Mamma Mia!

One of CHIC●K ●GO's favorite authentic Italian restaurants is Mia Francesca. The family owned restaurant was featured on WTTW's show Check, Please! It is also known to have been one of Jennifer Aniston and Vince Vaughn's favorite date night restaurants.

Mia Francesca's menu changes weekly, but one thing that doesn't change is their generous portions and delicious food. For starters, we suggest the Calamari Fritti, Bruschetta con Rucola, Insalata Caprese. CHIC●K ●GO's favorite pasta dishes are the Linguine al Sugo di Gambori (linguine sauteed with shrimp, scallops, garlic and olive olive in a spicy cherry tomato sauce) Ravioli con Spinaci (spinach filled pasta with a four cheese sauce with a touch of tomato sauce and parmigiano). The pasta dishes are big enough for two to share.

For your main course we recommend the Pollo alla Salvia (sauteed in chicken breast in a light tomato sauce with sage and topped with mozzarella and prosciutto) and the Pesce Bianco con Asparagi (roasted white fish topped with wild mushrooms, asparagus, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, white wine, lemon and balsamic).

If you still have an extra notch left on your belt after your meal, for dessert you can't pass up their mouth watering tiramisu. Mia Francesca also offers a gluten-free menu.

The fun yet casual atmosphere makes Mia Francesca a great spot to enjoy a dinner with your family and friends or have a romantic date night. There is also a cute outdoor patio area for those warm summer nights, that are quickly approaching. They also have a separate coach house that is available for private party rentals.

Mia Francesca in located at 3311 N. Clark Street.

*We do NOT take credit for our images

Beauty Bar ➳ Ultimate Chicago Chic

Chic•K•Go excitedly welcomes the New York native, Beauty Bar!  Owner and creator Paul Devitt 1st came up with the Beauty Bar idea in 1995 when he discovered a characteristically perfect 1950 salon and transformed it into a "beauty saloon".  Devitt kept the 1950's retro theme but added a fully stocked bar with signature drinks, making their martinis your best salon accessory.  This brilliant idea resulted in several other locations throughout the U.S. including a 2nd location in NY, 3 in California, and 1 in Las Vegas.  With the success of 8 locations it was only a matter of time that this glamourous bar was introduced to us. Thus with the exit of West towns Sonotheque comes the entrance of Chicago's very own Beauty Bar!  Each Beauty Bar has it's own unique flare due to the fact that Paul Devitt (pictured above) recruits local bar owners to incorporate the city's personality.  

Devitt has teamed up with  Empty Bottle's Bruce Finkelman and Peter Toalson.  Together the trio have created an ultra chic, funky, and sophisticated atmosphere where you can enjoy a manicure and a martini for only $10.  What more could a girl ask for?  Continue your night here but come prepared with your best dancing shoes as Beauty Bar sports an eclectic variety of music from trendy Chicago DJ's.  Where the women go the men are sure to follow, making this a Chic•K•Go hot spot that you don't want to miss out on!

Images were borrowed from here.  We do not take credit for these images!

Yolk is YUMMY!

Last Sunday, I ventured to the south loop and enjoyed a delicious brunch at Yolk. Going out to brunch is one of the highlights of my weekend and something I don't take lightly. Weekend mornings filled with the breakfast club rush are the busiest times for Yolk, so prepare to wait. When visiting the south loop location you can walk across the street and enjoy Grant Park and Museum Campus while you wait. There is also a Yolk location in River North.

When you look at the menu and the food that is being consumed by people around you, it is hard to refrain yourself from ordering one of everything off the menu. Yolk' s egg benedict got voted best in town, so you can't go wrong with that. They offer a new spin on a classic favorite by adding the Surf 'N' Turf version (one half topped with beef tenderloin steak strips and the other lightly breaded shrimp) or the South of the Border Benny (chorizo sausage and chipotle sauce).

What really had our mouths salivating were their pancakes and french toast. A CHIC●K ●GO favorite is the Chocolate-Strawberry Pancakes ( fresh strawberries and semi-sweet chocolate morsels topped with strawberries, chocolate sauce and whipped cream) We also highly recommend the Cinnamon Roll French Toast (no explanation needed) and the Banana Nut Bread French Toast (three slices of banana nut bread topped with banana slices, powdered sugar and served with peanut butter)

Yolk also has a lunch menu, but serves breakfast all day. If we had to chose between the breakfast and lunch menu we would say it's a no brainer to go with the breakfast menu. Yolk got voted #1 breakfast according to Chicago FOX and Best of Citysearch 2008. So, we are not the only ones preaching the delicious praises of this river north and south loop hotspot.

Last Chance to Own Maria Pinto!

 I am sad to say that I will be working the Maria Pinto liquidation sale this week.  All Pinto designs are 50-70%, which is a STEAL.  Come check out the sale starting this Tuesday, March 16th - Saturday, March 20th.  (Cash and Credit only)

March Madness

Aside from summer it's our favorite time!  March Madness has officially begun and we are extremely excited as it was announced today that KU is ranked #1 overall seed in the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament!  ROCK CHALK JAYHAWK!  As the Alma Mater fever strikes, we have decided to help you out by listing some of the popular Alumni bars in Chicago so you can have the ultimate March Madness experience!  Hope it helps!

Alabama

Houndstooth Saloon

Arizona State

Cubby Bear

Arkansas

Gamekeeper's

Boston College

Finley Dunne's Tavern

Clemson

Gamekeeper's

Colorado

The Fireplace Inn

DePaul

Kelly's Pub

Kendall's

Florida

Joe's on Weed Street

Georgetown

Gamekeeper's

Illinois

Joe's on Weed Street

Merkle's

Schoolyard Tavern and Grill

Illinois State

John Barleycorn

Indiana

Finley Dunne's Tavern

Joe's on Weed Street

Kirkwood Bar and Grill

Iowa

Gamekeeper's

Goodbar

Merkle's

Sedgwick's

Kansas

Junior's Sports Lounge

Kincades

Lottie's Pub

Kentucky

Gamekeeper's

Louisiana State

Gamekeeper's

Loyola

Hamilton's

Marquette

Schoolyard Tavern and Grill

Michigan

Duffy's

Mad River

Michigan State

Higgins' Tavern

O'Malley's West

Nebraska

Kirkwood Bar and Grill

North Carolina

Gamekeeper's

Northwestern

Gamekeeper's

Mullen's on Clark

Notre Dame

Wrightwood Tap

Ohio State

Gaslight Bar and Grille

McGee's

Oklahoma

Joe's on Weed Street

Penn State

Gamekeeper's

Pittsburgh

Gamekeeper's

Purdue

Durkin's

South Carolina

Gamekeeper's

Texas

Brownstone

Virginia Tech

The Union

Washington

Gamekeeper's

Wisconsin

Waterhouse

Will's Northwoods Inn

Now, we only have 3 requests:

1. Download, print, and fill out the 2010 NCAA bracket here

2. Get to your designated Alumni Bar

3. Let the games and madness begin!

State Of Mind

Looking for something new to liven up your Tuesday nights?  Look no further than Trivia Tuesdays at State where you will find a bar packed with bodies and brain busters!  Whether you take the challenge alone or in the company of up to eight of your friends, you are bound to have a good time.  Whats even more exciting than the trivia questions are the prizes!  1st place gets $800, 2nd place $200, winners of the lighting round (list as many movies that you can that an actor/actress has done within 90 seconds) wins $100.  Not sure how superb your trivia skills are?  No worries, no one is a loser at State.  Just by showing up you get an opportunity to win a raffle giveaway.  At the beginning of the evening you are given a free raffle ticket, allowing you the chance to win stuff such as Nintendo Wii, TV's, Apple items, gift cards, and more!  Plus who can complain with Tuesday night State specials such as $13 domestic pitchers, $18 import pitchers, and $5.95 to build your own burger!

We do not take credit for this image!

State is located at 935 W. Webster.  Trivia starts at 8pm sharp, but we recommend to get there around 6pm in order to secure a table.  Parking will be as challenging as the Trivia questions so try to opt for public transportation.  Hope you enjoy it as much as we did.  We plan to become regulars since our 1st experience!  Definetly deserving of a Chic•K•Go seal of approval!

Spring Fever

This weeks 60 degree weather sprung me right into Spring Fever.  The air was fresh, you could FINALLY  loose those bulky winter jackets, and even the spring showers were blissfully welcomed.  There is something about the Spring and Summer in Chicago that turns this city into the happiest place on earth.  To Chic•agoans THIS is the most wonderful time of the year.  So, with this glorious weather comes the inevitable...Spring shopping.  After browsing the trends endlessly and all the while having Chicago summer on the brain, I couldn't help but notice how my favorite spring trends seemed to transform into Chicago summer staples.  Check out some of the fashion trends that to me, appear to mirror the most noteworthy things that this City has to offer...

• Architectural Appeal •

• Modern Manner •

• Royalty Resemblance •

• Botanic Beauty •

• Geometric Glisten •

 

• Mirrored Mirage •

We do not take credit for these images!

Cocktail hour @ THE VIOLET HOUR

This is the violet hour, the hour of hush and wonder, when affections glow again and valor is reborn, when the shadows deepen magically along the edge of the forest and we believe that, if we watch carefully, at any moment we may see the unicorn.

- Bernard DeVoto "The Hour"

With decor inspired by a fusion of an old English Club and a seductive French Salon, it's no wonder why The VIOLET HOUR has become the new hipster hot spot for cocktails.  Named after a line of T.S. Eliot Poetry and using the above quote, from Bernard DeVoto, as its theme, The VIOLET HOUR is idyllic if you are searching for a new experience.  This spot will send you back centuries with their tall royalty-like chairs, intimate setting, and no cell phone policy.  

Try their eclectic drinks such as the Indian Summer made with Plymouth, Lime, Lavender Syrup, and House-Made Tonic OR the Gilded Cage mixed with Tito's, Lemon, Honey Syrup, Egg White, and Paychaud's Bitter.  VIOLET HOUR is also known for their bourbon and whiskey cocktails.  If hunger strikes, go the Chic. route and try the Chicago Style Mini-Dogs complete with Yellow Mustard, Onion, Tomato, Sport Pepper, Pickle and Celery Salt (exné on the ketchup - for obvious reasons) OR treat yourself to a southern inspired dish such as the Fried Chicken and Waffles with Maple Tobasco Dipping Sauce! 

We do not take credit for these images!

What we love most about this magical bar is it's camouflaged entrance...we would show you a picture of the outside, but that would ruin the allure of approaching a stunning experience, of approaching The VIOLET HOUR.  

Sweet Mandy B's-Our Sweet Tooth Rx

How sweet is Sweet Mandy B's? With award-winning cupcakes, whoopie pies, custom cakes, a variety of cookies and many other delicious treats to choose from how could it not be sweet? A neighborhood favorite that puts other bakeries to shame and wins the Chic●K●Go seal of approval!

One of our favorite things to treat ourselves to is Sweet Mandy B's yummy cakes. You can create custom cakes for any occasion by choosing your cake flavor, butter cream frosting flavor and adding a special cake filling. Cake can be ordered in many flavors such as devil's food, carrot, vanilla, red velvet, snicker doodle and orange. A Chic●K●Go favorite cake flavor is the banana chocolate chip. Their buttercream frosting is what make customers coming back for more. With frosting flavors like lemon, carmel, peanut butter, mint, raspberry and mocha the sky is the limit when creating your own custom cake.

Not only are the desserts the perfect cure to your sweet tooth, but the decor is whimsical. The pastel blue, yellow, and green walls will make you forget how many calories you are consuming.

Next time your in the Lincoln Park area and craving something sweet, we highly suggest you pay Sweet Mandy B's a visit.We hope this post didn't put you in a sugar coma!

Sweet Mandy B's is located at 1208 W. Webster St.

We do NOT take credit for any images

Not Goodbye ✒ See You Later

I adore fashion and the industry as much as I adore this city.  As eager as I am to start a career in fashion I have never been able to come to terms with leaving Chicago in order to pursue my dream.  While New York seems to be the quintessential place to immerse myself in the vogue industry I continuously cling to the verity that Chicago IS a fantastic place for fashion.  One of the very notable women who has paved the way for Chic. fashion is Maria Pinto.  I had the pleasure to work with her and her staff in the summer of 2008.  At this time Pinto's business was booming to say the least.  It seemed like a wonderland full of lace, feathers, beading, and chaos.  What really launched Maria into the rabbits hole was various celebrities and Mrs. O herself, constantly donning the Pinto attire.  During the Obama campaign Michelle was spotted wearing numerous Pinto designs, such as these infamous ensembles.

Note: Images were borrowed from this website - We do not take credit for these pictures!

That summer I spent most of my time sending out much desired orders to Saks, Barneys, and Takashimaya, resizing the line, helping with press, photo shoots, events, fashion shows, and building elements of the very first Maria Pinto boutique.  Maria was one of the few high fashion designers that declared this wonderful city home.  So it was much to my surprise that Maria Pinto announced just weeks ago that she was closing her doors.  Pinto exclusively released the following statement to the Chicago Sun Times, "After 20 years of pursuing my greatest passion and striving to build a successful high-end fashion business, the time has come for a new chapter in my life [due to] increasing economic challenges and soft buying trends at the top end of the apparel market".

However, this is not the first time that the spirited Ms. Pinto has been forced to shut down.  A similar situation occurred in 2002 when Maria had to halt her business due to a weak economy after 9/11 and the misfortune of a fellow employee embezzling thousands from the Pinto name.  That didn't stop her...she came back with a bang receiving the Gold Coast Fashion Award (joining the company of other household names such as Donna Karen and Anne Klein) along with other design awards.  

Pinto's avant-garde eye and handcrafted attire is something that has yet to retire.  As stated by Ms. Pinto, "I am confident that the 'Maria Pinto' name will not go away, but will merely take a break, before emerging in a new form".  We have a feeling that Maria will indeed overcome the hurdle of a flatlining economy and we can't wait to see what the designer has in store for the future!  Until then we wish you  health, happiness, and great success Ms. Pinto!

Check out some of my favorite Maria Pinto designs:

Note: Images were borrowed from the Maria Pinto website.  

We do not take credit for these photos

Fiesta, Fiesta!

After conquering New York’s gourmet Mexican scene brother’s Patricio Alfredo and Felipe Sandoval decided to bring their concept of upscale tacos and tequila to Chicago. To say Mercadito’s cocktail list is innovative and eclectic is an understatement. One of the most unique choices on the list is the Tres Coops featuring single village mescal, st. germain elderflower, domaine de canton ginger, averna, lime and egg white. For those not as adventurous with your libation choices a suggestion would be the Little Market, which is filled to the brim with tequila reposado, fresh pineapple, chile guajillo, cilantro and pico piquin. Trust me, it delicious and refreshing. Mercadito also showcases a variety of guacamole flavors such as apple, mango, mole poblano, garlic with oregano and cinnamon spiced sweet potato with toasted pumpkin seeds. The tacos come 4 per order and my suggestion would be to have everyone in your party order a different type and share. I would recommend the tilapia and steak tacos, but you really can't go wrong with any choice on the menu. A delicious and authentic side that can be split between 4-5 people is the Arroz Verde which is a green rice casserole topped with Oaxaca-manchego cheese.

Great tex-mex, to die for cocktails and lively atmosphere make this new River North spot a fiesta you don’t want to miss out on.

P.S. Check out the hidden bar in the basement called Double A, a romantic spot for a pre or post dinner drink.

Note: Image was borrowed from the Mercadito website. We do not take credit for this image!