Filed In: chicago
exploring chicago
Marc and I have lived in Chicago for five years now and have really loved it here. Lately we’ve realized that no matter how big (or small) a place may seem or how well you think you know it, there is always more to see and do and learn. So we’ve been spending a lot of time lately seeking out the new and soaking up our old favorites.
We had coffee from Big Shoulders and breakfast sandwiches from Windy City Cafe. We spent an afternoon walking around the Chicago History Museum and had drinks at Matchbox. We tried checking out the new exhibit at the Chicago Cultural Center but it was closed so we went and saw Laura Berger’s mural instead. We went shopping on State Street and heard stories told at Powell’s North Bookstore. We had pies from Chicago Pizza and Oven Grinder, tacos at Big Star and BBQ sandwiches from Smoke Daddy – everything lived up to the hype. We strolled around Wicker Park and Bucktown and stopped in some of my favorite shops – Brooklyn Industries and Stitch. There really are so many cool parts of this city, and I recommend checking out some of these places if you’re ever in Chicago.
photo credit kate zitzer
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I wrote about a few of my favorite Chicago restaurants in this post, but there’s more! Make sure to check them out if you’re ever in the city –
Takito Kitchen – excellent and super fresh Mexican food focusing on artisanal tacos. The space is industrial and modern with an open bar and kitchen. There’s a little outside patio too. A fun spot to go with a group – try the pork belly tacos, try ’em all!
Siena Tavern – excellent small plates and really delicious mixed specialty cocktails. They also have interesting salads and a pizza bar. If you go here, you have to try the squid ink linguini with grilled lobster tail and spicy lobster cream sauce, its heavenly!
Jam ‘n Honey – I loved this tiny spot. Ranks high on my list of favorite brunch and breakfast places in Chicago. Top notch coffee and the old fashioned French toast was delicious – made with brioche bread and served with honey butter.
Old 5th – a West Loop staple, affordable and laid back. Sit at one of the sidewalk tables with your pizza and whiskey – try one of their seven whiskey flights.
Cantina Laredo – modern Mexican dishes in a sophisticated atmosphere. A great spot for dinner in the heart of River North. The chicken tacos are my thing. Order the top shelf guacamole, it’s amazing and made fresh at your table.
Piccolo Sogno – fresh, seasonal rustic Italian cuisine and an amazing atmosphere. You can’t go wrong with the antipasto as an appetizer. If it’s a nice evening, sit outside – it has the best outdoor patio in the city! It’s a pretty fantastic date spot too.
Let me know if you try out any of these spots and fill me in on any of your favorite Chicago restaurants!
photo credit kate zitzer
fall preview
Even though I’m going to miss the long sunny days and the hot steamy temps, the trips to the lake and the big family BBQs, I’m ready to say so long summer. Fall in the midwest is a really wonderful time of year – the morning air is cooler, the nights cozier and the leaves begin to change colors, it’s time for tea and hot soup, thick sweaters and warm scarves and an extra blanket on your bed. I was looking at our calendar and we have so much going on that I thought I’d make a list of all the things I’m looking forward to this season – my sister’s birthday this weekend, the ARTober sale, apple picking, small gatherings with friends, DIY projects and new paintings, pumpkin carving, Halloween parties and my dear friend’s baby shower! What sorts of things are you looking forward to?
And just a reminder that today is the last day to enter the giveaway (now closed)! You have a chance to win one of the 8×10 prints in my Etsy shop – all the details are here. The giveaway closes at midnight tonight, and I will announce the winner next week. Good luck!
photo credit kate zitzer
lakeview east festival of the arts recap
Wow what a whirlwind few weeks! We spent the weekend at the Lakeview East Festival of the Arts – thanks to all of you who stopped by and made a purchase at my booth. Saturday was a very successful day and I sold out of Love You So paintings and 11×14 Chicago Loop prints. Sunday could have been busier – it was cold and raining. I appreciate everyone who braved the weather and came out to the fest. I did want to show you my new design for the Home painting or as my mom refers to it “the roofs” – I was happy it sold on Saturday.
Art fair madness is over now until next spring when we will do it all over again. I had such a great season this year and my success is owed to everyone who came by to show their support. I am so touched and overwhelmed so thank you! It was really nice to have so many friends and family visit us too and keep us company during the weekends. There is no time for rest just yet – I have emails to catch up on, errands to run and a studio to clean up. I also have to start getting ready for the ARTober sale in a few weeks.
If I missed you at the fair, please feel free to order from my Esty shop, and I am available for local pick up so just email me.
photo credit kate zitzer
chicago’s lakeview east festival of the arts this weekend
This Saturday and Sunday I’m doing the Lakeview East Festival of the Arts. The last two years have been so much fun I just had to return. So if you’re around I hope you can come by – I will be at BOOTH 144 (same spot as last year). I’m working hard to create some more work which I will show you here or here soon.
I have a lot of inventory this year, so excited. I plan on bringing 40+ paintings and a limited number of prints. Lakeview was one of my very first art fairs, and I only brought 17 paintings – I don’t know what I was thinking! I sold 11 the first day and had to stay up all night making more. I’ve learned so much these last four years, and I was thinking after art fair season is over that I would put together a post with some tips. What do you think?
The Festival takes place Saturday, September 14th from 10-6 and Sunday, September 15th from 10-5 along Broadway between Belmont and Hawthorne. You can find all the details here. Hope to see you there!
photo credit kate zitzer
