Combining sports and food can be a tricking thing indeed. Municipal Bar pulls it off quite well I am happy to report. Many times sports bars fall into the Wrigleyville trap where a game takes precedence over quality of food. The problem is the perception that beer guzzling sports fans don’t care about the taste of their food. Municipal takes it to a new level.
This is a great place to walk over from a corporate job and have a good meal. If you don’t mind the loudness of the bar that can be quickly overlooked by the eye candy that is there. 
Located in River North at 216 W Ohio, “Jeff the Chef” has made a menu that is mouthwatering. The best tuna tartar that I’ve had in a long time and a lobster avocado salad to accompany it satisfied my seafood for a week.
Entrees include a 1/2 chicken, lamb shank, or pork chops as well as sandwiches such as a Koenigsberger burger with a fried egg on top.
For dessert don’t miss the ricotta donuts with raspberry, caramel, and chocolate sauce.
Best advice is to arrive early as things get crowded and loud.
Make a reservation today at www.municipalbar.com.
We are lucky to live in a city where good restaurants are in walking distance to movie theaters. One of my friend’s favorite places is Fat Willy’s Rib Shack on Western and Schubert with a huge cineplex for a movie after.
How lucky to find another spot with the same opportunity on the other side of the city. El’s Kitchen & Bar opened three years ago and is located at 1450 W Webster Avenue. BBQ and Rock ‘N’ Roll makes a good combo. Not only can you have good food but be entertained at the same time. With the weather changing this is the perfect time to enjoy the patio. 
There are daily specials to enjoy including $2 tacos and $5 margaritas on Wednesdays but the deal of the century is for $50 one app, two entrees and one dessert plus two movie tickets to the Webster movie theater across the street. You can even add two drinks on for $60. Now that is a bargain.
While listening to a band on the weekends there is lots to devour. Start off with some spinach dip. The homemade chips are irresistible. If you can’t decide for an entree then try a combo like the brisket, ribs, and chicken that is smoked for 12 hours. For an encore the Ghirardeli chocolate brownie will stuff you to the gills.
With the convenience of entertainment, good food and atmosphere these hot spots have you covered! Visit www.elskitch.com for more details. 
Something is cooking in Chef K’s kitchen and the whole world is noticing. Khristianne Uy is a private chef to the stars that is quickly becoming one herself. Her past clientele has included American Idol’s Simon Fuller, Academy Award-winner James Cameron, and most recently actor Charlie Sheen.
She took home first place on ABC’s The Taste and is now the first lesbian to be featured on Bravo’s The Millionaire Matchmaker. We talked to chef that stirs thing up loud and proud!
JN: (Jerry Nunn) Hey, Chef K. Tell me about your background.
KU: (Khristianne Uy) I grew up in the Philippines. I taught myself to cook and have been living in LA ever since. Growing up was a little different. My dad was a cop and my mom was in the jewelry business. My dad is a homophobe. I have two brothers, one is gay and the other one is a homophobe. I think my mom is a fag hag. We have one of each. It is complicated. My dad was the disciplinarian, Catholic guy. He didn’t know what the culinary arts were. He thought I would be drawing! He thought I would be stuck in front of the stove. In the Philippines there is not difference between a chef and a cook. He wanted me to be a nurse instead.
JN: So way different way of life for you in the United States.
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Who needs a happy hour just to be right after work? Bahama Breeze Island Grille just added an after hours one to satisfy the late night munchies. From 9 p.m. to close Sunday through Thursday there are half price appetizers and a separate specialty cocktail menu. While there are 33 locations nationwide, our Caribbean escape is located in Schaumburg at 406 E. Golf Road. 
From the dark wood and spacious but cozy atmosphere guests are transported to a relaxed casual environment. While attending on one snowy night many people were snuggled up to the fire pit on the enclosed patio. There were a stage live music and convenient outdoor bars to order from.
Popular appetizers are the Jamaican chicken wings, beef empanadas, and coconut shrimp. For drinks there are new ones to try like the Daisy de Santiago made with Bacardi Superior or the Yaka Hula Hickey Dula featuring Myers Dark Rum and pineapple juice. 
The service and friendliness of the staff were top notch really making guests feel like they are on vacation. So make a trip out there today and make it a tropical night!
For more details visit www.bahamabreeze.com. 
From the people that brought Chicago Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse and Hugo’s Frog Bar we have Luxbar with its own unique look and feel while still being a nearby neighbor to them. The impressive looking outside has a modern feel to it while paying homage to past architects even complete with a patio at 18 E. Bellevue.
The place is bustling with activity perfect for watching games in the bar or having a romantic dinner in the dining room.
The menu from executive chef Michael McDonald is out of this world. The burrata salad mixes farm greens, roasted pear and pickled pumpkin with a sunflower vinaigrette. It feels fresh with a healthy mix of local produce. 
For beverages the Moscow mule is a must try. It is presented in a brass cup with Russian vodka, ginger bear and fresh lime. The cup keeps is cool and refreshing while the taste kept me buzzing. 
For the main course the seared breast of duck combined the flavors of butternut squash with a brandied sour cherry sauce. Sometimes surprising ingredients go together in the best way.
The white chocolate cheesecake was over the top to finish things off and the only reason I forced it down was because it was so delicious or maybe it was the grand marnier!
The ambience and service were highlights of the trip to Rush Street. My date was a vegetarian and the staff worked to accommodate her allergies with no stress no fuss. Now that’s a way to treat a queen! Visit www.luxbar.com for a royal treatment today.
With over 8,000 restaurants in Chicago to pick from it is rare that there are two of the same to try. The great thing about Viaggio is the locations are drastically different in terms of clientele. For the 1330 W. Madison Street location of Viaggio Ristorante & Lounge fans of the United Center get a chance to have some great cuisine while enjoying their favorite concert or sports event. When there is a huge Blackhawks game like the night I was hungry then head over to Viaggio at the Park, 401 W Fullerton Pkwy. This is a much quieter intimate setting to enjoy top notch comfort food. It was freezing on the night I arrived and the place was immediately warm and cozy. The service was excellent and our server went out of his way to make things great. He even had the chef put together a sampler of the meatballs with romaine salad and eggplant stack because I wanted to try both. I am glad I did. Diners can’t go wrong with either dish. 
After head over to the main entrees with veal ragu with imported parmesan or “Penne in the Park” with artichoke hearts. There were so many chicken dishes that it was almost impossible to choose once again. I went with the chicken parmesan and that cheese tortellini was to die for! There is a nice sized seafood section along with steaks and a variety of veal dishes. There is just so much to pick from in this restaurant. From the drinks, apps, main dishes, and desserts this is the place to have a complete experience and a perfect spot to have a romantic date. 
Viaggio translates to “journey” in English so make the trip to either location and get your taste of Italy today. Visit www.viaggiochicago.com for directions and to make a reservation.
Visiting Geja’s Cafe the week after Valentine’s Day is like visiting a house after it was set on fire. Luckily there were still leftovers of romance that kept things warm. This was definitely the place to be for a date so I brought my straight one along with me. Wouldn’t my parents be proud?
Red lights and cozy booths filled the room. The layout of the place is almost a maze with lots of nooks to settle into. The bar is actually in the back of the restaurant with plenty of room for the wait without reservations. 
Located at 340 W. Armitage, parking can be a bit tricky but valet is there and coat check also to lighten the load. Geja’s has a home feeling to it and was just voted one of the most romantic restaurants in the US by OpenTable diners this year. With good reason as fondue dining has some built in sexiness to it.
Our server was excellent with a soothing voice and demeanor that kept him involved with the dining process but not obtrusive. There were acoustic guitar rhythms to add to the ambience as the first course of cheese and fruit was served.
Watch out for the hot oil as you cook a choice of seafood, beef, or chicken in the combination plate. The Atlantic sea scallops worked really well for someone who is not a regular cook like me. I got the hang of it and suddenly my broccoli took on a whole new life with the side sauces. There are several types of mojitos to go with the dinner but be sure and don’t miss the pineapple flavored one. 
Dessert is worth the wait with marshmallows dipped in chocolate along with poundcake. Don’t forget to wash things down with some Mexican coffee to the background of a Spanish guitar.
For almost 50 years the hotspot has been the perfect dating spot so make your plans today online at www.gejascafe.com or by calling 773-281-9101.
