435 N. Michigan Avenue
TT500
Chicago, IL
60611
312-222-4132
Phil Vettel
Critic
My Role
Phil Vettel has been the Chicago Tribune's restaurant critic since 1989. Video versions of Phil's reviews (without revealing his face, of course) can be seen weekly on WGN-Ch. 9 and CLTV. And he's a regular contributor to the Tribune blog The Stew (chicagotribune.com/stew).
My Biography
Phil was born in the Bronx, NY, went to high school in Florida and graduated from Eastern Illinois University in 1979 with a BA in Journalism. His career began at the Tribune-owned Suburban Trib in 1979, and he was promoted to the Chicago Tribune, working in the Tempo section, in 1981.
His wife, Paula, frequently joins him on his restaurant visits, and his sons, Ed and Chris, usually have better things to do.
His wife, Paula, frequently joins him on his restaurant visits, and his sons, Ed and Chris, usually have better things to do.
My Recent Articles
Ahead of summit, the Loop is quiet — too quiet — for retail businesses
5/19/2012
Commuters stay home, diplomats dine elsewhere, tourists 'not doing anything' Downtown Chicago ahead of the NATO summit, which takes place Sunday and Monday, was given over to tourists in shorts and T-shirts as a good share of the workforce opted to telecommute Friday or take the day off.
Summer eating list 5/17/2012
A lot of new restaurants will be clamoring for your attention; here are the ones that deserve it I don't know if teachers still do this, but at the end of each school year, I was handed a summer reading list, a sheet of required and optional books that would prepare students for the coming school year. (I still owe a measure of revenge to the teacher who saddled me with "Lord Jim.")
Small plates unite with style 5/10/2012
European-focused restaurant seems right at home in Little Italy No restaurant better exemplifies the changing face of the Taylor Street neighborhood than 3-month-old Urban Union.
Small plates unite with style 5/10/2012
European-focused restaurant seems right at home in Little Italy No restaurant better exemplifies the changing face of the Taylor Street neighborhood than 3-month-old Urban Union.
Small plates unite with style 5/10/2012
European-focused restaurant seems right at home in Little Italy No restaurant better exemplifies the changing face of the Taylor Street neighborhood than 3-month-old Urban Union.
Commuters stay home, diplomats dine elsewhere, tourists 'not doing anything' Downtown Chicago ahead of the NATO summit, which takes place Sunday and Monday, was given over to tourists in shorts and T-shirts as a good share of the workforce opted to telecommute Friday or take the day off.
Summer eating list 5/17/2012
A lot of new restaurants will be clamoring for your attention; here are the ones that deserve it I don't know if teachers still do this, but at the end of each school year, I was handed a summer reading list, a sheet of required and optional books that would prepare students for the coming school year. (I still owe a measure of revenge to the teacher who saddled me with "Lord Jim.")
Small plates unite with style 5/10/2012
European-focused restaurant seems right at home in Little Italy No restaurant better exemplifies the changing face of the Taylor Street neighborhood than 3-month-old Urban Union.
Small plates unite with style 5/10/2012
European-focused restaurant seems right at home in Little Italy No restaurant better exemplifies the changing face of the Taylor Street neighborhood than 3-month-old Urban Union.
Small plates unite with style 5/10/2012
European-focused restaurant seems right at home in Little Italy No restaurant better exemplifies the changing face of the Taylor Street neighborhood than 3-month-old Urban Union.