03.15 Food Delivery by boiMAGazine & boiMAG.com

3700 N. Halsted St. #2-S Chicago, IL 60613 773.975.0264 Editorial: boieditorial@aol.com Advertising: boiads@aol.com

EDITORIAL Mike Macharello: Publisher Rick Karlin: Editor

layout & design Titanium Graphics, Inc.

advertising Freddie: freddie@boiMAG.com Dave: dave@boiMAG.com National, Rivendell Media: sales@rivendellmedia.com

photographerS Eamonn Sexton Ken Brown, KAB Photography

COVER Food Delivery art design; /T.G.

editorial contributors Gregg Shapiro, Parker Carr Sue Deaunym, Anita Taylor, Michael Elder

boiMAG

When you just can’t face another trip out into the cold and snow, and your cupboard’s bare, it’s time to order out. In the bad old days, your options were pretty limited; pizza, Chinese or a sandwich from the diner down the street. Now, with Internet delivery sites such as GrubHub, Seamless and DeliveryWow offering delivery running the gamut from high-end restaurants to tiny ethnic spots, there’s no excuse to get stuck in a rut. Go for something interesting, or an exotic cuisine that’s become a favorite. The following spots all offer delivery, either with its own drivers or in conjunction with an on-line service. The next time you’re yearning for something, check out these options: Wrigley BBQ will satisfy your jonesing for BBQ in the middle of winter. Top level restaurateur Jack Jones (Jack’s on Halsted) decided to try something more casual and we’re all better off for it. Good quality BBQ is not cheap, so the fact that Wrigley BBQ offers platters and combos in the $10-$15 range is remarkable. www.wrigleybbq.com boiMAG

Noon O Kabab delivers terrific Persian fare with a modern twist. The delivery fee depends on your location; north side runs about $2; downtown $10. There is a $15 order minimum. www.noonokabab.com/ Cemitas Puebla is a family owned restaurant specializing in the cuisine of Puebla, Mexico. Its signature dishes are sandwiches served on distinctive sesame covered rolls that are baked on site each day. Between the West Loop and the original Humboldt Park location delivery should be easy. www.cemitaspuebla.com The Lao restaurants are not your neighborhood chop suey joint. For top quality authentic Chinese you can’t do better than Tony Hu’s eateries. In addition to his numerous Chinatown spots, he also has restaurants in the South Loop, Uptown, River North, Evanston and Downers Grove, so getting your dumpling or noodle fix should be no problem. www.tonygourmetgroup.com (continued on page 9)

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Coast Sushi delivers from all three of its locations; Bucktown, South Loop and Evanston, so you should have no trouble finding one to deliver to your place. www.coastsushibar.com

Uptown, its massive delivery area runs from Montrose to 16th St. and Pulaski to the lake, and if you’re out of bounds they’ll negotiate a delivery with you. www.irazuchicago.com

Rangoli will start that fire and yearning you have for Indian food. If you are a little timid, the Humboldt Park neighborhood spot will alter its traditional Indian menu to anything from light heat to very spicy. www.rangolifeast.com

Semiramis owner and chef, Joseph (ZouZou) Abraham, brags that his is the best Lebanese food in Chicago and I’m inclined to agree with him. His Albany Park spot offers made-to-order Middle Eastern cuisine that is healthy and delicious. Try the whole roast chicken; it arrives wrapped in lavash, which serves to keep it fresh, warm and juicy. www.semiramisrestaurant.com

11 City Diner is for when you’ve got a craving for some good Jewish deli food. It will package up a corned beef on rye or some matzo ball soup from its South Loop location. Delivery area: Lake St. (200 N.) down to Cermak, Wells to the Lake. The Lincoln Park location does not deliver, but does offer takeout. www.elevencitydiner.com Crisp, in Lakeview, specializes in Korean fried chicken and healthy one bowl meals called Buddha Bowls. Both are available for delivery. With a delivery area that ranges from the lake to 2000 Damen and North Ave. to Irving Park, you can easily get your fix of fare, healthy or not. www.crisponline.com Ed’s Potsticker House offers a vast menu of Chinese-American and dim sum as well as more exotic dishes. Delivery area: 300 N. to 50th St. on the south. They have a $20 minimum and delivery costs range, but for downtown, it could be anywhere from $6 to $8 www.potstickerhouse.com Irazu features Costa Rican cuisine and has been being served by the Cerdas– Salazar family for 25 years. Similar in many way to Mexican fare, although less spicy, the comforting dishes are reasonably priced (full dinners for less than $15, vegetarian options for less than $10). Straddling Logan Square and

Wildfire is perfect when the winter weather brings out the carnivore in you and nothing will satisfy like a thick steak. If you’re got vegetarians or those looking for lighter fare, Wildfire can accommodate them too with its vast menu. With locations all over the Chicago area, you’ll find one that delvers to you. www.wildfirerestaurant.com 90 Miles, named for the distance from the U.S. to Cuba, serves some of the best and most authentic Cuban cuisine in town. Both locations in Bucktown and Logan Square deliver, and the minimum order is $20. www.90milescubancafe.com Golden Nugget with locations around the city prepare food for pick-up. Golden Nugget’s numerous locations make it easy to pop out and pick up a stack of pancakes. www.goldennuggetpancake.com The Edge offers a wider variety of fare, now has delivery from 11am-9pm and how can you not love a place that serves rainbow cupcakes during Pride Month? boiMAG

By Rick Karlin

Whether you speak Cantonese and say it “Gong Hey Fat Choy” or Mandarin and say "Xin Nian Yu Kuai", it’s time to wish everyone a Happy Chinese New Year on Thursday, Feb. 19th. In China the first three days of the New Year are statutory holidays. Traditionally three more days are always added to make it a weeklong event. Chinese New Year is a time for families to gather, similar to Thanksgiving in the U.S. Because red is considered a lucky color, many homes are decorated with red paper lanterns. Red gift envelopes are also exchanged. The New Year's Eve dinner is called Reunion Dinner, and is believed to be the most important meal of the year. Certain foods are served at this meal because of their symbolic meanings. Fish is a must for Chinese New Year as it is very similar to the Chinese word for bounty, ensuring plenty of food for the upcoming year. The shape of a Chinese dumpling is similar to ancient Chinese money, and many Chinese people believe eating dumplings during the New Year festival will bring more money and wealth for the coming year.

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Setting off firecrackers and fireworks and performing the dragon dance are both traditional ways to ward off evil spirits and ensure a safe year ahead. The holiday’s date changes from year to year as it is based upon the Chinese lunar calendar. The Chinese lunar calendar is associated with the Chinese zodiac, which has 12 animal signs. Unlike the traditional zodiac in which signs change on a monthly basis, the Chinese zodiac is based upon a 12 year rotation, with animals representing each year. The animals are rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat or sheep, monkey, rooster, dog, and pig. This is the year of the sheep, although in some areas the symbol of a goat is used. With one of the largest Chinatowns in North America, Chicago is home to a vibrant Chinese community that celebrates its rich cultural traditions with gusto. Holidays are particularly festive and Chinese New Year is undoubtedly one of the biggest. The holiday is also shared by other Asian communities and there are plenty of opportunities to join the celebration. (more on page 13)

Sheep as the procession travels north along Wentworth from 24th Pl. up to Cermak Rd. Along the way don't miss Monday, Feb. 16 - Thursday, Mar. 5 the marching bands, floats, traditional A unique light and sound installation dragon and lion dance performances, a brightens up the street planter displays 100-foot long paper dragon and more. on State between Lake and Van Buren, creating vivid patterns of color Chinese New Year Lantern choreographed to music in celebration Festival at Navy Pier of the Chinese New Year. Sunday, March 1 at noon. Crystal Gardens are transformed Argyle’s Lunar New Year Parade The into a festive Chinese marketplace filled Saturday, Feb. 21 at 1 p.m. with local vendors, craftsman, and an Festive parade floats and colorful lion impressive display of dance, music, and and dragon dancers make their way martial arts. through Uptown's Little Viet Nam. Firecrackers start the celebration before Asians and Friends Chicago the parade kicks off in front of the Hip Hosts a Celebratory Dinner Sing Association (1121 W. Argyle St.). The procession will head east on Argyle Saturday., February. 28 Ave., turn south onto Sheridan Rd. for Will be at the Phoenix Restaurant, 2131 one block before turning back down S. Archer in Chinatown. The evening Ainslie Ave. to Broadway. begins with a cocktail hour at 6:30 p.m., followed by a sit-down, multi-course Chinese New Year Parade dinner. Designer Kevin Vong, who mentored “Project Runway” contestant Sunday, Feb. 22 at 1 p.m. Alexander Knox, will host a fashion Hosting more than 30,000 attendees show to honor the wool clothing that annually, the big parade takes place sheep give to mankind. For more in the heart of Chinatown. Join the crowds in celebration of the Year of the information, go to www.afchicago.org. boiMAG 13

Chinese New Year Lightscape on State Street

Motor Mouth

TWO FOR THE ROAD By Parker Carr

Since I spent another Valentine’s Day without a husband, I binge watched some of my favorite movies. I was surprised how many of them featured couples driving along a coastal highway in a twoseater sports car. Cary Grant and Grace Kelly motor through Monaco in “To Catch a Thief” and Audrey Hepburn and Albert Finney in “Two for the Road”, also romantic. Honor Blackman and Sean Connery in “Goldfinger” (at least that one ends badly). A pair of lovers in a two-seater roadster is always alluring. It says to the world that all you need is each other. I already have a list of cars picked out, now all I need is a boyfriend in the passenger seat.

The 2015 Chevy Corvette Stingray, with a 6.2-liter V-8 making 460 hp and 465 lb-ft of torque, offers a choice of an eightspeed automatic transmission or 14 boiMAG

the standard seven-speed manual. Offered as a targa or convertible, the luxurious interior adds to the feeling of comfort. MSRP $54,995

The 2015 Jaguar F-type offers sharp handling and gorgeous styling whether you opt for the coupe or convertible. A supercharged 3.0-liter V-6 cranks out 340 hp in the base model, S models get you 20 more hp. The rear-wheel-drive version has a sixspeed manual, while the new allwheel-drive has an eight-speed automatic as standard. MSRP $65,925 I can't decide which Porsche, I'd rather own, the 2015 Porsche Boxter has a flat-six engine mounted behind the driver, with three engine choices: a 265-hp, 2.7liter; a 315-hp, 3.4-liter S; and a 330-hp, 3.4-liter GTS. The sixspeed manual is standard, while a seven-speed automatic is offered. MSRP $52,395 The 2015 Porsche Cayman has nearly perfect weight distribution which ups performance. Three flat-sixes are offered: a base 275-hp, 2.7-

liter; a 325-hp, 3.4-liter in the S, and a 340-hp 3.4-liter for the GTS. A six-speed manual is standard; a seven-speed automatic is available. MSRP $53,595 Who doesn’t love a sexy Italian with French flair? Until Gilles Marini sweeps me off my feet, I’ll go for the 2015 Alpha Romeo 4c. The mid-engine coupe is powered by a 237-hp turbo four and weighs in at a trim 2470 pounds. The powerto-weight ratio adds oomph and its adaptable steering makes it a joy to drive, even though it only

comes in a six-speed automatic. A convertible version goes on sale this summer. MSRP $55,195 - $69,695 As lovely as they are, the cars above are a little out of my price range, but since I’m dreaming about Gilles Marini why not with cars? In reality, I’m more likely to get a 2016 Mazda Miata when it debuts this summer. For about half the price of the other cars, I can still get 167-hp, 2.0-liter four-cylinder with a five- or six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic, and a choice of a rag-top or a retractablehardtop. MSRP $24,790

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FIT TIPS

GETTING TO THE CORE OF IT

By Michael Elder

Hanging Knee Raises

“I want the V!” This is a phrase that I have heard many times over the years from prospective clients when they talk to me about their goals. A set of chiseled abs is always high on the priority list. When it comes to training your abs, hanging knee raises remain one of the most popular and effective exercises in gyms and health clubs around the world. This exercise targets the entire rectus abdominus muscle while particularly focusing on the lower fibers (which tend to be underused in our daily lives). This exercise can either be performed with a hanging straight arm or with your arms in a pair of slings. I will be focusing on the traditional straight arm hanging version. Avoid allowing the body to swing back and forth. Keep your torso as still and stable as possible. Do not jerk your legs up. Instead, contract your core musculature to generate movement. Avoid hyperextending the lower back. Your spine should remain flat and neutral throughout the movement. Do not shrug your shoulders. Force them down and back to recruit your lats and make it less stressful on the shoulder joint. When done properly, you will feel a strong burn throughout your abdomen, especially in the lower fibers. People who do specifically want to acquire that “V” look should definitely include this exercise in their arsenal. It will feel challenging but the results are far worth it!

To perform the exercise:

Grab a pull- up bar with a shoulder-width overhand grip, making sure your arms are completely straight and your feet are off the ground. This is your starting position. Brace your core and use your abs to raise your knees toward your shoulders. Pause when the tops of your thighs reach your chest. Return to the starting position.

Michael Elder has been working as a fitness professional in Chicago for the last fifteen years. He comes from a background in gymnastics and is certified as a personal trainer through the American Council on Exercise (ACE). He can be contacted directly through his website, www.MichaelElder.com.

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Screen Savor: Oh, Dear By Gregg Shapiro There’s been more than a little bit of fuss made over Selma director Ava DuVernay, an African-American woman, being overlooked for an Oscar nomination. Truth be told, there ought to be the same amount of fuss being made over Justin Simien, an out, gay African-American man being overlooked for a Best Director Oscar. Homophobic and racist much, Hollywood? It might seem strange to see Dear White People and Selma being discussed in the same place, but they have much in common, particularly in the way that both films address race issues and relations. But Dear White People does it in a much more creative, non-traditional and effective way. Set on the Ivy League campus of Winchester University, where diversity issues plague the student body and faculty alike, Dear White People is the best movie Spike Lee never made. Unassuming and undeclared gay sophomore Lionel (Tyler James Williams) is about to get more attention than he can handle. A writer who has caught the attention of George (Brandon Alter), the gay editor of the school newspaper, Lionel gets the assignment of a lifetime. The question is whether or not he can navigate the treacherous social network and get the story he needs.

Here’s who he’ll have to contend with. There’s homophobic Kurt (Kyle Gallner), the son of the school’s president. Sophomore and econ major Coco (Teyonah Parris), about whom there is “nothing ‘hood,” who would love nothing more than to get a part in a reality show being cast on campus. In the meantime, her vlog gets her plenty of attention. Junior Troy (Brandon P. Bell), who is running for office in student elections, isn’t just majoring in poli-sci, he’s also the son of Dean Fairbanks (Dennis Haysbert), who is grooming Troy for a future brighter than his own. Biracial Samantha (Tessa Thompson) defeats ex-boyfriend Troy in the election and also hosts the popular radio show Dear White People. It should also be noted that she is sleeping with her white T.A. Gabe (Justin Dobies). What makes this cast of characters, and the story in which they appear, both remarkable and entertaining is the way that Simien makes us laugh and think right from the start. That’s quite an achievement at a time when tensions are high on the subject of race, as well as gay issues. Blu-ray/ Digital HD special features include director commentary, deleted scenes and outtakes, a featurette, a music video, parody and much more. boiMAG 21

QMUSIC

Two Many By Gregg Shapiro

Add the names Alecia Moore (aka Pink) and Dallas Green (aka City and Colour), recording as You+Me, to the list of musicians pairing up to create new and exciting partnerships such as She + Him (Zoe Deschanel and M. Ward), The Both (Aimee Mann and Ted Leo), Jenny and Johnny (Jenny Lewis and Johnathan Rice), and the Under The Covers series masterminds Susannah Hoffs and Matthew Sweet. You+Me’s first album, co-produced by the duo, is the bare-bones acoustic set Rose Ave. The nine original, other than the lovely cover of Sade’s “No Ordinary Love”, cocompositions flatter the pair’s voices, while also allowing both vocalists plenty of room to excel, especially on “Love Gone Wrong.” If there’s a complaint, it’s that too many of the songs sound the same, as if you are listening to one long song. Easily one of the best albums by a duo in 2014, the eponymous debut by Sylvan Esso. Coming across like a less zany tUne-yArDs, Sylvan Esso still has its flights of fancy. Check out the “Hanky Panky” interpolation in “Coffee.” What they do best, however, is rev up the rapidly stagnating electro sound with jagged beats and unpredictable keyboard tricks. These skills are put to good use on “Hey Mami,” “Dreamy Bruises,” “Dress,” “Play It Right” and especially “H.S.K.T.” Don’t sit there, dance!

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New Zealand brother and sister duo Broods, made up of Georgia and model-handsome Caleb Nott, make their debut with Evergreen. Produced by Joel Little (of Lorde fame), the album is, as you might have gleaned from the name, on the broody side. That’s not a criticism, just a statement of fact. “Sober” and “Bridges” recall Imogen Heap, while “Killing You” is reminiscent of The xx. For the most part, the sibs have an original sound, which comes through on “Mother & Father,” “L.A.F.,” “Four Walls” and “Superstar.” Perhaps the most distinctively different duo in this column, glampsych twosome Foxygen pin the tail of the 1970s on the 21st century’s ass with the double disc epic …And Star Power. Reminscent of The Flaming Lips (who can be heard on the track “Everyone Needs Love”) as well as Of Montreal (who just happen to be present on “Cold Winter/Freedom” and “Star Power, Pt. 3: What Are We Good For”) and numerous other influences, ranging from garage rock to power pop, …And Star Power is a time commitment that might be overwhelming to the casual listener. However, the rewards are plentiful. In case Foxygen isn’t experimental enough for your taste, influential duo Mecca Normal (writer/ vocalist Jean Smith and musician David Lester) have returned with Empathy For The Evil, its first new recording in almost 10 years. Literary, in a way similar to Patti Smith, the Empathy For The Evil song cycle consists of nine songs “directly out of two (more on page 24)

novels” by (Jean) Smith. Not having read On its stellar second album Passerby, the books, it’s difficult to say whether or Aussie duo Luluc not that has an effect on the way these does a flawless job songs are experienced. As songs on an of recreating retro album, they do have the ability to stand acoustic folk with on their own, especially shorter cuts st a 21 century sensibility, you can such as “One Man’s Anger,” “Art Was The hear in songs such as theas “Flawless Great Leveler” and “Wasn’t Said.” Heart,” “Small Window,” the title cut and “Reverie On Norfolk Street.” It’s On its debut disc Soft Friday, mixedAbout Us (SYCO/Columbia), by TV talent gender Brit duo Coves wears its show winning duo Alex & Sierra, prove `60s influence on its paisley sleeves. that sometimes the people who take Listening to the disc, you can just home the prize are actually deserving imagine the candlelight reflecting off of it. SPC ECO (pronounced Space Echo), featuring Dean Garcia (of Curve of Rebekah Wood’s iridescent lipstick fame) and vocalist Rose Berlin, revive and her Michelle Phillips-blonde hair, the shoegaze tradition on Sirens and her suede fringe jacket in motion, as she sings song such as “Last Desire” and Satellites (Saint Marie), with the help of friends, and they’re not afraid to “Cast A Shadow,” whereas John Ridgard some throw in a dance beat (as they do on takes the lead “Bad Kick To The Heart.” “Delusional Waste”) when necessary.

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Chicago's

in the know ... ON THE GO!

By Sue Deaunym

Hot Topics

Everyone is abuzz with the news that LKH Management, the team behind Hydrate, Elixir, Replay and Halsted’s, will open two bars in Andersonville this summer. The team is opening outposts of two of its Boystown spots in the trendy neighborhood. Replay Andersonville will be located at 5368 N. Clark, just south of Hamburger Mary’s while Elixir Lounge Andersonville will be located at 1507 W. Balmoral, around the corner in the same building, which has just undergone a massive renovation. The Andersonville Elixir location will serve small plate dining options to complement the craft cocktail program. Both bars will also feature outdoor space. This is the first time that Chicago will have two branches of a gay bar in operating in different locations simultaneously.

A Passion for Fashion

Cupid’s Treasures holds its first fashion show on Friday, Feb. 20. It’s going to be very chi-chi with hors d’ oeuvres and champagne, but not so chi-chi that they won’t have go-go dancers… Speaking of fashion, everyone loves the red carpet during the Oscars which airs Saturday Feb. 22. Center on Halsted’s “On the Red Carpet” Academy Awards party starts at 6:30 at Park West… Sidetrack kicks things off on Oscar Day with show tunes from 4-7, followed by the telecast with CircuitMom as hostess... Of course, the best fashions are left on the floor as “The Tease”, Chicago House’s burlesque event from producers Keith Elliott and Todd Kiech (Dance For Life and Chicago Takes Off) takes place at Moonlight Studios on in Saturday, Feb. 2.

Ooops!

I made a mistake in giving the date to Chicago Gay Men’s Chorus’ “Don’t Tell Mama” - The Music of Kander & Ebb” cabaret show. I transposed a couple of numbers (lesson learned, never write a column with a hang-over), so here’s the correct info: The folks from CGMC show off their individual talents (no, not those talents!) in a themed cabaret show on Tuesday, Feb. 24, at the Laugh Factory and on Saturday, Mar. 7, at the Mayslake Peabody Estate, 1717 W. 31st St., Oak Brook. For tickets go to www.cgmc.org/ event/2015/winter-cabaret.

Hot Tickets

Forget the groundhog, you can tell if spring is coming in Chicago by the number of new productions of plays opening. The following shows are either opening or still running hits… Marriott Lincolnshire trots out the perennial, favorite, “La Cage aux Folles”… “The Glass Protégé” at Theater Wit takes place in 1949 Hollywood where a naive young actor embarks on a scandalous love affair with his famous male co-star… About Face’s “A Kid Like Jake” continues its successful run at The Greenhouse Theater Center... Pride Films and Plays presents the Chicago premiere of “Angry Fags”, written by Topher Payne, at Steppenwolf Theatre Company’s Garage. The company is enjoying so much success with “The Book of Merman”, that they’re moving it from Mary’s Attic to Apollo Theater Studio… Oscar Wilde’s “The Importance of Being Earnest” continues its run at Ruth Page Center for the Arts… “Accidentally like a Martyr”, which takes place in a dive-y gay bar on Manhattan’s lower east side, open at A Red Orchard Theatre. In the play different generations and backgrounds collide, secrets are revealed, and old wounds are torn anew.

Food For Thought

Will Whole Foods really abandon boystown? Is there a Big Jim's coming? boiMAG 29

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