Erica Garber

Tell a Chicagoan it’s above 40 degrees and they’ll tell you at least three patios and a rooftop bar where you should spend such a balmy day. With so much of our year spent indoors, we’re a city that relishes open-air spaces to soak up the sunshine (or stars)–maybe even more than we love feasting on the best brunch in Chicago. Combine the two and you’ve got the perfect excuse to catch up with friends and spend time outdoors before sightseeing or enjoying a summer street festival. These brunch spots feature irresistible globally-inspired dishes from Mexico, Greece and beyond, and their outdoor seating—whether it’s a lush patio, breezy rooftop or sidewalk tables—is the cherry on top of your chicken and waffles. Say cheers to warm weather at the best restaurants for outdoor brunch in Chicago.  RECOMMENDED: Our complete guide to brunch in Chicago

On May 2, the 141st running of the Kentucky Derby will air live from Louisville's Churchill Downs. If you can't take a weekend getaway to Louisville, don't worry—Chicago restaurants and bars are jumping in the race by hosting Derby Day parties. Dust off your biggest hat and don your best seersucker suit and head to these barbecue restaurants, bars and other spots for mint juleps, pig roasts and more.

Chicago keeps getting more and more new coffee shops, which are everywhere from hotels in the Loop to theaters to tucked in the back of cocktail bars. If you're looking for cold brew, we've got it. Pour-overs? We have that too. We visited 12 new coffee shops ranging from old favorites with new locations to brand new spots quickly making a mark—here's where to get your next cup of coffee. RECOMMENDED: Best coffee in Chicago

After seven seasons, four Golden Globes and 15 Emmys, Mad Men enthusiasts will have to say goodbye to Don Draper and company. On Sunday, May 17, the show is coming to an end with the series finale airing on AMC at 9pm. If you want to watch the finale in style, head to one of these bars, where they'll have themed parties and 60's-era drink specials.  The Library Bar You'll surely see fans dressed up as they watch the finale with themed cocktails and appetizers. Prior to the showing, there will be themed music and trivia contests with prizes including a staycation at the Public Hotel and dinners at the Pump Room. The event kicks off at 7pm. Fat Cat Fat Cat will be serving baked Alaska, pupu platters and 60's-era drinks like Old Fashioneds, Moscow Mules and martinis. Head to the back room, which has 12 TVs. Blue Line Lounge This bar is no secret to Mad Men fans, considering they've aired it every week. But for the season finale they'll have four, $8 character-inspired cocktails. If you can't make the first screening, they'll be showing the encore at 10pm too. Estelle's For the series finale, they'll be serving up $7 Old Fashioneds, Manhattans and Aviations. Seating is first come first serve. If you're hosting your own party, Cakegirls is selling chocolate-covered breadsticks fashioned to look like cigarettes. They also have a complete how-to tutorial with other Mad Men-based treats like necktie cookies and DIY retro Jell-O telephones.

Mindy Segal, owner of Mindy's Hot Chocolate, a James Beard Award–winning pastry chef and two-time consecutive Best Pastry Chef at Time Out Chicago’s Food & Drink Awards, released Cookie Love, the first book in her new cookbook series, earlier this month. The book features 60 recipes, including Segal’s take on Milanos. She’ll be talking about her book as part of the Chicago Humanities Festival at Bottom Lounge on April 22 at 7pm as well as signing at area bookstores over the next couple months. We caught up with Segal to talk about her favorite recipes, how to create the perfect cookie and what’s coming up next for her.  Why did you decide a cookbook, specifically about cookies? I have an enormous love for all the different types of cookies in the world and I have been making cookies my entire career. I'm hoping that I write a series of single-subject books and not just one, but I wanted it to be very focused.  What are a few of your favorite memories associated with creating these recipes? I remember creating the sandwich cookies. They're very particular to my style and I bought these really cool vintage rectangular cookie cutters… I started dipping them and putting garnishes on them and putting them in my dessert case. I remember coming up with them and being really proud of those. I loved the reaction that I got from people when they ate them.  What was your approach to creating the recipes and testing them? Most of the time I had made these cookies before because I've alwa