Hey friends! I have 3 great things for you to discover this weekend AND all Winter. Check out these great food items and a grand opening where you can come and hang with me! Click here to listen to my full segment on 101-WKQX.
Read MoreHey Chicagoans! I've got some great spots for you all to hit up this week... 3 new spots that all begin with B... how exciting! Catch my full 101-WKQX segment right HERE.
Hey everyone! Thanksgiving is right around the corner and I have a couple of fun ideas for you to check out in Chicago. I also have a fun giveaway below, see you all soon! Have a great holiday! You can catch my full 101-WKQX segment here.
Read MoreYes it's inevitable, Chicago winters will be COLD. However, that doesn't mean we have to be hermits, or succumb to not setting foot on a patio or rooftop until next June. Here are my favorite year-round patios. Click HERE for my full Rocking Right Now segment on 101-WKQX (there may also be some behind the scenes info into my recent engagement!)
Read MoreHey everyone! Here are some fun things to do this weekend... and by that I mean the COOLEST events going on this weekend in Chicago. If you want to eat more than your body weight in Mac and Cheese and Fried Chicken... I got 'chu! Click here to listen to my full segment on 101-WKQX.
Read MoreTrick or Treat!? Everyone's favorite scary time of year is finally here! Most Halloween parties are going on this weekend and I've got you covered! Click HERE to listen to my full radio segment on 101-WKQX
Read MoreTwo new spots and one tried and true for ya this week! So many yummy dishes to try from this list, let me know if you hit them up, would love your thoughts! Check out my full segment on 101-WKQX HERE!
Read MoreI've got some great spots for you all this weekend! Keep reading/listening if you want to know the best spots to kick off Fall and enjoy some amazing food, drink, and music! And click HERE to listen to my full segment on 101-WKQX.
Read MoreWhether you are looking for a great happy hour spot, or you want to hit up Fall's greatest beer festival, or take a quick weekend getaway... I've got you covered! Check out my full 101-WKQX segment here!
Read MoreSummer is officially over! Collective Boo Hoo :( But there is still lots of fun to be had... and wine and beer and cocktails to drink! Read below to find my favorite picks right now as well as a cool contest! Click HERE to listen to my full segment on 101-WKQX.
Read MoreHappy Friday everyone! Here are 2 fantastic NEW spots to hit up this weekend AND a sneak peak into a hot spot that will be here soon. So much YUM in this blog! Click here to listen to my full radio segment on 101-WKQX.
Read MoreSummer is winding down, but that doesn't mean the fun has to stop! Here are a few great places to head to this week for some great pizza, great food, and great beer! Catch my entire 101-WKQX segment by clicking HERE!
Read MoreIs there anything better than some beers and a pizza with friends? Or what about a pop-up bar based on the coolest show on Earth?! Or can you beat a giveaway of cold hard cash from the hottest new app?! I say all those things rock... keep reading to learn more and click HERE for my full segment on 101-WKQX.
Read MoreSometimes you're just in the mood for something different. Maybe one night you feel like getting dressed up and hitting the town while heading out to a swanky spot, while other times you want to cozy up at your friendly and delicious neighborhood trattoria. I've got 3 spots to appease whatever your mood may be. Listen to my full segment on 101-WKQX HERE.
Read MoreWe Chicagoans need to milk as much of out summer as possible. And we are GOOD at it. So keep reading to find a cool spot to spend some remaining warm Summer days. Click here to listen to my full segment on 101-WKQX.
I'm always giving so much love to restaurants and bars in the downtown area, because selfishly, well, that's where I live and frequent most often. But there are some incredible spots ALL throughout Chicago's beautiful, exciting, and diverse neighborhoods. North Center needs to get some props for Tavern on Little Fort. It pays homage to the historic Inns from the Lincoln Avenue of yesteryear. They are a classic sports bar with great pub food and an extensive beer list. Oh, and if you're an Iowa Hawkeye, like your's truly, then you'll really love it! And if college sports aren't your thing, you can head there to check out a Raiders game.
And ain't no better way to chill yet have a blast while summer lasts than a good ole' fashioned beer garden...and Tavern on Little Fort has one of the coolest. It's cozy and secluded and has it's own freestanding bar. So while Summer winds down, you can still spend some time outside eating and drinking. If you wanna do both at the same time, check out their yummy weekend brunch! They have $3 mimosas (WHAT?!?!) and $5 Bloody Mary's.
As a (very) frequent traveler, I need all the gadgets on Earth to help keep me organized. And especially in today's day and age with all of the electronics you need to carry with you, you schlep around a TON of cords. Porte Play carrying cases help keep ALL of your cords and electronic devices organized. So I thought I would spread the love and do a GIVEAWAY of these awesome products! Just go NOW to my Instagram, FOLLOW me, go to my Instagram Stories, and find the one about the Giveaway... reply to it "101- ROCKS" and you will be entered for a chance to win an awesome Porte Play package like below!
Alright friends, it's a HUGE weekend in Chicago and here are some awesome places to check out, and things to eat. Click HERE to listen to my full radio segment on 101-WKQX.
Read MoreI've got some ideas for you for this week... whether you're planning a fun Girls' Night Out, or you want soak up as much of the music festival vibe as possible, or check out one of the city's hottest new hotel restaurants... read below. Click here to listen to my full 101-WKQX segment.
Read MoreJust like every fleeting and cherished Chicago summer weekend, this one is also filled with amazing music and festivals. But don't worry, I sneaked in some food too. Click here to listen to my full radio segment on 101-WKQX.
Read MoreIt's Father's Day weekend AND it's finally summertime!!! Dad's were really smart when choosing middle of June for their special day. Anyway... here are some great ways to have a blast AND treat Dad this weekend! Click here to listen to my full radio segment on 101-WKQX.
Read MoreSummer seems like it's finally here! So let's celebrate! Here are some fun and delicious ways to spend these warm days and nights... Click HERE to listen to my full radio segment on 101-WKQX.
So my personal belief is that the Wells Street Art Festival uses "art" as an excuse to throw the best damn street festival of the entire year. Yes they have a ton of awesome art vendors...but usually people have had too much to drink to actually know good art from bad art... which could be a huge positive for the vendors. "Make more money with drunk customers!" Regardless, It's just a damn good time. Tons of awesome beer, tons of great food (street vendors and participating restaurants), and tons of loud live music. Oh, and I guess tons of art. This year, the headliner on Sat night is 16 Candles cover band, always a blast with them! This is the best way to kick off summer in Chi! It takes place all weekend on Wells St. between Division and North Ave.
Me with my girlfriends, Katie Stenson and Jaclyn Swartz, at Wells. St. Art Fest 2 years ago
Wells St. Art Festival- OLD TOWN
Forno Rosso Pizzeria is one of the best authentic Italian pizza joints in the city. The owner, Nick Nitti, actually studied the art of how to make the perfect Pizza Napoletana in Italy. Let me tell ya, he learned a thing or two. The pizza reminds me of all of my favorite pizza I ate in Italy. They even have pizza Capriciossa which was my FAVE in Italy... it has artichokes, olives, mushrooms, prosciutto, and I always add a sunny-side up egg in the middle. But all of their creations are authentic and delicious coming out of their wood fire brick oven.
Breakfast pizza courtesy of Forno Rosso Pizzeria's Instagram
But NOW, they serve brunch at their Randolph/West Loop location! And this isn't your typical brunch. Imagine everything coming right out of Italy...and right out of a brick oven. They have a breakfast pizza served with fior di latte, baby asparagus, grape tomatoes, pecorino romano, and 2 cage free eggs. They also have wood fired pancakes served with marscapone and cherries! Yum. And one of my favorites, uova (egg) in purgaturio (spicy san marzano tomato sauce). Make sure you check it out next time you want brunch in the West Loop! Sundays only.
Wood fired brunch pancakes- courtesy of Forno Rosso pizzeria Instagram
Forno Rosso Pizzeria- WEST LOOP- 1048 W. Randolph
I may have to go out on a limb and say that Pub Royale is the coolest spot in Wicker Park. And that's saying a lot since this neighborhood is oozing with hipster coolness. Pub Royale has a dark English Pub vibe, but they throw you a huge curve ball when you find out that they have an Indian Inspired menu. And the food is GOOD. It's a slightly modern/shared plates take on Indian cuisine, and nothing is intimidating in case you're an Indian food novice. Try the samosas, the butter chicken, and the chicken tikka kati roll... oh and the badass selection of craft beers.
Samosas- courtesy of Pub Royale's Instagram
Pub Royale- WICKER PARK- 2049 W. Division St.