The Chicago Traveler

If you remember anything from your high-school Spanish, you’ll know that Cuatro means “four,” which is exactly how many reasons there are to come to this Nuevo Latino restaurant in the South Loop.
1. Atmosphere. The restaurant has one of the most diverse clienteles you’ll ever see. Patrons of all ages and all backgrounds enjoy the floor-to-ceiling windows, earth tones, and pitch-black bar with an eight-foot (2.4-meter) aquarium stocked with tropical fish. If you look closely enough, you can even catch glimpses of the kitchen behind the tank. Exposed beams and well-spaced seating complete the open and airy ambiance.
2. Food. The …read more

Comments Off

My cooking skills are limited to tuna sandwiches and grilled cheeses. Fortunately, for the holidays, I have a rather large family full of talented cooks who make a great Christmas dinner. However, if you’d rather eat out and let the professionals handle the kitchen heat, here’s a list of Chicago restaurants that will be open for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Christmas Eve
• Deleece: The popular Lakeview restaurant will serve up a four-course family-style meal along with its regular menu. (5:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m., $35) link
• Cyrano’s Bistrot and Wine Bar: The prix-fixe here includes dishes like roasted goose …read more

Comments Off

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. On Friday, October 19, Y-ME Illinois will honor all those that have been affected by breast cancer and their supporters. Beginning at 6:30 p.m., The Big Night Out at Union Station will raise funds that will allow Y-ME to continue their work in the community, supporting and educating women. Guests will be treated to the delicious treats of Ethel’s Chocolate, Geja’s Café, Garrett Popcorn, Argo Tea, Kim & Scott’s Gourmet Pretzels, Starbucks Liqueur, Aveda Institute Chicago, Touch Salons, and Martini Park. A Mini Cooper will be raffled off at the event, and live music …read more

1 Comment

When it comes to these weekend info posts, I usually try to feature large fairs and festivals while giving a quick mention to other smaller ones. Well, this weekend, there is a little school holding a little festival in Ukrainian Village, which probably wouldn’t register on the radar of most folks outside the neighborhood. So why is it headlining this entry? Because the carnival rides, Eastern European and Latin music, beer garden, and ethnic food are all being hosted by St. Helen School, an elementary school I attended oh-so-many years ago. Admission to the St. Helen Festival is free, and …read more

Comments Off

On Sunday, my friend and I decided to get out of the house and enjoy the great weather that had come upon Chicago this weekend. We drove down to Chinatown, a South Side neighborhood that is centered on Cermak and Wentworth Avenues. This unique community hub is home to a number of banks, gift shops, medicine stores, restaurants, bakeries, and grocery stores. For decades, Chinatown has been a popular destination for both tourists and locals alike.

A beautiful gate greets visitors with the inscription “The World Is For All”

The buildings are landmarks of Chinese architecture.

The handsome characters of the Chinese language …read more

1 Comment

Love to jam in your jammies? Check out the World’s Largest Pajama Party on Friday, July 13. Located at the Charter One Pavilion at Northerly Island, Victoria’s Secret is celebrating the launch of their new loungewear collection—PINK—by throwing a huge dance party. The doors open at 6:00 p.m., and the dance pit will be hoppin’ when DJ AM starts spinnin’. And it will only get better when Fergie takes over the stage. Yay Fergie! This show will be nothing less than G-L-A-M-O-R-OUS. Download FREE tickets at http://vspink.com/
Art lovers will flock to the Chicago Tribune Magnificent Mile Art Festival this weekend. …read more

Comments Off