Looking for fun? Meet Nicole - our latest Weekend Warrior!

If you've ever read Nicole's blog Ms. Career Girl, you already know she is a business-savvy lady, a hard-working individual indeed. And though I've never personally met Nicole, I'm guessing the motto "work hard, play hard" applies to her life, as her Weekend Warrior responses are full good ways to spend time with friends, and have fun fun fun. Gotta love a girl who knows how to cut loose!

So here you have it ladies and gents, Nicole's responses to the Weekend Warrior questions:

Favorite restaurant fit to bring a foodie: Mercat a la Planxa in the South Loop! This place is absolutely amazing. Unique and rare cheeses, desserts that you can’t stop eating made of things you’d initially never think of putting together, great meats, everything is made to perfection with detail. The wait staff is extremely friendly and well-versed on the menu as well.

[interior of Social 25]

Favorite place to imbibe: My new favorite bar is Social 25. Their live music is awesome, it’s a good size, and the crowd is fun to look at yet not pretentious.

[South Coast sushi]

Most loved romantic date night consists of: Dinner for two. I always want Italian (top vote goes to Rosebud) or sushi (love South Coast) on date nights. Then cocktails at a few low-key bars which we can actually hear each other. Classy cocktail favorites: Le Bar at The Sofitel and D.O.C Wine Bar in Lincoln Park. I usually start missing my puppy at this point, so I wouldn’t mind ending the night at Clark Street Ale House because it’s close to my house and I can bring my yellow lab Giada there!

[view atop The Wit]

Elected ladies night out agenda: We usually start out with a few bottles of cheap pink champagne at someone’s house, then hop around River North (District, English, Rockit, Theory, Hub, Social 25, LaSalle Power Co when it’s not packed). Here are some other Ladies Night favorites:

Coolest View: The Wit
Best Cheap Martinis: Moxie
Best Late-Night Bar: Frank’s (Lincoln Park)- ask for Shawann on Saturday nights.

Preferred place to shop fashion: I love mixing H&M and Forever21 with classic more expensive pieces to balance trendy and timeless.

Favorite place to shop for fun: Nordstrom and Tails in the City - a pet boutique!

Ideal place to shop food: Trader Joe’s! Love their house brands, their roasted red pepper artichoke spread, soups, and cheap wine!

Best place to sightsee: I vote Lincoln Park Zoo (weather permitting), Michigan Avenue, or North Avenue Beach.

[Chicago St. Patrick's day parade drum line]

Favorite way to enjoy Chicago culture: walking on the lake and eating the food! Oh, and I can’t leave out the quite rowdy culture that comes out on St. Patrick’s Day!

[Chicago's Wrigleyville neighborhood]

Favorite way to enjoy a Chicago weekend (Friday night through Sunday afternoon):

It varies but here are a few favs:

Best Breakfast Buffet: Anywhere with a Bloody Mary bar and macaroni & cheese!
Favorite Place to watch a game with friends: State or West End
Favorite Place to get work done on a Saturday: Starbucks on Rush in Gold Coast.
Best day drinking spot: Wrigleyville

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So there you have it. I think it's safe to say Nicole knows the definition of the word fun! She also though knows how to put on her power suit and show what it means to be a successful businesswoman. Thanks Nicole for being such a well-rounded Weekend Warrior!

Cheers to you all ~ may you have many fantastic weekends ahead!

Win a $100 dining gift card to one of Chicago's best!

Just a little reminder for all my Chicago peeps (and perhaps those who want an excuse to visit Chicago :), you have until Feb 28 to enter for a chance to win a $100 gift card to one of Chicago's best restaurants!

Simply click here

What are you waiting for? :)

Thanks for being my sunshine

I was so happy to receive these two little blog-o-wards last week, and it’s been fun thinking about who brings sunshine and beauty to my blogging routine. While I enjoy every single blog I read, and particularly those I follow, it's been particularly fun establishing a rapport with these fantastic blogonistas (has that term been coined? ;) ~ and I feel I owe them a big pretty thank you. So without further adieu, I’d like to bestow these lovely awards to the following bloggers.

Sunshine award – to the bloggers who provide me a daily dose of sunshine, who are inspirational, cheerful, and are full of ideas and fun!

District of Chic

Cafe Fashionista

Live Creating Yourself

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Beautiful blogger – to the bloggers who consistently produce beautiful images and ideas which are so often a spring board for the imagination

cubic dreams

Smitten design

101 things I Love

Please dear award recipients, pass these awards on to other worthy bloggers to keep the tradition going! Thanks again to you all ~

xox

It's been a while since I've done a Wednesday Wardrobe Wants

Today I’m dreaming of a trip to Paris, to visit the Louvre and swoon over the art

Instead I’ll settle for Parisian-inspired fashion to transport me

There’s something romantic about an ensemble that’s not too fussy, but still put together; chic

Timeless pieces in pretty neutrals, with just a little edge, pair together perfectly

Perhaps since I can’t get up and go to Paris I’ll satisfy this craving with a trip to The Art Institute

Did you know admission is free this month?

These are my Wednesday Wardrobe Wants~

2010 James Beard Semi-finalists announced!

The James Beard awards – the Oscars of the food scene. The award chefs pine for, strive for, work for throughout their careers. The semi-finalists have been announced, with some great Chicago chefs and restaurants making the list! Here I give you the scoop on all Chicago semifinalists, with an asterisk next to some of my personal faves.

Outstanding Restaurateur
Donald J. Madia* - Avec, Big Star Taqueria and Bar, Blackbird, The Publican, and The Violet Hour
Richard Melman - Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises, Chicago

Chef Paul Kahan [photo credit]

Outstanding Chef
Jean Joho - Everest, Chicago
Paul Kahan* - Blackbird, Chicago

Outstanding Restaurant
Les Nomades - Chicago
Spiaggia* - Chicago

Best New Restaurant
Cibo Matto at the Wit
Pelago at the Raffaello Hotel

Chef Mindy Segal [photo credit]

Outstanding Pastry Chef
Mindy Segal* - Mindy’s HotChocolate

Outstanding Wine Service
Alinea
NoMI at Park Hyatt Chicago

Outstanding Wine & Spirits Professional
Brian Duncan - Bin 36,
Alpana Singh - Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises

Outstanding Service
Alinea
Spiaggia*

Chef Koren Grieveson [photo credit]

Best Chef: Great Lakes
Michael Carlson - Schwa
Curtis Duffy - Avenues at the Peninsula Chicago
Koren Grieveson* - Avec
Bill Kim - Urbanbelly
Chris Nugent - Les Nomades
Arun Sampanthavivat -Arun’s
Bruce Sherman* - North Pond
Giuseppe Tentori* - Boka

The process is 3-fold, involving semi-finalists, nominees, and winners. In the first round, 20 semi-finalists are selected for each of the 19 categories. Then over 700 critics, food professionals, and past chef winners vote to determine the top five in each category declared the nominees; and finally another round of voting commences to obtain the winner of each category. The winners are announced at the JB foundation annual gala, slated for May 3 this year in NYC.

Congratulations to all the chefs and restaurants which have made the finals! (you can reference the full list here) Now if that doesn’t give you ideas for which restaurants to visit during Restaurant Week, I don’t know what does. :)

Happy Tasty Tuesday~

Happy Friday - a week of happenings

I've been slammed at work this week, which has seemed to suck the pep out of my step a bit. But it's Friday so I'm happy. And I wanted to share a couple happenings of the week I haven't had time to react to yet - -

The beautiful Mel at Chicago Girl Gone Mild has awarded me with the Beautiful Blogger award! I was so happy to receive such a sweet gesture from a fellow Chicago girl. Chicago Girl Gone Mild has become a frequent read indeed, and I urge you to stop by there if you haven't already, and pass my words of thank you along while you're there. :)

AND, the fantastic Bailey at Peppermint Bliss has bestowed the Sunshine Award onto CGC! This made an excruciating day at work melt away, to know I was someone's sunshine. Now if only the real sun would melt away this snow, eh?

Check back next week to see who I pass these lovely awards on to!



Now, off of me and onto you, my dear City Girl Chicago readers. Two quick things I wanted to remind you of this week:

Alaina at Live Creating Yourself is throwing a give-away that will make your heart flutter. A give-away for Chicago girls! To enter you must have a valid Chicago address, and leave a comment on her blog. Don't walk, run over to Live Creating Yourself now for the chance to win some fabulous home goods from West Elm.

Finally, you wouldn't think I'd forget to mention that TODAY marks the launch of the Official Chicago Restaurant week 2010! And it's not too late to make reservations (and c'mon a $22 prix fixe lunch and $32 prix fixe dinners, it'd be a shame not to!) You can view all of the participating restaurants (and link directly to their menus and reservations) on the Restaurant Week official site.



So there you have it, fun is in the air. I hope you all have a Happy Friday!

i-scream for ikat

With our move coming up in March, my mind often wanders these days to design ideas I lust for. I have been eyeing many an ikat pillow, and just can’t seem to choose which kind of ikat print to go with.

Bright & ethnic?

ginette1223

All about modernity

via bestillshop

Or price aside, how about any of the choices from the Madeline weinrib website?

Oversized?

via Williams-Sonoma

Serene green

via Ankasa

Metallic

via Ankasa

Ornate

via Ankasa

And what do you think of taking the plunge and doing an all-ikat chair?

via Urban Outfitters

via West Elm

via this next

A bit much? Or a cool touch?

Spiaggia: A city girl's report card, er, review

In grade school, even the kid at the head of the class gets a report card. Sure, it may be straight A’s, but the teacher’s comments usually lend insight to the parents just the same no? Today, I share with you the report card I give Spiaggia after our dinner there Saturday. Before reading, you must know that I am a discerning grader. I don't want you to think I am easy to please, dear readers - for I am most certainly not. I believe in bringing to you only the cream of the crop, my personal recommendations. You will never see me whining about this or that, because my policy does not allow me to do so. If I do not like it, I do not write about it. Simple as that, but so very important for you to understand.

In any case, I digress. Spiaggia has been regarded as “Chicago’s only four-star Italian dining destination” by Phil Vettel, and so of course I wanted to put this to the test of my own palate. In one word? Phenomenal, but please allow me to expand~

Ambiance – A (I’m sure an A+ in the summer!)

On the corner of Michigan Ave and Oak Street, the Spiaggia building juts out and has a perfect view of the lake. In the winter when the sun sets at 5:30 the view is of a black abyss (which I personally think is kind of cool), and just think of the view in the summer months!

We sat in a curved booth with a lovely view out the window. The décor lends itself to comfortable refinement. It’s swanky, with no component trying too hard. There are chic potted trees with thin trunks and bulbous heads, curving this way and that. Classic but cool. Warm tones, with silver accents, flickering candlelight in a cozy booth; I felt the romance.


Service – A+

If looking for a restaurant with exceptional service, come to Spiaggia. The serving staff was friendly, professional, yet unpretentious. They ensure you’re taken care of, and are quite personable while doing so. Our request for a picture was received with pleasure (and turned out cute right?), and our main server, Ernesto, was a true delight. It also doesn’t hurt that Tony himself was making the rounds, and stopped by to say hi (thanks Tony!)

Dinner – A+

When receiving words of recommendation from the head chef, go with it. Chef Mantuano told us black truffles were in season, and the menu had a common theme of dishes laced with black truffles. When he also said their wood burning oven was top notch, I had a much easier time narrowing down my choices. Which leads us to our selections for the evening:

My dinner:

ANTIPASTI
Wood-roasted diver scallop with crispy dewlap, hen of the woods mushrooms and Parmigiano Reggiano

PRIMI PIATTI
Potato gnocchi with ricotta sauce and Savini black truffles

SECONDI PIATTI
Wood-roasted Mediterranean snapper with baby artichokes, Pachino tomatoes, pine nuts and tarragon

Husband’s dinner:

ANTIPASTI
Wood-roasted pancetta wrapped rabbit loin and rabbit sausage with tomato, Taggiasca olives and fried sage

PRIMI PIATTI
Organic Acquerello risotto with Barolo wine, seared foie grasand Parmigiano Reggiano

SECONDI PIATTI
Duck breast lacquered with Sardinian asfodelo honey with duck sausage, garlic, rapini and creamy yellow polenta

I didn’t want my camera flash to disrupt other diner’s experience, so I didn't take pictures of each course even though I was dying to. My word will just have to suffice. Each course was divine. The wood-roasted scallop was out of this world. The gnocchi was melt-in-your-mouth delicious. My husband’s duck breast was the perfect combination of sweet and savory.

Wine – A

The wine list is plentiful and provides a fantastic variety. For those who haven’t broken the glass ceiling in their careers yet, suggest you (er, we) take a look at the wine list beforehand so there is no sticker shock. With that being said, the wine was delicious. The best I’ve had in a long while.

We selected a Nebbiolo red, a grape which is grown mostly in the Piedmont section of Italy. It was earthy and had a subtle finish of truffles, the perfect pairing with the truffle infused menu.

We also tried the Moscato D’Asti dessert wine, which was so refreshing, fruity, and lightly sparkling – the perfect accompaniment to my lavish dessert. Which brings me to...

Dessert – A

We should have known to share dessert, but our eyes grew bigger than our stomachs as we read the menu. The mascarpone tort was heavenly, and the one item I did manage to snap a picture of – observe:

My husband went with a selection of the house made gelati – chocolate, raspberry and pistachio – all rich and delicious just as gelati should be.


To sum it up?

Yes, Spiaggia is a "straight A" restaurant and should be applauded as such. I’d recommend Spiaggia to anyone looking for a special occasion dinner out, for the tastiest of Italian cuisine, for the most elegant of settings and incredible service. (Just save your pennies before you go, so you can splurge on what your heart desires)

The perfect place to celebrate my birthday this past weekend - a fantastic experience for us, a very magical evening indeed.

Buon Appetito!

Chicago Weekend Warrior: Meet Bonnie from Windshield Thinking!

With this weekend being Valentine's Day, I'm sure you all have plans set already (that is if you're trying to dine out at all, I sure hope you have a reservation by now!) But I think you're going to want to pocket this Weekend Warrior post for the next chance you get. Bonnie from Windshield Thinking has become somewhat of a blogger soulmate to me ~ she's one interesting, multi-faceted person, with keen ideas and a fastastic way of articulating herself. She is helpful and kind, and her writing is suburb. Check out Bonnie's blog for "photo teaser" Tuesday and then Writing Wednesday when she lays her thoughts down on paper, er screen. :)

Without further adieu, I give you Bonnie ladies and gents:


Favorite restaurant fit to bring a foodie: There are so many! Recently, I've been turned onto The Gage. (Wonderful menu, wine list, and the excellent service deserves a mention.) I always enjoy excellent sushi as well, and if you have a foodie who desires fine sushi with a bit of history, go to Kamehachi on Wells, Chicago's "first" sushi restaurant (opened in 1967.) The lounge upstairs is fun and funky, the sushi bar downstairs, more relaxed. The Kamehachi on Ontario has a more authentic Japanese atmosphere, filled with soft lighting, light wood, rocks and greenery. Happy coincidence is that my favorite roll is: The Chicago Roll.

Favorite place to imbibe: Wrigley Field! I have to say, it was the first place that came to mind. I wasn't a fan of baseball or beer (of any sort) until a day in the bleachers at Wrigley Field. Yes, sometimes this crowd can be a little rowdy and overly-expressive, (and/or under-dressed) but it's Chicago baseball and I'm going to say "an experience you won't soon forget." If you want a "quieter" Wrigley experience, the grandstand is family-friendly and just as wonderful place to have a beer, a dog and to take in a game. Summer in Chicago!

If it's not a game-day, and you are still up for a "game," there's a place I enjoy, Guthrie's Tavern where, if you can get past the sometimes more collegiate crowd playing Jenga...you will find many a board game & a brew to please you. (This place is reminiscent of a couple of pubs in London...a "local" feel that I really enjoy when the mood strikes me.)

Most loved romantic date night consists of: I'm torn! One date night I'll never forget is ice skating at Millenium Park, followed by a wonderful warm-up and dinner at Park Grill. That evening, we were up for a walk and so we continued north up Michigan Avenue. The city at night is so romantic if you can stand the chilliness. I can, by snuggling into my date! We discovered little gems along the way (like beautiful giant ornaments decorating an office building's lawn, just east of Michigan Ave on Lake.) We crossed the Michigan Avenue bridge (très romantique.) We walked all the way to, and all of, the Mag Mile. Window shopping at night with holiday lights is lovely. In summertime, equally romantic back at Millenium Park is enjoying a picnic of wine and cheese, leaning into each other while listening to the musical performance at Pritzer Pavilion. (I also call "romantic" going to theatre or a musical. There's something about sitting next to the person you love in a dark theatre, watching a live performance, letting yourself be transported by the magic of the stage. Chicago is the home of magical stages. The Goodman Theatre, The Chicago Theatre, The Cadillac Palace Theatre...to name just a few. Even seeing Brian Dennehy in Hughie/Krapp's Last Tape (Albert Theatre) this February is going to be romantic :) - yes, it is!)

Preferred place to shop fashion: Gifted with impeccable fashion sense, I am not. (If pressed, I will blame this on having to wear a Catholic school uniform during my formative years - I never learned how to mix-and-match!) There, I'm out of the closet (love it when puns work so well.) Anyway, I DO enjoy shopping, despite my challenges, so Michigan Avenue appeals to me. It has a wide variety of stores: Coach, Burberry, (too many to list...) and easy access to Nordstrom in a pinch.

Favorite place to shop for fun: Lush for luxury bath/beauty items (located in Macy's on Michigan Avenue) and for in-home design fun: The Merchandise Mart - 30 boutiques by LuxeHome. The Merchandise Mart itself is a wonderful place, knowing you are walking around the world's largest commercial building (four point two million gross square feet!)

Ideal place to shop food: For grocery I've always enjoyed visiting Treasure Island. For speciality, I've like the North Bridge shops where there Vosge's Chocolate (try the Bianca White Hot Chocolate while you're there) and Ta-Ze Olives and Olive Oil shop.

Best place to sightsee: I would begin at Buckingham Fountain...work north to Millennium Park, then head toward Navy Pier where you can pick up the boat for the Architecture Cruise (this tour is a "must see!", Shoreline Architecture Cruises is my preferred.) After that, a quick bite at Navy Pier (Bubba Gump's patio is a prime place for people-watching though can be a long wait), ride the ferris wheel if you're so inclined then grab a cab up to the Mag Mile, see the Old Water Tower and the shops at Water Tower Place. Walk around the outside of the Museum of Contemporary art or do some Michigan Avenue window shopping. Then to the lounge of the 95th floor of the Hancock for an early evening snack and cocktail, overlooking the sunset and beautiful city lights! If you want to sightsee into the night, check out The House of Blues at Marina Towers. For a great treat, there is Bin 36 (excellent wine list & domestic cheeses) and for an "only Chicago" experience, (if you are a baseball fan, especially) visit Harry Caray's for a late supper

Favorite way to enjoy Chicago Culture: Museums. Lately I've enjoyed just wandering around the The Chicago Cultural Center. It's between State Street and Michigan Avenue on Washington. Right across the street from Millennium Park. It's free and it has some wonderful ongoing exhibits, reading areas, and weekly free events. There's also a coffee shop/cafe. The interior of the building itself is amazing, including the recently restored Tiffany Dome. (Do visit the open studio at "Project Onward" on the first floor, where you'll find unique and affordable artwork by individuals who are either mentally or developmentally challenged. Their work is stunning.) I would be remiss if I didn't mention food! There's always a pizza involved and Giordano's has never disappointed. I also enjoy the neighborhoods, Little Italy (some favorites, all on Taylor Street: La Vita, The Rosebud, Francesca's) and Greektown, especially Athena, which has a fabulous patio, not to mention the food. (Chinatown is a little further south & east, and always a treat! Never have had a problem with parking and the food/specialty shopping is plentiful.)

Favorite way to enjoy a Chicago weekend:

Fri night - Sushi and wine - Randolph Street (Sushi Wabi & then flights at The Tasting Room.)

Saturday - Breakfast at The Twisted Spoke (to mix it up a little) and...definitely get a Bloody Mary, then a day at Oak Street Beach. It's so amazing, to me, looking up from the sand and seeing the Hancock building rising up behind the Drake Hotel. Then, a late-afternoon snack at foodlife in Water Tower. Home, shower and then dinner at The Devon Seafood Grill or Cafe Iberico (depending on your mood / Iberico is great w/a group!), followed by a late night at The Red Head. (Cocktails can be pricey but the entertainment - piano taking requests - is worth it. Check out the website for dress code/cover charges.)

Sunday - Brunch at Yolk (another option if Yolk is packed, which, it will be: Eleven City Diner on Roosevelt) then the museum of your choice!

My two favorite city guides: "Time Out Chicago 2010 Eating & Drinking" guide and "Knopf Mapguides Chicago."

So there you have it! Thanks Bonnie for being our Weekend Warrior ~ may you all have a terrific weekend and Valentine's Day!

Breaking news: Top Chef Masters Contestants announced and Tony Mantuano Trio Week

For those unfamiliar, Top Chef Masters is the sister show to the original Top Chef. Only the chefs on TCM are renowned chefs, and they compete for charity rather than a cash prize. For me, TCM is the perfect cooking competition. It’s really about the cooking, the technique, and the food.

And guess what? A personal fave, Tony Mantuano is on the list! (remember my posts here and here?) He will be competing against 21 other chef’testants, 6 of which are returning from Season One. You can see the full listing on the Entertainment Weekly press release.

Chicago’s very own Rick Bayless came out the winner of Top Chef Masters Season One, and I’d love to see another Chicago Chef take the hat in Season 2. I’m rooting for you Tony!

And guess what else? I just discovered the husband has planned an evening at Spiaggia for my birthday / Valentine’s day this weekend! For those who don’t know, Chef Mantuano is the Executive Chef and Partner of Spiaggia. Does life get any better? I’m a very happy, lucky girl.

I am just loving the trio of Tony Mantuano-related updates this week (A.K.A – the Mangia cooking class experience, announcement of Top Chef Masters, Spiaggia dinner) Loving it.

The new season will premiere on April 7, 2010. As they say on Bravo, “Watch what happens” ;)