Oct

16

The North Side’s Best Coffee

Filed Under Chicago, Dining, Gold Coast, Lakeview, Lincoln Park | Comments

Chicago may be best known for its Chicago-style hot dogs and deep dish pizza, but the Windy City can also brew an impressive cup of Joe as well.

In fact, the latest edition of the food and wine magazine Saveur highlights some of the best coffees in the world - and two of the top picks are Chicago-based brands (San Rafael Lot 1 from Metropolis Coffee Company and Hacienda La Esmeralda from Intelligentsia Coffee and Tea).

And if there’s anyone who appreciates good coffee it’s the Ames family. My own sister, fellow Realtor Nathalie Ames, founded her own coffee shop in Mesa, Colorado after finding the area to be nearly devoid of coffee venues. Now, in a place where the nearest Starbucks is 18 miles away, Mesa has a wonderful boutique coffee shop in Nathalie’s Blink Coffee.

Thankfully, here on Chicago’s North Side, one need not go to such extremes to get great coffee. In fact, even though Starbucks is still the most (in)famous name in town, there is still a rich offering of small chain and independent coffee shops here as well. Below are some that offer both the best ambience and the best coffee and tea.

9

The Fall Social Scene

Filed Under Chicago, Chicago Events, Dining, Family Events | Comments

It’s that time of year again. Soon, Chicago’s most important civic and cultural organizations will roll out the red carpet and we’ll open up our wallets - all for a night of entertainment and a good cause. The lineup of events this fall is pretty spectacular, and there is something for everyone. I encourage you to learn more about some of my favorite charities highlighted below. This list is by no means exhaustive, and I welcome you to comment with information about others.

Saturday, September 20^th - Botanical Ball

The Guild of the Chicago Botanic Garden is hosting the 10^th Annual Harvest Ball with cocktails starting at 5:30 p.m. and dinner and dancing at 7:30. One of Chicago’s most elegant charity events, this black tie gala is held in the romantic gardens of the Chicago Botanic Garden. There will be live and silent auctions. Projects funded by the Guild include the development of an outdoor learning campus including a children’s growing garden and activities designed to promote interest in the natural world. Tickets start at $400 each. For additional information, call (847) 835-6944.

Thursday, October 2nd - Antiques for the Animals

More than 100 of the world’s best dealers of antiques and fine art will be assembled for an exclusive Preview Night of the International Antiques Fair to benefit the Lincoln Park Zoo. Held on the 12^th floor of The Merchandise Mart from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., enjoy drinks, music and first dibs at the country’s premier antiques event. Tickets are $50 each, and can be purchased at www.merchandisemartantiques.com. (If you cannot attend the preview night, the fair is open October 3^rd through 6^th for a $15 general admission ticket.)

Friday, October 3^rd - Girls for Literacy

Sneak a peek at Michigan Avenue’s newest venue and join us for the open night celebration of American Girl Place to benefit the Chicago Public Library Foundation. Enjoy a night of private shopping, activities for girls, hors d’oeuvres, desserts and a silent auction. The festivities are from 5:00 until 9:00 p.m. in the brand new American Girl Store located in Chicago’s Water Tower Place. Tickets start at $150 per adult and $50 per child. To RSVP, call 1-877-AG PLACE. Reservations must be made by September 22.

Friday, October 3^rd - Once in a Lifetime

Enjoy three of the most beloved performers: Frederica Von Stade, Barbara Cook, and Dianne Reeves together in concert at the Chicago Humanities Festival’s Benefit Evening. The event will be held at Chicago’s Symphony Center and begins at 5:30 p.m. with cocktails followed by dinner at 6:30 and the performance at 8:30. The evening benefits the Chicago Humanities Festival, which promotes the study and enjoyment of the humanities through yearly events and programs. Tickets start at $500 and can be purchased at www.chfestival.org or by calling (312) 661-1028, ext. 16.

Saturday, October 4^th - Spectacular Science

The Museum of Science and Industry is celebrating 75 years of inspiration with their 2008 Annual Columbian Ball, a black tie gala entitled “Unbelievable!” Held at the museum, the evening starts with cocktails in the Rotunda at 6:00 p.m., followed by dinner and a live auction at 7:30, and dancing with the Stu Hirsch Orchestra at 9:30. Tickets start at $500 per person. For more information, call (773) 947-3730 or email denise.hicks@msichicago.org.

Monday, October 6^th - The Greatest Show on Earth

CircEsteem is a really neat organization. Their mission is to help children build their self-esteem through the practice of circus arts, and they have helped many children including disadvantaged kids to get off the street. Their 5^th Annual Benefit will be held on October 6^th from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Chicago Cultural Center at 78 E. Washington. This special night will include a performance by their Chicago Youth Circus, as well as a live auction and an opportunity to try to your shot at circus training. Tickets start at $100 per person.

Wednesday, October 22^nd - Movies for Kids

The 2008 Screen Gems Gala is in celebration of the 25^th anniversary of the Chicago International Children’s Film Festival. Mayor Daley and Chaz and Roger Ebert are honorary Chairs. The gala will be held at The Arts Club. For additional information, email Megan Rafferty at meganr@facets.org.

Saturday, November 8^th - A Milestone Gala in the City’s Newest Addition

In celebration of 35 years of service to The Art Institute of Chicago, The Auxiliary Board is hosting a “Studio Party” in the incredible new Modern Wing. Only a limited number of tickets are available for this sneak preview of the most intriguing new building in the Chicago cultural scene. Tickets start at $500 per person. For more information, call (312) 443-3674 or email bkanzer@artic.edu.

Saturday, November 15^th - Diamond Ball

The Associate Board of the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago is hosting their 10^th Annual Bearcat Ball. Proceeds benefit the RIC’s Pediatric Care Program, which provides rehabilitation treatment and equipment to children with disabilities. The event will take place at the Merchandise Mart and feature music by Super Diamond, the acclaimed Neil Diamond cover band. Doors open at 8:00 pm. Tickets start at $140 each and can be purchased at www.associateboard.org.

Saturday, December 13^th - Celebrity Performance for Diabetes Research

Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) will host their annual “Chance of a Lifetime” gala this year with a special performance by Steve Winwood. The inspirational evening will be held at McCormick Place Lakeside Center and Arie Crown Theater on December 13^th from 5:30 to 11:00 pm. This important event raises an extraordinary amount with the goal to help find a cure for this tragic disease. For more information, call (312) 670-0313 or visit www.jdrfillinois.org.

Friday, May 9, 2009 - The Modern Wing - Wow!

Save the Date! The Women’s Board of The Art Institute of Chicago will host the official opening of the new Renzo Piano masterpiece, the Modern Wing. Details will follow but you won’t want to miss this important Chicago celebration.

It is thanks to organizations like these that Chicago is a great place to “live and play.” Enjoy!

Aug

5

Where to Party in Chicago (For Ages 6 and Under)

Filed Under Chicago, Dining, Family Events, Gold Coast, Lakeview, Lincoln Park | Comments

Having young kids has definitely had an impact on my husband’s and my social life. (Social life? What social life?!) The energy we once spent planning elegant cocktail and multicourse dinner events has been redirected toward birthday parties for… well… babies and toddlers! Thankfully, there are some great venues for children’s birthday parties here in Chicago. Here are some of our favorites:

Fantasy Kingdom, located at 1422 N. Kingsbury (just west of Chicago’s Gold Coast), is far and away our favorite children’s birthday party venue. The facilities are well designed and the staff is service-oriented and eager to ensure your event is a success. You can drop your decorations, plates, goodie bags, etc. off in advance and they will have everything set up by the time you arrive. The layout flows well. There is a reception area (perfect for adults to hang out), a fully loaded play area, and a second play area for young babies. The main play area includes costumes, plastic vehicles, pretend rooms, forts with slides, and much more. After the kids run around, explore, discover, etc. in the play area, everyone shifts to a dining area that is outfitted with kid-sized tables as well as high chairs for babies. In the meantime, gifts are collected into a large red wagon and then transferred by the Fantasy Kingdom staff to your car. This venue is perfect for a first birthday right on up through about 6 years old. It can hold a large group but still feels intimate. Private and semi-private options are available.

My Gym, another good option, is located at 1880 W. Fullerton just west of Lincoln Park. Here the emphasis is on physical activity with a neat variety of gymnastic, climbing, jumping, sliding, and swinging equipment. The My Gym staff offered a nice blend of free play combined with organized special activities like circle time stories and taking turns riding the custom swings. Similar to Fantasy Kingdom, the kids take a break for cake; here the changing area is reconfigured and the kids are seated in a single file row which is not quite as nice as sitting around tables (and it does not work for babies).

Windy City Fieldhouse, where we hosted a third birthday party, is located at 2367 W. Logan Boulevard (just west of Lincoln Park). The party was held in a large gym loaded with balls, jump ropes, wheeled carts, and a lot of other fun stuff. The staff attempted to organize some group activities but the space is too big and the kids were too wild to participate. Our gym play was followed by cake upstairs. This aspect of the party was disappointing, as they are just not equipped for a children’s event. There was no advance set up, the tables and chairs are adult sized (too big for toddlers), there was no designated place to collect gifts or layout goodie bags for guests, and when it came time to serve the cake, they did not even have a knife (we struggled to cut our birthday cake with a plastic fork). Unlike Fantasy Kingdom and My Gym where the staff took care of everything, we cut and served the cake ourselves as the staff watched. When the party was over, the staff piled all the gifts into garbage bags, mixing up the gifts and the corresponding cards. There is no doubt the kids had a blast and the gym is pretty amazing, but as parents, we walked away feeling a bit annoyed.

The Kids’ Table is a creative venue that was recommended to me by Kai Schirmacher (Vice President of Residential Sales for my real estate team at Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage) and his wife Amanda. They recently hosted a second birthday party for their daughter here. The party was essentially a group cooking experience for children. The party started with each child decorating their own chef’s hat. They then got to make their own individual-sized birthday cake- from scratch. While the cakes were in the oven, they make fresh-squeezed lemonade and fruit sculptures. After the cakes had cooled, the kids decorated their cakes and ate them. The venue is not too big - perfect for an intimate group. If your kids tire of the real thing, there is also a pretend kitchen loaded with wooden food and cooking equipment standing by!

Finally, if you prefer to host your child’s birthday party at home, then I strongly suggest you consider a “pool party.” We recently attended a first birthday party complete with a water table and two different sized wading pools. The hosts had plenty of baby block, pool diapers and towels on hand. In addition to buckets and bubbles, they provided large professional paint brushes so the kids could “paint” the deck with water. It was a big hit.

Regardless of where you plan to hold your child’s party, there are a few resources that you should know about.

Invitations. I frequent two venues for all my stationary and invitation needs: A Marvelous Party at 2121 N. Clybourn and All She Wrote at 825 W. Armitage. Both offer a superior array of paper goods, but Marvelous Party is a little more service-oriented and you can park for free in the lot shared by Treasure Island Grocery. If you live in the Gold Coast or plan to shop on Michigan Avenue, you might also try The Watermark at 34 E Oak Street. Nancy Gross, the owner of this intimate stationary boutique, is very knowledgeable and service-oriented.

Cupcakes and Cake. Sweet Mandy B’s located at 1208 W. Webster in the heart of Lincoln Park is an old fashioned bakery that draws huge crowds and rave reviews. Their cupcakes are an icon, although they also bake great cakes and cookies. Sweet Mandy B’s will bring out the kid in anyone, regardless of age. My other favorite Chicago bakery (and definitely my first choice as a source for cakes, chocolate, cookies or pastries for adult events) is the House of Fine Chocolate. This third generation family bakery is located in Lakeview on Broadway.

Party Favors. If you are the sort of person who plans ahead, be sure to check out Oriental Trading. They offer an incredibly diverse array of party favors, decorations, and much more!

Enjoy, and be sure to comment with your own favorite venues.

Aug

5

Eating Green in the City

Filed Under Chicago, Chicago Events, Dining, Gold Coast, Lakeview, Lincoln Park, Shopping | Comments

This past week, I had the pleasure of attending an event where I heard Alice Waters speak. Alice is the founder of the Chez Panisse Foundation, a not-for-profit with the mission of promoting “edible education.” Specifically, the Foundation is seeking to change school lunch programs and improve the way we care for the health of our children, our communities and our environment.

The main point Alice raised was her concern over the poor diet that Americans - particularly our children - are adopting. Low quality, highly processed foods are increasingly dominating our meal plans and taking a toll on our health as well as the environment and local economies. Furthermore, the drive-thru dinner is steadily eroding the tradition of the family sit-down meal. Alice summed up this new lifestyle with a bumper sticker she had recently seen: “If we are what we eat, I’m fast, cheap, and easy.”

As a mother raising three children, I was struck by Alice’s presentation. Finding healthier food and the time to prepare “traditional” dinners is an ongoing challenge. Between our hectic work schedules, a desire to squeeze in some exercise, and spending quality time with our kids, my husband and I have minimal time to shop and prepare homemade meals. Dining out or “dialing for dinner” (aka ordering carryout) is a tempting option in a city like Chicago, but as a daily habit, it can be expensive and fattening.

The good news is that - fueled by the organic movement, a new emphasis on buying local, and an increasing desire to eat healthier - more “green” food options are sprouting up in Chicago. Some are more practical than others (raising chickens in backyards being on the ambitious side), but increasingly, there are many tempting options for those looking to buy healthy, local food.

Perhaps greatest among these options are the many Chicago farmers markets. These markets bring more than 70 vendors selling fruits, vegetables, plants, flowers, and canned and baked goods to sites across the city. Most markets take place once a week, but several, including the Green City Market, are open more often.

As a Realtor, I am out on appointments seven days a week. Whenever possible, I try to swing by a farmer’s market between appointments. Just last Saturday, I squeezed in enough time to purchase an armful of corn on the cob as well as Michigan fruit and the ingredients for ratatouille. Saturday night, I cooked and organized and we have been enjoying the fruits of my labor (no pun intended) ever since.

For the epitome of local flavor, the City Farm sells produce grown right in the city on a garden lot at 1204 N. Clybourn. Its crops are often used by local restaurants including the Ritz-Carlton Dining Room.

Of course, the farmers markets are only a seasonal occurrence, which is where storefront markets come in. There are many organic grocers in the city, foremost among which is the Whole Foods Market chain. A portion of their selection is local (defined as shipped from no more than seven hours away), but by definition, out of season products and those that simply won’t grow in Chicago (bananas and pineapples come to mind) arrive from elsewhere. In addition to their six Chicago locations, Whole Foods hosts organic and sustainable cooking classes offsite including two upcoming classes at the Lincoln Park Zoo Farm House this month.

Chicago is home to numerous organic grocers including Newleaf Natural Grocery and True Nature Foods, as well as countless organic juice bars and green-minded restaurants. Sola Restaurant is hosting an organic five-course dining event, their First Annual Green Harvest Dinner, at 6:30 pm on August 11^th.

Of course, if you’d rather cut out the middleman altogether, you can look into planting your own backyard garden, joining a neighborhood garden, or growing produce on a terrace or in a planter box.

The appeal of green food may be coasting on a bit of extra hype these days, but with real benefits in health and taste, it’s not something to dismiss lightly. Plus, if the experience of buying, growing, and cooking green can enrich the lives of you and your family, who can say “no”?

To find the major farmers markets and organic grocers on the North Side, consult the map below. Green markers denote farmers markets and blue ones denote organic grocers. Click the markers to view locations and dates.

View Larger Map

Oct

16

The North Side’s Best Coffee

Sep

9

The Fall Social Scene

Aug

5

Where to Party in Chicago (For Ages 6 and Under)

Aug

5

Eating Green in the City

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