Storefront City Chicago

Archive for the tag “lakeview”

22 Feb 2013

Next Door

WHAT: Next Door (Cafe)
WHERE: 659 W. Diversey Pkwy.

OUR RATING: Chance It!

(nextdoorchi.com)

(nextdoorchi.com)

Offering a variety of sweet treats, hot drinks and workspace, Next Door is a cafe that sells itself on being both a place to have a casual bite and sip on some coffee and as a collaborative zone, complete with free financial advice and other themed-workshops, conference rooms and desks. It’s an interesting concept, and makes for a great space that buzzes with all the feeling of a college library or study room. Definitely for some, but certainly not for all, Next Door caters to a younger crowd used to working in coffee shops designed for studying.

(nextdoorchi.com)

(nextdoorchi.com)

Adam: Next Door has the feeling of the Arts and Crafts movement behind it: lush woods, high beamed ceilings and reclaimed tables and chairs create a modern and earthy atmosphere that is both comforting and stimulating. Grabbing a table can be an issue, as they are generally packed just after 5pm. However, once you place your articles upon a seat, you may proceed to choosing your guilty pleasures from the menu.

With a selection of customizable crepes on offer, I felt obliged to give it a try, ordering the nutella and banana one, as it seemed to be the most delicious with a sweet character. Well, I have to say, I was wrong. What I was served was plenty of crepe and not very much nutella or banana slices. It was very sad, as I had quite high hopes for the place. It seemed to me that they were being deliberately stingy in a quite unnecessary way, so I was, needless to say, very disappointed.

But would I come back? Perhaps. I would certainly order something else and mainly arrive to enjoy the ambience, but the nutella crepe is a no-go area. Come for the decor, but be cautious in your ordering.

(nextdoorchi.com)

(nextdoorchi.com)

Alicia: Ultimately, Next Door is a hit or miss affair. Their coffee is pretty darn good, but they don’t always refill their milk jugs so if you’re a skim milk fan you might be out of luck pretty often. And as Adam mentioned, their filled crepes aren’t too filled. I ordered a crepe with blueberry compote and speculoos, and the very fact that they had speculoos as an option puts this place on my good side…yum! But the yum factor was limited to the small amount they put in there.

(nextdoorchi.com)

(nextdoorchi.com)

I don’t find Next Door’s atmosphere particularly welcoming. In fact, I find it quite sterile and so open as to be distracting. And I’m intrinsically dubious about it being an insurance and financial advising center (State Farm based). Nothing against State Farm in particular, but just the very association of a community center with an insurance company puts me a bit on edge.

(nextdoorchi.com)

(nextdoorchi.com)

While I wouldn’t work there on my own again, I would definitely go there to collaborate with others, especially with their sliding whiteboard walls, glass enclosed work spaces, and a plethora of group workshops available for free. I’m very excited to be signed up for their free yoga class next Tuesday morning, so we’ll see how that turns out as well. I find the place extremely neighborhood friendly, as they often shout out to their neighbors on social media outlets, and offer a wide variety of free programming which ranges anywhere from featuring local music talent to cooking classes, to yoga and entrepreneurial workshops.

(nextdoorchi.com)

(nextdoorchi.com)

Final thoughts: Participate in Next Door’s communal atmosphere and you’ll be amazed at the wealth of altruistic opportunities at hand. And, ultimately, we have nothing against a good cup o’ Joe and a safe space to share your ideas with others.

Posted in Drink It!, 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 , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
30 Jan 2013

Stadium Devildare

WHAT: Stadium Devildare
WHEN: January 17 – February 23 (see schedule for details)
WHERE: 621 W. Belmont Ave. (Red Tape Theatre inside St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 2nd floor)
RUNTIME: 1 hour 20 minutes, no intermission
PRICE: $25

OUR RATING: Skip It!

How do you summarize Stadium Devildare? Let’s be frank, it’s extremely difficult to fathom what this play is truly about: in some sort of post-apocalyptic future, combatants work both with and against each other in a war zone in a Battle Royale style competition, broadcast to the watching public. We guess?

Red Tape Theatre’s Stadium Devildare did what no art should do: it confused the hell out of the audience and was almost completely and utterly inaccessible.

Adam: The major problem with Stadium Devildare is the extreme obtuseness of the script. What is this battle for glory? Why is it taking place? And why can’t I understand what people are saying, even though they are clearly speaking English?

At first, I thought I was missing the deeper meaning of the play, that my powers of perception and understanding were not great enough to comprehend the words emanating from the stage. Then, I seriously considered the possibility I was having a stroke, but after a quick check of both the right and left sides of my body, I established that the only haemorrhaging occurring was from the outflow of poetic gibberish spewing from Ruth Margraff’s script.

(redtapetheatre.org)

(redtapetheatre.org)

And my belief is strongly that the problems are with the playwright and not the cast or Red Tape Theatre, who did do an admirable job of producing a lemon of a work. A strong performance was to be had from Lyndsay Kane playing the presenter of the night’s entertainment, and all members of the cast engaged in a physically demanding and strenuous set of stage fights. But, the overall quality of the script was so awful that not even an Tony-award winning, or nominated, actor could have redeemed it.

(redtapetheatre.org)

(redtapetheatre.org)

Alicia: I found this play unentertainingly exhausting, which is unfortunate because I have a huge amount of respect for Red Tape and many of the individuals working on the production. Lakeview’s Red Tape Theatre has a mission for reinventing the relationship between the artists onstage and their audience, and have a very unique perspective in providing new and experimental work and an interactive performance space, which many more conservative theaters in Chicago can’t pretend to do. I also found Greg Poljacik’s fight choreography pretty masterful, and there were some really fun scenes with Ninja game characters in this respect (with some stellar nonspeaking performances by Bryan Bosque and Julian Hester). Rachel Spear’s sound design and especially Mike Morch’s scenic design were innovative and also fun to experience.

(redtapetheatre.org)

(redtapetheatre.org)

But that’s as far as it goes, and trust me: those saving graces don’t provide a big enough dosage of aspirin for the headache that Stadium Devildare really was. I felt stupid and confused throughout 95% of the show, which no audience member should have to experience. I’m sure this was not director Karen Yates’s intention, but I had no idea what they were saying, no idea what was going on, and half way through the show I lost my will to keep on attempting to figure it all out. I surrendered and gave up. It was too painful.

Final Thoughts: There is a lesson for the future here: stay away from work you don’t fully understand–inscrutability doesn’t equal gold, and will more than often render nothing but pyrites.

Warning: Contains scenes of rape, extreme violence and foul language.

Posted in Performing Arts, See It! and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
28 Jan 2013

Falafill

WHAT: Falafill
WHERE: Loop: 72 E. Adams St.; Lakeview: 3202 N. Broadway Ave.; Oak Park: 1053 Lake St.

OUR RATING: Do It!

(eatfalafill.com)

(eatfalafill.com)

If you are in the Middle East, fast street food is probably not your first port of call as a tourist, with everyone fervently suggesting that you only dine at “proper” restaurants to avoid any Curse of the Pharaohs that might befall you. Our personal experience in the region has taught us that this couldn’t be further from the truth, and so Falafill makes perfect sense to us: good, wholesome, Levantine food right here in Chicago.

(eatfalafill.com)

(eatfalafill.com)

At Falafill, if you don’t go veg, go home. Well, they do offer wraps with steak, turkey or spicy sujuk sausage, but don’t be a chickpea cop-out. Instead, choose from their classic garlicky falafel, their yellow curry falafel, or a seasonal falafel (we’ve heard they serve up a mighty fried butternut squash delicacy).

(eatfalafill.com)

(eatfalafill.com)

You then have three container options – a pita, a wrap or a bowl (which also comes with pita). If you’re completely ravenous, we suggest you ‘go bowl’, as you can fill the bowl up with unlimited salad bar options. Yet, if you’re smart and sly about it, you can almost fit as much into the wrap (average price of about $6) as the bowl, if you’re not afraid of it completely falling apart on you, and you’ll save a buck or two.

Mezza Bar (examiner.com)

Mezza Bar (examiner.com)

The ultimate victor at Falafill, however, is the Mezza Bar, which you hit up after you receive your freshly made wrap/bowl (or, which you can instead order a la carte). Yes, there’s your usual hummus, baba ghanoush, tabbouleh and Jerusalem salad, but wait – there’s more! You can continue piling high with muhammara (roasted red peppers, walnuts, chili & pomegranate), minted cabbage, couscous with fruit, roasted beets, black beans and corn, bazergan (cracked wheat with pomegranate molasses), sauces and a bunch of other mouth-watering additions.

(eatfalafill.com)

(eatfalafill.com)

Alicia: Knowing that Falafill was a chain, and having eaten falafel everywhere from London to Toronto to Paris (L’As Du Fallafel in the Marais district is still, hands down, the best falafel anywhere), I didn’t have high hopes for this place. I wasn’t going any way but pita (I mean, come on, that’s where a falafel belongs), but I decided to be a bit more adventurous and ordered the curry falafel (a marriage of Mediterranean flavors and curry, perhaps the best spice in the world?). I then piled on the pickled vegetables, especially the turnips, because I was really a rabbit in another life. And luckily, compared to other Mediterranean salad bars in the area, this one isn’t priced by weight.

Oak Park location (custommade.com)

Oak Park location (custommade.com)

By the end of the salad bar, I was a master at stuffing as much as I could into that pocket without it falling apart, but I definitely looked like a pig doing so. But oh was it worth it. The curry falafels were slightly crunchy on the outside and moist and soft on the inside, with a slight kick. I’ve had better, yes, but paired with the huge array of accoutrements, this place really raises the bar for Chicago falafels.

(eatfalafill.com)

(eatfalafill.com)

Adam: As I’m writing this, it’s snowing outside and freezing cold. All I am longing for is to be under the hot sun, and what better way to replicate that experience than by visiting a Middle Eastern eatery. Falafill is true to its name, and really lets you pack it in. I also ordered the curry falafel (why not) and loaded on the usuals of hummus, tabbouleh and Jerusalem salad, but I wanted to go spicer, so harissa (Tunisian hot chili sauce) and plenty of it. My concoction can thus be considered a thoroughly north African affair, with the final addition of vegetables and za’atar.

(eatfalafill.com)

(eatfalafill.com)

Let’s be frank: this falafel left my mouth as hot as the Negev in July (and that’s pretty darn hot). And that’s how I like it, so it was perfect to warm my bones.

Another worthy feature of Falafill is the interior design. It’s not particularly regionally specific, but evokes a clean and natural environment conducive to relaxation and consumption. So, yes, I’m a fan.

Lakeview location (chicago.eater.com)

Lakeview location (chicago.eater.com)

Final Thoughts: Creamy hummus, falafels that stand on their own, and a superior mezza bar make this place a definite go-to. The only real drawback is the limited (and slightly uncomfy) seating, so finding a spot to sit for a larger group of friends might be a bit difficult.

They also have what’s called Chefs for Charity, where local Chicago chefs create unique sandwiches on a monthly basis, and proceeds go to their charity of choice. Where else might you get a chance to taste the culinary delights of Stephanie Izard (Girl & the Goat) and Bill Kim (Urban Belly) for a mere $6, AND get a chance to donate to charity while scarfing down your dinner?

Posted in Eat It! and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
18 Jan 2013

La Gondola

WHAT: La Gondola (Italian Cuisine)
WHERE: 2914 N. Ashland Ave.

OUR RATING: Skip It!

(lagondolachicago.com)

You don’t have to travel to the boot of Western Europe to enjoy some amazing Italian food. Chicago is jam-packed with restaurants serving this popular cuisine, and not just in Little Italy. But next time you’re craving some homemade pasta or some thin crust pizza, stay far, far away from La Gondola.

La Gondola has two Lakeview locations, one at 1258 West Belmont Avenue and the other at 2914 N. Ashland Avenue. We don’t understand why they would place their two locations so near to one another and cannibalize each other’s market, but frankly, we couldn’t care less.

(tripadvisor.com)

(tripadvisor.com)

We made reservations at La Gondola hoping for a relaxed and intimate evening, enjoying one another’s company. When we arrived at the Ashland site we were a little surprised at its strip mall location, but undeterred. Some of the best foodie spots are off the beaten path.

The interior of La Gondola is extremely tiny, fitting a little more than half a dozen tables. Intimate? Yes, we suppose it’s pretty cozy, albeit a bit claustrophobic. The decor is nothing particularly special, but you’re able to get away from the parking-lot exterior rather well.

(lagondola.com)

(lagondolachicago.com)

Once we sat down, our night quickly got off to a terrible start, with our waiter bringing [warm, fresh] bread to our table and speaking to us in a horribly annoyed and condescending manner. We’re not entirely sure what his problem was, but again, we don’t care–just know that we were immediately put off. We’ve had our fair share of poor service (or lack thereof), so we tried to move on and instead focused on their gigantic and delicious sounding menu.

(lagondola.com)

(lagondolachicago.com)

Despite usually ordering two different things to try new flavors, we both loved the sound of the Mostaccioli Salmanate with fresh sliced mushrooms and smoked salmon in a tomato and cream sauce over mostaccioli. After ordering with Mr. Horrible Waiter, we waited what seemed like ages, only to receive two [heapingly] cold plates of salt with salmon pasta. Don’t get us wrong – we love our salt, but this was the saltiest dish we’ve ever tasted, and almost sent it back. However, after waiting such a long time and having to deal with Mr. Horrible Waiter, we really just wanted to eat and get through the dinner.

Soon ready to leave, we presented our waiter with a Groupon we had purchased. However, apparently, we were $2 off the necessary amount ‘needed to use the Groupon’ (we’ve never had that problem before), so we ordered a cannoli to try to round out the night. What did Mr. Horrible Waiter bring instead? Basically a few tiny dry rolls stuffed with minimal pistachios. Yum.

This place is way too pricey (entrees average around $20), way too rude, and way too unexceptional for you to even step foot in their parking lot, unless you plan to shop at another store in the strip mall.

It’s a perfect way to ruin a date though, if that’s what you’re after.

Posted in Eat It! and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
16 Jan 2013

Concerning Strange Devices from the Distant West

WHAT: Concerning Strange Devices from the Distant West (Theater)
WHEN: January 15 – April 14, 2013 (Previews from January 15-23)
WHERE: TimeLine Theatre Company (615 W. Wellington Ave.)
RUN TIME: 90 minutes, no intermission
HOST: TimeLine Theatre Company

OUR RATING: Chance It!

(timelinetheatre.com)

(timelinetheatre.com)

Pack your bags and get ready to travel from East to West and across time in the Midwest Premiere of Naomi Iizuka’s Concerning Strange Devices from the Distant West, now playing at TimeLine Theatre Company in Lakeview East.

We visited TimeLine last season for Enron and were pretty impressed. Their mission is to present stories inspired by history that connect with the social and political issues of today. Concerning Strange Devices definitely hits this target, but we were generally more impressed by TimeLine’s production than by Iizuka’s script.

Last night we attended the first preview performance, so please take this review with a grain of salt. As we both know well, until their opening night on January 24th, this piece is still a work in progress, so a lot could change before you set foot in director Lisa Portes’ vision.

Pictured: Rebecca Spence as Isabel Hewlett. (timelinetheatre.com)

Rebecca Spence as Isabel Hewlett. (timelinetheatre.com)

And what a vision it is. As soon as you walk into the lobby you are subsumed within a fascinating, interactive and educational foray into the history of Japanese tattoos and photography with a well-thought out lobby display designed by Dina Spoerl. It’s small, but it sure packs its share of punches.

After milling about the lobby you are welcomed with open arms into the performance space through a hyper-surreal tunnel of beautiful giant Japanese paper lanterns and into an Alley-configuration theatre with a projection screen puzzle on the opposite wall.

The play focuses on several characters across the span of the 19th century to the present day. The central theme is the camera, which captures both the real and imaginary, and blurs the line between the two. In the late 1800s, an American woman, Isabel Hewlett (Rebecca Spence), discovers the magic of Japan through the camera of photographer Adolfo Farsari (Michael McKeogh). In the present day, a collector of rare photographs (also McKeogh) travels to Japan to negotiate a deal for the very same Farsari photos. Except, this isn’t the whole story, but we shall not say more.

Playwright Naomi Iizuka (timelinetheatre.com)

Playwright Naomi Iizuka (timelinetheatre.com)

Adam: I was most impressed by the design of the set and lighting, which allowed one to enter the world of the production as a member, rather than a spectator. I was also extremely happy with most performances, although Tiffany Villarin (as A Woman in a Kimono, A Servant Girl and Kiku) tended to be weaker than her co-stars. While the production was held together well, my biggest concern is the script. Iizuka creates jumpy, underdeveloped dialogue that sounds oddly like a devised piece from a college than a professionally written piece of theatre. She also seems to have a tenuous grasp of the history surrounding the production (i.e. Farsari’s sexuality), as well as the neurological underpinnings of sight.

That being said, this does not belittle the production itself, and TimeLine does an admirable job of bringing seriously flawed material to life through impeccable line delivery and world creation. It is a shame that TimeLine chose to give Iizuka’s shaky script a go, however, when so many more worthy playwrights remain unproduced.

Director Lisa Portes (timelinetheatre.com)

Director Lisa Portes (timelinetheatre.com)

Alicia: What really made this show: Spence’s star performance, Mike Tutaj’s dazzling projection design, Portes’ surreal/fantastical/sexy transitions, and the fact that pieces of the lobby infiltrated the performance space. This team really thought about the audience experience.

As the space is so intimate, even the smallest details are important, and while Julia Eberhardt’s props capitalized on this with their intricacies, scenic designer Brian Sidney Bembridge’s flooring and Costume Designer Janice Pytel’s take on Hewlett’s Victorian dress cheapened the experience. However, major kudos to them all for being able to transition back and forth and tackle this multifaceted world.

(timelinetheatre.com)

(timelinetheatre.com)

Final thoughts: For all our criticism of the production, it must be remembered that it is only currently in previews and will be until January 23. We expect that, as more runs are completed, the show will tighten and become even more enjoyable to watch.

In a way, it is simply worth going to see the amazing design elements, that allow you to transition from a little Japanese camera shop in the 1880s to a chic high-rise bar in modern Tokyo with effortless finesse.

P.S.: For examples of the photographs taken by Farsari, check out the authoritative and complete Photography in Japan 1853-1912

A word of warning: this production is not appropriate for children.

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

Brazilian Bowl

WHAT: Brazilian Bowl
WHERE: 3204 N. Broadway Ave.

OUR RATING: Do It!

(brazilianbowl.com)

(brazilianbowl.com)

If you’ve had Brazilian food in Chicago, you might think that it’s limited to all-you-can-eat meat and inflated prices. Not so at Brazilian Bowl, the city’s latest take on the Subway/Chipotle-style nuts and bolts eatery based on one ethnic food or another. Primarily targeted at the health-conscious (it includes a smoothie bar and amazingly fresh produce), it also has South American staples such as salgados (ie. empanadas, which seem to be everywhere now) and feijoada.

Our house guest and the two of us all dove into the Vegetarian bowls!

Our house guest and the two of us all dove into the Vegetarian bowls!

We recommend the eponymous Brazilian Bowl, which comes in turkey, steak, vegetarian, bife role (rolled beef), sausage and pork loin. Once you have chosen your type, you can decide between black or pinto beans to be poured over a generous portion of rice. Your bowl is then filled to the brim with collard greens, grilled vegetables, corn, pico de gallo (amazing!), green onions, shaved carrots, grated cheese and a slice or two of fresh orange. And what bowl wouldn’t be complete without sauce, ranging from hot to freshly blended mango, you’ll be spoilt for choice.

Of course, the menu is more extensive than the bowl ($6.15-6.95) and includes main plates ($7.65-8.95) and a selection of interesting sides (have you ever tried yuca before?) The smoothie bar’s featured drink is the Ipanema, named after Brazil’s most famous beach, made with mango, banana and kale.

(brazilianbowl.com)

(brazilianbowl.com)

Will we go again? Definitely! But next time, we might take on a more carnivorous role and order a steak bowl or perhaps even one of their plates, which include beef acebolado and a delicious sounding mango steak salas. Yet what really appeals to Alicia is the perfect brunch item – acai bowls with honey and granola.

No establishment is without its failings, however. If you’re in the mood for a savory dinner but you want to go veggie, your options are limited to basically the veggie bowl and perhaps some vegetable sides or a cheese empanada. Portions also vary from server to server and are somewhat inconsistent. Additionally, a warning: this establishment is not very accessible, as there is only raised seating. And if you’re coming with more than one or two friends, seating may be hard to find. Another issue may be the basic nature of the food–sure, it’s nice to have someone make you a bowl, but couldn’t you have done it at home? We think so in the case of the vegetarian option, but seeing the meat options makes us believe it’s worth the experience.

So, when you are wandering along in Lakeview and see Brazilian Bowl, stop in. It’s a fun place (with a relaxed, but social atmosphere) to try at least once, and a lovely change from the faux Brazilian downtown.

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

Kickstand Coffee & Tea

WHAT: Kickstand Coffee & Tea
WHERE: 824 W. Belmont Ave.

OUR RATING: Do It!

(kickstandcoffee.com)

(kickstandcoffee.com)

Started in 2010, Lakeview’s Kickstand Coffee & Tea is to nearby Dunkin’ Donuts and Starbucks as “The Shop around the Corner” is to “Fox Books” in the film You’ve Got Mail. (Yes, that reference DID just happen). Sure, you could settle down into either of these corporate coffee houses, OR, you could change things up a bit and try Kickstand on for size.

(kickstandcoffee.com)

(kickstandcoffee.com)

Kickstand can be simply described as a cozy hipster coffee shop. If you aren’t really into the hipster scene and don’t own a mac laptop (they offer free wifi), you might feel slightly out of place here, but just slightly. They’ve recently renovated so the place is a little less hipster, a little more…chic (dare we say)…but it’s nonetheless warm and inviting, with very friendly baristas.

(kickstandcoffee.com)

(kickstandcoffee.com)

The space is small and the tables large (and made of some interesting salvaged materials), encouraging strangers to share a table, and  perhaps even some conversation. The music tends to be on the louder side, so perhaps not your best bet if you’re planning to study.

(yelp.com)

(yelp.com)

Kickstand offers Metropolis Coffee, with your typical coffee selection (both hot and cold), including lattes, cappuccinos, mochas, and hot chocolate. They have an alright tea selection (rather minimal for calling themselves a tea shop), with black, green, herbal, rooibos, oolong and white on order. Being simple folk, we’ve only ordered your basic coffee here, but have future plans on trying their mexican cocoa and their pu-aeh (fancy word for ginger) tea.

(yelp.com)

(yelp.com)

Kickstand also offers baked goods, and of course, lending to its hipster reputation, vegan options and vegan-gluten-free bars.

This is quite a cool spot for people watching also, as you can sit along the natural wood bar beside the window and gaze over the steaming wafts from your latte, pitying the poor souls rushing around beyond the pane.

So, if you are in the area and want to support the local economy and enjoy a relaxed and cozy atmosphere, Kickstand is the place to be. Drink Local! Drink Kickstand!

(yelp.com)

(yelp.com)

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

Post Navigation

← Older Entries
Newer Entries →