You are here:
Posts Tagged ‘Chicago Nightlife’
Latin Spice
Posted on November 22nd, 2011 by Adam Marks
Last week, the good folks at Nacional 27 unveiled new additions to their menu. The food and atmosphere at Nacional 27 is fantastic, but the new items bring a new zing to the entire experience.
Designed as a restaurant/nightclub, you can often find live music and dancing in this River North hot spot. But frankly, their food warrants your visit all on its own. Start off with one of their signature cocktails. I wholeheartely recommend the el corazon margarita. It combines the tequila with pomegranate, blood orange and passion fruit, and gets a nice kick from the peppered rim.
You can definitely start off with a smattering of tapas for the table. Why eat one dish when you can share 4, right? Go for the hearts of palm salad. It’s crunchy texture with salty olive balance will get you off to a running start. Move on to the tangy ceviches (rainbow coctel recommended) and empanadas. The chorizo empanadas in particular are fantastically spiced and served with a pickled jalapeno crema.
For entrees, Nacional 27 has two new stars that definitely deserve your attention. Definitely get the short rib enchiladas. Simmered in a chipotle sauce, the meat is tender, flavorful, and has a great kick. Also of note is the grouper. It’s flaky texture is matched nicely with a tomatillo sauce and spicy rice. Really, this dish is superb, and deserves a shot. Not too heavy, but with tons of flavor.
Close out the night with some nice desserts. My favorite is most certainly the churros. Not quite traditional, the pieces of fried dough are topped with ice cream. Sometimes, departing from tradition is necessary, and this dessert won my heart over.
Go check out the new menu at Nacional 27 and enjoy the great ambience! I guarantee you’ll salsa out of there after a fabulous meal.
Nacional 27 is located at 325 W. Huron on the corner of Orleans Street.
Tags: Chicago Entertainment & Attractions, Chicago Nightlife, Chicago Restaurants
Treat Yourself!
Posted on October 25th, 2011 by Adam Marks
Usually when I recommend somewhere as good for a celebration, it is pure speculation. This week, I can attest from first-hand knowledge. As I celebrated my birthday last week, I was treated to a phenomenal meal with a small group of friends at Balsan, a restaurant I’ve been meaning to check off of my list for a while. Balsan is tucked away in the elegant Elysian Hotel, internationally recognized for its beautiful design and exquisite service. It’s modeled as a Parisian Bistro from 1920, and offers a tantalizing menu of bits and bites.
Start off with a sampling from Balsan’s extensive raw bar menu. Their oysters are fresh and plentiful, and their knowledge staff will help you select a variety that satisfies you. If you follow that up with a charcuterie spread of house-cured meats and fine local cheeses, your meal will be off to a running start.
All of the dishes at Balsan are beautifully prepared, but you’ll be best off if you order family style and share around for greatest variety in flavors and textures. The heirloom beet salad was amazing, and I’m not usually a huge fan of the beet. Steak frites are always a good option in French bistros, and their rib-eye is succulent and salty.
You would be highly irresponsible if you left Balsan without trying some dessert. Our table’s favorite was the Paris brest, a delicate pat a choux with a creamy hazelnut filling. I was partial to the butterscotch pot de creme as well. What a treat!
It also goes without saying that the bar at Balsan is top notch, and if you have to wait for a table, visiting Bernard’s Bar downstairs will be a welcome purgatory.
Balsan is located inside the Elysian Hotel, 11 East Walton Street between Rush and State.
Tags: Chicago Nightlife, Chicago Restaurants, Downtown Chicago
Rev Up for Rock Bottom Brewery’s Rocktoberfest
Posted on September 12th, 2011 by Stephanie Choporis
If you’re feeling blue that summer is ending, don’t be! Rock Bottom Brewery (1 W. Grand Ave.) is rockin’ the beginning of fall with its annual free Rocktoberfest and will prove that the weather doesn’t have to be warm to have a good time.
On September 15, guests 21 and older can welcome the new season well into the early morning with music, brew and Bavarian-themed events. The party begins at 5 p.m. with a jam session from the Bratwurst Brothers Live Polka Band and will smoothly transition into a tasting and discussion of Brewmaster Chris Rafferty’s new, Marzen-style German concoction.
And for every Rocktoberfest pint that is sold, $1 will be donated to Buildon.org, a non-profit organization that empowers U.S. high school students through youth service programs to help make a difference in their communities. A raffle will also be held to raise money for the charity.
But, such a party would not be complete without some eats. Bavarian dishes with a twist, such as knockwurst, Rueben bites, spaetzle and German chocolate cake, will be featured to satisfy your taste buds. And if you’re still craving something German even after the fest, you can come back and enjoy these dishes for lunch and dinner until October 23.
Prost!
Tags: Chicago Beer Event, Chicago Events, Chicago Nightlife, Oktoberfest Chicago, Rock Bottom Brewery, Rock Bottom Rocktoberfest, things to do in chicago
Brave New World – Blue Man, Reinvented
Posted on July 12th, 2011 by Elizabeth Pierson
Now more Wow. To anyone in Chicago, this bizarre—yet appropriate—new phrase simply screams Blue Man Group. Whether you’ve seen those big, bald, shiny blue heads in person or just painted on double-decker buses and billboards on your morning commute, one thing is certain: you need to go (or go back).
Even if you’ve already been before, the show now has even more “wow” packed into the performance, including GiPads—yes, giant iPads hanging from the ceiling—and revamped stunts. The 20-year-old Chicago theater classic still includes old crowd-favorites, including bursts of paint and music on PVC pipes, but a summer update ensures a good time for all fans, old and new.
If you’re looking for fun with the kids, fun with a date or fun with your family, look no further than the Briar Street Theater (3133 N. Halsted St.), where you will laugh, dance and be amazed. Blue Man Group is a clever combination of music, humor, social commentary and just plain entertaining acts. The show is fun for all ages.
And anyone who has seen the show would say “it’s hard to describe” (in the best way possible), so for more information—and to buy tickets—check out their website: Blue Man Group.
Tags: Blue Man Group, Briar Street Theater, Chicago Entertainment, Chicago Nightlife, chicago theater, Family Friendly, Group Events, things to do in chicago
West Loop Chic
Posted on July 6th, 2011 by Adam Marks
We all know that there are tons of restaurants in the West Loop worth exploring. Some have ostentatious patios or large signs on the street. But one of the most lovely places hardly announces itself at all. The softspoken Maude’s Liquor Bar on Randolph is simply a delight.
It’s dark, rich interior makes you feel far away from the hustle and bustle of downtown, and their multi-level space keeps you from feeling like you are eating in a large warehouse.
Start off with one of their signature libations. They have an extensive list of wines and cocktails, but my heart went right for their “smashes.” They muddle citrus with herbs and the liquor of your choice, topping it off with ginger beer, all served over delicious pellet ice cubes. So pick your poison (I went for the whiskey), and go to town. These are absolutely ideal summer drinks!
As you move on to the main menu, you have some choices ahead of you. If you are like me, you will go full-on family style. But options for the territorial exist as well. If the devil is in the details, their simple salads were downright devilish. I was blown away by the balance and depth of their bibb lettuce salad with a perfectly tangy dressing that had me going back for seconds. If you have any appreciation for fries, their pomme frites are not to be missed served with an aioli that was fresh and creamy. The best use of the frites, however, is sopping up the magic garlic butter from the tender escargot (pictured). If you haven’t had escargot before, you might have to do some mental gymnastics to get the snails down, but once you get over that, you realize that pretty much anything tastes good when coated in garlic and butter. Their creepy crawlers were tender and juicy, probably my favorite dish of the evening.
Also on my plate were the succulent and smoky roast chicken, the playful asparagus lightly coated in parmesan and served with hollandaise, and the sausage of the day. Honestly, Maude’s never took a wrong step with their food. Each dish was wonderful and fun in its own way, though with flavors this strong, family style is definitely the way to go. I always would rather have 6 small meals than one large one.
The dessert menu is limited, but nobody seems to mind. Their creme brulee is of epic proportions, easily shared by 3 or 4 people. They increased the real estate to have maximum burnt sugary goodness atop the delicate custard, and they made a smart decision.
All in all, I can’t wait to return to Maude’s. This is a great spot for a romantic dinner, a fun dinner with friends, or even a nice work function. But keep your eyes peeled for it. You might walk right past it without even knowing.
Maude’s Liquor Bar is located at 840 W. Randolph Street.
Tags: Chicago Nightlife, Chicago Restaurants, West Loop Restaurants
Greta Pope Performs at Benny’s Chop House
Posted on July 5th, 2011 by Stephanie Choporis
If you’re a bit worn out from smoky grills, barbecued food and booming fireworks, head on over to Benny’s Chop House for an evening of refreshing drinks and soothing music.
Beginning on Friday, July 8, international entertainer and singing sensation Greta Pope will be serenading diners every Friday of the month from 7:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. in the North Lounge with everything from lively Brazilian to operatic tunes. While sipping on some of the world’s most eclectic wine selections at one of Chicago’s most sophisticated gathering spots, guests can experience a musical trip around the globe as Pope performs in various languages, such as Italian, Portuguese, Yiddish and even Gypsy.
With Paul Coscino on piano, the two-time winner of the International Music Festival is no stranger to the spotlight, previously sharing the stage with notables like Dick Van Dyke, Ramsey Lewis and more.
And when Pope is resting her pipes, she is an author, motivational speaker and radio show producer, with her own show: Jazz and More!…with Greta Pope. “We are thrilled that the extremely talented Greta has chosen to join us,” said Benny’s Chop House director of operations, Mitchell Schmieding. For more information, please call (312) 626-2444 or visit Benny’s Chop House.
Tags: Benny's Chop House, Chicago Events, Chicago Jazz, Chicago Nightlife, Greta Pope, live music, music
Summer Music Series at The Underground
Posted on May 31st, 2011 by Elizabeth Pierson
Looking for an exciting way to top off your night after a busy day shopping in the city and a delicious dinner downtown? Look no further than The Underground, which is bringing back its Summer Music Series for the third year in a row. This nightclub is just four short blocks from Michigan Ave., so even after all of the shops have closed for the evening, you don’t have to leave downtown.
The Summer Music Series at the Underground brings some of the nation’s top deejays to Chicago everything Thursday night throughout June and July, beginning on June 2nd. This summer you can expect to dance alongside DJ Vice, DJ Cobra, and DJ StoneRokk, to name a few.
Don’t like dancing? Don’t rule The Underground out. The Summer Music Series is presented by Absolut Vodka, who will be introducing new, creative cocktails every night for visitors to try. There is a $20 cover charge, but that’ll get you in to “one of the sexiest places in the world” as described by Cosmopolitan magazine and “one of America’s Top Ten VIP Lounges” by Playboy.
The party starts at 10 p.m. and everyone is invited to RSVP in advance to vip@rockitranch.com. For more information on the Summer Music Series at The Underground, call 312-644-7600.
Tags: Absolut Vodka, Billy Dec, Chicago Events, Chicago Lounges, Chicago Nightlife, Danceclub, Nightclub, Rockit Ranch, Summer Music Series, The Underground
2011 Chicago Restaurant Week
Posted on February 15th, 2011 by admin
It’s that time again. Foodies unite! Chicago Restaurant Week runs February 18-27, and I challenge each and every one of you to get out there and try somewhere new. Over 200 restaurants have created special pre-fixe menus with lunches for $22 and under, and dinners for $44 or less. Here are some of our suggestions.
Piccolo Sogno
You simply can’t go wrong with this marvelous Italian gem. In the River West district, Piccolo Sogno is king. Make a reservation for sure.
Atwood Cafe
You’ve walked passed it a million times in the loop. Wanted to try it but scared off by the price point? This is your chance. Get in there.
Dos Diablos
This eatery made a splash when it opened last year. If you haven’t made it in yet to try their fajitas, your days of legitimate excuses are over.
Mercat a la Planxa
Check out Jose Garces’ authentic Spanish cuisine. Between the ham and fig salad, the sausage and porcini flatbread, and the baby squid, you’ll have an amazing four-course meal.
For a complete listing of the participating restaurants, and most of the menus for the occasion, check out the Restaurant Week website. See you out there!
- Adam Marks
Tags: Chicago Entertainment & Attractions, Chicago Nightlife, Chicago Restaurants, Downtown Chicago
Follow
