Storefront City Chicago

Archive for the tag “Storefront City”

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 , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
07 Feb 2013

Lucky Strike Lanes

WHAT: Lucky Strike Lanes (Bowling)
WHERE: River East Center (322 E. Illinois St.)

OUR RATING: Skip It!

(bowlluckystrike.com)

(bowlluckystrike.com)

This is a super interesting location that seems to take bowling and make it a high class affair. On the second floor of the AMC River East movie complex, Lucky Strike Lanes boasts 18 lanes, 11 pool tables, a restaurant, bar and wine lounge. It’s darn swanky, and seems to get away with it. So, if you feel like bowling and being in a club at the same time, this place is perfect for you. If you’d prefer a more casual experience, stay away (there is even a dress code).

(bowlluckystrike.com)

(bowlluckystrike.com)

Adam: There are a lot of things I quite like about Lucky Strike – beautiful ambience, glittering lanes, waiters bringing food and drink direct to your group and the feeling that you are privileged to be there. Then again, there is a lot I find less than acceptable – front desk staff tend to be snippy and rude, the drinks are regular and uninteresting, and the food is fare food with no extra frills.

(bowlluckystrike.com)

(bowlluckystrike.com)

The major problem with Lucky Strike is its branding and message. It wants to be a celebrity filled almost L.A.-type experience, going so far as to mention on their website the numerous White Sox and Bears players who come to hang out there.

But, then again, it’s bowling, which I don’t really associate with celebrity or glamour. I was under the impression that bowling was a fun sport, much in the same way that soccer or croquet are quite fun. But, if someone told me that there was an exclusive croquet club, filled with celebrities dying to play and sipping on martinis, would I go? Probably not, because whatever the hell is being recommended is most likely a less than stellar experience (although I might go if it were some type of lawn party and only if Pimms was available).

(bowlluckystrike.com)

(bowlluckystrike.com)

The earliest evidence for bowling is from ancient Egypt, were the game was played as a child’s diversion. And that’s what it is, a diversion. Not a fancy, expensive diversion, just a fun, wholesome and good-old game. That’s what Lucky Strike doesn’t understand and what makes the entire experience so damnably insufferable.

Alicia: I grew up in one of the most bowling-friendly families you can have, with both of my parents in leagues and my mom bowling right up to the day she gave birth to me. My dad even used to work on the lanes at various bowling alleys and I would go right down the lanes with him checking the mechanics and using a level on the lanes….back then, I was his master assistant with a clipboard and carbon-copy paper.

(bowlluckystrike.com)

(bowlluckystrike.com)

Sure, this place is beautiful and swanky and a perfectly ‘fine’ institution with some okay weekly specials, but it just completely muddles what bowling is. It attempts to make it an upscale activity. Sorry, but it’s not, and I’d prefer to wear jeans over a pencil skirt as I stride with my bowling ball, thank you very much. And the food? Very, very poor.

I mean, we didn’t pay for any of it (we won some free games and food and took a few friends), and trust me – unless we win something free here again I probably won’t be coming back. There’s nothing terrible here, but it just completely muddies the sport and pastime of bowling, and is way too overpriced for what it really is. I’ll take some bar food and cheap beer at your average neighborhood bowling alley over this any day. Or those places that offer cosmic bowling with 90’s techno beats. That’s pretty sweet too.

Final Thoughts: Our feeling is: why bother. Go to your local alley, enjoy good food at cheap prices and have a relaxed night with friends. Bowling is supposed to be casual. Why screw up a good thing?

Warning: You must be 21+ to bowl after 8pm daily.

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

Silence Kills

WHAT: Silence Kills (Photographic Exhibit)
WHEN: February 1 – 25
WHERE: 1431 N. Milwaukee Ave. (inside EyeWant Eyewear)
HOST: Eyeporium Gallery

OUR RATING: Do It!

Credit: Brian Leli

Credit: Brian Leli

Last week, Storefront City dropped into the Eyeporium Gallery in Wicker Park for the opening reception of Brian Leli’s photography exhibition “Silence Kills,” which also provided the perfect opportunity to celebrate the release of his new photo and essay book, “London in a Year.”

Credit: Brian Leli (August 2011: A man rests in front of a wall painted with street art at the Notting Hill Carnival.)

Credit: Brian Leli

“Silence Kills”  tells the everyday story of a city (in this case London), which seems to prove the point that an ordinary day doesn’t exist for a huge metropolis. Documenting everything from protesters in the Occupy Movement outside St. Paul’s Cathedral, gay pride celebrants in Trafalgar Square, or a coffee shop owner in Camden, Leli’s work focuses on the people that make a city tick, and their place beside these well-known monuments of old. As such, this is a snapshot of Londoners, rather than the city, and what it means to be a member of (or outsider in) a modern cosmopolitan capital.

The exhibition is located within the Eyeporium Gallery, which is, in turn, inside an eye-wear store, EyeWant. But this isn’t your average Pearle Vision. Colorfully decorated with Oriental lamps topping display cases, luxuriant plush seats, a plethora of bespectacled  mannequin heads, and fantastical representations of the ocular variety (yes, even including a hoard of The Residents paraphernalia), EyeWant is the perfect space to host a gallery, and really peer into a different kind of retail experience.


Due to the eclectic nature of this salon-style gallery, the gallery can maintain an attractive fringe quality while not being subsumed by the faux vogue of similar galleries elsewhere. Owned by local philanthropist Annette Sollars, the gallery is directed by Carron Little, who we had the good fortune to speak with at the opening. Apparently, this little gem has represented some of Chicago’s more well known visual artists, including Tony Fitzpatrick and Marc Hauser, but we’re always excited to see galleries who nurture a variety of artists, both emerging and established.

Credit: Brian Leli (October 2011: Occupy London: a woman smokes a cigarette at the steps to St Paul’s Cathedral.)

Credit: Brian Leli

Photography often ranks lower on the scale of artistry for some people, probably because it is believed that anyone can snap a photo, while only a talented few can apply paint to canvas with even a modicum of success. However, Leli’s work seems to show us that a certain artistic endowment is absolutely necessary to capture that look of proud triumph while marching with Occupy London or a state of complete defiance whilst protesting against the bombing of Yemen. Then again, the choice to close the shutter on a mundane puff of a cigarette whilst outside St. Paul’s or the pain of illness in a London hospice, seems to immortalize moments otherwise lost, perhaps because we don’t want to remember these happenings in the grand scheme of history. By being forced to remember them through photography, artists like Leli do humanity a service that any other profession would be hard pressed to emulate.

Ravishing, didactic and insightful, Leli’s exhibit will let you explore London at your own pace, and see the city (and its people) behind the monuments.

Posted in See It!, Visual Arts and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
05 Feb 2013

Butcher & The Burger

WHAT: Butcher & The Burger
WHERE: 1021 W. Armitage Ave.

OUR RATING: Chance It!

(butcherandtheburger.com)

(butcherandtheburger.com)

A lot can be said for this lovely little spot that takes the old fashioned concept of the burger and gives it a modern twist. In keeping with the times, Butcher & The Burger allows for full customization, with patrons picking their meat (a choice of prime beef, turkey, grass fed beef, pork, salmon, elk, lentil brown rice, portobello, shrimp or bison), spice blend (everything from kosher salt and black pepper to umami), bun and toppings. All of this is served on a chopping block, which accentuates the location’s butchery credentials.

(butcherandtheburger.com)

(butcherandtheburger.com)

The ambience is old-timey and evokes an epoch where your local butcher was your friend and the burger shop a major hangout for the kids. No McDonalds back then, and a good thing too. While space is extremely limited, the coziness lends something to the experience that makes you okay with being squeezed up against the wall.

Adam: OK, I know what you’re going to say: why did you order the vegan option at a burger joint? And the answer is: it just seemed right. My philosophy is that if a place is going to have a solid menu, then the vegan option is perhaps the most important part–if you can succeed at that, you’re pretty much good all around. And boy, did they succeed!

(butcherandtheburger.com)

(butcherandtheburger.com)

My lentil burger was meaty and full, and only fell apart towards the end, which is more than I can say of other vegan burgers I’ve had. I went with the Chicago-style steakhouse rub, for a bit of traditionalism, which gave it a rather local kick. Encased in a whole wheat bun and topped off with lettuce, tomato, onion, wasabi mayo (this is great!), pickles, BBQ sauce, and goat cheese, I felt I was in luck.

(butcherandtheburger.com)

So why, you might ask, did I say you should only chance this spectacular burger experience? Well, it’s the little things. For example, on all our burgers, the cheese was a sprinkling at best, providing practically no flavor and therefore making me wonder why it was being offered. I also observed that some of the spices (such as sun fiery ghost pepper and coconut curry) were so very spicy that they overwhelmed any other essence in the burger. Such flavors need to be a little more balanced when it comes down to it.

(timeoutchicago.com)

(timeoutchicago.com)

Another issue was the price vs. size/what you get ratio. My burger cost $7.50 (they range up to $14.50 with no extras), and that included no sides, no drink, no nothing. You might argue that this is a gourmet restaurant with a special experience. The burgers are pretty good, but not that good. They should at least throw in a fries or drink, otherwise, the pretentious a-la-carte nature of the menu outweighs the homestyle cooking. I’m sorry, but you just can’t have a soup called Grandma’s onion soup and foie gras on the same menu. My verdict: perhaps go once to try it out and get a super customized burger you can’t get anywhere else. Then, don’t bother coming back.

Alicia: Yes, I went vegan too, but one of our guests went for the prime beef, so we do offer an account of an actual burger in this review. She ordered the burger medium on top a pretzel bun (which happens to cost $.50 extra, and worth it, according to her) with some other accoutrements. The burger came out crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, and boy was it vertical. Medium-sized patty at best, but darn tasty.

(butcherandtheburger.com)

(butcherandtheburger.com)

Meanwhile, I went a little crazy with my order. I really wanted a portobello burger, but they were out of that (disappointing), so I went with the lentil-brown rice option with their coconut/curry/honey spice blend, goat cheese, delicious dijon mustard and wasabi mayo, onions, pickles and -get this- a LETTUCE bun. All of this placed between two slices of iceberg lettuce. You’d think all of these additions (and on top of that a burger made of lentils) would be the messiest thing I ever ate. Not the case! It all stayed perfectly within the ‘bun’ and I was able to enjoy all of the tastes without muddying it with bread (I hate that). The coconut/curry/honey spice blend was the perfect level of spiciness and uniqueness without being too un-burger like. All-in-all, a win!

(butcherandtheburger.com)

(butcherandtheburger.com)

Final thoughts: We give Chef/Partner Allen Sternweiler’s place props. They’ve offered a location where foodies and those who just like burgers can both be happy. On top of that, it’s BYOB, so you can carry in your favorite 6-pack without breaking more of the bank than your burger might already. But would we go back again? Perhaps not for their normal lunch or dinner burgers, but we WOULD come back to try their frozen custard perhaps, and definitely their breakfast burgers, which cost the same as they do at lunch and dinner but also come with two eggs any style and small fries. Fancy a burger brunch anyone?

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

Night of the Magician

WHAT: Night of the Magician
WHEN: January 31 – February 24 (see schedule for details)
WHERE: Chopin Theatre (1543 W. Division Ave.)
RUNTIME: 1 hour and 15 minutes with no intermission
HOST: Screen Door
PRICE: $15

OUR RATING: Chance It!

(chopintheatre.com)

(chopintheatre.com)

If you’ve never been to the Chopin Theatre, it’s a treat for the senses. Part performing arts space, part cabaret and part 19th century cafe, this is the sort of venue Storefront City would love to own if we opened a theatre. It seems magical and timeless, and that makes it a perfect locale for Night of the Magician.

(moviesarebetterlive.com)

(moviesarebetterlive.com)

The company, Screen Door, produces live movie events, causing you to be assailed from all directions by sound, sight and movement. Prior to the main event, this movie begins like all other films on the big screen, but with a twist. Each night a different theater or screening company performs a live movie trailer, promoting their ongoing or upcoming performance – of course without revealing any of the plot twists. This week, it was Whiskey Rebellion Theatre, previewing their Whiskey Radio Hour. This is a great way to get coming attractions out there both fast and fun.

(moviesarebetterlive.com)

(moviesarebetterlive.com)



But on to the main event, which is Screen Door’s first feature length Live Movie, although back in March they premiered I Am a Rocket Scientist, a shorter sci-fi musical Live Movie experience. Written and directed by Jack Lawrence Mayer and David Milton Brent, Night of the Magician is screened before you, actors merge with the movie, sound effects are generated live by a foley artist and music is provided by a band, The Ides of March. In Night of the Magician, Matilda (Ellie Reed), a girl rendered mute by a terrible tragedy, seeks her lost brother (Daniel Desmarais) in a desolate industrial town. Pitted against her are the mysterious forces of Isabelle Lewis (Martine Moore), the heiress to the town factory, the mysterious Magician, and an awful Beast that lives in the woods.

(moviesarebetterlive.com)

(moviesarebetterlive.com)

Adam: I was extremely excited to attend my first ever live movie. It’s a concept that is so novel and innovative, that one is immediately intrigued, and with a title like Night of the Magician, you cannot help but feel you may be transported to those ancient picture-houses, in which music was twinkled out on an old piano, titles flashed in a bright white on black, and sound effects were invented by a “man behind the curtain.” All these expectations were met, other than that the piano man was actually a full-piece band.

(moviesarebetterlive.com)

(moviesarebetterlive.com)

What most impressed me about this production was the cast of amazing characters. The moody and otherworldly performances brought an uncanny realism to the film, which placed you at close quarters with each of the people involved. Mrs. Winter (Gigi Fenlon) provided an expressive, if all too brief, performance as an innkeeper, building tension in her exceptional attention to the very detail of her character. Another outstanding performance was given by Gina Marie Hernandez as the Healer, with a shocking videographic interlude that might be straight out of the opening sequence of American Horror Story.

Another detail I much appreciated was the scene selection, which perfectly painted the dark reality of an industrial complex that seemed to absolutely exist, mainly due to the careful knitting together of locations by a skilled director.

(moviesarebetterlive.com)

(moviesarebetterlive.com)

My one major criticism was not with the performance itself, but in its unfolding. Often, so much was occurring at once around me, that it became unclear on where to affix my attention. Mainly, I focused on the film screen, but I would have been interested to see the effect multiple screens around the room would have had, perhaps showing different perspectives, and thus allowing one to concentrate on the entire experience rather than a few select elements.

(Credit: Joe Mazza at Brave-Lux)

(Credit: Joe Mazza at Brave-Lux)



Alicia: Being a techie at heart, I’m like a kid at a candy store when I get a ‘behind-the-scenes’ view of how anything is created or performed. Because of this, my focus of the night was on the pieces of the film which were produced live right amidst the audience and screened right then and there. When I entered the theater space, it was hard not to notice a huge track laid down at the back of the house, which was used to guide a camera dolly. The rules regarding the camera dolly’s use were clear and strategic, with only stories ‘of the past’ being filmed, quite ironically, in the present. However, while the theory and practice behind these pieces of the production were quite masterful, I couldn’t help wanting to turn my head and watch what was really happening on the dolly track versus what was happening on the screen. What would have really made this a much more intriguing experience would have been if the track was integrated even more amidst the audience so as to become a much more present piece of the live experience.

Another intriguing component of the experience that just needed to take a few steps further was the traversing of actors from the screen and into the live environment and back again. I really wanted a more fleshed out 2D versus 3D experience, and while I was tantalized by a few beautiful transitions, particularly by the character of Frederich, there just wasn’t enough of a relationship there.

(Credit: Joe Mazza at Brave-Lux)

(Credit: Joe Mazza at Brave-Lux)

Overall, there just wasn’t enough “live” and “filmed” visual integration for me (the foley effects and live band really did their auditory jobs masterfully). The components were there, and I’m not sure if the space Screen Door produced in limited them in this respect (I can only imagine it must have), but some aspects of the night seemed too piecemeal, and it was odd having the last twenty or so minutes of the performance be almost pure film work. And ultimately, the least fulfilling aspects of the performance were the shadow puppets, which felt more slapped in out of artistic interest rather than really worked into the piece, but I usually set relatively high stakes for any production attempting to integrate this art form, so I shan’t be too harsh.

(moviesarebetterlive.com)

(moviesarebetterlive.com)

Final Thoughts: In our opinion, Night of the Magician provides a hauntingly beautiful performance in a developing art form. If you would like a unique experience that you cannot possibly get elsewhere, Screen Door provides it, and we are convinced that their production will only become more sure and steady in the future.

(moviesarebetterlive.com)

(moviesarebetterlive.com)

Although we sat in the main section, we suggest you try to get a seat at the very back of the theater (just beyond the tracks) if it’s a packed enough house. Although some of the sightlines may be difficult, this way, you’ll get a better vantage point of both the live film and foley work. Why not get a first hand look at what really makes this event live and breathe in the moment? And make sure to stick around in the lounge and listen to live music, have a few drinks at the bar, and enjoy the thoughts of others you just shared this experience with.


P.S. We would like to briefly comment on the behavior of some of the audience members throughout the production. During some of the more important parts of the movie, a select group of audience members took it upon themselves to laugh in a mocking, childish and totally inappropriate manner. We felt ashamed to be part of the same audience as these juvenile, haughty and blatantly discourteous individuals. We are of the opinion that such people have no place in the world of respectful theatre and should be removed to the unintellectually bawdy fringes where they belong.

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

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