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.

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!

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.

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. 

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!