You are currently browsing the monthly archive for February 2010.
We want to know: Is there a restaurant in Chicago that you are dying to go to, but haven’t yet?
In case you were wondering, NAHA was that restaurant for me. Last summer when I started volunteering at Green City Market, I learned about Chef Carrie Nahabedian through new acquaintances. Everyone praised both her exciting, local, delicious food and her very sweet demeanor. Then people went on and on about NAHA, this restaurant that seemed to be on everyone’s “Favourites” list.
Standing, in the back: Chef Carrie Nahabedian on the left, Chef Rick Bayless on the right at Chefs Collaborative
When Chefs Collaborative came to Chicago for their National Summit last year, I had the pleasure to dine with them at Cafe Brauer at the Lincoln Park and taste Chef Nahabedian’s food for the first time. Needless to say, I was smitten.
When Restaurant Week was announced and NAHA was on the participant list, I decided I was tired of waiting. Restaurant Week or not, NAHA is a place you must, must go to if you want some of the best food in the city.
You only have four more days of Restaurant Week left, so if you still have not been anywhere, you need to get on the move! If you are the kind of person who does not like taking a chance on a restaurant (and there are over 170 restaurants to choose from this year), then let me help.
If you like big portions; organic and local ingredients; and crave French comfort food in a beautiful atmosphere, may I suggest Bistro Campagne?
Here’s what to order off of the Restaurant Week menu:
FIRST COURSE: Skip the fresh but bland house salad and go straight for the Strudel à l’Oignon Caramélisé. The sweet, earthy caramelised onions appear both on the bottom of the strudel and in a tasty sauce around it. The flaky, buttery pastry and the soft, salty cheese complement each other perfectly for a well-rounded dish that will make you want to clear your plate (and even lap up the sauce!).
The International Museum of Surgical Science is not your tired, old museum filled with information on geological formations or re-creations of cave people. Instead, this four-story lakeview mansion-turned-museum is chock full of gizmos, gadgets, information and artwork that will make your stomach turn.
Rare working iron lung in the museum's polio exhibit
If you ever wondered what an early wheelchair looked like, what “Eskimo goggles” are, or what tools used to be use to cut people open, this place is for you.
International Museum of Surgical Science finds…
Dev xx
There is nothing more exciting than having a recipe you created, put in print! In the new Winter 2010 edition of Edible Chicago magazine, my recipe for whole wheat carrot-apple cake with maple frosting was published along with an article on Burton’s Maple Syrup.
Article on Burton's Maple Syrup, my recipe on the second page!
I want to thank Edible Chicago so much for testing out my recipe and deeming it worthy to grace the pages of this local, sustainable magazine!
And here is the recipe, in print:
Dev xx
If you are still dragging your heels and wondering if it’s worth shelling out $25 – $140 for you to see Cinderella, don’t. You shouldn’t have to think about it…you should be doing it. Now. And quick, because there are only seven shows left and you do not want to miss this amazing performance.
Victoria Jaiani is sad because you haven't seen Cinderella yet.
Forget what you might think about the ballet: Sir Frederick Ashton’s Cinderella not only has all the magic of the traditional fairy tale, but it is incredibly funny and moves very quickly.
Last week Vaudezilla Productions put on a show at Skokie Theatre called “Schtick With Us: A Vaudeville Burlesque”.
The show’s premise was that Public Access Channel 45 was bleeding money and needed to raise $600,000 during their annual pledge drive to keep alive. Your regular characters were in attendance: A has-been-child-actor-turned-idiot-Jersey-Shore-look-a-like as the pledge drive’s host; his disgruntled ex-wife/manager; an overbearing corporate overseer; a goofy clown who ends up saving the day and a charismatic TV station manager who tries to keep everything from going kaput. Honestly, the play part didn’t do much for me.
But schtick with me…
Did you know that one year ago Making Chicago Home debuted its first post? That’s right! Today Making Chicago Home turns one year old, and I could not be more proud of my baby blog!
Celebration tiramisu at Tavern on Rush
Creating and maintaining a blog is not easy. Andrew Sullivan sets the bar high with a team of people who blog around the clock about everything from politics to music, and he attracts more readers that 20 people could shake 20 sticks at.
And although I can only dream that Making Chicago Home will one day be a blog rockstar, I am so happy for having my readers: whether they be regulars or once-in-a-lifetime drop-ins who just want to learn a little something about the most fabulous Chicago.
It’s the event I have been waiting for! The Joffrey Ballet’s presentation of Cinderella starts tomorrow, Wednesday 17 February, and I could not be more excited. (You can watch a video on the Joffrey site, here!)
Cinderella featuring Megan Quiroz, photo by Herbert Migdoll
If you have never been to the ballet before, or if you have never seen the Joffrey, then this is the perfect introduction to both. You all know the fairytale but you may have never seen it come to life right before your eyes with truly hideous stepsisters, handcrafted outfits, a ethereal score performed by the Chicago Sinfonietta and graceful dancing. Perfect for out-of-town visitors looking to make their trip to Chicago extra magical, a sweet date or family event, Cinderella will not disappoint!
It’s no secret: I am a sucker for a good drink in a great atmosphere. At the Signature Lounge it’s not about swanky tables or gorgeously modern wall art, it’s the absolutely breathtaking view of Chicago that will make a humdrum cocktail hour into a memorable evening.
Gorgeous view of Chicago at night from The Signature Lounge on the 96th floor of the John Hancock building
You just cannot beat that view!!
Dev xx
Chinese New Year was a blast and to commemorate the amazing day, I put together an audio slide show! Enjoy!!
Some pictures are much bigger than the frame allows, but you can scroll up and down on the frame by simply moving your cursor up or down!!!
Dev xx
