 |
| |||||
|
| ||||||
 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
| Site Help | | | Search | | | Contact Us |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
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!
The Entertainment Access Spotlight beta test has concluded, and beginning this week we will no longer be posting new events. The site will still be up though, so you can view previous postings. We're taking a hiatus to evaluate the beta test and we'd love to hear your thoughts on the site. Please use the "Share Your Feedback" link at the top of the page to let us know what we did right, what we could improve, and any other thoughts you might have about the site. We'll incorporate your suggestions and ideas into future Entertainment Access site improvements. Thanks for being a part of the beta test!
PS: You can search for great entertainment offered through American Express by visiting Entertainment Access!
The Museum of Science and Industry will thrum with the sounds of lightsabers, X-wings and the Millennium Falcon when Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination opens October 5. You'll see more than 80 props, models and costumes from the Star Wars movies, along with video interviews with filmmakers, scientists and engineers. And fans will love the full-size replica of the Millennium Falcon's cockpit. Purchasing tickets in advance is highly recommended.
Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination, opening Oct. 5
Museum of Science and Industry
57th Street and Lake Shore Drive, Chicago | 773-684-1414
Fans of the Italian delicacy that is tiramisu are often disappointed: their favorite dessert is too often a soggy, mushy mess. Not so at Anna Maria Pasteria. The Buena Park restaurant boasts the best in the city — light at fluffy, rich and decadent, it's the perfect end to a meal that starts with a nice bruschetta and moves on to once of more than a dozen pasta choices or heartier dishes like veal parmigiana and chicken vesuvio.
Anna Maria Pasteria
4400 N. Clark St., Chicago | 773-506-2662
Beer lovers around the world are mourning the master beer critic Michael Jackson, who passed away at the end of August. The UIC branch of Lush Wine & Spirits will be honoring the great Beer Hunter with a free beer tasting this Sunday between 2 and 5pm on Sunday, Sept. 30. They'll also be participating in the worldwide toast at 9pm. Raise a glass.
Michael Jackson Tribute & Beer Tasting, Sept. 30
Lush Wine & Spirits
1306 S. Halsted St., Chicago | 312-738-1900
The Cape Cod Room at the Drake Hotel opened in 1933, and very little has changed about the menu and decor since then — this is very much a good thing. Lobster thermidor, crab cakes and other seafood delights dominate the menu, served by with quiet confidence by jacketed waitstaff. Simple elegance never goes out of style.
The Cape Cod Room
The Drake Hotel
140 E. Walton St., Chicago | 312-787-2200
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.
It's hard to find a cozier wine bar than 404. Tucked into the second room at Jack's in West Lincoln Park, 404 centers on a toasty fireplace, with banquettes, oversized easy chairs and small tables at which to snuggle up to the wine list. Choose from 35 wines by the glass or more than 90 by the bottle, and a little snack to nosh on (the cheese flights are excellent, as is the barbecue chicken pizza). Perfect for a fall date.
Jack's/404 Wine Bar
2856 N. Southport Ave., Chicago | 773-404-8400
For generations, Army and Lou's has been a South Side institution for southern-style comfort food. Load up on fried chicken, catfish, baby back ribs and more. The restaurant is packed on Sundays for its after-church buffet, where $17 gets you all you can eat. (Save room for that peach or blackberry cobbler!)
Army and Lou's
422 E. 75th St., Chicago | 773-483-3100
The color sepia is a deep, rich brown, evocative of treasured photos and olden days. The décor at new West Loop restaurant Sepia features a lot of the color, unsurprisingly, and is elegant and nostalgic in just the same way. On the menu you'll find contemporary-yet-traditional American dishes, such as grilled quail with mustard greens and warm pig trotters vinaigrette, grilled flatiron steak with duck fat potatoes, and bacon-bleu cheese-peach flatbread, to be paired with something from the 100-bottle boutique wine list. Never has a hot young restaurant seemed so classic.
Sepia
123 N. Jefferson St., Chicago | 312-441-1920
Chicago, the band, will be at the Chicago (the city) History Museum this Wednesday, Sept. 19, talking with veteran newsman Bob Sirott about their long career. Started in 1967, they're the first American band to have Top 40 hits in five decades — you just know they've got some great stories to tell. Tickets are just $12, which is the cheapest you'll ever see Chicago tickets going for. Get'em while they're hot.
Chicago Treasures: Chicago, Sept. 19
Chicago (the city) History Museum
1601 N. Clark St., Chicago | 312-642-4600
Le Bouchon has many admirers — so many that it can be as hard to get a table for its Tuesday prix fixe dinner special as it is on a Friday or Saturday night. Partly it's because the room is rather small, but mostly it's because of gracious service and French comfort cooking — French onion soup, snails Burgundy, steak frite and delicious crispy duck. Don't forget to save room for the decadent, chocolate-drenched profiteroles.
Le Bouchon
1958 N. Damen Ave., Chicago | 773-862-6600
On Halloween, the crowd at the Cadillac Palace Theatre will witness visions of a smokey river of candles, a dangerous chandelier, and the dark voice of a phantom — all in a night at the opera. That's right, The Phantom of the Opera is coming to Chicago. And if you're a Gold Card member, you can get preferred seating at the show, which recently became the longest running show on Broadway.
The Phantom of the Opera, opening Oct. 31
Cadillac Palace Theatre
151 W. Randolph St., Chicago | 312-977-1700
Get Preferred Seating through Gold Card Events
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.
Dine, the restaurant in the Crown Plaza hotel in Greektown, has a most unfortunate view of a parking lot out its floor-to-ceiling windows. On the other hand, there's free parking in that lot, which means you won't be hunting for a spot for half an hour before giving up and valeting! You'll find black angus meatloaf, buttermilk fried chicken and even liver and onions on its slightly upscaled comfort food menu — along with a martini list and one of the better red velvet cakes to be found this far north.
Dine
733 W. Madison St. (enter on Halsted), Chicago 312-602-2100
The requisite joke with Andersonville's Il Fiasco is that the name seems to doom it from the start. In actuality, it's Italian for the straw-wrapped style of wine bottle typically associated with Chianti. And the menu is far from a disaster. Instead, it's full of hearty Tuscan fare, with plenty of pasta and pizzas to go around. Start off with fried baby artichokes and move on the jalapeno gnocchi, made zesty but not scorching by the addition of the peppers. The restaurant can get a bit noisy on the weekends, but isn't that a sign of a properly popular Italian restaurant?
Il Fiasco
5101 N. Clark St., Chicago | 773-769-9700
Chicago Gateway Green's annual Green Tie Ball is the must-do charity event of the year — not only for appearances' sake, but also because it's so much fun! Between the full schedule of bands, the dozens of food and drink vendors, the live auction and the World Series of Poker poker tournament, there's almost no way not to have fun. And on top of all that, there's even a fireworks display at 10pm! This is one of the hot tickets of the season, so get yours now.
Green Tie Ball, Sept. 15
Charter one Pavilion at Northerly Island
1400 S. Lynn White Dr., Chicago
Uptown is definitely on the upswing, with the action centered on Lawrence and Broadway. The latest digs to pop up in Capone's old hood is Fat Cat, a luxe lounge styled as a '30s and '40s spot for the big spender. The bar serves up some great cocktails, like the chocolate peanut butter martini, topped with homemade peanut butter foam, and the brandy-based St. Valentines Day Massacre. The kitchen is pumping out comfort food in a diner-like vein late into the night with dishes such as top-notch reubens and sloppy joes. Living it up was never hipper.
Fat Cat
4840 N. Broadway, Chicago | 773-506-3100
Most Chicagoans think that once Labor Day passes, that's it for the festivals in Grant Park. Not so: there's still Celtic Fest yet to go, this Saturday and Sunday. Dolores O'Riordan, formerly of the Cranberries, headlines at the Petrillo Music Shell along with Lúnasa and Jon Langford on Sept. 15, and Damien Dempsey, Searson and Salsa Celtica perform on Sept. 16 — and those are just the highlights of a festival featuring national and international musicians representing all Celtic nations on nine stages, all for free. Head on down and dance awhile!
Celtic Fest, Sept. 15-16
Grant Park, Columbus Drive and Monroe Street, Chicago
It's a little early for the trees to change color, but Fall is already on the mind at the Chicago Botanic Garden as they prepare for the annual Harvest Festival. The very family-friendly event includes music and cooking demonstrations, a hay-bale maze and other activities for the kids, and a marketplace for the parents offering fresh bread, honey, baked goods, jams and jellies, fresh flowers, taffy apples and more.
Harvest Festival, Sept. 15-16
Chicago Botanic Garden
1000 Lake Cook Rd., Glencoe | 847-835-5440
What James Beard Award-winning chef Shawn McClain does for vegetarian food at Green Zebra and for seafood at Spring, he does for meat at Custom House. Which is to say, he elevates it to new levels, with succulent braises, robust roasts and marvelous marinades. The menu changes with the seasons; right now, you'll find hearty braised veal breast with oxtail ravioli and sour cherries, rabbit done two ways and Maine sea scallops with squash and poblano pepper. And since it's located in the Hotel Blake, you could spend the night and see how the talented chef handles breakfast, too.
Custom House
500 S. Dearborn St., Chicago | 312-523-0200
The Paramount Room is the latest gastropub to make its debut in Chicago. The bi-level space is done up in a palette of rich leather and dark wood, with an upscale pub feel upstairs and a high-tech speakeasy-style lounge below. Play pool or watch the game on the multiple plasma screens while noshing on updated pub classics like steamed mussels and bacon-wrapped filet mignon. A DJ spins records upstairs on weekends, and the crowd goes wild.
Paramount Room
415 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago | 312-829-6300
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.
The best hamburgers in the city belong to a place called Kuma's Corner You'd never expect to find such gourmet toppings on burgers named after heavy metal bands, served from an open kitchen in the back of a bar, but wait till you wrap your hands around the Judas Priest, a half-pound hamburger topped with bacon, bleu cheese dressing and apples, walnuts and cranberries, or the Mastodon, with bacon, cheddar, barbecue sauce and a mound of frizzled onions. True masochists go for the Slayer — essentially chili cheese fries with a burger in the middle, plus cherry peppers and andouille sausage medallions — and anger. Totally metal.
Kuma's Corner
2900 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago | 773-604-8769
Chef Masaharu Morimoto, star of both the Japanese and American "Iron Chef," pays a visit to Fox & Obel to promote his new cookbook, Morimoto: The New Art of Japanese Cooking. At 12:30pm, he'll do a quick cooking demo, then sign books for a couple hours. You'll want to RSVP right away for the demo, as seating is limited. More details here.
Morimoto Book Signing, Sept. 8
Fox & Obel
401 E. Illinois Ave., Chicago | 312-379-0139
One of Chicago's most exciting DJs has got to be Colette; her unique style of singing over the tracks she plays sets her apart. This Saturday she's celebrating the release of her new album, Push, with something unexpected — she's singing with a full live band onstage at the Metro! Add in DJ sets by Derrick Carter, DJ Heather and Tim Shumaker and you've got club night of the summer. Later in the evening, Colette heads downstairs to Smartbar for a spin at the turntables, too, where the same ticket gets you in.
Colette, Sept. 8
Metro
3730 N. Clark St., Chicago | 773-549-0203
Like a trading bazaar next to a pond in the desert, Urban Oasis beckons, offering whatever your heart desires. Acupuncture, aromatherapy, chiropractic, and every form of massage known to mankind are available at your request, along with a full-service salon to help you look your best once you feel your best. And locations in River North and North & Clybourne mean you can easily shop for a new wardrobe to match the newly refreshed you.
Urban Oasis
12 West Maple St., 3rd Floor, Chicago | 312-587-3500
939 W. North Ave., Atrium Garden Level, Chicago | 312-640-0001
The Cubbies are fighting their way to the playoffs, and short of actually being at Wrigley Field (or in a bar right outside), the best place to be to watch the game is Harry Caray's. It's not just a shrine to the late, great Cubs announcer, it's also one of the best steak houses in the city, with a relaxed and friendly atmosphere and a menu that covers all the bases. The restaurant is a downtown home away from home plate on game days; pull up a stool and watch all nine in the bar.
Harry Caray's Italian Steakhouse
33 W. Kinzie St., Chicago | 312-828-0966
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.
The summer neighborhood festival season is winding down, but one of the last is one of the better ones: Lincoln Square celebrates the 87th annual German Day with bands, dancing, a parade and, of course, lots of good German beer from Friday through Sunday (one day obviously isn't enough to cover all that is German). Think of it as an early Octoberfest. Be sure to bring cash, though: the beer tent accepts nothing else.
German Day, Sept. 7-9
Lincoln Plaza, Leland and Lincoln Avenues, Chicago
Butter stands apart from its Greektown neighbors physically (it's a block off the Halsted strip), culinarily (anything Greek on the menu is coincidental) and philosophically (it's comfort food taken to haute heights). Start your evening with exquisite cocktails from the bar and a luxe app — the linguini "carbonara" was a recent favorite — before making your way to your table. Once there you'll need to choose from a number of seriously tempting entrees, including lamb two ways, roasted Tasmanian salmon and grilled Berkshire pork loin and belly. Trust us on the dessert: the coffee-glazed donuts with chocolate-banana pot de crème are the way to go.
Butter
130 S. Green St., Chicago | 312-666-9813
It can be hard to meet people in the city — everyone is rushing around, busy living their own lives and not much interested in finding out what others are up to. But the MCA does its best to break down those barriers and get people talking to each other with programs like Tuesdays on the Terrace, weekly summer parties that take full advantage of the museum's gorgeous downtown setting. There you'll listen to live jazz (this week it's Corey Wilkes Trio, serving as an excellent prelude to the Jazz Festival later in the week) while enjoying cocktails and dinner from Puck's Cafe. Strike up a conversation with a fellow jazz and art lover out on the lawn; who knows where friendship might lead?
Tuesdays on the Terrace, through Sept. 25
Museum of Contemporary Art
220 E. Chicago Ave., Chicago | 312-280-2660
Labor Day Weekend in Chicago means Jazz Fest. Native Chicagoan and jazz legend Herbie Hancock kicks things off with a ticketed concert at the Symphony Center on Thursday, Aug. 30, then it's over to Grant Park for three days for free jazz — as well as other styles, naturally — by musicians ranging from Medeski, Scofield, Martin and Wood to Charlie Haden, Rob Mazurek's Exploding Star Orchestra to the Mingus Big Band. And it's all gratis; just roll out your blanket to stake your claim on the city's front lawn and enjoy a long weekend of joyous music.
Chicago Jazz Festival, Aug. 30-Sept. 2
Chicago Symphony Center (8/30) and Grant Park, Chicago
If you've ever been to summer camp, you can probably still sing a couple of the songs you learned there. And whether you had a great time or an awful one, those memories have lasted a lifetime, which will make the new documentary Summercamp! all the more entertaining, cringeworthy and poignant. The film captures the ins and outs of 90 kids and their counselors at a northern Wisconsin summer camp for three weeks, showing that not much has changed about the experience since however many years it's been since it was us in those musty cabins and tents. Showing through Wednesday at the Gene Siskel Film Center.
Summercamp!, through Aug. 29
Gene Siskel Film Center
164 N. State St., Chicago | 312-846-2600
The 18th annual African Festival of the Arts gives the Jazz Fest a run for its money this weekend, with more than 100 performances by jazz, funk, R&B, hip hop and world music acts — and takes it to another level with art exhibits, author readings, cultural and historical discussions, dance performances, films and children's activities. The whole of Washington Park will be abuzz with so much to do, you might want to pick up a full weekend pass to make sure you don't run out of time to do it all.
African Festival of the Arts, Aug. 31-Sept. 3
Washington Park
51st Street and Cottage Grove Avenue, Chicago
If you're ever in doubt about where to eat in a city, try to find out where the chefs eat; there you'll find the finest food available. In Chicago, Lao Sze Chuan is one of those places. The Chinatown restaurant plays host to kitchen superstars and regular folk alike, tantalizing all with an endless menu of authentic Szechuan dishes that run from the
|