Storefront City Chicago

Archive for the tag “chicago”

03 Apr 2013

Butt Trash

WHAT: Butt Trash
WHEN: Sundays at 8pm, March 24 – April 28
WHERE: Chemically Imbalanced Comedy (1422 W. Irving Park Rd.)
RUNTIME: 1 hour, with an approximately 5-minute intermission
WHO: Fanny and Dumpster, Chemically Imbalanced Comedy
PRICE: $10

OUR RATING: Do It!

Lakeview’s Chemically Imbalanced Comedy has a ton of shows going on right now, so Storefront City headed over to see one of their newer improv comedy shows, Butt Trash, featuring female improv comedy groups Fanny and Dumpster.

Adam: Our night began with Fanny, a group of women providing excruciatingly hilarious character acting, positively accurate group dynamics and strong comedy that seemed reminiscent of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia; I was most certainly bursting with laughter at these girls.

Made up of Blair Beeken, Claire Mulaney, Sarah Shook and Lily Sullivan, Fanny managed to take the annoyingly complicated suggestion of ‘municipal’ and turn it into a full-fledged ridiculous drama, replete with underage alcohol supply, sexual tension, eating disorders and the most broken social group I’ve seen presented on stage (and that’s a good thing).

What I like most about Fanny is their unashamed comedic antics. Leave your prudishness at home and wallow in the clever skits they produce, otherwise you’ll end up shocked and unamused. Standing out for me were performances by Claire Mulaney, who perfected the awkward overly long-dwelling on a subject that somehow makes it irresistibly funny, and Lily Sullivan, who managed to drop us right in the middle of the most timidly approachable subjects while remaining absolutely straight-faced.

Stream of consciousness and delightfully wonderful improv, Fanny are masters of their art and should be seen at all costs.

(cicomedy.com)

(cicomedy.com)

Alicia: After the briefest of intermissions came the next quartet, Dumpster, whose motto is “the Devil never closes a door without opening a dumpster.” Composed of cast members Jill Fenstermaker, Ellen Haeg, Molly Hall and Amy Speckien, the ladies in this group have credentials ranging from stints at iO Theater, The Gift Theatre, and plenty of other shows at CIC.

While not as successful as their predecessors from Fanny, Dumpster began and ended their show with a group scene, with different characters and combinations in between. The two weakest aspects of the performance was the group’s inability to stay on topic with the audience suggestion (merely using the subject to initiate the first scene, and then never referring to it again), and the constant rotation of changing characters that was hard to follow and which felt like somewhat of a letdown after Fanny’s consistent character profiles.

Yet, Dumpster’s focus on neuroses, family dynamics and a healthy variety of character acting led to fast-paced fun that definitely kept the audience at the edge of their seats wondering what might come next. With a suggestion of “toaster,” this dynamic quartet presented scenes anywhere from neurotic housewives reading romance novels and discussing their feminine problems, to an all-out family war at the dinner table sparked by a little bit of sibling rivalry. With Dumpster, you’re never sure what’s lurking around the next corner, or in the next garbage bin.

bt6

Final Thoughts: Chemically Imbalanced Comedy is producing new comedy at highly affordable prices. Easily accessible and rarely frequented, you are almost definitely guaranteed a seat and plenty of laughs at this independent and developing venue.

Posted in Performing Arts, See It! and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
02 Apr 2013

Antique Taco

WHAT: Antique Taco
WHERE: 1360 N. Milwaukee Ave.

OUR RATING: Do It!

(antiquetaco.com)

(antiquetaco.com)

In its tiny Wicker Park location, Antique Taco, from husband-and-wife team Rick and Ashley Ortiz, nestles at the corner of Milwaukee and Wood, inviting customers into its cozy, vintage space, complete with rustic long tables for communal eating and deep oak tones. It’s a cute space and somewhat ‘homey,’ and while always buzzing, still provides a relatively chill atmosphere for any type of group. A very long fast-moving line marks this place out as a popular spot with the locals, who seem to brave the sometimes inflated prices for a little bite of Old Mexico.

(antiquetaco.com)

(antiquetaco.com)

Adam: Antique Taco is simple food done well. With a purposefully limited menu of only five tacos (however, with other goods on offer as well, from your typical guacamole to more unique options such as cheese curds), you don’t have to endlessly skim through reams of paper to locate your desired dish. I thought it best to try two of their meatier options: the grilled rib-eye and chicken tinga tacos. Both were excellent, but in quite unique ways. Each order comes with two tacos and ample toppings.

(antiquetaco.com)

Rib-eye Tacos

Beef tacos are somewhat of a staple for me – if you can prepare this correctly, then you’re on the right track. Antique Taco’s rib-eye tacos, with caramelized poblano peppers, onions, cheese whiz (yes, this works!) and fresh cilantro are smoky and delicious, tasting like they just came off a roaring barbeque. The fresh cilantro was the strongest flavor in this one, but I also detected heavy spicing that doesn’t seem to discernibly come from anywhere, so I must assume that the meat was specially prepared.

(antiquetaco.com)

Chicken Tinga Tacos

But, my favourite tacos of the night were surely the chicken tinga tacos, complete with savory shredded chicken, hot sauce, queso, carrot and celery pickle, el rancho crema fresca and fresh cilantro. Spicy, almost to the point of being hot, while also exceptionally creamy, the flavor profile was somewhat hard to pin down, but at once perfectly singed and soothed the palate in such a way as to be wonderfully complex and mouthwatering. If you have to get just one taco, get the chicken tinga!

(antiquetaco.com)

Market Mushroom Tacos

Alicia: One look at Antique Taco’s menu and I knew I was going to try the Market Mushroom tacos. The two warm corn tortillas encased meaty sauteed mushrooms, crunchy salty pumpkin seeds, fresh and spicy arugula, bitingly flavorful purple onion and radish, and a smoked onion cream that cut through all of these flavors with a beautifully creamy finesse. The perfect pairing was obviously the purple onion with the savory onion cream, making me want to keep coming back bite after delicious bite.

(antiquetaco.com)

Maple Farm Duck Enchiladas

Unfortunately, the Maple Farm Duck Enchiladas were much less successful. After ordering at the register, I was notified that the enchiladas were fried, but since I had already gotten my hopes up, I thought I’d still try them. What came to the table was definitely not an order of enchiladas, but of flautas, and I felt angry and embarrassed for Antique Taco in their failed nomenclature. As I dug into the fried tortillas I definitely enjoyed the savory duck meat, but with all the accoutrements on top (cream, lettuce, etc), I failed to pick out what they tried to sell as peanut butter mole and blackberry crema fresca. Ultimately, this was a very sorry dish, and something I would never order again, as their tacos are the clear winner here.

Overall, Antique Taco is fun, and I really enjoyed the sticks accompanying each dish which identified what I was eating, as well as the fun jar of complimentary gum for a post-meal refreshment. Yes to their tacos, no to their fried enchiladas.

(antiquetaco.com)

(antiquetaco.com)

Final Thoughts: A great place to grab a few tacos, we would definitely come back here, especially to try their rosemary margarita (tequila, fresh lime juice, fresh orange juice and rosemary simple syrup) and of course to order one of their horchata milkshakes on a warm day (yet, which to choose is up in the air, as the joint offers up cinnamon, banana, almond, and vanilla varieties). Yum!

Posted in Eat It! and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
01 Apr 2013

Under a Rainbow Flag

WHAT: Under a Rainbow Flag
WHEN: March 21 – April 21, 2013 (schedule)
WHERE: Profiles Theatre – The Main Stage (4139 N. Broadway Ave.)
RUNTIME: 2 Hours and 30 minutes, with a 10 minute intermission
WHO: Pride Films and Plays
PRICE: $15-25

OUR RATING: Do It!

A meeting on a train for four gay soldiers during World War Two is the starting point for Leo Schwartz’s new musical Under the Rainbow Flag, based on the true story of veteran Jon Phillips. A tale of self-discovery, good humor and utter tragedy, we journey west to San Francisco and onto the war-torn shores of East Asia, exploring the many different paths these remarkable men take.

With show-stopping tunes and wonderfully composed ensemble pieces, Under the Rainbow Flag tells the very real story of servicemen who fought and died for a country which denied and opposed their sexuality, and for this it should be celebrated as an original and heartfelt triumph.

(Photo by David Zak)

(Photo by David Zak)

Alicia: The production of Under a Rainbow Flag couldn’t have better timing. The show was submitted as part of Pride Films and Plays’ Great Gay Play Contest (2012), and now the next installment is right around the corner with Gay Play Weekend and the 2013 Great Gay Play Contest showing its fierce talent at Center on Halsted from May 17 to 19.

Since last year’s contest, Under a Rainbow Flag has nurtured and grown, with a staged reading at Center on Halsted last May, and with an overwhelming response to their Indiegogo project, raising over $5000. And now, after months of work, it has matured and found its place on Uptown’s Main Stage.

(Photo by David Zak)

(Photo by David Zak)

Under the Rainbow Flag is a poignant, fast-paced soiree that really does take you back to those days of radio plays, big bands and rhythm & blues, and the prevalence of WWII propaganda infiltrating the modern lives of American civilians and soldiers alike. Set Designer Ashley Ann Woods works magic on the production, with WWII vintage print posters lining the top level of the stage, magnificently painted background drops of San Francisco on the main level, and even her trolley-track work-of-art flooring. She works hand-in-hand with lighting designer Garvin Jellison to move the audience effortlessly from setting to setting, with my favorite moments being spotlights against a Pearl Harbor poster (and did I detect an outline of a radio?) while the radio news played to provide a bit of historical background to the theatrical mix.

But the talent didn’t stop on the tech side, with director and Pride Films and Plays Executive Director David Zak showing his directorial prowess with a melange of smart, risky and just-plain-fun choices. Knockout performances were seen from James Nedrud (Russell) and Jordan Phelps (Stefano), who may not have been the main characters, but were really the ones who carried the show for me. Nedrud has obviously played the musical scene before (his rendition of “The Army’s Handing Out Medals” with fellow actor Luis Herrera (Bender) was a highlight of the night), and I would love to see him elsewhere on stage. He knows how to play to a crowd and how to really work Tracy Strimple’s choreography. Meanwhile, Phelps has a sincere and provocative charm which adds complexity to his bitingly raw performance.

Adam: The presence of gays in the military during World War Two is not a subject that is covered much in the history books. While technically banned from service in the 1940s, the imperative for fighting men meant that gays were indeed admitted, albeit while keeping their sexuality low profile. Indeed, the recent repeal of DADT, as well as the cases currently before the Supreme Court, reminds us that we are still in the midst of this discrimination, and have only just begun taking steps towards equality. Under a Rainbow Flag starts to illuminate some of this history for the first time, an extremely important service.

(Photo by David Zak)

(Photo by David Zak)

Truly marvelous and catchy numbers (especially “Queens”, which is perhaps the most riotously fantastic piece in the whole work) create a sense of connection and camaraderie between audience and actors. Full of energy and life, we are treated to a full array of experiences from the openly camp, to the closeted (but hilarious) reactions to straight servicemen. Codes are an essential part of life for these men, who must balance between the ideal and reality, which is also more brutally reflected in the wartime setting, replete with its own codes and ciphers, even if they are for more grisly purposes.

(Photo by David Zak)

With expert music direction by Robert Ollis, seated behind the keyboard in full military uniform, a perfect score beams forth that makes us laugh as well as reflect on the wider, more serious issues that it raises. An important piece of theatre for our times, I would highly recommend you pick up a ticket and get a front row seat.

Final Thoughts: With Under the Rainbow Flag, Pride Films and Plays continues to foster compelling and talented work that speaks to the LGBT community and beyond, and we’re thrilled to see such a commendable piece of work find its footing in the performing arts and have such great success in a short period of time.

Posted in Performing Arts, See It! and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
29 Mar 2013

Sweet Mandy B’s

WHAT: Sweet Mandy B’s
WHERE: 1208 W. Webster Ave.

OUR RATING: Chance It!

This bakeshop is typically sweet, like the many that have sprung up around Chicago due to the current cupcake craze. The difference is that Lincoln Park’s Sweet Mandy B’s was thoughtful enough to realise that it was Passover this week, and has produced a non-leavened menu for all those observing the holiday. That being said, once you are seated in the child’s room decorated interior, these sweet treats may or may not seem to be unique enough for this much-loved bakery.

Adam: Passover is a great time of year: Spring is coming, the birds are singing, food is plentiful and wine is free flowing. Unfortunately, it also means the limiting of ones diet to non-leavened goods, and sometimes that isn’t compatible with eating out and partaking of regular enjoyments. Sweet Mandy B’s has crafted an exclusive menu especially for Passover, including chocolate turtles, macaroons and matzah s’mores. Yum!

(sweetmandybs.com)

(sweetmandybs.com)

I gravitated towards the matzah s’mores, simply because s’mores are great and matzah is delicious. Two huge pieces of matzah seal a massive marshmallow between them. Chocolate is liberally dribbled on top of this, and, for the adventurous, nutella can also be added. The first crunch is excellent, making me wish that I was taking a camping trip. However, if you eat these s’mores in-store they are served cold, which I do not believe is the correct way for them to be consumed. For best results, take one home with you, pop it in the microwave and let the marshmallow and chocolate melt together, like they’re meant to. Very sweet and large, one can easily be shared between two people. So, next time you’re wandering in the forest and don’t have time to pack graham crackers, pack matzah instead and you’ll have a jolly good time.

(sweetmandybs.com)

(sweetmandybs.com)

Alicia: Dark chocolate, pecans and lots and lots of caramel. Sounds simple, but Sweet Mandy B’s turtles pack a whole ton of flavor, and the serving size is pretty big (about the size of your generic cookie). Their turtles are pretty run-of-the-mill, but nonetheless delicious, and they are certainly unique in that they are more deconstructed than your average turtle. Instead of the caramel and nuts encased within a shell of chocolate, it looks like Sweet Mandy B’s started with a small pile of nuts, then dripping caramel on top to make it all come together. Then, after waiting for it to harden, that’s when they dropped a whole mass of chocolate on top, allowing for a thick chunk of chocolate to serve as the final top layer.

(sweetmandybs.com)

(sweetmandybs.com)

Not a dark chocolate fan? … … … Now that we’re done judging you (not really!), not to fret: these babies also come in regular milk chocolate and white chocolate. And while probably big enough to share, you’ll end up wanting to hoard it all to yourself. Delicious! Again, pretty normal for a turtle, but turtles are yummy nonetheless.

(sweetmandybs.com)

(sweetmandybs.com)

Final Thoughts: If you can’t make it to Sweet Mandy B’s for Passover, don’t fret! The bakery has numerous sweet treats all year-round, including giant cookies, a plethora of cupcakes (which is what they’re best known for), enormous candied apples and of course cakes galore if you’re in for a slice. And while you’re chomping down on some chocolate or savoring the last remnants of icing off your fork, you can view their ‘art gallery’ in their main ‘dining’ area, with art from local students, where proceeds go directly to their annual Read-A-Thon promoting literacy among children and their families. So stop in for a quick cookie and take a look around!

Posted in Eat It! and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
28 Mar 2013

Crossroads Public House

WHAT: Crossroads Public House
WHERE: 2630 N. Clark St.

OUR RATING: Skip It!

Storefront City felt in the mood for a bar night, so we tried out Crossroads Public house in Lincoln Park, right next door to the famed Weiner Circle. What drew us to Crossroads was our attempt to get as much beer for as little money as possible, with some fun ambiance that didn’t get too ridiculously crazy and obnoxious. Were we successful?

Alicia: Eek. This place is somewhat enticing from the outside in terms of publicizing their nightly specials, with posters advertising a bunch of deals on the windows, and with a standing poster in the middle of the sidewalk listing their daily offerings. And some of them sound like really good deals too, like $2 burger nights on Thursdays, $1 well drinks on certain nights, and the like. But we could tell just from the loud Top 40’s music blasting from within and the sloppy drunks on the dance floor that this probably wasn’t our kind of place.

The bar is relatively large, and comes with nearly a dozen large plasma TVs (obviously playing sports), a dart machine, jukebox, Foosball and what we guessed was a dance floor. One side of the place was pretty populated by a bunch of drunk fraternity-esque guys in their late 20’s, and the other part of the bar was ultimately empty. And it was all sticky, smelly and relatively dirty. We weren’t very hungry, which was good, as I probably wouldn’t have felt safe or clean ordering food their anyways (their menu consists of your typical burgers, salads and pizza), so we just stuck to having a drink or two.

Adam: Crossroads is basically a local dive bar with really cheap beer. On Tuesdays and Saturdays, their house ale, CPH (wow! that’s a creative name) is $6 for a pitcher, and that’s exactly what we ordered. CPH is really not a good beer. Watery and weak, I practically felt like I was drinking a Miller High Life knockoff. But, then again, it’s the cheapest beer you’ll get anywhere in Lincoln Park, so if you need to have a pint and you’re skint, this is the place to be. If you can put up with the service, that is, who are practically non-existent and take eons to prepare your order (literally, you just open the tap and fill the pitcher. It’s not like you need to mash the barley).

cr4My final comment will be this: if another place calls itself an Irish pub, when it is neither Irish nor a pub, I will call out your manager and make him answer for his crimes. A pub is a public house, derived from an inn, which should be traditionally adorned in Medieval or Tudor style and encourage community values and conviviality (for an example, check out my old haunt at The Harrow Inn). Additionally, for it to be Irish, it must at least something pertaining to Irish culture upon its walls: put whiskey bottles along the back of your bar, put some copies of James Joyce out, display a replica of the Book of Kells, or at least put some Bono on. Good gracious! It’s not that difficult to embrace a highly hospitable culture, is it?

Final Thoughts: If you’ve already had a few drinks and absolutely need a place to act drunk and stupid and consume a few more cheap beers, go ahead and go here, but otherwise we suggest you skip it and save yourself the two or three showers you’ll need to clean this place off of you. It’s definitely worth a few more pennies to go elsewhere.

Posted in Do It!, Drink It!, Nightlife and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
26 Mar 2013

Katherine Anne Confections

WHAT: Katherine Anne Confections
WHERE: 2745 W. Armitage Ave.

OUR RATING: Do It!

(katherine-anne.com)

(katherine-anne.com)

Truffles, caramels, gourmet marshmallows, oh my! Storefront City sampled a few delicacies at Logan Square’s Katherine Anne Confections. Katherine Anne has been creating her own confections at this location since 2006, and while it’s been on Chicago’s radar for awhile, it was just nominated this year for Time Out Chicago‘s Best Sweet Shop 2013 and Katherine Anne herself was just nominated as one of Zagat’s 30 Under 30, so we were super excited to see what makes this place so hot.

Adam:

(katherine-anne.com)

(katherine-anne.com)

The Truffle

If you’ve been a longtime reader of Storefront City, you’ll know by now that I’m completely into history. So perhaps it was the name of the Mayan Cherry Truffle that just said “Adam, this is for you”, or perhaps it was just because I like dark chocolate and spice. A MI tart cherry centre is infused with cayenne and habanero and enwrapped in a dark chocolate outside that completes this gem. Spicy and tart, it is the perfect adult sweet and is certainly true to its bloody Mayan heritage.

(katherine-anne.com)

(katherine-anne.com)

The Marshmallow

Like many fantastic modern inventions, marshmallows originated in ancient Egypt, when the sap of the marshmallow plant was mixed with nuts and sweets to treat sore throats. Obviously, the Pharaohs decided that it far too tasty to be merely a medicine and promoted it to a confection which we still enjoy today. Katherine Anne’s Coffee Marshmallow marries this Egyptian sweet with the Ethiopian coffee from further south, to produce a spongy delectable morsel that you will quickly finish. While slightly less powerful in flavor than expected, I imagine that this would make a nice complement to any after dinner get together.

(katherine-anne.com)

(katherine-anne.com)

The Caramel

Wonderful caramel – chewy and long-lasting, they finish most meals better than a mint would. So try the Fleur de Sel Caramel: a soft honey vanilla caramel covered in 72% cacao bittersweet chocolate and lovingly touched with a few grains of French sea salt, one of the finest varieties to be had. With a cushioned texture, botanical flavor and salty aftertaste, this is one of their bestsellers, and one can see why.

Alicia:

(katherine-anne.com)

(katherine-anne.com)

The Truffle

It was the cashew that drew me into sampling the Cascara Truffle. It’s made with cascara, the husk from the coffee bean with notes of fruit & coffee; paired with dried huckleberries from Rare Tea Cellar Inc., toasted fresh chevre, and cascara-candied cashews. Honestly, the truffle was a bit one-noted despite the complexity in its creation. Only afterwards upon investigation did I discover that cascara is known for its laxative properties and has some precautions upon consuming…so if you’re pregnant or have problems with your kidney or appendix and the like, you may want to avoid this one.

(katherine-anne.com)

(katherine-anne.com)

The Marshmallow

What better way to get your drink on than to infuse a marshmallow with some bubbly? The Champagne Marshmallow is pretty subtle, but you can still taste that sparkling wine in there somewhere. Perhaps not the most flavorful, but how elegant and fun!

(katherine-anne.com)

(katherine-anne.com)

The Caramel

I am the biggest fan of using rosemary and sea salt when cooking, so when I spotted the Rosemary Sea Salt Caramel, I was definitely excited to mix some sweetness into the equation. And boy was this one a winner! A perfect blend of sweet, salty and earthiness with the rosemary, I couldn’t get enough of this caramel, which offered a savory chewiness without getting stuck to my teeth. Which, I almost would have preferred, just to be able to taste it for longer. But alas, it was gone in a snap.

(katherine-anne.com)

(katherine-anne.com)

Final Thoughts: While known for years for their truffles, and despite the latest craze in gourmet marshmallows, the secret behind Katherine Anne Confections is actually in their caramels. And many little birdies have told us their drinking chocolate is the way to go. Obviously, this is high on our agenda next time we’re in the area, but no matter how filling that will probably be, we’ll have to order a whole box of Katherine Anne’s Rosemary Sea Salt Caramels, and maybe even a few Mayan Truffles to spice things up a bit.

P.S.: The wonders of the internet mean that you can now order Katherine Anne Confections online. So why not pick up a box of caramels or some truffles to really experience the variety that Katherine Anne has to offer.

Posted in Eat It! and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
25 Mar 2013

Nellcôte

WHAT: Nellcôte
WHERE: 833 W. Randolph St.

OUR RATING: Do It!

It seems that every week we bring you something European in Chicago, and this week is no different. One of the newer additions to the Randolph Street corridor in the West Loop, Nellcôte was modeled after the Villa Nellcôte, leased by Keith Richards in 1971 for the Rolling Stones to use as a recording space for Exile on Main St. Storefront City crashed a Chicago bloggers event held here the other week and liked it so much we came back for brunch!

(nellcoterestaurant.com)

(nellcoterestaurant.com)

Enter Nellcôte: a French-style industrial villa with a punky elegant personality, and connected through its kitchen to famed RM Champagne Salon. The food, with all wheat products deriving from chef Jared Van Camp’s (of Old Town Social) in-house mill, is diverse yet simple, and provides a welcome comfort to the more gastronomically challenging fare offered in similar locations elsewhere.

(nellcoterestaurant.com)

(nellcoterestaurant.com)

Alicia: A little bit vintage, a little bit rock ‘n’ roll and a lot 1960s French chateau. Crown molding, herringbone flooring, custom chairs, silk drapes and antique mirrors are contrasted against exposed cement pillars, Italian marble tables, and punches of rich and crazy colors through handcrafted Hermes orange Tolix bar chairs and a series of art installations. Even the bathrooms were reminiscent of said French opulence, but of course with some pictures of Jagger and the like on the doors. Oh, and don’t forget a 12-foot-wide, eight-step white Italian marble staircase near the back of the restaurant and 18-foot-high Art Nouveau wrought iron gates at the entrance. It’s an elegant eclectic-chic pastiche that defies the overdone ‘rustic’ decor concept pervading the city. It was almost like Gaga’s “Paparazzi” video had a baby with Andy Warhol. Almost.

With a mix of Spanish, French and Italian influences, the decor matches their melange of European-influenced food, and one is nostalgically greeted to an $18 prix fixe brunch menu offering a variety of entrees and a charcuterie/cheese/pastry plate for the table to share. In addition to a sampling of a cheese and a meat, the plate also came with preserved figs, mini brioche and nutty madeleines, along with some homemade strawberry jam, clotted cream and deliciously creamy lemon curd.

But on to the main event, the pain perdu: crispy french toast with chopped apples (the fruit garnish changes with the seasons), crème Chantilly, and caramel sauce. Not at all what you might call a “light” breakfast, but as you can probably tell by now, I am definitely a baked goods at brunch kind of girl. Anyways, I have to admit I was a bit disappointed by this dish. After my first bite I wasn’t sure if I wanted to take another one, as most of the flavor seeping into my taste buds was actually of oil and the fryer the bread must have lived in for a good while (they soak day-old brioche in caramel custard and fry it), and which came out looking perhaps a bit too overdone.

But I let myself take a few more bites and once I got into the center I was able to appreciate the airy brioche (soaked like a sponge in cream and still retaining its caramel custard it was slathered in prior to frying-time) with caramel and apples, with only pieces of the charred and oily outside that added flavor, rather than overwhelming the bite. An okay dish, definitely an off fryer day, but really that pastry plate in the beginning and the ambiance of the place both redeemed the whole experience.

Adam: When we initially came to Nellcôte, as has been mentioned above, we were attending a bloggers event in celebration of the Oscars. For this, we were privy to three interesting and diverse cocktails from their beautiful long bar. While not regularly available, if you jot down the ingredients, we’re sure they’ll put them together for you (in the kitchen, which is where they make all their drinks).

"Les Mis"

“The Silver Lining”

First was the Les Mis, a combination of Moët Imperial Champagne, Grand Marnier, Angostura bitters and, yes I’m serious, gold. Other than feeling that it couldn’t be further from representing the revolutionary world of 1830s Paris, I felt that it had decent enough contrasts to recommend it. Providing a classic base, the Moët Imperial essentially makes this a sparkling cocktail, with hints of other flavors. While the bitters were a tad overpowering, this is a solid pre-dinner drink.

"Zero Dark Thirty"

“Zero Dark Thirty”

Then, it was onto the Zero Dark Thirty, consisting of Hennessy VS, rum, Rare Tea Sellers Earl Grey, Blood Orange, Cherry Heering, and Moët Imperial. Perhaps the most confusingly named (I can’t think of anything that links the ingredients to the film), it presented an extremely odd taste that will not be up everyone’s street. The Hennessy and rum provide a harsh duet, while the tea and Cherry Heering give the entire drink a cordial flavor that makes one think this was intended for a 19th century British India officer suffering from some incurable tropical malady.

The sure winner was The Silver Lining, of Belvedere, Combier Grapefruit, lemon and Yellow Chartreuse Rinse. Delicate and delicious, the Belvedere provides a decent base, while grapefruit and lemon give all the appreciated sour needed. Chartreuse is obviously fantastic, and I was convinced that the monks who made it would have been pleased with this cocktail.

But, enough on drinks – food is paramount here. After hearing plenty about the supposed best choices (complex pizzas vs. simple pastas), I chose the Sunnyside-Up Egg Pizza, complete with organic fried egg lovingly positioned atop a bed of arugula tossed in a lemon and olive oil, along with fontina and mozzarella cheese on the pizza itself. It is essentially a salad on a pizza, which is such a nice change from the greasy norm you get elsewhere. Highly recommended for brunch, it shows Nellcôte can do both modern and classic admirably.

((nellcoterestaurant.com)

((nellcoterestaurant.com)

Final Thoughts: Nellcôte is new, chic, and amazingly fun. Not too loud during the day, it hots up at night and becomes a full-scale bar, complete with DJ. Perhaps the perfect combination of classic and modern, you are sure to be pleased with what you find. And, if you are a little strapped for cash, let us recommend the Savant Special for starving artists. Monday to Friday from 5-7pm with a pizza and a beer all for $10.

Posted in Drink It!, Eat It! and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
22 Mar 2013

Measure for Measure

WHAT: Measure for Measure
WHEN: March 9 – April 14, 2013 (schedule)
WHERE: Goodman Theatre (170 N. Dearborn St.)
RUNTIME: 2 Hours and 40 minutes, with a 15 minute intermission
WHO: Goodman Theatre
PRICE: $25-86

OUR RATING: Chance It!

It seems that Chicago has an appetite for Shakespeare recently, and especially for some of the less-performed works from the Bard’s repertoire. One of the three “problem plays,” Measure for Measure has been classified as a dark comedy, though audiences consistently find its treatment of certain subjects distasteful. In the Goodman Theatre’s production, Measure for Measure is transposed to 1970s New York, where greed, lust and depravity rule supreme.

(goodmantheatre.org)

(goodmantheatre.org)

The Duke of Vienna determines to leave the city in the hands of Lord Angelo, during whose brief reign laws that had fallen into obscurity are prosecuted most vigorously. This leads the young man Claudio, who has been involved in an unconsecrated relationship with Juliet, to be arrested and sentenced to die. His fate lies with his sister, the nun Isabella, who must appeal to Angelo for her brother’s life, and bear his dreadful, lecherous proposal.

Adam: I have a statement to make: updating Shakespeare rarely ever works, and especially if significant scripting changes do not occur. By specifically setting the play in 1970s New York City, director Robert Falls has limited himself, making references throughout the play incompatible with his vision, and generally undermining the story.

(L to R) Sean Fortunato, Kevin Fugaro and Travis A. (goodmantheatre.org)

(L to R) Sean Fortunato, Kevin Fugaro and Travis A. (goodmantheatre.org)

Perhaps it’s the fact that I come from an education rooted in historical study, or that I’ve seen my fair share of traditionally-staged Shakespeare in England that works fantastically, but I just can’t fully get behind these types of changes. They alter the essence of the work, allowing audiences to conveniently skip over the history involved in favor of more recent events they can understand without learning the background.

That being said, one must give Goodman credit for attempting a play that does not translate well to the modern day, with ample misogyny that must be dealt with in order for the play to be successful.

(L to R) Celeste M. Cooper and James Newcomb (goodmantheatre.org)

(L to R) Celeste M. Cooper and James Newcomb (goodmantheatre.org)

Some star performances were to be had from the amusing and versatile James Newcomb (Duke Vincentio), whose eloquence and charm make his depiction of depraved royalty most watchable, while supporting actor Sean Fortunato (Elbow) provides a humorous and uncannily accurate depiction of a New York City police officer.

Unfortunately, the final reveal of the play seemed to be elongated, so that one thought the Duke almost cruel in his actions. Nevertheless, Measure for Measure will appeal to some audiences, with its likability based mainly on your personal preference for how Shakespeare should be performed.

Alejandra Escalante (goodmantheatre.org)

Alejandra Escalante (goodmantheatre.org)

Alicia: Overall, I was pretty disappointed with this production, and to be honest, I haven’t enjoyed much I’ve seen at the Goodman since The Seagull a few years ago. Yet, if you can score some cheap student/Hot Tix tickets, this production is on an entire different scale than anything else you’ll see in Chicago, with the possible exception of Broadway in Chicago and the like. It’s big. It’s loud. It’s certainly trying to say something, and trying really, really hard.

The prologue is perhaps the most impressive moment of the play, where director Robert Falls drops us most foully (and in slow motion no less) into a sleazy and sex-crazed Midtown Manhattan, all to the warped tune of Donna Summer’s “Love to Love You, Baby.” With this song as a starting point, Richard Woodbury’s sound design only gets better, with beautiful original scores playing throughout most scenes and peaking with intensity during transitions.

(L to R) Aaron Todd Douglas and Joe Foust (goodmantheatre.org)

(L to R) Aaron Todd Douglas and Joe Foust (goodmantheatre.org)

Yet, the worst moment of the play is the final component of a Donna Summers bookend to the performance, with “Last Dance” playing for the finale while the entire cast does a choreographed disco dance, and as Falls decides to kill off a major character that survived Shakespeare’s version. Utterly tragic.

And don’t even get me started on Walt Spangler’s scenic design. While I usually love and admire Spangler’s work, it looked like the Goodman’s production of Camino Real came back to haunt me and vomited all over the stage. The Goodman sure does like to flaunt that they have lots of money, and I’ve never appreciated that aspect of their productions.

(L to R) Alejandra Escalante and Jay Whittaker (goodmantheatre.org)

(L to R) Alejandra Escalante and Jay Whittaker (goodmantheatre.org)

Finally, Falls tried super hard to make this piece funny, and most of the audience laughed from beginning to end. With the exception of a handful of moments, I didn’t really laugh at all. And when the audience laughed after Isabella’s (Alejandra Escalante) attempted rape, I wanted to burn the theatre down.

Final Thoughts: We’re a little on the fence with this one, as you can probably tell. “Chance It” was dangerously close to “Skip It,” but ultimately, with a generally talented cast of actors and a strong directorial point-of-view, we suggest you think about it.

Posted in Performing Arts, See It! and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
21 Mar 2013

Joy Yee’s Noodles

WHAT: Joy Yee’s Noodles
WHERE: 2139 S. China Pl.

OUR RATING: Do It!

Huge portions, wholesome food and hot plates mark Joy Yee’s Noodles out as one of the most unique and fun experiences in Chinatown and Chicago itself. The bowls of food are literally giant and served traditionally in stoneware and metal, while bubble tea flows freely from the alcove out front, purportedly the first location to serve the concoction in Chicago.

Can’t make it down to Chinatown? Not to worry! Joy Yee’s has a plethora of other locations, including Joy Yee’s To Go in Lakeview, and locations in Evanston, Naperville and University Village.

Alicia: Everything about Joy Yee’s is big and loud. The place is always bustling, so you’ll probably wait a bit for a seat, and when you are seated, just be prepared for the meal to be loud and crazy. And then you get the menu and your head will spin, with page after page of fruit drinks, bubble teas, and an unending food menu. The picture to the right is just one page of many for just the drinks…

Bubble teas, etc, are good and all, but I don’t often order them. Yet, with Joy Yee’s offering an extensive menu of teas inside (as well as offering to-go windows on one end of the restaurant), I just had to order one. My sister and I split the Lychee Bubble Tea and the gigantic glass arrived at our table chock-full of fresh, delicious lychees and a plethora of beautiful tapioca pearls. It took quite awhile, but we savored every last drop of its sweet and refreshing tastiness.

As I’m all about contrast, the day I ordered the Lychee Bubble Tea was the same day I discovered the Korean Spicy Seafood Noodle Soup. Spicy broth housed luxurious noodles and an ongoing supply of shrimp, octopus, scallops and a white fish. The bowl was so huge that I had to bring more than half of it home. It was certainly spicy and is sure to clear your sinuses, but it isn’t so spicy as to completely overwhelm the delicate seafood, so it’s definitely a win-win.

I’ve been to Joy Yee’s more times than I can count, but my favorite visit was probably when Adam and I split their Korean Sliced Beef with Spicy Tofu Soup. But I’ve talked about food enough, and I’m hungry again for Joy Yee’s…so I’ll leave this one for Adam to describe!

Adam: Being a huge fan of exotic food, Joy Yee’s really fits my bill excellently. With cuisine from across Asia, you can take a quick trip to China, before hopping onto Korea and sailing down to the Malay Peninsula. I’ve had two experiences here and both of them resulted in very different responses, so bear with me.

The first dish I ordered here was the Lemongrass Spicy Chicken, which was, disappointingly, more lemon than spice. This might be due to its simplicity – you want to order extravagantly at a place that serves some of its food inside massive bamboo shoots. The citrus flavor of the lemongrass was, however, much appreciated, even if the overall dish cannot be recommended.

Now, onto the main event: Korean Sliced Beef with Spicy Tofu Soup. Perhaps the best item on the menu, it’s massive, easily split between two people and a perfect reflection of several Asian cuisines. A hot stone plate piled high with grilled beef and a tangy spicy sauce are laden upon one side of your wooden tray, whilst a stone bowl of steaming soup lulls deliciously on the other, complete with vegetable broth and numerous tofu pieces afloat within it. Definitely recommended and only for the hungriest of people, this meal is worthy of a visit in itself to this staple of Chinatown, Chicago.

Final Thoughts: To be honest, Joy Yee’s may not be for everyone. If you don’t like loud restaurants, you may want to think twice, and if you don’t like making decisions on what to eat, then this place will certainly test you. Another word of warning is that Joy Yee’s sometimes skimps on your leftovers. What we mean is, if you ask to take home your leftovers, they will only give you back an amount that fits in one takeout container, so if you have more than that, they will just toss the rest.

Other than these slight drawbacks, Joy Yee’s will provide a crazy and enjoyable experience whether you are on a fun date or hanging out with a bunch of your friends, and we’re sure you’ll leave feeling like you just ate a whole giant fish. Which, of course, is actually an option.

Posted in Drink It!, Eat It! and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
20 Mar 2013

The La Ronde Project

WHAT: The La Ronde Project (La Ronde, The Blue Room, Fucking Men)
WHEN: March 10 – April 14, 2013 (Schedule)
WHERE: Stage 773 (1225 W. Belmont)
RUNTIME: Approximately 2 hours per show
WHO: Street Tempo Theatre
PRICE: $28 per play, or $60 for all three

OUR RATING: Do It!

Storefront City experienced a whirlwind day of theatre with Street Tempo Theatre’s La Ronde Project, a new three-play repertory presenting Arthur Schnitzler’s controversial 1903 erotic drama (La Ronde) along with other pieces it inspired: The Blue Room by David Hare and Fucking Men by Joe DiPietro. The repertory is also accompanied by an Improvised Musical Le Ronde that we unfortunately were unable to catch, but judging by director John Hildreth’s Second City credentials is sure to be hilarious. Controversial, witty and totally sexual, The La Ronde Project is sure to raise eyebrows.

La Ronde by Arthur Schnitzler (script available here)

Lauren Bourke and Dan Planz (Photo by Brian Work)

Lauren Bourke and Dan Planz (Photo by Brian Work)

Arthur Schnitzler’s dizzyingly erotic play, first privately published in German in 1900 (he thought the subject matter would cause uproar – it wasn’t premiered until 1920) is a commentary on both sexual morals and class struggle at the turn of the 20th century. A set of ten dialogues, before and after sexual encounters, the play toys with idea of sexuality being an equalizer, as well as a method of control, carefully buried beneath the pomp of lovely Vienna.

With transitions that allow for but one character to progress in the circle of sex (the “ronde” itself), director Tim Curtis moves us between the worlds of soldiers and prostitutes, maids and masters, as well as actresses and aristocrats, for good measure. The whole scope of Viennese society is captured in vivid detail, especially through the use of period set pieces, as well as costumes from the talented Laura Wilson.

Ultimately, some of the more subtle aspects might be lost in the century that has passed since Schnitzler penned this promiscuous little piece, but it remains nonetheless a compelling example of expert storytelling.

The Blue Room by David Hare (script available here)

Arielle Kresich and Matt Gall (Photo by Brian Work)

Arielle Kresich and Matt Gall (Photo by Brian Work)

Updated for the modern day, The Blue Room tells the same scandalous tales as La Ronde, but with the astounding directorial touch of Brian Posen and Cody Spellman, you are truly watching a unique piece of theatre outstandingly different from its predecessor. This production also focuses on the difference between the sexes and their (and our) perception of sexual excitement, lust and libido in a modern world that is not always what it seems.

The cast is complete with characters from the 1990s (a cab driver, au pier, and politician put in an appearance). Although we are led through similar scenes as the original, one feels the raw energy more so, as well as the disturbing nature of gender relations that still seems to cling to society, even after one hundred years of progress. The actors are on top form from beginning to end and every second in between, even acting like fiends during transitions and when ‘off-stage.’ Remarkable in both its staging and sensitivity, the exemplary direction of The Blue Room makes it a pleasure to watch.

Fucking Men by Joe DiPietro

Tyler Vaughn and Jaume Wojciechowski (Photo by Brian Work)

Tyler Vaughn and Jaume Wojciechowski (Photo by Brian Work)

This very recent play (premiered 2009) deals with La Ronde’s subject matter, but placing the story entirely within the framework of the ups and downs of gay male life in the United States. By examining relationships, lust and the need to connect in a world which still does not fully accept homosexuality, DiPietro creates a work that shows this and more through powerful dialogue, humor and dramatic poise.

The play knits together a portrait of life between the sheets and within a world that has literal dangerous consequences, and which is complete with arguments for and against monogamy, extreme secrecy and the longing to be fully liberated from oppressive circumstances. Directed by Scott Olsen with particularly strong and provocative staging, and with impressive character acting from Jack Bourgeois (Sammy) and well-rounded performances from Scott Olson (Director/Donald), Street Tempo offers a fierce take on this contemporary work.

(streettempotheatre.com)

Final Thoughts: Once again, quality work has been presented at Stage 773, proving that this venue is perhaps the best in the city for both fringe and mainstream theatre that is readily accessible to everyone. With The La Ronde Project, Street Tempo continues to showcase work that has never, or rarely, been seen in Chicago and puts a fresh spin on old classics. We encourage you to see at least one of these daring and completely amourous productions, as it will give you a taste of the massive scope of this huge project. If you do want to see them all, there is a discount on bulk tickets, so make sure you ask about it at the box office or online.

Posted in Performing Arts, See It! and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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