John Kessler
@jdkess.bsky.social
Dining Critic for Chicago Magazine and other food writing;
Secular Jewmanist, political progressive, henna gaijin, reflexively jokey, I try to be a good person.
jdkess.com
Secular Jewmanist, political progressive, henna gaijin, reflexively jokey, I try to be a good person.
jdkess.com
Reposted by John Kessler
Dining critic @jdkess.bsky.social visits the latest two pizza joints making waves in the city: Pizz’amici in West Town and Zarella Pizzeria & Taverna in River North buff.ly/rDKzpMY
October 16, 2025 at 5:04 PM
Dining critic @jdkess.bsky.social visits the latest two pizza joints making waves in the city: Pizz’amici in West Town and Zarella Pizzeria & Taverna in River North buff.ly/rDKzpMY
I feel like dispensaries are this year’s yogurt shops.
August 24, 2025 at 2:20 AM
I feel like dispensaries are this year’s yogurt shops.
Reposted by John Kessler
Our dining critic John Kessler (@jdkess.bsky.social) explains why cannabis makes him better at his job. buff.ly/tWHjAJd
The Case for Reviewing While High
<em>Chicago</em>’s dining critic explains why cannabis makes him better at his job.
www.chicagomag.com
July 29, 2025 at 1:50 PM
Our dining critic John Kessler (@jdkess.bsky.social) explains why cannabis makes him better at his job. buff.ly/tWHjAJd
Reposted by John Kessler
"After all those meals, though, I still consider Cafe Yaya a work in progress. ... Nonetheless, if you’re contemplating a spontaneous meal and Cafe Yaya pops into mind, go."
Read the full review from @jdkess.bsky.social
Read the full review from @jdkess.bsky.social
Review: Cafe Yaya is Becoming Our New Standby
Though still a bit uneven, Cafe Yaya, an all-day spot from the Galit team, keeps this critic coming back.
buff.ly
July 10, 2025 at 4:04 PM
"After all those meals, though, I still consider Cafe Yaya a work in progress. ... Nonetheless, if you’re contemplating a spontaneous meal and Cafe Yaya pops into mind, go."
Read the full review from @jdkess.bsky.social
Read the full review from @jdkess.bsky.social
Reposted by John Kessler
Chicago progressives like:
June 25, 2025 at 5:28 PM
Chicago progressives like:
Reposted by John Kessler
In our latest episode of the Dish podcast, @amycavanaugh.bsky.social and @jdkess.bsky.social discuss their favorite Chicago patios, which restaurants nail seasonal cooking, and the dishes and drinks they look forward to each summer.
Ep. 4: Summer Patios and Seasonal Dining
John and Amy discuss their favorite spots for outdoor dining in Chicago, the dishes and drinks they look forward to each summer, and the best places for seasonal cooking.
buff.ly
June 20, 2025 at 5:03 PM
In our latest episode of the Dish podcast, @amycavanaugh.bsky.social and @jdkess.bsky.social discuss their favorite Chicago patios, which restaurants nail seasonal cooking, and the dishes and drinks they look forward to each summer.
Reposted by John Kessler
What’s the best locally made jarred giardiniera? Our dining critic @jdkess.bsky.social did a blind ranking of seven top hot versions. The results might surprise you.
The Great Giardiniera Taste Test
What’s the best locally made jarred giard? Our dining critic did a blind ranking of seven top hot versions. The results might surprise you.
buff.ly
June 3, 2025 at 8:00 PM
What’s the best locally made jarred giardiniera? Our dining critic @jdkess.bsky.social did a blind ranking of seven top hot versions. The results might surprise you.
Reposted by John Kessler
We've launched a podcast! 🎧️ Dish is a biweekly pod from our critic @jdkess.bsky.social & dining editor @amycavanaugh.bsky.social
This episode they dive into The Best New Restaurants list, discuss what didn't make the cut, and describe the best thing each ate this week.
This episode they dive into The Best New Restaurants list, discuss what didn't make the cut, and describe the best thing each ate this week.
Episode 1: Chicago’s Best New Restaurants
Hosts John Kessler and Amy Cavanaugh dive into <em>The Best New Restaurants</em> list, discuss what didn't make the cut, and describe the best thing each ate this week.
buff.ly
May 6, 2025 at 1:04 PM
We've launched a podcast! 🎧️ Dish is a biweekly pod from our critic @jdkess.bsky.social & dining editor @amycavanaugh.bsky.social
This episode they dive into The Best New Restaurants list, discuss what didn't make the cut, and describe the best thing each ate this week.
This episode they dive into The Best New Restaurants list, discuss what didn't make the cut, and describe the best thing each ate this week.
Reposted by John Kessler
🎵HEAD LIKE A HOLE, BLACK AS YOUR SOUL🎵
May 1, 2025 at 8:59 PM
🎵HEAD LIKE A HOLE, BLACK AS YOUR SOUL🎵
Reposted by John Kessler
Today would be a great day to ban members of Congress and their families from trading stocks, don't you think?
BREAKING: US Politicians were buying tariff exempt companies before the news like $AAPL Apple.
Take Republican Marjorie Taylor Greene. She bought $AAPL, $AMZN, $DELL, $NKE, and others before the surprise announcement today, buyjng the companies as they fell.
Unusual.
Take Republican Marjorie Taylor Greene. She bought $AAPL, $AMZN, $DELL, $NKE, and others before the surprise announcement today, buyjng the companies as they fell.
Unusual.
April 14, 2025 at 5:14 PM
Today would be a great day to ban members of Congress and their families from trading stocks, don't you think?
Reposted by John Kessler
Dear Media,
🗞️ A felon defying court orders to return people he has disappeared is illegal, anti-American, and against EVERYTHING millions of people have laid their lives down to protect in this country.
🗞️START FUCKING REPORTING IT THIS WAY AND GIVE THIS HORROR THE WEIGHT IT DESERVES.
-Thank you
🗞️ A felon defying court orders to return people he has disappeared is illegal, anti-American, and against EVERYTHING millions of people have laid their lives down to protect in this country.
🗞️START FUCKING REPORTING IT THIS WAY AND GIVE THIS HORROR THE WEIGHT IT DESERVES.
-Thank you
April 14, 2025 at 3:45 PM
Dear Media,
🗞️ A felon defying court orders to return people he has disappeared is illegal, anti-American, and against EVERYTHING millions of people have laid their lives down to protect in this country.
🗞️START FUCKING REPORTING IT THIS WAY AND GIVE THIS HORROR THE WEIGHT IT DESERVES.
-Thank you
🗞️ A felon defying court orders to return people he has disappeared is illegal, anti-American, and against EVERYTHING millions of people have laid their lives down to protect in this country.
🗞️START FUCKING REPORTING IT THIS WAY AND GIVE THIS HORROR THE WEIGHT IT DESERVES.
-Thank you
Reposted by John Kessler
This is the kind of cooking Il Carciofo’s chef-owner, Joe Flamm, does so well. He takes a familiar — even overplayed — recipe, then shows you what it can and should be.
@jdkess.bsky.social's review of the new West Loop spot.
@jdkess.bsky.social's review of the new West Loop spot.
Review: Il Carciofo Is an Uneven Roman Holiday
Joe Flamm's latest venture — an exploration of the Eternal City’s cuisine — aims to make the best versions of iconic dishes.
buff.ly
April 11, 2025 at 3:03 PM
This is the kind of cooking Il Carciofo’s chef-owner, Joe Flamm, does so well. He takes a familiar — even overplayed — recipe, then shows you what it can and should be.
@jdkess.bsky.social's review of the new West Loop spot.
@jdkess.bsky.social's review of the new West Loop spot.
Reposted by John Kessler
In his latest column, our dining critic @jdkess.bsky.social sizes up smaller (and more affordable) tasting menus, has a funny experience at a Bucktown bar, and celebrates the canning of a favorite cocktail. buff.ly/4fuUO8m
April 11, 2025 at 5:01 PM
In his latest column, our dining critic @jdkess.bsky.social sizes up smaller (and more affordable) tasting menus, has a funny experience at a Bucktown bar, and celebrates the canning of a favorite cocktail. buff.ly/4fuUO8m
Reposted by John Kessler
World’s worst parent and it’s a high bar.
March 23, 2025 at 1:29 PM
World’s worst parent and it’s a high bar.
Reposted by John Kessler
Schoolchildren are routinely slaughtered by AR-15s. Hundreds die.
[*crickets* "Thoughts and prayers" *crickets*]
A couple unoccupied cars are set on fire. No one is hurt.
["THIS HORROR WILL NOT STAND!!! We MUST act to STOP it from ever happening AGAIN!!!!" We will pass new LAWS BANNING IT!!!]
[*crickets* "Thoughts and prayers" *crickets*]
A couple unoccupied cars are set on fire. No one is hurt.
["THIS HORROR WILL NOT STAND!!! We MUST act to STOP it from ever happening AGAIN!!!!" We will pass new LAWS BANNING IT!!!]
March 20, 2025 at 8:37 PM
Schoolchildren are routinely slaughtered by AR-15s. Hundreds die.
[*crickets* "Thoughts and prayers" *crickets*]
A couple unoccupied cars are set on fire. No one is hurt.
["THIS HORROR WILL NOT STAND!!! We MUST act to STOP it from ever happening AGAIN!!!!" We will pass new LAWS BANNING IT!!!]
[*crickets* "Thoughts and prayers" *crickets*]
A couple unoccupied cars are set on fire. No one is hurt.
["THIS HORROR WILL NOT STAND!!! We MUST act to STOP it from ever happening AGAIN!!!!" We will pass new LAWS BANNING IT!!!]
Reposted by John Kessler
I have to say, I was disappointed with the Ides of March this year.
March 16, 2025 at 4:32 AM
I have to say, I was disappointed with the Ides of March this year.
Reposted by John Kessler
This is blood-boiling. Charles Rogers was awarded the Medal of Honor in Vietnam after being wounded three times leading the defense of a position.
Google his name and the entry below comes up. When you click, you'll see the page has been deleted and the URL changed to include "DEI medal."
Google his name and the entry below comes up. When you click, you'll see the page has been deleted and the URL changed to include "DEI medal."
March 16, 2025 at 2:25 AM
This is blood-boiling. Charles Rogers was awarded the Medal of Honor in Vietnam after being wounded three times leading the defense of a position.
Google his name and the entry below comes up. When you click, you'll see the page has been deleted and the URL changed to include "DEI medal."
Google his name and the entry below comes up. When you click, you'll see the page has been deleted and the URL changed to include "DEI medal."
Hah! Got your back on this one
www.chicagomag.com/dining-drink... I’m glad someone is brave enough to take a stand against the scourge of “we like to do things family style”/“we recommend three or four dishes per person”. Sometimes I just want my own dish. Thank you @jdkess.bsky.social for your courage
Can We Stop With the Sharing?
Our critic laments the ways that sharing-only restaurants are ruining the experience.
www.chicagomag.com
March 14, 2025 at 7:59 PM
Hah! Got your back on this one
This is totally me plugging the hose in my CPAP without cleaning it first.
March 7, 2025 at 3:44 AM
This is totally me plugging the hose in my CPAP without cleaning it first.
Reposted by John Kessler
French Senator Claude Malhuret:
"Washington has become Nero’s court, with an incendiary emperor, submissive courtiers and a jester high on ketamine... We were at war with a dictator, we are now at war with a dictator backed by a traitor."
"Washington has become Nero’s court, with an incendiary emperor, submissive courtiers and a jester high on ketamine... We were at war with a dictator, we are now at war with a dictator backed by a traitor."
March 5, 2025 at 3:47 PM
French Senator Claude Malhuret:
"Washington has become Nero’s court, with an incendiary emperor, submissive courtiers and a jester high on ketamine... We were at war with a dictator, we are now at war with a dictator backed by a traitor."
"Washington has become Nero’s court, with an incendiary emperor, submissive courtiers and a jester high on ketamine... We were at war with a dictator, we are now at war with a dictator backed by a traitor."
Reposted by John Kessler
I follow French politics a lot, as many of you know. Any effort for mass layoffs of public sector employees there would create such huge strikes and marches, the level of disruption and paralysis would be biblical.
February 19, 2025 at 1:31 AM
I follow French politics a lot, as many of you know. Any effort for mass layoffs of public sector employees there would create such huge strikes and marches, the level of disruption and paralysis would be biblical.
Y'all need to check this place out.
Cellar Door Provisions has always been a love-it-or-don’t-get-it kind of place — one that turns a certain kind of neighbor into a regular but confounds the occasional visitor.
It is now one of the city’s best and most distinctive independent restaurants, writes @jdkess.bsky.social
It is now one of the city’s best and most distinctive independent restaurants, writes @jdkess.bsky.social
Review: You Should Try Cellar Door Provisions Again
The restaurant is a team project once again, and it's better than ever.
buff.ly
February 14, 2025 at 9:03 PM
Y'all need to check this place out.
Reposted by John Kessler
With his wife out of town, our dining critic @jdkess.bsky.social took the opportunity to revisit three restaurants, but from the vantage point of dining solo at the bar.
When the Wife’s Away, Take a Solo Dining Foray
Revisiting three restaurants, but from the vantage point of eating dinner alone at a bar.
buff.ly
February 12, 2025 at 7:00 PM
With his wife out of town, our dining critic @jdkess.bsky.social took the opportunity to revisit three restaurants, but from the vantage point of dining solo at the bar.
Reposted by John Kessler
@corybooker.com hello I used to run the Wendy’s Twitter account and I am begging you to let me help you with the dems social media strategy, I will literally do it for free at this point
January 31, 2025 at 2:17 PM
@corybooker.com hello I used to run the Wendy’s Twitter account and I am begging you to let me help you with the dems social media strategy, I will literally do it for free at this point
Reposted by John Kessler
