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The Chicago Traveler

September 16th, 2008

Ten Best Romantic Spots 2008

Romance shouldn’t be reserved for just Valentine’s Day. As the temperatures begin to cool down, you can keep your relationship hot by visiting one or more of the ten best romantic date spots (courtesy of Citysearch and Yelp).

10. Shanghai Terrace. With elegant art and a beautiful view, this Asian restaurant offers delicious sophistication.
9. Cyrano’s Bistrot […]

By Matt B -- 0 comments

September 15th, 2008

The Art of Cocktailing

Some things just naturally go together. Beer and baseball, wine and cheese, for example. But what about cocktails? House of Campari and SWINDLE Magazine present the “Art of Cocktailing,” wherein art and cocktails are brought together in a series of events across the country.
Various bars and lounges throughout the U.S. (including San Francisco, Philadelphia, Los […]

By Matt B -- 2 comments

September 9th, 2008

Keep Company at Juicy Wine Company

At Juicy Wine Company in River West, wine lovers browse through the retail space and select their preferred combinations of vintages and complements (pate, olives, and cheese). You can take these purchases home or head upstairs to the lounge. Here, hipsters gab in semicircular booths and small tables while a DJ spins on an elevated […]

By Matt B -- 0 comments

September 9th, 2008

Ten Best Gay & Lesbian Bars 2008

Chicago is renowned for its culture and diversity, bringing together people from all backgrounds and labels. The gay and lesbian community plays a significant part in the Windy City’s population, attracting men and women from less resourceful rural areas across the Midwest. Two of Chicago’s most thriving gay neighborhoods are Boystown (inside the Lakeview/Wrigleyville area) […]

By Matt B -- 1 comment

September 2nd, 2008

Feeling Under the Leather

If you think all gay men are lisping, fashion-conscious, and limp-wristed, you’d be sorely mistaken. There are entire subcultures dedicated to expressions of masculinity and the body “anti-image.” Take, for example, the leather culture. If you’re unfamiliar with this scene, think of the stereotypical biker bar. (In fact, many conjecture that the leather world emerged […]

By Matt B -- 2 comments

August 28th, 2008

Fresh Faces in Food

The restaurant scene in Chicago is constantly evolving, always keeping up with people’s new tastes or trends. Here are a few restaurants that have only been around for a year or so, but they have already made a name for themselves in the dining biz.
Chalkboard, a contemporary American restaurant in North Center, is just that: […]

By Matt B -- 0 comments

August 27th, 2008

Wine and Cheese Pizza at La Madia

Who says pizza is unrefined? Certainly not La Madia, a River North restaurant whose motto is “Art of Pizza, Love of Wine.”
You’ll know this isn’t any ordinary pizza place when you see the floor-to-ceiling wine wall behind the bar. Groups of friends and romantic couples fill the striped booths and the pizza bar surrounding the […]

By Matt B -- 1 comment

August 19th, 2008

Mirai Serves Sushi and Sake in Sleek Style

Sure, your local storefront seafood market that fries the heck out of your fish may be tasty, but it’s not very striking. When it’s time to impress your date, you’re going to need something smooth and stylish. Welcome to Mirai Sushi.
With a sleek dining room and trendy lounge (between Crust and Bravo Tapas), Mirai is […]

By Matt B -- 1 comment

August 19th, 2008

Bass, Boys, and Bad Behavior at Roscoe’s

If you’re young, fun, and like to shake your bum, you’ll probably find yourself dancing the night away at Roscoe’s.
Once you get past the occasionally haughty bouncer at the door, you’ll be greeted by a labyrinth of a bar and, on the weekends, wall-to-wall crowds. The front section contains a bar island which fills the […]

By Matt B -- 2 comments

August 15th, 2008

A Mano Hands Out Great Italian

Most people try to find a wine that complements their food. The folks at Bin 36 put together a contemporary trattoria (next door to Crimson Lounge) named A Mano, thereby creating an Italian menu that would balance well with their wines.
A combination of Michigan Avenue tourists and white-collar executives fill the bar and dining area, […]

By Matt B -- 0 comments