Happy Easter!

Happy Friday Everyone!

I'm off to CT in a few short hours but I did want to wish everyone a Happy Easter!

This one is for the ladies...

New Beer in Chicago

Happy Thirsty Thursday!!

Check out the new Beer in Town  Ale syndicate

Brought to you by two Chicago brothers that just moved back after their success in Oakland with Lucky Hand Brewing. Their first release, the aforementionded Richie Imperial Porter, now at 24 bars and restaurants in town (Big Star, Owen & Engine et al). It is a great beer to drink during these last cold days/nights before it starts to really warm up.

They are finishing their production facility and taproom in Logan Square. That should be done later this year, and will be perfect to relax on the sunny patio, sipping their India pale ale, Municipal. They will also be offering a perfect bar for BBQ, Sunday Session, a crisp and hoppy ale.

They will be at the Beerfest here in Chicago this week. Someone please check it out and let me know what you think while I'm back on the East Coast!

Here is their website to read a little more: http://alesyndicate.com/

SideCar App--Need a Ride?

Happy Hump Day Everyone!

I came across this new app and thought I would share around. I will make sure to try and let you know if it's good, but if anyone tries before me, please share!

On Friday and Saturday nights we're always looking for a lift, well now we have this handy app, Side Car. You request an "instant ride share  with your smartphone, then monitor the driver who accepts it coming to get you in real time, or track their progress via text, email or social media.

You can also be a driver. They do a check on you to make sure you have a safe record/actual car. You can start earning extra cash by offering up rides to strangers/tech-savvy friends who'll be surprised to see you. Payment is voluntary (thought a donation is suggested) and all conducted via phone.

They're just starting out on Friday and Saturday nights to see how it goes, but should expand along with the community of drivers and riders and will stay if the reviews, which you can review through the app, are positive.

Might need to try this but probably not by myself. Who's interested?

Weekend Recap

Happy Monday Everyone!

I have a serious case of the Mondays after arriving back from Vegas last night. I have a few pictures to recap but most of the stories will stay in Vegas. It was a great time celebrating one of my best friends who is getting married at the end of June. We stayed at the MGM in the new tower and the rooms were huge and perfect for us. The Wet Republic at the MGM is a must for people watching and if you're a lady please be sure to hit up all of the random promoters that come by your table while you're eating breakfast to cure your hangover. We managed to get free bottle services every night at all of the clubs.

The cutest goodie bags for us when we arrived from the Matron and Maid of Honor

All of the ladies at Pure our last night

 My favorite Bachelor party group at the Wet Palace on Friday

Hope everyone had a great weekend! Lots to chat about this week.

Weekend Guide: Off to Vegas

It's Thursday! Only two more days, well 4 hours for me, but who's counting!

I'm excited to see what happens with the basketball over the next couple days, I don't have a set team but always root for the upsets and underdog to win it all! How is everyone's brackets looking? I need to think of some that I will bet on while I'm in Vegas. Suggestions are welcome!

Here is a fun thing to do over the weekend in between the bar hopping while watching the games.


Randolph Street Market Spring Fling
What: The mega bazaar flips your bargain-hunting switch with more than 200 antiques dealers, indie designers, and modern vintage vendors.
Why: Fresh picks for the new season.
When: Sat. & Sun., 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Where: Plumbers Hall, 1340 W. Washington St., at Ada St.(312-666-1200). Tickets ($8) at randolphstreetmarket.com


I'm off to Vegas to celebrate with Katie and the girls for her last fling before the ring. It is going to be madness in Vegas with the games but we'll be sure to get ourselves into a little trouble.

Aw we look so innocent here for our dress fittings! Can't wait for the wild weekend with the ladies!

Belated Weekend Recap & New on the Scene

Hello Everyone! Happy Hump Day :)

I'm off to Vegas at Noon tomorrow for a friend's Bachelorette party! Thank goodness, this frigid weather to welcome the first day of spring is a joke!

Here are some  pictures from the weekend celebrating St. Patrick's Day & St. Paddy's Day!

 I always love seeing the river green!

 Two of my favorites that celebrated with me

One of our all time favorite bars.. Butch McGuire's decorated in style

Now I have a new bar that is a must try!!

  AMERICAN JUNKIE

This is going to be a cross between Benchmark and Pour House. It is a 320-seat, two-floor industrial barstaurant sporting a retractable skylight roof and American flags carved on the tables, etched onto bar stools and occupying an entire wall of the upstairs with also a massive 16ft HDTV. The 2nd floor overlooks Hubbard and will be the perfect summer spot once it finally starts to get warm!

Chef Kendal Duque will be serving up meatiness and here are some preview pictures that are sure to make your mouth water.

The bar will have about 40 different wines and 26 draft beers, with private label of each. The one featured above is the Sunset Blvd and features vodka, prosecco, lime and a coiled cucumber.

I'm still curious on the actual opening date but here is the full menu to look through

MENU

I'll let you know when I'm headed to try it out and when we can storm the scene!

Happy Spring!

Club Bub

Happy Friday Everyone!

I am so excited for the weekend and I've only worked three days this week (technically). I have a funny review to share with you today before we all get prepared for the madness that is St. Patrick's Day weekend in Chicago!

The ladies and I decided last minute yesterday to meet up for some drinks and dinner and I was dying to go back to Bub City, since I don't quite remember everything about it when we went after the Miami game at 3pm. Well, let us tell you to ALWAYS make a reservation whenever you go!

We arrived at 7pm (probably the worst time) and I put my name in and she said about an hour wait and we could go to the bar. We were catching up and soon enough an hour and a half went by, and we were HANGRY. People kept pouring in and we still weren't seated. Finally one of our friends left about 9:15 and we were called up 5 minutes after she left. We were relieved for a second before we were sat at this tiny table that was surrounded by people at the bar.


If the food wasn't amazing we would have left after a 30 minute wait but we did get to enjoy of food for a minute before wrapping up the rest and heading home just after the live band started. Who does Rachel Timberlake think she is, she was performing and was nothing like Justin!


The bar is amazing and the food is even better but just note to make a reservation to save you from the misery we went through!

Make sure to order a side of Mac and cheese as well as the fried pickles, they are both mouthwatering! We did learn a new free app to download that I highly recommend when a gentleman asked us to help him out with it at the bar.

If you want to give 4 pictures and a word a try here is the link:App 4 pics 1 word

Have a great St. Patrick's Day weekend everyone! I will sure to have some great pictures of the neon green river for the weekend recap! Cheers!

Happy Pi Day!

Hello All!

Happy Pi Day! 3.14 Day means a lot to me, Sue Babe's Birthday, Patrick's Birthday and yummy pi(e)s of Pizza and sweet pies!

Cheers to Sue Babe! I celebrated be Birthday Tuesday night before I left to come back to Chicago and hope she's having a nice and relaxing day, much like our rum punches in Barbados!

Here is a great deal if you're staying in tonight but still want to take part in Pi day!!

To celebrate, get a 9" one ingredient Cutie Pie Pizza at HomeMadePizza for just $3.14!!

Congrats to Alpana Singh

Hello Friends!

I have been absolutely terrible about posting and I will make sure to change that today! Quick post before heading back to the grind but this is an exciting congrats!

A BIG Congrats to Alpana Singh for the only Chicagoan named to Food & Wine's annual Sommeliers of the Year List.

Great article here on why she won: http://www.foodandwine.com/articles/sommeliers-of-the-year-2013

So excited for her and I'm sure her BFF Connor will be celebrating with her if he hasn't already!

I leave you with this gorgeous picture that my Dad took this morning of a chilly NYC morning from the hospital.

Have a fabulous Monday everyone!