{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.

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 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}

Best Restaurants in Downtown NYC...

Every once in awhile I get asked...What are your favorite restaurants in downtown New York? I posted this over a year ago, but revisit every once in awhile to add to the list! Working on Chicago next... 


Atlas Cafe - fun for groups, yummy tapas & sangria

Barbuto - opens the doors in spring and summer for a great outdoor feel
Bar'Rique - newbie wine bar on Bleeker St. with the tastiest dinner menu and to-die-for cheese plates

Blue Hill - seminal Greenmarket haven with fresh farm fare from an upstate complex called Stone Barns

Blue Ribbon Sushi - delish sushi and relaxed atmosphere
The Breslin - gastropub in the Ace Hotel that serves delicious cocktails and meat lover's faves
Cafe Cluny - favorite Sunday brunch spot in the W. Village, wait in line for the best egg sandwich 'ever'

The Charles - s'mores and more make this speakeasy/lounge a great dinner spot

Diablo Royale - West Village Mexican taqueria saloon

Essex - great weekend brunches on the LES

Five Points - warm and relaxed Mediterranean-American eatery

Freemans - comforting american cuisine tucked away in a charming LES alley
Gemma - hot spot on Bowery that serves up yummy Italian food
Gitane - Moroccan French cafe in the Jane Hotel

Hotel Griffou - trendy grotto eatery with amazing cocktails and yummy dishes

Il Buco - warm antique charm and Mediterranean dishes

Indochine - French-Vietnamese fairy-tale favorite

Kingswood - candlelit rustic feel with yummy american food
La Gazzeta - cozy Meat Packing district brasserie
La Esquina - best south of houston mexican spot on the map with killer margaritas (literally;)

L'artusi - italian with amazing flavorful food and busy upbeat vibe

Little Owl - tiny w. village neighborhood fave

Lupa - soft-hearted Tuscan trattoria
Lure Fishbar - new seafood, sushi, oyster bar that celebs love to frequent

Morandi - cozy Italian with winning wine list and attractive crowd

Palma - rustic Mediterranean-Italian gem
Pastis - chic, crowded Parisian style bistro in the heart of Meat-Packing district 

Pearl Oyster Bar - intimate New England style seafood restaurant
Pulino's Bar & Pizzeria - a boisterous crowd always hovers over the bar here for the best thin crust pizza

Smith & Mills - small cozy Tribeca restaurant where the food and experience are both amazing
The Spotted Pig - long waits are worth it at this upscale pub that serves up salty, smokey cured fare

Tartine - BYOB french bistro that is tiny and terrific

Waverly Inn - impossible to get a reservation, this American dining is delicious

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

Eataly in NYC...

I walked through the hustle and bustle of Eataly this weekend and it was amazing. With stand up food and drinks bars amidst the market you can only imagine the yummy salami, cheeses, wines, fresh pastas, pizza, fresh breads, espresso and gelato that you can enjoy there or pick up to cook Italian cuisine at home. The also host many cooking classes through the week, and I can't wait to try!

Thinking of Rome...

I have always wanted to visit Italy. I saw Eat, Pray, Love this weekend with girlfriends and can't stop thinking about eating, cooking and traveling in Rome. Let's go!

Stay:

St Regis Grand

New York Times Restaurant Recommendations:

Antica Pesa, Via Garibaldi, 18. A combination of traditional and more modern food. Supposedly a celebrity haunt, but it seemed pretty down-to-earth.
Giolitti, Via Uffici del Vicario, 40. An old classic for gelato. Try the rice and chocolate flavors.
Le Mani in Pasta, Via dei Genovesi, 37. Off the beaten track in Trastevere, but worth the trip. Mostly locals, and excellent food.
Pierluigi, Piazza dé Ricci, 144. Really popular and good for people watching.
Roscioli, Via dei Giubbonari, 21. Really fabulous bakery and restaurant for lunch or dinner. If you go at lunch, they will bring out a big thing of risotto — and within minutes it’s gone.
San Crispino, Via della Panetteria, 42. For inventive, modern gelato.
Sangallo ai Coronari, Via dei Coronari, 180. More creative cuisine combined with traditional. Nice patio.


Scoot Around on a Vespa: Barberini Scooters, Via della Purificazione, 84

Walking Tour of the Eternal City: I Love Rome

Cooking Classes: Italian Gourmet

Wine Tasting: Vino Roma

Outdoor Market: Campo dei Fiore

{images via j.crew catalogue via escapade, flickr, just food now}

Sunday Best Series: NYC Scene this Week...

Coming to you weekly will be a new series on Walking Around - Sunday Best - scoping out the best activities {in a city near you} and dishing them here... 


This next couple weeks, my intern Alix has put together a great list of faves in NYC. Next stop - SF of course, and from there we'll be stopping off to explore the hottest cities in the US. Stay tuned.


July 25^th –Aug 1^st

Sun – Saturday

July 25^th Sunday

·     Mad Men Screening in Times Square  (free)

 Cynthia Rowley up to 80% off

July 26^th Monday

·     Monty Python and the Holy Grail Showing in Bryant Park (free)

July 28^th Wednesday

·     District 9 showing at the Husdon River Pier 54 (free, free popcorn too!)

July 31st  Saturday

·     Sonic Youth in Prospect Park  (free)

Forty 1° North...

Waterside loveliness in New England! Sharing one of my favorite spots, where I like to spend summer days and nights. 


Forty 1° North off Thames in Newport is a boutique hotel and fun restaurant I discovered 2 years ago (see pic of me with MUCH shorter hair;). Throughout the summer they have fun wine tasting events, Sunday Brunch jazz, and on Saturday night, what better spot to be, than dockside with a Dark + Stormy? Besides a fun scene and delish menu, when visiting, it's the newest most environmental friendly hotel on the island, with beautiful suites on the water. 


Since I grew up on the beaches of Newport in the summer I have a list of spots here that adore, I am going to be guesting Monday on Forty 1° North's blog, my insider's guide to summer in Newport. See you there. xo

NYC Favorites...

Come visit me at Fern + Feather today, where I'm guest blogging. Alexis asked me to put together a list of favorites about my city, NYC, from fashion, to art and glorious pizza spots. 

Al Fresco in NYC...

There are so many lovely restaurants to visit in NYC, and in summer months an outdoor spot in the back garden or on the curb is covetable. DailyCandy just posted their list of favorite places to dine Al Fresco this season! And you can revisit my list too;)

NYC: Hot Summer in the City Guides...

On the stands right now are great summer guides for all kinds of city fun. Time Out New York created a list of staycations, and Yelp, a summery guide of outdoor escapes that will entertain while your friends are off at their summer shares. If you find yourself in a panic with open weekends on the calendar in the hot months ahead - fear not, there's so much to do! My favorite is Vanity Fair's Summer Guide.

No. 7 Sub...

Ok, I may have just lost 4.9 lbs (with a few more to go before bikini season), but I’m about to gain it all back just by committing sins at this sub shop that just opened in the Ace Hotel. No. 7 Sub has most eclectic list of sandwiches I’ve ever seen. For vegetarians – a General Tso’s Tofu Sub made with Broccoli Mayo, Roasted Onions, Carrots. I’ll be torn between trying the Roast Beef sando with Romaine, Pickled Blueberries, Doenjang, Smoked Gouda or the Lobster Thermidor with Capers, Potato Chips and Swiss. Yum! Soon they will deliver, and then it’s just basically over for me;) {images via grub street, tasting table}

Highlands NYC...

If your looking for a Scottish gastro-pub/scotch and whiskey bar in the city, you've found it! This past weekend I met a few friends at Highlands in the West Village. I didn't get to sample their menu, which boasts ham and cheese melts or Gairloch Bay mussels that sound tasty. But I can speak for this perfectly packed bar that was wall-to-wall good looking downtowners minus hipster types (thankfully). The bar whips up  Scottish cocktails, and micro-brewed ales along with many single malts. It makes top five on my list. {image via nymag}

Healdsburg Weekend & Wine Tasting...

One of my favorite spots on the map is Healdsburg, CA. I went many times when I lived on the west coast;) My friend has a trip with girlfriends in late March, so I thought I'd make a list of my recommendations for a lovely weekend getaway.

Where to stay:
Hotel Healdsburg

Best Vineyards:
A Fafanelli
Dry Creek Vineyard
Mauriston
Mazzocco
Michel-Shlumberger
Passalacqua Winery
Seghesio
Silver Oak
Truett-Hurst Winery

Market:
Big John’s Market
Dry Creek General Store

Where to eat:
Ravenous
Cena Luna
Scopa
Zin

When you are sick of wine: Bear Republic Brewery
Planning trip: Wine Road Website & Maps

NYC Winter Restaurant Week...

Let's dine! Yesterday New York City's Winter Restaurant Week kicked off for 2010. The list of restaurants participating won't dissapoint, and will offer three-course lunches for $24 & three-course dinners for $35 (bubbly and cocktails not included) until February 7th. Here are a few faves:

s

Alloro – lunch & dinner menu
Atlantic Grill – lunch menu / dinner menu
Artisanal — lunch & dinner menu (according to the website, it’s Restaurant Week all year long)
Aureole — lunch menu
Bar Boulud — lunch menu
Blue Fin – lunch menu
Blue Water Grill – lunch menu / dinner menu
Cafe Boulud — lunch menu
Capsouto Freres — lunch & dinner menu
Charlie Palmer’s Metrazur — lunch & dinner menu
DBGB Kitchen & Bar — lunch menu
DB Bistro Moderne — lunch menu
Dos Caminos Park — lunch menu / dinner menu
Esca — lunch menu
i Trulli — lunch menu / dinner menu
Isabella’s — lunch menu / dinner menu
Kittichai — lunch & dinner menu
Le Cirque – lunch & dinner menu
Lupa — lunch menu
North Square — lunch & dinner menu
Ocean Grill — lunch menu / dinner menu
Park Avenue Winter — lunch & dinner menu
Pera Mediterranean Brasserie — lunch & dinner menu
Primehouse New York — lunch menu / dinner menu
Ruby Foo’s Times Sq. — dinner menu
SD26 — lunch menu
Smith & Wollensky — lunch & dinner menu
Tribeca Grill — lunch menu / dinner menu
Vento Trattoria — dinner menu
Wildwood Barbeque — dinner menu

Fondue Dens of Manhattan...

There is something so low-maintenence (in a good way) about going to a fondue restaurant, it's about the easiest thing to order - 'I'll have a pot of cheese and a pot of chocolate' - simple. Attempting in your own kitchen may require a bit more attention, and a strong arm for cheese grating and stirring. My roommates and I used to have fondue night in SF and I'm having a craving. So here are the local dens to explore in NYC.

The Bourgeois Pig ~ East Village fave with savory and sweet fondue & elaborate wine cocktail list.

The Jakewalk ~ this Brooklyn wine bar is known for great flights of wines, fondue and other yummy dishes.

La Cave des Fondus ~ downstairs from Jacques in Nolita, this cave serves up cheap wine (served in baby bottles, that's a first!) & hot cheese.