Eats & Drinks

Meli Café – a Greek mashup of clean juices, hearty omelets and almost everything in between

in Eating Out, Eats & Drinks • August 12, 2015

Despite staying out late the night before with Bachelorette Party Night 1 (and in due part to our strong Cocktail Courier pre-game), we somehow found the strength to rise and shine for a 9:30 a.m. breakfast. I’d heard of a new Meli Café location opening on Dearborn, so was psyched to take the girls here to try it out. I had a good feeling as we were promptly greeted and seated, given my deliciously positive experiences at Meli’s other locations.

Top 3 Urban Gardening Tips for Beginners

in Eating In, Eats & Drinks, Health • August 9, 2015

If you’ve been following me for a while, then you know last summer I really got into gardening. Living in the heart of a big city often means cramped living. I may lack a yard, but living in an urban environment doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice your love of gardening. Thanks to Burpee’s, the first name in home gardening, I was able to collaborate with them this year to expand my green thumb. They are a company of exclusive varieties of vegetables, herbs, seeds and flowers that are ideal for... Share this: Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email More Click to print (Opens in new window) Print Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr

Cocktails Courier and bridesmaids and bachelorettes, oh my!

in Eating In, Eating Out, Eats & Drinks, Events • August 7, 2015

This weekend, I was tasked with hosting a bachelorette party in the city for one of my closest college girlfriends. It was quite delightful being at the epicenter of her worlds colliding – I had the pleasure of meeting several magnificent ladies from different eras of my friend’s life, childhood to post-college. And what better way to foster new girl-friendships than over some icebreakers in liquid form? Special delivery! Enter Cocktail Courier, AKA classy in a box. It’s... Share this: Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email More Click to print (Opens in new window) Print Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr

Filini’s Summer Menu Preview Dinner

in Eating Out, Eats & Drinks • July 28, 2015

It’s probably safe to say that my favorite sport is cooking. Coming from a long line of home cooks, I was one of those kids who grew up in the kitchen pretending to host a cooking show. I dreamed of creating magical dishes that fed people’s bellies and hearts. I developed a longing that the food I would create would nourish bodies and souls, gather people together around a table, and produce in them a feeling of... Share this: Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email More Click to print (Opens in new window) Print Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr

My Top Five Milwaukee Must-Do’s

in Eating Out, Eats & Drinks, Events, Festivals, Travel • July 17, 2015

I recently traveled north to check out Milwaukee (less than a one-hour drive from Chicago) and take-in the city’s keystone summer celebration. Summerfest is an annual music festival held along the lakefront in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The World’s Largest Music Festival attracts the music industry’s hottest stars, emerging talent and local favorites. For 11 days, more than 800 acts play on 11 sponsor themed stages throughout the grounds, including the 23,000-capacity Marcus Amphitheater. On any given day, attendees can enjoy alternative, rock, country, hip-hop, pop, EDM headliners and much more. I was lucky enough to take-in two of... Share this: Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email More Click to print (Opens in new window) Print Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr

A Complete Guide to Kokopelli’s in Wicker Park

in Eating Out, Eats & Drinks • July 10, 2015

If you haven’t found your favorite neighborhood authentic Mexican eatery, it’s because you haven’t yet been to Kokopelli’s. Nestled on Milwaukee Avenue, Kokopelli’s is welcoming – semi-casual and unassuming. From their beginnings in Tijuana as a thriving food truck business, they chose Chicago as their first North American location, fitting well into Wicker Park with its varied ambience, art and menu options. The creative lighting manages to highlight the giant, original chalkboard murals and the beautiful hardwood floors throughout…not to mention the vast tequila bar serving over 40 high-end... Share this: Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email More Click to print (Opens in new window) Print Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr

Ranalli’s New Pizza Menu Preview + FREE GIFT CARD GIVEAWAY

in Eating Out, Eats & Drinks, Giveaways • July 2, 2015

One thing’s for sure — Chicago is hardly lacking in top-notch pizza spots. From our renowned deep dish to cozy, neighborhood trattorias, serving both coal-cooked and wood-fired pies in the Neapolitan-style, Chicago-style and more. Located off of the busy intersection of Lincoln Avenue in the heart of Lincoln Park, Ranalli’s is the perfect place for locals. The Four Corners Tavern Group first opened the restaurant with the idea that it could become a neighborhood spot with a real feeling of community and since they first opened their doors, it has become just that,... Share this: Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email More Click to print (Opens in new window) Print Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr

NOODLES & COMPANY ADDS MUSCLE TO ITS MENU WITH NEW BUFF BOWLS + RECIPE

in Eating Out, Eats & Drinks, Giveaways, Health • June 14, 2015

No carb-loving foodie wants to skimp on pasta, especially not at an eatery with a name like Noodles & Company. Yet the national fast-casual restaurant chain has given us permission to go sans pasta with its new BUFF Bowls. The entrées feature four of Noodles & Company’s most popular pasta dishes – in the nude! The bowls consist of an extra portion of veggies, topped with protein, and served on a bed of spinach in place of noodles. Without pasta, the emphasis is truly on the... Share this: Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email More Click to print (Opens in new window) Print Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr

What Breakfast Dreams are Made of: Oui Oui to Cochon Volant

in Eating Out, Eats & Drinks • June 8, 2015

This past weekend, Cochon Volant invited me to experience acclaimed James Beard winning chef Roland Liccioni of Les Nomades and acclaimed chef Matt Ayala of Gilt Bar, Schwa & Moto’s new brunch menu. Cochon Volant, (which translates to “flying pig” according to Google) features “French” cuisine. This hot spot located on Loop and Monroe and Clark streets offer all-day menu highlighting French specialties such as croissants and a combination menu that features French classics steak frites, escargot, mussels, roasted chicken, and even a seafood bar with fresh oysters. The inside of Cochon Volant is... Share this: Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email More Click to print (Opens in new window) Print Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr

My Top-Top experience with Autre Monde

in Eating Out, Eats & Drinks • May 26, 2015

I recently was asked by Top-Top, a new reservation booking service to serve as a brand ambassador. Top-Top lets users book reservations at top Chicago restaurants, $2.50 fee per person, for diners to be treated to ‘week-of’ availability and the capability to select the table of their choice. Anyone can get the Top-Top treatment by booking reservations through their site (use promo code “toptopinfluencerCFG”). Why do I love it so much? The first reason I love Top-Top is that they asked me to dine at Autre Monde.... Share this: Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email More Click to print (Opens in new window) Print Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr