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The Chicago Traveler

August 29th, 2008

Labor Day Weekend 2008 (Aug 29-31)

• The African Festival of the Arts is Chicago’s largest neighborhood festival, featuring three music stages, ethnic cuisine, and more than 300 vendors selling everything from fine art to skin care products. Presentations include book discussions and dance workshops. (Aug 29 – Sept 1)
• The 30th annual Chicago Jazz Festival is the city’s longest-running lakefront […]

By User ImageMatt B -- 1 comment

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 13th, 2008

Zed 451 Sets the Night on Brazilian Fire

As we watch the hundreds of countries compete in the Summer Olympics this week, I’m reminded of all the different cultures and cuisines we have right here in Chicago. French, Italian, Chinese, Mexican, Thai, German… the list goes on and on. Another cuisine that has steadily become more popular is that of Brazil, as exemplified […]

By Matt B -- 0 comments

August 11th, 2008

65 East South Water Street: What’s My Name Again?

I know what you’re thinking. This 1928 24-story high-rise doesn’t look like interesting at all. And you’re right. There’s nothing about it physically that makes it stand out. Rather, what makes this building distinctive is its name… or perhaps, lack thereof.
Near the Seventeenth Church, what was formerly the Millinery Mart Building was renamed after its […]

By Matt B -- 1 comment

August 11th, 2008

The Long Arm of Columbus Drive Bridge

The Columbus Drive Bridge may not look like much, but it is actually the second-longest bascule bridge in the world. (If you happen to know which is the longest, I’d love to hear from you. I had difficulty finding this information.) A bascule bridge is the movable type of drawbridge which people are probably most […]

By Matt B -- 2 comments

August 7th, 2008

Weekend Stuff (Aug 8-10, 2008)

• Celebrate with more than 35 music and dance acts at the Caribbean Festival at Union Park. The festival features traditional food, art, a talent show, and more. (Aug 8-10)
• The 51st annual Gold Coast Art Fair displays work from over 350 artists along with food and wine vendors, music, and sculpting demonstrations. On Saturday, […]

By Matt B -- 0 comments

August 7th, 2008

Brasserie Ruhlmann Serves Steak in Style

Chicago is well-known for its pizzas and beefs, but we’re a lot more than just fast food. Take Brasserie Ruhlmann steakhouse for example. This four-star establishment in River North (just east of the Freedom Center) makes dinner more than a meal; it’s an event.
People from New York City may recognize the name; the eatery is […]

By Matt B -- 1 comment

August 4th, 2008

Come Full Circle at Navy Pier’s Ferris Wheel

While I mentioned this attraction in my post on Navy Pier, the Ferris Wheel is so big, it deserves a blog entry of its own. It stands 150 feet tall (46 m) and is modeled after the very first Ferris wheel, built for the World’s Columbian Exposition in 1893. Open year-round (weather permitting), folks can […]

By Matt B -- 1 comment

August 2nd, 2008

Rebar Packs a Punch

Ah, the punch bowl. It’s a staple at every party and gathering, for better or worse. And it’s rarely as innocent as it appears. Under-spiked at the prom or over-spiked at college parties, these beverage bins are seldom just punch. It’s about time someone got the mixture right. The chic and sophisticated Rebar makes its […]

By Matt B -- 1 comment

July 24th, 2008

Weekend Quickies (July 25-27, 2008)

• At the Newberry Library’s 24th annual Book Fair, you can browse through more than 100,000 books in 60 categories, most of which cost $2 or less. (July 24-27)
• In honor of Jimmy Buffet’s concerts at Toyota Park (July 24, 26), Lizzy McNeill’s Irish Pub is holding a Luau on the Chicago River. This Hawaiian-themed […]

By Matt B -- 1 comment