restaurants

Chicago had thousands of people ready to start a revolution this weekend, and I’m not just talking about the NATO Summit! Saturday, May 19th was celebrity Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution Day, a global event that took place in 488 cities around the world!

Love crawfish? Love Louisiana? Love a good time? Well, you’re in luck! It’s that time of year again when the Louisiana Bayou comes to Lincoln Park! McGee’s Tavern & Grille is hosting their 23rd Annual Headsucker’s Ball; Chicago’s nal crawfish boil. Over 2,000 lbs. of crawfish, straight from the Louisiana Bayou, will be boiled with McGee’s secret blend of spices and herbs, corn, Andouille sausage and red potatoes. For just $20 in advance, ($25 at the door for you more spontaneous folks), you can enjoy all-you-can-eat crawfish, red beans & rice, gumbo and jambalaya! Also look for drink specials throughout the day, because who doesn’t need a cold one to wash down all those crawfish?

After a night of dining out and hitting the clubs, you might feel like you’ve gained 10 pounds. Worry no longer, because parties should be fun, not fattening, Skinny Socials’ philosophy! Skinny Socials, founded by Karen Bobos in 2012, is Chicago’s go-to-guide for a healthy, fun lifestyle.

The Wieners Circle has been my fav go to places to enjoy w/ friends (like me & Jude Law above) since I was in 5th grade!  Born & raised 3blks away, I remember walking w/my fam or friends once a week to rent VHS tapes next door, and I always got a cheddar cheese fry & chardog to go!  Back then they didn't scream obnoxious profanities at customers who love it like they do now, but their food hasn't changed a bit and is still the best!  That killer combo of great food & entertainment (or abuse) is probably why they just landed their own reality TV show that premieres tonight on Tru TV at 9 p.m.! Support & watch it!

CHICAGO – On February 26, co-hosts Richard Roeper & Billy Dec will hold their 2nd Annual Oscar Viewing Party. Guests will test their movie knowledge by putting their ballot predictions up against Richard and Billy for a chance to win fabulous prizes while hearing their commentary live throughout the telecast.

There’s no better way to spend your Saturday than basking in beer samples & treats… for FIVE hours. Next Saturday, January 21^st from 2-7 pm the Chicago “Brew Ho Ho” event is going down. For just $20 at the door you get 10 beer sample tickets & 5 treat tickets and a sample of Angel’s Envy bourbon. Everyone’s invited but you must RSVP@brewhoho.com at which time you’ll receive an email confirmation with the location of the event.

I heard the news on the radio.  Taste of Chicago is going to be revamped (again) for 2012.  The Taste will be chopped from 10 days to 5, and moved from the 4^th of July week to mid-July (July 11-15 to be exact).  I had always thought that the excitement from the Taste came from its grand proportions – of food, music and crowds. Yes, I said it, the crowds.  The immense, hungry crowds walking their way into Grant Park, bibs tied on to catch the drool, in anticipation of sampling the flavors that make Chicago the dining capital of the world!  The Taste was the thing to do leading up to the 4^th of July.

I moved to Illinois from New Jersey a month ago with big plans of starting my young life in Chicago. Almost every day a Chi-town veteran asks me one question, why Chi? You would think that having been so close to New York City I would get sucked into its gravitational pull, but no, I found asweet escape from those filthy streets. Coming from the NYC area few peoplerealize how delightfully overrated NYC truly is. Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not knocking my tri-state, but I certainly had a few clear reasons to leave the city that never sleeps for its Midwestern equivalent. Here are my top ten reasons to move to Chicago!

‘Tis the season for holiday parties and sippin’ on spirits - but it is also a great time to give to those in need during this Holiday Season. Here is your chance to combine the two! From December 13-18 at Marigold, a unique Indian restaurant in Chicago’s Uptown neighborhood, they will donate 25% of its sales from customers who take one of two simple steps to show that they are supporters of Care For Real.

I can’t believe this is the 20th anniversary of Green Tie Ball! I remember when I was graduating college and wanted to get involved in one charity that I knew could allow me to make a difference. I had always heard the best party of the year was called Green Tie Ball, so I did my research and found it was so much more than that I had to get involved.