Adventure Chicago: Big Star, a Little Bit Country, a Little Bit Rock 'n' Roll

Big Star is Paul Kahan’s latest creation and his first attempt at “fast food.” A blending of a Taqueria with the spirit of Honky Tonk and topped off with a dash of hip, Big Star offers a rough-sleek decor, more-ish eats, and an incredible beer list, to boot. To make it more enticing, it’s cheap. We all know that cheap and good are not always synonymous, but, in this case, they are and it's damn-near perfect.

I believe between the two Mod City Moms, we've tried everything on the concise, but wonderful menu including the elusive, Sonarian Hot Dog—a dog wrapped in bacon and smothered in onions, pinto beans, and hot sauce (my nephew swears by it). Our personal favorites include the Tacos De Rajas De Poblano (roasted Poblano peppers and cheese taco), Frijoles Charros (pinto beans stewed in bacon and served with tortillas), and a spicy pork shoulder soup that is to die for. I'm asking for it on my last meal on earth.

Most items cost less than five dollars and the beer list, comprised mostly of local and Southern California micro brews, is outstanding. Don't miss Stone IPA or, better yet, a Port-Brewing selection, priced at a mere four bucks and, if you're into bloody beer, try the house version—the Michilada made with salsa, lime, and Tecate—yum!

Crowds can be a bit rambunctious on the weekends for families, but lunch is mostly local hipsters and folks who work in the neighborhood—perfect for the kiddies. Big Star is cash only and very busy on evenings—best to go early if you want a seat. Details: www.bigstarchicago.com

Adventure Chicago: The Vintage Bazaar, Cool Vintage Finds Despite the Heat

The Vintage Bazaar is a Chicago-based modern, urban flea market produced by two local designers, Katherine Raz and Libby Alexander. Most of the vendors are local vintage boutique owners and collectors from all around the region.There is a little something for everyone—vintage clothing, art, jewelry, glassware, and countless other oddities.

It only happens twice a year—summer and winter. The summer edition of the Vintage Bazaar is during the month of August—a time we refer to as the dog days. It also takes place at the old Congress Theater on Milwaukee Avenue without the aid of air conditioning. Let me be the first to tell you, it’s hot in there. Blistering would be more accurate; my skin was melting like the Wicked Witch of the West. The funny thing was, I didn’t mind. And neither did the hundreds of sweaty, happy-go-lucky devotees combing through booths of one-of-a-kind, funky finds at remarkable prices.

Don’t let me worry you too much about the heat because after all, there is beer—ice-cold beer. For the kiddies, there is pie being sold by Hoosier Mama Pie Company. What could better than cheap, eclectic finds, ice cold beer, and homemade pie? A hipster D.J. spinning really great tunes while you peruse the vendors, you say? Well, there is one of those, too.

Most items are ticketed at extremely reasonable prices, but if you have your eye on something that is a little more than you may want to spend, vendors are also willing to negotiate prices. Admission to the Bazaar is free. Details and updates for where and when it will be popping up next are available at www.thevintagebazaar.com.

Email this article!

Style: Threadless—Exceptional Tees with a Sense of Humor

In a society where you can buy so-called vintage tees at Old Navy, replica Arts and Crafts pottery at Target, and duplicated art prints at Poster Plus for all under 10 bucks, it's no wonder that most of us stick to big box store shopping. After all, time is precious and spending extra cash on extraneous possessions is simply not doable. Right? Not necessarily so. Sometimes the greatest joys in life involve spending a little extra money and time hunting for the eclectic, local, vintage, or special, one-of-a-kind item.

The MCMs have been longtime fans of a local Chi-town t-shirt company by the name of Threadless. Members of the "Threadless community" submit t-shirt designs online, where each one is voted on by the public. Selected designs are printed in limited supply and sold online and at their Chicago locations. After sporting our own Threadless tees for ten years, Threadless has finally introduced Threadless Kids. Now MCM children are able to wear and enjoy these shirts just as much as their parents do.

No matter who the artist, each Threadless design displays a keen sense of humor, designed with kids in mind. The kid’s tees include everything from a sausage hugging cheese to a cow that attempts to jump over the moon but manages to get stuck. These whimsical images are sure to put smiles on faces, giggles in throats, and spawn conversation between you and the little person in your life. In addition, Threadless offers art prints that can be framed or stretched on canvas for an additional opportunity to showcase their wares. Threadless has brilliantly proved that not every t-shirt is alike and sometimes it's just as easy to seek out something distinctive and creative instead of ordinary and accessible. Details: www.threadless.com

Email this article!

Adventure Chicago: The Publican-Heavenly Eats

In a world where the term "gastropub" is commonplace, bars serving upscale cuisine instead of greasy hot wings are just about everywhere you look. In Chicago, the gastropub is not only mainstream, but as universal as the hot dog joint. In the case of Paul Kahan's gastropub, however, the Publican (much like his Blackbird and Avec) is not just another gastropub—it's a destination not to be missed.

Publican is focused on beer and that list is so extensive and eclectic that it would surprise the connoisseur and certainly delight the enthusiast. Serving up delectable, mostly midwest, pork and fish-centered eats in an environment reminiscent of an aging beer hall meets mod-hip eatery, it is maybe as close to heaven as any of us ever intend to get.

Start with the yummy, spicy, crunchy Slagel Farm (Fairbury, Illinois) pork rinds that melt in your mouth and a half dozen oysters from the raw bar. These two are the perfect accompaniment with a good Belgium beer. Ask your servers for their favorite picks and parings, as they are all incredibly knowledgeable. Next up—the chef selection of three hams served with house-made goat butter and crusty peasant bread. You could stop there, but why? If you are a fan of charcuterie, don’t miss the platter with a pork pie, guinea hen galantine, sausage, pickles & mustards. The Waygu beef entrée is amazingly tender buttery. And the showstopper is Publican’s roasted chicken—yes, chicken. The chicken, also from the Slagel family farm, is served with slices of house-made summer sausage and perfect frites. The chicken is seasoned to perfection and some of the juiciest I have ever had. Don’t miss the sides at Publican either—creamy, cheesy cauliflower au gratin; frites topped with a fried egg; organic, summer white asparagus; or the amazing beet, creamy buratta cheese salad.

The menu changes seasonally and is never quite the same as the time before, so foodies, BEWARE! If you liked something, it may not be on the menu your next visit. But one thing always remains unchanging at the Publican—quality, never compromised and pretty close to flawless. Details: www.thepublicanrestaurant.com

Email this article!

Adventure Chicago: Food and Heart Collide at Urban Belly

It's not often that you find a restaurant without a “fast food” label that's easy on your wallet, delicious, and gourmet. Sure, cheap, yummy eats lurk around every corner in an urban sprawl, but "complex" is an adjective not normally used to describe fast food. On the opposite spectrum, most fine dining experiences that dole out the latest in haute cuisine are not approachable for more than one reason. Chicago’s Urban Belly, however, rises to the challenge, seamlessly melding together the intricate and complex with the affordable and honest—a task that is not easy, to be sure.

Nestled in an easy-to-overlook, kind-of-dingy strip mall on Western Avenue, Urban Belly is a welcome surprise, even in a city that has some version of Asian fare located on every block. Owned by chef Bill Kim (who recently opened the much anticipated Latin-Asian Belly Shack), Urban Belly’s philosophy is communal dining + good eats = a full stomach and content heart. There is no denying that Kim not only accomplishes this, but makes it seem effortless.

Don’t let the unwelcoming façade fool you—once inside, the environment is incredibly inviting. The dining space is small, minimalist, and warm. The staff is friendly, knowledgeable, and gracious. Urban Belly serves up comfort food Asian style—homemade dumplings, noodle dishes, soups, and sides.

Start with any of the house-made dumplings in unusual combinations such as lamb and brandy or squash and bacon. The dumpling dough has a homemade quality that I have not experienced from a traditional pot sticker. The main entrees, which are noodle-based, are all under twelve dollars and enough for two to share if you also order a starter. They come in a large bowl filled with broth or sauce combined with a variety of interesting, fresh ingredients. The wheat soba noodles with bay scallops and oyster mushrooms in a Thai basil broth were really terrific, but the Asian Bolognese special was the show-stopper of the evening: Thick, udon noodles served with mouth watering salty ham, black bean puree, and cilantro, combined perfectly with heat and Asian spices. It was simply to die for. All dishes are made to order—patrons order from the counter and are served at a communal table. Bring your own wine or beer, as Urban Belly is B.Y.O.B.—that beats the over-priced mediocre cocktail any day.

The cuisine at Urban Belly is the perfect balance of complex flavors meets the approachable and the room itself is modern and relaxed. Next time you are in Chicago, be sure to check it out—your stomach and your soul are sure to be fed. Details: www.urbanbellychicago.com

Email this article!

Obsession: Find Everything Merz Online

Merz Apothecary is a family owned European-style drugstore located on the north side of Chicago. With their herbal remedies, homeopathies, and natural bath and body care, they have been lifting spirits and relaxing their clientele for over a century. Recently, I found out they have a wonderful website that carries their full line of mostly European products. Their site is chock-full of aromatic candles, soaps, creams, and lip glosses—many brands that are unique to Merz. Their distinctive selections make one-of-a-kind gifts or a special treat for you (God knows we all could use a little R & R). The only component missing from ordering online is the fragrant aromas that float in the air when you arrive at the store. You'll have to pay a visit to the Windy City to experience that! Details: www.smallflower.com

Email this article!

Adventure Chicago: A Diamond in the Rough, Lula Café

When you visit a large city like Chicago, there are many decisions to be made when it comes to dining. The choices are endless—ethnicity, food-style, location, and price. Sometimes it's difficult, if not totally overwhelming, to weed through the thousands of options, forcing many visitors to stick to the downtown area, which is more familiar.

In my travels, I have found the most noteworthy restaurants are the ones where the locals dine. Usually the place where the resident foodies gravitate to repeatedly are the restaurants not just worth trying, but the ones that stand out in your mind for years to come. They may be slightly off the beaten path, but truly worth the effort in the end.

Lula Café is one of those places. It is located in a storefront in a transitional neighborhood called Logan Square. Driving by, you probably wouldn't even blink an eye. Once inside, however, you are instantly filled with warmth, even on the most blustery winter evening. And, if the atmosphere doesn’t do it for you, the strong, delicious cocktails will.

The waiting area is small and dimly lit with little votives placed randomly along a dark wood, vintage bar. It is incredibly inviting from the moment you set foot into the restaurant. The drink list consists of wine, beer, and cocktails. Their signature cocktails includes house-made sangria and margaritas. They also offer “old school” cocktails including Sidecars and Manhattans. Their signature Sidecar is a drink not to be missed—the perfect blend of sweet, sour, and smooth…delicious.

Like the restaurant space itself, the menu at Lula Café is small—using only seasonal organic produce and local fish, meats, and poultry. The menu changes daily or weekly in order to deliver customers the freshest meats and produce available. We ordered a chestnut risotto appetizer with turnips followed by a beet salad with blue cheese and warm wilted greens. The risotto was perfectly cooked and the flavor combinations were incredibly savory. The cold beet salad with warm mesclun greens and subtle blue cheese was perfect. The scene stealer of the evening was the pork belly entrée—pan seared and almost crispy on the outside with exceptionally tender, perfectly cooked meat inside that melted in my mouth.

Lula Café offers breakfast, brunch on weekends, and dinner daily and the prices are extremely reasonable. The service is friendly, the atmosphere is just right, and the food is near flawless in its execution. Lula Café is truly a diamond in the rough—a Chicago jewel not to be missed. Details: www.lulacafe.com.

Email this article!

Adventure Chicago: Roscoe Village

I am really lucky to live in Chicago and have, on any given day, hundreds of boutiques in arm's reach. With this being said, one of my favorite neighborhoods to frequent is Roscoe Village. The main drag lies between Damen and Western Avenues on the once sleepy Roscoe Street (a mere ten years ago, there wasn't much there). Today, Roscoe Village is home to many boutiques, restaurants, bars, and a bustling pedestrian thoroughfare. I thought I would pay homage to several of my favorites that should be added to any shopper's travel list.

Glam to Go: Owner, Jenny Flynn, is what makes this place more than just another woman’s boutique—her sublime attitude and eclectic sense entice patrons to stop in over and over again. Her store carries Weston Wear, Topin, 525 America, Rebecca Beeson, and Tano. But, what makes this store really unique, are all the cool accessories she carries—one-of-a-kind necklaces, hand-blown glass rings, silky headbands, and patent clutch bags. The best part is that most of her accessories are priced under $50. This low-key, funky boutique is a destination not to miss. Details: www.glamtogo.com.

Sacred Art: Sarah Chazin quit the restaurant biz to open this affordable, neighborhood art store. The place is intimate and chock-full of hundreds of original pieces, most by local Chicago artists and priced at $150 or less. She carries photography, assorted paintings, glass wall hangings, pottery, jewelry, and many other interesting finds. Recently, she has started offering custom framing and tries to give the best price in town. Her tag line is “art is not a luxury”—at these prices, it really isn’t. Details: www.sacredartstore.com.

Roscoe Blooms: This small flower shop is so serene, you may want to grab a coffee and spend the afternoon here. Step inside this cozy storefront and feel as if you have left the bustling city. Beautiful Jade, Orchids, and Asian Lanterns adorn this stop. There are small plants of all varieties, unique cards, and beautiful fresh cut flowers. Bouquets are wrapped in chocolate brown paper with lavender tissue. Rumor has it that Leslie, the owner, may be opening a home store. If it is anything like Roscoe Blooms, I will be banging the door down when it opens. Details: www.roscoeblooms.net.

Hard Boiled: This seemingly conventional record shop is anything but. The store carries an abundance of Indy rock and vinyl. If you are a music lover, adventurer, or just in need of some nostalgia, stop by this gem. You could spend hours flipping though the vinyl collection or ask the owner, Mark, for a recommendation and he will play you a CD or two. I have never left the store disappointed. Guaranteed you will leave with a smile and some great new music for your collection. Details: www.hardboiledrecords.com.

Email this article!