Category Archives: Deals
Best New Restaurant – The Lark
Located at 3441 N. Halsted, in the former Halsted’s Bar + Grill space, Lark offers an ideal environment for drinks seven nights a week, where guests can listen to music from the 80s and 90s until 2 am Sunday through Friday and 3 am Saturdays, as well as watch music videos from those eras playing on the 13 large screen TVs.
“We’re excited to bring this new addition to the bar scene in Lake View, which features the beautiful original wooden bar from the former Cullen’s Bar & Grill on Southport,” said Mark Liberson, LKH president. “Our weekend guests will enjoy having the chance to select albums from our collection of LPs, play retro board games and dine on our artisanal pizzas with their drinks.”
Lark will also offer authentic Neapolitan wood-fired pizzas, as well as pasta, sandwiches, entrées, salads, appetizers and weekend brunch. Lark plans to be among a handful of officially certified Neapolitan pizza establishments in Chicago. In order to obtain certification from The Associazione Verace Pizza Napolitana (VPN), Lark must adhere to strict guidelines, including what ingredients are used, how the dough is made and how long the pizzas are cooked.
We recently dined at the Lark and tried a sampling of foods. Everything was great! They offer an assortment of “Moscow Mule cocktails” in copper cups and Thursday’s you can enjoy them for half off!
Not many places offer Grilled Calamari. It takes more effort to prepare (and prepare correctly) than fried Calamari. Here it was great! Tossed with fresh green beans, some baby kale and served with a delicious homemade marinara.
I had never had Arancini. It’s a risotto ball that is fried. Very good option! Meatballs were a nice appetizer as well.
For pizza we tried the Chicken Alfredo and the Ducktrap River Smoked Salmon and Pesto Pizza. Usually not a fan of smoked salmon myself, but this was unique and delicious!
Our waiter raved about the burgers and I love a good Cubano sandwich. So we tried the Mushroom and Blue Jack Cheeseburger and the Cubano. (Needless to say, we had a lot of to-go boxes, with all that food!) Both were excellent. The burger used grilled trumpet mushrooms and this amazing marbled blue jack cheese and was topped with balsamic roasted tomatoes.
The Cubano was piled high with braised pork shoulder, smoked ham, applewood smoked bacon and topped with jack cheese. Pretty much perfection!
All of the food was fresh, tasty and cooked to perfection. Lark proved itself to be a bar AND a restaurant, serving very good quality eats. With prices that won’t break the bank. Pizza’s run $11-$15, Burgers $12, Sandwiches $11-$13, and Homemade Pasta $15.
Chefs Bernardo Ibarra (Girl and the Goat) and Kaz Medhat (Magnolia Café), recently leading the culinary team at Replay and Elixir in Andersonville, leads the Lark kitchen. Creating a menu rich in flavors, the chefs incorporate inspirations from Italy and beyond while Lark’s beverage director, Vlad Novikov, curate’s drink offerings consisting of craft cocktails, extensive wine by the glass options and 16 tap beers.
The 2,400 square foot venue will accommodate approximately 90 people, and open onto one of Lake View’s largest existing patios, doubling the venue’s capacity with nearly 100 additional seats. In addition to bar and table seating, guests can choose to sit and watch the chefs prepare and cook the pizzas around the Mugnaini pizza oven, dine and drink at the historic handcrafted wooden bar, or lounge in comfortable seating surrounding Lark’s working fireplace.
Lark is open Monday through Friday 5 pm – 2 am, Saturday from 10 am – 3 am, Sunday 10 am – 2 am. Dinner will be served every night from 5-10 pm. Brunch will be available 10 am – 3 pm Saturday and Sunday. Late-night pizza and limited menu options will also be available nightly until close.
Please visit http://www.larkchicago.
Gay Chicago Loves Gay Palm Springs
LOT’S of Chicago LGBTQ folks head to Palm Springs EVERY YEAR! And where do they stay? Many guys choose INNdulge.
Their 2 for 1 Special will soon be over!
Now through September 15, 2016.
Valid from Sunday – Thursday
- 24 Poolside Rooms & Garden Suites
- Complimentary Continental Breakfast
- Large Heated 24-hr Pool
- Pool chiller during summer months
- In room DVD PlayersDVD Library
- 12 Man 24-hr Jacuzzi
- Wi-Fi Property Wide
- Full Kitchens in all Suites
- Microwaves
- King Sized Beds
- Refrigerators
- Coffee Makers
- Hair Dryers
- On Site Gym
- In Room Safes
- Cool Misters For Hot Days
- Irons & Ironing Boards
- Onsite laundry facility
- Air Conditioning
- Complimentary Internet Station
Best Hotels in Boystown and Lakeview
It’s funny, we have lived here about 10 years and have always known about these three hidden gems.
Yet, I talk to people who have lived here their whole life! And they are not familiar with City Suites, The Majestic and The Willows.
Willows and Majestic are tucked away in quiet neighborhoods, where you can blend right in with the locals. While City Suites is right on Belmont amidst the buzzing energy!
Summer and Fall are fantastic times in Chicago! Whether you are a local and have friends traveling that will need rooms or you are a traveler reading this – it’s NEVER TO EARLY TO RESERVE YOUR ROOM. The small inventory of rooms in Boystown and Lakeview always sell out.
IMPORTANT DATES TO KNOW:
Market Days August 13-14, 2016
Halloween in Chicago – October 29-31, 2016
Out in the Park at Six Flags Sept. 10, 2016
(not to mention, every weekend is a great weekend, in Chicago!)
In Boystown/Lakeview you get small, intimate restaurants and a treasure trove of shopping neighborhoods with unique shops and art galleries! Golf courses, the Lincoln Park Zoo, Wrigleyville and the Cubs Stadium, Old Towne, marinas and harbors, Hollywood gay beach, Andersonville, plus endless waterfront walking and bike paths, are all very accessible!
For years, visitors and locals alike have branded The Majestic Hotel the pre-eminent boutique hotel in Chicago. Offering the atmosphere of a well-appointed, upscale English country estate, this 100 percent, non-smoking Hotel offers the perfect haven of relaxation amidst the energetic city life found in the popular Lakeview neighborhood.
Broughton Hotels has 3 properties in the area. The Majestic Hotel, The Willows Hotel & The City Suites – each welcome you with an abundance of personality, style and charm that epitomizes the essence of their environments.
Exuding the charm of historic buildings – circa 1920s – They are a collection of boutique hotels that combine a stylish, unique and alluring atmosphere with a location that is ideal and accessible – just 10 minutes north of downtown Chicago’s business, financial and shopping districts – and brimming with the quintessential qualities of an upscale, city hotel. You can be just steps away from all of the gay events, in a cool neighborhood!
All three properties in Boystown pride themselves on their personalized care, premier service and exceeding the needs of their discriminating leisure and business travelers. The staff is passionate here and ensure an enjoyable and memorable stay – something you don’t often see in the big hotels downtown. These properties boast a welcoming “neighborhood” charm yet with all the luxury boutique services and amenities of a full-service hotel.
Many packages are available depending on your interests. Everything from theatre and dining to comedy and baseball!
Use CODE BGC When Booking!
MAJESTIC HOTEL
The Majestic 773.404.3499
The City Suites 773.404.3400
The Willows 773.528.8400
Six Flags Private Night September 10
Out In The Park at Six Flags Great America
Returns in 2016 for Year 5!
A Private Night in the Park to Celebrate Diversity
Presented by MINI Cooper Chicago & Fireball
That Will Help Benefit TPAN’s Ride For Aids
Saturday, September 10th, 2016 from 7:30PM to 12AM
Singer, actor, director, choreographer and YouTuber TODRICK HALL performs live this for this year’s fifth annual Out In The Park Celebration of Diversity!
All night, attendees can follow the bass to the Hometown Square dance area where The DJ’s of SCARLET Bar Chicago/Honolulu, hostess Khloe and some dancers will keep the party jumping.
Out In The Park is an annual private diversity fundraising event featuring unlimited riding of ALL Six Flags Great America’s amazing THRILL rides (with much shorter than usual lines!) with a portion of all ticket sales each year help benefit various non-profits. “One of the best elements of this event is that it is closed to the general public and this year our event piggy-backs a daytime corporate buyout so our attendees will be entering an EMPTY PARK!” explains Michael Snell, co-owner of BestGayChicago.com. “The LGBTQ community, their family, friends and supporters can enjoy the park with little to short lines and without homophobic hassles from anyone. It’s like a Fall Gay Pride Celebration with even MORE amusement and entertainment!”
In an interview with ChicagoPride.com: “We are very excited that this private night for charity continues to grow every year and we have gifted over $35,000 to various groups,” said Derrick Sorles, Snell’s husband of 17 years and business partner, “We are more than thrilled that the amazing Todrick Hall has signed on to be with us this year. He is in the middle of his “Straight Outta Oz” tour and took a break to be with us and perform!”
“We are honored that some of our peers including GRAB Magazine, ChicagoPride.com and QUEST Magazine in Wisconsin also help us by donating advertising space for this event! It’s truly a community event where everyone comes together for the greater good!” says Derrick Sorles.
Advance $41 tickets can be purchased NOW at www.CelebrateDiversityChicago.com
Attendees get FREE parking for this special event! September 5th the price goes up to $46. $51 at the gate, IF AVAILABLE. This event is capped at only 5,000 tickets, to enure lines stay short for the rides. All ages event. Drinks are available for purchase to those 21+
Hotels –if you are coming to Chicago for the weekend, we have 3 hotel choices in the heart of Boystown! CITY SUITES, WILLOWS HOTEL and MAJESTIC HOTEL. All the hotels are on our website GaySixFlagsChicago.com
BestGayChicago.com
Since 2007, BestGayChicago.com has been providing the best of everything gay and gay-friendly in the greater Chicago area. Owned and operated by Best Gay Inc., their sites provide news, information, travel tips and entertainment for the LGBT community.
Garden Chefs July 24th
JULY 24-CHICAGO BOTANIC GARDEN GARDEN CHEF SERIES
Chef Tong will appear again this year at the Garden Chef Series sponsored by the Colorado Tourism Board and Food Network Magazine.
Chef Tong will show how to make a delicious dish featuring Colorado bison.
Bison Steak with Ancho Chile Blueberry Sauce and Sweet Mashed Potatoes
Chef Chris will appear on Sunday, July 24, 2016 at 1:30 and 2:30 p.m. in the
Regenstein Fruit & Vegetable Garden, Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe, Illinois.
Chef Tong will give tips on ingredients, and serving. And, everyone gets to have a taste! Seating is limited and on a first-come, first served basis.
Admission to the Chicago Botanic Garden and Garden Chef Series is free.
For more information about this Garden Chef Series event and parking fees, please call 847.835.5440 or visit www.chicagobotanic.org.
My Private Chef is enjoying popularity as ne of Chicago’s favorite private gourmet dining services.Trained in European-style fine cuisine, Chef Tong established his reputation at fine restaurants and hotels in Florida, California, and Chicago. Now he has adapted his impressive skillsto the world of private entertaining. My Private Chef offers enticing
cuisine for a wide range of events, from intimate dinners to weddings to corporate parties.
Chef Chris says: “Every event is different and I’ve met some wonderful people including many celebrities. Being part of very special occasions makes my work worthwhile. I also love conducting cooking demonstrations where I get the feeling that audience members will go home and try some new
dishes!”
For more information about My Private Chef, contact Event Services at 773.370.8131 or visit our web site: www.myprivatechef.net
Cinco De Mayo Boystown
4 days of CINCO DE MAYO events in Boystown
@ El Mariachi 3906 Broadway!
Proud Supporters of the LGBTQ Community!
Visit all of their locations…
Salsa Dancing Lessons April 28th
Our friends at El Marichia have something special planned this week – April 28th – A SALSA LESSON plus drinks and eats!!
Limited Seating ~ Reserve Today! 773-549-2932
El Mariachi Tequila Bar & Grill – www.elmariachitequilabar.com
3906 N. Broadway Chicago Il 60613
Craft Beer and Delicious Soups This Weekend
THIS WEEKEND! Feb 27-28th!
Craft Beer Festival
On Saturday, February 27, craft beer takes center stage at Halsted and Waveland. Chill under a tent filled with favorites from more than 40 brewers.
DJ Marc ‘Moose’ brings the heat to the dance floor. Food trucks from Beaver Donuts,
Chubby Wiener, Ms. Tittles and Pico St. Kitchen help soak up the suds.
Purchase tickets at www.northalsted.com and choose one of two sessions (1- 4pm or 6-9 pm).
Guest can shed their coat at the check-in for $2, which benefits Howard Brown Health Center.
Soup Walk (FREE)
On Sunday February 28 from 1-5 pm the 3rd annual Soup Walk warms up winter with nine Northalsted and Lakeview East restaurants showcasing their soups at retail business.
Stroll or take a free trolley to hit all nine spots.
- NoteworthyNotes (3629 North Halsted) with soup from Kit Kat Lounge and Supper Club
- Egoist (3526 North Halsted) with soup from Dive Bar.
- Boystown Collectibles (3453 North Halsted) with soup from Taverna 750
- Universal Wellness Source (3324 North Halsted) with soup from The Chicago Diner
- The Leigh Gallery (3306 North Halsted) with soup from D.S. Tequila Co.
- CRAM Fashion (3331 North Broadway) with soup from Café L’Appetito
- Unabridged Bookstore-3521 North Broadway) with soup from The Bagel
- GAP (3216 North Broadway) with soup from Escencia Urban Kitchen
- wineHOUSE (3164 North Broadway) with soup from Soupbox
About the Northalsted Business Alliance (NBA)
Formed in 1980, NBA represents more than 100 businesses along the Halsted Street corridor. The organization hosts major events throughout the year including Chicago Pride Fest, Northalsted Market Days, Frost Fest and the Halloween Parade. For information about NBA visit www.northalsted.com.
Chef Christopher Tong @ Bloomingdales
SOUP FOR A WINTER’S DAY WITH
CHEF TONG OF MY PRIVATE CHEF
AT BLOOMINGDALE’S HOME & FURNITURE STORE
AT MEDINAH TEMPLE
One of Bloomingdale’s favorite chefs returns to present a delicious Winter soup cooking demonstration.
Chef Christopher Tong of the upscale Chicago-based private gourmet dining service, My Private Chef
will give tips about ingredients, then prepare and serve a variety of fabulous soups.
Chef Tong will help us shake off the winter blues with three hot soup creations that will delight your family and friends. It’s a great way to face February in Chicago!
The demonstration will take place on Saturday, February 27, 2016 from 2-4 p.m. at the
Bloomingdale’s Home & Furniture Store at Medinah Temple, 600 N. Wabash Avenue, Chicago.
Demo Kitchen on 1.
Chef Chris will serve some of his favorite bowls of comfort:
Roasted Cailiflower soup with Cumin
Tunisian Tomato with Chickpeas and Lentils topped with Yogurt and Fresh Mint
Tangy Greek Avgolemono Chicken soup (Egg-Lemon)
People who are casual cooks or lovers of gourmet food get to ask questions, discuss preparation,
and come away with fabulous recipes that you can try at home. And, everyone gets to have a taste!
For more information about this Bloomingdale’s event, contact 312.324.7678.
My Private Chef is enjoying popularity as one of Chicago’s favorite private gourmet dining services. Trained in European-style fine cuisine, Chef Tong established his reputation at fine restaurants and hotels in Florida, California, and Chicago. Now he has adapted his impressive skills to the world of private entertaining. My Private Chef offers enticing cuisine for a wide range of events, from intimate dinners to weddings to corporate parties.
Chef Chris says: “Every event is different and I’ve met some wonderful people including many celebrities. Being part of very special occasions makes my work worthwhile. I also love conducting cooking demonstrations where I get the feeling that audience members will go home and try some new dishes!”
For more information about My Private Chef, contact Event Services at 773.370.8131
or visit our web site: www.myprivatechef.net
Valentines Dinner in Boystown
Valentines Day is ALMOST HERE! Don’t be left without a reservation!
2 of our favorite restaurants in Lakeview / Boystown are offering a special
Prix fix dinner….
REVOLUCION and EL MARIACHI
BRUNCH EVERY WEEKEND at BOTH LOCATIONS!