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The inside of P.O.S.H., taken from their website
If Williams-Sonoma had a cool cousin that was into vintage home and kitchenware and always had her own unique style, then P.O.S.H., located at 613 N. State Street, would be her! If you are crazy about your home/kitchen like I am, then you will be delighted by the rare and interesting finds P.O.S.H. has to offer.
The warm, French-feeling store greets you with an array of old hotel silver, bright hostess aprons and an array of flatware, serveware and accessories that would make any house feel more like home. Where else can you find an adorable line of sunny yellow French gnome serveware or Laughing Cow tea towels from France? Campy stuff aside, P.O.S.H. has a lot of sophisticated and charming items that are reasonably priced and will set you apart from the rather sterile, picture-from-a-magazine look your IKEA crap will give you.
Right now, I am really excited for these delicate Amelie dessert plates that are just too cute for words. I love baking cupcakes, and the spring cupcakes I am about to bake will look gorgeous on these rosy French plates, adorned with fleurs-de-lis.
Dev xx
Okay, I lied. Ebert did not give Exchequer’s pizza two thumbs up, he gave it four stars then declared it one of his four favourite pizza places in all of Chicago. Exchequer Restaurant & Pub, at 226 S. Wabash Ave., is conveniently tucked behind the Symphony Center on Michigan Avenue right next to the Adams/Wabash El Station.
From the outside, Exchequer looks like a regular pub with a plain green awning that boasts of its four star pizza and ribs since 1969. 1969 is actually not that old, but what the sign does not tell you is that the building, long before it was Exchequer, was a speakeasy in the 1920s that was frequented by Al Capone. (You can find more information on the interesting history of Exchequer, as well as some pictures of it, here!)
After many years of renaming and remodeling, 226 Club/The Wonder Bar/Browns/Exchequer finally came to be in 1969.
If the outside does not let on to Exchequer’s rich history, all you have to do is take one step inside the heavy wooden door to experience its vintage charm.
If you do not look carefully, Exchequer’s interior will resemble the inside of a Ruby Tuesday. Nearly every inch of wall space is covered with framed items that can feel a little overwhelming and chavvy.
Like Ruby Tuesday’s, it has a feel of nostalgic prefab to it: old movie posters, signed celebrity memorabilia and sentimental advertisements are just some of the things you will see.
But look closer and you can find some gems among the forced sentimental drabness. There are several old photos of an old Wabash Avenue, a few handwritten notes from well-known Chicagoans to the owners and a really hot cardboard cutout of Marilyn Monroe on the door to the ladies’ room (I had to slip that in!). :-)
You might be wrinkling your nose in distaste, but I swear that once your deep dish pizza arrives, you are likely to forget the décor. Once Exchequer finally became Exchequer in `69, the deep dish pizza became an instant favourite and is one of the restaurant’s most popular items.
And for good reason.
Unlike the deep dish pizza at Chicago’s or Giordano’s, Exchequer does not finish its deep dish off with a layer of sauce on top. Instead, it drapes a thick layer of lightly salty mozzarella over some of the biggest chunks of meat and vegetables that I have ever seen in a pizza…ever. Tim and I ordered a small (10″) deep dish with cheese, sausage, bacon, mushrooms and green peppers that rendered three big slices for each of us – believe me, a small pizza will easily fill up two very hungry people.
When it arrived, it was hard for me to imagine what it was going to taste like. I rather like the thick, pasty tomato sauce infused with basil and a dash of oregano that smothered the other pizza slices I have had: the sauce makes it sweet and rich with a slightly acerbic taste. Exchequer, on the other hand, does not use the pizza as a sauce delivery system. No. They instead incorporate everything that people love about pizza in a slice that is perfectly balanced.
A thick, flaky crust is drizzled with a fresh tomato sauce, with chunks of real tomato and the watery tomato juices. You would think this would make it soggy, but it does not. What it does is deletes the sugar from the usual tomato pastes and enhances the naturally zesty, acidic taste of tomatoes that marries with the cooked green peppers and mushrooms beautifully. Then they add in these chunks of sausage that can only be described as meatballs. They are cooked and seasoned well and they are massive, which means you can taste them in every bite. The bacon hardly came onto my radar, but when I did encounter a piece, they were crispy and fatty which made them a welcome addition. Cheese is not usually something I want a whole lot of because it can overpower a good pizza, but this cheese was not pungent or bland, providing just enough salt and fat to make each bite go down smoothly.
If you look at this sign, it tells you the other places Roger Ebert loves to go for pizza in Chicago!
Once we were done oohing and ahhing and agreeing that Ebert got it right, we agreed that no pizza we had had was like Exchequer’s.
The menu also brags that their ribs are fantastic, which I will have to come back for at a later time. When I do return, however, I will have to fight to not get that pizza again.
If you are looking for a non-alcoholic drink that will bring you back to your kiddie days, Exchequer does a really cute (and tasty) Shirley Temple with grenadine, topped off with a skewer of maraschino cherries and a wedge of orange. If you ask nicely, your server may even get you a massive blue plastic cup’s worth of the sweet elixir!
Enjoy!!!
Dev xx
After waiting in line for just less than an hour and spending $15.95/ticket, Tim ad I were granted access to the Shedd Aquarium, which you can get to from the CTA Red Line off of the Roosevelt stop. After not visiting an aquarium in years, I was excited to see the exhibits and possibly even get up-close-and-personal with some sea creatures.
Sadly, the Shedd does not have an interactive feature in their museum like many other aquariums I have been to, so do not expect to pet any stingrays or play with hermit crabs! I actually found this a little disappointing since admission was so much and they probably have the resources to support such an endeavor. But never mind, there is not much one can do about such matters!
You will, however, get to walk through some pretty cool exhibits. In the Amazon Rising exhibit you will find some adorable creatures like the Caiman Lizard (in the top video) and the turtle you see below. The Shedd also features Bonito, a green araçari, that will be accompanied by an interpreter at scheduled appearances to fill you in on this bird’s story!
My favourite part of the whole experience, beside the cute critters you will find, is how Shedd humanises the animals by sharing the animals’ stories both online, on plaque cards throughout the aquarium and during some of their scheduled shows – where a team of Shedd staff tell you stories and answer your questions about the animals. It is important to know that many of the animals have been rescued and now have a permanent, happy home at Shedd!
Stingrays at the Shedd
Dev xx
Found this mesmerising, but simple, light installation on Randolph Street near the intersection of N. Dearborn Street. It looks like it could be a part of the Goodman Theatre Center, but I could be wrong. The point is if you need a mental health break, you can take a seat across the street and watch the blocks change colours and patterns!
Dev xx
A Q&A with Chicago’s most famous resident.
Making Chicago Home: Hi Chicago Dog, it is an honour to be here with you today. Tell me, where did you get your start?
Chicago Dog: Well, I was born from street cart hot dog vendors during the hard times of the Great Depression. Money was scarce, but business was booming for these entrepreneurs who offered me as a delicious hot meal on a bun for only a nickel.
MCH: Very interesting! So, what was your favourite thing to wear as a baby?
CD: Well, I rather enjoyed being nestled it in a steamed poppyseed bun and covered with a wonderful combination of toppings: yellow mustard, bright green relish, fresh chopped onions, juicy red tomato wedges, a kosher-style pickle spear, a couple of spicy sport peppers and finally, a dash of celery salt – and that is still my favorite outfit to date!
MCH: Sounds like you enjoy a walk through the garden!
CD: Most definitely. As a matter of fact, I became known for my unique “salad on top” toppings and my memorable interplay of hot and cold, crisp and soft, sharp and smooth. It is how I became America’s original fast food and a true Chicago icon!
MCH: I heard you once had an affair with Ketchup. Is this true?
CD: Heck no! Ketchup and I never even mingle. The sugar in Ketchup smothers my delicious Vienna Beef dog and other tasty toppings. If you go to this link, you can see a beautiful picture of me and my toppings. It will also debunk this silly myth of me and Ketchup.
MCH: Thanks! Is there anything else you want the public to know?
CD: Just that I am delicious and that you can find me at any of these fine establishments! Also, enjoy this maze I made below, which can also be found at the Vienna Beef website, along with other fun Chicago Dog games!
You heard it first at Making Chicago Home! All information in this interview can be found here!
Dev xx
This week I was missing that “kid in a candy store” feeling I used to get so I decided to remedy it with a trip to…a candy store! Candyality, located at 3425 N. Southport Ave., is a quirky shop with a unique concept: you are what you eat. No, really! Candyality is all about making a connection between your sweet tooth and your soul, telling you what type of person you are based on the candy you love.
To get in touch with your inner Candyality, start by grabbing a clear plastic baggy and helping yourself to over 175 bins of mix-and-match bulk candy, individually wrapped novelty and retro candies and a ton of other sweet treats (including an M&Ms tower – a tower! Of M&Ms! Heaven!). Then take your goodies to the Candyality check-out server and ask what your candy selection reveals about you!
To shy to talk to a stranger? No worries! Candyality conveniently posts a massive guide to help you out right outside of the store.
Never again will you wonder why Gummi Bears are your go-to comfort food or what your passion for licorice really means! Candyality has it all figured out.
Keep clicking on this picture to expand it and read about your Candyality!
One of my personal favourites at Candyality is the 12 flavour gummi bears that range from blue raspberry to pink lemonade! A must for gummi bear lovers! My only advice is to avoid those “crunchy gummi bears” covered in some sort of candy coating. They were vomitious! Other than that, everything I purchased was delicious and Candyality even has chocolate babies, which are like gourmet, truffle-like Tootsie Rolls shaped like babies. Creepy but delicious!
And, if you are now getting in the Easter mood, check out their massive selection of Easter-themed candies (you can see a small selection below!).
And if gummy candy is not your thing, then you can make your way to the gourmet chocolate/truffles display tower that features nutty, nougaty and/or caramely creations drizzled, dunked or drowning in chocolate.
Oh, and please whip out your calendars now and mark down Candyality’s Jelly Belly Trunk Show that is going down on April 4th from 11-4. According to Candyality:
Candy aficionados will have the opportunity to taste test the official 50 flavors-plus more! Vintage Jelly Belly Candy Jars will be offered as a gift with a purchase of a pound or more of the tasty beans. (While quantities last) Also, get a Birdseye view of the infamous “Jelly Belly Mobile” as it motors into town from 11-2. In addition, Mr. Jelly Belly will be on hand to greet his fans through out the event.
See you at the trunk show! :-)
Dev xx
Found this article today in the Sun-Times and am absolutely horrified. I know puppy mills are a harsh reality in the breeding world, but I really do believe there needs to be more restrictions on who should be allowed to breed their dogs.
Dozens of Puppies found in squalor in South Side home
Cook County Sheriff’s police, Chicago police and U.S. Department of Agriculture agents raided a South Side home Tuesday morning and found deplorable conditions at what appeared to be a puppy mill.
Officers got to the home on the 6400 block of South Bell Avenue about 11 a.m. and found between 50 and 70 puppies crammed into cages with no food or water, Cook County Sheriff’s office spokesman Steve Patterson said. Most of the dogs were being kept in birdcages, and many were standing in their own feces, he said.
“It appears the owner was also conducting her own veterinary clinic” since syringes were found throughout the house, Patterson said.
Officers on the scene were going through the garbage, because they had been told that when puppies died, the woman merely tossed their bodies into the trash, Patterson said.
At least one person is facing misdemeanor animal cruelty charges, Patterson said.
This article could not come at a more opportune time. Chicago State Rep. John Fritchey proposed legislation recently that will attempt to put an end to animal abuse by way of over-breeding. The bill is being dubbed Chloe’s Bill, named after the only surviving cocker spaniel in a litter that was found in deplorable conditions in a puppy mill about six months ago. The bill is backed by the Humane Society, and would include the Dog Breeder License Act (prevents breeders from having more than 20 dogs that are not fixed), a restriction on convicted animal abusers so they cannot obtain dog breeding licenses, the enforcement of humane animal living conditions (of the many abuses that it protects against, the stacking of cages that ruin puppies’ paws), the basic requirement of pet stores to know where their dogs come from, and the establishment of harsh penalties for those who disobey.
This law is desperately needed, and I hope it will be passed.
-Ileana
I am not much of a kiddie show fan, but I flipped on the TV at the most opportune time. A Nickelodeon show, Back at the Barnyard was airing an episode where the main character is filming a safety video. The director (a goofy male cow with teats…? Only Nickelodeon could pull that off!) calls for a “storm-preparedness scene” where they turn on a fan to produce wind for the shot. When he realises that the fans used to make the wind are working, he gets a little excited and calls for more wind.
His assistant cranks the dial from “Breezy” to “Windy,” “Very Windy,” “Chicago” and eventually “Surrender Dorothy”.
You can watch the video here, but to fast forward to the cute little scene, watch 8.30 – 9.20!
Dev xx
While I was at the Local Option the other night, I could not help but to try a new beer that looked as though it could be better than dessert. As you well remember, the last time I was at the Local Option I tried a few beers I had never had before, and was very pleased with the dark Founder’s Porter I ordered – I love dark beer more than any other beer! So after I finished a draught Bell’s Two Hearted Ale (oh, yeah and by the way: Local Option is one of the only places I know that has Bell’s Two Hearted on tap!) I ordered the beer you see above: an Ommegang Chocolate Indulgence Stout.
The beer is faintly sweet and mostly rich and malty. It has a dark chocolate finish that will keep you sipping and have you wondering if it is wrong to put a scoop of ice cream in a beer…
Stout float?
Maybe not. Just try the Chocolate Indulgence – it is on tap at Local Option at 1102 W. Webster Ave.
Dev xx
This poor Tiger at the Lincoln Park Zoo became angry at the man standing next to me and started to swat at the glass. I felt so bad for the little big guy because he was just pacing back and forth. Maybe the Lincoln Park Zoo needs to look into ways to help de-stress this big cat?
Poor Tiger :-(
Dev xx
