Milk and Honey in the Heartland [Chicago Food]

Last week, I went back to Chicago to visit K. While I <3 SF, a part of me is a bit sad that I won't be spending another summer in Chicago.

I find it always refreshing to be back in the heartland of Chicago, where the portions are.. well.. hearty. I've always wanted to check out Milk and Honey over on Division whiled I lived there. But, every time I walked passed it during the weekend, it was brimming with people.

Given the fact that its cafeteria style, hunting down seating is always rare when the place is full. I got a chance to check it out last week. The weather was a bit brisk, but warm when sitting outside--like San Fransico. K ordered the Crabcake with Chipotle Mayo and Shredded Lettuce. There was a nice kick thanks to the Chipotle mayo. I got the grilled Pastrami and swiss with horseradish-mustard spread on Dark Rye.

All is all, a great place to brunch!

Milk and Honey Cafe
1920 W. Division Street
Chicago, IL 60622
773.395.9434

Go K! [Pride]

So while K is out in Chicago, she's been making big waves. Most recently, she's been at the Renaissance Society at University of Chicago, where she has helping with their digital strategy.

But it seems like her work at UIC's Gallery 400 is still getting play. First, there was her soundbite on Chicago's own WBEZ for her show.

But just the other day, she got a shout out in ArtNet Magazine. In an article called "Chicago Buildup," they profile her handiwork.

Tear. I'm so proud!

This post is a bit of promotion [Gallery 400 Exhibit]

On Wednesday, I will be attending the opening of Gallery 400. This will be K's first professionally curated show and from what I hear, it's going to be a doozy. There's been a lot of buzz around it and I hear the emerging artists are hot hot hot.  The likes include: Karl Erickson, Andrew Falkowski, Matt Hanner, Shana Lutker, Debora Warner, and Jordan Wolfson.

From the press release:

This Shadow is a Bit of Ideology, gathers a group of artists working against the darkness cast by a long, drawn-out war, a rancorous spirit in politics, a social landscape obscured by rampant information retrieval, and a crumbling economy. The artists in the exhibition do not turn their backs on current socio-political issues, but neither do they embrace propaganda. Rather, they harness anxieties—political, economic, personal—as productive generators for form. Introspection, reflective criticism, oblique commentary and cohabitation of past with present are just a few of the tactics by which these artists navigate progressively through the twilight.

With my sister is visiting from San Diego; and since she's a foodie, we have reservations after the opening to grab dinner at Alinea.

It's going to be night of multi-sensory exuberance. First sight and sound, and then taste and sight. All with 2 of 3 of my most fave women in the world.

i'm a momma's boy after all...

Pedigree Ad [Agile Advertising]

This ran in USA Today the Thursday right after the election speech. Much props for the ad guys...
Source:Adsoftheworld

Here's a wordle of Obama's victory speech:

Chicago on election night

This past Tuesday, K and I took up Mayor Dailey's offer to go down to Grant Park. I've never seen downtown Chicago as crowded and excited as I did last Tuesday night.

I've posted some of my pictures of the night. You can see them on flickr.

Let's get Photo Synth-ical, Synth-ical

Since Blaise Aguera y Arcas first presented a demo of Photosynth at a TED conference back in 2007, I've been salivating at the opportunity to play with the technology.

Not too long ago, Microsoft made it available for the general public. Unfortunately, I've been completed swamped--the number of posts I make correlate directly with how much free time I have. (Yes, February in Chicago is freezing cold, there is not much else to do but blog!). I've been trying to find the right opportunity to test it out. I didn't want to create a photosynth of my apartment--too messy, or of a cup--too boring.

A couple weeks ago, when Tommy and Ashley came out from NY, I took the opportunity to grab my camera and get a couple shots in.

Tommy and Ashley walk behind the Lyric Opera

I took them on a 4 hour walk around Chicago. Starting from the intersection of Michigan Ave and Wacker, we followed the river until we ended up in Gallery 400, in Greek Town, where K was working. The exhibit, "Chances are, the comets in our future" was about to end. To immortalize it, I put together my first photosynth. Check it out:

Bonus: Try to find the first image in this blog post in the photosynth walkthrough.

Hope springs eternal

As I was walking home today, I happened to glance into the window of an open retail space and saw floor plans for a dunkin donuts. What else could someone ask for than a dunkin' donuts across the street from the office.

Beantown-style coffee with double sugar and double cream galore!

Zoom Zoom Zoom... (Chicago's Air & Water Show)

I went to check out the 50th Annual Chicago's Air & Water show on the lakefront yesterday. A friend of mine lives across the street from lakeshore. Let me tell you, watching it from the 22nd floor is a lot better than having to deal with the insane crowd.

There were some amazing acrobatics:

cluster

Chicago loop

The B-2 "stealth" bomber flew by. It wasn't that hard to spot.


stealth
Originally uploaded by VinceHuang

And some old skool flybys:

drop

Check out more pics here. It's not too late, if you have time, I recommend a flyby.

Scorching a Baked Alaska

When it comes to food, many chefs need to differentiate themselves from the competition. While we would all love taste to be the differentiating factor, gimmicks are a lot easier. We've all fallen victim to the flash bangs of the world. Whether it's the chef at Benihana or some of the gastro pubs, there are times when chefs go too far.

Chef Homaro Cantu's interpretation of a Baked Alaska is anything but subtle. It's way too heavy handed.....

Watch the video at chicago foodies.

Emerging Artists showcased in Chicago

I went back to Atropolis yesterday to get another high-impact dosage of art. Yesterday, I spent most of my time checking out NEXT, the emerging artist show.

One of the must-see's at the NEXT show is Jonathan Schipper's installation "The Slow Inevitable Death of American Muscle." Over the course of four days, two American muscle cars slowly collide into each other. K remarked that halfway through the day, there was a thunderous explosion as the glass from the cars shattered under the stress. It definitely drew in a ton of people. I love the use of red, white, and blue colors.

Rory Donaldson's Sqelemental also made a lasting impression. From afar, the piece a mod-like quality.

But I realized as I zoomed into the center of the picture, what it represented. Rory's piece seemed took a casual scene put through a space and time warp. Here's the closeup:

You've still got 2 hours left before it closes down for the year!

Artopolis and Santa Mesa

Thursday was a pretty busy night. Too many openings and closings, and not enough time to make it all. Hundreds and thousands of people are in town this weekend for Artropolis. They say that in Texas, everything is SuperSized. If Texas gets the prize, Chicago runs a close second. Artropolis is not just one art show, it's four (correction, five) art shows in the same building.

The entire portfolio of shows is held in the Merchandise Mart which reminds me of some Romanian, ex-soviet building--utilitarian and heavy. One of the most amazing things about the show in relation to the MerchMart is that the show, in all its size and glory only occupies 3 floors.

Merchandise Mart

Casa Poporului (Bucharest, Romania)

Thursday night was preview night. After visiting my friend Loreen Hospodar who is showing for the Artist Project, I went to the 8th floor to check out Art Chicago in all its glory. People everywhere, it was an art extravaganza. After stopping by a few galleries, I found K's booth at the Secrist Gallery. I'm simply blown away at the proportion of art galleries represented. I even saw pieces that I recognized! For example, sketches of Michael Elmgreen and Ingar Dragset's Prada Marfa. I felt cultured.

I couldn't stay long because I had a show to catch. It was closing night for the Asian American Showcase at the Gene Siskel theater. The festival closed with Santa Mesa, a touching story about a filipino-american kid who loses his mother and is taken in by his grandmother in the Philippines. Neither understanding the culture or the language, Hector struggles to overcome his loss and build new ties. I'd give it a [3 of 5]. Santa Mesa is currently playing the film fest circuit. Check to see where their screening schedule.

Lou Piniella is my coach

New to Chicago, I am always amazed at how warm everybody is. Having been here only for only a couple months, imagine my surprise when Lou Piniella (famed Chicago's Cubs manager) was in my personal dugout giving me daily afirmations.


Have Lou brighten up your day with a couple daily affirmations.

My first Chicago dog

Over the weekend, I went to get my first ever Chicago dog. K and I took the Halsted bus north untilwe got to the "wiener's circle." It is known not only for its hot dog but also for the rude behaviour of the employees. K went up there, ordered a hotdog and cheese fries and quietly ate our meal. There's something about velveeta like cheese on a cheese fry--It's good the first 5 minutes but after it coagulates, it just doesn't have the same flavor...

Turns out, we were supposed to go a 2am, not 8pm. Then, in a sea of drunken young professionals the "color" from the atmosphere really comes out... Well I guess we gotta go again in the middle of the night.

Wiener's Circle
2622 N. Clark St.
Chicago, IL 60614

Jeffrey, sorry we missed each other, i got caught up with a mannequin

Over the weekend, K organized a double-date with Mike and Scot (who we met at violet hour) to check out Lumen. Aoki, DJ extrodinaire from LA was scheduled to spin. Regarding Lumen, the distance from our apartment has always been an for me. It's too short to take a cab but it's way too cold to walk there (which is exactly what we ended up doing).

Doors opened at 9 and we got there at 9:45. I kept telling K, "it's ok, nobody is going to show till 10:30." I figured that getting there 45 minutes before the guest list closes would be time enough.

10:40 rolls around, and I've look down on my fingers to realize that I have sacrificed my digits for Jeffrey (of project runway fame).

10:45 and the guy tells us that they're not letting anybody in the RSVP list anymore... but mentions that he could be "bought" to let the four of us in. K wanted to pay, but she was outvoted by the three of us.

Just to be clear cuz I know K is one of 2 people who read this blog. You're right, I'm wrong; you're perfect, and I'm imperfect; you are fierce, I'm not fierce. I AM SO SORRY.

So instead, we went to mannequin instead down the street. Mike worked his magic and got us in. I don't remember much of the rest because I drank too quickly because I was trying to warm myself up. Oh, we later went back to Lumen to discover that Aoki was sick and did not attend.

Chicago Greek Independence Day Parade

Before noon today, K and I saw a huge semi roll up Halsted with a team of workers in the back laying down a barricade. We had magnificent plans to go to the Super H mart up in Naper. We quickly realized that we needed to cross over Halsted in order to take the highway to Super H. The race was on...

...We beat the truck and had an insanely awesome time at Super H (More on that later). We got back and I head out to capture a couple pics of the parade. Needless to say, there was a lot of blue flying around (I do live in greek town). I posted a couple pics on flickr.

Today was the Greek Independence Day Parade. After 400 years ruled of the Ottoman empire, Greece declared its Independence. ZITO!!

note: I know that I am now completely and undeniably domesticated. My excitement for Sunday was going to Super H mart. I felt like a kid in a candy store

Behind the big door lies a big monster

K and I were walking home last week when we came happened to come across a mysterious cartoonish door. Actually, the door was so big it was hard to miss. I rubbed my eyes once or twice (I had just come from a "summer" party and had my fill of hotdogs and jello shots) just to make sure I saw what I saw.

Looming behind the door was a monster not much different from Sully from Monsters Inc. Turns out, its the front door to Big Monster Toys, LLC. The workshop creates, engineers and develops the products from inception to finished working prototypes. You can read about more about them in a wikipedia entry here.

You gotta give 'em props for their creativity.


Big Monster Toys
21 S Racine Ave
Chicago, IL 60607

Alive and (relatively) unscathed

I AM ALIVE!
Yes, I'm back from Indiana and in one piece. Our parents like each other (so far). It was not without hiccups, but I discovered a couple things:

1. Megabus is the way to travel through the Midwest.
   
2. If you threw Target and Safeway into a blender, you'd get Meijer.
   
3. They LOVE ranch dressing.
4. There isn't much Chinese food in Indiana, but there is one owned by Yao Ming's cousin (or so I'm told)
   
5. Don't forget to bring your keys back to Chicago. Yes, on one of the coldest days of the year, i decide to lock myself out. The worse part was that K wasn't going to get back to Chicago until 7pm (which ended up being 8:30 because she flew into O'Hare), and my landlord didn't get back into the city until 5:30pm. It was 1:00PM when I, in the -20 degree, discovered I didn't have my keys with me... The good news is that I still have 10 working digits.
   

Swirl

Looking for something different to do than your neighborhood bar? When my friend Steve came to Chi-town for a weekend, his friend took us to a great wine bar find in the downtown area.

Swirl is a candle-lit wine bar tucked away between Clark and LaSalle. Long and narrow, it allows its visitors to find seating along the wall, naturally breaking up the space into intimate sections.

Saturdays are hosted by a duet of Flamenco dancers and dueling guitars. A glass of deep red wine pairs exceptionally well with the organic guitar sound and seductive dance moves.

Hosted by Ojos Gitanos, its a definite recommendation for a romantic date.

Juerga!

Swirl Wine Bar
111 W Hubbard St,
Chicago, IL 60610

wine and music

Steve with wine

My trip to BeerPlushEnd

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I love to explore new neighborhoods. As a new Chicagoan, I heard much about the bars along Madison in the West Loop (mapped above). What started out as a bar hopping night for me, K, and one of her gallery friends became a massive hangover the following day.

We started off in Beer Bistro. With its wide selection of beers, the only problem you'll have is deciding what to try. The space is more cozy and inviting than large. This is a great place to start the night.

We then crossed the street to check out Plush. Talk about major transition. We had walked into a club/lounge. From comfortable to club, I was suddenly barraged with an ocean of button down shirts and more form fitting clothes. As a bonus, the place was accented by occasional scents of fish. Yes, fish. Playing top 40 hip hop and dance, the DJ wasn't half bad. The flatscreen TVs screened music videos that were synchronized with the music. Technology is a marvel.

From there, we decided to make our way to Westend. By this point, we had a total of maybe two or three drinks. The place has a flat screen TV in every conceivable nook-and-cranny. But that's not what made the place so fun, it's the awesome barstaff. It was because of them that we tripled the drink count. Whether it was irish car bombs, single malt scotch, or a lot of beer. We lost track of time. After a drunk dial back to my friends back in DC who, incidentally, drunk dialed me, the lights were on and we stumbled home.

Beer Bistro
1061 W. Madison

Plush
1104 W. Madison Avenue

Westend
1326 W. Madison St.

311 S. Wacker Drive

Walking west from state street on Jackson, I looked up and saw this amazing beacon of light. Turns out the building is simply called 311 South Wacker Drive.

Because of the brightly lit crown (the beacon of light on my walk home), it is also known as the "white castle building", wedding cake, the "bart simpson" building. But according to my friend the "crown" of the building is supposed to represent the engagement ring given by the architect to his wife.

How romantic.

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