The Chicago Traveler

As my younger brother reminded me, many students graduate during this month of June, so on this last day, I congratulate all those who have completed another important step in their education.June is also the most popular month when it comes to weddings, so cheers to all those happy couples who have taken their relationship to the next level.
And finally, a big “thank you” and “congratulations” to my folks, who are celebrating their 28th anniversary today.

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One of the largest tourist attractions in Illinois begins this weekend: the Taste of Chicago. For ten days, over 70 restaurants from all over Chicago set up tents on a half-mile strip near Grant Park, allowing millions of people to sample an incredible amount of food from several cultures. Whether you like fast food or elegant entrees, you can find it at the Taste, along with cooking demonstrations, live music, and kids’ entertainment.
It is definitely the place to be when it comes to summer in Chicago, and I try to go every year. Located right behind the Art Institute, admission …read more

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Alright, gentlemen. I hear you. Sometimes you’re not looking for a trendy club or a stylish bar. Sometimes, you just need a place where you can grab a beer, hang out with the guys, and watch the game. If you’re in the mood for a no-frills neighborhood sports bar, you might want to check out Crabbby Kim’s Bikini Bar.
And just why is this establishment called a “Bikini Bar”? Because all the female bartenders wear skimpy two-piece bikinis every night, all year long. The Hooters franchise has got nothing on these ladies.
If you can manage to peel your eyes away from …read more

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For an unforgettable evening of fabulous food and impeccable service, try a taste of the Mediterranean at Isabella’s Estiatorio. An elegant spot with a rustic, warm atmosphere, Isabella’s is frequented by well-dressed west suburbanites looking for excellent Greek, French, Spanish, and Italian cuisine. The restaurant is seasonally driven, so the broad spectrum of vibrant flavors change on a regular basis. And even though the eatery is located in the suburbs, it offers an elegance and quality that matches and even surpasses many caliber restaurants within the city.
So what has got customers raving? For starters, the shaved Serrano ham is excellent …read more

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Today’s tip is tucked away behind the famous Chicago Theatre, which is why it’s called the Backstage Bistro. An extension of the Illinois Institute of Art’s culinary department (and around the corner from America’s Dog), the Backstage Bistro is a 40-seat restaurant that is only open for lunch and dinner, during school sessions. Everything is prepared by culinary students, hard at work on the other side of a glass wall that looks into the kitchen. Students also operate the front end of the restaurant. The servers are incredibly friendly, albeit a bit nervous, but they really are dedicated to keeping …read more

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It’s impossible to talk about Chicago attractions without talking about Navy Pier. It’s the place to go when you can think of absolutely nothing else to do. There’s always something going on there.
This 3,000-foot attraction on the shoreline of Lake Michigan was originally opened to the public in 1916. It was known as “Municipal Pier #2″ (#1 was never built), and it was both a shipping and entertainment area. And while it experienced a “golden era” of success, its popularity declined in the ’30s, due to the introduction of cars, the opening of movie theatres, and the lack of shipping …read more

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Dale Levitski, a self-taught chef and consultant, has had his fair share of challenges, working in several Chicago restaurants and eateries, including Stone Lotus. But he’s never faced the kind of stress he’s got now as a contestant on the third season of “Top Chef.”
This reality competition show pits 15 chefs from all over the country with different backgrounds and styles against each other in weekly challenges. Every week, a panel of professional chefs and food-scene celebrities judge the contestants’ performances and eliminate (at least) one of them. The one winning chef receives $100,000 to help start his/her culinary career …read more

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In honor of the gay pride events going on this weekend, here’s a rundown of just a few of the popular hangouts in the Boystown area.
For mixed drinks with a mixed crowd, head over to Berlin. Just a couple blocks east of the Pierogi Factory, the club attracts primarily a gay clientele during the week. However, a melting pot of homos, heteros, and every other label come to get their groove on over the weekend. I was there a couple years ago for my birthday with friends, after a long night of celebrating and bar-hopping. We found ourselves surrounded by …read more

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June is National Gay & Lesbian Pride Month, and the GLBTQ (Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, Transsexual, Queer, Questioning) community here in Chicago has their fun and colorful celebration this weekend.
Located at Halsted St and Waveland Ave (where you’ll also find the Kit Kat Lounge), the 5th Annual Pride Fest takes place on Saturday, June 23, the day before the Parade. Festive and exuberant, Pride Fest is a non-stop party held in the Boystown streets on the north side of the city. Food, arts & crafts, clothing, jewelry, and a good helping of drag queens and leather harnesses, this neighborhood …read more

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So I’m sure that most of us remember from our high school biology class that Charles Darwin was an English scientist who proposed the theory that all species have evolved over time from common ancestors. But what else do we know? Who was this man named Darwin? Where did he come from, and how did he live? And just how did he come to his conclusions that revolutionized the study of life?
Learn all this and more at the Field Museum’s new exhibit, Darwin. Visitors can see a complete collection of Charles Darwin’s memorabilia, manuscripts, artifacts, …read more

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