Latest posts from our Chicago expert:
Best of Spring in Chicago: Farmers' Markets
Pizza might one of Chicagoans' favorite foods, but come spring, fresh vegetables and fruits from the city's farmers' markets take the spotlight.
Pretty much any day of the week, you will find a farmers' market in Chicago where locals go for lunch or to pick up fresh produce, as well as organic meats, cheeses, breads, and fresh flowers. The Green City market on Wednesday mornings in Lincoln Park is also a great spot for breakfast, with coffee and fresh baked goods and breakfast egg sandwiches.
A couple of my favorite farmers' markets include:
Green City Market - Wednesdays and Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. - 1750 N. Clark St. - http://www.chicagogreencitymarket.org/. Named as one of America's best farmers' markets by USAToday. Sells loads of organic produce, meats and cheeses. Free cups of coffee. Cooking demonstrations to improve your culinary skills from some of Chicago's top chefs (and speaking of "top chefs" - Green City is the market where contestants from Bravo's Top Chef Chicago had one of their challenges). Come fall, the market is my favorite place to get a pumpkin. If you happen to go this Saturday, May 17th, at 9 a.m. the market is hosting a rally to support sustainable farming and their 10th anniversary.
Daley Plaza - Tuesdays from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. - 50 W. Washington St. - http://www.chicagofarmersmarkets.us/. Prime location - right in downtown Chicago. Great spot for lunch, and great people watching.
A new market opened near the Sears Tower at 233 S. Wacker and is on Thursdays from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. I have not had a chance to check it out yet, but heard they will be selling ice cream. Great treat on a hot summer day.
That's Amore - Pizza, Chicago Style
A recent trip to Tuscany, Italy really got me in the mood for pizza, and now that I am back in Chicago, I will for sure be stopping by some of my favorite pizza places (if not only to relive my fabulous time in the land of Amore). When your travels take you to the Windy City, use this list as your guide to pizza bliss.
Lou Malnati's - In the heart of Lincoln Park, this local favorite is known for its homemade, buttery crust on its deep dish pies, which is as good to eat as the pizza's spicey sausage, homemade tomatoe sauce and gooey cheese (yes, cheese and sausage is a good choice when ordering from Lou Malnati's). And, if you like the pizza so much, you can order it and have it sent to your home anywhere in the U.S. Call 1-800-LOU-TO-GO. http://www.loumalnatis.com/
Bricks Chicago - As a neighbor of Bricks Chicago, I am partial to this pizza joint, located in a cellar in the bottom of a brownstone building in Old Town. The pizza is thin crust and addictive. Be sure to try Bricks Chicago on Tuesday night for half-priced bottles of vino. http://www.brickspetaluma.com/chicago/index.html
Trattoria Roma - I have blogged about this Italian restaurant before, but I would not be doing justice to a list of great Chicago pizza places without mentioning this restaurant, which has an ambience that feels like the restaurant just got off the boat from Sicily. My recommendations are the margarita pizza or the proschetta and arugula. http://www.trattoriaroma.com/tr.htm
The Original Gino's East - A local tradition for deep dish pizza. The wait can be long but well worth it as deep dish pizza from Gino's East really does not get any better.
Chicago's Pizza - My favorite place for calzones, especially the pepporoni. Chicago's Pizza has locations in Chicago for takeout of slices. The location on Lincoln Avenue has a dining area. And, if you are hungry late night, Chicago's Pizza delivers until 5 a.m. everyday. http://www.chicagos-pizza.com/
The Art of Pizza - I first learned of The Art of Pizza after seeing its deep dish pies delivered to my condo building over 10 times in one week. Either my neighbors are really hungry or they just know good pizza. One unique feature of The Art of Pizza: cheese-stuffed crust.
Great Ways to Get to Know Chicago on Foot
Spring has finally arrived in Chicago. After a nearly 30-degree night this past Tuesday at Wrigley Field (It really felt like winter was never going to leave.), this weekend finally boast sunny skies and warmer temperatures, which got me in the mood to be outside. One of the best ways to get to know Chicago is by walking it. The city is super clean, manageable to get around, and looks rather beautiful in the spring with thousands of tulips blooming in Grant Park, gardens growing in front of the Lincoln Park Zoo, and boating on Lake Michigan. Below is a guide to some of Chicago's best walking tours (in my opinion, of course).
Chicago native Terry Sullivan does private and personalized walking tours (http://www.walkchicagotours.com/) called Walk Chicago. Tours include Public Art in the Loop, Wrigley Field, and Chinatown, among others. Costs range from $25 to $40 per person based on the tour's length - two to four hours.
The City of Chicago puts on several tours throughout the year including a Summertime Sampler Tour (3 hours; $20) that covers three unique Chicago neighborhoods (Greektown, Little Italy, Ukranian Village and more). (http://www.chicagoneighborhoodtours.com/summertimeSampler/index.html). The city also does special interest tours such as Chicago's Magnificient Churches and the Great Cemeteries of Chicago (approximately 4.5 to 5.5 hours; $50). (http://www.chicagoneighborhoodtours.com/specialInterest/index.html)
Chicago Food Planet offers food and cultural walking tours (http://www.chicagofoodplanet.com/) where you admire the city's history and architecture while sampling some of its famous ethnic foods and food shops (think deep dish pizza and fudge). Tours are approximately 3.5 hours and cost $40.
The Chicago History Museum (http://www.chicagohistory.org/planavisit/upcomingevents/tours/exploring-the-city) does two-hour walking tours of some of Chicago's famous neighborhoods such as the Gold Coast and Lincoln Park. The tours are free if you buy a Go Chicago card, which gets you into many city attractions for free or at a discounted price. A one-day card is $55. (http://store.smartdestinations.com/go-chicago-card/gocardGoCHI.html)
See Chicagos' famous skyscrapers and modern architecture on one of the Chicago Architecture Foundation's walking tours. (http://www.architecture.org/tour_view.aspx?TourID=73) The price is cheap - just $15 for two hours. They also have Happy Hour tours Monday through Friday at 5:30 p.m. that include a free drink at a local bar. Price is only $1 more than the regular tour - so really cheap! (http://www.architecture.org/tour_view.aspx?TourID=135)
Cinco de Mayo Chicago Style
Cinco de Mayo is probably one of my favorite holidays. It's a liitle under the radar, yet gaining momentum, and it is all about margaritas, mariachi bands and good Tex-Mex. Each year I am seeing more and more restaurants and bars in Chicago celebrating this FUN holiday, which should become a national holiday in my humble opinion.
For those who appreciate $1.50 Coronas then join in on the first-ever Cinco de Mayo Pub Crawl that starts at Brownstone Tavern & Grill (5 p.m. sharp) and goes onto Gaslight Bar & Grille, Kirkwood Bar & Grille, Sidebar Grille, WestEnd and ends at Schoolyard Tavern & Grill. There will be a free trolley that takes you to each bar, or you can crawl you way through. : ) Be sure to get your crawl "passport" stamped at each place for a chance to win a Cancun vacation. Call the Brownstone Tavern & Grille for more information: 773-528-3700.
After the Pub Crawl, head to Adobo Grill, which I have written about before, for the city's best margarita, which in honor of Cinco de Mayo will only be $5 Friday and Saturday from 5:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. and then comes with a mariachi band on Monday (for the "real" Cinco de Mayo) from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Kentucky Derby!
It's that time of year and Chicago's Arlington Park horse race track opens this Friday. Arlington Park is THE place to go for horse racing. Think the Triple Crown right in Chicago! On Friday, the race track opens at 9:30 a.m. and the live race is at 2:30 p.m. That day also launches the park's summer Friday parties with Miller Lite. Then on Saturday the track will be attempting to throw the world's largest Kentucky Derby party. There will be horse races throughout the day and simulcasts of the Triple Crown races including the Kentucky Derby at 5 p.m., and, of course, lots of Mint Julep and a "hat parade." Also, the first 4,000 paid guests will receive an Official Kentucky Derby Glass. The first simulcast race will be 10 a.m. and the first live race will be at 1 p.m.
Arlington Park is easy on the pocket - only $7 to enter either day and $6 if you buy online - although betting can make it expensive. www.arlingtonpark.com/
Arlington Park
2200 W. Euclid
847-385-7500
Web Site
Chicago is THE Home of Blues
Word just came in that legendary blues guitarist Buddy Guy will be honored during a special concert in Chicago's Millennium Park (Michigan Avenue between Randolph and Monroe streets) on July 20 at 8 p.m. Blues guitarist Jimmie Vaughn will headline the event. The concert is free. There is opening seating in the pavillon area or lawn seating, which is what I prefer as you can bring food and drinks and turn it into a picnic.
I have seen Buddy Guy in concert before at this blues restaurant called Buddy Guy's Legends (754 S Wabash Ave.). He traditionally plays there every January. (Tip: the restaurant serves some of the city's best BBQ so worth going even if Buddy is not in town.) I was mesmorized by Buddy's music. He is one of the best blues guitarists I have ever seen so definitely take advantage of this free concert in July.
Summer in Chicago
Chicago is finally coming alive after one of the hardest winters we have had in a while. And, bar none, Chicago is one of the most exciting and lively cities in the summer. Boating on Lake Michigan; North Avenue Beach turns into a beach voileyball scene that gives California's Hermosa Beach a run for its money; and outdoor street festivals nearly every weekend. Entry fees area usually reasonable between $5 and $10. Tip: The fees aren't mandatory so you can refuse to pay them. While each festival has its own vive, the makeups are pretty much the same: bands, beer and food.
Some of my favorite festivals include:
May Fest; May 16-18; Ashland and Barry aenues; Local favorite band Mike & Joe take the stage on the 18th at 8 p.m.
Belmont/Sheffield Music Festival; May 31 - June 1; Sheffield and Belmont Avenues; Band lineup to be announced.
Old Town Art Fair; Well Street ; June 14 - 15; Traditional art fair with art vendors lining the streets; festival also has nightly bands.
Taste of Randolph; June 20 - 22; Randolph and Peoria streets; food from area restaurants, wine garden, bands.
Old St. Pat's World's Largest Block Party; July 18 - 19; Madison Street and Des Plaines Avenue; this festival's claim to fame is that more people meet their future husband or wife at it than at any other festival, and while this festival is thrown by a Catholic church, expect a lot of beer, brats and music. You do need to buy tickets, which cost about $35.
Venetian Night; July 26; Monroe Harbor; In my opinion, Venetian Night fireworks are better than the Fourth of July ones. Fireworks start at 9:30 p.m.
Taste of Lincoln Avenue; July 26 - 27; Fullerton and Lincoln avenues; Food from local restaurants; numerous stages with bands ranging from blues to hard rock.
Taste of Greece; August 23 - 24; Greektown; Worth going to at night for dinner where local Greek restaurants sell some of their best dishes.
For a complete lists of festivals, check out: http://chicago.metromix.com/events/article/chicago-festival-guide-2008/339943/content