Tavern on Rush: 2.5 Stars!

1031 N Rush St
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 664-9600

Big Disappointment. Unacceptable service from such a pricey restaurant. It began with my salad, which had the wrong dressing. I should have sent it back, but I did not. When my filet came I had to send it back. It was grossly undercooked and looked like mystery meat! The waitress actually flinched when she looked at it. The only reason this is rated as high as 2.5 is that my dinner companion's pizza was very good and the onion rings were good. But seriously, when pizza and onion rings are the only thing you can order from a restaurant where apps are $15 and mains are $30-$50, you should just skip it!

Simone's Bar: Where the Cool Kids Hangout

Simone's Bar: 3.5 Stars!
960 W 18th St
Chicago IL 60608
http://www.simonesbar.com/

Eclectic and Hip Pilsen neighborhood bar with an urban cool decor featuring a pin ball machine theme. There is a diverse beer selection that includes both local and international beers. You can also find fun cocktails like a whiskey or rum hot toddy. The music like the spot is hip and as it gets later there is a DJ. The food is normal bar food. The staff is friendly. The primary downside is that because it's a neighborhood spot, parking is difficult. It's still worth checking out.

Chicago Summertime Bars

C-View Rooftop Bar: 4 Stars!
166 E Superior St at the Affina Hotel
Good drinks, friendly staff. Awesome roof bar for summer. Music good, but volume too low.
Hours: 4pm - Midnight

Nomi: 3.5 Stars!
800 N Michigan Ave
http://www.nomirestaurant.com

Chaise Lounge: 4 Stars!
1840 W. North Ave. , Chicago
http://www.chaiseloungechicago.com/

Vertigo: 4 Stars!
660 N. State St., Chicago
http://www.danahotelandspa.com/rooftop-lounge/index.cfm
hours: Wednesday thru Saturday 5pm - 2am

Citizen Bar: 3 Stars!
364 W. Erie St., Chicago
http://www.citizenbar.com/


For a full list of Chicago bars/lounges click here

Child Support Court with Judge Gino

Click on the link below to witness the next ‘BIG’ thing in court shows, Child Support Court with Judge Gino!!!

CLICK ON THIS LINK TO SEE THE TRAILER…: http://www.youtube.com/user/michaelcoburn

Angel's Can't Help but Laugh: 5 Stars

"Angels Can't Help But Laugh" is a moving documentary on the struggles and triumphs Black actresses face in Hollywood. The film was conceived and directed by Terri Vaughn of the Steve Harvey show. Terri speaks with 25 Black actresses, including Tichina Arnold, Tisha Campbell, Regina King, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Jasmine Guy, as well as up and comers like Meagan Good, Malinda Williams, and Essence Atkins.

This film is not being shown in theaters, because she could not get a distribution deal. So support this film when it is screened at film festivals or other venues.

See trailer at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfwIiMdQSxQ

Seal Concert 5 Stars

Seal is touring the US this April and May. Not to be missed. See his tour dates here.

Nacional 27 - Happy Hour & Cocktail Class

Adam Seger's Monthly "Happy Hour" Cocktail Class

Thursday, March 19, 5:30pm - 6:30pm
325 W. Huron, Chicago, IL 60610

Every third Thursday of the month, master mixologist, Adam Seger, demonstrates how to prepare two custom cocktails with seasonal ingredients. March's class, "Spice and Ice", will focus on incorporating spices into top-shelf cocktails. Think fresh ground cinnamon and fennel, dried ginger, Szechuan peppercorns and so much more. Seger will demonstrate the "Mango-Ginger-Habanero Daiquiri" and the "Chadwick Mojito". So go to Nacional 27 on the 19th to sip cocktails, nosh on passed appetizers and take the recipe cards home.

The fee is $20 per person. Please click the following link to for more info. And to reserve tickets:
http://www.nacional27.net/

The Publican: 3.5 Stars.

837 W. Fulton Market, Chicago IL 60607

The seating is family style and the menu focuses on fine pork, shellfish, and beer. I will start with my favorite dish on the menu. The $5 appetizer, spicy pork rinds. Absolutely delicious! They were like no pork rinds that I have ever tasted. They were light and airy, yet crispy with a hint of vinegar flavor, which I generally don't like in a chip. Other dishes that were really good were the mussels, oysters, and bread (specifically cheese crackers, sourdough, multigrain, and french). The country ribs (really just a pork chop) and the sausage dish were average.

The waiters should be better trained about the beer and wine menu. The beer menu is extensive, but they will not sell those more expensive great European beers if the waiters can't make recommendations of describe the beers' flavors.

Also, The Publican is a restaurant in need of a story that sets the diners' expectations for the evening. The waiters should explain to new diners the type of food they will find on the menu, Brasserie cooking, and that the service is family style.

Other notes. The bathrooms are unisex and there are no mirrors. Ladies need mirrors in the bathroom. The music in the background was very upbeat, which was great for me (e.g., they played the Beasty Boys and LL Cool J's "Going Back to Cali.").

2nd Annual "RedHot Cocktails" Fundraiser

Thursday, March 12, 2009
Nacional 27
6-8 pm
325 W Huron

The ticket price is $60 and includes an evening of networking and socializing as well as exciting variations of classic mojitos, cocktails, and gourmet hors d'oeuvres. Ticket purchase also includes automatic entry to a grand prize raffle. There is no requirement to be present to win.

The economy has us all thinking about how we spend our dollars, but your support of the Primo Center would be truly appreciated and will benefit those who are TRULY IN NEED.

You may purchase your tickets online at http://www.primocenter.org/events/ (Choose the link for the RedHot Cocktails 2009).

Bartending 4 Change

Bartending 4 Change will be serving it up on Wednesday, March 11, 2009

6:30-8:30pm

Garrett's Restaurant & Railroad Tavern

30th & M St. NW in Georgetown, Washington, DC

(http://www.garrettsdc.com/).

Benefiting the non-profit Interstages

There will be an optional $5 donation at the door and all tips earned by the Bartending 4 Change charity bartenders will go directly to Interstages. The happy hour will of course involve specials, raffle prizes, and loads of fun!

Bartending 4 Change is an all-volunteer non-profit organization that raises money for DC charities through special events and happy hours. The concept is simple - Bartending 4 Change selects a charity to host at one of its events held at local bars and restaurants - and all the tips go to the selected charity. Aside from raising money for charities, Bartending 4 Change

1) creates an environment for networking amongst charitable-minded groups and individuals in the greater DC area,

2) raises awareness of community issues and generates interest in community service, and

3) allows for charities to recruit volunteers for its future aspirations.

To learn more about Bartending 4 Change, please visit http://www.bartending4change.com/.

Interstages provides opportunities for early adolescents in low-income neighborhoods to discover talents, develop and strengthen skills, and heighten self-awareness, setting the stage for a successful transition into young adulthood. The organization specifically supports 6th-, 7th-, and 8th-graders as they navigate this challenging stage and make decisions that can affect the rest of their lives. Interstages not only helps each student create and implement detailed academic plans but also monitors and supports student progress toward personalized goals. At Interstages, students focus on the arts in historical and cultural context, so they begin to connect to history and view arts as both social indicators and tools for social change.To learn more about Interstages, please visit http://www.interstages.org/.

Jazz Links Jam Sessions

Jazz Links Jam Sesssions - March 11
Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E Washington St.
2nd Wednesday of the month-- 5-7pm

All ages welcome!

So where's a kid who really wants to hone his or her chops go to find a woodshed? How about at the city's top spot for jazz and world music?

Through a partnership with the Chicago Cultural Center, Jazz Links has initiated a monthly jam session for young jazz musicians in Chicago. Students are given the opportunity to perform with world-class professionals in the Jazz Links house band, led by pianist Ken Chaney, with Robert Irving III on piano, Ernie Adams on drums and Lorin Cohen on bass. As a free event, the jam session is both an educational experience for the students and an intergenerational community event, where parents, teachers, students and the general public witness the development of young talent before their eyes and ears.