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Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Beyond New York: The Train to Montr�al (Part One)
One of the best things about NYC is its easy accessibility to the whole northeastern corner of North America. Want a two-centre holiday? It couldn't be simpler to arrange...
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South Africa: Five More Cape Wineries to Visit
It's been a while since we've written about South Africa's Cape Winelands, so we've added a few more winery recommendations to our previous features on Cape wining and dining...
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Boston: Five Places to Enjoy Afternoon Tea
In the proud city of Boston, the tradition of taking afternoon tea is alive and well, so for your own modern-day Boston Tea Party check out our recommendations...
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Everest Burger 2.0, new and improved for 2012
Tweet Most restaurateurs would agree that any new concept should be fine-tuned during its first year as it climbs up the learning curve and gets to know its customers. This wisdom has not bypassed … Continue reading
Source: http://www.dinewisechicago.com/?p=316
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Beyond New York: Niagara Falls and Toronto Part Two
In the second part of our feature on the Niagara Falls area, we spell out the reasons why cosmopolitan Toronto is the obvious choice for a twin-centre city break...
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Virgin Atlantic Brings Clubhouse to Newark
Here at Virgin Atlantic we're thrilled to announce details of our latest investment in luxury travel: a brand-new Clubhouse at Newark Liberty Airport set to open in October 2012....
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Dining with the Stars
It's not every day you find yourself in real-world proximity to a celebrity you're used to seeing only on the big screen or in magazines. Which is what makes it all the more exciting to catch a glimpse of someone famous while you're grabbing a drink or a bite to eat. The trick is to know where to go to increase your chances of spotting a star.
Urbanspoon has combed the latest headlines, hottest stories, and juiciest gossip to pinpoint 50 spots across the country where you might find yourself dining next to the latest Hollywood A-lister, rock god, or sports superstar. While LA and NYC are known celebrity hubs, famous faces also regularly pop up in restaurants in Miami, Las Vegas, Austin, and Chicago.
Check out the list below to see which famous names were spotted where.
Austin, TX (4)
- Guero's Taco Bar (Austin) – Bill Clinton, Ryan Gosling, Quentin Tarantino
- Jo's on Second (Austin) – Luke Wilson, Taylor Kitsch
- Shady Grove (Austin) - Sandra Bullock, Christopher Mintz-Plasse
- TRIO at the Four Seasons (Austin) - Giada De Laurentiis
Boston, MA (2)
- Stephanie on Newbury (Boston) – Nicole Richie, Nastia Liukin
- Wahlburgers (Boston) – Steve Carrell
Chicago, IL (7)
- Girl & The Goat (Chicago) – Bethenny Frankel, Leann Rimes, Taraji P. Henson
- Kuma's Corner (Chicago) – Lady Gaga, Adam Richman
- Mr. Beef (Chicago) – Jay Leno, Christopher Walken, Vince Vaughn
- Pick Me Up Café (Chicago) – Pete Wentz, Jenny McCarthy
- Pizano's Pizza & Pasta (Chicago) – Taylor Kinney, Lady Gaga
- Spiaggia (Chicago) –Tom Hanks, Rita Wilson, Oprah
- Sunda (Chicago) – Channing Tatum, Scott Speedman, Robin Tunney
Las Vegas, NV (4)
- Mr. Lucky's at Hard Rock Hotel (Las Vegas) – Nicole Richie, Joel Madden, Lindsay Lohan, Paris Hilton
- N9NE Steakhouse at The Palms (Las Vegas) – President Barack Obama, Hugh Hefner, Holly Madison
- Sugar Factory at Paris Las Vegas (Las Vegas) – Kim Kardashian, Britney Spears
- TAO Restaurant (Las Vegas) – Jamie Foxx, Paris Hilton
Los Angeles, CA (16)
- Château Marmont (LA) – James Franco, Lindsay Lohan
- Crazy Fish (LA) – Mario Lopez
- CUT at the Beverly Wilshire (LA) – Eva Longoria
- Du Pars (LA) – George Clooney
- Hugo's (LA) – Miley Cyrus, Lea Michele, Vanessa Hudgens
- Jerry's Famous Deli (LA) – Adam Sandler, Will Smith, Jerry Seinfeld
- La Descarga (LA) – Jessica Alba, Jonah Hill, Brad Pitt
- Livello at L'Ermitage in Beverly Hills (LA) – Salma Hayek
- Madeo (LA) – Lisa Marie Presley, Emma Roberts, Chord Overstreet, Paris Hilton
- Mr. Chow (LA) – Sandra Bullock, Heidi Klum, Linda Evangelista, Russell Simmons
- Nobu (Malibu) - Nicole Richie, Joel Madden
- Polo Lounge (LA) – Mary Louise Parker, Natalie Portman, Dita Von Teese
- The Ivy (LA) – Jessica Alba, Ben Affleck, Jennifer Lopez
- The Palm (LA) – Billy Crystal, Adam Sandler, Mike Myers
- The Roger Room (LA) – James Van Der Beek, John Mayer
- Tropicalia Brazilian Grill (LA) – Eva Mendes
Miami, FL (5)
- Casa Tua (Miami) – Vince Vaughn, Jennifer Aniston, Owen Wilson
- Cheeseburger Baby (Miami) – Beyoncé, Kanye West, Gabrielle Union, Dwayne Wade
- La Côte at Fontainebleau Hotel (Miami) – Anna Kournikova, Gail Simmons, Ramona Singer, Kourtney Kardashian
- Mercadito (Miami) – Jessica Simpson, Goldie Hawn, Kate Hudson, Mariah Carey
- Prime One Twelve (Miami) – Bill Clinton, Cameron Diaz, Alex Rodriguez, Chad Ochocinco
New York, NY (6)
- Babbo (NYC) – Gwyneth Paltrow
- Laconda Verde (NYC) – Mary-Kate Olsen, Jennifer Aniston, Justin Theroux, Kristen Stewart, Rob Pattinson
- Minetta Tavern (NYC) – Brooke Shields, Jerry Seinfeld
- Saxon + Parole (NYC) – Cameron Diaz
- The Spotted Pig (NYC) – David Schwimmer, Michael Stipe, Luke Wilson, Courtney Love
- Waverly Inn (NYC) – President Barack Obama, Beyoncé, Jay-Z, Kate Hudson
Philadelphia, PA (2)
- Chickie's & Pete's (Philadelphia) – Mark Sanchez
- Sabrina's Café (Philadelphia) – LeBron James, Jake Gyllenhaal, Reese Witherspoon
Seattle, WA (4)
- Kingfish Café (Seattle) – Gwyneth Paltrow
- Le Panier (Seattle) – Michael Keaton, Martha Stewart
- Red Fin Japanese Restaurant and Sushi Bar (Seattle) – Pauly Delvecchio (Pauly D), Dave Navarro
- Six Seven (Seattle) – Sean Penn
If you've got a great restaurant star sighting to share, spill it on our Facebook page.
Source: http://www.urbanspoon.com/blog/101/Dining-with-the-Stars.html
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Beyond New York: Niagara Falls and Toronto Part One
We're exploring Niagara Falls and Toronto in the latest of our adventures beyond New York City. First up: experience the unbridled power and beauty of the falls...
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A Harry Potter Halloween in Philly
A prelude to Halloween, and what better way to spook and enjoy yourself than, to enjoy the wonder and magic of the world of harry potter in Philadelphia this weekend at chestnut hill. On October 26-27 this neighborhood will be organizing a variety of events that will keep adults, children and all harry potter fans [...]
Source: http://www.mycityway.com/blog/2012/10/26/a-harry-potter-halloween-in-philly/
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Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Treats to Get You in the Mood this Valentine?s Day
Truffle Truffle Introduces Aphrodisiac Truffles and Caramels Collections: Chocolate has long been seen as the quintessential aphrodisiac and the sung secret to a woman?s heart. Chicago artisanal chocolate and confections company, truffle truffle, is amping up the heat this Valentine?s Day with the Valentine?s Collection of Aphrodisiac Truffles and Caramels. Whether or not these ingredients [...]
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Source: http://www.chicagofoodblog.net/featured/valentine%e2%80%99s-day-chocolate-gifts
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Stanley?s Kitchen ? Staying True to the Neighborhood Bar
I dare you to find something on this menu — and especially the specials menu — to where you don’t lick your plate clean. Even though our portions are HUGE the majority of our food gets finished and there is a reason why everyone takes home the rest if their stomachs prove smaller than their [...]
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Beyond New York: Niagara Falls and Toronto Part One
We're exploring Niagara Falls and Toronto in the latest of our adventures beyond New York City. First up: experience the unbridled power and beauty of the falls...
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Top 10 Bars to Visit in 2010
The best new bars to visit in the New Year Still looking for that New Year?s resolution? Why not vow to try all things new and in Chicago there is no better place to start then the ever evolving nightlife scene. From swanky hotel hotspots to dark wooden bars, the top 10 newcomers of last [...]
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Everest Burger 2.0, new and improved for 2012
Tweet Most restaurateurs would agree that any new concept should be fine-tuned during its first year as it climbs up the learning curve and gets to know its customers. This wisdom has not bypassed … Continue reading
Spooky Sushi And Creepy Cocktails
Shinto Japanese Steakhouse Is The Place To Go For Halloween Delights If you are like me you LOVE good sushi. Check out these seasonal specials at Shintos in Naperville. Stay in the Halloween spirit by enjoying succulent sushi and delicious drinks with spooktacular themes. Shinto Japanese Steakhouse has some great menu items that fit perfectly [...]
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The Winner of the best burger this year, ?The Oscar?
Patty Burger knows this sandwich will make you famous! What makes a burger the best of the year? What makes it Oscar-worthy? How about taking an all beef patty and putting Swiss, provolone, and cheddar cheeses, saut�ed onions and mushrooms, avocado slices, bacon and Patty sauce? That is what makes up Patty Burger?s The Oscar. [...]
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Source: http://www.chicagofoodblog.net/local-restaurants/hamburgers/best-burger-this-year-chicago
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Beyond New York: The Train to Montr�al (Part One)
One of the best things about NYC is its easy accessibility to the whole northeastern corner of North America. Want a two-centre holiday? It couldn't be simpler to arrange...
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Monday, October 29, 2012
Best of grub on wheels ? Food Trucks around Boston
Boston?s old school food trucks were once called ?roach coaches?, back in the day when they used to move from one construction site to another. Today, they?re a whole new ball game, a booming business of delicacies on the move. You?ll find versatile food truck menus ? all sorts of grub from appetizers to full-fledged [...]
Source: http://www.mycityway.com/blog/2012/10/18/best-of-grub-on-wheels-%e2%80%93-food-trucks-around-boston/
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Weird hangover cures you can make at home
You look up ?hangover cures? on the Internet and there are a million weird ones, but most of them require impossible ingredients or specialized expertise or alien technology. Booooo! We have some legitimate weird hangover cures right here for you and you can prepare them easily at home and probably they absolutely do not work [...]
Source: http://www.rentcafe.com/blog/featured/weird-hangover-cures-you-can-make-at-home/
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Pro hockey returns to the Cow Palace with SF Bulls
It’s been 20+ years since the San Jose Sharks played their debut season at the Cow Palace but hockey returns to the arena-with-the-funny-name this month as the newly-minted San Francisco Bulls of the East Coast Hockey League begin play. Uh… hockey’s coming here to the city?!?!? I’m not sure where the ?Bulls? name comes from [...]
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Virgin Atlantic Launches New Amenity Kits On Board
After six months of research and design we have today revealed our new-look amenity kits, which are going on board aircraft this month...
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Sunday, October 28, 2012
Las Vegas: The Best Luxury Hotel Suites
Want to party like a prince? Sin City is home to some of the most outrageously over-the-top hotel suites in the world, and we've tracked down the best...
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Virgin Atlantic Swaps Branson for Billy
Remember our recent nationwide search to find a budding Branson? We're delighted to announce that Billy Yeomans, 10, from Chichester, is our new Junior Approvals Manager...
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A Few Tools to get any Food Blogger Rolling on the Web
There are many tools of the trade that have helped us blog better over the years. We like to quickly spotlight a few of the tools that have helped us blog better. WordPress.org – Without WordPress we would be lost. The standalone platform found at WordPress.org is search engine optimized, extremely easy to use and [...]
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Behaving Badly
As the three children at the table behind us screeched like possessed banshees—piercing, deafening, sustained shrieks—I found myself reciting to myself, "It's a diner. They have a right to be here too. It's a diner. It's a diner." Without my having uttered a word, my boyfriend leans over and says, "Well, at least they're happy screams." Yes, everyone in the whole place knew just how happy these kids were. The parents' reaction? Full-blown, head thrown back, hysterical laughter and a half-hearted "shhhh" between guffaws at just how unbearably adorable this hearing-loss-inducing behavior was.
Over the past couple years, there have been more stories of restaurants banning children and horrifying tales such as the one of a mother who toilet trained her twins at the table during a busy restaurant lunch. In Dublin, Ireland, Matt the Thresher has made a name for itself with its low tolerance policy for disruptive children. In the UK and Australia, some cafés and restaurants don't outright ban children, but do ban their transportation.
On one side are parents who feel restaurants should not only welcome families, but should cater to children and parents. In the middle are those parents who enjoy dining out and don't see why bringing their children into any restaurant they choose should be an issue. On the opposite extreme (and I do mean extreme) are those who think children should be banned from public places altogether. So, who's right? Is there common ground? I took the question to my own friends for their opinions. 
The specific question I asked was, "As diners, what are the pros and cons of having places [that do not allow children] available in your community?" Most insisted that parents are reasonable enough to remove a child who's melting down from a restaurant and that a ban is unnecessary and unfair. Others lamented that banning children from restaurants denies them the opportunity to learn manners and social graces. Other responses ranged from someone equating it to racial segregation to a friend with two lovely young daughters who said "I have kids, but I think a restaurant that doesn't allow kids would be great."
One friend without children suggested that parents aren't always the best judges of disruptive behavior and noise. "Kid noise is parent white noise," he shared. "Despite their often good intentions, parents have a higher tolerance for disruption." The majority of my parent friends felt it was unfair to ban children from anywhere the public is allowed just because they might be unruly. Others said that a restaurant should be free to take the hit on business by instituting a ban. The owner of McDain's Restaurant outside Pittsburgh, PA begs to differ on that last point.
So, if parents want their pint-sized diners to have a seat at the table, why are some restaurants imposing rules? Restaurateurs most often cite customer complaints as a reason why they're compelled to crack down on the littlest diners. Some cite safety issues caused by strollers and car seats in the dining room. From a parent's perspective, one fellow diner shared that the best reason for a childfree restaurant is a quiet date night with his wife when they've arranged care for their own children.
For all the opposing views, though, what it came down to was one common theme. It doesn't seem fair to ban a child who might be disruptive when we can't do anything about diners who act like out of control children. From Mary's Drunk Uncle, to the Forty-Something Wino, to Arrogant Loud Cell Phone Talker, we created quite a cast of characters. In a recent Huffington Post article, Michael Sanson takes on a shining example of just what kind of havoc these characters are capable of wreaking.
It seems most everyone has at least one example of an experience ruined by someone else's sense of entitlement, of people who don't think they should be responsible for controlling their own behavior or the behavior of their children. There are those who believe they have the right to go where they want and act how they want when they arrive, regardless of how it affects those around them. Those diners who would prefer to enjoy a nice meal free of unruly children and drunken uncles alike often don't feel they can count on this. Whether it's a parent who doesn't see fit to take a screaming child outside or the "investment banker" at the next table who has spilled his Manhattan on you for the third time while screaming into his cell phone, nothing ruins a great meal like your neighbor's bad behavior.
Source: http://www.urbanspoon.com/blog/106/Behaving-Badly.html
Bears wrestle with Big Newton
The Carolina Panthers may be 1-5, well below the expectations after finishing last season 6-10. But the Bears aren't about to say they'll breeze past them and rising star Cam Newton on Sunday. RedEye spoke to the Bears defense about containing the 6-foot-5, 245-pound quarterback, who threw for 374 yards and ran for two touchdowns when these teams met in 2011.
�
What's the difference between preparing for Cam Newton on film and actually playing against him?
Linebacker Nick Roach: [He's] one of the biggest guys that you'll probably play against at that position that can make a move like that. Your focus is just on trying to contain him if he does decide to scramble. And you have to prepare for some of the run plays they have for him too.
Lineman Corey Wootton: It was everything we saw on film. He's a guy who can not only throw the ball but run. He can get outside the pocket and make plays. And he made some really good plays, eluding pressure, getting to the outside, and hitting [receivers] deep. When we were able to get pressure on him [in 2011], he was tough to bring down. I know Matt Toeaina, who's one of the strongest guys on the team, had him in his hands, tried to pull him down, and he shook him off. He's the kind of guy that when you're rushing against him, you're like, "Oh, he's not going to be one of those guys that goes down and takes the sack."
Safety Major Wright: At any time, he can make any play. He can make any throw on the field. But watching film on him first and now playing against him, you see more, you're aware of more. We've had a whole year to know what he do better, and to focus on the things that he does better now than he did last year.
�
How do you tackle Cam Newton?
Roach: I mean, he's not the biggest guy to ever play football. What is he-he's 240 pounds? So he probably feels like a 240-pound guy.
Cornerback Charles Tillman: I don't think there's a formula of tackling him. Just get him down by any means necessary-legally. If you're thinking too much about how you're going to tackle this guy, you're probably going to miss a tackle.
Wootton: You have to wrap him up and hogtie him, almost. You're not going to arm tackle him. You gotta basically bear hug him and not let go. [Laughs.]
�
How have you re-created him in practice?
Roach: Whoever the scout team quarterback is, we can kind of stage a scramble if we need to or something. It's more something that you're aware of, because [Newton is] not going to scramble every time.
Wootton: [In practice we] have Jason Campbell, who's going to be giving us a look. They're similar in arms. Cam's obviously a little faster than Jason Campbell, but Jason does a good job of getting outside the pocket and creating that look for us that we're going to get in the game.
�
Are there any other quarterbacks in the NFL to whom you liken the experience of defending Newton?
Roach: We've played a lot of mobile guys. We played [Robert Griffin III] in the preseason, we played [Donovan] McNabb a number of times. Pretty much anybody who can move. [Christian] Ponder's a fast guy.
Tillman: Michael Vick. Their elusiveness, explosiveness. The way they run away from defenders.
Linebacker Brian Urlacher: [Josh] Freeman's tall and fast, in Tampa. There's a bunch of tall fast guys. There's not a lot of guys that run a 4.4 [seconds in the 40-yard dash] at 6-6, 245, whatever he is. No, there's not a lot of guys like him.
Wootton: I would say he's very comparable to Joe Webb from Minnesota. We had a tough time tackling and sacking him. He doesn't have as good an arm as Cam Newton, but similar as far as his ability to run, his ability to escape, his ability to break tackles. [Newton's] so different. He's 6-5, 6-6, and there are not many running backs who are that height, not many tight ends who are his size. He's just a freak athlete.
Wright: Well, you've got Tim Tebow. Oh [pauses, thinking] there's not many [in terms of] his size, his speed and some things that he do bring to the game. He's a special quarterback.
�
Other than getting a win, what would you consider a success against Newton?
Tillman: Keeping him from scoring. I think that's success. Keeping him from getting in the end zone, putting up points, making big plays.
Wootton: I think the biggest thing is just getting pressure on him, limiting the big plays, and forcing turnovers. That's a successful game for us.
Special contributor Jack M Silverstein covers the Bears for RedEye. Say hey @readjack.
Want more? Discuss this article and others on RedEye Sports' Facebook page.�Source: http://www.redeyechicago.com/news/ct-red-1026-bears-on-newton-20121025,0,29796.story?track=rss
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Love at first fright
She was a box of Sugar Babies; he was Dick in a Box. Later that night, they made out on the dance floor at Evil Olive in Wicker Park, and both of them knew it was something special. Three and a half years later, they became Jon and Jennifer Iwert.
Between the costumes and booze, Halloween is the chief holiday for acting like something you're not. Funny then, that as one of the biggest party nights of the year, it's also a great opportunity to meet people if you're single.
And, despite deliberate attempts to alter appearances and personality, true love can indeed be found.
For 26-year-old Jen Iwert, a senior financial analyst for US Cellular, it came at a party in 2008 wearing a polyester suit and a box strapped to its groin. Fortunately for Jon, she saw past the box.
"I think the mind-set definitely does change (on Halloween)," she said. "I see more flirting going on. The costumes act as two things in my opinion: a conversation starter and a means for an increase in confidence."
Although the details of their first encounter are a little--er, foggy--and he waited five days to finally ask her out, Jon recalled having no doubt in his mind in the days after that Jen might be the one.
"It's hard for me to remember that night exactly because I was pretty ripped, but I did walk into work on Monday morning and say 'I met the future Mrs. Iwert this weekend,' and I never said that before--ever," said Jon, a 28-year-old account executive at Aramark who lives in Wicker Park with Jen.
Not everyone's story is serendipitous, but Halloween usually makes a first encounter more memorable.
Alexandra Campione, 23, met her boyfriend Sam, 24, on Halloween 2010 when they were living in Orlando. She had kind of met him once before and encouraged their mutual friend to invite him to her party. She wasn't sure if he would come, but she carefully prepared in case.
"I kind of had an inkling he would be coming so I wanted to look cute and sexy but not too slutty and showing too much skin," Campione said. "So I decided to go as the classic schoolgirl, kind of inspired by the Britney Spears 'Baby One More Time' look with my own twist on it."
It was late into the party when Sam, now an assistant manager at Brasserie by LM in the South Loop, finally showed up---in a plaid shirt and black pants.
"I thought it was even more funny when he told me he didn't realize I was wearing a costume and he thought that's just what I wear," she said.
The two still managed to hit it off and moved to the South Loop together last year. That Halloween she got Sam to dress up as the Big Bad Wolf to her Little Red Riding Hood.
As much as wearing costumes can bring people together, so can general apathy for all the Halloween hoopla. George Panos, 25, of Mount Prospect, met his live-in 27-year-old girlfriend, Vicky, a teacher, on Halloween two years ago--on purpose.
The two had been messaging back and forth on match.com when they established that they didn't have--or care to have--any plans for Halloween night, a Sunday. So they decided it would be a great night to meet each other in person.
"She and I aren't big Halloween people to be perfectly honest," Panos said. "We both didn't like dressing up or anything like that."
They met at Yard House in Glenview for drinks and to watch the Pittsburgh Steelers, Panos' favorite football team. Sports has since remained one of their strongest common interests aside from not caring for Halloween; they will celebrate their two-year anniversary at the Bulls' home opener Halloween night.
"Instead of an actual holiday, we think about it as our anniversary instead," Panos said. "We look at it as we can dress up still, or we can do something for our anniversary."
For all these couples, Halloween has taken on a new sentimental value. This year, the Iwerts will be apart over Halloween weekend as Jen will be out of town visiting friends, but she'll be back in time for Wednesday.
"We will still be together on the actual date, and that is all that really matters," she said.
So for all the single trick-or-treaters this year, you never know who's out there and what pop-culture reference they might be hiding behind, but there's definitely a chance your Oct. 31 will never be the same again.
Steven Chaitman is a RedEye special contributor.
Want more? Discuss this article and others on RedEye's Facebook page.�
Source: http://www.redeyechicago.com/news/redeye-love-at-first-fright-20121026,0,2198391.story?track=rss
Saturday, October 27, 2012
The Winner of the best burger this year, ?The Oscar?
Patty Burger knows this sandwich will make you famous! What makes a burger the best of the year? What makes it Oscar-worthy? How about taking an all beef patty and putting Swiss, provolone, and cheddar cheeses, saut�ed onions and mushrooms, avocado slices, bacon and Patty sauce? That is what makes up Patty Burger?s The Oscar. [...]
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New York: Things To Do At Christmas Time
It will soon be that time of year again, and if you're heading to New York this Christmas you won't be able to escape the festive spirit...
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Arcade bar vs. arcade bar
If you have fond memories of cashing in your allowance for quarters and then plugging them into games at the local arcade, two recently opened bars are offering the chance to relive the past. Emporium Arcade Bar (1366 N. Milwaukee Ave. 773-697-7922) in Wicker Park and Headquarters Beercade (950 W. Wolfram St. 773-665-5660) in Lakeview both feature a bounty of classic video games-only this time around, you can play with a beer in hand and stay out way later than your parents would let you. I paid both bars a visit last weekend to face 'em off, Street Fighter-style.
DEBUT DATES
Emporium: June 15
Headquarters: Oct. 11
OWNERSHIP
Emporium: Danny Marks, who opened the bar in Wicker Park on June 15 with his brother Doug, previously worked as a manager at an arcade bar in Brooklyn called Barcade. Their family also operated arcades in the '80s.
Headquarters: Mark Kwiatkowski and Brian Galati run Lakeview bar Uncle Fatty's Rum Resort and remodeled adjacent bar The Coach House into Headquarters, which opened Oct. 11. They also have two more projects in the works.
INSPIRATION
Emporium: Danny thought Barcade's arcade bar concept would work well in his native Chicago and started plans for Emporium after he left Barcade in summer 2011.
Headquarters: The owners were also inspired by Barcade, which they visited while doing research in New York for an artisanal beer-focused bar project they're keeping quiet about.
IT'LL COST YOU
Emporium: Danny said the bar uses tokens instead of quarters so that staff feels more comfortable doling out replacements, but also because "it's a classic arcade sort of thing," he said. "The games do eat tokens a lot."
Headquarters: The machines are equipped to take quarters but are currently free to play. "We were initially planning on doing it as a grand opening promotion, but we love the response, so it's indefinite," Kwiatkowski said.
GUY-TO-GIRL RATIO
Emporium: 60/40
Headquarters: 25/75
DRINKS
Emporium: The focus is on American craft beers such as Emmett's black IPA ($7) and Dirty Bastard Scotch-style ale from Founders Brewing ($6), though Emporium also serves PBR to cater to the hipster crowd. The owners are fond of whiskey and have stocked the bar with a serious selection of small-batch brands including Angel's Envy ($11) and locally made Few Spirits ($9).
Headquarters: No PBR here. The bar specializes in lesser-known brews such as Stillwater Kopstootje ale ($10) and Dark Horse raspberry ale ($7). "We're excited to see these quirky beers selling in volume," Kwiatkowski said. A cocktail menu developed by local mixology company Pour Souls capitalizes on the nostalgic vibe with odd but delicious drinks such as Who's Got the Mott's ($9), a blend of apple vodka, cinnamon applesauce and apple bitters served with a cinnamon stick.
PERKS
Emporium: Little nooks between games provide a place to rest your drink from the bar-and your purse, in my case.
Headquarters: Servers will check in while you're playing to see if you're ready for refills and place your drinks on the nearest convenient surface.
FOOD
Emporium: The bar sells some locally made snacks like Gunslinger Jerky ($7) and Bee's Nuts ($2) but you're welcome to bring in outside eats. There's a stack of menus in front for nearby restaurants such as Pot Pan Thai, and the whole place can smell mouth-wateringly good when there's a group chowing on grub from Harold's Chicken across the street.
Headquarters: Servers will bring you a book of delivery menus for eateries such as Panes, Pompei Pizza and Fogo 2 Go, and the bar also sells Dirty potato chips ($2) and beef jerky ($9) made by Etno Village Grill chef Chris Cason.
ON THE WALLS
Emporium: A chalkboard listing high scores.
Headquarters: Video game-themed propaganda posters such as a Ms. Pac-Man version of Rosie the Riveter.
NUMBER OF GAMES
Emporium: 45
Headquarters: 37
MOST POPULAR GAMES
Emporium: X-Men, Mortal Kombat and The Simpsons.
Headquarters: Street Fighter and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
OUT OF ORDER
Emporium: The Simpsons is normally a four-player game, but it was only allowing two or sometimes one player at a time when I visited. And in Mortal Kombat, players couldn't compete against each other. Games are constantly rotating in and out at Emporium as they break down and get repaired. Danny said he maintains them "with great care, determination and frustration. It's a constant battle."
Headquarters: Area 51: Site 4 kept restarting after I cleared the first level, though other players seemed to have better luck.
OTHER ENTERTAINMENT
Emporium: You can watch sports or movies ("Underworld" during my visit) on TVs around the bar.
Headquarters: Along with sports, the bar shows video-game themed films and TV shows such as "Street Fighter" the movie and "Pac-Man: The Animated Series."
**THE WINNER**
Emporium has a better selection of multiplayer games, making your night out more social, and the small-batch booze selection is sure to win over any whiskey fan. It also draws bigger crowds, though it's easy to find a seat since most people are waiting their turn for a favorite game while watching other players show off their skills.
But it's Headquarters that nets the high score in my book. It seems like vintage arcade games were made to take as much of your money as possible, so the free-play policy that allows you to spend your cash on beer instead of tokens is a huge plus. While I was able to order drinks at Emporium's bar quickly, the service at Headquarters impressed, with servers checking back to make sure I liked my cocktail and a feedback section on every receipt inquiring what new games and beers customers would like to see. The dynamic might change as Headquarters gets busier, but for now it's my pick for a night of gaming and drinking.
Samantha Nelson is a RedEye special contributor and a video game reviewer for The Gameological Society. RedEye reporters visit bars unannounced and drinks are paid for by RedEye. redeye@trbune.com | @redeyechicago
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A FREE Taste of Panera Bread
Panera Bread wants you to be its Valentine. To win your heart, all Chicagoland caf�s are offering a free taste of some of its new menu items, including coffee, bread and sweets. To get the goods, text BREAD to 46786 between today and Valentine?s Day, February 14. Don?t worry ? we absolutely won?t text additional [...]
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Las Vegas: Spa Treatments for Autumn
Autumn is just around the corner and so are cooler desert temperatures, pumpkin spice lattes, and fall-inspired treatments at some of our favourite Las Vegas spas...
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Strip Mall Stigma
Your friend invites you to try a new restaurant - but it's in a strip mall. She's heard really good things about it - but it's in a strip mall. You immediately look up the restaurant on Urbanspoon and find mostly positive reviews, sprinkled with hackneyed phrases like "a hidden gem" or "don't let the strip mall exterior fool you!"
We've all dined at strip malls, and they are certainly not a new concept, but what is it about these restaurants that make us uneasy? Why is there a difference in attitude towards the standalone versus the strip mall locale?
Strip malls are places we pass every day, places that are near and easy to access, yet we keep saying we'll eat at that one place someday. If we do muster the courage to go, there's the fear of walking into a deserted restaurant. Pulling up to the strip mall, you notice there are cars parked there, but where are their owners? Are they getting their hair cut? Picking up dry cleaning? The impermeable tinted windows make it difficult to catch a glimpse before you decide to jump ship. Once inside, there's no turning back.
It's also difficult to give these restaurants a chance when the location acts as a revolving door for each new tenant. No one wants to spend time and money on a place that will close down within the year. Economist and professor Tyler Cowen writes about finding good, affordable places to eat in his newest book, An Economist Gets Lunch: New Rules for Everyday Foodies. He points out that restaurant owners in strip malls have more flexibility to be creative and innovative since their overhead costs are lower.
Cowen suggests exploring suburbs for the best ethnic restaurants. Areas where a particular ethnic cuisine dominates will serve above-average food. These areas have plenty of competition, along with an informed clientele that makes them immune to mediocrity and gimmicks. Restaurants with poor quality will quickly be run out of business.
Next time you're looking for a new place to eat, don't let the strip mall exterior fool you. You just might find a true "hidden gem."
These strip mall restaurants have high ratings on Urbanspoon:
- Ripe Eatery in El Paso, TX
- Pupatella in Washington, DC
- Pho 95 in Denver, CO
- Jebena Cafe in Seattle, WA
- Da Rae Jung in Chicago, IL
- The Chicken Lady in Los Angeles, CA
- KoMex Fusion Express in Las Vegas, NV
- SpecialTea Lounge in Miami
- Café Sarajevo in Phoenix
- Savera in Toronto, ON
Now it's your turn! What are your favorite strip mall restaurants? Share your suggestions on our Facebook page or create a guide of the best strip mall restaurants in your city.
Post written for Urbanspoon by Lisa Martinez of El Paso Veg Snob
Source: http://www.urbanspoon.com/blog/95/Strip-Mall-Stigma.html
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Friday, October 26, 2012
So Much For Alain's
We're always sorry when a place is gone before it even has a chance to show its stuff, and that seems to be the case with the Israel Idonije-backed American-Cameroonian hybrid Alain's in the South Loop. Opening in August with promising, if inconsistent, reports as to how much African influence it would have, the restaurant piqued our curiosity more when 312 Dining Diva filed a favorable report on the creative use of Cameroonian spices and breads by owner-chef Alain Njike. Just days later, however, the restaurant was padlocked by its landlord. And though there was word of reopening, now Sloopin, a south Loop-based blog, reports that very large and visible For Rent signs have been posted in the windows, a pretty clear implication that Alain's is history. It may simply have been too big a project for Njike, a former front of house staff member at Charlie Trotter's, to take on as a neophyte chef-owner, particularly given the long buildout (which likely drained Njike's capital). It's also a fast turnaround for the expansion of dining options in the South Loop, which saw three places open practically the same week in the same block, only for Alain's to close and City Tavern to lose chef Kendal Duque almost immediately. [Sloopin]
Read more posts by Michael Gebert
Filed Under: closings, alain njike, alain's, sloopin
Source: http://chicago.grubstreet.com/2012/10/so_much_for_alains.html
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Caribbean Holidays: Where to Eat in Barbados
We've looked at where to stay and now we're looking at where to eat in Barbados. Our most popular Caribbean destination is not short on options...
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Polish Italian Spaghetti Recipe
Delicious with polish sausage in place of meatballs. Simply add sliced Lone Wolf polish sausage to your choice of pasta, favorite marinara and top with Parmesan cheese. Share Chicago Food: No related posts. Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.
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Source: http://www.chicagofoodblog.net/my-food-blog/recipes/polish-italian-spaghetti-recipe
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Virgin Atlantic Responds to Demand in Cancun Route
Following unprecedented demand, we've just announced an increase in our services to Cancun: our new direct route has been one of the most successful launches in our history...
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Las Vegas: The Best Luxury Hotel Suites
Want to party like a prince? Sin City is home to some of the most outrageously over-the-top hotel suites in the world, and we've tracked down the best...
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