Storefront City Chicago

21 Feb 2013

Bistrot Margot

(bistrotmargot.com)WHAT: Bistrot Margot
WHERE: 1437 N. Wells St.

OUR RATING: Do It!

Located in the heart of Old Town lies Bistrot Margot, a Chicago foray into French cuisine. We soon discovered that you don’t need to travel to France for good French food, and in fact, Bistrot Margot provides more genial service, and comparable cuisine to many French restaurants we’ve been to.

(bistrotmargot.com)

(bistrotmargot.com)

Alicia: The French experience starts even before you walk through the doors, as I warmed immediately to the black and white tiles outside the entrance that spelled the restaurant’s name. As you walk inside the red walls, mirrors and black and white photography continually provide a warmth, and I really did feel like I was back in one of the more upscale eateries in Paris. The only thing I felt missing from the ambience was the music, which was relatively absent, or perhaps was just completely overwhelmed by the very boisterous table next to us.

Salade Nicoise (bistrotmargot.com)

Salade Niçoise (bistrotmargot.com)

I’d actually been to Bistrot Margot once before with my co-workers for a more casual holiday lunch, and thoroughly enjoyed their pâté maison (country style pate and chicken liver mousse) and my order of salad niçoise with beautifully seared rare tuna. This time, I wanted something a little lighter but still French as hell, so I went the moules marinières route, a dish I have only ordered once elsewhere at chain restaurant Léon de Bruxelles in Paris. Knowing that this dish was an appetizer, and that French plates tend to be smaller, I also ordered the Salade de Betteraves: watercress with roasted red beets, goat cheese and a tarragon vinaigrette.

Moules Marinières (bistrotmargot.com)

When the mussels came to the table I was completely overwhelmed, as the portion was gigantic! The huge bowl of 30 mussels came with bread (of course) and a beautiful white wine, beurre blanc, shallots and herbs sauce that was other-worldly and completely decadent. Luckily the mussels were deliciously fresh and filling, as the salad left much more to be desired. For a whopping $9 I was delivered the saddest plate of over-dressed watercress with a mere two mini slices of beets, but it also came with a generous portion of creamy goat’s cheese. A small miss, yes, with the salad…but ultimately the mussels were a win!

(chicago.eater.com)

(chicago.eater.com)

Adam: I am most accustomed to good French cuisine and, after trying several other spots around the city, I can categorically say that Bistrot Margot ranks amongst the best and most authentic in Chicago. Depending on where I am in the world, I tend to expect different things from Gallic restaurants: if I’m in Europe, I will generally order traditional steaks and ducks, if in the US I tend to go with calf’s liver, fish or veal. This is a well thought-out policy that never seems to fail me. But, tonight, I felt like broadening my horizons and bucking the trend.

Filet Mignon (foodspotting.com)

Filet Mignon (foodspotting.com)

Going all-out traditional, I ordered the filet mignon du boeuf grille, served with golden potatoes, grilled asparagus, and a wonderful bordelaise sauce. This is unusual for me: filet mignon is a harder dish to prepare well and only worth the cost at the best of restaurants. I was most pleasantly and absolutely surprised at the quality and quantity I was served. Even at medium, the filet was juicy and tender in such a manner as is unusual in America. The bordelaise enveloped the whole dish with a fantastic deep rouge that brought out the succulent nature of both the meat and sides. I highly recommend this entree, as it is certainly one of the most accurate representations of French cooking one can have.

A word of warning: these are not French sized plates. Large portions leave little room for dessert or appetizers, so don’t feel sheepish in asking to take some of it home with you.

Final Thoughts: This quaint and romantic spot is perfect for a night out with your loved one, and even has some great nightly specials and very fairly priced pre-fixes on Wednesdays. They also have a quite affordable brunch and lunch menu if that’s more your style. Authentic and quintessentially French, Bistrot Margot makes for un très bon repas.

Posted in Eat It! and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
20 Feb 2013

Park Tavern

WHAT: Park Tavern (Contemporary American)
WHERE: 1645 W. Jackson Blvd.

OUR RATING: Chance It! (Only if you’re nearby)

(parktavernchicago.com)

(parktavernchicago.com)

Here’s a new location for you to try. Part of the Park Tavern brand (the same as the Rosemont location), the new Park Tavern in the West Loop is in a rather odd location, that seems solely designed to serve the nearby United Center. A multilevel event space, Park Tavern invited us to their launch party to experience their space, food and libations.

(parktavernchicago.com)

(parktavernchicago.com)

Park Tavern is housed in a huge, modern warehouse space that captures a certain stark beauty, with at least 3 bars (along with several, small drink stations) and plush, comfy chairs. Touted as a craft beer location with semi-gastropub credentials, we were hoping to be able to sample their selection. Unfortunately, craft beers were not on offer when we visited and we had to suffice with cocktails, wine and Corona. However, the food selection was truly staggering and mouth-watering.

(parktavernchicago.com)

(parktavernchicago.com)

Adam: To be honest, my first impression of Park Tavern was not positive. The valet staff were extremely impolite to me while I was waiting for the opening, so much so that I had to stand firm and express my dismay at their behavior to them. Nevertheless, when I arrived within the space I was pleasantly surprised by the massive open-plan and wood-and-brick interior that spoke to my minimalist aesthetic.

After proceeding to the upstairs lounge, I imbibed a delicate hibiscus and vodka cocktail, the likes of which I have not encountered. While I have sampled the Upper Egyptian karkadé (hibiscus tea), the addition of alcohol to this had not crossed my mind, and the result was a pleasantly aromatic cordial.

The food was wholesome and hearty, with my personal favourites being the extremely tender buffalo chicken (sauce incorporated into batter, thus avoiding rub-off) and a rich and gamey mini-slider, which was cooked within an inch of medium.

(parktavernchicago.com)

(parktavernchicago.com)

Alicia: If you know or have been to a Restaurants America location before (of which Park Tavern is a part), it’ll help to know that this place is pretty much the same in every respect. Classic American food on the brink of gastropub-ness with an upscale casual feel.

It’s definitely a destination rather than a neighborhood place, which makes it a convenient pre/post United Center show event, but that’s about all. The tastings we were invited to were not very veggie/healthy friendly, with a big emphasis on pork, chicken tenders and sliders, but the salads on their menu sound legitimate enough, and I would definitely order their Asian turkey burger with sriracha aioli if I ever found myself around there again.

(parktavernchicago.com)

(parktavernchicago.com)

Final Thoughts: Park Tavern has an impressive interior, extremely polite wait staff, and a good, solid selection of American favourites, served in a gourmet fashion. However, due to its out-of-the-way location and developing nature, we think that this is one location not worth a special trip, but perhaps would fit well into an outing to the area, perhaps for a happy hour special before the big game. We hope to come back to Park Tavern when it is more established and see how they are doing.

Posted in Do It!, Drink It!, Eat It!, Nightlife and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
18 Feb 2013

The Birthday Party

WHAT: The Birthday Party
WHEN: January 24 – April 28, 2013
WHERE: 1650 N. Halsted Ave.
RUNTIME: 2 hours and 30 minutes with two 10-minute intermissions
HOST: Steppenwolf Theatre Company
PRICE: $15-$78

OUR RATING: Chance It!

(Credit: Sandro)

(Credit: Sandro)

Ambiguity takes and reigns the stage in Steppenwolf Theatre Company’s production of Harold Pinter’s The Birthday Party, now playing until March 3rd in Steppenwolf’s newly configured Upstairs Theatre in Lincoln Park. Directed by ensemble member Austin Pendleton and starring an epic cast of Steppenwolf ensemble members Ian Barford, Francis Guinan, Moira Harris and John Mahoney (along with Marc Grapey and Sophie Sinise), Steppenwolf’s take on Pinter’s nightmarish dark-comic classic is lukewarm at best.

(Credit: Michael Brosilow)

Moira Harris, Ian Barford, Sophia Sinise, Francis Guinan and Marc Grapey (Credit: Michael Brosilow)

Set in a seaside English boarding house, this comedy of menace is absurd to say the least, with a fluid and questionable sense of time, place, identity and context. To put it simply, the lives of owners Meg (Moira Harris) and Petey (John Mahoney) and their guest Stanley (Ian Barford) are turned upside down with the arrival of two mysterious strangers (Francis Guinan and Marc Grapey). Other aspects of the plot are given step by step and questioned along the way, leaving the audience to piece together the rest of the story.

Steppenwolf’s new configuration of their Upstairs Theatre definitely adds some excitement to the piece, now bringing their audience closer in a new alley (traverse) staging that provides a unique and slightly uncomfortable intimacy with both the stage and the audience on the other side.

(Credit: Michael Brosilow)

Barford and Harris (Credit: Michael Brosilow)

However, the most essential pieces of a Pinter play are unfortunately found missing in this production. The classic suspense and menace that pervade each of his works, including The Birthday Party, are only subtle here, leaving the audience without the unique creepiness and spine-tingling feeling of risk that one usually associates with the Nobel laureate’s work. After reading the play, one feels a certain amount of discomfort and tension that is refreshing and exciting and scary all at the same time. But Pendleton’s direction seems more stagnant and lacks this sense of the dramatic, with a few hapless cameos of the over-dramatic.

(Credit: Michael Brosilow)

Guinan and Grapey (Credit: Michael Brosilow)

In addition to this, the setting, which is clearly stated by Pinter to be a southern English town (as mentioned on several occasions in the media), does not seem to have mattered to whoever provided guidance for accents on this production. Dialects seem to range from northern working class (Mahoney), Thespian London (Guinan), and indiscernible (Welsh?) (Harris). This added to the confused feeling of the production and was perhaps intentional. However, it still doesn’t forgive some of the poorer accent approximations given by certain members of the cast, which are simply unnecessary with the proper training. We, however, blame this more so on a failing of the voice coach than any of the actors themselves.

John Mahoney and Francis Guinan (Credit: Michael Brosilow)

Mahoney and Guinan (Credit: Michael Brosilow)

This doesn’t negate the fact that the acting as a whole is superb, with stellar performances from Francis Guinan and John Mahoney, although Mahoney’s part is much smaller than we would have liked. Each of these theatrical veterans bring a whole lot of punch to this play, with Mahoney’s strange vulnerability and the lovable, yet terrifying, character of Guinan’s.

While the average ticket price may be a bit too steep for this production, Steppenwolf offers some pretty awesome ticket discounts, including $15 student tickets and twenty $20 tickets to every single show. Twenty bucks to see some top Steppenwolf acting of Pinter’s ominous absurd-ism may just be worth it.

Posted in Performing Arts, See It! and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
15 Feb 2013

Hard Rock Cafe

WHAT: Hard Rock Cafe (Traditional American)
WHERE: 63 W. Ontario St.

OUR RATING: Chance It!

(hardrock.com)

(hardrock.com)

The Hard Rock brand is legendary and iconic. In practically every city in America, there’s a Hard Rock something, and Chicago has both a cafe AND a hotel, so it must be a pretty rockin’ city. If you’ve been living under a (hard) rock for the last 40 odd years, Hard Rock Cafe was founded back in 1971 in London. With walls plastered in rock n’ roll memorabilia, it’s a bit like dining with the stars (or at least in a celebrity bedroom while the owner is away).

Storefront City doesn’t usually go for tourist traps. In fact, we tend to vehemently eschew them. However, we were invited to the Hard Rock Cafe to try some appetizers and drinks, and couldn’t pass up the opportunity. So, put on your tourists’ caps Chicago, here we go!:

Adam: Striking and outrageous pop-decadence is the best way to describe Hard Rock Cafe. Here, a guitar used by Eric Clapton, over there a Braille manuscript from a Pepsi ad used by the one and only Ray Charles. The list of musical artefacts is endless and so it’s definitely a great place to bring any serious music fan or even just the casual listener.

(hardrock.com)

(hardrock.com)

But, we were here to try the food and sip the drinks, so I’ll start there. Hard Rock Cafe has two bars: one on the main level and one on the balcony overlooking the ballroom. I tried drinks from each and was impressed. To get a good idea of the variety to be had (they have an array of beers on tap, including Guinness and Shock Top, as well as the standard wines etc.) I tried a couple of different cocktails. The gin and tonic, prepared with Schweppes Tonic Water and Beefeater Gin, was actually of rather disproportionate ratios. I know it’s very hard to mix a G+T on the fly, but please never add as more gin than tonic. It’s just weird. That being said, it was Beefeater’s, so it can’t have been that bad. Later in the night, I wanted something a little different to test their bartending skills, so I initially set out to order a mojito, only to find that it wasn’t on the menu that night. So, trepidatiously, a cosmopolitan was ordered, just to see if they could get it right. And, lo and behold, they succeeded! Apparently, one can fail at the easy and succeed at the more difficult.

(hardrock.com)

(hardrock.com)

And then it was onto the food. Tupelo Chicken Tenders were first on the menu. Not necessarily my idea of good food, but they were actually pretty darn tasty. Served with a honey-mustard dressing, they could easily sate the appetite of most hungry of gentlemen. Next, it was onto the two pizzas – the margherita and the portobello and caramelized onion. My preference was with the portobello, as the cheese combination of mozzarella, parmesan and romano was a fantastic compliment to the sweetness of the onions. The margherita was pretty standard fare, with the nice addition of caramelized garlic to kick it off.

My last dish was of Sante Fe Spring Rolls. Stuffed with spinach, black beans, cilantro, corn, jalapenos, diced red peppers and Jack cheese and served with Chipotle Ranch dressing, Southwest America meets East Asia was actually a highly successful affair, and I would definitely try this again.

Alicia: Before you walk through the doors of the Hard Rock Cafe you know it’s corporate and touristy, and thus you’re probably paying a bit more than you should for what you get. I get the same feeling when I walk in there as when I walk into the Rainforest Cafe right down the street, or any of those other big restaurants in the North Loop. But that’s okay. I was prepared.

(hardrock.com)

(hardrock.com)

In all honesty, for such a touristy spot, the Hard Rock Cafe actually has pretty fair prices and a good selection of your classic Chicago American cafe food. I enjoyed some fresh and classic ceviche along with one of the better-prepared white wine spritzers I have had in the city. But you don’t really go there for the food. You go there for the ambience and the live music – that’s what the places sells itself on. So if you have some friends in town, order some drinks (perhaps even something with their Fireball cinnamon whiskey, a first for me – but perhaps too sweet), and enjoy some live entertainment.

(hardrock.com)

(hardrock.com)

Final Thoughts: If you’re from Chicago, you don’t have to make a pit stop here, but if you’re ever invited to an event or want to host one for your company, this is a very expansive and well-thought out space, with a very Chicago feel that will be inviting to tourists and Chicagoans alike. If you don’t get a chance to walk through the doors don’t fret – you can check out their website to get a 360 degree view.

Posted in Do It!, Drink It!, Eat It!, Nightlife and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
14 Feb 2013

Molly’s Cupcakes

WHAT: Molly’s Cupcakes
WHERE: 2536 N. Clark St.

OUR RATING: Do It!

(mollyscupcakes.com)

(mollyscupcakes.com)

There’s something special about cupcakes (and especially on Valentine’s Day). We’re not entirely sure what it is, but perhaps the endless varieties, crazy colours and fluffy toppings have something to do with it. Eating a cupcake is a little like regressing to childhood: they’re always a bit messy, sweetly succulent and seem quite silly. Add a swing set to the bar and you have the recipe for a unique bakeshop that makes a great play date or date night, depending on your age. It makes for a fabulous treat this Valentine’s, so why not stop over.

(virtualtourist.com)

(virtualtourist.com)

Adam: I really love Molly’s. It has a simplicity that makes it quite charming and cupcakes that you just can’t say no to. We had walked past several times, but had never seen the swing set along the bar available. Then, bingo! We got our chance, ordered two of the filled cupcakes ($3.75) and swung on our swings by the bar.

I chose the Ron Bennington, named after the radio personality and comedian. It’s Molly’s best selling cupcake and we thought it wise to try the one everyone raved about. Consisting of a chocolate cupcake, topped with chocolate frosting and butterscotch pieces, and filled with peanut butter, it was the richest thing I’d had all day. What works about it though is the combination of flavours, with the peanut butter centering the whole dish around a buttery and nutty theme. Make sure you have water handy though, because this one packs a punch to the tastebuds.

(mollyscupcakes.com)

(mollyscupcakes.com)

Molly’s Cupcakes also serves a variety of other cupcake sizes and types: minis ($1) and molly’s unfilled ($2), along with other baked goods including cakes, cookies, bars, pies and even cheesecake (including pumpkin caramel!). But I’d recommended the filled cupcakes as the best thing on the menu–they are simple, yet indulgent, and are sure to make you want more.

(mollyscupcakes.com)

(mollyscupcakes.com)

Alicia: I pass by Molly’s in Lincoln Park everyday on my way to work and eye the trays full of freshly baked cupcakes that cover the bar as I walk on by. I had heard so much about their cupcakes but I wasn’t sure…they seemed a bit pricey and small compared to Crumbs’ cupcakes, which I am a huge fan of. But all the hype and the quaint playfulness of their store ultimately drew me in, and I would definitely return!

It was obvious that I was getting in on Adam’s Ron Bennington, so I thought I’d choose something to cut all that richness and chocolate. As soon as I saw the mound of homemade whipped cream with the delicate slice of peach on top, I knew I wanted the Peach Cobbler. Vanilla cake might sound a bit drab, but when you fill it with cinnamon peach puree and top it with brown sugar streusel, you have a perfect mouthful. And if you enjoy the likes of apple pie, this offers a really interesting alternative, especially since I find peaches a rather underutilized fruit.

What really makes this cupcake is the homemade whipped cream that cuts into the sweetness of the puree. The streusel was slightly disappointing in that it didn’t provide as much crunch as I would have liked, but I’m sure that’s because we visited Molly’s later in the day and the cupcake wasn’t as fresh as it would have been in the morning. Nonetheless, I found the flavors complex, but comforting, and a great compliment to the richness of Adam’s cupcake.

Final Thoughts: Snag a seat on the swing set and take a whimsical journey with cupcakes Willy Wonka would be proud of. And don’t forget the sprinkles!

Posted in Eat It! and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
13 Feb 2013

Public House Chicago

WHAT: Public House Chicago (Sports Bar / Contemporary American)
WHERE: 400 N. State St.

OUR RATING: Skip It!

(publichousechicago.com)

(publichousechicago.com)

You can’t go too much more American than at Public House Chicago, where contemporary American cuisine mashes with the flavors of a smokehouse and plenty of beer. Brought to you by the same folks who run sister bar Bull and Bear, not only do they have 25 beers on tap, but they include beer in many of their dishes and even some of their sauces, and it’s no surprise their small claim to fame is their beer tasting and pairing menu.

Quite honestly, this place is very much your average Near North Side sports bar, attempting to match the trendiness of the area with higher priced semi-gastropub food.

(publichousechicago.com)

(publichousechicago.com)

That’s not to say that Executive Chef David Blonsky’s food doesn’t taste fantastic. We tried two of his flatbreads at a special event there, the Wild Mushroom (goat cheese, caramelized onion, fresh spinach, white truffle) and the Mediterranean (lamb merguez sausage, roasted garlic hummus, roasted cherry tomatoes, la clare farm evalon cheese, shaved red onion, house made tzatziki). Their decadence was all too apparent from the above ingredients, but we don’t feel they are anything special, and dressing standard food in fancy flavors doesn’t equal good food automatically.

(publichousechicago.com)

(publichousechicago.com)

$16 for a relatively petite flatbread is kind of high anyway, and the staff here aren’t the friendliest. The female bartender was ambivalent, and when we asked the male bartender what company produced the wine, he hesitatingly told us, shrugged, and then stated, “I don’t really know, don’t care.” Hmm.

(publichousechicago.com)

(publichousechicago.com)

Their draft beer selection is quite admirable, however, and although they only have a single white and red wine available, La Terre is definitely a good call. Although we didn’t take a seat at one of their booths, we noticed that they had two beer taps and one customizable liquor tap at each of them, which is definitely fun when going with a small group of friends (we’ve seen this design elsewhere and it seems to be the “in” thing right now). The most unique feature of the place is their “Walltender,” taps inside little alcoves in the wall where you swipe your credit card and pour yourself another draft. These guys don’t cut you off.

The crowd here is definitely an after-work crowd, so if you’re in the area it might not be the worst place to drop in with a few of your co-workers.

But ultimately Public House Chicago is just average, and although they add pieces of character here and there and try to make their food sound special with the beer additives, there’s plenty of places in the area to patronize after you’re finished with the upscale pretense with its confused hustle and bustle.

(publichousechicago.com)

(publichousechicago.com)

As for the decor, it seemed a bit, well, all over the place. While most walls are decorated in a semi-rustic style, the wall at the far side of one room was a confused mess of cream and tan with random pictures frames scattered across it. Such a work would be more at home at the MCA, and even then it would be one of the more annoying pieces.

That being said, it does make for a nice, central location for a party or fundraiser, but, in all other respects, Public House Chicago is too normal to waste your time with it. Try a more eclectic locale in the future.

Posted in Do It!, Drink It!, Nightlife and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
12 Feb 2013

Billy Goat Tavern

WHAT: Billy Goat Tavern
WHERE: Near Tribune Towers and Wrigley Building (430 N. Michigan Ave. at Lower Level) Other Locations

OUR RATING: Do It!

“Cheezborger, Cheezborger, Cheezborger. No Pepsi. Coke.”

http://www.hulu.com/watch/3533

—

(billygoattavern.com)

(billygoattavern.com)

The Billy Goat Tavern is more than a Chicago staple, it’s a piece of the city’s history, tied to anything from the Chicago Cubs and the Curse of the Billy Goat, to Saturday Night Live and the likes of Jim Belushi and Bill Murray. The original tavern was founded near the Chicago Stadium in 1934, moving to its current location under Michigan Avenue in 1964, and is now joined by numerous chain locations, including Navy Pier and Merchandise Mart. Sure, there’s now one open in D.C., but the Billy Goat Tavern will always be a Chicago native.

(billygoattavern.com)

(billygoattavern.com)

One thing that makes this city so special is its multilevel streets, putting the tavern in the unique location of lower Michigan Avenue. It’s pretty easy to miss the place too, if you don’t know where to look. But if you do find it, it’s nothing but “Cheezborger, Cheezborger!” from the moment you walk in, and the fast-paced, fun environment of a dive bar will get your appetite up and ready for the feast that awaits you.

(billygoattavern.com)

(billygoattavern.com)

Alicia: I must admit that I’m not the biggest burger eater, but when I am, I prefer the kind that come in wax paper with a brown bag of fries, rather than with a fancy cheese on a clean plate. I mean, the experience is a huge part of my ‘fast food’ eating decisions. So, when you order a burger and it comes with a thin patty but a fluffy bun in wax paper, and you can add on all the pickles, ketchup and mustard you want…and it’s cheap…well then, that’s good enough for me.

(billygoattavern.com)

(billygoattavern.com)

Now, the thing to get at Billy Goat is a double cheeseburger ($4.55), according to the tavern itself and most of the tourists and locals who go there. Now, I am not the biggest cheeseburger fan, nor am I the biggest eater, so a single hamburger ($2.65) is more my thing. Sure, I got a little push back from the cashier for not getting the double with cheese, or any chips, but that’s their thing, part of their personality.

Ultimately, the burgers are greasy and the ratio of bun to patty is a bit off (with a bit too much bread), but for the location the prices are very affordable, and it’s a super fun place to go with friends. Sure, it’s a bit touristy, but go at an off-peak hour and you’ve got yourself a comfy no-frills dive bar experience with legit burgers.

(billygoattavern.com)

(billygoattavern.com)

Adam: I needed help to discover this place. I’ve been coming to Chicago all my life and yet I’d never set foot in the Billy Goat, even though it’s been around since the ‘30s! But, on a special occasion, I tend to try new and exciting places, and Alicia knew of just the locale. It’s not fancy, but that’s not what I want from a burger joint. After descending down a rather treacherous set of steps and past the neon lit signs, I felt I was entering the belly of the world, as a frenetic energy enveloped us.

(billygoattavern.com)

(billygoattavern.com)

It’s old fashioned and has a slightly timeless nature to it as well. If you’re going to get a burger you should get what’s recommended: the wonderful double cheeseburger, or cheezborger, as the staff call it (and no, it has nothing to do with Star Trek). In fact, these staff are shouting it, and moving patrons along fast. I would mind anywhere else, but at Billy Goat it’s part of the charm. It’s good to have your order ready before you approach the counter, otherwise you might get a little lost. Bear in mind that fries are not served, only potato chips and Coke is available in lieu of Pepsi.

(billygoattavern.com)It’s a great place to sit and eat with lots of friends. Long benches make munching on burgers a truly communal experience. There’s nothing else like it in Chicago, so I would say go for it and load up your bun!

(billygoattavern.com)

(billygoattavern.com)

Final thoughts: If you’re in the city with friends and don’t want to to break the bank, step inside this little place and follow the neon signs as you head down the stairs – you won’t be disappointed. It’s also perhaps the most worthwhile place to eat at Navy Pier if you ever find yourself there with a growling stomach. Don’t be afraid of the Curse of the Cubs, you’re sure to win here!

Posted in Eat It! and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
11 Feb 2013

Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill

WHAT: Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill
WHEN: February 2 – March 10, 2013 (see here for schedule)
WHERE:Stage 773 (1225 W. Belmont Ave.)
RUNTIME: 90 minutes with no intermission
HOST: Porchlight Music Theatre
PRICE: $32-$41

Alexis J. Rogers (Credit: Kelsey Jorissen)

Rogers (Credit: Kelsey Jorissen)

OUR RATING: Do It!

As the lights come up on Emerson’s Bar & Grill in Philadelphia, 1959, the legendary Billie Holiday takes the stage and lives out one of her final concerts in this sometimes tragic, sometimes uplifting and always powerful performance. Accompanied by a wonderfully talented and expressive jazz trio, Holiday (Alexis J. Rogers) leads us on a musical journey through her life, relationships and struggles in a fascinating and deeply emotional portrait of one of the world’s greatest legendary jazz singers.

(porchlightmusictheatre.org)

(porchlightmusictheatre.org)

Adam: One of the strongest productions I’ve seen in the last year, Lady Day is a moving, stirring tribute to this great icon of jazz. With old standards like Easy Livin’, What a Little Moonlight Can Do, and the incomparable God Bless the Child, we learn the true story behind Holiday and begin to better understand the struggles her life, and success, entailed.

(porchlightmusictheatre.org)

(porchlightmusictheatre.org)

Rogers’ smooth and sultry voice is a perfect imitation of Holiday’s, and at some points, I thought Rogers was holding back her own voice in order to emulate that of the great singer. But, I didn’t mind. Along with Lanie Robertson’s superb script, including anecdotes that speak to all humanity about the evils of oppression and the horrific struggle to overcome all types of adversity, Rogers fools the audience into believing she really is Holiday, leading one to the tragic realization that any dramatization of her life must end in her death. In this way, a sense of dread builds throughout the production, masterfully executed under the direction of Rob Lindley and Jaret Landon. Nevertheless, I was left feeling elated at such a wonderful portrayal of such an irreplaceable singer. Highly recommended.

(porchlightmusictheatre.org)

(porchlightmusictheatre.org)

Alicia: As you walk into Stage 773’s proscenium theater in Lakeview, you can’t help but feel you’ve entered a jazz club from the 50s, and all that is missing are cabaret tables and lamps. And you realize that you and the rest of the audience are dressed all-too-inappropriately. The women should be in glitzy A-line dresses reminiscent of the glitz of the roaring 20s with the sophistication of modern 50s fabrics. And your date definitely forgot his fedora.

Scenic designer Jeffrey D. Kmiec must be applauded for his intimate and simply beautiful set that reels you into a small bar in Philadelphia from this era, with a well placed fog machine imitating the cigarette smoke that was probably pervading the bar back then. The only thing I wished was that the whole play was transplanted next door to Stage 773’s cabaret theater instead, but perhaps that’s too much to ask.

(porchlightmusictheatre.org)

(porchlightmusictheatre.org)

The show from start to finish is completely riveting, and the role of Holiday is all too perfect for Rogers, who not only slips into – but owns – the star’s shoes. After first seeing Rogers as Bess in Court Theatre’s production of Porgy and Bess, and being pretty disappointed in the pairing of Rogers and her character, she has completed altered my perception of her as a performer. She transforms and transitions skillfully from song to song with some interrupting discussions with the audience and her band, and you almost forget that you aren’t watching and listening to the real thing. There’s passion, hope, loss, faith, love, and darkness, and they all stalk you for the whole 90 minutes, leaving you quite exhausted by the end of it all. But exhausted in the way you feel after a good workout, or a good cry, and at the end of her performance there’s nothing you can do but give the work a standing applause.

(porchlightmusictheatre.org)

(porchlightmusictheatre.org)

Final thoughts: Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill stands out as a wonderful production for anyone passionate about jazz, music and theatre. Rogers’ performance is amazing and well worth your evening. So, book a ticket, pull up a chair and drink in the atmosphere…

Posted in Music and Concerts, Performing Arts, See It! and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
08 Feb 2013

Kit Kat Lounge and Supper Club

WHAT: Kit Kat Lounge and Supper Club
WHERE: 3700 N. Halsted St.

OUR RATING: Do It!

(kitkatchicago.com)

(kitkatchicago.com)

“Life is a cabaret, old chum” and that’s exactly the feeling one gets when stepping inside this exclusive, classic and campy “supper” club. With a themed menu featuring the likes of the Mae West (Southern style fried chicken) and Joan Collins (stuffed portobello mushroom) and a liquor cabinet stocked with over 100 martinis (crazy things!), you can’t really go wrong here. And the food isn’t all that’s cooking…

(kitkatchicago.com)

(kitkatchicago.com)

They also have projections of everything from black and white movies to (on some nights) Lady Gaga music videos – a plethora of themed-entertainment that changes on a nightly basis. And what Boystown event wouldn’t be complete with a few female impersonators? All in all, you get a completely fun filled and interactive experience unlike anywhere else in the city.

Lady Gaga Martini (cheekychicago.com)

Lady Gaga Martini (cheekychicago.com)

Adam: Storefront City has been wanting to try out Lakeview’s Kit Kat for a long time now, but due to the preposterously long lines on weekends, we had let it drop off our radar until we were invited to join the club to celebrate their 12 year anniversary by trying their new Gaga Martinis, based on the Lady herself, Hpnotiq and Pama. I wanted to try the Lady Gaga martini, for the singular reason that it included a glow stick. In fact, it turns out that you can ask for any of them with a glow stick, but we didn’t know that when we started. A sort of crazy combination of effen white, Hpnotiq liqueur, pineapple juice, triple sec, a glow stick and some rock candy. Actually, the drink wasn’t ridiculously sweet and was happily complemented by the candy. Never thought that combo would work–proven wrong every day!

(cheekychicago.com)

(cheekychicago.com)

We also tried an appetizer of their chicken satay, marinated in curry coconut and served with a peanut sauce. I’ve had a lot of satay, and this was alright, but I wouldn’t get it there again.

What really made the night was the fun of the place: flashing lights, upbeat music, nice people and an opportunity to see Gaga herself. Well, not really, but the impersonator did a pretty damn good job of it, and drew in the audience in an entertaining and fun way.

Gaga! (cheekychicago.com)

Gaga! (cheekychicago.com)

Alicia: I had such a blast at Kit Kat. I knew I would as soon as I saw that some of the martinis of the night were garnished with rock candy. Wait, and some of the martinis had flashing glow rings in them too? Gaga, divas, a super chic lounge, dessert martinis…I mean really! It’s no wonder why this is a Bachelorette party paradise.

(kitkatchicago.com)

(kitkatchicago.com)

I ordered the Bad Romance, made with Effen Vodka, Apple Pucker liqueur, melon liqueur and pineapple juice (although, they have changed the components of this drink just recently). MUCH more tasty than the Lady Gaga. When the waiter brought the martini to the table I was super disappointed – no rock candy. But he was more than willing to return with a stick once I requested it. I was much too nostalgic not to indulge in one, and it really did add a unique sweetness to the drink.

Samoan Girl Scout Martini(timeoutchicago.com)

Samoan Girl Scout Martini(timeoutchicago.com)

Kit Kat has a great selection of drinks and food whether you want to go light (relatively skinny martinis and some yummy sounding vegetarian food) or go all out (dessert martinis and fried chicken…do those mix though?). We couldn’t help indulging a little further, so we decided to order their Samoan Girl Scout martini with vodka, coconut rum, crème de cacao, butterscotch liqueur and a dash of coconut cream. What was brought to our table was pure decadence laced with swirls of caramel and chocolate syrup. It sounds evil and delicious and trust us – it was.

My favorite part of the night, however, was by far the ambience laced with the tableside entertainer, who performed two songs every 20 minutes. Gaga had some drop dead looks, dance moves and get-up, and I really couldn’t get enough!

Final thoughts: Fast for a day to prepare for this place, and be ready for all Kit Kat will throw at you. Reservations are required, so we suggest you ‘telephone’ and hop on this bandwagon, especially on a weeknight when they have amazing specials. Kit Kat will be sure to tantalize all your senses and provide a crazy fun night, with some pretty dirty martinis.

P.S. For fun, check out Project LUSH, a Time Out Chicago sponsored ‘blog’ where three guys take on the whole Kit Kat martini menu, and live to tell the tale.

Posted in Do It!, Drink It!, Eat It!, Nightlife and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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