to wear blue jeans, T-shirts and sensible shoes.
FE&S 2025 Hall of Fame Award Winner: Lenny Condenzio

1 month ago | fesmag.com | Lisa Shames

To get a glimpse into how profoundly the FE&S 2025 Hall of Fame Award winner has affected so many, one only need look at the wide group of people — a mix of co-workers, project collaborators, friends and even competitors — who jumped at the chance to sing the praises of Leonard D. “Lenny” Condenzio, FCSI, CEO of Ricca Design Studios. Within minutes of sending an email request, the responses to contribute to this article came rushing in. Far too many, in fact, to list here.
After Burglary, Fry The Coop Restaurant Owner Finds Humor - And Support - On Social Media

1 month ago | blockclubchicago.org | Lisa Shames

WEST TOWN — Joe Fontana typically uses beef tallow to cook the french fries at his nine Fry the Coop restaurants. But last week, Fontana was generously spreading the slippery stuff on the front door handle of his West Town location at 1529 W. Chicago Ave. Inside, Fontana engaged in more “Home Alone”-inspired antics, documenting them in an Instagram video posted Friday. He covered part of the entrance in clear plastic wrap and tied a six-pack of canned beer to a beam overhead.