Wine of the Month Club: Eduardo’s Enoteca
The beloved Gold Coast wine bar goes postal.
February 03, 2012
Eduardo's Enoteca Restaurant and Wine Bar
Eduardo’s Enoteca Restaurant and Wine Bar may be nestled in the Gold Coast, but starting this month it’s bringing the best it has to offer to your door. The eatery has just launched a premium wine club ($98 per month), which delivers, or makes available for pickup, an array of handpicked Italian wines at the start of each month. (Each monthly delivery is plucked from a different region of Italy.) Equally appealing to wine connoisseurs and novices, a postcard of information accompanies each bottle. 1212 N. Dearborn St., 312-337-4490
photograph Courtesy of Eduardo’s Enoteca
Vera Wang’s Bewitching New Bridal Collection
Wang fearlessly goes where no bridal designer has ever gone before with a line of black wedding gowns.
February 02, 2012
Brides imagine their wedding gowns to be elegant, spectacular and pristine white. But the color white has not always been synonymous with “the dress.” In the Western world, white wedding gowns didn’t come into vogue until 1840, when Queen Victoria set the trend in her marriage to Prince Albert.
More and more modern brides are bucking the tradition of wearing white on their wedding day, opting for ivory, pastels and even red. Now, thanks to the fearless Vera Wang, black wedding dresses are popping up on runways. Entitled Witchcraft, Wang’s fall 2012 bridal collection features nine (out of 15) black dresses.
Fashion experts have responded to the collection with mixed emotions and reviews. “Black, in everyone’s mind, is the most elegant and slimming color,” says Chicago designer Borris J. Powell. “I wouldn’t think that someone would want to be in something different on a day that’s so important.”
New York City event planner and former star of TLC’s Wedded to Perfection Jung Lee has a decidedly anti-black stance. “Women wear black all the time. Wearing a white dress makes the occasion more special.”
For brides considering a black gown, Windy City Live contributor and stylist Eric Himel offers this, “Women who consider it need to be extremely confident.” And, says Himel, they should definitely have a fall wedding.
Lee, who once planned an all-black wedding for author Stephen King’s son, says the most important thing is making sure you feel gorgeous and comfortable. “If you’re going to depart from white, make sure it’s a decision you won’t regret,” she says.
Whether the trend sticks or gets snowed over, Vera Wang is rarely wrong when it comes to weddings. “Since Vera Wang has done it, next fall you’re going to see black wedding dresses all over,” says Powell.
photographs by Peter Michael Dills/gettyimages.com
Saks Fifth Avenue’s Charitable Giving Month
Get a head start on spring shopping and give back to local charity in one fell swipe.
February 02, 2012
Manolo Blahnik leather T-strap sandals
Embrace spring and neon with these Manolo Blahnik leather T-strap sandals ($755), available at Saks Fifth Avenue. These, and nearly everything else at Saks this month, are more than just a great purchase but also a way to give back. Throughout February, five-percent of each purchase on a Saks Fifth Avenue credit card will be given to a local charity. Causes that will benefit from the promotion include A Better Chicago, Pathways Foundation, The Service Club of Chicago, Ronald McDonald House and Children’s Memorial Hospital. 700 N. Michigan Ave.
Drink This: Skinny Cocktails at RA Sushi
The downtown sushi spot mixes guilt-free sips for health-conscious drinkers.
February 01, 2012
The mixologists at downtown favorite RA Sushi kindly kept our figures in mind when they created this trio of mysteriously low-calorie cocktails. The Lychee-teenie, Skinny Ninja and Thin Ginger are available at RA through February. If you don’t make it in before then, try mixing one up at home.
Lychee-teenie
SERVES ONE
1 1/2 ounces Voli Lemon vodka
1 ounce lychee juice
1/2 ounce Monin Agave Nectar
1/4 ounce lemon juice
Add all ingredients into a shaker with ice and shake vigorously. Strain into a chilled glass with fresh ice and garnish with lychee.
Skinny Ninja
SERVES ONE
1 1/2 ounces Voli Lyte vodka
1 ounce pink grapefruit juice
1/2 ounce Monin Agave Nectar
1/4 ounce yuzu purée
1/4 ounce lemon juice
1 shiso leaf
Muddle half the shiso leaf with agave in a mixing glass. Add other ingredients into a shaker with ice and shake vigorously. Strain into a glass with fresh ice and top with a splash of soda and garnish with a half shiso leaf and half lemon wheel.
Thin Ginger
SERVES ONE
1 1/2 ounces Voli Lemon vodka
1/2 ounce Monin Agave Nectar
1/4 ounce yuzu purée
1/4 ounce lemon juice
1 strawberry
Fresh ginger root, peeled
Muddle strawberry, ginger and agave in a mixing glass. Add other ingredients into a shaker with ice and shake vigorously. Strain into a glass with fresh ice and top with a splash of soda and garnish with a strawberry and lemon twist.
1139 N. State St., 312-274-0011
Restaurant Preview: Trenchermen
The highly anticipated eatery pops up in Logan Square.
February 01, 2012
The men behind Trenchermen
There has been a lot of hype surrounding Wicker Park’s soon-to-open (sometime this spring) culinary hotspot Trenchermen, and it’s easy to see why. The team behind the restaurant have a track record to salivate over: Chef brothers Michael and Patrick Sheerin have a combined resume that includes Blackbird, Everest and the Signature Room. Add to that owner Matt Eisler and designer Kevin Heisner, the masterminds behind Bangers & Lace, and you have a restaurant dream team. Don't miss your chance to preview Trenchermen during a pop-up at Logan Square Kitchen February 12–14. The five-course meal ($120) will feature cocktail, wine and beer pairings from Trenchermen’s beverage director, Tona Palomino. We can’t think of a better Valentine’s Day reservation for in-the-know foodies. 2333 N. Milwaukee Ave.; click here for tickets
This Weekend: The Modern Man Fashion Showcase
The city’s favorite men model the latest looks for spring at The Underground.
January 31, 2012
Shoes at Haberdash
Get a jumpstart on spring fashion and mingle with the city’s sartorial elite this Friday as The Underground presents The Modern Man Fashion Showcase. The evening will include spring previews from the best boutiques for men—Haberdash, apartment number 9 and Sir and Madame among them. A bevy of Chicago’s most fashionable men, such as former bear Jerry Azumah and Plain White T's drummer De’Mar Hamilton, will be in attendance and even do a bit of modeling. (9 PM) 56 W. Illinois St.; RSVP to vip@rockitranch.com
Television Winners at the SAG Awards
Highlights from the most anticipated small screen awards categories.
January 30, 2012
I love a good awards show and while Sunday’s 18th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards had its fair share of Hollywood pomp and circumstance, it seemed vaguely familiar with ensemble drama series Boardwalk Empire and ensemble comedy series Modern Family once again taking home top honors, or as insiders call it “an Actor.”
Despite these instances of déjà vu, it was nice to see Betty White continue to prove that talent is ageless with her win for best female actor in the comedy series Hot in Cleveland. “You can’t name me without naming those other wonderful women on Hot in Cleveland. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, ” said White.
And I couldn’t help but marvel at the tenacity of lifetime achievement award-winner Mary Tyler Moore, who can still turn the world on with her smile.
In the best male actor, drama series category, Boardwalk’s Steve Buscemi beat out Breaking Bad’s Bryan Cranston, who was also snubbed a Globes nomination. Buscemi thanked his co-stars, including former cast-mate Michael Pitt, whose character (spoiler alert!) perished in the show’s season two finale. “To all the Michael Pitt fans out there, I know, I’m sorry,” he said. “Please stop yelling at me on the street.” Noted.
Jessica Lange, who stars in the new FX thriller American Horror Story, picked up the best female actor in a drama series award—a shelf-mate for the best supporting actress Golden Globe she recently won. During her speech, Lange described taking the role of the unhinged Southern belle Constance “a real leap of faith.”
The venerable Alec Baldwin had kind words for 30 Rock boss Tina Fey and her team of writers as he accepted his award for best male actor in a comedy series: “The only thing this means to me is obviously you like Tina [Fey]’s writing and Robert Carlock’s writing. We have the greatest writers, ” he said.
Taking the microphone during Modern Family’s big win for best ensemble comedy series was Rico Rodriguez (Manny), who graciously said “On behalf of the entire cast and crew, we just want to thank you for letting us all be a part of your families.” From the mouths of babes.
Read more from Joshua Estrin at popmuncher.com.
Spring Beauty: Estée Lauder’s Southwestern Glitz
Gold and turquoise rule the color wheel of the line’s latest collection.
January 30, 2012
Models at Derek Lam’s Spring 2012 show wore Estée Lauder’s new Topaz collection, which was designed by creative makeup director Tom Pecheux with Lam’s line in mind. The swipes of yellow-gold on models’ eyelids and lips were as much an accessory as the handbags. The collection was inspired by the Arizona desert, sand, rocks and turquoise. Highlights include the Citron Kiss Pure Color Gloss ($23), a mostly sheer shade with a subtle gold hue, and Teal Topaz Pure Color Nail Lacquer ($19), a preview of what is to be the most popular nail color this Spring. Neiman Marcus, 737 N. Michigan Ave.
Shades with Heart: Aframes Eyewear
The TOMS of the eyewear world is being homegrown right here in Chicago.
January 27, 2012
It was in an economics class at Eastern Michigan University that Chicago native Wes Stoody was first inspired help children living half a world away. There, after watching a documentary exposing vitamin A deficiencies in children in third-world countries, Stoody decided to take action.
Cut to today, two years later, and Stoody is launching Aframes Eyewear, a local brand that uses a portion of its profits to provide vitamin A supplements to children in third-world countries. According to the World Health Organization, vitamin A deficiencies are the number one cause of childhood blindness—and one dollar can supply a child with vitamin A supplements for an entire year. “It struck a chord that there was a cheap and simple solution to an enormous problem that nobody knew about,” says Stoody.
Five-percent of Aframes' net profits are donated to the countries each of the frames are named after via Hellen Keller International. And though the heart of the project is philanthropy, Stoody didn’t skimp on style. The vintage American-style glasses are made with quality acetate frames and seven barrel riveted hinges, as well as anti-reflecting coated lenses. “I want to be a great eyewear brand and not just some company that makes a crappy product to raise money for a cause. Obviously the cause is extremely important to us, but we want to be a great brand as well,” says Stoody.
Get to Know: Interior Design Award Hopeful Tom Stringer
Learn more about the Chicago Interior Design Hall of Fame Awards nominee’s illustrious design portfolio.
January 27, 2012
A room by Tom Stringer and Associates
On February 2, The Design Center at The Merchandise Mart will host its first-ever Chicago Interior Design Hall of Fame Awards Gala, where one of ten creative minds will be awarded the top honor. We caught up with nominee Tom Stringer to learn more about his qualifications for the title and his most impressive projects.
How would you describe your design aesthetic?
TOM STRINGER: I have steadfastly tried to avoid having a signature look for which people come to me. What I find most interesting is working with clients to develop interiors that reflect their lifestyles, their tastes [and] their interests.
You have designed restaurants, commercial spaces and even yachts. How does designing a home differ from designing those sorts of spaces?
TS: [Each space] requires a different set of disciplines: A yacht is a machine that is lived in, and a restaurant is a theater in which food is the main act. What motivates me is the challenge inherent in each project.
What has been your greatest accomplishment?
TS: I can’t say that any one project is my biggest accomplishment; every project that I complete is hopefully my best yet. In terms of technical expertise, a 50-meter yacht that we launched a few years ago was probably the most challenging project I’ve ever done. On the other hand, working with Grant Achatz has been a fantastic experience. The guy is just simply brilliant, and it’s a real challenge to work for somebody that innovative.
What sparks most of your inspiration?
TS: It may sound trite, but travel—getting out and seeing the world, whether it’s great cities in Europe or the natural world. I do a lot of diving and find incredible inspiration in the patterns and geometries found in nature.
How has the industry changed throughout your 20-year career as a designer?
TS: Technology is one of the greatest tools we have right now, both in terms of visualizing work that’s yet to be built and also the printing and creation of fabrics and carpeting.
To learn about other nominees or purchase tickets to the Chicago Interior Design Hall of Fame Awards Gala, visit chicagointeriordesignhalloffame.com.
