Today In My City

Aisha Patel

Food & Drink Columnist

Aisha Patel's love for food is deeply rooted in her family's history of restaurant ownership. After a successful career as a pastry chef, she turned to writing to share her passion with a wider audience. She started a popular food blog that quickly became the go-to source for honest, joyful reviews. At 'Today In My City,' Aisha's 'Neighborhood Nosh' column not only reviews restaurants but tells the stories of the people behind them, connecting food to family, tradition, and community.

Expertise

Restaurant criticismCulinary historyCraft beverages (beer, cocktails, coffee)Food-based small businessesLocal sourcing and agricultureGlobal cuisinesRecipe development

Coverage Areas

Food & Drink
Neighborhoods
Small Business Profiles

Latest Articles

Travelers in a busy airport terminal, with a subtle public health announcement visible, conveying a sense of unease and potential health risk.
Neighborhoods

Traveler with measles visited O'Hare Airport on June 17

For nearly four hours on the morning of June 17, an international traveler confirmed to have measles moved through O'Hare's Terminal 5, potentially exposing hundreds to the highly contagious virus.

Jun 24, 2026 · 3 min read

Chicago activists gather in front of city hall, demanding the creation of a new department dedicated to reducing gun violence in the city.
Neighborhoods

Chicago activists demand new department to reduce gun violence

Chicago is buzzing with a bold new proposal!

Jun 23, 2026 · 4 min read

Modern, sustainable residential building in Albany Park, Chicago, with residents walking and biking, and a public transit station nearby, symbolizing a car-free future.
Neighborhoods

City Council Approves Mixed-Use Development at 3240 W Lawrence

In a city often defined by its car culture, Chicago's City Council just approved a 26-unit residential development in Albany Park with zero car parking spaces!

Jun 21, 2026 · 2 min read

A newly approved four-story residential building with six units and six parking spaces at 2210 W Belmont, Chicago.
Neighborhoods

City Council Approves Residential Development at 2210 W

The Chicago City Council has given the green light to a four-story building with just six residential units and six parking spaces at 2210 W.

Jun 20, 2026 · 2 min read

An empty space on a wall in a grand hallway of Chicago City Hall, where a valuable painting has gone missing.
Neighborhoods

Missing City Hall Artwork From Lightfoot Aide's Office

A painting by artist Bill Cass, valued between $500 and $1,000 and owned by Chicago taxpayers, has vanished from former Mayor Lori Lightfoot's chief operating officer's City Hall office.

Jun 20, 2026 · 3 min read

A lively evening in downtown My City, showcasing local restaurants and bars filled with happy patrons enjoying the authentic atmosphere.
Food & Drink

Top 3 Downtown My City Restaurants and Bars Locals Love

A recent survey revealed a startling truth: 70% of first-time visitors eat at chain restaurants within a 3-block radius of My City's main downtown square, according to a Visitor Experience Study .

Jun 20, 2026 · 5 min read

Diverse group of minority entrepreneurs working together in a bright, modern office space, symbolizing the boom in startup creation and economic impact.
Business & Economy

Minority Entrepreneurs Fuel Startup Boom, Reshaping Local Economies

Get ready for some exciting news!

Jun 18, 2026 · 3 min read

Police tape surrounds a section of the Ford City Mall parking lot at night, with a police car spotlight illuminating the area where a fatal shooting occurred.
Neighborhoods

Man, 21, fatally shot in Ford City Mall parking lot

At 2:50 a.m. Saturday, a 21-year-old man from South Bend, Indiana, was fatally shot in the head in the Ford City Mall parking lot. Police identified the victim as Martin Isaac Cantu Murillo, according

Jun 15, 2026 · 2 min read

Destiny Singleton, a determined CPS graduate, triumphantly walks towards Stanford University, symbolizing her overcoming of immigration-related obstacles.
Neighborhoods

CPS grad Destiny Singleton heads to Stanford, overcoming ICE hurdles

Destiny Singleton, who once spoke to the Chicago school board about the trauma of mass immigration arrests, is now headed to Stanford University!

Jun 14, 2026 · 2 min read

Small business owners receiving expert advice and support from a Small Business Development Center advisor, symbolizing growth and financial success.
Business & Economy

What Are Small Business Development Centers?

Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) across the US helped clients secure an astounding $5.

Jun 9, 2026 · 6 min read

Netta Walker as Ciara on stage at Definition Theatre, with projections hinting at global and temporal scope for her debut play 'Keerah'.
Neighborhoods

Netta Walker's Keerah Play Debuts at Definition Theatre

In 'Keerah,' Netta Walker isn't just writing a sprawling romance that leaps across continents and years; she's also stepping into the lead role of Ciara, a Black American poet whose journey beautifull

Jun 7, 2026 · 4 min read

A dimly lit Chicago street scene with a small memorial, symbolizing the tragic loss of a beloved chef in a mass shooting incident.
Food & Drink

South Side chef killed in mass shooting, community mourns

A 23-year-old woman was shot in the head and remains in critical condition after a mass shooting on Chicago's South Side early Friday.

Jun 6, 2026 · 3 min read

Elegant New York City street at night, showcasing upscale restaurants and well-dressed patrons, symbolizing the city's top culinary scene.
Food & Drink

Top NYC Restaurants on North America's 50 Best 2026

In 2026, the MICHELIN Guide awarded 11 stars across Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang.

Jun 5, 2026 · 5 min read

Diverse crowd cheering at a large outdoor screen showing a soccer match, celebrating the 2026 FIFA World Cup with vibrant flags and food stalls.
Food & Drink

Top 5 Places Hosting 2026 FIFA World Cup Events

In Lewes, Delaware, an 18-foot video wall is already planned for a single USA vs.

Jun 5, 2026 · 5 min read

Police tape cordoning off a closed ramp at Foster Beach, Chicago, with limited public access due to parking restrictions.
Neighborhoods

Foster Beach ramps close June 4-5 amid parking restrictions

Oh, Chicago! Our beloved lakefront, usually a beacon of open access, is facing some serious changes this weekend. Police are gearing up for large youth gatherings at Foster Beach on June 4 and June 5,

Jun 5, 2026 · 2 min read

Pasadena City Hall with protestors holding signs, under a stormy, dramatic sky, symbolizing the denial of a housing development.
Neighborhoods

Pasadena Council Denies Housing, Resists 2026 Code Goals

Despite state laws allowing projects to receive up to 50% additional residential density, the Pasadena City Council recently denied an appeal for a 133-unit affordable housing development at 600 North

Jun 5, 2026 · 4 min read

Diverse urban community members discussing safety concerns and solutions in a meeting, with a city skyline in the background.
Neighborhoods

Rising urban violence: Community concerns and solutions

A man was hospitalized after a shooting in the West Oaks Corner neighborhood on Thursday afternoon, May 28, OregonLive reports.

Jun 2, 2026 · 3 min read

A diverse group of Chicago residents reflecting on the community impact and legacy of Spencer Leak Jr., illuminated by a hopeful light.
Neighborhoods

Spencer Leak Jr. biography and career: A life of community impact

The Leak family, led by figures like Spencer Leak Jr.

Jun 1, 2026 · 3 min read

Intimate interior of C.12, a new 12-seat Lebanese restaurant in Michigan City, featuring elegant table settings and a chef presenting a tasting menu.
Food & Drink

New Lebanese Restaurant C.12 Opens in Michigan City

Michigan City, Indiana, now boasts C.

May 31, 2026 · 2 min read

A small business, Shrader's Goods, in Mount Greenwood, Chicago, facing a legal challenge from the city over the use of firefighter and city logos on its merchandise.
Neighborhoods

Mount Greenwood store fights city copyright claim over firefighter swag

A Mount Greenwood store, Shrader's Goods, faces the loss of 70% of its merchandise after the City of Chicago issued a cease-and-desist for selling items with city and Chicago Fire Department logos.

May 28, 2026 · 2 min read