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Posts Tagged ‘Family Friendly’
Santa with his Shoes So Bright
Posted on December 7th, 2011 by Mike Chamernik
Santa Claus himself will be at Brunch, at 644 N. Orleans St., Saturday, Dec. 10 from 7:30 a.m. until 11 a.m. And, like many of the restaurants patrons, he will stop in to get his shoes shined.
Children can meet with St. Nick that morning, and families can try some of Executive Chef Joseph Pierro’s holiday creations, like sweet potato buttermilk pancakes, spiced pecans and s’mores French Toast.
One of the major calling cards of Brunch is their shoe shine booth, where business folks can get spiffed up in an instant. The restaurant is tailored to the white collar, also offering a board room, an express station, WiFi, a teleconference system, and a newsstand.
The establishment also separates itself by featuring a wood interior, artwork by artist Kristin Corna, and a wide variety of food. Brunch not only has classic dishes from its namesake, like pancakes, waffles, omelets and pastries, but also sandwiches, burgers, soups and salads.
Brunch makes efforts to go green and honor local products. All their coffee (from local coffee maker Intelligentsia) comes in mugs donated by customers, and if you bring your own mug to use you will get a discount. Pastries come from Bennison’s Bakery, and root beer and orange soda from Filbert’s.
Brunch is open daily from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Tags: Brunch, Chicago Events, Christmas in Chicago, Family Friendly, Holidays in Chicago, River North, Santa Claus
Afternoon Tea for a Good Cause
Posted on November 8th, 2011 by Cecilia Ehlenbach
November 12th has been declared “Get Steeped Day” by the Fairmont Hotel & Resorts chain. Get steeped? What’s this all about? It’s the Fairmont Hotel’s international celebration of tea day!
From 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, November 12th, guests can partake in an Asian Tea Time featuring a variety of Asian teas and dim sum and a special children’s menu. The event will take place at the Aria Bar, a contemporary Asian-fusion cocktail lounge, within the Fairmont Chicago Millennium Park (200 N. Columbus Dr.) The event costs $35 per person and reservations can be made by calling 312-444-9494.
Additionally, some of the proceeds from the tea will go towards the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Grand Chefs Gala, an annual event that raises money for the Foundation’s research for a cure. So not only will you be steeping in style, you’ll also be steeping towards a good cause—seems like the perfect way to spend the afternoon every way that you look at it.
Tags: Aria Restaurant and Bar, Asian Tea Time, Chicago Events, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Grand Chefs Gala, Fairmont Chicago, Family Friendly, Millennium Park
Escape Artist Dennis Watkins at Navy Pier
Posted on October 18th, 2011 by Amber Holst
Chicagoan and magician Dennis Watkins is currently performing feats of magic and an escape unlike anything you’ve seen at Navy Pier’s Really Big Halloween Party. Watkins performs two shows each day with the last show featuring Houdini’s Dreaded Upside-Down Water Chamber Escape™.
Dennis Watkins’ Performance Schedule:
• Friday, Oct. 21 at 1 and 3 p.m.
• Saturday, Oct. 22 at 1 and 3 p.m.
• Sunday, Oct. 23 at noon and 2 p.m.
• Friday, Oct. 28 at 6 and 7:30 p.m.
• Saturday, Oct. 29 at 6 and 8 p.m.
• Sunday, Oct. 30 at 4 and 6 p.m.
• Monday, Oct. 31 at 5 and 7 p.m.
Most of Watkins’ magic involves audience members and he greatly enjoys interacting and doing strolling magic, bringing you even closer to the action. In addition to his illusions, Watkins owns The House Theater in Chicago, a local venue specializing in original script plays including “Death and Harry Houdini.”
Tags: Dennis Watkins, Family Friendly, Halloween Event, Illusionist, Magician, navy pier chicago, Navy Pier's Really Big Halloween Party, things to do in chicago
Worth The Wait
Posted on August 2nd, 2011 by Adam Marks
I’m not one for waiting in line for things. I don’t really know who is. But everyone once in a while there is something worth waiting for.
Though the line will like stretch around the block, Hot Doug’s is worth a visit as one of the most renowned sausage/hot dog joints in all the land. Billing themselves as an Encased Meat Emporium, they’ll challenge your concept of what a hot dog can be, and delight your palette in the meantime.
The menu at Hot Doug’s is, at first, charmingly simple. The offer standard dogs, brats, andouille, etc. with clever names like The Brigitte Bardot (“mighty, mighty, mighty hot!!”). But the magic happens in the daily specials. Made on site and constantly in rotation, these concoctions won’t be found anywhere else. For example, today you could get a cognac-infused lamb and pork sausage with spinach raita and goat cheese. Looking for something a bit more familiar? Try the brown ale and chipotle buffalo sausage with dark beer mustard and hickory-smoked sweet swiss cheese. See what I’m saying? These people are peerless in their pursuit of the perfect link.
If you go on a Friday or Saturday, be sure to try the duck fat fries. Your hips will be angry, but your tummy will be thrilled.
Be prepared… Hot Doug’s only accepts cash, and is only open 10:30a.m. to 4:00p.m. Oh yeah, they also close on Sundays and other holidays they feel like closing. They recommend a call ahead to make sure they are open. (773) 279-9550. For all that, however, you still can’t beat it.
Hot Doug’s is located at 3324 N. California at Roscoe.
Tags: Chicago Entertainment & Attractions, Chicago Restaurants, Family Friendly
C’mon, Get Healthy
Posted on July 18th, 2011 by Amber Holst
Marbles: The Brain Store opens on the fourth floor of Water Tower Place tomorrow, July 19, joining the likes of other family-focused retailers including American Girl Place and LEGO.
“The addition of Marbles gives Water Tower Place a stronghold on family shopping, dining and entertainment along the Magnificent Mile,” said Mitchell Feldman, senior general manager of Water Tower Place. “These retailers appreciate the tremendous foot traffic that our center attracts – both from local shoppers and out-of-town visitors – and the family-friendly atmosphere that our center provides.”
The new Marbles store at Water Tower Place is the company’s sixth in the greater Chicagoland area. Occupying 884-square-feet, the new location features a unique collection of more than 200 hand-picked, expert-tested products that offer fun ways to strengthen and entertain the brain.
Marbles’ approach is interactive, with trained brain coaches on site to help customers find the right products for them. For more information about Marbles: The Brain Store, visit www.marblesthebrainstore.com.
Tags: Chicago Shopping, Family Friendly, magnificent mile, Marbles: The Brain Store, Specialty Stores, Water Tower Place
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
Things to do in Chicago
Posted on June 14th, 2011 by Amber Holst
This week’s Concierge Correspondent Kaitlyn Lawlor of the Wyndham Chicago hotel offers her tips for things to do and see this weekend in Chicago. From the iconic Maxwell Street market in Chicago’s South Loop and the Bike to Work Rally to family fun in Millennium Park, there’s a lot going on around town. Fortunately, our Concierge Correspondent offers her tips to help you chart your course.
Tags: Bike to Work Rally, Chicago Events, concierge picks, Daley Plaza, Family Events, Family Friendly, Family Fun Festival, Free Chicago Events, Kaitlyn Lawlor, Kaitlyn Lawlor Concierge Picks, Maxwell Street Market, Millennium Park, South Loop
Comida Cubana
Posted on May 24th, 2011 by Adam Marks
It’s always a good sign when everyone you are hanging out with decides to go to a restaurant that you’ve never even heard of. Such was the case this weekend with the charming Cafecito, a great little spot for pressed sandwiches and rich cuban coffee.
Hidden on Congress amongst the various places appealing primarily to the students in the area, Cafecito offers 20 choices of tasty pressed sandwiches. Don’t confuse these with paninis, cuban sandwiches have a texture and flavor all their own. For a classic experience, stick with the Cubano, a combination of ham, roasted pork (that’s right, two pig meats!), swiss cheese, pickles, and mustard.
Other choices that aren’t as traditional include the Guava-Q. Roasted meat soaked in a guava bbq sauce and topped with onions and jicama slaw. Great texture and crunch! Those who love the traditional Cuban dish Ropa Vieja will appreciate their sandwich version. Skirt steak, plantains, black beans, and a creole sauce are all lumped together in a tasty handful!
Not to be overlooked are the Cuban coffees. Delicious and rich, not to mention highly caffeinated, don’t be fooled by their small size. a Cortadito (short) will pack plenty of punch. Just sip it instead of chugging it like a Trenta from Starbucks.
Finally, a true Latin treat is the batido, a smoothie made from the frozen pulp of delicious fruits including passion, guava, and more. Check their list to see what they have in stock to experience this frozen goodness.
Cafecito is located at 26 East Congress Parkway between State and Wabash.
Tags: Chicago Restaurants, Downtown Chicago, Family Friendly
Night Lights
Posted on May 23rd, 2011 by Elizabeth Pierson
Nothing says “hey, summer’s here!” like barbecues, the smell of fresh-cut grass, strolling in the sunny city, and festive fireworks. And every Chicagoan (and every visitor, for that matter) knows the place to be for Chicago fireworks is downtown, watching them illuminate the sky over Lake Michigan.
Starting May 28, Navy Pier will present a summer fireworks show every Wednesday at 9:30 p.m. and Saturday at 10 p.m., coordinated to music provided by some of Chicago’s favorite radio stations: B96 and Fresh FM.
And what better way to catch the spectacular display than aboard a boat trolling along the shores of Lake Michigan? Shoreline Sightseeing Fireworks Cruises showcase Chicago’s beautiful lake, architecture and skyline, and give you front-row seats to watch the fireworks.
These summer Fireworks Cruises start Saturday, May 28 and will run every Saturday until September 3 and every Wednesday until August 31.
Cruises depart from Navy Pier—also this summer’s exclusive site of the special July 4th firework presentation—for a 45-minute nighttime cruise. Shoreline also offers a Chicago River Combination Architecture and Fireworks Cruise on Saturdays at 9:15 p.m. and Wednesdays at 8:30 p.m. This combination cruise lasts 75 minutes and departs from Shoreline’s Ogden Slip dock.
The Fireworks Cruise is $24-$26 for adults and $12 for children. The Combination Architecture and Fireworks cruise is $29-$32 for adults and $14-$16 for children.
Purchase tickets for Saturday’s Shoreline Sightseeing Fireworks Cruise.
Tags: Chicago Boat Tour, Chicago Lake Michigan Boat Tour, Chicago River Cruise, Family Friendly, Navy Pier Boat Tours, Navy Pier Fireworks
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