Restaurant Review: South Loop’s Skydeck Offers ‘Pie in the Sky’ Experience for Spectacular Views, Giordano’s Pizza

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Happy Couple Enjoying Dinner Conversation at a Cozy Outdoor Restaurant stock photo

IMAGINE THIS…A spectacular sunset in Chicago. You and your family are at The Ledge at Skydeck Chicago, 233 S. Wacker Drive, 99 or 103 stories above ground, surrounded by a 360-degree view of Chicago’s glittering downtown. As you enjoy the sunset, a private, three-course meal from world-famous Giordano’s awaits you.

Welcome to their ‘Pie in the Sky‘ experience, a curated dining experience pairing iconic Chicago flavors with breathtaking skyline views for an unforgettable evening high above the city. 

Each Pie in the Sky dinner includes a three-course meal with dessert and panoramic views of the Chicago skyline, Lake Michigan, and the Chicago River. The dinners are $115 per person, (double check the price) with an optional beer and wine add-on available for $25 per guest. Couples, families, and groups up to 10 people are welcome. 

Dining with a view: 103rd vs. 99th floor

On the 103rd Floor –as their website notes, you’ll find an intimate, late-nigh, glass-balcony experience on The Ledge, where guests can enjoy their meal while hovering 1,353 feet above the city. Ideal for smaller parties seeking an unforgettable skyline moment after Skydeck closes. It’s available Thursday – Sunday at 10:30pmfrom March – September, and at 9:30pm from October – February.

On the 99th Floor – A private dining space perfect for slightly larger gatherings or for those wanting a little more room to spread out, while still surrounded by panoramic city views. They’re available Thursday – Sunday at 6pm and 8pm from March – September and at 6pm and 8pm from October – February. 

What’s included in the Pie in the Sky dinner?

Each package includes:

  • A custom-made deep dish or thin pizza (toppings of your choice, up to 3 per pizza)
  • Choice of House or Caesar salad.
  • Soft drinks (Coca Cola, Diet Coke, Sprite, Lemonade or San Pellegrino)
  • Dessert (Eli’s Original Plain Cheesecake or Eli’s Old-Fashioned Triple Chocolate Cake)
  • Beer and wine available for purchase

Dinner portions are based on group size:

  • Dinner for 2–3: Includes one 12” stuffed pizza
  • Dinner for 4: One 14” stuffed pizza
  • Dinner for 5–8: Multiple pizzas, scaled by party size
  • Beer and wine are available for purchase

Please note: Reservations are required six hours in advance. Up to 10 guests can be accommodated. For private events, please reach out to Skydeck directly.

Every experience is designed to combine comfort, atmosphere, and stunning panoramic views of the Chicago skyline, Lake Michigan, and the Chicago River.

To book a Pie in the Sky experience, click here.  For additional information, email sales@theskydeck.com or call 312-875-9447.

What is Giordano’s? Are they for real?

Giordano’s began in a small northern Italian town near Torino, Italy.  As the website notes, Mama Giordano was famous around town for her exquisite cooking. Of all her renowned dishes, her most beloved meal was her “Italian Easter Pie. “ She would serve this double- crusted, cheese stuffed masterpiece on special occasions. 

Italian immigrants Efren and Joseph Boglio moved to Chicago to start their own pizza business. The brothers introduced their Mama’s recipe for stuffed pizza. 

In 1974, on Chicago’s South side, Efren and Joseph opened the first Giordano’s in the world. Since then, Giordano’s has served Chicago with a pizza kitchen that employs six trained artisans, who always use fluffy Wisconsin mozzarella and flavorful, fresh toppings. 

To this day, Giordano’s continuously tops “Best Pizza” lists and dining guides. Giordano’s has been acclaimed “Chicago’s Best Pizza” by NBC, CBS Chicago, New York Times, Chicago Magazine, Chicago Tribune, Chicago Eater, Home & Garden Magazine, and  Concierge Preferred.

How About The Food? 

Giordano’s has many locations throughout the city and suburbs. When you’re not eating at Skydeck, you can enjoy an Italiano Salad, filled with pepperoni, salami, mozzarella cheese, bruschetta tomatoes, kalamata olives, banana peppers, romaine and iceberg lettuce with lemon vinaigrette. Or a Chopped Salad with chicken breast, diced tomatoes, bacon, red onion, red cabbage, pasta and blue cheese with romaine, and iceberg lettuce mix, tossed in honey mustard dressing.

Other starters include a Giordano’s Sampler,  featuring their crusty bruschetta, boneless chicken nuggets with your choice of buffalo or bbq sauce, mozzarella triangles served with house-made marinara sauce and signature ranch dipping sauce, and cheesy garlic bread.

Calamari & More! has tender calamari mixed with lemon rings and banana peppers, lightly fried and served with house-made marinara sauce. Or, Italian Beef and Giardiniera Arancini, which are Italian beef and giardiniera stuffed risotto balls served with beef au jus and marinara.

My personal favorite has always been their Fresh Spinach,  a simple combination of fresh spinach and cheese. It’s more like a spinach souffle, and utterly delicious. 

Many people also like The Special, with sausage, mushrooms, green peppers and onions. As well as Margherita Stuffed Pizza with fresh mozzarella, fresh basil, diced tomatoes and tomato sauce. Meat and More Meat is a combination of pepperoni, salami, sausage and bacon.

They also have thin crust and now, tavern-style versions of all of their pizzas. 

Dessert choices include their Oversized Skillet Cookie, a chocolate chip cookie freshly baked in their pizza oven and topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and chocolate sauce. Or, try a Broken Cannoli, a dark chocolate-studded cannoli cream served with broken cannoli shells for dipping.

For more information about Giordano’s,  locations, and menus, click here. 

Alison Moran-Powers and Dean’s Team Chicago

Chicago Home and Lifestyles – 5 Old school gardening rules to follow

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Senior woman and her grandchild working in the garden with a plants

We all learned things from our parents and grandparents’ good ways of keeping that garden and yard thriving and being thrifty too. Nowadays, we have all sorts of fancy apps and AI to help us out with our gardens. But, there are still a few basic rules we all learned from our parents and grandparents’ on how to keep our yard thriving (and be thrifty too)! 

Always build up your soil. Your garden is only as good as your soil. We should test the soil every few years but at least add compost every spring. You can start your own compost pile; it doesn’t have to be complicated. You can use hardware cloth or chicken wire in an unused corner of your yard. Add all your kitchen scraps from potato peels to eggshells. Turn it over periodically and you’ll have rich compost in no time.

Plant flowers next to your vegetables. This is a great way to attract beneficial insects like bees and other pollinators that are necessary. So, plant nasturtiums, marigolds and sweet alyssum to welcome those good bugs. 

Pull your weeds by hand. Don’t use chemicals around vegetables that are going on your table. Doing a little weeding every day will keep them from getting out of hand. It’s not only good for the garden, but also for your health and mental wellness too. Plus, pulling weeds by hand usually gets all the roots too, so they don’t come back. 

Inspect your garden daily for pests. Pests can be taken care of by hand as well rather than chemicals that eliminate important pollinators. Many pests like slugs, Japanese beetles, cabbage worms and horned worms can be drowned in soapy water or just squished. You can get rid of aphids with a good blast from the garden hose. 

Watch the weather. Keep an eye on your weather app and plan accordingly. If it’s going to be exceptionally hot use shade cloth to protect your plants or if you have planters move them into the shade. If a frost or freeze is expected, get out there to cover your plants to extend the growing season. 

Do you have any old school tips for the garden? 

Kathleen Weaver-Zech and Dean’s Team Chicago

What Your Neighborhood Says About Your Future Resale Value

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Houses with rooftop views in a small American town community

When people buy a home, it’s easy to focus on what’s inside the front door.

The kitchen. The bathrooms. The size of the backyard. The number of bedrooms. The finishes, flooring, countertops, and that one room you’ve already imagined turning into an office.

But there’s another part of your home that you can’t renovate, repaint, or remodel: the neighborhood.

And when it eventually comes time to sell, the neighborhood surrounding your home can have just as much influence on its appeal as the house itself.

That doesn’t mean you need to predict the future perfectly when you buy. Real estate is never that simple. But understanding what makes a neighborhood desirable—and what can cause that desirability to change—can help you make a much more informed decision.

Here are some of the things I pay attention to.

1. Look Beyond Your Property Line

One of the biggest mistakes buyers can make is evaluating a home in isolation.

You might find a beautifully renovated house at a great price, but what happens when you step outside?

Is the surrounding area well maintained? Are neighboring properties cared for? Is there convenient access to everyday necessities? Does the area feel like somewhere people want to live?

Buyers don’t just purchase four walls. They’re buying into a location and a lifestyle.

That’s why two very similar homes can perform very differently when they’re located in different neighborhoods.

2. Pay Attention to What’s Happening Around the Neighborhood

A neighborhood doesn’t have to be the hottest area in town today to have strong future potential.

Sometimes, the more interesting question is: What is happening there right now?

New businesses opening nearby, improvements to public spaces, infrastructure projects, new housing developments, transportation changes, and other investments can all influence how people perceive an area.

Of course, development isn’t automatically positive. A new project can create benefits—or introduce challenges.

The important thing is to understand the bigger picture rather than making a decision based solely on what the neighborhood looks like today.

3. Convenience Has Real Value

Think about the things you use every week.

Grocery stores. Restaurants. Parks. Schools. Coffee shops. Major roads. Public transportation. Medical services. Entertainment.

The closer and easier those things are to access, the more convenient everyday life becomes.

And convenience tends to matter when it’s time to sell.

A future buyer may not care that you personally love the coffee shop three blocks away, but they may absolutely care that they can walk to restaurants, get groceries without a long drive, or reach work easily.

Sometimes the features that feel ordinary when you live somewhere are exactly what make a neighborhood attractive to someone seeing it for the first time.

4. Watch the Condition of Nearby Homes

You don’t need every house on the block to look like a magazine cover.

In fact, some of the most desirable neighborhoods have a mix of homes, ages, architectural styles, and price points.

But there is a difference between an established neighborhood with character and an area where properties are consistently neglected.

When you’re evaluating a potential purchase, take a drive around the surrounding streets.

Look at more than the house you’re considering.

Are properties being maintained? Are homeowners investing in improvements? Are there homes being renovated? Does the area appear to be attracting buyers who plan to stay?

These details can provide clues about the health of a neighborhood.

5. Pay Attention to Who Wants to Live There

Here’s an interesting question to ask when evaluating a neighborhood:

Who is moving here—and why?

Are young professionals attracted to the location? Are families looking for larger homes? Are downsizers drawn to the convenience? Are people moving in from other parts of the region?

A neighborhood with broad appeal can have an advantage when you eventually sell because you’re not relying on one very specific type of buyer.

You don’t necessarily need the neighborhood to appeal to everyone. But understanding its natural audience can tell you a lot about its long-term marketability.

6. Don’t Ignore the “Feel” of a Neighborhood

Some things don’t show up neatly in a spreadsheet.

You can look at sales data, square footage, price per square foot, and market statistics—but you should also spend some time experiencing the neighborhood.

Visit at different times of day.

Drive through on a weekday and a weekend. Pay attention to traffic, noise, parking, activity, and how the streets feel.

A neighborhood can look completely different at 10 a.m. on a Tuesday than it does at 7 p.m. on a Saturday.

And ultimately, buyers make emotional decisions as well as financial ones.

That feeling they get when they imagine living there can be incredibly powerful.

7. Your Street May Matter More Than You Think

Sometimes the neighborhood is great, but the specific location within it creates a trade-off.

A home directly on a busy road may be less appealing than a similar home on a quiet interior street.

A property next to a commercial area may have convenience on its side but less privacy.

A home near a park might have beautiful views and easy access to green space—or it might have more noise and traffic during busy times.

This is why I like to look at real estate on multiple levels:

City → neighborhood → street → property.

Each layer can affect how a home is perceived by the next buyer.

8. Think About Your Future Buyer

One of the best questions you can ask when purchasing a home is:

“Who will want this home from me someday?”

You may love a particular feature because it perfectly fits your lifestyle. That’s great.

But if you’re also thinking about resale value, consider whether that feature—or the location itself—will appeal to other buyers.

The goal isn’t to buy a home you don’t enjoy just because you think someone else might like it someday.

It’s about finding the balance between loving where you live today and making a thoughtful investment for tomorrow.

There Is No Crystal Ball

No one can guarantee what a neighborhood will be worth five, ten, or fifteen years from now.

Markets change. Cities grow. Buyer preferences evolve. New businesses arrive. Others leave. Infrastructure changes. Unexpected events happen.

That’s why I don’t think buying real estate should be about trying to predict the future perfectly.

Instead, it’s about looking for strong fundamentals.

A desirable location. Good access to amenities. Well-maintained surroundings. A healthy sense of community. Ongoing investment. And a neighborhood that gives people a reason to want to live there.

Those characteristics can create a strong foundation for long-term desirability.

The Bottom Line

When you’re buying a home, don’t just ask:

“Do I like this house?”

Ask:

“Do I like where this house is?”

Then take it one step further:

“Would other people want to live here five or ten years from now?”

You don’t need to have all the answers yourself. That’s where local knowledge can be especially valuable.

An experienced real estate professional can help you look beyond the listing photos and current asking price to understand what’s happening in the surrounding area, how the neighborhood has changed over time, and what factors could influence its future appeal.

Because when you buy a home, you’re not just buying the property.

You’re buying the location that comes with it.

THIS WEEKEND IN CHICAGO – Labor Day Weekend Brings Final Days of Summer!

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jazz concert festival party poster banner card stock illustration

Not only is Labor Day Weekend a four-day holiday weekend honoring the achievements and contributions of workers but it’s also a time for enjoying the final days of summer with family and friends!  And as usual here in Chicago, there’s an unlimited choice of music, food, and art festivals to choose from before the next season arrives.

Continuing its Labor Day Weekend tradition as one of the world’s premier FREE jazz festivals, the Chicago Jazz Festival wraps-up its four-day run this Saturday and Sunday (11 a.m.-9 p.m.) at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park (201 E. Randolph St.) in the Loop.  Promoting all forms of jazz through high-quality programming, this festival presents an exceptional lineup of international, national, local and emerging jazz artists as it continues to celebrate and preserve the city’s rich jazz legacy!

Celebrating Chicago’s house music roots and welcoming an international lineup of dance music artists, the 6th annual ARC Music Festival is being held Saturday, Sunday and Monday at Union Park (1501 W. Randolph St.) in the West Loop.  For the first time, this four-day sprawl features house music from acts such as Ben UFO, Honey Dijon, and others on multiple stages throughout the park.  Plus, enjoy food from local chefs and don’t forget the ARC After Dark parties!

The North Coast Music Festival brings beats and pyrotechnics in and around the SeatGeek Stadium (7000 S. Harlem Ave.) in the Bridgeview neighborhood this Saturday and Sunday with some of the biggest names in EDM.  Offering multiple stages to explore, one should have no problem finding the house, techno, progressive, and trance music they want to dance to!

Returning this Labor Day Weekend for the perfect send-off to summer is the Great American Lobster Fest 2026 to Navy Pier’s Beer Garden (700 E. Grand Ave.) in the Streeterville neighborhood this Saturday (1 p.m.-10 p.m.) and Sunday (1 p.m.-8 p.m.).  Not only does this fest feature mountains of fresh Maine lobster flown in daily from the east coast it also offers ice-cold drinks, the opportunity to browse craft vendors, and jam to live music performances.  It’s recommended to pre-order your lobster meal to guarantee your feast before they sell out since walk-ups are welcome but not guaranteed a feast.  Plus, plenty of non-seafood favorites like BBQ to sweet treats will be available for the not into seafood attendees.  Make it an unforgettable end to summer at this ultimate seafood celebration!

The largest Polish Festival in the U.S. is returning this Labor Day Weekend with the Taste of Polonia Festival 2026 this Saturday and Sunday (11:30 a.m.-10:30 p.m.) and Monday (11:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m.) to the Copernicus Center (5216 W. Lawrence Ave.) in the Jefferson Park neighborhood.  Enjoy an unforgettable day on a culinary journey serving up authentic Polish cuisine and beer.  Experience nonstop live music from tribute bands to traditional Polish music and dance performances.  Explore the festival marketplace with street-lined booths of local makers and organizations celebrating culture and community.  There’s even a dedicated Kids Zone offering a variety of exciting activities to keep the kids entertained.  And to keep the adults entertained, there’s a beer garden and casino!

Celebrate the beauty, resilience, and global influence of African culture during one of Chicago’s most anticipated Labor Day Weekend traditions at the 36th annual African Festival of the Arts this Saturday, Sunday, and Monday (10 a.m.-10 p.m.) at Washington Park’s Sunken Garden (55th St. & Cottage Grove Ave.) in the Washington Park/Woodlawn neighborhood.  Enjoy live performances by internationally acclaimed artists on the main stage.  Experience museum-quality fine art.  Enjoy authentic African and Diaspora cuisine as well as one of the Midwest’s largest African marketplaces.  And don’t forget to explore the festival’s signature cultural villages!

Celebrating union pride, solidarity and community togetherness, the Chicago Labor Day Parade & Eddie Fest takes place this Saturday with the parade stepping off at 11:00 a.m. from East 112th Street and South Avenue F on the Southeast Side before heading north on South Ewing Avenue to 106th Street.  Afterwards, the celebration continues with the Eddie Fest (12 p.m.-5 p.m.) featuring food, live music, and family-friendly activities at Steelworkers Park (E. 87th St. at Lake Shore Dr.) in South Chicago!

Finally, Sunday brings us Bike the Drive from 6:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Grant Park’s Butler Field (235 S. Columbus Dr.) in the Loop.  Bike as much or as little of the 30-mile course as DuSable Lake Shore Drive is shut down to all traffic.  Afterwards, enjoy a post-ride festival in Grant Park.  It’s a once-a-year event when bicycles reign on DuSable Lake Shore Drive!

Enjoy Your Labor Day Weekend!

Sue Moss and Dean’s Team Chicago

Neighborhood News: 🍁 Falling forward with Museum Free Days in September!

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Brachiosaurus in a Chicago Blackhawks jersey at the Field Museum stock photo

As the days grow shorter and the temperatures cool (finally?) in September, Chicago’s iconic museums will still welcome you FREE!  

We at Dean’s Team Chicago, with the help of Choose Chicago, have compiled a list of this month ‘s free days for you and your family:

The Adler Planetarium, 1300 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive, Illinois residents can enjoy free admission (with proof of residency) on the following days:

  • Tuesday, September 8
  • Wednesday, September 9
  • Thursday, September 10
  • Monday, September 14 
  • Tuesday, September 15
  • Wednesday, September 16 

Note: Admission is always free for Illinois teachers.  Make sure to book online and in advance by clicking here.  

In Chicago’s Loop is the American Writers Museum, 180 N. Michigan Avenue, 2nd Floor, where you and your family can enjoy free admission on the third Sunday of each month. On these days, the museum is open from 10am to 5pm. 

Access to all exhibits are included on free museum days. Prior registration is not required, but recommended. For more information, click here. 

In the Loop, The Art Institute of Chicago,  111 S. Michigan Avenue, sponsors Free Summer Thursdays from 5pm to 8pm.  September dates include:

  • Thursday, September 3
  • Thursday,  September 10
  • Thursday,  September 17

Additionally, they offer free admission every day for Chicago teens under age 18, all children under age 14, Link and WIC cardholders, active-duty military, and Illinois educators. To reserve tickets, click here.  

The Chicago History Museum, 1601 N. Clark Street, in Lincoln Park offers free admission on select days. Visit exhibits like Aquí en Chicago, tracing the lives of Latino/a/e communities. Upcoming free admission days are:

  • Monday, September 7 (Labor Day)
  • Thursday, September 24 

Admission is always free for active duty military and veterans, active duty Chicago police and firefighters, Illinois teachers, Illinois residents under age 18, and all children under 12. For tickets, click here. 

Washington Park’s DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center, 740 E. 56th Place,  there’s free admission for all every Wednesday.

Note: Admission is always free for military and first responders, University of Chicago students, Chicago Park District employees, Illinois public school students, and other groups. For tickets and information, click here. 

At the Field Museum, 1400 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive,  every Wednesday throughout 2026 is free. 

Free tickets are available for advance reservation online and on site. The free tickets include all general admission exhibitions. Present a current Illinois driver’s license, State ID, or Chicago CityKey card at the ticket desk to establish proof of residency. For tickets and information, click here.

Note: Illinois teachers and active military personnel receive free general admission year-round.

In Hyde Park, at the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry,  5700 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive, September Free Days include:

  • Tuesday, September 8
  • Wednesday, September 9
  • Thursday, September 10
  • Tuesday, September 15
  • Wednesday, September 16
  • Sunday, September 20
  • Monday, September 21
  • Tuesday, September 22
  • Wednesday, September 23
  • Sunday, September 27
  • Monday, September 28
  • Tuesday, September 29
  • Wednesday, September 30

Note: Admission is always free for United States military active-duty personnel and veterans, Illinois POWs, Chicago firefighters & Chicago police officers, Illinois teachers (Pre-K through 12th grade), United States military active-duty personnel and veterans. For information and reservations, click here. 

Streeterville’s Museum of Contemporary Art,  220 E. Chicago Avenue, reserves every Tuesday from 5pm – 9pm for Illinois residents to receive free admission.

Note: The museum is always free for visitors under age 18, visitors with disabilities and their caregivers, active members of the military, police, and fire departments, veterans and their families, and Illinois elementary and high school teachers. 

And …If it’s not Tuesday evening, MCA has a pay-what-you-can policy — no one will be turned away.

InLincolnPark, Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum 2430 N. Cannon Drive, has the following Resident Days:

  • Tuesday, September 8
  • Wednesday, September 9
  • Thursday, September 10
  • Wednesday, September 11
  • Monday, September 14
  • Tuesday, September 15
  • Wednesday, September 16
  • Thursday, September 17
  • Friday, September 18 
  • Monday, September 21
  • Tuesday, September 22
  • Wednesday, September 23
  • Thursday, September 24
  • Friday, September 25
  • Monday, September 28
  • Tuesday, September 29
  • Wednesday, September 30

Illinois residents can reserve their free tickets online or in person. 

At the Shedd Aquarium, 1200 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive, admission is always free for Chicago police officers and firefighters, active-duty U.S. military personnel, and educators from Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin.

NOTE: There is a $5 convenience fee per order for Free Hours reservations made online. 

HOWEVER, you can reserve tickets by phone with no convenience fee by calling 312-939-2438. 

Andersonville’s Swedish American Museum, 5211 N. Clark Street, has free admission every second Tuesday of the month throughout the year, and children aged 1 year or younger are admitted free every day. 

ALSO…The Main Gallery and Store will be open until 7 p.m. the last Friday of the month through September. Free admission after 4 p.m.

If you plan on visiting with a group of 10 or more, it is highly recommended that you contact the museum so that they can accommodate you for a guided or self-guided tour.  For more information, click here. 

There are many more museums with free admission every day! For a complete list, click here. 

Alison Moran-Powers and Dean’s Team Chicago

Restaurant Review: West Town’s Provaré pushes boundaries with Creole-Italian Fare, Speakeasy

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Creamy Lobster Pasta stock photo

It’s hard to imagine a more interesting combination than Italian-Creole, but when the Michelin Guide lists you, it means you’re doing things right, doesn’t it?

Chef and owner Jourdan Higgs, from my hometown of Oak Park, Illinois, is the force behind West Town’s Provaré, which celebrates five years this month. Higgs is unique in many ways, including that he is, essentially  a self-taught chef. He didn’t attend culinary school, but learned how to cook from his parents. 

Forbes asked Higgs how he imagined the Creole-Italian concept. “I was a big fan of making pasta dishes growing up,” he told Forbes. “Additionally my parents would also make a number of different pastas. Then when I started traveling to New Orleans and getting introduced to different spices and seasonings I knew I wanted to blend the two together. Then to bring in the concept of making our own pasta fresh in-house and sauces to order.” 

He told Appetito,  “I started cooking for my friends and schoolmates while attending Northern Illinois University,” Higgs says. His Sicilian background, interest in Southern cooking, and hours spent learning techniques on YouTube shaped a style that now defines the restaurant. Chicago certainly embraces its uniqueness.”

Higgs is true to his concept. For example, WOULD YOU BELIEVE…Fried Calamari, with banana peppers, jalapeños, red onion, marinara, and sweet heat aioli? Or Crabby Fries which are waffle fries with pepper jack cheese, fresh crab meat, pico de gallo, and scallion aioli. 

Entrees include Lobster Bisque Pasta, colorful and packed with sun-dried tomatoes, creamy lobster bisque sauce, grilled lobster tails, lobster meat, and fettuccine noodles. 

One much-praised entrée is their Seafood Trio, with Higgs’ signature Cajun ‘trio spice’ alfredo, shrimp, lobster, and crab meat in rotini noodles. Shrimp Cognac Scampi is an incomparable mix of cognac cream sauce, Fresno chilis, shrimp, and mafaldine noodles. Provaré Royale Tower has lobster tails, king crab legs, jumbo shrimp, and fries covered in a seafood cream sauce. 

Lest you think that Provaré is seafood-only, they offer Steak Frites, a 12-ounce boneless ribeye served with garlic parmesan fries. Lamb Chops have four large chops, served with spicy house corn. Their Smash Burger combines beef patties, American cheese, lobster claws, pickles, and sweet heat aioli, served with garlic parmesan fries. 

It takes a great imagination to think of pairing lobster claws with beef patties, so kudos to Chef! 

There is only one dessert served at Provaré, but in this case, Butter Cake may be all you need, especially when it’s served warm with vanilla ice cream, caramel drizzle, and a strawberry. 

Provaré is located at 1523 W. Chicago Avenue. Reservations are available up to 21 days in advance, with each new date becoming available at 9am. They also welcome walk-ins at the bar, where they serve the full menu. Each reservation has a 15-minute grace period and a 90 minute table time. 

Note: You and your party must be 21+. And they have a dress code. No caps, athletic wear or revealing clothing allowed. They also reserve the right to decline service.

For reservations, click here. 

Privé Speakeasy 

After dinner, entertainment is just steps away, down a flight of stairs to Provaré’s basement…a dark, intimate room that hides one of Chicago’s best hidden speakeasies. 

Privé, meaning private, ensures all guests have an intimate, sexy setting, with Love Jones Thursdays as the ultimate R&B party. DJ Kid Clay and local Chicago DJs mix classic remixes with the latest hits, setting the perfect tone to kick off your weekend. 

The party starts at 7pm and goes until midnight. Along the way, you can enjoy some of Provarés’ best dishes, including Fried Lobster Tails with garlic herb butter and sweet heat aioli. Spinach & Artichoke Dip is topped with shrimp and crawfish, and served with garlic bread. Salmon Egg Rolls combines fresh salmon, corn, herbs, cream sauce, and mozzarella cheese with chipotle aioli.

And as their website warns, reservations are limited to 4 guests. They are open Thursday from 7pm– midnight, and Friday – Saturday, 6pm – midnight. They also had a separate reservation system, and you can reserve your place at the 21+ club by clicking here. 

Alison Moran-Powers and Dean’s Team Chicago

Chicago Home and Lifestyles – 6 ways to keep sharp and active as you age

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Group of senior people doing training outdoors stock photo

We need to support our bodies and our brains as we age by doing meaningful physical and mental exercises. Here are a few daily habits that dementia and Alzheimer’s specialists recommend the most:

Get a good night’s sleep. This is essential in protecting cognitive function. While you sleep, your brain consolidates memories and cleans out metabolic waste that accumulates during the day. 7-8 hours of good sleep is recommended, but it’s even more important to wake up feeling rested. 

Prepare yourself for rest. Have a sleep routine every night to calm your nervous system before bed. Limit screen time or completely put the electronics away. Play some soothing music. Meditation is also recommended to lower stress and cortisol. It can increase blood flow along with improving memory and attention. 

Practice a healthy diet. Eat foods that support heart health and reduce inflammation as this supports cognitive functioning. A Mediterranean diet that emphasizes plant-based foods and limits animal products and foods high in saturated fats is best. If possible, try to choose whole foods over highly processed foods. Staying hydrated is also very important!

Train your brain. Keep your mind actively engaged. Choose activities that challenge your mind-like reading, solving puzzles, learning a new skill or learning a new language. These support cognitive reserve and support neural pathways. This helps your brain compensate for age-related changes by using alternative neural pathways. 

Keep moving. Exercise improves blood flow to the brain to release proteins that promote neuron growth and communication. Strength training can improve mobility, balance and metabolic health. Whatever time of year, pairing exercise with time outside soaking up natural light can improve mood and energy. 

Stay socially connected. Humans are inherently social creatures, and this is even more important as we age. Connecting with others reduces depression and loneliness that can lead to cognitive decline. Take a class, join volunteer or support groups, or exploring programs at your local community center can support your cognitive health as you age. 

Kathleen Weaver-Zech and Dean’s Team Chicago

Good Taste Doesn’t Have to Cost a Fortune

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Natural-toned interior with rustic vase, textured pillows, and cozy lounge chair in a calm neutral setting stock photo

You don’t need a designer budget to create a home that looks polished, inviting, and completely your own. Sometimes the most stylish choices are the ones that cost the least.

There’s a common misconception about beautiful homes: that they require beautiful budgets.

We see perfectly styled rooms in magazines and online and assume the secret is expensive furniture, designer accessories, custom everything, and a shopping cart that makes the credit card nervous.

But walk into enough well-designed homes and you start to notice something interesting.

The most memorable spaces aren’t necessarily the most expensive ones.

They’re the ones that feel intentional.

Good taste has surprisingly little to do with how much something costs. It has much more to do with knowing what to choose, what to skip, and when to stop.

Start With Less

One of the easiest ways to make a room feel more sophisticated is also one of the least expensive: remove something.

Too many accessories, too much furniture, too many competing colors, and too many things fighting for attention can make even an expensive room feel chaotic.

Instead, give your favorite pieces some breathing room.

A beautiful lamp doesn’t need five other objects sitting next to it. A piece of artwork doesn’t need an entire wall covered around it. And your coffee table probably doesn’t need to double as a bookstore, flower shop, and storage unit.

Sometimes the upgrade isn’t adding something.

It’s editing.

Spend Where It Matters

A limited budget doesn’t mean you should buy the cheapest version of everything. It means you should be selective about where your money goes.

Think about the things you interact with every day.

A comfortable sofa. A dining table you’ll use for years. A good mattress. A light fixture that completely changes the mood of a room.

These are areas where quality can make a noticeable difference.

Then look for opportunities to save on things that are easier to change: decorative accessories, accent pieces, artwork, pillows, and smaller furnishings.

The goal isn’t to make everything expensive.

It’s to make everything feel considered.

Texture Can Make a Room Look Expensive

Here’s one of the easiest tricks in the decorating playbook: layer texture.

A room filled with one material or finish can feel flat, even when the pieces themselves are beautiful. Mixing wood, linen, metal, glass, woven materials, ceramics, and soft textiles creates visual depth.

And texture doesn’t necessarily require a major investment.

A chunky throw. A woven basket. A vintage wood stool. Linen-look curtains. A ceramic vase. A simple rug.

Small additions can make a room feel warmer and more collected without requiring a complete makeover.

Lighting Is the Secret Weapon

You can have gorgeous furniture and still have a room that feels completely wrong if the lighting is harsh.

Good lighting changes everything.

Instead of relying exclusively on overhead fixtures, try creating layers with table lamps, floor lamps, sconces, and softer bulbs. The result is often warmer, more flattering, and much more inviting.

And sometimes the most affordable lighting upgrade is simply changing the bulbs.

A room doesn’t need to be brighter.

It needs to feel better.

Don’t Underestimate Paint

Few things can change the personality of a room as dramatically as paint.

A fresh coat can make a tired space feel clean and intentional, while the right color can highlight architectural details or create a completely different mood.

And you don’t necessarily need to repaint the entire house.

An entryway, powder room, home office, or accent wall can be enough to create a noticeable transformation.

The trick is choosing a color because it works with your home—not simply because it’s trending.

Mix High and Low

Here’s where things get interesting.

A room doesn’t have to come entirely from one store, one collection, or one price point.

In fact, that’s often what makes a room feel generic.

Mix something vintage with something new. Pair an inexpensive vase with a beautiful piece of artwork. Put a thrifted chair next to a modern sofa. Add a meaningful family piece to an otherwise contemporary room.

Those contrasts give a home personality.

And personality is something money can’t buy.

The Art of the Secondhand Find

Some of the best-looking pieces in a home aren’t new at all.

Thrift stores, estate sales, vintage shops, flea markets, and online resale marketplaces can be treasure troves for furniture and accessories with character.

A slightly worn wooden table may have more personality than a brand-new mass-produced one. An old frame can become a statement piece. A vintage mirror can instantly give an entryway more presence.

The secret is patience.

Don’t shop with the mindset of I need something to fill this corner.

Shop with the mindset of I’ll know it when I see it.

Make Your Home Look Like You

Perhaps the biggest mistake people make when decorating is trying too hard to recreate someone else’s home.

A beautiful house doesn’t have to look like a showroom.

Your favorite books, photographs, artwork, travel finds, inherited furniture, collections, and even the slightly imperfect things can make a space feel authentic.

The goal isn’t perfection.

It’s creating a home that tells a story.

That might mean your grandmother’s side table next to a modern sofa. It might mean displaying a collection you’ve been building for years. It might mean choosing a strange little piece of art simply because it makes you smile.

Those are the details people remember.

Before You Buy, Rearrange

Here’s perhaps the most underrated decorating trick of all:

Shop your own house.

Move the chair from the bedroom into the living room. Try the artwork on another wall. Swap lamps between rooms. Bring an outdoor planter inside. Pull something out of storage that you’ve forgotten about.

You may be surprised by what you already own.

Sometimes a room doesn’t need more.

It just needs a different perspective.

Good Taste Is Really About Intention

The homes that feel the most sophisticated usually aren’t the ones shouting the loudest.

They’re the ones where everything seems to have a reason for being there.

The colors work together. The furniture fits the room. There is enough empty space to breathe. The lighting creates atmosphere. The accessories feel personal rather than random.

And none of that requires a fortune.

You can create a beautiful home one thoughtful decision at a time.

Because ultimately, good taste isn’t about having more money.

It’s about knowing what deserves your money—and what doesn’t.

And sometimes, the most stylish thing you can do is simply buy less, choose better, and make what you already have count.

THIS WEEKEND IN CHICAGO – Celebration of Summer Continues!

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Kawaii panda eating chinese noodles stock illustration

The school year has started, it’s the last weekend in August, and the fall season is on the horizon but here in Chicago we haven’t given up on summer as we continue celebrating the season with food and music festivals this weekend!

Are you ready to eat, explore and celebrate one of the country’s largest outdoor Asian food festivals?  If you are then head on over to the Panda Fest this Saturday (10 a.m.-10 p.m.) and Sunday (10 a.m.-8 p.m.) at Butler Field (445 E. Monroe St.) in the Loop.  It’s a vibrant experience bringing together incredible flavors, art and cultural traditions of Asia with over 200 Asian street-food dishes from 100+ food vendors; unique finds from more than 40 merchandise vendors; live cultural performances; and plenty of panda-themed fun including a 15-foot inflatable panda, a panda bounce house, and panda related merchandise.  Enjoy an unforgettable, fun summer day in the heart of Chicago!

Enjoy plenty of Old-World charm at the 36th annual Taste of Greektown this Saturday and Sunday (11 a.m.-10 p.m.) on Halsted Street from Van Buren to Adams Street in the vibrant West Loop neighborhood as Greektown celebrates its Hellenic culture and pride.  Indulge in a culinary journey of mouthwatering authentic cuisine as you savor the best of Mediterranean flavors and spirited drinks from the neighborhood’s local restaurants.  In addition, live music from traditional Greek bands and performances of Greek dancing along with retail shopping, local vendor booths, and family-friendly games are on the menu as well.  This festival is a must-visit for foodies and culture lovers alike — OPA!

Since the Chicago Cubs have been in the National League franchise since 1876, they will be hosting this Saturday (1:00 p.m.) at Wrigley Field (1060 W. Addison St.) in the Wrigleyville neighborhood a Cubs 150th Anniversary Celebration honoring the players, people, places, traditions and fans that have defined Cubs baseball.  Special events include:  dedication of a new Founders’ Clock at the corner of Clark and Addison Streets featuring historic Cubs logos and inscriptions highlighting four eras of franchise history; the recognition of the Cubs 150th Anniversary Team recognizing the complete roster of 40 members with over 20 members in attendance; a ceremonial signing of a replica 1876 championship banner at Gallagher Way which will be available for fans to sign and displayed at the ballpark; and more.  Then at 1:20 p.m., the Cubs will be hosting the Cincinnati Reds!

After three days of festivities celebrating Chicago’s global impact as the birthplace of House music, the Chicago House Music Festival & Conference will be wrapping up this Saturday (1 p.m.-9 p.m.) and Sunday (1 p.m.-5 p.m.) with relaxed sessions of music and more.  Saturday’s events will take place at Millennium Park (201 E. Randolph St.) in the Loop at the Pritzker Pavilion, the North and South Promenades, and the Millennium Hall Double Clutch Beer Garden with Sunday’s closing celebration taking place at the west end of the Chicago Riverwalk (306-370 W. Wacker Dr.) – be sure to bring blankets and chairs to enjoy the scenic views of The Confluence, where the Main, North and South Branches of the Chicago River meet!

It’s time to rock out on Broadway Avenue between Thorndale and Ardmore Avenues for the 2nd annual Edgewater Music Fest this Saturday and Sunday (12 p.m.-10 p.m.) for one of Chicago’s coolest street fests.  This year’s Fest features more than 30 music acts; over 100 retail and artisan vendors for the largest street vendor market in Edgewater’s history; local food and breweries; a Kids Zone with hands-on activities and games (12 p.m.-8 p.m.); an on-site record store; a drag brunch with Hamburger Mary’s; and more!

Sue Moss and Dean’s Team Chicago

Neighborhood News: The ‘Southern Gateway of Uptown’ is Historic Buena Park

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boho style for fashionable look at resort stock photo

Bounded by Graceland Cemetery, Marine Drive, Irving Park Road, and  Montrose Avenue, Buena Park is adjacent to Lake Michigan and nestled between Wrigleyville and Montrose Park. Most importantly, for families, the cozy, tree-lined streets are filled with the city’s most beautiful homes and architecture and is adjacent to Montrose Beach and Montrose Harbor.

Note: Montrose Dog-friendly Area, 4697 Lawrence, W.  Wilson Drive, is located where Wilson Avenue reaches east almost to Lake Michigan in Chicago, Illinois. Visitors say this dog beach offers a large, clean, and fenced area for dogs to play and swim in shallow water. They also highlight the convenient on-site dog washing stations and ample parking. Guests mention the friendly atmosphere and the opportunity for dogs to socialize and exercise.

And there’s enough to keep families busy as well. The Uptown Branch of the Chicago Public Library is located at 929 W. Buena Avenue, hosting programs like August 27th’s ‘Summerween Sip & Paint’ from 4:30pm – 6pm. On September 1, they’re hosting  “Claws DIY: Nail Art and Hair Claw Clips”  from 4pm – 5:30pm.

That could be before or after you tour the Hutchinson Street Historic District, a famous tree-lined enclave known for stunning Prairie School  (think Frank Lloyd Wright) mansions and historic turn-of-the-century architecture designed by architects like George Maher.

Buena Park History 

According to Wikipedia sources, Buena Park was first developed in the 1890s. The district was originally planned to be an upper-class suburban neighborhood of Chicago with spacious homes. 

Hutchinson Street Historic District 

The two-block stretch of Hutchinson Street was a part of the parcel of land James Waller bought in 1850. This parcel was outside of the city of Chicago in an area commonly known as Lakeview, according to the Buena Park Neighbors blogsite. Later, Lakeview was incorporated as a city in 1887. Two years later (1889), Lakeview was annexed by the city of Chicago. In the ensuing years, the Waller family sold some of the Waller property for development. The lakefront properties were sold at a premium to wealthy buyers. And, German and Scandinavian farmers bought much of the inland properties.

The blogsite goes on to say that Charles Scales, a Civil War veteran, bought a parcel of land that includes present day Hutchinson Street. Scales developed his parcel with a sense of purpose. To encourage development, he installed a road down the middle of his land. He called the road Kenesaw as an homage to the battle at Kenesaw Mountain, a fight in which he was a combatant. Scales built the first house on Kenesaw Street.  Intended as a family residence, Scales hired Chicago architect George Washington Maher to design the home and it was completed in 1894. This remarkable Queen Anne style house stands today and is located 840 W Hutchinson.

Development in the early twentieth century made the neighborhood denser, and while it was still a wealthy neighborhood by 1930, it featured many apartment buildings as well. 

The district’s houses reflect Chicago’s architectural development at the turn of the century; while its nineteenth-century homes have Queen Anne and Romanesque Revival designs, its twentieth-century houses exhibit newly popular styles such as the Prairie School and Classical Revival. The district’s apartment buildings were designed in part to match the character of its houses, as doing so portrayed a sense of luxury and domesticity to its affluent residents; as a result, they largely used the same styles as the twentieth-century homes and often included courtyards to replace lawns.

A Great Place for Birdwatching!

The Magic Hedge is a migratory stop located at the most easterly part of Montrose and is home to some of the rarest birds ever recorded in the state. In addition, the Bill Jarvis Migratory Bird Sanctuary on the lakefront at Addison is an eight-acre woodland and wetland which houses over 150 species of birds, where visitors can observe the migratory swallows who make their home there in the summer.

 The striking Kwa-Ma-Rolas totem pole topped with the symbolic thunderbird representing power, protection, and strength is nearby. According to the Chicago Park District, in 1929, James L. Kraft, founder of Kraft Foods Inc., donated the Kwa-Ma-Rolas totem pole to the city of Chicago. A collector of jade and other antiquities, Kraft often traveled to Alaska and the Pacific Northwest to find and buy artifacts. On one such a trip, he found two totem poles believed to have been carved by Haida Indians. 

At its dedication in June 1929, local Native Americans danced in costume with students from Alcott School in a pageant symbolizing Kwanusila—the thunderbird—and other carved figures depicted on the forty-foot pole.

Nightlife

As Choose Chicago notes, “it feels like yesterday when I danced at the Aragon Ballroom when the Talking Heads and Elvis Costello toured. One block east on Lawrence stands this iconic Ballroom, where legendary performers like David Bowie, Janis Joplin, Ike and Tina Turner, and the Grateful Dead played to alt music enthusiasts from the sixties to the present.”

Those were the days, my friend! And they’ll never end. Live Nation keeps the spot filled with the latest bands. 

Buena Park is an elegant part of Chicago, mixed with modern. It’s definitely worth visiting and living in. For more information, click here. 

Alison Moran-Powers and Dean’s Team Chicago