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As an American Express® Cardmember, we invite you to ask the editorial team an entertainment related question. Our entertainment editors will provide expert answers, with other Cardmembers providing additional input on the best in city entertainment!
Chicago is a city of neighborhoods, so of course there are special spots in each one. We can't cover all 77 official hoods, so here are just a couple from our favorites.
• Simon's up in Andersonville (5210 N. Clark) is still a couple months away from pouring its first glogg of the season, but stop in anyhow.
• The Village Tap in Roscoe Village boasts a great beer selection, an eclectic menu and one of the coziest beer gardens in the city.
• The Handlebar has quickly become a mainstay for the Wicker Park/Bucktown biking set.
• Cleo's loves its Ukrainian Village patrons so much it serves an all-you-can-eat free buffet late on Saturday nights.
• Once all the tourists are gone, the Billy Goat Tavern is just a friendly neighborhood bar for the North Bridge area. You can even still bend the ear of a newspaper man from time to time.
Every neighborhood has a special place to call its own. Here's a few of our favorites:
• Lower Height: Axum Cafe for flavorful Eritrean cuisine, friendly service, eating with your hands and sipping honey wine.
• Inner Richmond: Le Soleil (133 Clement) provides sophisticated vibe on tasty traditional Vietnamese dishes. Get the seabass.
• Inner Sunset: Alvin's is an intimate little coffee and tea shop that showers local patrons with love and cheer.
• Chinatown: After walking along Grant Street, you'll want a tasty bubble tea. Get it at the Sweetheart Cafe, 909 Grant.
NYC: Best of Neighborhood Gems
If you think you've got to hoof it to other nabes to get a taste of true city life, stop and look around — some of New York's best are located in right outside your door.
• Through all the changes, Williamsburg's Greenpoint Tavern (188 Bedford Ave.) has maintained its little-dive-that-could vibe.
• Unwind at the small-yet-celebrated Laughing Lotus Yoga Center in Chelsea.
• For late night bites and the best mushroom barley soup this side of Minsk, there's Veselka in the East Village.
• For a little southern soul food up north, there's Miss Maude's Spoonbread Too in Harlem.
Chicago has one of the most vibrant music scenes in the world, encompassing every genre imaginable, from hip hop to house to jazz to post-rock. Here are some of the best places in the city to catch a live act.
• With its perfect acoustics and lavish décor, the Auditorium Theatre is a dream venue for musicians and audiences alike.
• Symphony Hall isn't just for classical; you'll also find top-notch jazz echoing across its balconies.
• The Metro turned 25 this year, and it's still going strong as the city's premier rock club.
• Catch up-and-coming indie, punk and even experimental jazz groups at the Empty Bottle.
• For electronica and other bit-based beats, head to Sonotheque.
• 9/18 — Peter Bjorn & John w/ The Clientelle at the Warfield. I'm sure all the young folks will be there.
• 9/18 — Def Leppard with Styx and Foreigner at the Sleep Train Pavillion at Concord. Old school hard rock.
• 9/19 — The Donnas at the Great American Music Hall — showcasing their latest record and tearing it up for all their fans.
• 9/23 — Alice Radio's Now & Zen Fest 2007 featuring James Blunt, Joss Stone, Gin Blossoms, etc. at Sharon Meadow - Golden Gate Park.
• 9/24 — Abra Moore at Café Du Nord $10 All Ages with Korby Lenker opening.
Break out the earplugs, New York. This week in music there's a little something for everyone.
• Lesley Gore and Jill Sobule put a new spin on some old standards at Joe's Pub in the Park on the 19th.
• Alt-rock darlings Kings of Leon trade Tennessee for NYC when they hit Radio City Music Hall on the 19th.
• Get your trance on with the Chemical Brothers at the Hammerstein Ballroom on the 21st.
• Former child actress Jenny Lewis will rock Webster Hall with her band Rilo Kiley on the 23rd.
You want culture? We got culture. Block after block of it. But these venues and exhibits should move to the top of your list.
• P.S.1 Contemporary Art Center. Haven't been there yet? Don't tell anyone. Quietly go and discover what all the hype is about for yourself.
• Drop in and catch the psychedelic multimedia of the Whitney's Summer of Love exhibit.
• From improv to pirate burlesque, Park Slope's Brooklyn Lyceum always has a little something for everyone.
• Tony Bennet swoons audiences this week at Davies Symphony Hall. Why, for the love of all that is good and jazzy would you miss this?
• Virtual Unreality: For the synergies between real and unreal universes within a science forward setting, cCheck out this exhibition.
• The Arts & Media Expo mentioned earlier features loads of photography, podcast, film and dance workshops for patrons and artists looking at exploring new media.
In a city with such a vibrant arts scene, it's hard to pick out just a handful as the best. But here's a try:
• The Art Institute of Chicago, the CSO and the Poetry Foundation have teamed up to offer a yearlong series entitled American Perspectives, encompassing image, music and words. Opening day is this Saturday, Sept. 15.
• Redmoon Theatre is reliably entertaining and thought-provoking. Its current production examines the world of haute couture and "the virtues and vices of being naughty and nice."
• The Joffrey Ballet's upcoming performance of Giselle promises to be outstanding.
• Steppenwolf returns to the classics with The Crucible, opening this Thursday, Sept. 13.
Undeniably, one of the best times over the weekend is a killer brunch and great company. Here's where that not-quite-breakfast, not-quite-lunch time of day reigns supreme; you supply the rest.
• Have the quintessential New York brunch and bagel plate at Barney Greengrass.
• Down a fluffy stack of heavenly pancakes at Clinton Street Baking Co.
• Wash down some huevos with the specialty margaritas at Lobo on Court Street.
• Bask in the Indian Summer sun in the back garden of Relish in Williamsburg.
It's so nice to know that even if you get up a little late on Saturday, breakfast is still waiting for you. Here are a few great brunch places for you late risers.
• The ever-popular Ann Sather has an oven-hot cinnamon roll waiting just for you.
• Orange (3231 N. Clark St.) serves up fresh-squeezed juices along with sweet pancake flights and savory omelet options. Don't forget the frushi!
• The Bongo Room's Wicker Park and South Loop locations both pack a mean French toast.
• Kitsch'n's kooky creations will conjure up mornings in front of the TV, watching cartoons.
• In the suburbs, it's hard to beat Walker Brothers and their massive baked apple pancake big enough for two to share.
Here's where to go for the most important meal of the weekend day: brunch.
• Orphan Andy's (2370 Market St., Ste. 4): Open 24/7 and you'll be served by an aging queen in a leather kilt. Still, it's the best chicken-fried steak in the city, bar none.
• Triptych: The food is tasy and consistently awesome. While visiting the toilets, be sure to offer up a prayer to the gods of disco in the '70s-themed restroom.
• City View Restaurant (662 Commercial St.): Nothing beats good old fashioned dim sum for immediate brunch time gratification.
Where's the art? It's in great independent galleries like these:
• Despite its moniker, the luggage store doesn't sell travel merchandise. Instead, they are an organization dedicated to "broadening social and aesthetic networks, encouraging the flow of images and ideas between different cultural and economic communities."
• SF Camerawork offers loads of unique, contemporary exhibitions and photography.
• At 111 Minna Gallery, you get it all in one hot spot: bar, lounge, dancing and edgy art.
There are hundreds of museums in New York City... so why aren't you taking advantage of them? Here are a few exhibits going on now that you won't want to miss.
• Change your perspective with The Shapes of Space at the Guggenheim.
• Experience the mighty European art collection inside the Frick.
• Typography enthusiasts will love MoMA's 50 Years of Helvetica exhibit.
• Experience the sculptures of Frank Stella on the Roof at the Met.
Many galleries are gearing up for First Fridays next week, but that doesn't mean there's not art to be seen this weekend.
• The Art Institute has been wowing visitors with a retrospective of photographer Jeff Wall's work.
• There's still time to catch "Niki in the Garden," the vibrant sculptures of Niki De Saint Phalle, at the Garfield Park Conservatory while the foliage is still green (it'll be worth a return trip this fall to see them among the oranges, browns and reds.)
• Visit Aldo Castillo Gallery to see what's new in Latin-American art.
• Take a walk around the Chicago Arts District in Pilsen for a look at up-and-coming artists' works.
Chicago's restaurant scene just keeps getting better. In addition to the aforementioned Otom and Room 21, here are a couple other new places to try:
• Chef Kevin Shikami's latest, Shikago, is being haled as an instant hidden gem.
• Tavern at the Park joins The Gage as a dining destination near Millennium Park.
• Cordis Brothers Supper Club brings a little North Woods to Wrigleyville &mash; and locals are loving it.
• Sumptuous La Pomme Rouge is livening things up in River North.
There's plenty to go around at these hot new restaurants, provided you can score a table:
• Burma Superstar's hip sister restaurant/bar, B Star Bar (127 Clement St., 415- 933-9900), offers a slew of fun/tasty Asian inspired dishes. A departure from traditional Burmese cuisine and ambiance.
• Head to Sudachi for live music, spectacular sushi, potent soju cocktail potions to kick off your night.
• Rouge et Blanc Wine Bar, the latest venture from the impressive Aqua restaurant group, is still working out some kinks but will be sure to impress soon enough.
New York's bountiful buffet of good eats just got larger (and tastier). Check out these not-to-be-missed spots:
• Put some pork buns in your belly at Momofuku Ssam Bar.
• Get on line at Maoz Vegetarian for fresh Middle Eastern morsels that'll make you weak in the knees.
• Japanese chain Ramen Setagaya in the East Village offers everything you could hope for in their namesake soup and more.
Chicago is hot tonight — time to find a place to play it cool.
• Cocktail hounds in the know are heading to The Violet Hour in Wicker Park to be seen sipping.
• Rockit continues to be a destination on Hubbard Street, while fans of glammed-up burlesque a la Pussycat Dolls are heading to Cabaret across the street.
• Some folks head to the Underground for some celebrity spotting, while others head for Le Passage.
• Wicker Park's Chaise Lounge gets high marks for drinks and its huge rooftop bar on North Avenue.
The city's latest and greatest that'll make you want to boogie.
• Dine and have a few cocktails with a celeb or three at The Stanton Social on the L.E.S.
• Be oh-so refined and drink in the classic cocktail culture at Pegu Club.
• Impress the one you love (if you can get past the doorman) at Bungalow 8.
• Don't miss the, er, Boat, Cobble Hill's understated local watering hole with absolutely no signage (it's at the corner of Wyckoff and Smith).
• Clever cocktails and good looking crowds giving you a good excuse to bump into someone? Try out the Alembic in the Haight.
• For a upscale grade of crowd surfing, check out Sip Bar & Lounge with LA vibe atmosphere and even VIP styled bottle service.
• Got an itch to dance? Make sure you put Bootie on your calendar. SF's Monthly Mashup bootleg party draws all sorts who want to work up a set; sing along with radical remixes of your favorite old and new songs, plus funky mashups. You just missed the last party but the next is up on Saturday, Sept. 8.
It's the dog days of summer alright. Turn up the heat a little further with these sultry date ideas:
• Grab a blanket and a picnic basket and head down to Grant Park for the Outdoor Film Festival; this week's film is The Awful Truth, starring Cary Grant and Irene Dunne.
• The tried and true — fondue — is at its most romantic at Geja's Cafe.
• Chocolate is an aphrodisiac, right? Then Hot Chocolate must be a pleasure palace.
• Want to get a little more hands on? The Hyde Park Art Center's Cocktails and Clay is ideal for some artistic flirting this Friday.
Cozy tables for two are on the menu at these top date stops in the city:
• Delfina — Contemporary Italian cuisine, trustworthy server selections, and an elegant place for taking someone special.
• Restaurant Clementine — The French do know romance, don't they? Swing by Clementine for coffee and share multiple desserts.
• Hotel Birona — Elegant and intimate little wine bar that makes it easy to lean close to your date and whisper things.
• Triptych — Provided your date's gone well, you might consider brunch the morning after at Triptych. The lighting in this place is warm and glowy... just like your heart after a great evening out.
Earn instant cuddling points with these can't-miss excursions.
• Drink in NYC's breathtaking cityscape from the Brooklyn Promenade, followed by a cocktail at Superfine.
• The grab-the-person-next-to-you action sequences of the new Harry Potter make it worth seeing in IMAX.
• Bring a blanket and bottle of wine to Coney Island to watch their Friday night fireworks and spark some of your own.
• Popping the question? The incomparable One if By Land, Two if by Sea is the place.
As we enter the home stretch on summer, keeping the kids entertained for the few weeks till school starts can be a chore. Here are a few tricks to try to make the time fly by faster:
• The Lincoln Park Zoo just reopened the outdoor areas around the Lion House, where puma cubs, a snow leopard and, incongruously, a red panda are on display.
• The Old Town School of Folk Music's Wiggleworms are in Millennium Park every morning at 10am through September 3.
• Little ones will be delighted by the dolphin and beluga whale shows in the Shedd Aquarium's oceanarium, while the older boys will love the lizard exhibit featuring the ferocious komodo dragon.
• Down at Navy Pier, the Chicago Children's Museum is throwing a kid-sized Block Party, inspired by the city's many neighborhood festivals, through September 9.
• North of the city in Glenview, the Kohl Children's Museum offers hours of educational yet fun activities; this week, kids can experiment with magnets to create their own paintings.
• Kids young and old can spin the wheel at Polly Ann's to pick a frozen flavor treat from the wide selection of ice-creams including honeydew, mango and bumpy freeway (they're more inventive and chunky rendition of rocky road.)
• Remember watching the film Big with Tom Hanks making a wish from that vintage carnival mechanized fortune teller? Now imagine an entire experience chock full of period style oddities just like it, and you've got Musee Mechanique. Yes, there are some kind of weird clowns and other things. But really, it's so much fun you shouldn't miss it.
• Ice-skating and bowling or just a spin on the merry-go-round — downtown's Yerba Buena Gardens has treats for the kid in all of us.
What's a child to do in this urban jungle of ours? A heck of a lot. Here are this week's top picks.
• It's a fact, every child loves dinosaurs. Take yours to the Dinosaurs Alive! IMAX film at the American Museum of Natural History.
• Ditto that on dragons, mermaids and unicorns. If dinos aren't their bag, let them explore Mystic Creatures at AMNH.
• Now at New World Stages, The Gazillion Bubble Show. 'Nuff said.
• Music prodigies in the making will love the KIDS • Summer Concert Series at Madison Square Park... and its proximity to Shake Shack.
If corsets aren't your thing then Dark Garden isn't for you, but perhaps you still need some quiet and peace — a retreat where things green and alive can greet and inspire you.
One fabulous secret delight is the Fort Mason Community Garden, where our city's fair citizens can convene to grow herbs and vegetables in a tidy little enclave. Over a hundred individual plots are allotted to members who grow flowers, vegetables and dreams within the garden's walls. Membership dues are a measly $80 a year — though there is a waitlist of over 130 at last report.
Need an escape with a view? The Crown Zellerbach (One Bush Plaza) has the Sun Terrace, a serene urban retreat on the 15th floor of its building.
We'd lastly be remiss if we didn't at least mention the most excellent event coming up this Saturday, July 28. Laughing Squid has teamed up with Flora Grubb Gardens (the only place we'd recommend to get palm trees in San Francisco) to host a lavish garden party.
Take pause and delight in some of this city's most treasured settings:
• Redefine "garden" and enjoy the urban landscape at Long Island City's Socrates Sculpture Park.
• Venture beyond the Verrazano to the Chinese Scholar's Garden of the Staten Island Botanical Gardens.
• Sit beneath the weeping birch trees and smile at the turtles that call the Liz Christy Community Garden home.
• Enjoy history, music and a pint in the leafy garden of the Mount Vernon Hotel Museum.
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