The Chicago Traveler

• Dress up as your favorite character and get your Disney on at the The Little Mermaid Sing-Along at the Music Box Theatre. (Aug 22 – Sept 1)
• MC Hammer and Cyndi Lauper perform at Glamorama 2008, a fall fashion fundraiser at The Chicago Theatre featuring top designers. A portion of ticket proceeds benefit the Art Institute of Chicago. (Aug 22)
• The seventh annual Glenwood Avenue Arts Fest features more than 100 art vendors and 35 bands. Be sure to check out the fashion show and fire performance on Friday, or take a self-guided tour of artists’ studios on Saturday …read more

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With crazy gas prices and now high sales taxes, Chicagoans and visitors are looking to save money where they can. But don’t let your budget prevent you from going out to enjoy a good meal. Here are eight of the best restaurants (courtesy of Citysearch and Yelp) where you can get a big meal for a small price.

8. Red Apple. This Polish buffet just keeps on going and going and going…
7. Reza’s Restaurant. As if the extensive Mediterranean menu wasn’t enough, the Sunday brunch buffet offers an incredible number of options.
6. Mr. Greek Gyros. Everything from hot dogs to pork …read more

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• The 11th annual Taste of Randolph Street stretches from Peoria Street to Racine Avenue and features food from local restaurants, a wine garden, chef demos, and art vendors. (June 20-22)
• At the Daley Plaza, the Thai Festival Chicago 2008 presents dance performances, Thai boxing demonstrations, food, fashion, and more. (June 19-20)
• Watch the Chicago White Sox take on the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field in the Crosstown Classic. (June 27-29)
• Beverly Arts Center dance instructor Chris Nasadowski hosts Bringin’ It from the Streets III, a showcase of amateur and professional tap, hip-hop, and modern dance troupes. (June 20)
• Tracy …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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In the heart of Greektown (and on the same corner as Greek Islands), Santorini invites its customers back to the Mediterranean via a charming rustic setting. Whitewashed walls are decorated with copper pans and other minor (but authentic) touches, while traditional music plays in the background. A large fireplace adds to the intimate setting, which is surprisingly cozy given the size and high activity of the restaurant.
The eatery is named after a Greek island, so it makes sense that it focuses on seafood. Non-fish eats are just as good though, including the appetizer dolmades (vine leaves stuffed with ground …read more

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Many folks in the South Loop area were fond of the coffee shop Gourmand, but fondness doesn’t pay the bills. Gourmand closed its doors and reopened as Café Mediterra, a Middle Eastern eatery with a new look and a new menu. Owner Mutaz Abdullah gutted and remodeled the space and has managed to find his own niche in the neighborhood.
The revamped café serves as an excellent study spot, offering a quiet earthy atmosphere in pale greens and browns. Sip on tea, coffee, or a smoothie while you enjoy the free wi-fi.
If you need some brain fuel, the new menu blends …read more

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In the colorful neighborhood of Greektown, Greek Islands is hot, and it’s not just the flaming saganaki. This huge restaurant can seat nearly 400 people at a time, so there can be as many as 25 waiters serving a thousand diners a night. Greek Islands serves up everything from calamari to mousaka to baked octopus and imports its quality wines, herbs, extra-virgin olive oil, and cheeses directly from Greece. With the heavy competition between all the Greek restaurants in the area, it has stayed in business since 1971 by keeping prices low and food quality high.
This casual restaurant sets the …read more

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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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