The Chicago Traveler

The city of Chicago features numerous impressive buildings designed by famous architects. Even if you’ve never studied the field, you may have heard of prominent names like Daniel Burnham, Louis Sullivan, Frank Lloyd Wright, Stuart Cohen, or “the Chicago Seven.” Every Monday, The Chicago Traveler features at least one attractive piece of architecture in the Windy City. The Chicago Architecture Foundation is a nonprofit organization that is also passionate about educating the public on the incredible design that graces our city.
CAF offers over 80 tours, from downtown to suburbia, from a healthy walk to a comfy bus ride. Among the …read more

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Earlier today, I mentioned that Hollywood has come to Chicago to film a new movie near the Biograph. This historic theatre, along with several other Chicago landmarks, also appears in the 2000 film High Fidelity.

High Fidelity (2000)

Directed by:
Stephen Frears

Produced by:
Tim Bevan
Rudd Simmons

Starring:
John Cusack
Iben Hjejle
Todd Louiso
Jack Black
Lisa Bonet
Catherine Zeta-Jones
Joan Cusack
Tim Robbins

Distributed by:
Touchstone Pictures

All Movie Guide
IMDb
Amazon.com

The movie, based on a novel by the same name, is about Rob Gordon (John Cusack), a man in his 30s who owns a record store at the corner of Milwaukee Avenue and Honore Street (in Chicago’s Wicker Park neighborhood). Rob’s girlfriend Laura (Iben Hjejle) has just …read more

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Are you a fan of Johnny Depp or Chicago’s infamous gangster, John Dillinger? A new movie, Public Enemies, is currently being filmed in Lincoln Park. This neighborhood is the home of the historic Biograph Theatre (near the Red Lion Pub), where the criminal was pointed out by the “Lady in Red” and (allegedly) met his demise.
Lincoln Avenue is closed off at night for filming, but you can walk around during the day to gnab a few pictures of the 1930s set. It’s like stepping back in time… y’know, only with cameras and lights and cables and such.
Photo credit: Wikipedia

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Here’s a look at Chicago around the Web…
• Time-Out Chicago is digging the iTunes store’s newest free single of the week.
• Chris at Drive-Thru is even more impressed by the fries than the namesake dish at Epic Burger.
• At the Dodgers-Cubs game the other night… “Who’s on First?” “No, Hu’s at shortstop; Loney’s on first.” Corny joke brought to you courtesy of The Cubs Brickyard.
• According to the Second City Cop, a certain Chicago lieutenant needs to find a better way to motivate his watch officers.
• The Chicago Foodies are looking forward to the Chicago Gourmet, which they describe as …read more

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• The annual German festival Mayfest is stuffed with plenty of brats, beer, and bands. The official opening ceremony on Friday features a traditional keg tapping and May Queen crowning. Prost! (May 29-June 1)
• The 24th Annual Chicago Gospel Music Festival is three days of more than 50 performances on three stages in Millennium Park. (May 30-June 1)
• Foodies can sample dishes from more than 50 chefs from local restaurants at the 16th Annual Great Chefs Tasting Party at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers, hosted by the United Cerebral Palsy Association of Greater Chicago. Participating restaurants include David Burke’s …read more

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While I admit that I’ve never been to the South Florida area, it’s not for lack of want. I’ve tried a few times to plan a trip there, but obstacles have always seemed to pop up. Once I finally do get there though, I will have Katherine Lynch to help me as she and The South Florida Traveler join us here at the b5media Travel & Culture Channel. Welcome!

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This season of the Bravo Network’s Top Chef was filmed here in Chicago, exposing competing chefs from all over the country to all the culinary treats the Windy City has to offer.
During the last Quickfire Challenge, the competitors took turns working a short-order line at the egg station of Lou Mitchell’s during the incredibly busy breakfast hours. Eggs can be tricky enough to cook well, but the chefs also had to deal with a small cooking space, keep track of multiple orders, and interpret the foreign diner lingo.
Lou Mitchell’s has been well-known for its breakfasts for the past 80 years. …read more

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When you go out for a cup of coffee, you want to be comfortable, right? But too many coffee places expect you to sit on an itty bitty chair at an itty bitty table with no space to relax. Fortunately, that’s not the case with Intelligentsia Coffee.
This Lakeview coffee shop (around the corner from Cupcakes) is full of big plush couches and chairs as well as big wooden tables that you and all your friends can gather around. Low-key music, soft-colored walls, and an exposed ceiling contribute to the soothing atmosphere. Grab a stool at the front windows or even …read more

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Right in the middle of Greektown, Mr. Greek Gyros is open 24 hours, and it’s a good thing too because most of its clientele stops by after a night out on the town. Whether your cravings come at 2 p.m. or 2 a.m., this little restaurant makes up for its bare atmosphere with great cooked-to-order food.
The menu is massive, running the gamut from hot dogs and tacos to pork chops and chicken wings. But this is “Mr. Greek,” so focus on the Mediterranean specialties. Although a few people swear by the pizza puff here, the gyros are where it’s at, …read more

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This week, the b5media Travel & Culture Channel is celebrating a Theme Day, this time having fun with all things “T”. So what does The Chicago Traveler have to offer?
How about tall buildings? Chicago’s three tallest buildings are the Sears Tower, the Aon Center, and the John Hancock Center, all standing well over one thousand feet tall (305 m).
The Windy City also has plenty of restaurants that begin with the letter “T”…

Table Fifty-Two
Tavern on Rush
Tel Aviv Kosher Pizza
Terragusto
Thai Pastry
Tokyo 21
Tony’s Italian Beef
Tony’s Italian Deli

The annual Taste of Chicago will be coming up in just a few weeks, where you …read more

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