Chicago Restaurant Week Extended

Through this Sunday 45 of the 165 participating restaurants participating in Chicago's 3rd annual restaurant week are extending their participation, and will continue to offer three-course lunches for $22 and/or three-course dinners for $32.

It is expected that the number of restaurants extending their participation will increase. I recently dined at The Palm (4 Stars!) and C View (3 Stars!) and the deals were fantastic!

Some restaurants have extended their deals through March 4. Some will feature the deals through March 6 or 7. And a few will offer their Restaurant Week menus through March 31.

So for those of you who missed to date, you still have a chance. You can go to opentable.com, which should have a list of participants that are extending their $22 and $32 menus, and for how long. Bon Appetit!

January Favorite Eats n Drinks - Chicago

Otom Restaurant: 4 Stars!
http://www.otomrestaurant.com/
$5 Martini Mondays
Get the burger, super yummy - fried green tomatoes, pancetta, fontina, beet chips -$13
Wings were good too - black wings - black vinegar, soy sauce, togarashi ranch - $9

Ruth's Chris: 4.5 Stars
http://www.ruthschris.com/Steak-House/7734/Chicago
Winter Special: 3 courses from $39.99

Four Seasons Hotel Lounge: 5 Stars!
http://www.fourseasons.com/chicagofs/dining/seasons_lounge_and_conservatory.html
Must try the Fireside Martini and the smoked salmon and caviar flatbreads. Absolutely delicious.

New Chicago Restaurants

http://www.julib.com/februaryrestos012810CH_email.html

Chicago Entertainment and Related Services Search

Event planning company is looking to secure the following from A to Z.
Javi Productions is looking to secure the following services and entertainment for upcoming corporate events in 2010 throughout the Chicago area

Please e-mail your Website, MySpace, and Press Kit (bio, picture, mp3) or Resume to: JAVIHEAVYTALENT@AOL.COM

Acrobats actors, athletes, audio / visual companies

Belly dancers, bartenders, bands, blackjack dealers, balloon artists, basket weavers

Clowns, costume rentals, caterers, character actors, cheerleaders, cigar rollers, cake designers, cirque acts, comedians, classical musicians, carolers,

Dancers, DJs, decorators, decor rentals, domino play instructors

Entertainment of all types and genres, event coordinators

Florist, fire dancers, furniture rentals

Geisha girls, guitar players

Hat makers, heating and cooling services

Ice sculptors, impersonators, image consultants

Junkenoo Bands, jugglers, jazz bands,

Kids characters, kids entertainment

Lighting companies, Latin band's, limousine services, linen rentals, look-alikes

Models, master of ceremonies, make up artists, musicians, magicians

National recording artists, native American acts

Oldies bands, original performance artists, one-man bands , opera singers

Production assistants, photographer's, party rentals

Quality musicians, quartets

Radio personalities, rock bands

Singers, specialty acts, sound companies, set designers, street teams, staging companies, sports commentators, string quartet,security

Table and chair rentals, tent rentals, track acts

Unique entertainers,

Vocalists (all styles), videographers, video production, violinist

Wedding planners, wedding invitations, wedding gowns

Xtreme athletes, extras


PAY VARIES PER EVENT

The Lost Symbol: 5 Stars!

Read Dan Brown's "The Lost Symbol." This time Robert Langdom finds himself on a life saving quest in Washington D.C. He alone can save the day because of this knowledge of Freemason history and symbology. Fascinating, fast paced, thought provoking, and well researched like his previous books.

Loved it. 5 Stars!

Neonu
http://www.neonujewell.com/

Sylvia's Soul Food Uptown NYC: 2 Stars!

Nostalgia can be overrated. Sylvia's Uptown NYC. Don't Go 2 Stars!

Food was not good. The pork chops were tough. The fried shrimp, though fresh and properly battered, were super salty. The ribs were all fat no meat. The side salads were tasty, but that is because it's salad and they are not even listed on the menu. The fried chicken livers were also an exception, lightly battered and tender.

The service was good. All of the staff were smiling, courteous, and polite. We had small children at the table and our server was very conscious of placing things away from their reach.

I appreciate the people, but not the dining experience and will not return.

Neonu
www.neonujewell.com

Sarabeth's NYC. 4 Stars!

In Manhattan and looking for a nice, moderately priced brunch. Try Sarabeth's at Central Park next to The Plaza Hotel (Sarabeth's has multiple locations in the city). I ate there today (As l always do when in the city) and enjoyed watching the horse drawn carriages as I sipped Mimosas.

My table had French toast, pancakes, omelets, cheese blintzes, and eggs benedict. All plates were clear. The applewood smoked bacon is a must side order. Expect a short wait for a table, but who cares just focus on the great view and NYC people watching.
Best regards,

Neonu
www.neonujewell.com

Radio City Christmas Spectacular. 4 Stars!

At the Rockette's Christmas show at Radio City Music Hall. Quietly it's hot! The Rockette's were formed in 1932 by Roxy Rockefeller as precision dancers called the Roxyette's. They are literally still kicking today! Parents take your kids next Christmas. 4 Stars!
Best regards,

Neonu
www.neonujewell.com

Avatar: 4 Stars!

Visually stunning! I strongly recommend seeing it at the IMAX in 3D, or at least in 3D on the biggest screen you can find.

It's a story about one of the primary reasons countries go to war, natural resources. It's a story about our connection to nature, the past, the present and each other. It's a love story. And of course, it's a story about triumph and good overcoming evil.

There are exciting action packed sequences. But there are also beautiful scenes with next level special effects. Sigourney Weaver, as always, is a delight to watch.

Go see for yourself.

OPI Gel Manicures 5 Stars!

Ladies if you hate chipped nail polish, constantly retouching your nails, or spending money for manicures only to ruin them within the hour - and fake nails are not an option. OPI gel manicures are your gift to yourself. They are completely dry at the end of the manicurist's application. It lasts 10-14 days still looking fresh. It costs a little more, generally $40 - $45, and takes more time to apply and remove. But sooooo worth it! I am hooked.
Best regards,

Neonu
www.neonujewell.com

Mercadito 4 Stars!

www.mercaditorestaurants.com
108 West Kinzie Street
Chicago, IL 60654-4508
(312) 329-9555
Subway: Clark/Lake

I love this new Chicago hot spot. The restaurant has replaced an old favorite La Pomme Rouge. Mercadito has completely redesigned the space and its festive and fabulous. As the name suggests, Mercadito serves Mexican/Latin cuisine and has a top notch Tequila selection. I highly recommend the cucumber cocktail listed on the menu.

The food is very good. It is a great spot for group dinners. The group prix fixe menus are reasonably priced and portions are ample. I love the fish tacos.

Mercadito also has a small upscale lounge downstairs, Double A. Reservations are required and I understand they are very discerning.
Best regards,

Neonu
www.neonujewell.com