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Archive for June, 2010
Go Grab a Taste
Posted on June 29th, 2010 by
It’s that time of year again, and Taste of Chicago never disappoints! Started in 1980, Taste has become one of our favorite ways to celebrate summer!
So here’s how to navigate the 200+ food items at your disposal for this festival. Get yourself some tickets, and start slowly. You can always buy more. For $8, you get 12 tickets. You could blow it all on a full meal, but that would defeat the purpose, right?
Take a few laps, and get an appetizer. Most “taste” portions will be a great nibble, and cost between 2-4 tickets. You can eat tamales and turkey legs, roasted goat and gyoza. Go wild! Try new things that you wouldn’t normally order, and maybe you’ll find a few new favorites.
Make sure you arrive prepared. Have water with you as well as plenty of sunscreen. Summer days in Chicago can be hot and humid, and though today was nice, who knows about tomorrow! Pace yourself through the festival and don’t overdo it. I’d recommend getting there soon if you haven’t already! That way you can choose what you’d like to to go back for before the festival ends on Sunday.
Happy eating everyone!
Taste of Chicago takes place in Grant Park from June 25 to July 4.
Tags: Chicago Entertainment & Attractions, Chicago Restaurants, Chicago Summer Festivals, Downtown Chicago, Family Friendly, Grant Park, Michigan Avenue Shopping, Taste of Chicago 2010
Fox & Obel Impresses With Friendly Staff and Remarkable Market
Posted on June 28th, 2010 by
I was in Fox & Obel the other day, wandering around for a couple reasons. I had heard about their new Atrium Wine Bar and wanted to check it out and I had also never been in the market before. As I quickly realized, that was a tragedy. If you haven’t been, you must go.
But that aside, as soon as I got to the wine bar, I realized it wasn’t open yet – or was informed so by an employee.
Easily, this employee could have just walked away after delivering the disappointing news, but she did not. I regret to have not gotten her name, but she deserves to be employee of the month. Not only did she offer us wine in the café instead, but she gave me and my friend a tour of the entire market. I had eaten catered food from Fox & Obel before and expected that a market in the heart of Streeterville would have hefty prices and pretentious staff to match, but was completely wrong (which rarely happens, by the way – me being wrong, that is).
After our first-class tour, my friend and I sat down in the café for a glass of wine and were soon greeted by the Café General Manager, Peter Smiler. Not only did he tell us more about the Wine Bar, but he brought out some other wines to showcase and educated us about some other options we might like, along with his personal favorites.
(Insert important info: no one knew that I am the Editor at Concierge Preferred. To them, I was just another patron in the store.)
I was pleasantly surprised by the warm staff, environment and plethora of options available at Fox & Obel. From a spotless produce section and top-of-the-line meat counter, to freshly made sushi and a cheese bar to make your mouth water, Fox & Obel exceeded my expectations.
To give you a little perspective on me – I love grocery stores. I’m even what you might call a grocery store connoisseur. I could spend all day perusing the isles, can tell you all about my favorite stores in the city and why. I can even tell you where in the city to find the best artichokes, best sausage, etc.
So if you live in the Streeterville area, work downtown and want to pick up something quick to heat up at home, or are visiting – you must check out Fox & Obel. It’s a destination, an experience and a delightful time.
Tags: Atrium Wine Bar, Fox & Obel, Market, Wine Bar
World-renowned jazz musician plays for a cause
Posted on June 28th, 2010 by
For all you jazz and blues fans out there, if you’re feeling philanthropic listen up. Singer/pianist Yoko Noge and the Jazz Me Blue band, will headline “Jazz for the Goose,” a first annual benefit concert at Andy’s Jazz Club on Thursday, July 8. “Dubbed Chicagoan of the Year” by the Chicago Tribune in 2006, the noted musician will be performing with her band in order to raise money for the Ovarian Cancer Symptom Awareness Organization, which will be hosting the event.
Founded by Chicagoans Rick and Susan Roman, and friend Vallie Szymanski, OCSAO developed under tragic circumstances in 2009. That year Susan, a.k.a. “Goose,” was diagnosed with stage three ovarian cancer at age 52 – the same diagnosis her mother had received 33 years earlier. After a radical hysterectomy and several other procedures including intensive chemotherapy treatment, Susan realized something must be done to help women become more aware of ovarian cancer symptoms, so they can detect the signs early and possibly prevent the deadly disease.
Named after Susan, “Jazz for the Goose” will raise awareness and funds for the organization, and also help her celebrate a successful battle with cancer (Susan is currently in remission from the disease). Come out and support this wonderful cause, and enjoy a night of talented musicianship. The Jazz Me Blues band is known for it’s combination of Noge’s native Osaka style and her love of the blues, together creating a unique blend of jazz, Japanese folk and Chicago blues for an overall must-see show.
The event starts at 5 p.m. with the Mike Frost Trio, and Noge and her band take the stage at 9 p.m. Admission is $10 at the door, and appetizers and beverages will be available for purchase. For dinner reservations, call Andy’s Jazz Club at 312-642-6805 and for more information on the benefit or OCSA, check out their website at www.ovariancancersymptomawareness.org.
Tags: Andy's Jazz Club, Chicago Blues, jazz, OCSAO, Yoko Noge
Wednesday: The Fashion District Retro Rewind
Posted on June 25th, 2010 by Adam Marks
It’s no secret that we source magazines for style inspiration. With tap shorts and the nautical look showing up on stars like SJP and Rachel Bilson, it looks as though these modern-day beauties have gone retro – and we’re ready to follow their lead.
District Bar is presents the fourth installment of The Fashion District, Retro Rewind, a special showcase of the most fabulous vintage fashion Chicago has to offer, whether you like the subtly sexy fashions from the 50’s or the daringly bold fads from the 60’s. Go old-school with looks from Deliciously Vintage, Little Black Dress Vintage, Fashion Fusion and Funky Bro Vintage.
Grab the girls and enjoy ½ price bottles of wine and salads while taking in some styling tips from the runway show at 8:00 PM.
Tags: District, District Bar Chicago, Fashion Show, vintage clothing chicago
Perfect Vision: EYE in Pritzker Park
Posted on June 25th, 2010 by Adam Marks
A trip to Chicago would not be complete without stopping by the infamous Bean in Millennium Park, but starting next week, all eyes will be on another work of art – literally.
EYE is a three-dimensional re-creation of an eyeball, complete with a blue iris similar to the artist himself. Positioned in Pritzker Park, EYE is composed of 15 pieces of painted fiberglass affixed to a massive reinforced steel spherical sculpture. On Monday, June 28 at 9:30 a.m., Chicago-based and internationally-renowned contemporary artist Tony Tasset and a team of workers will be adding the final piece to the 30-foot-tall lifelike eyeball structure: the iris, which will be lifted via a large crane.
Commissioned by the Chicago Loop Alliance, EYE and its companion piece CARDINAL are the centerpiece of Chicago Loop Alliance’s inaugural Art Loop 2010, expected to be an annual celebration of public art in the Loop in which a new work by an important artist is commissioned each summer, along with free related educational and cultural programs. Both pieces will officially be unveiled on Wednesday, July 7, at 10 a.m.
Tags: Art Loop, Chicago Loop Alliance, EYE, Pritzker Park
Chicago Children’s Choir and Bobby McFerrin at Ravinia
Posted on June 25th, 2010 by
If you haven’t made it to Ravinia this summer yet – here is a reason to go! On Sunday, Bobby McFerrin and the Chicago Children’s Choir will be joining forces to put on a spectacular show for you.
Ten-time Grammy Award winner McFerrin will perform selections from his new album VOCAbuLarieS, his first new release in eight years. Similar to his No. 1 worldwide hit song “Don’t Worry Be Happy” and his multi-platinum duo album Hush with cellist Yo-Yo Ma, VOCAbuLarieS is based on McFerrin’s experiments in multi-track recording and his exploration of the human voice. This is the only performance that will feature the Chicago Children’s Choir.
Pavilion tickets are $65, lawn tickets are $22. To purchase, visit www.ravinia.org or call 847-266-5100.
White Sox Celebrity Server Event at Texas de Brazil
Posted on June 25th, 2010 by
The wives of various Chicago White Sox players will be hosting an intimate culinary fundraiser at Texas de Brazil with their husbands attending as servers on Thursday, July 8th.
Guests will enjoy a tasting menu that combines the cuisine of southern Brazil with the generous spirit of Brazil, complimented with Texas de Brazil’s signature cocktail the Caiprinha, served by your 
favorite White Sox players.
Wives and celebrities scheduled to attend include Jennifer and Paul Konerko, Jamie and Mark Kotsay, Kelsey and J.J. Putz, Lauren McClain and Mark Teahen, and Lisa and A.J. Pierzynski.
The event takes place from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and the cost per attendee is $100.
All proceeds benefit Chicago White Sox Charities. To purchase tickets call 312-674-5391.
Tags: Charity Dinner, Chicago Charity, Chicago White Sox, Texas de Brazil
Jazz saxist Grace Kelly makes Justin Bieber look like a slacker
Posted on June 24th, 2010 by
Her parents named her right: alto saxophonist Grace Kelly has nothing to do with the legendary film icon, but has 
become a jazz starlet on her own, earning extravagant accolades for several years now – which is pretty impressive, considering that she’s just turned 18.
That’s right. At an age where most girls have put away the prom dress and are kicking back before starting college, Kelly has actually completed her second year at Berklee College of Music, the legendary jazz school, and has been busy touring, having already hit Germany, Italy, France, England, and Sweden this year alone. She leads her own band at the Jazz Showcase (806 S. Plymouth Ct.) this weekend, arriving on the heels of her recently released fifth album, Mood Changes. (But don’t worry that she’s been rushing things: since she released the first album at the age of 12, she’s been able to leave plenty of time between discs.)
Mood Changes shows the Korean-American teenager clearing a distinct path of her own through the jazz mainstream, where she’s already garnered more than any kid’s rightful share of accolades – from critics but also from her musician elders (which, come to think of it, includes pretty much everyone). These include Wynton Marsalis, tenor great Jimmy Heath, and one of the true giants on her own instrument, alto saxist Phil Woods.
Kelly also composes much of her own material and has already revealed herself to be a pretty good vocalist. And of course, being a teen, she (naturally) tweets madly; her website features her latest Twitter entries and a delightful blog of her travels, filled with fresh-eyed reactions to the sorts of sights and sounds that veteran jazz players take for granted. It provides almost as much fun as her music.
Grace Kelly plays the Jazz Showcase this weekend, 8 and 10 Th-Su, and Sunday afternoon at 4. The Sunday show admits kids under 18 — in other words, children her own age.
Tags: Chicago Nightlife, Family Friendly
Graham Elliot Bowles Feeds Lollapalooza 2010
Posted on June 24th, 2010 by
If you’re planning on attending Lollapalooza, Chicago’s annual music festival, then you’re in for a real treat. The windy city’s very own chef and TV personality Graham Elliot Bowles, has taken the position of Culinary Director – first ever in the festival’s 19-year history.
Earning the esteemed title as youngest four-star chef in America by age 27, the now 33-year-old has since received numerous awards and nominations. In 2008, Bowles single-handedly established Graham Elliot, Chicago’s first “bistronomic” restaurant, a style combining four-star cuisine with humor and accessibility. Passionate about music, and a musician himself, Bowles originally got involved with Lollapalooza in 2009 by catering his contemporary American cuisine backstage for Lollapalooza founder/co-producer Perry Farrell and his band Jane’s Addiction.
This year as Culinary Director, Bowles brings the same gastronomic style to the stage, while recruiting owners from some of Chicago’s favorite restaurants to accompany him. From August 6 to August 8, Bowles and his culinary companions will be showcasing their individual cooking styles by serving up festival fare created specifically for the event.
So far the savory set list includes festival must-haves: Burrito Beach and Franks ‘N’ Dawgs, some sweet treats from Bleeding Heart Bakery, More Cupcakes and Hoosier Mama Pie Company, as well as more upscale items from Blue 13 and much, much more. Fan favorites from past festivals will also be present in the Lollapalooza Chow Town for additional dining options, and check out the complete list of vendors at Lollapalooza.com for more information.
As for Bowles, the chef will open a new sandwich concept called Grahamwich this coming July in Chicago’s River North neighborhood. Also be sure to look for him on TV as he appears on the new series MASTERCHEF, alongside Gordon Ramsay and Joe Bastianich, premiering July 27, on FOX.
Tags: Graham Elliot Bowles, Grahamwich, Lollapalooza, Lollapalooza Chow Town
Tonight: Trump Tower Spire Lights Up
Posted on June 23rd, 2010 by Adam Marks
Tonight you’ll see Trump Tower in a different light. Photo courtesy of Curtis Waltz, Aerialscapes Photography.
You know when you’re approaching a holiday, celebrating a sports victory, or supporting a good cause by the colored lights glowing from many of Chicago’s skyscrapers. Even through Trump International Hotel & Tower is the second tallest structure in the city (and one of ten in the world), it hasn’t been a part of the festivities – until tonight.
At approximately 8:30 p.m., Trump’s steel spire will brighten the Chicago skyline with a radiance projecting more than 800 feet in any direction. At 227 feet tall soaring 1,392 feet in the air, that’s quite a night light! Installed mid-June, the spire lighting structure consists of eight, iW Reach Powercore fixtures, which are the first LED, high-performance exterior architectural floodlights manufactured by Philips. The fixtures represent the newest innovation of energy efficient lighting solutions for high-visibility projects.
“We are pleased to debut a lighting system that is both technologically innovative and environmentally conscious,” said T. Colm O’Callaghan, vice president and managing director of Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago. “We’re especially excited to be one of the first Chicago landmarks travelers will see when flying into the city, and hope that the illuminated spire serves as a welcoming gesture to Chicago residents and visitors alike.”
Look for a regular nightly display of solid white lights, as well as additional color schemes to commemorate national holidays and other citywide celebrations. Upcoming color variations include red, white and blue lights from tonight June 23 through July 11 in celebration of Independence Day; pink lights throughout October for Breast Cancer Awareness Month; orange lights on October 31 for Halloween; and red and green lights from November 20 through January 3 to celebrate the winter holidays.
The installation of the spire lighting represents the building’s final exterior enhancement and follows the opening of the River Walk in April 2010. Located in the heart of downtown Chicago, the award-winning Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago features 339 beautifully appointed hotel rooms and 486 luxury residential condominiums, and more than 20,000 square-feet of meeting and function space.
Tags: Chicago Skyscrapers, Trump, Trump International Hotel & Tower, Trump Tower
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