Restaurant Preview: Chicago Restaurant Week

/in /by

This month brings the return of Chicago Restaurant Week from March 19 through April 4. For the first time, takeout and delivery options are available in addition to indoor and outdoor dining experiences. Over 250 restaurants are participating this year, with multi-course meals priced at $25 for brunch or lunch and dinners for $39 and/or $55. 

It’s been a year unlike any other due to the pandemic, and our support for Chicago’s restaurants is needed now more than ever. Let’s take a look at some of the great places to eat in some of our favorite Chicago neighborhoods during this culinary celebration.

River North: Foodie favorite Avec recently opened a second location at 141 West Erie Street. Patrons can expect the delicious Mediterranean fare that made the West Loop location a must-visit restaurant. For Chicago Restaurant Week, Avec offers house marinated olives and ciabatta, chorizo-stuffed Medjool dates with bacon and piquillo pepper-tomato sauce, shaved Brussels sprouts with Calabrian chili, wood oven paella chicken, escargot sausage, mussels, and raspberry rose tart for $55 per person. Find info here.

Streeterville: Beatrix, located at 671 North St. Clair Street, offers brunch on the weekends, lunch during the week, and dinner every day during Chicago Restaurant Week. The brunch option includes your choice of pastry, a starter of either Greek yogurt, jalapeno and avocado toast, or oatmeal, and an entree of either pecan praline French toast, egg white omelet, green chili and chicken enchiladas, or spicy chicken tinga with your choice of beverage for $25. The lunch selections include kung pao cauliflower, hummus, or vegan mushroom barley soup for your starter. For your entree, choose from a salad, ahi tuna poke bowl, spicy poblano chicken sandwich, or cavatelli with chicken bolognese, and a dessert for $25. The $39 dinner features hummus, burrata, or vegan mushroom barley soup for starters. The entrees are cavatelli with chicken bolognese, chicken bebe, miso-caramel salmon, or skirt steak chimichurri. Top it off with your choice of chia seed pudding, caramel pie, or chocolate cake for dessert. Find more info here. 

Logan Square: Testaccio, located at 2456 North California, serves selections from their Rome-inspired menu during Chicago Restaurant Week. Choose from artichoke bisque or Caesar salad for your first course. Follow that up with Bucatini Carbonara, Orecchiette di Cacio e Pepe, Porchetta, or Moroccan whole roasted cauliflower for your second course. Finish your feast with either a Roman chocolate bar or affogato. The dinner costs $39, with the choice of adding Chef’s Salumi and Formaggi platter for $55. Find more info here.

West Loop: Enjoy an explosion of fantastic Latin tastes by ordering from Carnivale, located at 702 West Fulton Market Street. Their Chicago Restaurant Week offerings include your choice of pulpo ala planxa, coca de plato, or empanadas for your appetizer. Follow that up with either Pescado Frito, picanha al fojo, or ravioles caseros for your entree. For dessert, choose from either carrot-almond cake or the pyramid featuring white chocolate, passion fruit, cardamon crust, and ginger crumble. The meal costs $55 per person. Find more info here.

Be sure to check each restaurant’s website to see when you can order your meals to celebrate Chicago Restaurant Week. If you plan on dining in, make sure that the restaurant is open for indoor dining.

ERIC KAPLAN AND DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO

Chicago Home and Lifestyles – Power Out? How To Stay Warm

/in /by

With the winter storm in Texas, we have seen that it is just as easy to lose your power in the winter as it is during summer thunderstorms. Winter power outages can be particularly dangerous as we lose heat in the bitter cold.

Do be safe when considering alternative heat sources. Sitting in your running car can be a good warm up but only if the vehicle is outside. Running a car in an attached garage can cause a buildup of lethal toxic fumes that are not always detectable. Generators also are made to run outdoors only. Some indoor models run on batteries, but one that uses any type of fuel must be used outdoors. This includes camp stoves too. You can boil water or cook on one, but you must be out in the open.

Layer your clothing. Now is the time to get out all the clothing you have. Many light layers are what you are looking for here. Insulated long underwear is good. Top with leggings or tights with multiple layers of pants. Wear oversized sweatpants to cover all the inner layers, and be sure to wear a hat and a hoodie with a scarf. Use gloves to avoid losing heat through your hands. Wrap yourself in shawls and blankets. Do not forget the pets. They can wear your sweatshirts and socks too. You can even google a DIY dog sweater. 

Close off unused rooms. Choose a room with as few exterior walls as possible and close the doors. Hang blankets in rooms with no doors. You will want to insulate this room as well as possible. Cover windows with garbage bags or bubble wrap and close curtains and blinds. It’s a good idea to stuff towels under doors and windowsills. Hang blankets on the walls for one more layer. If you have hard flooring, cover it with rugs or any other material you have (even dirty laundry). To keep warm, stay in the center of the room.

Keep as much heat on you as you can. Keep your feet off the floor. If you can sit in a curled-up position with your feet and hands covered, it is best. We lose a lot of heat through our hands and feet. Do eat; keeping your body warm is heavy work using many calories. If you have one of the camp stoves we mentioned before, it is good to sip hot beverages and eat hot soup. Wrap the cup in a towel to keep the drink as hot as possible and warm your hands. Avoid alcohol. It seems to warm you, but it actually makes you lose body heat as it dilates blood vessels. 

Good luck to you all this winter!

KATHLEEN WEAVER-ZECH AND DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO

Grocery Shopping On A Budget

/in /by

As a homeowner, it’s never a bad idea to look at different ways to cut costs and one of the easiest areas to tweak is your grocery budget. Take a look at the tips below to help you tighten it up.

Test out stores. Take a couple weeks to trial some neighborhood grocery stores and track how much your staple foods cost at each, such as eggs, milk, vegetables, and chicken. Once you’ve completed your survey, determine if one store offers more savings overall and try to primarily shop at that location.

Plan ahead. Everyone has heard the sound advice to never shop while hungry. But, it’s also a good idea to never shop without a well formulated grocery list. Before heading to the store, outline your meals for the week, keeping in mind breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks. Don’t forget any condiments, seasonings, etc. you may be out of. Then stick to the list, preventing overspending.

Shop local. Farmers markets are an amazing way to save money. Not only are you likely to find amazing deals, but often the quality of the fruits and vegetables is higher than at chain grocery stores. Many of these markets offer “stuff your bag” deals where they allow you to fill a bag with as many yummy items as you can and pay one set price.

Don’t knock the freezer. Although it’s best to pick up fresh groceries, there are certain items you can venture into the frozen aisle for, like organic fruits and veggies. Plus, if there’s a great deal on a fresh item, like chicken, consider buying in bulk and safely freezing some for later.

THIS WEEKEND IN CHICAGO – The End of an Eventful February!

/in /by

Hope you enjoy the end of a very eventful February this weekend as options are beginning to open up for families to enjoy their time off and the snow/ice are melting rapidly! Whether you decide to venture outdoors or prefer to remain indoors, the following choices may be what you’re looking for.

Join the League of Chicago Theatres for their reimagined Chicago Theatre Week 2021. Take time to discover a new theatre company, experience virtual shows, and help to strengthen theatres by donating the money you would have spent on buying tickets. The shutdown has been especially hard on the theatre community and lasted longer than anticipated. Theatres were the first to close and likely will be the last to reopen. So, until then, you’re invited to learn about, engage with, and donate to Chicago theatres, which, by the way, cannot wait to welcome their audiences back into their theatres!

I know many of you have passed the time at home assembling jigsaw puzzles. Well, this Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., head on over to the Women & Children First Bookstore (5233 N. Clark St.) for the neighborhood’s first-ever The Great Andersonville Puzzle Exchange! Participants are asked to drop off new or gently used puzzles, 500+ pieces for adults or any size for kids, secured in a resealable plastic bag in its original box with no missing pieces between 11 a.m.-11:30 a.m. So, if you bring a puzzle, you take a puzzle!! To avoid crowding, participants are asked to sign up in advance, are required to wear a mask, and maintain social distancing while reviewing the puzzle selections.

The Northwest Side of Chicago will celebrate its amazing breweries this Friday and Saturday with its first-ever Northwest Brewfest. This virtual event features live Zoom sessions with local brewers and chefs, which include Twisted Hippo (virtual tour & beer tasting), Bokeh (cocktail class), Angelo’s Wine Bar (specialty cocktail and pasta demonstration), and other free tours and beer tastings! Check out their website for a complete schedule of events, or take a sneak peek of their event at https://youtu.be/XOYR9CZJvg4. 

Bring the spirit of Venice, Italy right into your living room with an interactive cultural experience by attending the Virtual Venetian Ball this Saturday (8 p.m.-10:30 p.m.). This online gala features a Venetian Italian cooking class, an Italian mixology bartender, a virtual opera presentation, virtual ballroom dance lessons, a Venetian masquerade competition, a late-night DJ, breakout interactive rooms offering some special Venetian trivia, games, and one-on-one experiences with your fellow revelers, and a chance to win a trip to Jamaica! Best of all, a portion of the proceeds will benefit the American Cancer Society!!

Just a heads-up! Several of Chicagoland’s attractions are setting their reopening plans. Some have opened already with limited capacity, but many more are set to reopen their doors in March!! And, if the weather behaves this weekend and you feel the need to get some fresh air, all Chicago Parks (except all beaches and parks east of Lake Shore Drive) are open to enjoy, including The Lakefront Trail, The 606, Millennium Park (some amenities and attractions remain closed), the Garfield Park Conservatory is opening Saturday with their Spring Flower Show: Saturation through Mother’s Day (May 9th), and The Chicago Riverwalk is fully open to the public!!

Sue Moss and Dean’s Team Chicago

Chicago Neighborhood News: Lakeview, Streeterville, Virtual, Hyde Park, West Loop

/in /by

Lakeview: For those who have grieved the loss of the cinematic experience, we have great news! The historic Music Box Theater, located at 3733 North Southport Avenue, is reopening this Friday, February 26. Catch a screening of Night of the Kings, the gripping French prison drama centered on a new inmate who must tell a story to the other prisoners before the red moon sets or lose his life if he fails, at 7:30 pm this Friday. You can also catch The Vigil, a Jewish horror film centered on mysticism and demonology, at 4:30 pm Friday. Tickets for each film are $11 and must be purchased via the Music Box’s website. As expected, masks are required except for eating and drinking. Find more info here.

Streeterville: The Museum of Contemporary Art, located at 220 East Chicago Avenue, opens its “The Long Dream” exhibition on Tuesday, March 2. Over 70 local Chicago artists utilizing paintings, sculptures, performance, video, and sound art contribute to this display that looks at how the global pandemic and racial inequality have affected us and what a more interconnected and just future would look like. General admission is $15 for adults and $8 for students and teachers. Find more info here.

Virtual: The annual Chiditarod is different this year with no bar crawl in West Town. However, individuals and teams were invited to film their own Chiditarod journey focusing on the event’s fundraising efforts. The results of all this creative, hard work will culminate in the free Chiditarod film festival taking place on Twitch on March 6 at 7 pm. The best entries will receive awards, and there will be opportunities to fundraise to provide food to those in need, as well as laughs, dance breaks, and special guests. Find more info here.

Hyde Park: The Mighty Marvel superheroes will take over the Museum of Science and Industry, located at 5700 South Lake Shore Drive, beginning Sunday, March 7. The Marvel: Universe of Super Heroes features over 300 artifacts from Marvel’s rich comic and film history, including original comic book pages, interactive displays, and props from numerous blockbuster Marvel films. Get lost in Dr. Strange’s mirrored room or check out all the tech in Tony Stark’s, aka Iron Man, laboratory. Visitors will also learn how these amazing characters have changed with the times throughout the years. The exhibit runs until October 24. Tickets are $18 for adults and $14 for children age 3 to 11 years old. This price does include the regular museum admission. Find more info here.

West Loop: The WNDR Museum, located at 1130 West Monroe Street, reopens to the public on Friday, February 26, with brand new art installations as well as many of the museum’s favorite exhibits. Whether it’s your first visit or not, be sure to check out Chicago’s only Infinity Mirror Room created by Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama. New to the museum is a multi-sensory experience utilizing sounds, visuals, artificial intelligence, and scent from S̶A̶N̶T̶IA̶G̶O̶X, and the I Heard There Was a Secret Chord installation that lets guests take part in a virtual choir. Tickets are $30, and the usual social distancing and mask requirements will be enforced. Find more info here.

ERIC KAPLAN AND DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO

Restaurant Review: Cinnaholic

/in /by

Wicker Park is home to the recently opened Cinnaholic, located at 1295 North Milwaukee Avenue. For those looking for the healthiest possible cinnamon roll without forsaking delicious taste, you’ve just found your new favorite spot in the city. 

Cinnaholic is the brainchild of husband and wife team Shannon and Florian Radke. The duo appeared on Shark Tank in 2014 to find investors for what they dubbed “the world’s best cinnamon roll experience” to ship their cinnamon creations nationwide from their California-based location. The couple ultimately declined an offer from Shark Tank investor Robert Herjavec. However, the rejected deal didn’t stop them from opening over 50 locations throughout the country, the newest which just opened in Wicker Park.

So what makes Cinnaholic stand? For one, every cinnamon roll is 100% vegan as well as dairy and lactose-free, egg-free, and cholesterol-free. For those with food allergies, this alone is something to celebrate. But the real test is always how good these cinnamon rolls taste—the answer: Heavenly. 

There’s the Old Skool Roll, consisting of a fresh-baked cinnamon roll with classic vanilla frosting, for those who prefer a no-nonsense sweet treat that you simply can’t go wrong with ordering. However, for the more adventurous, Cinnaholic’s menu is the gateway to exploring new and delicious flavors and combos to awaken your sweet tooth.

Try out the Campfire S’mores Roll with marshmallow frosting, graham cookies, more marshmallows, and chocolate sauce. The Blueberry Pie Roll features homemade pie crumble and fresh blueberries sitting atop a delicious cream cheese frosting. You can really do your taste buds a personal favor by introducing them to the incredible flavors of the Caramel Apple Pie Roll with caramel frosting, pecans, fresh apples, homemade pie crumble, and caramel sauce. Get your daily fruit intake taken care of with the Tropical Bliss Roll consisting of fresh bananas, blueberries, coconut, and raspberry frosting. Of course, you also have the option of building your own cinnamon roll with your choice of toppings and frosting. Most rolls will run you between $5.50 and $7.75.

The sweetness doesn’t end at the rolls at Cinnaholic. Cookie dough fans will think they walked into paradise with the shop’s great selection of this beloved treat. Indulge in the homemade chocolate chip cookie dough. An 8 oz. tub consisting of four servings costs $6. Homemade cookie dough scoops offered at Cinnaholic include cookies and cream with cream cheese frosting and Oreo morsels, the Salted Elvis with peanut butter frosting, pretzel sticks, and a slice of banana, and the Mocha Madness with coffee frosting, chocolate sauce, and a sprinkling of coffee dust. These are only a small selection of the cookie dough flavors available on the menu. Each scoop is $3.99. 

Cinnaholic Wicker Park, as it’s officially known, is open Monday through Thursday from 10 am to 9 pm and Friday through Sunday from 11 am to 9 pm.

ERIC KAPLAN AND DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO

Chicago Home and Lifestyles – A “Good Night’s” Sleep

/in /by

We all know doctors recommend 7-8 hours of sleep for optimum health, but for most of us, that can be difficult. With busy lives and schedules, it is harder and harder to get the sleep we need. Then no sooner are we sound asleep that we have to wake up. This is normal. Nobody sleeps all night, literally. Sleep goes through stages varying from person to person. If you are experiencing sleeplessness regularly or lack of sleep is affecting you the next day, it is something to bring up with your family doctor. For those of you using fitness trackers, much of the info can be inaccurate, and it can often have you worrying about it rather than sleeping.

The key to a better night’s rest is to practice good sleeping habits regularly. Make your bedroom a place of rest and uninterrupted relaxation. HD TVs have almost made the bedroom a home theater. As a matter of fact, bedrooms should be a “no blue lights zone.” When we use our bedrooms for activities other than sleep, we are training ourselves to stay awake. Try to make a rule of having no caffeine after mid-afternoon. Alcohol does not help; you will crash, but blood sugar and cortisol will spike, making for a wakeful rest of the night. The same goes for high sugar snacks. A good bedtime snack is small with complex carbs and protein, like peanut butter on whole-wheat toast or high grain cereal and milk. Keep exercise time well before sleep. 

Much of our sleeplessness is caused by our busy minds. Often bedtime is the first time we are alone with our thoughts, and they can be racing. A relax period before bed is helpful. Listen to music or read. Many people find journaling therapeutic. Whether it is just jotting down what you are grateful for or writing to unload what’s on your mind, journaling can bring on sleep mode in your mind. An actual mindset change can work too. Do not think of yourself as a bad sleeper. Do not focus too much on getting X number of hours. We all have blips in our sleep, and sleeping brilliantly every night is beyond most of ours reach. But being aware is halfway to sleeping better.

KATHLEEN WEAVER-ZECH AND DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO

State Of The National Real Estate Market

/in /by

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the real estate market continues to trend upward. According to analytics firm CoreLogic, in November, home prices were up 8.2% year over year. Interestingly, Idaho (15.7%), Maine (15.4%), and Indiana (13.6%) were the states with the highest increases. Plus, this past year saw record low interest rates, which is certainly a driving factor in the current hot real estate market. While this is great news for existing homeowners, it has posed some difficulties for lower income individuals to afford homes.

One major challenge facing the industry is inventory for would-be buyers is at a 12-month low. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), inventory nationwide is down to a 2.1 month supply. This is a 30% decrease in available homes for sale from the same time period last year. Most real estate professionals consider a six-month supply of homes a healthy balance between a buyer and seller market. This low supply, or low inventory, generally indicates a strong seller’s market. NAR also reported the median days on market in December 2020 was only 16 days, further indicating that it is a strong seller’s market.

Because the real estate market is very dynamic, whether you are thinking about selling or buying, it’s more important than ever to work with an agent who understands the local market. Often, homes are sold where the seller may have netted a higher amount or there are buyers who lose out on a great home because their agent may not understand these market forces. Find an agent with knowledge and experience locally who can understand your unique needs. Contact me for more information today!

THIS WEEKEND IN CHICAGO – SNOWED IN?!?!

/in /by

It’s bad enough that we’re dealing with a pandemic, but now Mother Nature is in on it too with her overabundance of snow! Well, here are some recommendations for keeping you and your family entertained this weekend as we’re pretty much snowed in!!

How about taking a Guided Virtual Tour of Machu Picchu to bring some color and warmth into your life? This Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., live virtual guides will take you to the center of the Andes Mountains in Peru to explore the famous Incan citadel known as Machu Picchu. You will be taken through the history of this 15th-century magnificent area, learn the mysteries of this ancient civilization, explore the grounds as they appear today, and tour the surrounding area and landscape as you hike up to Machu Picchu!

Linda Simpson (drag personality) presents her action-packed virtual version of everyone’s favorite game of chance, Linda Loves Virtual Bingo. Register to play this Saturday or for future games (up to six weeks in advance) with weekly registration ending at 2 p.m. CST on game day. Virtual Bingo will begin at 6:45 p.m., and games start at 7 p.m. Games are mostly PG but might not be appropriate for all children. Glamorous spokesmodels, laughs, thrills, and incredible prizes are what await you for this new Zoom sensation!

Jassac Charitable Foundation, Inc. will host a virtual fundraiser, Mardi Gras Windy City Style, this Saturday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Join in and help support this worthy cause as they bring you a taste of New Orleans’ French Quarter Windy City Style while enjoying the music experience of DJ Vince Adams! Don’t forget to don your finest Mardi Gras attire!!

Interested in a classic horror radio experience? Beginning this Sunday through March 20th, check out The Cabinet, which is an inside-out adaptation of the classic expressionist film of Dr. Caligari. It’s a living nightmare told from the viewpoint of Cesare, Dr. Caligari’s murderous somnambulist who takes you into a society on the edge of collapse, filled with murder and fear! The only pressing question to ask yourself is, when death stalks the village, is it better to sleep or to wake? Hope you choose the right answer!!

As we near the end of celebrating Black History Month, Lettuce Entertain You is celebrating with a special virtual event that brings together the rich history and flavors of Black and African American cuisines with – Celebrating Black Cuisine through Culinary Collaboration this Saturday (11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.). Join Chef/Partner Mychael Bonner as he welcomes Chef Lucie “Lulu” Ugebor, who will teach participants about the flavors of West African cuisine and fusing them into Chef Mychael’s Classic Roasted Chicken. As you are guided through a live cooking demo, you will also learn about the chefs’ culinary journeys and the influence of their families’ heritage on their cooking! It’s free to register, but space is limited, so be sure to reserve your ticket today!!

Black History Online Game Night will be focused on Black History facts, knowledge, and trivia held this Sunday and next Sunday at 7 p.m. This Sunday will focus on sports and entertainment and the Black people who paved the way and blazed trails in athletics, acting, popular culture, and music. Next Sunday is their “Bonus” day focusing on a variety of topics along with a few surprises. These game nights are intended for the whole family where there will be questions to answer, trivia to consider, presentations to watch, and prizes to win!

Sue Moss and Dean’s Team Chicago

Chicago Neighborhood News: Grant Park, Logan Square, Wrigleyville, Loop, Virtual

/in /by

Grant Park: The recently reopened Art Institute of Chicago, located at 111 South Michigan Avenue, opens its newest exhibition, “Bisa Butler: Portraits,” on February 18. The talented textile artist showcases her quilts made exclusively from fabrics that highlights Black society’s marginalization, resulting in a colorful and vibrant collection of over 20 pieces. This exhibition is the first solo show for Butler, displaying her unique talent in using textiles as an art form. Access to “Bisa Butler: Portraits” is included in the price of admission. Find more info here.

Logan Square: Come check out the many arts and crafts showcased at the Handmade Happyhours at the Extraordinarium, located at 2800 North Milwaukee Avenue in Logan Square. Set up in the back area of the Extraordinarium, this socially distanced market features jewelry, tons of art, baked goods, apparel from local artists and makers. This bi-weekly event occurs next on February 19, from 4 pm to 9 pm, and again on February 26, from 4 pm to 9 pm. Masks are required. Find more info here.

Wrigleyville: On Friday, February 19, and Saturday, February 20, head out to Rizzo’s in Wrigleyville for the Winter Beer & Cocktail Tasting. Located at 3658 North Clark Street, this event lets ticketholders enjoy 12 tastings and aMichelob Ultra Seltzer at a private table in the heated atrium with a retractable roof. Tickets start at $30 for this socially distanced good time. Dates take place each weekend throughout the month at different times. Find more info here.

The Loop: Learn about the history of one of the city’s most famous national landmarks at the Auditorium Theater’s historical tour, located at 50 East Ida B Wells Drive on Monday, February 22, from 10:30 am to 11:30 am. The Auditorium Theater, designed by architects Louis Sullivan and Dankmar Adler, opened its doors on December 9, 1889. This tour focuses on the theater’s rich history and the many artists who have appeared there while providing an in-depth look at the 24-karat gold-leafed ceiling arches, the stained glass muses at the entrance, and murals by Charles Holloway and Albert Fleury. The 60-minute tour costs $15, and only ten patrons are allowed per tour. If the tour sells out, check the website to find other dates and times. Masks and social distancing rules apply. Find more info here.

Virtual: It’s no secret that Chicago is home to a plethora of historical buildings. However, not all of them are safe from being demolished. Preservation Chicago and the Chicago Architecture Center present the 19th annual “Chicago 7,” a list of endangered structures at risk of being torn down, on Wednesday, February 24, from noon to 1 pm virtually. Preservation Chicago executive director Ward Miller will announce 2021’s endangered buildings and the story behind each one. Over the past 19 years, the “Chicago 7” list has helped keep many historic Windy City buildings from being gutted. Check out this Zoom event to learn more and see what you can do to help. Find more info here.

ERIC KAPLAN AND DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO