Friends, family:

Today, the Tribune's new food and dining blog, The Stew, makes its official debut, featuring (among others) your favorite Chicago-based restaurant critic who doesn't gad about in red-framed glasses. Restaurant news, semi-thought-out opinion pieces, and miscellaneous factoids, all in one handy url:

www.chicagotribune.com/thestew


The worthiness of blogs is judged by the number of people who visit. So to get this baby blog off to a rousing start, I'm asking you --- begging, really --- to give it a look. Love it, hate it, it doesn't matter. Just visit today and please urge your pals/coworkers to do the same. If you are moved to post a comment, that would be icing on the cake.

If enough people visit the blog and keep on visiting (consider bookmarking this site and make a visit part of your daily routine!), Mr. Zell may decide that I'm too popular to be fired. Wouldn't that be nice?

Please take a peek.

Phil