Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Lotta gelato in Ukranian Village

(Photo courtesy Black Dog Gelato)
(Photo courtesy Black Dog Gelato)

Outside of Italy, authentic, creamy, flavorful gelato is hard to find. While nothing can compete with the experience of eating gelato while strolling through the streets of Roma, Black Dog Gelato comes close to the creaminess of real Italian gelato. And its flavors are unlike any I've found.

We went to Black Dog this past weekend with my parents and each of the eight flavors we ate between the four of us was divine in its own right. I tried a Salted Peanut/Goat Cheese Cashew Caramel combination. Z tried a lighter fruit combination, while my mom went for chocolate/vanilla and my dad opted for a Salted Peanut/Bourbon Apricot combination.

Flavors change daily. Black Dog is open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in the winter, with longer hours in warmer months. If you "like" the shop on Facebook, you'll get updates about new flavors and gelato-making classes.

Thursday, February 23, 2012

South Pacific in Chicago

At the Cadillac Palace Theater on Randolph

I have a confession to make. I love musicals. I know they are considered low-brow, but I'm not afraid to buck convention and admit that I like them. They make me smile.

I was jealous of my aunt when she said she was going to South Pacific at the Cadillac Palace Theater with some of her girlfriends. So when a coworker offered me an extra ticket to Wednesday night's show, I happily obliged.

I wasn't familiar with the plot before arriving at the theater, but could infer it had something to do with the islands of the South Pacific during World War II and a love story or two. It turns out I like the theme of the show--overcoming adversity and one's prejudices to find love and happiness. And I really liked the set design of this particular production, which is based on the Lincoln Center Theater production. The sets were complex, yet fit together very well.

But the show itself felt very long. The songs, which have a similar rhythm and tune to begin with, began to feel like one very long song. What I like most about musicals is their energy. Unfortunately, South Pacific, at least on this Wednesday night, lacked energy.

South Pacific plays at the Cadillac Palace Theater until Sunday, February 26. Tickets are still available.

Duck Fat Fries at The Bristol

(Photo courtesy starchefs.com)

What is it about duck fat that can make even french fries taste better? Potatoes fried in duck fat are crispier, more flavorful and oh so much more indulgent.

The duck fat fries at The Bristol in Bucktown are no exception. The portion size is generous, especially as an appetizer, which is how we ate them on a Friday night. Our choice of pairing them with the charcuterie plate wasn't the best decision, but, hey, we were hungry. Don't get me wrong; either dish would be fabulous on its own, but they're not the best combination. We washed down our apps with some delicious cocktails--Z had the Moscow Mule and I had the Poire & Elderflower.

For dinner in the main dining room downstairs we switched to wine. My viognier was excellent; Z's pinot noir lacked some flavor, but was still smooth and easy drinking. While The Bristol's menu has some staples, like the duck fat fries, most items change daily. On the day we went, my house-made pappardelle pasta with bolognese sauce was really yummy. Z's head-on prawns had good flavor, but a little too much butter. The Brussels sprouts also had a nice flavor, but, again, a bit too much oil.

The Bristol is participating in Restaurant Week, but this Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand award winner is a great value without Restaurant Week.

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Barrelhouse Flat on a Friday night

(Photo courtesy chicagonow.com)
Z finally took me to The Barrelhouse Flat. I've been asking to go since it first took over the former Deja Vu space in Lincoln Park in October 2011. (Z went with friends about a month ago, but by the time I could meet up with them, they had moved on to a fratastic bar down the street.)

On a Friday night, Barrelhouse was as busy as I would expect. This place has been covered by every major Chicago publication at least once. And it's hype is well-deserved. From the decor to the glasses to the drinks themselves, the experience is period-appropriate and classy.

After hovering for a few minutes without reservations or plans to eat, we were able to find two seats at the bar. The interior is appropriately minimal. It looks like how I would picture a saloon from just before or after Prohibition--an upright piano, appropriately dimmed lights and at least one bartender in a flapperish-style outfit.

I ordered the Mamie Taylor, a delicious concoction of whiskey, lime, simple syrup and ginger beer. Z ordered the Sazerac, a rye whiskey drink. Next time I hope to check out the Queen's Park Swizzle or the Airmail. Maybe some food, too. Until the deviled egg trend started, I didn't realize I was such a sucker! Looks like Barrelhouse has a special variety of double deviled eggs.

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Weekend highlights

My adorable nephew, Ethan, sent me this for Valentine's Day
This was definitely the highlight of my pre-Valentine's Day weekend. It looks like Ethan had fun posing for this photo. And I have a fun new magnet!

Valentine flowers
Z knows Ethan's charm steals the show, so he tried a different tactic. I think these tulips and irises are a refreshing and creative alternative to classic Valentine red roses. Z got them at an unassuming flower shop in Lincoln Park that happens to have a random mix of very healthy flowers and plants.

Flamingos in Lincoln Park
On Saturday, after a delicious brunch at Ria at the Elysian Hotel, we took a long walk and came across these flamingos sunning themselves at the Lincoln Park Zoo. With the exception of the five flamingos that took a nap on the ground, the remainder stood in a uniform position. This flock struck me as particularly pink. It's good to know they're getting a healthy dose of shrimp!

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Tax-free shopping over President's Day weekend!


Nothing honors our national leaders like an incentive to go shopping. Let's be honest; our GDP wouldn't want it is without a nationwide obsession with having the latest and greatest.

Looking for the perfect excuse to add to your wardrobe? 900 North Michigan Shops are offering another tax-free shopping weekend. Be sure to print out your voucher before you go!

Where to eat before a show

My aunt will be in town this weekend with a group of her girlfriends from college. In advance of her visit, she presented me with a challenge: "We're seeing South Pacific at the Cadillac Palace Theater on Sunday night. What are some affordable restaurants near the theater?"

My obvious choice, Encore Liquid Lounge, is closed on Sundays. I love Encore for lunch. It's great for birthdays, a coworker's departure or any other occasion when the typical Corner Bakery fare just won't do.

I've done the legwork on the remaining recommendations; as of this post, they're all open on Sunday evenings.

Also in Hotel Allegro is 312 Chicago, a delicious Italian restaurant. It has a more formal atmosphere than Encore, but during Restaurant Week, you can enjoy a three-course lunch for $22 or dinner for $33.

Not far away at the Burnham Hotel, another Kimpton Hotel, is the Atwood Cafe. It has a formal, but warm atmosphere in a classic old hotel. It's also lovely for breakfast.

A little farther away in River North, you can find Bin 36. I included it because it's not that far away, and I always enjoy the food. The swordfish is my favorite.

Also in River North is La Madia.  This pizzeria is more casual than my other theater-zone dining recommendations. Read: a lower price point and also a good option for families with younger kids. The pepperoni pizza with white truffle oil! is remarkable. But when is truffle oil not delicious?

To avoid a wait, reserve a table at any of these restaurants on OpenTable.

Friday, February 10, 2012

Spring(time) in Winter

Spring Cafe in Lincoln Park
Trying a new brunch spot is typically a low-risk endeavor. The meal is usually inexpensive and if you can't stomach the meal, you have plenty of time throughout the day to fill up on other food. So after I saw a new brunch spot in Lincoln Park, we casually thought, "Sure. We'll give it a try."

When we stopped by Spring Cafe last weekend, we were not disappointed. (The restaurant received some poor reviews on Yelp, but I disagree.) The atmosphere is bright and cheery with plenty of flat-screen TVs on the walls to watch a game or CNN. Our servers were attentive and helpful and provided regular coffee and water refills. And the food came out quickly and piping hot. I had the Alaskan Omelet and Z had the Crazy Eggs. Portion sizes are manageable, just two eggs per egg dish, rather than what has become the customary three. 

This is also one restaurant where I don't mind drinking the coffee. Both the drip coffee and cappuccino were above average for restaurant coffee.  And did I mention that it's very affordable? One coffee, two cappuccino's, one omelet and one Crazy Eggs including tax and tip: just $32. 

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

TGIF--Take 1

What are you doing this weekend? My boyfriend will be skiing in Utah, so I have a weekend to myself. Although I will miss him, I'm trying to look at the bright side of the time apart. It's only Tuesday and I've been scoping out fun things to do this weekend!

At the suggestion and organization of my friends Pat and Geeta, I'm planning to check out UP Comedy Club, aptly named as it occupies the third floor of the Second City space in Old Town.

I've thought about scoping out the 2012 Chicago Auto Show. I've lived in the Midwest for most of my life and have been in/near Chicago for more than a decade; it's almost embarrassing to admit I've never been to the nation's largest auto show. Then again, I don't even own a car, so checking out the latest in auto technology isn't top-of-mind for me. 

Dose Market returns on Sunday. I love the laid-back atmosphere of this quirky monthly market. When I went with my sister in December, we bought some delicious homemade marshmallows and hot chocolate. I've also come home with a super-cute blouse from Miss Patina that can be worn to the office or on weekends.

I'm really excited about this FREE event at Schuba's on Sunday night! (My friend Andrea, who I haven't seen in forever, found and suggested it.) Just in time for Valentine's Day, we'll be learning about the Science of Love and Attraction from the perspective of a professor at Northwestern who will untangle the world of online dating and a film expert who will share her expertise about love-making in movies. What an interesting way to end the weekend!

Closing Time

 Just Grapes retail store

Two of my favorite brick-and-mortar retail businesses have closed over the past few weeks. Just Grapes, a lovely, personable wine shop in the West Loop moved out of its space around the end of January. I loved going into the store to check out new wines and sample a few at the tasting bar. According to an email I got from the owner, the company had difficulty negotiating its lease. The company will continue to sell wine on its website.

This past weekend I learned my favorite coffee shop had closed. Signs on the door over the past few weeks said the store had been struggling with plumbing problems. Still, I was optimistic that doors would reopen once the pipes were up and running. Noble Tree had delicious cappuccinos and some pretty tasty-looking baked goods.  Not to mention a comfortable, old-school coffee shop ambiance and friendly baristas behind the counter. I learned to recognize a cappuccino by the barista who made it.

Although I will miss Noble Tree, I was happy to learn that the Noble Tree crew has plans in the works for a new coffee roasting and education company, Bow & Truss and free-standing cafes, P.O.C. For more information about the new venture, click here. Sounds like a really cool concept. And I know of quite a few neighborhoods in the city that are deprived of quality coffee!

Thursday, February 2, 2012

Night at the Museum

One of my favorite things to do after work on a Thursday evening, which I have to admit I've done only a handful of times, is to grab a couple of friends and visit the Art Institute of Chicago. Most days the museum closes at 5 p.m., but on Thursdays it's open until 8 p.m. (Be sure to check the website before you visit; the hours change from time-to-time.)

Today I had the privilege of not only visiting the Art Institute but also tagging along on a fabulous tour. In keeping with the upcoming "holiday", or Hallmark marketing ploy, depending on your perspective, the theme of the tour was "Love in Paris". Our tour guide, Paula, was very knowledgeable and featured a variety of paintings and even one sculpture, all in keeping with the love theme.

Full disclosure: I'm a board member of the affiliate group that organized this tour, so I'm a bit biased. Regardless, I had a great time on the tour and I think events like this provide a tremendous opportunity to learn more about art and the context in which artists worked. The next tour is coming in March. Check the website for more info.