Local Expert
Lisa Davis
I am a Chicagoan through and through. I live in the Old Town area of the city with a view of Lake Michigan and Lincoln Park Zoo (well, the zoo's petting zoo to be precise - better view anyway than the…
I am a Chicagoan through and through. I live in the Old Town area of the city with a view of Lake Michigan and Lincoln Park Zoo (well, the zoo's petting zoo to be precise - better view anyway than the main zoo because it includes a beautiful lagoon with trees and flowers). Neighbors include Second City where the great John Belushi and Chris Farley used to perform, as well as Chicago's #1 Sunday night spot Stanley’s (because of the live karaoke) where you will see Michael Jordan when he is in town. I am a Cubs season ticket holder (sorry White Sox fan), Pilates instructor, beach volleyball fanatic (Yes, Chicago's North Ave. Beach looks just as good as any beach in southern California; in the summer, of course.) and marathon runner (This year's Chicago Marathon will be my fifth.). I am also a highly respected and trusted editor and writer who has worked and written for such publications as Working Woman, Reader’s Digest, Chicago Tribune, Spa, New Haven Register, UR Chicago, About.com, and most recently as editor of Frequent Flyer magazine. I created and published a book called Mileage Pro: The Insider’s Guide to Frequent Flyer Programs, which was ranked by U.S. News & World Report as one of the top ways to improve your travels in 2006. I am considered an expert in business and luxury travel (and Chicago of course) including spas, hotels, airlines, destinations, golf and frequent flyer programs. Sought after for this expertise, I have appeared on Fox News, CNBC, ABC, to name a few, and in numerous national press articles, including The Washington Post, USAToday and The New York Times. I am a correspondent for a Sirius Radio travel show and am the creator and author of a spa and hotel column called Travel Well on Justsaygo.com.
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Reminder: Especially for hockey fans (even for Cubs fans) - the Chicago Blackhawks are playing at Wrigley Field tomorrow, Jan. 1, 2009 - against the Detroit Red Wings for the Winter Classic game. You can still get tickets, although it will cost you a pretty penny - $200 and up per ticket. Or enjoy the game a cheaper way watching it from a jumbo-size TV inside any of the Wrigley Field bars, such as Murphy's Bleackers (3655 N. Sheffield) , Casey Moran's (3660 N. Clark St.), The Cubby Bear (1059 W. Addison) , and more. Sheffield's (3258 N. Sheffield) will also be having pre-game festivities that include breakfast and beers - breakfast includes breakfast quesadillas, steak and eggs, breakfast burritos, pulled pork hash and pancakes.
Here is some info. on tomorrow's game from the NHL:
The NHL announced that the Chicago Blackhawks will host the NHL Winter Classic 2009 at Wrigley Field on January 1, 2009 at noon CT.
The NHL Winter Classic 2009 will be the second regular-season outdoor NHL game played in the United States (the Buffalo Sabres hosted the Pittsburgh Penguins at Ralph Wilson Stadium last New Year's Day) and the third regular-season outdoor game in League history (the Edmonton Oilers hosted the Montreal Canadiens at Commonwealth Stadium Nov. 22, 2003).
Sometimes making your New Years Eve plans can be last minute - waiting to see what all is going on and what all of your options are. Here are some interesting options from Metromix.com that won't break the bank:
Dick's Last Resort (315 N. Dearborn St.) - Enjoy the bank 80s Proof at this old favorite's 20th annual bash in its new Marina City digs. Arrive before 8 p.m., and they'll wave the $10 cover. Includes champagne toast and party favors. Cash bar. Reservations are not needed.
Ring in '09 at the Deleece Grill Pub (3313 N. Clark St.) with a midnight PBR toast and a four-course meal Beer pairings are $15. Seatings are at 5:30 p.m.-midnight Bar open until 2 a.m. Reservations are recommended.
It's rare you find a five-course meal for less than $50, but you will at Jerry's (4740 N. Western Ave. ) in Wicker Park. The sandwich spot pulls it off with prices that include a glass of Chateau Jiahu, a bubbly beer from Dogfish Head brewery; an optional flight of 6-ounce pairings is only $12.Seatings are at 6:30-7 p.m. and 9:30-10 p.m.; bar open until 2 a.m. Reservations are recommended.
The DANK-Haus (4740 N. Western Ave.) gets penny-minded for its New Year's Eve bash featuring punk-rock-polka outfit The Polkaholics. The party will set you back just $4.99. Snacks, beer and bubbly are for sale - such as pretzels ($2), liters of BBK ($11) and bottles of Kupferberg Gold ($20) and Henkell Trocken ($15). Party starts at 8 p.m.
Watch a different type of ball drop at the Lincoln Square Lanes (4740 N. Western Ave.) for their third annual bowling bash, plus pizza, DJ Bubbles Sanchez and funny films. Drink specials include $3 domestic beers and $4 shots. 9 p.m. $20-$25.
If you are looking for one of the few places in Chicago that does not charge a cover nor have hefty drink prices for New Years Eve, check out the Anti-New Years Eve party at Wells on Wells Bar - 1617 N. Wells, 312.944.1617. They promise:
- No purchasing tickets to get inside.
- No expensive drink packages.
- No fancy attire required.
- No silly hats or horns.
The bar is a great place for a burger and fries - one of the better burgers in the city - I had one last week. They also serve what are called Wells "Minis" - bite-sized cheeseburgers, pulled pork, sloppy joes, etc., as well as all the essential bar food creations like wings, chicken tenders, etc. The atmosphere is sort of like an Irish pub - no frills - just good food and drinks and down-to-earth patrons.
Shopping on Michigan Avenue is a huge "Chicago must" at the holidays. Equally as popular are the shops on Rush Street - just a few blocks west of the Magnificent Mile. With all the shopping to do, especially this corming week and next week with all the sales, few things will get your appetite going than a long day of "shopping till you drop." One of my favorite "shopping" restaurants is conveniently located right between Michigan Avenue and Rush Street - RL - yes, as in Ralph Lauren - his only restaurant in the country at 115 E Chicago Avenue. I what I like best about the restaurant is that it feels like a place that should be really expensive with its crisp white linen table cloths, expensive paintings on the walls, and incredible service - the servers don't miss a beat and are extremely hospitable, but instead is an affordable eatery for "lunch for two" without breaking the bank (prices for lunch range from $7 to $34). I have eaten at RL several times over the years and the service and food have always been consistently good. I highly recommend their Bloody Marys, as well as their Spinach Salad with Amish blue cheese and a very tasty balsamic vinaigrette; their RL Burger with seasoned sirloin (which is one of the best burgers in the city in my opinion - I had one just this past week); and their Lobster Club with apple wood-smoked bacon and truffle mayonnaise. You won't be disappointed with their Crème Brule that goes nicely with a cup of coffee to end the meal before hitting the stores one last time - you can even go next door to the Ralph Lauren store, which is connected to the restaurant - a great way to dine and shop and escape the Artic-blast cold weather Chicago is experiencing right now.
I have blogged about one of great Chicago Christmas traditions of ice skating at Millennium Park. If you do make it over to the outdoor rink, be sure to check out Tavern at the Park, 130 E. Randolph, and try one of their winter cocktails. The cocktails are all handmade include the bar's signature drink, the $199 Cloud Gate martini made with Grey Goose La Poire vodka and champagne in a martini glass and rimmed with edible silver, and garnished with a sterling silver Elsa Peretti "Bean" pendant necklace - to honor the famous "Bean" in Millennium Park that reflects the city's skyline. A little easier on the wallet is the Veev-a Le Tavern! ($11) with Veev acai berry spirit, Crown Royal and Tuaca Italian liqueur with homemade sour mix and muddled green apples and the Grandma's Chocolate Judo Chop ($12) - hot chocolate with Grand Marnier and Hungarian paprika. You might also want to sip on the Mint Condition, Part II ($11) with Effen Raspberry vodka and Cointreau, muddled with raspberries, mint and soda water.
As an FYI if you want to also have lunch or dinner at Tavern Park, the restaurant serves food Monday through Thursday from 11:00 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday from 11:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.; and Saturday from 2 to 10:30 p.m., and is closed on Sundays. www.tavernatthepark.com/