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Archive for October, 2009
Sweet Recipes, No Experience Necessary
Posted on October 29th, 2009 by Cecilia Ehlenbach
Sarah Levy’s come a long way from selling chocolates out of her mom’s kitchen; with stores on Oak Street and in Macy’s State Street, this Chicago entrepreneur and pastry chef is known for her simple-and-delicious candies, cupcakes, pastries, tarts… and the list goes on.
So what’s next for Sarah Levy? She’s bringing her favorite recipes to the masses with her new book, “Sweetness,” but this isn’t your run-of-the-mill cookbook.
If you’re among the many less-than-talented cooks who’ve been put off by complicated recipe and ingredient jargon, you’ll like this next part: The book begins with an easy-to-read introduction to all the tools, techniques, and ingredients that Sarah uses, easily grasped by budding and adept chefs alike. From there, it’s giant, full-color photos and recipes for everything from black-and-white cupcakes to raspberry pepin jam.
This Thursday night head to the Sarah’s State Street Location, beginning at 5:30 p.m., and celebrate the release of this delectable book… and perhaps indulge a little, as long as you’re there.
RoSal’s Voted Top 50 Italian Restaurant in U.S.
Posted on October 28th, 2009 by Rebecca Taras
After more than three-million reviews of nearly 10,000 restaurants across the United States, Chicago’s own RoSal’s Cucina has been named one of 50 winners of OpenTable’s 2009 Diners’ Choice Awards for “Best Italian Restaurants.” (See RoSal’s Cucina and 49 other winners at OpenTable.com.)
An old-school standby appropriately set on Taylor Street in Chicago’s Little Italy neighborhood, RoSal’s Cucina is known for serving Sicilian-style comfort food and for the feeling of warmth and generosity emanating from owners Roseanne and Salvatore Perry (hence RoSal’s).
Congrats, RoSal’s! We here at the Chicago Travel Blog and the millions of annual visitors to Chicago are definitely going to check you out–and check you out–and check you out.
Did You Know? You can book a table at Rosal’s Cucina right through their listing on ConciergePreferred.com? Whether a concierge or just heading to Chicago for business, or on a family trip, ensure you have a seat at this top restaurant.
You can also find a comprehensive list of Chicago Italian restaurants on ConciergePreferred.com.
Tags: Chicago Restaurants, Little Italy
Halloween Sweets & Treats!
Posted on October 28th, 2009 by Cecilia Ehlenbach
There’s a chance you’ve already stocked up on jumbo bags of candy for this coming Saturday. There’s a chance you’ve even already sampled all of them. If you’re looking something a little more special this Halloween, here are our picks for Halloween sweets and treats:
Garrett Popcorn Halloween Popcorn Balls
Not only did Garrett Popcorn come out with snack-sized popcorn balls, they came out with them in a perfect-for-Halloween tin! Or, if you’re a little more traditional when it comes to your popcorn, how about some of the classic Chicago Mix in their festive orange packaging?
Eli’s Pumpkin Cheesecake
Halloween isn’t Halloween without some pumpkin-y treats. Try Eli’s creamier alternative to pumpkin pie: spiced pumpkin cheesecake with their light, shortbread crust, available at the Eli’s Cheesecake Cafe or online! (Also, check out our post on the Pumpkin Prix Fixe menu at Bistro 110!).
Vosges’ Day of the Dead Skulls
And of course: chocolate. For some truly incomparable artisanal chocolate, visit Chicago-based chocolate company Vosges, where you can pick up these chocolate skulls in three different varieties, like the dark chocolate skull made with ancho and chipotle chillies and Ceylon cinnamon.
Looking for some sweet tweets? Check out @garrettpopcorn, @elischeesecake, & @vosges on Twitter!
Tags: Chicago Shopping, Halloween
Chicago Garden Festivities In Nature Museum
Posted on October 27th, 2009 by admin
The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum is celebrating their 10th Anniversary with a week of programs with free of admission to the flower garden! The botanical festivities continue through Sunday, Nov. 1; the sole exception being a brief reprieve, for the plants, today (Tuesday).
Nature lovers are also invited to register for several special events at a small charge, such as Friday night’s event to dine snakes and learn about the slithering reptiles. Check the full schedule of the event for more information.
Become a fan of the Concierge Preferred and Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum on Facebook.
Tags: Chicago Entertainment & Attractions, Chicago Garden, free
Robin Thicke To Perform At Macy’s
Posted on October 27th, 2009 by Adam Marks
You remember his father as Mr. Seaver on the the popular sitcom Growing Pains, but now it’s Robin Thicke who is making a name for himself - and it has nothing to do with TV. 
Thicke began his songwriting career by writing hits for popular recording artists such as Christina Aguilera, Marc Anthony. He later went on to release his own albums with an R&B emphasis, which have sold over 2 million copies in the U.S. alone.
But Thicke’s latest collaboration doesn’t involve a new pop star sensation, rather the latest fragrance from Hugo Boss. Macy’s will be rolling out the red carpet for Robin Thicke on Wednesday, October 28th, when he will be treating fans and customers to a special performance at Macy’s on State Street starting at noon. Just like Thicke’s singing, Hugo Boss Element is a fragrance designed to revive your creative energy.
Shop early for the man in your life, but reap immediate rewards for yourself! The first 150 customers who purchase Hugo Boss Element men’s fragrance the day of the event will have the opportunity to meet Robin in person and receive an autographed copy of his latest single, Sex Therapy. Enough said.
Tags: Chicago Shopping, Hugo Boss, Macy's, Macy's on State Street, Robin Thicke
Windy City Limousine Drives Chicago
Posted on October 27th, 2009 by admin
Moving around Chicago efficiently is a constant challenge to the millions of locals going about their day-to-day lives. For visitors, the hassle and frustration is no less intense.
That’s where a superhero in disguise comes to save the day: Windy City Limousine. (@Windycitylimos). Quickly and easily maneuvering through Chicago’s busy streets, business and leisure travelers alike can focus on sights and sounds, while leaving maniacal traffic to the professionals.
As over 46 million people visit Chicago annually, Windy City Limo provides an upper-hand on urban travel for Windy City visitors at any stage of travel:
**Impressive fleet of sedans, stretch limos, stretch SUV’s, mini-buses, motor coaches, and vans.
**Airport limousine services, both shared and private, are offered from Midway, O’Hare and other metropolitan Chicago airports ’round the clock.
**Coordinating for corporate meetings and events, including large group transportation to hotels, restaurants, conference centers and most other Chicago locations.
**Special occasions always deserve special attention; experienced, specialized chauffeurs handle any road-responsibilities while the passengers enjoy themselves on the way to prom, a concert, or their favorite Chicago sports event.
**A custom wedding limos service package designed by Windy City Limousine’s wedding coordinator, of course complimented with free champagne for the bride and groom.
Go to the Windy City Limousine listing on CP.com for more information or browse around our Chicago Transportation page.
Celebrating the Life of Kelly Ladesic
Posted on October 26th, 2009 by Cecilia Ehlenbach
Please join us in celebrating the life of Kelly Ladesic, an integral part of Chicago’s hospitality industry and a cherished friend. If you’re among one of the many lives Kelly touched, please join her friends, coworkers, and supporters in celebrating her life this Tuesday evening at the The Redhead Piano Bar (16 W. Ontario St.), one of Kelly’s favorite spots. Art Bryan, owner of Redhead, has been generous enough to open the bar early at 5:00 p.m. for the cause. The event is open to anyone who would like to honor Kelly’s life.
Stay For Thanksgiving In Downtown Chicago
Posted on October 26th, 2009 by admin
Whether visiting family, friends, or delighting in the refinement of Michigan Ave., there are no shortage of reasons to stay at Hard Rock Hotel Chicago during Thanksgiving week. Per Hard Rock’s “Wild Turkey Week” package, guests are invited for $99 a night.
Hard Rock Hotel Chicago’s location on Michigan Avenue strategically positions guests for Mag Mile shopping, dining, and nightlife adventures.
Scroll through CP’s full events calendar for more special offers from here to Turkey Day.
Time is almost up on Hard Rock Hotel’s “Pinktober Package“, donating 25% of room revenue to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation and providing guests with special amenities.
Follow Hard Rock Cafe (@hardrockdotcom) or become a fan of Hard Rock Hotel Chicago on Facebook for frequent updates.
Tags: Chicago Accommodations, Downtown Chicago, Hard Rock, Thanksgiving
Some Very Cool Happenings!
Posted on October 23rd, 2009 by Mike Chamernik
What is it about oysters that drives people crazy? Oh yeah, never mind. If you’d like to see the effects at full force, head to the annual Royster with the Oyster Festival, taking place at Chicago seafood icon Shaw’s Crab House. Just think about what could possibly happen when more than 5,000 oyster lovers gather under a tent that’s bursting at the seams with live blues, gallons of Goose Island beer and a no-hands “slurp off” (an oyster slurping contest, of course). The party’s $10 to get in, with a portion going to the Shedd Aquarium and Alliance For The Great Lakes. 3-10pm Friday.
Follow Shelly (@shellyfromshaws) and the Shedd Aquarium (@shed_aquarium) on Twitter.
Head over to State and Lake and check out the new fall lineup of beers, which includes 16 on tap, 20 by the bottle and three new $7 flights. For the flights, you’ll get three five-ounce pours when you choose All Hopped Up (Avery Brewing Co., IPA; Surly, Furious Dry Hop Pale Ale; Founders, Red Rye Pale Ale), Autumn in the Loop (Great Lakes, “Nosferatu,” Red Ale; Two Brothers, Cane and Ebel, Red Rye; Founders, Porter) or For the Love of Beer (Two Brothers, French Country Ale; Goose Island, Matilda; Left Hand, Milk Stout).
If you frequent River North and River West, you’re quite familiar with Blommer Chocolate‘s overwhelming aroma as it permeates the air in the area, but have you ever tasted their goodies?! Now’s your chance as the Lockwood lobby bar (inside the Palmer House Hilton) hosts the Blommer Chocolate Lounge every Saturday through Dec. 26. Pastry chef Fabrice and students from the French Pastry School create signature desserts for your eating pleasure, so you can dig into unlimited sweets (plus coffee, tea, cappuccino, espresso, a glass of wine, champagne or a beer). 9-11pm. $35 for full chocolate experience or $5 for individual desserts.
Get more updates from CP’s tweets (@CP_Chicago) and the 312 Dining Diva (@Audarshia).
Tags: Chicago Accommodations, Chicago Nightlife, Chicago Restaurants, Lockwood, Shaw's Crab House, Shedd Aquarium, The Palmer House
Tour De Champagne – Not Your Average Tasting
Posted on October 23rd, 2009 by Adam Marks
You may have attended a wine tasting that offered Champagne, but how about a tasting that was nothing but the bubbly nectar of the gods? On it’s eighth year, the Tour De Champagne taking place tonight at the prestigious Drake Hotel, will feature several prestigious Champagnes along with cuisine from some of Chicago’s most talented chefs. If you look at the list of participants, we’d advise a light lunch and a plan of action – that’s what we’ll do! With one sixtyblue, Kiki’s Bistro, Blackbird, Everest and several others, don’t forget that there will be over 20 houses of Champagne to taste as well. Here’s the rundown on what you can expect:
7:00 – 10:00PM : MAIN EVENT
Taste Champagnes from over 20 houses
Pair Champagnes with cuisine from local restaurants
Live music
Silent auction
9:30 – 11:00PM : FIN DE SOIREE at the Drake (VIP Ticket Required)
Special cognac tasting by Peyrot
Dessert and chocolate buffet
11:00PM : APRES PARTY at POPS (Complimentary for VIP ticket holders)
Finish at POPS for Champagne (become a fan on Facebook) sponsored by Ruinart Champagne
Tickets: $115 – General Admission, $150 – VIP
Available online or at the door.
Tags: Blackbird, Chicago Accommodations, Chicago Restaurants, Drake Hotel, Everest, one sixtyblue, Pops for Champagne
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