The Chicago Traveler

Oh Volo… where do I even begin? Your radiant décor? Your chic food? Your comfortable, social atmosphere?
Owner Jon Young (co-creator of Kitsch’n across the street) and chef Stephen Dunne are behind this Roscoe Village wine bar, which has been featured on The Food Channel. The restaurant bears striking design with dark brown walls, dim lighting, and a small open kitchen. Couples and small groups relax over granite tabletops, completing the modern yet warm vibe.
The weekly-rotating menu includes small tapas-like dishes that focus on organic and local produce. Past plates have featured heirloom tomatoes with buffalo mozzarella and basil vinaigrette; mussels …read more

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If you were a child in Chicago anytime between 1961 and 1994, you will recognize the following names: Cooky, Wizzo, Cuddly Dudley, Garfield Goose… These characters and more were all regulars on Bozo’s Circus and then on the even more popular The Bozo Show, both of which were produced locally and aired on WGN.1
You might drive by the WGN television studios and not even know it. While most of the other TV stations in Chicago broadcast from beautiful skyscrapers downtown (including the NBC Tower), the WGN structure looks like a boring office building. That’s because it was constructed in 1963, …read more

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When was the last time you used a typewriter, or saw one for that matter? The last time I used one was over ten years ago, to write up a speech I gave in high school. And even then, it was by choice, as I had other more modern options I could have used. There is a unique joy in the sound of typewriter keys click-clacking. However, in this world of computers, laptops, and smartphones, you’d think it’d be impossible to find a typewriter. Not so.
In a small storefront in Ravenswood, you’ll find hundreds of these writing tools of days …read more

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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: a restaurant with oversized chalkboards that list the specials of the day. Rather than constantly reprinting menus, the owners are able to easily change these boards on a daily basis. Aside from the namesake wall-length chalkboard, the small dining room features white molding, linen-clad tables, …read more

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• The Croatian Fest features a huge roast of 75 lambs and over 10 whole pigs at the St. Jerome Croatian Catholic Church. The festivities include homemade foods, ethnic dancing, and a beer garden. (Aug 15)
• This weekend marks the 50th Annual Chicago Air & Water Show. Arrive early and claim your spot at either North Avenue Beach or Oak Street Beach, where you’ll see the Blue Angels, the Golden Knights parachute team, an F-22 Raptor, and much more. (Aug 15-17)
• The third annual North Side Summerfest features live music from over a dozen artists and bands and plenty of …read more

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• RedEye columnist Mark Bazer hosts “The Interview Show” at Hideout, where a variety of guests (including musicians, comedians, authors, and more) share their thoughts. (Every first Friday)
• The indoor-outdoor 23rd annual Irish-American Heritage Festival features live Irish music on five stages, folk dancing, food, arts and crafts vendors, and a raffle for a trip to Ireland. (July 11-13)
• You can browse through wood carvings, paintings, and jewelry from Asia, Africa, and Europe at the Black Thai International Arts and Crafts Fest in the West Loop. (July 9-11, Aug 6-8, Sept 3-5)
• More than 200 painters, sculptors, photographers, street musicians, …read more

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Spaghetti, penne, rigatoni… pasta is pasta is pasta, right? Maybe not. Using the highest-quality products he can find, chef Theo Gilbert creates organic, nourishing foods that are certainly appreciated by his hungry customers. He changes the menu at Terragusto every couple of weeks based on what he finds at local farmers’ markets, keeping the selection new and fresh. And while the food is high-quality, the restaurant is far from stuffy: there are no fancy linens and corkage is only $1 per person.
From outside, you can catch a glimpse of workers kneading pasta on a wooden block near the window. However, …read more

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It’s time to say good-bye to 2007. The year has treated me very well. I moved to a new apartment, did some traveling, and, best of all, began writing The Chicago Traveler! Many thanks to Mary Jo and everyone at b5media who has been so welcoming and helpful.
Even though The Chicago Traveler is only a few months old, let’s take a look back at the ten most popular articles of this year.
10. Abegweit. Resting peacefully on Lake Michigan, this beautiful ship was once the most powerful icebreaker in the world.
9. Let’s Boogie Records & Tapes. This music store on the …read more

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• Follow a trail of flour, chalk, and toilet paper on the Sixth Annual Great Chicago Anthrax Scare/Santa Hat Run. This four-mile run (for $44) includes a Santa cap, a hazmat suit, and four hours of food and open bar with the Chicago Hash House Harriers afterward. Meet at the Hidden Shamrock by 2 p.m. (Dec 15)
• Aunt Mabel gave you an ugly-as-sin holiday sweater last year. Here’s your opportunity to finally enjoy it. The Second Annual Fugly Sweater Bar Crawl begins at Blarney Stone at 2 p.m. and makes its way through Wrigleyville ‘til 12 midnight. Call for details …read more

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• Join the Hispanic Alliance for Career Enhancement at Shikago Restaurant for their 2007 Holiday Party. Enjoy cocktails and modern Asian cuisine, all while taking in the beautiful city views. Tickets are $40 in advance and $50 at the door. A $5 discount will be given at the door to those who donate professional apparel. (Dec 7)
• Want to support a Democratic candidate? RSVP for Change Rocks, a concert for Senator Barack Obama at the Riviera Theatre. Performers include Jeff Tweedy, Stephan Jenkins, and Jill Sobule. (Dec 7)
• The fifth annual Winter Arts and Crafts Expo at the Evanston Art …read more

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