May Favorites

What can I say - it's almost June and still rediculously cold out. Which wouldn't be so bad in a bubble, save for the fact that we had two seventy degree days about a month ago and I presumptuously packed up my entire winter wardrobe to make room for shorts and spaghetti straps and slingbacks, OH MY! Of course, the next day it snowed. My toes have been in a quasi-state of frostbite every since - but the pedicure sure looks nice! Here are some ideas to get you through the next few weeks... months... will-summer-ever-come moments. Hang in there. It will. Sometime between realizing-you-planted-those-tulips-too-early and next Christmas. In the meantime:

Learn to cook.
Cooking is an invaluable skill and one that far to few have actually mastered. Plus, it's a great way to wow a date (for the reasons listed above. Since it's too cold to grill on the beach, grab your favorite bottle of Pinot and head on over to The Chopping Block for a few hours of culinary fun and a respite from the cold, dreary countdown to summer. http://www.thechoppingblock.net/


Learn to dance.
You'll be ready to shake it like a polaroid picture when the summer finally heats up. Here are a couple of places to learn new moves or brush up on your old ones:

Latin Street Dancing
http://www.laboriqua.com/
I took 12 weeks of salsa lessons my first year in Chicago. Not only was it a great time and a good workout, now I can salsa, merengue and cha-cha-cha my way to a good time any night of the week! Once you've got the basics down, check out Lalo's (500 N. La Salle) on Wednesday nights or Nacional 27 (325 W. Huron) and Rumba (351 W. Hubbard) on weekends!

Big City Swing
http://www.bigcityswing.com/
Swing dancing is also a jolly good time and a great skill to have for big-band weddings!

Check out a museum.
Chicago is known for having a smorgasboard of great museums. But if you're anything like me, this is not how you plan to spend your sunny summer days. So, though it may be too cold to sail around lake Michigan, it's just warm enough to walk on over to any of the following museums and up your IQ for the day (I included a description, just in case):

Field Museum, 1400 S. Lake Shore Drive:
Nature & Culture since the beginning of time.

Museum of Science and Industry, 5700 S. Lake Shore Drive:
Science and Industry (all I know - haven't been there yet).

Adler Planetarium and Astronomy Museum, 1300 S. Lake Shore Drive:
Grab your honey and gaze at the stars.

Shedd Aquarium, 1200 S. Lake Shore Drive:
World's largest indoor aquarium!

Art Institute of Chicago, 111 S. Michigan Ave:
One of the most famous art museums in the world, known for its French Impressionist and Post-Impressionist collection.

John Hancock Building and Observatory, 875 N. Michigan Ave:
View from the top! Stop in for lunch at the Signature Room (96th floor) and take in the breathtaking panorama of Chicago and Lake Michigan.

McCormick Tribune Freedom Museum, 445 N. Michigan Ave:
Everything you ever wanted to know about the 1st ammendment.

Spiritual Museum, 4328 N. Lincoln Ave:
Voodoo dolls, ghostly photos, a howl of a visit.

Summer in Chicago is one of the best things going. Don't waste your time waiting for it - get out there and have fun in the meantime and the warm days will be here that much sooner! Time flies when your toes are tapping!

February Favorites

These are a few of my favorite things for February...

SHOP - TRADER JOES
Location: 44 East Ontario Street, Downtown

Three words: Cheap, cheap, cheap! How do they get away with being so cheap? I'm done trying to figure that out and instead plan to sample and enjoy everything this phenomenon-of-a-food-store has to offer. Here's an idea - grab a bunch of their uber-cheap hors d’oeuvres (like Spinach Dip, Calamari, or Mini Quiches), call up some friends and have a fabulous time without ever leaving the comfort of your own apartment!

DRINK - HOT CHOCOLATE
(From Starbucks…any Starbucks)
Location: A corner near you

It's a holiday for your mouth. And yes, of course you can get it in nonfat (I do) and it still tastes absolutely decadent...

EAT - QUARTINO
Location: 626 North State Street (State and Ontario)

Still my favorite standby for Italian small-plates, reasonably-priced wine and great times with good friends - the warm atmosphere inside will make you forget the dreary miserable slush outside.

PLAY - ICE SKATING
Location: Millennium Park, Michigan Ave.

Who says romance is dead. Grab your partner by the hand and round-and-round you go! It’s inexpensive (less than $10 will get your own pair of rental skates), it’s a good workout (I know you have that on your list of yet-to-achieve resolutions that are already gathering dust on the fridge) and it’s fun (something we don’t have nearly enough of in the blustery Chicago winter).

West Egg Cafe, Streeterville

Sundays, Sunnyside-Up

Rise and Shine, sleepy head! Just crawling out of bed with a hangover clinging to you like the smell of beer and smoke on your new fall sweater… not to mention, that incessant pounding in your head that leaves you wondering whether you’re still rockin’ out at the club that, as of this morning, is already sooooo ‘yesterday’?

Sounds like you need a cold shower and a hot cup of coffee. Now I know the last thing you want to do is wait in line for hours between cold sweats, hot flashes and hiccups that still taste like last night’s margarita – but trust me, the long line at the West Egg café, though ominous at first glance, moves quickly - And it’s OH SO worth it.

When we’re able to scrape ourselves off the couch on a post-party weekend morning, we head straight to this Streetville spot for breakfast. Their selection of omelets and other egg concoctions is as infinite as the selection of shoes in my overflowing closet. And for those who don’t like eggs, West Egg has an array of fluffy oversized waffles, syrup-drenched pancakes, muffins and bagels and sausage, OH MY!

This weekend, get on your comfy clothes and check out West Egg to start your day sunny side up.

West Egg Cafe
620 N Fairbanks Ct
Chicago, IL 60611-3011
Phone: (312) 280-8366

Rumba, River North

Shaken or Stirred, it's an all around party for your senses

If you’re always on the lookout for ways to spice up your weekend like I am, then dust off your dancing shoes, dress to impress, and tango your way on over to Rumba. Tucked away on a quiet corner of West Hubbard (near the East Bank Club) the outside seems unassuming, but the second you walk through the doors, you’ll be swept away to another time in a far-off and exotic place.

The interior oozes decadence with dark custom-made banquettes, red drapery and a live jazz band setting the tone for a delectable dinner. Kick off your night with any one of their flavorful appetizers - my vote goes to the crispy conga rolls (the secret’s in the sauce). For dinner, we found the Filet Mignon de Soto, divine and the Camarones al Diablo en tequila (shrimp sautéed with tequila, green onion, tomato, garlic and a touch of habanero), devilishly delish. Wash it all down with one of their famous tropical drinks, like a mojito or caipirinha.

Around 9:30, they clear the tables, turn the lights down and the music up, transforming the once subdued dinner spot into a hip-shaking, heel-kicking, date-spinning dance party. Not a superstar salsero? Not to worry – there’s a quick lesson at the beginning so that even amateurs can learn the basic steps. We were lucky to have one of the tables along the perimeter of the dance floor and got to keep it for the entire evening – a welcome rest from all the spinning! And just when you thought it couldn’t get hotter, dinner patrons are exempt from the $10 weekend cover charge so you can dance off your dinner without denting your wallet.

This weekend go heat things up at RUMBA… Professional salsa skills not required.

Rumba
351 W Hubbard St
Chicago, IL 60610
Phone: (312) 222-1226

www.rumba351.com

Mike Ditka's Restaurant, Gold Coast

A local “Boy’s Club” that isn't just for the Boys

Ladies - are you craving a little testosterone but prefer not to be drenched in beer and slobbering 20-somethings? Mike Ditka’s in the Tremont Hotel is a staple of the sophisticated Chicago sports-fan and one of my latest favorites for after work salad and martinis with the girls. The dark wood and flat screen TVs scream “guy’s guys” but you won’t see a tattered Bears jersey or an unkempt hat-head in here.

There’s something charming about being surrounded by handsome professional men, cheering on their favorite Chicago sports teams without barfing up their beer. The ever present scent of cigar smoke is reminiscent of the days of Al Capone (and, well… I suppose, Mike Ditka). The martinis are cold and freshly shaken tableside and the burgers are sinfully juicy. The Chopped Salad boasts over a dozen vegetables, is under 10 bucks and big enough to share so that you can save on dinner and afford to splurge on some great cocktails. The bread is warm and crave-worthy and the wait-staff is friendly and attentive, making all guests feel like home.

Of course, they have a great selection high-quality steaks, chops and seafood for those craving a heavier fare, but for the girly girls who just want a night out amongst the boys every once and a while – this is a great spot to split some reasonably priced apps, salads and wash it all down with a signature cocktail… or three.

You don’t even have to know who he is to have a great time at Mike Ditka’s. (Although if you don’t, you should probably keep that to yourself until you are out of earshot and the Illinois state line).

Mike Ditka's Restaurant
100 E Chestnut St
Chicago, IL 60611
Phone: (312) 587-8989

www.mikeditkaschicago.com