Enjoy this first weekend of March as it teases us, albeit very briefly, with a touch of spring in the air! So here are a few events to get you out and about without having to bundle up!

Chicago’s Navy Pier (600 E. Grand Ave.) in the Streeterville neighborhood welcomes you to Global Connections: International Carnivale presented by ComEd this Saturday (1 p.m. – 5 p.m.) in the Aon Grand Ballroom.  The tradition of Carnival is celebrated throughout the world in places such as Brazil, Italy, Puerto Rico and others in a wide variety of ways. This event will feature an afternoon celebration which includes music, dancing, art-making activities, food, and other globally inspired festivities! Plus, catch performances from Chicago Samba, the Segundo Ruiz Belvis Cultural Center’s Plena Project, and others for a taste of Carnivale traditions!

After a successful launch last year, Chicago’s Greektown neighborhood is bringing back Greektown Restaurant Week now through March 7^th. Diners can feast on specials and take advantage of exclusive discounts from some of the neighborhood’s most beloved eateries which include legacy Greek restaurants that have been in Greektown for decades!  Just visit Greektown’s website for a full list of participating restaurants and remember to mention “Greektown Restaurant Week” when ordering!

Grab a ticket for the Brewsology Beer Fest at the Museum of Science & Industry (5700 S. Lake Shore Dr.) in the Hyde Park neighborhood this Saturday (6 p.m. – 11 p.m.).  The event will feature dozens of local craft breweries and cideries (Maplewood, Dovetail, Bells and Founders among them) sampling their seasonal offerings.  Attendees will also have access throughout the museum to wander around with a beer in hand, chat with brewery reps and check out the museum’s exhibits! It’s a one-of-a-kind experience for a night at the museum!

Woo Hoo!  The Chicago Polar Plunge returns in-person to North Avenue Beach (1600 N Lake Shore Dr.) in the Lincoln Park neighborhood this Sunday (10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.). Once again, all participating plungers will receive free parking at Lincoln Park Zoo, or a free bus for groups of 20 or more; a souvenir t-shirt; a towel when exiting the icy waters of Lake Michigan; free photo downloads; and complimentary food at the “Melt Down Party!” Plus, there’s a virtual option for those unavailable to join in-person.  The Polar Plunge is a fundraiser benefiting thousands of athletes in the Special Olympics Chicago/Special Children’s Charities programs with all money raised staying in Chicago to support these athletes with disabilities within the city. Come join us even if you’re not a plunger!

Chicago’s most famous retro diner since 1984, Ed Debevic’s (159 E. Ohio St.) in the Streeterville neighborhood will be holding Drag Me to the Disco Brunch this Sunday (12 p.m. – 2 p.m.). This first ever Drag Brunch is being hosted by the legendary Debbie Fox and featuring performances from Chicago’s own Lilith Towers and Eve The Bunny (show begins at 12:30 p.m.)! Ticket ($25) includes admission and one entrée from their brunch menu; however, a la carte food and beverages will be available for purchase along with $20 bottomless mimosas! Reservations are required for this wildly entertaining afternoon.

Sue Moss and Dean’s Team Chicago

The Berghoff Restaurant, (translation: ‘mountain farm’) Chicago’s pre-eminent purveyor of hearty German fare and house-brewed beers, has been an institution since 1898. 

Nowadays, it’s hard to imagine a business that has stayed in a family for four generations, weathering the storms of Prohibition, two World Wars, the Great Depression, two pandemics, and scads of changes in the American diet. Yet, The Berghoff has survived…even thrived.

What’s the secret? “The menus remain relevant,” says The Berghoff, on its website. After all, they developed a ‘near-beer’ and their signature root beer during Prohibition. Today, chefs Matt Reichel and Javier Avalos adapt and create to today’s palate. There are gluten-free options and lighter, German-inspired fare alongside creamed spinach and Bavarian pretzels.

Start your feast with appetizers like Gretchen’s Potato Pancakes, with Landjager sausage, Brie cheese, and apples over potato pancakes, drizzled with a fig marmalade and topped with bacon. Their Bavarian Pretzel is served with beer cheddar cheese dipping sauce and sweet mustard. Potato Pierogies are sauteed dumplings topped with a beurre blanc, served with a side of sour cream and a quinoa and arugula salad. Or, try Alsatian Onion and Apple Soup, which pairs beef broth with Granny Smith apples, and onions, rye crostini and baked Muenster cheese.

Dinner-sized salads include a flavorful Panko-Crusted Goat Cheese Salad, with mixed greens, grape tomatoes, peppers, onions and fried leeks, tossed in a balsamic vinaigrette. Or, try a Grilled Octopus Salad, made with grilled octopus, mixed greens, arugula, peppers, roasted fingerling potatoes, herb vinaigrette and roasted red pepper coulis.

Burgers and sandwiches are fresh and delicious. Grilled Lamb Burger is a lamb patty, infused with roasted garlic, fresh mint and lemon, topped with feta cheese, arugula, tomato, fried onions, and garlic aioli, on a house-made Kaiser bun, served with sweet potato fries. Bratwurst is made with grilled veal, topped with sauerkraut, and served on a Bavarian pretzel roll.

Entrees include traditional German fare such as Wiener Schnitzel, a breaded, pan-fried veal cutlet, served with Berghoff’s famous creamed spinach and house-made spätzle, and Sauerbraten, which is marinated roasted sirloin of beef, topped with sweet and sour gravy, served with a melange of vegetables and buttermilk whipped potatoes. The Berghoff’s Sausage Trio pairs bratwurst, knockwurst, and smoked Thuringer sausage, served with sauerkraut and German potato salad. Jäger Schnitzel has pork cutlets, topped with mushrooms, bacon and a Jägermeister-infused sauce, served with caramelized root vegetables and house-made spätzel.

But…save room for dessert! Don’t miss their Apple Strudel (apfelstrudel) prepared with Granny Smith apples, pecans, and golden raisins, surrounded by a flaky strudel crust, and topped with caramel sauce and powdered sugar, or the luscious, and rarely seen Black Forest Cake (Schwarzwälder Kirschtort) layering chocolate and yellow cakes, sour cherries, raspberry preserve, chocolate mousse, whipped cream, and garnished with chocolate shavings.

All of The Berghoff’s sumptuous fare can be accompanied by their craft brews and non-alcoholic root beer, made fresh at their Adams Street Brewery.

As one Google reviewer wrote: “This place was amazing. Food was delicious….had a lamb burger with string sweet potato fries. The burger had a nice brioche bun and complemented the lamb with feta cheese. Service was excellent…no wait..server checked in just the right amount. Dishes were cleared in a timely manner. Overall great experience!”

The Berghoff is located at 17 W. Adams Street. They are open Tuesday- Saturday, 12pm-7:30pm, and closed Sunday and Monday. Reservations are recommended. Click here for more information. 

Alison Moran-Powers and Dean’s Team Chicago

Millennials continue to be the largest segment of homebuyers according to the National Association of REALTORS®. Here are five features that tend to entice millennials who are looking to buy.

1. An Up-to-date Kitchen And Bath
Younger buyers often have limited funds for renovations, so it’s important that they have functional and inviting bathroom and kitchen spaces from the very start.

2. An Open Floor Plan
Having a formal dining room isn’t of particular importance to millennials, in fact, many prefer open spaces with no separation between kitchen, living room, and dining room. An open concept makes it easier to entertain everyone at once.

3. An Office
More and more jobs are offering work-from-home options, and there are also plenty of freelancers and telecommuters among millennials. A dedicated space for getting some work done can be a key attraction.

4. Friendly Location
With gas prices rising, many millennials prefer walking, biking, or public transit for their commutes. A great location is key.

5. Energy Savings
Millennials are often more conscious of energy conservation and efficiency. Energy-efficient appliances, energy-efficient windows, and quality insulation can make a huge difference.

Chicagoans are closing out this final weekend of February in true Mardi Gras fashion! Which means there are plenty of opportunities to celebrate with your family and/or friends. Let’s get started!

SK Productions is bringing NOLA to Chicago with the largest Mardi Gras celebration in town.  Mardi Gras Carnival 2022 will take place at the beautiful Hard Rock Café (63 W. Ontario St.) in the Streeterville neighborhood this Saturday (9 p.m.) to Sunday (4 a.m.). Enjoy party favors, an exquisite Creole menu and drinks as DJ Sanjay with special guest Ariana DJ rock the house.  You’ll also have the opportunity to take photos with the Samba dancers who will be performing with colorful Mardi Gras inspired costumes.  Plus, you can compete for the most unique mask, and the best King and Queen of Mardi Gras but you must come dressed to impress!

Join the River North neighborhood for their Mardi Gras Bar Crawl this Saturday (3 p.m. – 10 p.m.).  Ticket includes door cover charges waived, up to 50% off beers and well drinks, up to 20% off select foods, free entrance to 5+ venues, tasty Hurricanes and themed drinks, a costume contest and much more! This crawl is known for its outrageous colorful costumes, masks, and a whole lot of beads for the most extravagant crawl of the year!

Morgan’s on Fulton (952 W. Fulton Market) in the West Loop is bringing the Big Easy to Chicago with its Mardi Gras Rooftop Jubilee this Saturday (6 p.m. – 10 p.m.).  Not only will this Mardi Gras Jubilee feature Cajun food, Louisiana libations, and more, but it will also feature continuous entertainment by the Four-Star Brass Band and a Hot Tawdry Burlesque Show!  So, get all beaded up to boogie down at one of Chicago’s hottest event locations!

For a more toned-down Mardi Gras celebration, Nola’s Bar & Kitchen (3481 N. Clark St.) in the Lakeview neighborhood will be hosting a Hurricane Happy Hour this Saturday (4 p.m. – 7 p.m.).  Ticket includes two signature Hurricanes, a $10 food voucher, live Cajun music, and party favors for a fun time NOLA style!

If celebrating Mardi Gras is not your cup of tea, perhaps these two events will be:

Moe’s Cantina (155 W. Kinzie St.) in the River North neighborhood is hosting a Chicago River North Wine Fest this Saturday (12 p.m. – 4 p.m.).  On hand will be over 35 different wines from all over the world and your ticket gets you 4 hours of wine tastings!  Gather up your friends and come out to this huge venue for a day full of fun, laughs, your favorite tunes, and of course wine!!

Explore one of Chicago’s coolest neighborhoods as they host their 6^th annual Andersonville Restaurant Week wrapping up this Sunday and is a salute to Andersonville’s diverse and dynamic dining scene.  More than 15 restaurants and bars will be offering dine-in service this year with a variety of brunch, lunch and dinner prix-fixe menus, drink specials and desserts ranging from $10 to $30 with vegetarian, vegan and carry out options available as well!  Newcomers this year are Boca Loca Cantina, Parsons Chicken & Fish, and Tasting India along with many returning favorites!!  For a current list of participating restaurants, visit their website.

Liassez les bons temps rouler ~ Let the good times ROLL!

Sue Moss and Dean’s Team Chicago