The Chicago Traveler

How can you go wrong with Wine and Chocolate?
The Perceptual Motion, Inc Dance Company is having a Taste of Wine and Chocolate on Saturday, November 8, 2008 at the Belle Plaine Studio.  Doors open at 6pm with the event lasting till 9:30pm.  Not only will you sample great Wine and Chocolate, but you will be able to see a wonderful mini dance performance.  There is even an opportunity to learn a dance yourself.
Shopping will be provided as there is a silent auction that will have jewelry, artwork and certificates from local restaurants and spas.  Some of the participating restaurants include Glenn’s …read more

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This coming weekend, you’ll likely be gobbling up the little candies at the door that you had meant to hand out to little ghouls and goblins. Instead of feasting on all those brightly-colored sweets, enjoy some grown-up desserts at Chocolate Grape.
With burgundy, faux-finished walls and a large wooden bar, this wine and chocolate place (a block west of Crust) specializes in delicate desserts like the basil and lime granita (tart and sweet gourmet ice); cappuccino crème brulee; and a fall soufflé flavored with ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg. All of these sweets, including an impressive list of truffles, can be paired …read more

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• If fresh-shucked oysters and pints of Guinness sound like a good time to you, check out the Guinness Oyster Festival in Roscoe Village. There are also vendors of other foods, pints of Harp’s and Smithwick’s available, and live music. (Sept 6)
• Chow down on brats, potato salad, sauerkraut, smoked sausages, and beer at the 88th Annual German-American Festival in Lincoln Square. The 43rd Annual Von Steuben Parade (featured in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off) starts Saturday at 2 p.m. (Sept 5-7)
• You can sample from more than 300 international vintages and watching cooking demos at the Fourth Annual Windy City …read more

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When it comes to fashion, one day you’re in, and the next day… you’re out.
Are you a fan of the Bravo network’s Project Runway? The most recent season of the reality competition show required fashion designers to create a garment using materials from a Hershey’s store in Times Square, New York City. Now the results of this challenge can be seen right here in Chicago. Five dresses are on display at the Hershey’s store on Michigan Avenue, including Christian Siriano’s “Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Wrapper Dress” and Elisa Jimenez’s “Hershey’s Velour Dress with Silver Cuffs.” The display will be set …read more

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Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. Whether you’re lovesick or sick of love, there’s something in town for you.
• All three locations of Adobo Grill in the Chicagoland area will be putting out a menu made for love. Dishes include empanadas con pétalos de rosa (empanadas stuffed with Oaxacan cheese, fresh corn, and chipotle-rose-petal salsa), parrillada de corazón (adobo-marinated lobster tail, grilled lamb chops, sea scallops, beef tenderloin, and homemade chorizo), and corazón de chocolate (Mexican chocolate cake filled with chocolate mousse and raspberry-corazón tequila sauce). (6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m., menu prices) (map) (link)
• You may not …read more

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Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. Whether you’re lovesick or sick of love, there’s something in town for you.
• There are three little words that every woman wants to hear: “wine, cheese, chocolate.” Go all out, and buy your beloved a $96 glass of bubbly. Eno will be serving Dom Perignon Rose 1996 by the glass. If your date is not beloved but “beliked,” try the glasses of 1997 Terra Valentine Cabernet for $25 each. (4:00 p.m. – 12 midnight, menu prices) (map) (link)
• What could be more romantic than a Valentine’s Day cruise? Odyssey Cruises will provide you …read more

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• If you’re a fan of all things dark and gruesome, check out the artwork of author, film director, and artist Clive Barker at the Packer Schopf Gallery, showing Tuesdays through Saturdays and free to the public. (runs through February 16)
• The 24th Annual Playdough Palooza is the Wish List Auxiliary Board’s annual fundraising event to support the Child Life Department. This year’s fundraiser will be at Rockit Bar and Grill. All of the proceeds will fund new supplies for the Children’s Memorial Hospital. Tickets are $50-$60 via childrenswishlist.org (Jan 18)
• Ladies, spend A Night in Paradise. This girls’ night …read more

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Celebrate the reopening of the Spertus Institute of Jewish Studies in its new facility at the Grand Opening Gala Benefit, including cocktails, dinner, and entertainment. (Nov 29)
The annual World of Chocolate benefit for the AIDS Foundation of Chicago is held in commemoration of World AIDS Day. Guests will sample scrumptious chocolate creations from many of Chicago’s finest restaurants, caterers, and chocolatiers. (Nov 29)
Bayside, an alternative rock band from Queens, New York, performs at the House of Blues, while Clay Aiken, the American pop singer of American Idol fame, sings at the Genesee Theatre in Waukegan. (Nov 29)
Sample some of the …read more

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Do I seem jittery to you? Or maybe a little too energetic? I don’t think I’m really that energetic at all, just the right amount of energy because if you have too much energy that can be really bad for you because you’d crash and burn before the day was really over but then again you’d probably get a lot done and your house could end up cleaner faster than usual and typing faster would definitely come in handy I think especially for me anyway because of all the typing I have to do in a day typing up various …read more

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Pretty soon, those little superheroes, ghosts, and pirates will be ringing your bell and knocking at your door, expecting something sweet to eat. Sure, you could go to any store and pick up the same ol’ Snickers and M&M’s that everyone else has, but how many houses can boast Abba Zabba, Mary Janes, or Wonka Bars?
Around the corner from Luxe, Suckers Candy, Inc. is chock full of candy memories. Revel in the sweets of the past, browsing through the likes of Slo’ Pokes and Wacky Taffy. Can’t decide? They’ll gladly put together a gift package for you, filled with all …read more

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