You are here:
Archive for June, 2009
Get into the Classics
Posted on June 30th, 2009 by Tim O'Malley
Anyone can make a drink but not just anyone can make a classic cocktail. There’s an art and a certain precision to crafting a well-made cocktail that not only tastes great but also is beautiful to look at. In the last year or so, three spots shot onto the Chicago scene that have been packing in patrons seeking out quality cocktails. One spot that has made national headlines is Wicker Park’s the Violet Hour. Here, mixologists donning outfits looking a bit out of the Old West, shake, muddle and roll fresh ingredients and top-shelf liquor to deliver Old Fashioneds, Dark and Stormys, Manhattans and more.
If the lines in this exclusive spot are too long, head up to Logan Square to the Whistler. While a bit out of the way, the Whistler draws a younger, hipster crowd to its intimate confines to partake in twists on the classics while using inventive ingredients like Serrano peppers, tarragon, ginger and of course, egg whites and bitters. Now if you just want to stick to the Gold Coast after a long day of shopping, the Drawing Room at Le Passage will treat you just right. Not only can you enjoy incredible small plates, but order a specialty classic cocktail, and you’ll get a show as it’s made table-side from their rolling bar cart. Like we said, anyone can make a drink, but you deserve much more than that.
Tags: Chicago Nightlife, Gold Coast, Le Passage, Logan Square, Violet Hour, Whistler, Wicker Park
Lounge Around
Posted on June 30th, 2009 by Tim O'Malley
When it comes to cool lounges, Chicago has got it going on. And you can hit nearly any neighborhood and find a few dozen worthy of your time. But we feel like some stand out more than others. If you’re heading to the West Loop for dinner, you’d be remiss not to stop by Vivo (hell, you should just go there for dinner). Vivo’s front room lounge is lively, comfortable and swank — and their wine list, comprised of many Italian bottles — it top notch.
Head over to River North to hit the recently renovated Crimson Lounge just off the lobby of the Hotel Sax to indulge in an upscale soiree. The setting is 19th Century sophistication with a modern nod toward cocktail service.
If you want to rock, hit Angels & Kings, a hip boite owned partly by Fall Out Boy’s Pete Wentz. And when you’re ready to get local and be treated like a regular, mosey up to Lincoln Square’s Tiny Lounge, where you can dine on incredible small plates and order from their extensive beer list. If you’re in the mood, ask owner Mark to shake you up a martini. It’ll be one of the best you’ve ever had.
Tags: Angels & Kings, Chicago Nightlife, Crimson Lounge, Lincoln Square, Pete Wentz, Vivo, West Loop
Like Burgers? Michael Kornick wants you to eat his
Posted on June 27th, 2009 by Tim O'Malley
Michael Kornick, who has been dazzling diners for a decade at his River North hotspot mk, announced not long ago that he has partnered with David Morton (son of famed steak mogul Arnie Morton) to open DMK, an organic burger bar. The 2500-square foot restaurant will showcase burgers crafted from grass-fed beef (by Bill Kurtis’ Tallgrass Beef) and other organic ingredients. The centerpiece will be a burger bar set in the middle of the space and a great audio/video program that’s being developed.
The Lincoln Park spot is set to emerge in the same block on Sheffield as one of Morton’s other restaurants, Pompei Bakery, and, according to Kornick, they hope to open a total of six locations in Chicago in the next two-and-a-half years. The organic, healthy burger concept seems to be a growing trend. Last year, Epic Burger answered that call in the Loop — featuring all local, organic ingredients and they even have Heinz organic ketchup that has eliminated the high fructose corn syrup.
Tags: Burgers, Chicago Restaurants, Lincoln Park, Michael Kornick, Organic
BYO and Save Some Dough
Posted on June 22nd, 2009 by Tim O'Malley
Many of us want to go out to dinner but with the economy where it is these days, eating out can get costly. You don’t want to necessarily limit yourself so instead of feeling like you have to go to an expensive restaurant and have a few courses and a bottle of wine, why not hit one of the many BYOB restaurants around Chicago? From low- to high-end, this city offers abundant options.
If you want great sushi, hit Wakamono on Broadway in Lakeview. Or, perhaps you want Italian; in that case make a reservation at Lincoln Park’s Terragusto on Armitage Avenue. While many Mexican joints will let you bring your own, a guaranteed great dinner will be found at Mixteco Grill. And if you’re hankering for the best hot dog or exotic sausages in town, bring a bottle of wine or a six pack to Hot Doug‘s. Sure you may have to wait, but when it’s all said and done, all aspects of your palate will be sated. Fortunately there are a number of accessible wine shops with knowledgeable staff all over the city to help you get quality wine at low prices.
Tags: Chicago BYOB, Chicago Restaurants, Hot Doug's, Lakeview, Lincoln Park, Mixteco Grill, Terragusto, Wakamono
Green Day
Posted on June 22nd, 2009 by Adam Marks
So you weren’t inspired to plant a tree on earth day, yet you want to contribute to the new green movement. Take advantage of Exhale’s
eco-friendly G.R.N. facial ($85) and do something good for you skin, as well as the planet. G.R.N. (grow.restore.nurture) is designed specifically to combat the adverse effects of environmental toxins on the skin.
The 30-minute facial is both highly effective and eco-conscious, utilizing paraben-free g.r.n. skincare products and exclusively formulated essential oil blends to correct imbalances leaving you with nothing but a radiant complexion. This head-to-toe treatment includes a purifying Thai foot therapy which manipulates energy points in the feet to promote relaxation and improve circulation.
And because personal care shouldn’t end in the treatment room, the G.R.N. product line ($20-$34) is Intended to combat physical, emotional and environmental stress on the skin, produce visible results and to restore the core essence of pure, clear skin. Each and every component, ingredient and process has been carefully chosen to honor exhale’s dedication to conscious sustainability. It ain’t easy being green….or is it?
Tags: Chicago Shopping, Chicago Spa, Exhale, G.R.N., relax
Tango Sur Getting Wicker Park Sibling
Posted on June 20th, 2009 by Tim O'Malley
For folks who love Argentine steaks but don’t want to trek up to the north end of the Southport corridor, you are in luck: The teams behind Tango Sur and ñ have joined forces to open yet another steakhouse, but this time in Wicker Park. The as-yet-unnamed restaurant is scheduled to debut in late April about a block west of Damen Avenue in the already bustling restaurant stretch.
This new spot, which will focus on meats and tapas and feature a full bar and a wine list with nods to amazing Argentine wine, will join other hot spots on that end of Division including Crust, Enoteca Roma and the Fifty/50. Division Street around Damen has really come into its own in the last five to seven years. There are a number of great restaurants, cute boutiques and fabulous outdoor patios to do some great people watching. Make sure to head over this spring and all summer.
Freeze Frame
Posted on June 3rd, 2009 by Adam Marks
First came love, then came marriage … between skincare and cosmetics, that is. Freeze 24-7, the hi-tech skin maverick that revolutionized the anti-aging category, now brings their well-establish expertise to color cosmetics. the debut of freeze 24-7 minerals introduces a groundbreaking technology that unifies pure color with skin-enhancing, anti-aging benefits.
The freeze & glow basics kit ($85) is filled with the essentials for a flawless complexion, including: 2 age-less mineral foundations spf 18, 1 bronze-to-low, 1 cheeky highlighter, 1 total face brush, and 1 fix-it brush. pure mineral elements with vita-nutriplex technology, which together provide a protective elastic film that holds moisture intact, leaving skin entirely smooth and supple. Additionally, gamma aminobutyric acid, the body’s natural muscle-relaxing agent, works in tandem with vitamin c ester to enhance the anti-aging benefits. Plastic surgeon who? Available at Nordtrom, 55 e. Grand Ave., 312.464.1515
Tags: Chicago Shopping, Freeze 24-7, Nordstrom
Hotel Bars Get Classed Up
Posted on June 3rd, 2009 by Tim O'Malley
C-View
The image of the hotel bar can conjure varied pictures in our minds. There’s the classic shots of the Golden Age of Hollywood where leading men would make the ladies swoon as they ordered up a martini. There’s also the seedy side of hotel bars, but we’re not going there because we know you aren’t either! In recent years, the hotel bar has made a serious comeback in Chicago — whether you want to visit an elegant space or rub elbows somewhere a little more chic, there’s something for everyone.
After a multimillion-dollar renovation, the Palmer House unveiled a stunningly gorgeous lobby bar that sits beneath a frescoed ceiling many stories above. While away the time here or duck into the dark and mysterious Potter’s Lounge to feel like you’ve been sent back in time to a bygone era. On the other side of the spectrum sits C-View, the swank, hip rooftop lounge and outdoor patio at the Affinia Hotel. From here, you can peer out across the city from the 29th floor while sipping on fine wine and nibbling on tasty bites from C-House restaurant down below.
And what better way to feel decadent than to spend some time at Rebar at the Trump International Hotel & Tower? Here you can snack on sushi while indulging in Champange or splurging on the $235 Dreams punch bowl comprising Trump vodka, muddled strawberries and rosé Champagne. You know you’re worth it!
Tags: Affinia Hotel, Chicago Nightlife, The Palmer House, Trump International Hotel & Tower
Follow
