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Chicago magazine delivers an authoritative guide to life in one of America's greatest cities. From insight into the best dining and shopping to interviews with fascinating figures shaping the future of Chicago, every issue is your source for living city smart.

Chicago Magazine • A TRIBUNE PUBLICATION

Suited to a Tee

Facts vs. Flair • The debate over long-form storytelling raged long before podcasts.

Power Shout-Outs • I love how “The New Power 30” [March] looks like Chicago, isn’t just the usual names everyone knows, and talks about who’s changing the foundation of our city. I was also struck by how the “How I Stood Up to Power” moments all revolve around whether [the subjects] were going to let someone else control their identity.

Best Coffee Mug Photos

Talking Points • This month’s essential Zoom happy hour chatter

Digging Out • Office vacancy rates in the Loop during the pandemic have surpassed their ’70s peak. So what’s it going to take to bring people back?

Girls Interrupted • In her new book, Julie DiCaro speaks for fellow female journalists who’ve been wounded by misogyny in sports.

Web of Fab • A refreshed Hinsdale home with a storybook exterior is on the market for nearly $4 million.

Jerk-Free Zone • Karen Alpert, the local humor blogger behind Baby Sideburns, dishes real-talk parenting advice in her new book, Mamas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be A-Holes (out April 27). Here’s what she suggests for when your kid …

Smartmatic vs. Fox News • How do you correct mass disinformation? According to the Chicago attorneys representing the plaintiff, by slapping a huge price tag on it.

Beans on Totes • The humble legume is having a moment, thanks to carryalls that elevate it to abstract art.

Euro Visions • A frothy new Bucktown boutique sprinkles in a little vintage flatware and local jewelry, and a whole lot of transporting joy.

Ask a Budtender

Charles Whitaker • Journalism educator, tennis loyalist, afternoon snoozer

Drugstore Gourmet • A Walgreens-sourced wine tasting to cure the pandemic blues

Will It Taco? • The chefs at this new taqueria are tucking some fancy things into tortillas — but they still make a killer al pastor.

Not Your Bubbe’s Jewish Deli • Vegan pastrami, blue corn matzo ball soup, pimiento cheese knishes — the offerings at these new spots are anything but traditional.

Motherly Love

Baking Without Borders • Breakfast challah? Brie kouign-amann? A new pop-up in Lincoln Square thinks outside the pastry case.

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

Prototype for Life • Two architects built a home to test their design theories — and fell in love with their creation.

Kaleidoscope Dreams • Too much beige in your life? Toss in some offbeat throw pillows.

Hang Like a Pro • How do you create a gallery-worthy art wall in your home? KitchenLab Interiors cofounder Rebekah Zaveloff shares advice gleaned from these past projects.

The Box Score Detective • How a stats nerd helped undo one of baseball’s most enduring injustices

NOODLE NIRVANA • Italian pappardelle, Japanese ramen, Filipino pancit, Spanish fideos, old-school spaghetti and meatballs! Chicagoans are living in a global noodle paradise. Here’s your guide to the best, plus chef recipes, gluten-free options, and more.

THE FIVE BEST NOODLE DISHES IN CHINATOWN • Chicago’s self-proclaimed “chow king,” Titus Ruscitti, canvassed the neighborhood in search of the best bowls. The winners, ranked:

Spaghetti With Meat Sauce

Better Than Takeout • Want your noodles to taste like they just came from the...