Chicago grub–

MMM!  Chicago grub makes us happy…we love gobbling burgers and seafood pasta at Tavern On Rush…we love eggs benedict at The Peninsula Hotel over on Superior Street…we love the whole roasted fish soup at Szechuan Cuisine in Chinatown. . .this stuff is all delicious and worthy of your attention.

You gotta make the best of things wherever you are. . .in the midwest Chicago is the heart of food goodness, and it all spreads out from here to Milwaukee to Minneapolis to New Glarus to Dubuque, etc. and so on.

Definitely bring your appetite the next time you pop into Chi-town. . .there is a ton of stuff to ingest…eat high, eat low, eat far, eat wide. . .it’s good and good for you.

Stay curious…resist sclerosis.

It’s lovely out there.

Play ball, Cubbies!

BAM!  We made it to the second oldest baseball stadium in da U.S. of A.: Wrigley Field in Chicago (Fenway in Boston is the oldest). . .let’s check this baby out, and see what’s what.

First off, we are extremely lucky with the weather…currently 80 degrees Fahrenheit, about 60 percent humidity, light breezes out of the east, clear blue skies, and sunshine on the field–though our seats are in the shade–niiiiice!!

Wrigley Field opened in 1914, and is still rockin’ ‘n’ rollin’ today.  It is located on Addison Avenue in the northern section of Chicago…just ride the red line of the L-train to Addison, and you are here in no time at all.

It looks like the place has been refurbished on the outside and, more importantly, on the inside.  I keep hearing dudes in the bathroom saying things like, “wow, so much better with more urinals and troughs in these bathrooms.”  It feels real good to me…lines move fast, dudes are in and out, and we all move on with our lives quickly after taking care of our business.

The concessions are plentiful and efficient…lots of great stuff to eat: Italian beefs, Chicago-style hot dogs, footlongs, pizza, nachos, beer, wine–rose anybody?–soda, water, etc….and the staff are helpful, welcoming and professional. . .we love this whole place.

Then we get to our seats…a couple of nice ones behind home plate…great views of EVERYTHING.

The game flows along and 3 hours later the Cubs win…and we get our first experience singing ‘Go Cubs Go’ with all of the happy Cubs fans. . .kinda lovely singin’ away with all of these midwest folks–jaaaa!

If you love great outdoor experiences in historic stadiums, then you gotta do a game at Wrigley at least once in your lifetime.  Pop on over to Chicago some time, score some Wrigley tickets online–very easy, and take someone you love out to the ballpark. . .you and everyone with you will love it–I gar-ron-taaaayy!

Go, Cubs, Go!!

It’s lovely out there.

Chinatown…Chicago-style–

Here we are puttin’ on a major feed at a joint called ‘Szechuan Cuisine’ on Wentworth Avenue in Chicago’s Chinatown…let’s check it out.

Stephanie Izard famously brought Anthony Bourdain to this restaurant during one of his Chicago shows, and they totally enjoyed themselves because the food here is wonderful.

During OUR visit we gobble the following: mapo tofu, chongqing chicken, sautéed pea shoots with garlic, and a whole roasted fish in Szechuan broth…everything is washed down with cold bottles of Tsingtao and glasses of white wine…delicious!

All of this stuff is full of Szechuan peppercorns that create a slow and soothing warming of our mouths, throats, and stomachs.  This digestive warmth then turns into a general warming of our bodies that makes us go, “mmmm, aaaaahh!!”

It is great to dine in another spot that Bourdain loved…other patrons are also here because of this as well as the fact that the food is outstanding.  The staff remember Bourdain’s visit well…answering questions about it from various diners throughout the evening…niiiiice.

So, pop on down to Chinatown during one of your visits to Chi-town…the whole thing is located on about 5 or 6 blocks of Wentworth Avenue–easy to find, easy to navigate, and easy to find delicious types of Chinese food to jam into your gullet…especially the food at ‘Szechuan Cuisine’…you will love it–I gar-ron-taaaaayy!

It’s lovely out there.

Local boy done real good–

Virgil Abloh…born and raised in Rockford, Illinois…starts a t-shirt company called ‘Pyrex’ in his teens…gets noticed by lots of folks…finds fame with a t-shirt designed for ‘Colette’…rises to be the head of men’s design for Louis Vuitton…now divides his time between Paris, Milan, L.A., N.Y., Chicago, etc. designing stuff. . .local boy done real good, indeed!

A collection of his clothing works as well as some of his art is currently on display at the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) on Mies van der Rohe Way here along the “Gold Coast” of Chicago. . .totally worth checking out.

Virgil appears to see everything, and his various installations, silk screens, and clothing reflect and comment on stuff happening all around him and us at any given time.  We love strolling through his works here at the MCA…quite thought-provoking…and I am confident that you will love it, too.  Check it out if you can, and let me know what you think.

Stay curious…resist sclerosis.

It’s lovely out there.

#1 Italian Beef…Chicago–

KABOOMY!  Here it is…the famous “Johnnie’s” Italian Beef joint located on the western edge of Chicago…specifically North Avenue…let’s check this out and see what’s what.

Italian Beefs are a Chicago specialty…slow-cooked roast beef, thinly sliced, piled into a nice piece of Italian bread, pumped up with sweet and/or hot peppers, and finally doused in beef juice for extra mouthwatering goodness…wrapped in deli paper and presented to you hot and freshly made. . .mmmm, aaaah!

They also do charbroiled sausages and make sandwiches with those…you can even get a combo of beef and sausage with peppers doused in beef juice. . .man, give us one of each and every one of these–jaaaa!!

So, how are these things?  FABULOUS!  After waiting in line for our ‘beef-hot-wet’ and our ‘combo-wet, no peppers’ we cannot wait to eat them…we sit down right in front of “Johnnie’s” in the hot sun and suck these babies down in no time at all.  They are delicious…the beef is tender and flavorful…the sausages are charred and spicy…the peppers pop…and the bread holds it all together–even after being dipped in juice–long enough for us to eat every morsel.  Really tasty.

Anthony Bourdain used to say that he always stopped at Johnnie’s on the way into Chicago and on the way out. . .now we see why.  The North Avenue location makes it easy to do this…drive right by to-and-from O’Hare, very easy.  That dude knew what and where to eat…we gobble these sandwiches in his honor–what a dummy for ending it all so prematurely when he just could have gobbled more of these and made everything better. . .ah well, more for us.

Find Johnnie’s the next time you are in Chicago…gobble some Italian beefs WET ‘n’ HOT…these are as good as slices in New York City or cheesesteaks in Philadelphia.  Eat only the good stuff, be contented, and keep moving upward and onward.

It’s lovely out there.

Parlor Pizza and The Publican–

BAM!  It’s your wife’s birthday, and she wants pizza and tasty grub at a spectacular dining joint while in Chicago. . .so we hit places called Parlor Pizza and then The Publican for din-din…let’s check ’em out.

Parlor Pizza is located on Greene Street in the Fulton Market district of Chicago…just a block away from Randolph Street and right across the street from Soho House Chicago–one of our favorite hotels in town.

During the summer Parlor has all of its windows and doors open to let warm breezes blow through the place–feels real good and makes this an extremely popular joint.

During our gobble session we devour an eggs benedict pizza–really good…and a margherita pizza with sausage and pepperoni–also totally delectable.  This is not a silly deep-dish joint…these pizzas are thin and well-charred. . .really really good with a couple of mimosas and cold brew coffees to wash everything down.  We highly recommend Parlor Pizza for your pizza needs while in Chi-town.

And The Publican is a famous place here…on all of the top 50 restaurant lists for Chicago…and for good reason: they serve extremely tasty food in a casual setting that folks love.

During our din-din at The Publican we gobble barbecued carrots, heirloom tomatoes, a small charcuterie board, a halibut, rigatoni with beef tongue ragu, and their version of porchetta. . .EVERYTHING IS SUPER DELICIOUS–these folks know how to cook.  We wash everything down with a nice chablis, and we are good-to-go–jaaaa!

Please do your best to eat here during one of your visits to Chicago…the staff are wonderful, professional and welcoming, the atmosphere is totally chill, the grub is great, and the vibes will have you feeling good for many hours, days, and weeks afterward.  Perfect spot to help a dear loved one celebrate a birthday or whatever.

To be continued…

It’s lovely out there.

Tasty brunch…Chicago–

BAM!  Here we are puttin’ on a major feed at a joint called Somerset in the heart of Chi-town’s ‘Gold Coast’. . .let’s check it out and see what’s what.

Somerset is run by a dude called Lee Wolen…he is a Michelin-starred chef who also runs a place called Boka up in the Lincoln Park area of town.  Somerset is a low-key casual version of what he does…and since we are low-key casual folks we decide to pop in here.

The Somerset space is located right next to the Viceroy Hotel…very nice spot…lots of outdoor seating–if you want that, lots of light, lots of airy atmosphere…we feel good in here.

The staff are all friendly and nice to us–we always love this in a restaurant. . .relaxing vibe for a tasty meal.

During this visit we gobble a classic eggs benedict, a roasted pork thing that is extremely tasty, and a giant cinnamon roll just for kicks–flavorful but too bready and doughy for me.  We wash all of this goodness down with a couple of delicious spicy bloody marys and a bottle of pinot grigio. . .mmmm, aaaaahh!

Overall, this is not a bad experience at all. . .if you find yourself wandering around near the Gold Coast of Chicago, then definitely pop into Somerset for beverages and grub…you will like it–I gar-ron-taaaaaay!

It’s lovely out there.

Late-night gobble…Chicago–

BOOM!  Dinner after a show?…head on over to Gilt Bar when prowling around in Chicago…this place has everything you need to satisfy your late-night hunger and thirst. . .mmmm, aaaah!

Gilt Bar is run by the same folks responsible for the famous and wonderful joint called Au Cheval.  Au Cheval serves up one of the best burgers in America. . .and Gilt Bar serves up a version just a notch below the Au Cheval powerhouse…but no worries cuz it is tasty and satisfying.

The crowds have moved on by the time we arrive at 11:00 p.m….we are given a big table that allows us to sit side-by-side…the staff are efficient and friendly…the atmosphere is dark and cozy…the food is delectable…and the beverages are delightful and soothing.

During this visit we gobble a bowl of bucatini with truffle cream sauce, a bacon cheeseburger, and fried chicken. . .all of this goodness is washed down with a martini, a Negroni, and a bottle of economical Cabernet…lovely.

Please consider popping into Gilt Bar the next time you are in Chicago. . .this place will restore you to your contented self and help you sleep real good–jaaaaa!!

Stay oot-‘n’-aboot cuz it’s lovely out there.

Show-time…Chi-town–

WUNDERBAR!  Yes, this is the title of Eddie Izzard’s latest show…he is touring it all over North America at the moment. . .check him out if you can.

The Chicago Theater here in…you guessed it, Chicago…is a venerable old building with lots of extravagant and detailed decor throughout the space–quite lovely to hang in.  One venerable aspect that we would have no problem with them changing is the bathroom situation.  There is one toilet…just one bowl…for the men to utilize on the top floor.  We had 25 dudes standing in line waiting for a quick pee, and things went slooooowwwwlllyyyy. . .at the other end of the floor there were two bowls for the ladies to use…much slower flow over there, as expected.

So, c’mon Chicago Theater…expand the bathrooms to 10 bowls each, and we will love you long time.  Like this will ever happen. . .we have just learned that the Chicago Theater is owned by the Madison Square Garden group–a little outfit based in New York City…don’t hold your breath on this.

Sending you stressed bladder vibes from the Chicago Theater. . .feel them. . .or better yet, don’t.

It’s lovely out there.

Drinks ‘n’ din-din…Chicago–

WOW!  We are thirsty and hungry again. . .we are wandering around the Second City…where we gonna go?

How ’bout Pippin’s for a beverage or three then steaks at Gibson’s?  Sounds good…sounds real good to us–jaaa!!

Pippin’s is an old tavern located on Rush Street. . .I first had drinks in this place way back in 1989 at the beginning of my “business” career.  So fun and funny to pop back in here 30 years later and reflect on the journey. . .lots of good stuff has happened and so much more is to come.  Thanks for all of the good times, Pippin…damn wonderful to know ya.

And Gibson’s…well Gibson’s just makes us smile real big and wide-like.  Martini, Chicago Cut, creamed spinach, hash browns, and a bottle of Cabernet…MAGIC TIME!

Please don’t forget about the Second City sitting out here on the shores of Lake Michigan. . .this town is ready to wrap you in her arms with lively people, good grub, solid drink, and tons of vital energy.  Keep checkin’ her out as the years fly by. . .there is still so much to see and do and oh-so little time.

It’s lovely out there.