'Taste' returns, Chicago's best burgers and Candace Jordan's picks

SAVORY news for the week of Feb. 2, 2025 (Happy Groundhog Day!)

—And I quote: “Nothing goes perfectly, especially when you're opening a restaurant.”—Bobby Flay

—Pop life: Please don’t forget that I have another column called Pop-Eds. My latest article, “What were they thinking?,” covers Dr. Phil, a Little House on the Prairie reboot and much more. Check it all out at Andrew449.substack.com.

Candace Jordan. Photo courtesy of Jordan

—Candace’s candid picks: Occasionally, I ask locals what their restaurant choices are. This week, model/media personality/publisher/Candid Candace content creator Candace Jordan tells us what she likes:

“My husband, Chuck, and I have many favorite restaurants, including Gene & Georgetti, Tufano’s, Chicago Cut, La Scarola, Ping Pong and others. However, the one that holds a sentimental spot in our hearts is Gibsons Bar + Steakhouse. After we got engaged, this was our chosen spot to announce it and celebrate. Every year since then, we’ve gone back for our anniversary, which, incidentally, coincides with the opening of Gibsons as well (1989)! We also love the ambiance, the staff that feels like family and, of course, the amazing food.”

And Candace would like for you to keep a couple events in mind—PAWS Chicago’s Animal Magnetism party on Friday, April 4, at Morgan Manufacturing; and The Service Club of Chicago’s annual Valentine’s Day Tea on Monday, Feb. 10, at the Four Seasons.

—Next, please: The pop-up Next at Charlie Trotter’s (at the original Charlie Trotter’s in Lincoln Park) is ending Feb. 9—but there are now additional seats.

Guests can relive the iconic dishes that defined this Chicago legend in the space where it all began. The price is $315-$335 per person; RSVP at this link.

—Saucy: Soul & Smoke—Chicago’s award-winning BBQ/soul-food restaurant by Chef D’Andre Carter and Heather Bublick—is expanding its signature sauce line.

Known for its original Saucy and Soulful BBQ Sauce, Soul & Smoke is now introducing three new flavors: Cajun Fire, Hot Tomato and Sweet Potato Habanero (Sneaky Heat).

—Here’s the beef: Conde Nast has listed its best burgers in Chicago.