{Where to Eat: Chicago}

We have discovered some amazing restaurants lately. I wanted to share a short list of a few new favorite spots to eat in Chicago:

1. Bavettes - There is nothing I don't like about this spot - every morsel of food is delicious.
2. Antique Taco - Wicker Park fave - the best margs and my favorite tacos in the city.
3. Little Goat - This is like being a kid all over, long waits are worth it, and don't miss the crab dip.
4. Au Cheval - Great beers on tap, and the most sinful/heavenly burger.
5. Nellocote - Perfect spot for a group of friends, shareable pizzas and yummy cocktails.
6. Balena - My favorite decor of a restaurant - rustic. I love their cheese plates and fresh pasta dishes.
7. Ada Street - I feel cool just being there, the chef is talented and lovely, pick a record to play and enjoy small bites.
8. Sienna Tavern - Fighting over tables is worth it, but dishes are large, don't miss the lasagna;)
9. Longman & Eagle - Get there early, and prepare to be decadent, this gastro pub has a michelin star

Check out OpenTable for resi's.

Fall Drinks & Fall Dates...

There is much to entertain around Chicago in fall. Mini road trips to wineries, cooking classes, haunted house tours. Not to mention a few favorite recipes when the chillier months come upon us. These two posts just got me so excited, and I had to share. 


5 Cozy Chicago Autumn Dates
8 Fall Drink Recipes

Chicago Restaurants ~ Part Deux...

In addition to my Chicago Eats post this winter, a few blogger friends put together a list of dining faves for the windy city. And the list will continue to grow as we discover great new spots...Also, you can't miss my friend Danielle's 'Ultimate Chicago Guide' today on Breakfast at Toast, even more foodie fashionistas dishing it up. 

Avec ~ Great spot for groups in this small ship like-long dining room that serves up yummy fare

Bongo Room ~ pancake/french toast creations are a brunch fave for taking guests from out of town.

Cafe Baba Reeba ~ hit this Spanish Tapas restaurant for sangria and paella

Davanti ~  BYOB Italian Place,  no reservations. Great place for sharing dishes, the Burricata is delish!

DMK Burger Bar ~ Lincoln Park burger spot with toppings to please, try the fried egg on a burger.

The Doughnut Vault - I mean, donuts...need I say more?

The Drawing Room ~ pricey but fabulous, modern american dishes on the north side

Icosium Cafe ~ Andersonville - the best crepes!

La Madia ~ River North for Pizza, vino and yummy salad, great for groups. The triple pepperoni pizza with truffle oil is amazing.

Le Colonial ~ You can't go wrong with French Vietnamese fare and delish mixed cocktails ( I have also been to it's NYC and San Francisco locations which are fantastic too;)

Longman & Eagle ~ No resi's here..but well known for being one of the best spots in Chicago, try the bacon dish!

Milk & Honey ~ brunch is sublime here, get the huevos rancheros, they are numero uno!

Piccolo Sogno ~ One of the best alfresco dining space in the city.

Revolution Brewery ~ is all about beer and has some of the best american fare.

The Girl and the Goat ~ tough to get a resi at this Randolph street favorite, but worth making plans in advance to try their fried mussels

Toro Sushi ~ Lincoln Park tiny hole in the wall BYOB with a very loyal following. If you sit at the bar the owner Mitch is bound to serve you up some fresh (free) fish. 

Uncommon Ground ~ Wrigleyville - good vegetarian/organic options, all amazing.

Urban Burger Bar ~ On North Ave, this burger bar has a huge menu with tons of upscale options to add to the burgers, different meats, great fried pickles, and yummy side dishes

Xoco ~ Mexican food and delicious margs!

Zocalo ~ more Mexican faves, in River North. 

Special thanks to these Chicago ladies for sharing: It's the Little Things, Simply Smitten, Little Girl Big World, Things that Sparkle, 101 Things I love, A Lovely Escape

Summer Picnic...

Had a wonderfully spontaneous adventure to Millennium Park for their Monday night free concert series. Danielle from Breakfast at Toast posted pics from our evening and put together perfect items for your own summer picnic. 

Summer Guide: Chicago Long Weekend...

There are so many great things about Chicago in the summer. I have lived in New York City, San Francisco and now Chicago. Hands down - summers in this city are my all time favorite. Between festivals, baseball games, concerts, outdoor dining, and lakeside paths for running and biking, I'm in heaven. A friend reached out recently and I put together 'What to do' guide for their visit this week, here's a little agenda! 


Wednesday: 
Go to the Green Farmer's Market on North Clarke in Lincoln Park, pack a picnic and take a great walk along North Beach.
Wednesday Eve: 
Happy hour at Hubbard Inn, the Southside cocktail is YUM!
Early din din at the bar at GT Fish + Oyster, don't miss the lobster roll...
Ferris Bueller's Day off - Movies in the Park


Thursday: 
Stroll Michigan Ave shops and stop at RL Cafe for a late lunch on the patio. 
Thursday Eve: 
Hit Maude's Liquor bar or the Girl and the Goat in the West loop for dinner.


Friday:
Head to Wrigleyville for Cubs vs. Marlins day game! 
Friday eve:
Try one of these spots for dinner
Then hit up the Old St. Pat's Block Party and see great live band performances.


Saturday:
Taste of River North Festival
Saturday Eve:
Pitchfork Music Fest: Fleet Foxes on the Green Stage
Fireworks at Navy Pier - Either bring a blanket and a bottle of wine down to a grassy spot by the docks or get to the Trump early for a perfect view.


Sunday:
BBQ at Market Bar


Enjoy!! Stay tuned for the Chicago Bloggers favorite restaurants. {image via Breakfast at Toast}

The Great Lake...

What a beautiful summer weekend! Here's the view from my roof on Saturday, enjoyed having a friend in town to show around Chicago. From the Farmer's Market, to the Zoo, Wicker Park Music Festival, strolls through Bucktown and Lincoln Park. It was perfect. What did you all do?

Summer Guide: Music in Chicago...

Just a few favorites that are playing locally this summer. Can't wait to picnic in the park on June 6th with a few friends and hopefully see Florence and Eddie Vedder, lastly I'll cap off the summer with Lollapalooza;)


Adele ~ May, 24th @ Riviera Theatre
Grace Potter & the Nocturnals ~ June 3 @ House of Blues
Iron & Wine, The Head & the Heart ~ June 6 @ Millennium Park*
Ray LaMontagne ~ June 7 @J ay Pritzker Pavilion
My Morning Jacket ~ June 17 @ Auditorium Theatre
Florence & the Machines ~ June 18 @ Aragon Ballroom
Low & Glen Hansard ~ June 27 @ Millennium Park*
Eddie Vedder ~ June 28th/29th @ Chicago Theatre
Bon Iver ~ July 24 @ Chicago Theatre
Lollapalooza ~ Aug 5-7th @ Grant Park

*Millennium park concerts are free on Monday evenings. 

Chicago Blogger Luv...

A couple weeks ago I got together with a few fellow bloggers in Chicago for cocktails and catching up! It was so nice to put the faces to the lovely links that I read daily. Here is a list of ladies you must follow:

Alaina - http://www.livecreatingyourself.com/

Jess - http://makeundermylife.com/

Taylor - http://curlyinthecity-tek.blogspot.com/

Danielle - http://www.breakfastattoast.com/

Jillian - http://www.cornflakedreams.com/

Diane - http://aspotofwhimsy.blogspot.com/

Shari - http://chicagocuisinecritique.blogspot.com/

Cara - http://anurbancottageblog.blogspot.com/

Ashley - http://thiscitygirlslookonlife.blogspot.com/

Renae - http://oliversinspiredmama.blogspot.com/

Audrey - http://alovelyescape.blogspot.com/

Andrea - http://chicagoquirk.blogspot.com/

Alex - http://thingsthatsparkleblog.blogspot.com/

Meagan - http://mo-pieplease.blogspot.com/

Johanna - http://101thingsilove.blogspot.com/

David - http://www.thedaileydish.com/

An extra thank you for Danielle for coordinating and taking great pics, and Rockit for hosting us!

Chicago Eats...

I have been to a few amazing restaurants in the past two months and will be updating little tidbits of Chicago life and sharing my faves! Here's a top 10 list so far...more to come;)

Athenian Room - Cheap Greek eats for dinner in Lincoln Park

Fish Bar - Fresh Seafood bar in Lakeview, perfect spot for lunch or din, the garlic bread is divine!

Green Zebra - Great vegetarian brunch spot in West Town

Hot Chocolate - Sweetest Bucktown brunch fave - the donuts are to die for!

Hubbard Inn - I frequent this restaurant that has small plates and yummy cocktails, fun for after work;) 

Japonais - Everything is delicious at this contemporary japanese and sushi spot in River North

Maude's Liquor Bar  - Cool 1920s lounge feel and french american cuisine in West Loop

Mon Ami Gabi - Classic French cuisine at this cozy upscale restaurant in Lincoln Park**

Pork Shoppe - BBQ spot in Logan Square, cheap and good!

Publican - Boisterous Gastro pub in West Town with a fun bar scene


**Also has a gluten-free menu

Guitar Ensemble...

I'm kicking off the winter guitar ensemble I joined over at the Old Town School of Music. Excited to strum and learn a few new tunes;) {image via johnny the clown}

Chicago + The Band...

Well, I'm enjoying lovely weather in Chicago, it is a frequent stop lately for work. Along with a dozen meetings, I was able to see David Gray and Ray LaMontagne live last night. (Amazing)! More great music tonight, as one of the agencies I work with has a band, and is performing. We rehearsed a few songs together, so it seems I'll be singing and accompanying them on stage. Oh my! {image via the electric}

ps. The "10 Things I Loved This Week" will return next Thursday when I'm back in NYC. xo

My Kind of Town...

Orange Beautiful surveyed Chicago fave's and came up with a great list of things to do and enjoy when you are in the windy city!

Twombly...

Artist Cy Twombly is an American artist well known for his large-scale, freely scribbled, calligraphic graffiti style paintings. His works are currently exhibting at the Art Insitute of Chicago.

Jayson Home & Garden...

Chicago's home furnishing and accessories' company Jayson Home & Garden is maybe one of my favorite places to drool over items on my wish list for the casa. Check out the curiosities section for vintage flea market faves.

Vintage Red Sailboat $395

Vintage Scandinavian Books $40

Vintage seltzer bottles $150

Cooking in Chicago...

Love cooking and parties? Bespoke Cuisine in Chicago is a great experience. Brush up on your culinary skills, eat drink and be merry! You can book private events, go to cooking classes, or just show up. I did the French Cuisine cooking night with clients, it was delicious and fun. Don't forget to BYOB.