Pretty Bras That’ll Give Even The Most Petite-Sized Gals A Push
We all know about the plight of the buxom when it comes to finding a bra that fits correctly, but what about our smaller-chested sisters? Turns…Read More
Shop It NowCalling All Engaged Couples! Find Wedding Inspiration At This Dining Event
Every wedding planner knows that a flawless wedding requires more coordination than simply the right bride and groom. On Thursday, May 17, Be U Weddings, Goose Island Catering, and A Perfect Event will present a can’t-miss dinner from 7 to 9 p.m. to help those who have already found their perfect partner to secure the more tangible twosomes at their wedding: Namely, impeccable food and drink pairings for the reception. The event, aptly titled "A Perfect Pair," will feature a four-course farm-to-table dinner prepared by Chef Andrew Hroza and precisely coupled with classic and Belgian-style beers. Tickets cost $25 per couple (available online) and include dinner as well as giveaways from Be U Brides, FIG Media, Debi Lilly and Poladora.com.
Where: Siebel Hall at Goose Island Brewery, 1800 North Clybourn Avenue (between West Wisconsin and West Willow streets); No phone.
When: Thursday, May 17 from 7 to 9 p.m.
Photo: Via A Perfect Event
Where: Siebel Hall at Goose Island Brewery, 1800 North Clybourn Avenue (between West Wisconsin and West Willow streets); No phone.
When: Thursday, May 17 from 7 to 9 p.m.
Photo: Via A Perfect Event
The Really Long Lunch Break Returns: NoMI's Patio Is Open!
We're crossing out fingers, holding our breath, and hoping today's promised sunshine isn't a total lie. At last, the season of the outdoor lunch break has returned, and we plan to clock some serious patio hours this summer. First on our list? NoMI, the scrumptious restaurant at Chicago's Park Hyatt Hotel, has officially opened its Garden dining space for the summer. If you've never experienced this outdoor dining joy, the view from NoMI's terrace is nothing short of breathtaking. It's the perfect way to give yourself a little midday happy, weather permitting. Nosh on amazing sushi, salads, sandwiches, and more. A standing weekly lunch date with your pals wouldn't be a bad idea. Just sayin'.
NoMI Garden at The Park Hyatt Hotel, 800 North Michigan Avenue (at Chicago Avenue); 312-239-4030.
Photo: Courtesy of NoMI
Master This Rick Bayless-Inspired Cocktail For Summer
If you've been tinkering around your home bar, making your best guess as to what will taste just yummy (and boozy) enough, you've found out that it's not always so easy to shake things up. Today, take a cue from a master, literally. Celeb chef Rick Bayless has inspired Hendrick's Gin to create a cocktail in celebration of the A Taste for the Arts 30th Anniversary Gala on May 10. The cocktail, "La Luna," is a refreshing mix of cucumber, lime, and jalapeno. The recipe is below, and you've still got plenty of time to master it before summer. La Luna
Ingredients:
2 parts Hendrick's Gin
1 part cucumber juice
1 part fresh lime juice
1 part mild jalapeno syrup
2 parts soda
Garnish: Kosher salted cucumber spear
To Make Cucumber Juice:
Pass whole, unpeeled English cucumbers through a juice extractor.
To Make Jalapeno Syrup:
Muddle 8 cored and chopped jalapenos into 2 cups raw sugar until a thick paste is formed. Add 2 cups water, heat, and stir until sugar dissolves. Reduce until 1.5 cups remains. (Add seeds, to taste, to adjust spiciness.) Strain off all solids and chill.
To Make La Luna:
Combine first 4 ingredients in a tall glass. Add ice and then top with Soda. Stir gently to incorporate. Garnish with a salted cucumber spear (seeds removed).
Photo: Courtesy of XA, The Experiential Agency
One West Loop Bar Is Serving Skinny Girl Cocktails (Real Ones)
The season of outdoor imbibing has begun, and perhaps not-so conveniently, it completely coincides with bathing suit season. As you know (you should know this) alcohol can really sneak in the calories. #Unfair. Thankfully, Skinnygirl cocktails aim to give you the buzzy goodness of your favorite yummy drink, minus the diet-destroying calories. You can find all of the Skinnygirl cocktail flavors in Chicago, but if you're feeling a little lazy, let someone else make them for you. Market Bar in the West Loop is the first bar in Chicago to carry Skinnygirl products, and this summer they're shaking up all things slim. If we were you, we'd try the Skinnygirl Pom-Tangerine Spritzer made with Skinnygirl Tangerine Vodka, pomegranate juice and soda. It's $10 well spent, particulalry when you take in to account the fact that you can drink it on Market Bar's amazing roof. Who's thirsty? Market Bar, 1113 West Randolph Street (at May Street); 312-929-4787.
Photo: Courtesy of Market Bar
New Things To Nosh At Paris Club
Photo: Anjali Pinto/Courtesy of Henson Consulting
You already love Paris Club, with it's sexy atmosphere, posh cocktails, and food so yummy you almost don't want to leave to go upstairs to party at Studio Paris. The River North restaurant wants you keep you interested, and in that spirit they've just launched some new menu items we think you'll love. Pictured above are the Pretzel Croissants (genius), and Ahi Tuna Au Poivre. We're also hearing musings about Lobster Crostini and Alaskan Halibut, and after that we got so hungry we like, needed a minute. If it were up to us, we'd go tomorrow, because the resto also just launched half-price bottles of wine on Sundays only! Find new, scrumptious reasons to love this place even more, starting this weekend.
Paris Club, 59 West Hubbard Street (between Dearborn and Clark Streets); 312-595-0800.
The 20 Least Fratty Bars In Chicago
Chicago isn't short on bars. Any drink you're hoping for is just a quick cab ride away. But, before you hit the town, you need to keep reading. Navigating away from fratty, overly boisterous Jägerbomb zones can be tricky, so we did the legwork for you.
On our list, you'll find chic bars, cozy taverns, and even a pleasant dive or two, all frequented by crowds that are nothing short of cool. Rest assured, you'll enjoy your next cocktail (or three) in peace, with a great group or girlfriends or your next hot date. If you've been struggling to find a better brand of imbibing in Chicago, give our favorites your best shot.
On our list, you'll find chic bars, cozy taverns, and even a pleasant dive or two, all frequented by crowds that are nothing short of cool. Rest assured, you'll enjoy your next cocktail (or three) in peace, with a great group or girlfriends or your next hot date. If you've been struggling to find a better brand of imbibing in Chicago, give our favorites your best shot.
Breaking News From The Land Of Bad Ideas: BYO Vodka Brunch
The time has come. Chicago has officially mastered every culinary treat and delight imaginable, and now, as a city, we have to get creative. Spawned from some deep, dark, place, the BYOV (yes, vodka), brunch at BadHappy Poutine Shop is exactly what it sounds like. Show up to brunch with a bottle of your favorite Russian spirit, and BadHappy will gladly mix it into a Bloody Mary or Mudslide Milkshake. There's also something called The Sun Driver, made with orange soda and a splash of orange juice, in case you want to lie to yourself about getting your vitamin C for the day. And then there's the poutine. Ah, the poutine. What hangover dares to invade your day when poutine is there to save you? This Sunday, give the BYOV brunch a try, and tell us all about it, once the food-plus-vodka-buzz wears off. Best of luck.
BadHappy Poutine Shop, 939 North Orleans (at Oak Street); 312-890-2165.
Photo: Via BadHappy Poutine Shop
Fashion Plates: What To Wear To Brunch This Weekend
Photo: Courtesy of Wagstaff Worldwide
The perfect brunch outfit is a Chicago gal's sartorial silver bullet. Better still is the clutch meeting place to dine and dish with your besties. Filini, a new resto in the gorgeous Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel, combines the chicness of a dining hot spot with the yummy, comfort food Chicago loves. Genius! It's the ideal hangout to share a few bites and relax on a casual weekend morning. As for what to wear, some light layers that are as cozy as they are chic will have you fielding compliments from your Bellini buddies, left, right, and center—in between gossip and delish dishes of Italian crepes, housemade quiche, and eggs benedict florentine with polenta crustino. This weekend, a little casual-cool will ensure that you're all set for any day-off plans you can dream up, brunch…and beyond. Filini at the Raddison Blu Aqua Hotel, 221 North Columbus Drive (between Water Street & Lower South Water Street); 312-477-0234.
AllSaints Spitalfields Rustic Boot, $270, available at AllSaints Spitalfields. The Row Aviator Sunglasses, $355, available at Barneys New York. Topshop Moto Bleach Western Jacket, $80, available at Topshop. House Of Harlow Cushion Cocktail Ring With Turquoise, $65, available at House Of Harlow. Warehouse Column Maxi Dress, $45.45, available at ASOS.
The Least Expensive Way To Dance Your Ass Off In Chicago
If nice weather has you hitting the town more than you used to, you might notice that it's also got you dipping into your bank account more often, too. If you don't want to sacrifice your social life or your life savings this spring and summer, we found a stellar compromise. Every Wednesday, Beauty Bar in West Town offers Bargain Wave, a new wave dance night with no cover, and really cheap drinks. How cheap? The first 50 people to RSVP every week get a free beer, and after that you'll pay $1 for Schlitz, $2 for Jack Daniels Honey Shots, and $3 for well cocktails. Bring friends to make sure you've got enough dancing buddies, or just hit the dance floor with confidence (and a shot or two), and find some new ones. We'll keep digging up these completely affordable good times for you all season, to make sure your cash flow is the last reason you'll ever have to stay home.
Bargain Wave at Beauty Bar, 1444 West Chicago Avenue (at Greenview Avenue); 312-226-8828.
Photo: Courtesy of Beauty Bar
Bargain Wave at Beauty Bar, 1444 West Chicago Avenue (at Greenview Avenue); 312-226-8828.
Photo: Courtesy of Beauty Bar
Buy Bigger Pants: Chicago Has A New Poutine Shop
We don't have enough indulgent food in Chicago. We really don't. To remedy that, BadHappy Poutine Shop has entered our lives. They pair french fries with cheese, foie gras mousse, braised veal, truffle mayo, and heaven knows what else, and they make their gravy out of PBR. But that's the only place at BadHappy you'll find booze, so make sure to bring your own to compliment the world's most perfectly decadent dish based on french fries. Oh boy. We're in trouble. (Chicagoist)
Photo: Via Chicagoist
Photo: Via Chicagoist
The Barrelhouse Flat Shows Off Your New Spring Indulgence
As much as we love cozying up to a classic Old Fashioned, swaddled in our best knits and boots, it's like, spring now. We need a new wardrobe, new plans, and new cocktails. The Barrelhouse Flat gets it, and in the spirit of the changing seasons, this instantly essential Chicago spot is rolling out a new menu (food and drinks) for spring. On our radar? The Dandy Lion, a mix of gin, muddled cucumber, absinthe (haaay), and lemon juice. Try and tell us you don't want to spend your whole summer sipping that on a patio. You can't, can you? No. Pair it with Escargot Fries, topped with garlic, parsley, and parmesan, and you've got the perfect "I worked really hard today" treat. Quittin' time is in about six hours, calm down. There's plenty for all of us.
The Barrelhouse Flat, 2624 North Lincoln Avenue (between Sheffield & Wrightwood Avenues); 773-857-0421.
Photo: Courtesy of XA PR
One Totally Classic Easter Brunch To Book Now
To avoid waking up on Easter totally void of plans and facing stern glances from loved ones, keep reading. Lockwood restaurant is hosting a totally classic, delish-looking brunch that sounds like the perfect way to celebrate. What exactly are we talking about? Garlic-studded roasted leg of spring lamb served with a mint jus, a country Easter ham with cloves and a mustard glaze, French toast with cinnamon rum raisin sauce and like, more. If you'd prefer, go the buffet route, a $65 rezzie that comes with unlimited (yes) champagne. Don't bother with cooking, cleaning, and entertaining this Easter when Lockwood is more than happy to handle all of that for you. Put on your Sunday brunch best and enjoy, just make sure to call and score a table first. Race ya to the phone!
Lockwood Restaurant, 17 East Monroe Street; 312-917-3404.
Photo: Courtesy of Wagstaff
Photo: Courtesy of Wagstaff
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