Eats & Drinks

Shaved Asparagus Manchego Salad

in Eating In, Eats & Drinks • September 22, 2014

How is it already the last day of summer in Chicago? Hang on to summer with my shaved asparagus manchego salad, before we all have to embrace the polar vortex again. This has all the components of a perfect salad – crisp, fresh and all the flavors blending well together dressed with my favorite homemade Italian vinaigrette. Easy to create and perfect for the work week with it’s quick prep time, what are you waiting for? Happy eating! Serves 4 Total Time Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 5 minutes Salad Ingredients 16 Fresh Asparagus Spears (about 1 pound) 1 ... Share this:PinterestTwitterFacebookEmailMorePrintTumblr

The Great American Bacon Festival Recap

in Eating Out, Eats & Drinks, Events, Festivals • September 16, 2014

*GUEST BLOG POST BY LINDSAY HARTSOCK Rejoice in your right to life, liberty and Bacon… they couldn’t have put this any better! The Great American Bacon Festival hosted by Chicago’s premier event production company, Red Frog Events did an amazing job. Held in the famous Daniel Burnham’s beautifully designed Union Station’s Great Hall, with the impressive ionic columns, marble floors, and intricate ceiling, this was a fitting venue to hold a great American festival. How can you not enjoy a meal, side dish, snack or treat made with Bacon? Not only are... Share this:PinterestTwitterFacebookEmailMorePrintTumblr

Taste Talks, Massive Food Festival Launching in Chicago Exclusive Announcement Event and Panel Discussion Roundtable at Bang Bang Pie

in Eating Out, Eats & Drinks, Events, Festivals • September 9, 2014

In addition to attending the Taste Talks events in Chicago on October 3-5, I was invited to attend an exclusive announcement event and round table panel discussion moderated by Michael Ciapciak, owner of Bang Bang Pie on August 27th, discussing the “Changing the Face of a City Block” with Anne Owen of Owen + Alchemy, Danny Shapiro of Slippery Slope, and Noelle DiPrizio of Chicago Distilling at Bang Bang Pie in Logan Square. It was an honor to attend and I got inspired listening to these entrepreneurs that evening on how each of their business have been able to... Share this:PinterestTwitterFacebookEmailMorePrintTumblr

COMING SOON: Great American Bacon Festival Chicago 2014

in Eating Out, Eats & Drinks, Events, Festivals • September 5, 2014

If you eat, drink, like or love bacon, this festival is for you! The Great American Bacon Festival celebrates our nation’s favorite food group: bacon. Sample boundless bacon creations, learn from expert chefs, and rejoice in your right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of bacon. Join us at Union Station’s Great Hall to sample a variety of bacon-infused recipes, pictured here, and taste unlimited specialty bacon dishes, which could include*:

Ballin’ with Giordano’s Deep Dish Pizza and Scottie Pippen

in Eating Out, Eats & Drinks, Events • August 18, 2014

Happy Monday! I hope everyone had a great weekend – mine was filled with pizza and meeting Chicago Bulls Legend, Scottie Pippen thanks to a special invite by Giordano’s Famous Chicago Pizza to celebrate their newest Glenview, Illinois location opening. For those who are not familiar with the Chicago burbs, Glenview is located 12 miles northwest of downtown Chicago. Scottie Pippen and I Larsa Pippen and I Front... Share this:PinterestTwitterFacebookEmailMorePrintTumblr

Taste Talks, Massive Food Festival Launches in Chicago

in Eating Out, Eats & Drinks, Events, Festivals • August 14, 2014

Chicago, IL –Taste Talks, an innovative and experiential food symposium will launch in Chicago for its first year on Oct. 3rd-5th, 2014. Presented by chef, restaurateur and media personality Mario Batali and curated by local Chicagoan and James Beard Award-winning chef Paul Kahan, Taste Talks will bring together some of the world’s top luminaries in food – from writers to critics and chefs – to discuss, analyze, and theorize about the future of taste. Paul Kahan, executive chef of Chicago’s critically acclaimed avec and Blackbird, will be... Share this:PinterestTwitterFacebookEmailMorePrintTumblr

Asparagus Cheese Tart with Beso Del Sol Sangria

in Eating In, Eats & Drinks • August 6, 2014

Few weeks ago, I decided to be the hostess with the mostess and host brunch at my new home with a few close girlfriends in the city. I knew as soon as Beso Del Sol Sangria challenged me to create the perfect summer pairing for their sangria, this would be a fun way to gather some friends for some great food and drinks. Imported from Spain, Beso del Sol Sangria is the first premium sangria made from 100% natural ingredients available in the US in a bag-in-the box design. Tempranillo, a medium-bodied Spanish wine, is the perfect foundation... Share this:PinterestTwitterFacebookEmailMorePrintTumblr

Rustle + Roux Review

in Eating Out, Eats & Drinks • July 29, 2014

Top Chef alum Chef Fabio Viviani has done it again. He’s brought another great food spot to downtown Chicago called Rustle + Roux. This time, Chef Viviani has staked ground on the west side of the Loop, offering fast and affordable food but never jeopardizing the quality of taste. Guest blogger, Renessa with Top Chef alum, Fabio Viviani Located on the second floor of the Franklin Center, Rustle + Roux has multiple stations to satisfy any food craving. They open for breakfast at

Celebrate National Hotdog Day with a Lobster Twist

in Eating In, Eating Out, Eats & Drinks • July 23, 2014

Happy National Hotdog Day! I have come to the conclusion that people love or hate today. For this food lover, I am all about celebrating any and all kinds of food days, count me in! I celebrated tonight with a lobster hotdog, and yes, I just wrote lobster and hotdog in the same sentence. I mean, how AMAZING does this look? Do you have a favorite Chicago hotdog spot in mind? Here are a few of my favorite spots in the Chicago:

Lincoln Driven to Dine Event at Acadia Restaurant

in Eating Out, Eats & Drinks • July 14, 2014

I’ve only been writing for a few months, but already know why I love it so much – the creative outlet and flexible hours are fantastic – but the best perk is being invited to unique events like the Driven to Dine event at Acadia. Lincoln Motor Company treated me and six girlfriends to a lovely evening of wine, dining and driving – not in that particular of course – afterall, we are responsible ladies! The night started with a personal tour of their new SUVs. I was impressed by all of the new gadgets and especially the new... Share this:PinterestTwitterFacebookEmailMorePrintTumblr