Make It Better - May/June 2018

P O W E R F U L. P O S I T I V E. C O N N E C T I O N S.

CH I C AG O A N D B E YO N D

Dining THE

ISSUE

#THE LIFE WE SHARE T EAM WORK M AKES TH E DR EAM WOR K

I N TR O DUCI NG TH E LATEST BR EAKT HROUGH IN OUR QUEST FO R BETTER Northwestern Medicine is proud to introduce the latest breakthrough in our quest to bring world-class care closer to where you live and work. The new Lake Forest Hospital. Anchored by the #1 hospital in Illinois, you have access to the highest-ranked Cardiology, Neurology and Oncology programs in the state. * More than a hospital, it’s part of an integrated, academic health system.

Because what makes us better, makes you better.

nm.org/lfh Northwestern Memorial Hospital by U.S. News and World Report, 2017-2018

*

Contents

MAY/J U NE 2018

48

Features

56 In Good Taste An inside peek at the most decadent tasting menus in the city.

6 M AY/J U N E 2018 M A K E IT B E T T E R

TODD ROSENBERG

48 It Takes Two The talented husbandand-wife teams behind five of Chicago’s hottest restaurants.

NATIONAL

K AR ASTAN MONTH LOW E S T P R I C E S O F T H E S E A S O N O N S A L E N OW T H R O U G H J U N E 4 T H

Featuring Woven Boucle carpet by Karastan

You make it home, we make it beautiful.

Contents Your Chicago

36 Q+A Artist Sibylle Szaggars Redford on saving the planet through art.

38 Conversation Chef Stephanie Izard dishes on motherhood.

42 Reading List Summer’s hottest cookbooks.

44 Gift Guide Mother’s and Father’s Day presents your VIPs will love.

46 Finance An Insider’s Guide to Cryptocurrency.

Destinations 63 Go A culinary tour of the country’s most delicious destinations.

Out & About

96

38

71 Calendar Things to see and do in Chicago and beyond.

76 Theater Editor’s picks: the hottest shows in town.

78 Dining Guide The very best restaurants around.

84 Flavor Ravinia’s new dining options.

87 Better Makers Incredible community champions.

Chicago Home

63

93 Backstory Inside the dream kitchen of a local food writer.

96 Style Highlights from Christie’s Rockefeller auction.

IN EVERY ISSUE 14 Editor’s Letter 18 POV 22 Impact, Amplified 26 New in Town 29 Connect 98 Reflections FOOD PORN A gorgeous dish from Acadia’s tasting menu: Spanish Octopus, Anson Mills cream peas in its own liquid, olive gel, and piri piri. For more, turn to page 56.

8 M AY/J U N E 2018 M A K E IT B E T T E R

93

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: LUCY HEWITT; EMMER AND RYE; ANDREW MILLER; NEIL BURGER

31 Currents Cool drinks, farmer’s markets, and patios.

MAY/J U NE 2018

The Datejust 41 The new generation of the essential classic, with a new movement and design that keep it at the forefront of watchmaking.

It doesn’t just tell time. It tells history.

oyster perpetual DATEJUST 41

rolex

oyster perpetual and datejust are ÂŽ trademarks.

MAKEITBETTER.COM

FOUNDER & CHIEF VISIONARY OFFICER Susan B. Noyes

Editorial EDITOR IN CHIEF Brooke McDonald EXECUTIVE EDITOR Cara Sullivan DIGITAL MANAGING EDITOR Anna Carlson DINING EDITOR Julie Chernoff EDITORIAL INTERN Macon Bianucci COPY EDITOR Cynthia Rubin CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Amber Gibson, Robert Loerzel, Kari Lydersen, Danielle McLimore, Nicole Schnitzler, Joshua Streckert

Art ART DIRECTOR Tonya Sutfin DESIGNER Brian Von Kaenel PHOTOGRAPHER Todd Rosenberg

Connect With Us GOT FEEDBACK? susan@makeitbetter.com WANT TO ADVERTISE? michellemorris@makeitbetter.com HAVE AN EVENT? anna@makeitbetter.com

SOME VIEWS ARE BE T TER THAN OTHERS

MAKE IT BETTER MEDIA GROUP INCLUDES

S A N F R A N C I S C O | M A R I N | N A PA | S O N O M A

Ma ke It B et t er Nor t h Shore ( IS SN No. 2151- 0 431) i s pub l i s h e d 6 t i m e s p er y e a r b y M a k e It B e t t er L L C , 2 0 3 N . L a S a l le S t r e e t , S u i t e 2 1 0 0 , C h i c a g o I L 6 0 6 0 1 . P h o n e : 8 4 7. 2 5 6 . 4 6 4 2 .

C opy r ig ht 2 018 by M a ke It B et t er L L C . A l l r ig ht s r e s er ve d .

WWW.M A R I A N I L A N D S C A P E . COM

847-234-2172

Application to Mail at Periodicals Rates is pending at Chicago, IL and add itiona l ma i ling of f ices. POSTM A STER : Send add ress cha nges to: Ma ke It Bet ter, 203 N. La Sa l le Street , Su ite 2100, Ch icago IL , 60601. Make It Better is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Of fice. Copy right 2018 by Ma ke It Better LLC. A ll rights reser ved.

Mariani_0518_FNL.indd 1

10 M AY/J U N E 20 18 M A K E IT B E T T E R

4/16/18 9:11 AM

“We’re surrounded by top-notch hospitals. I

found the kind of timely, expert cancer care I

”

wanted at CTCA®.

Liv Arnold Breast Cancer Patient Grayslake, IL

Proud to be the only Certified Quality Breast Center of Excellence in Illinois* TM

When I was diagnosed with breast cancer, I wanted a team of experts who focused on my specific cancer. And there had to be a sense of urgency. The specialists at the Breast Center at Cancer Treatment Centers of America® moved fast, explained all my options and took care of every aspect of my treatment. I let the team focus on my cancer because they knew I had other things to focus on—like my family and getting back to my life.

To schedule an appointment, call 800.950.2822 or visit cancercenter.com/chicago Now in two locations: Suburban and Downtown Chicago No case is typical. You should not expect to experience these results. *Source: NQMBC, 2017 © 2018 IPB

MAKEITBETTER.COM

PUBLISHER Michelle O’Rourke Morris

Advertising INTEGRATED SPONSORSHIP MANAGER Lindsay Stout SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Karen Martin Barbara Baisley Murray

Operations GROUP PUBLISHER Nikki Wood CHIEF OPERATING & PHILANTHROPY MARKETING OFFICER Sharon Krone CONTROLLER Sandy Tsuchida TECHNICAL ADVISOR Jennifer Speaker

Reader Services MAILING ADDRESS 203 N. LaSalle Street, Suite 2100 Chicago IL, 60601 PHONE 847.256.4642 SUBSCRIPTION INQUIRIES circulation@makeitbetter.com INTERNSHIP INQUIRIES / STORY IDEAS editorial@makeitbetter.com

Subscriber Services SUBSCRIPTIONS Rates are $14.95 for out-of-state subscriptions or free for Illinois subscribers. To subscribe, visit makeitbetter.com/subscribe/mag.

BULK ORDERS For information on bulk orders of Make It Better, please email circulation@makeitbetter.com

1346 Shermer Road 224.326.2412 www.juniperboutique.com Juniper_0518_FNL.indd 1

12 M AY/J U N E 20 18 M A K E IT B E T T E R

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Please send letters to editorial@makeitbetter.com.

Be sure to include your full name, city, state and phone number. Make It Better reserves the right to edit letters for clarity, length and style.

4/10/18 12:35 PM

C LAS S I C & F RE S H

We are Chalet, the North Shore’s leading landscape destination.

Discover how our unparalleled design expertise and unwavering committment to quality can blossom for your home.

3132 Lake Avenue, Wilmette, IL 60091 | 847-595-0111 | ChaletNurser y.com

Editor’s Letter

I

S THERE A N YTHING that brings

people closer than sharing a great meal? From the family dinner table to the business power lunch, fundraising gala, local soup kitchen or food pantry, when people come together for a meal, good things happen: Families are strengthened, deals brokered, missions solidified, souls nourished.

Make It Better readers have long come to us for our delectable dining content, painstakingly curated by our longtime dining editor, Julie Chernoff. I can’t begin to count the number of times readers have raved about the phenomenal meals Julie’s recommendations have steered them toward, nor

how many times a day her good-enough-to-eat descriptions of menu items make my mouth water. If you’re in the mood for a great meal, her dining guide on page 78 of this issue, as well as the dining section of makeitbetter.com (Julie’s annual “Best Brunch” and “Best Burger” roundups drop online this month!), will leave you spoilt for choice.

Our annual dining issue is one of our favorites (how could it not be?), and this one is extra special. For most of us, food and family go hand in hand—in our busy lives, meals often provide the one opportunity in our hectic days to slow down and catch up with loved ones. We love getting the back story on the brilliant chefs behind Chicago’s incredible food scene, so we wanted to learn more about how Chicago’s top chefs make time for their own families while they’re preparing incredible meals for ours.

We caught up with Top Chef and Chicago restaurant queen Stephanie Izard to hear how she juggles running three stratospherically successful restaurants, a new cookbook, and frequent TV appearances, while still managing to squeeze in plenty of quality time with her adorable 2-yearold, Ernie (p. 38). We also sat down with the unshakable husband/wife teams behind five show-stopping Chicago restaurants to learn how their relationships provide a rock-solid foundation for their culinary success (p. 48). And, because it’s not a dining issue without drool-worthy plates of food, turn to page 56 to feast your eyes on highlights from five of Chicago’s most stunning tasting menus.

Also not to be missed in this issue: Executive editor Cara Sullivan’s Mother’s and Father’s Day gift guides will leave you with no shortage of über-cool ways to show the moms and dads in your life how much they mean to you (p. 44); Hollywood royalty Robert Redford and his wife Sibylle Szaggars Redford channel their influence and artistry into impactful environmental activism (p. 36); and, if you’re feeling hungry for a weekend getaway, Julie is at it again to make sure every meal is a home run during a visit to four of her top foodie travel destinations (p. 63).

Trust me, if you’re not famished yet, you will be!

Brooke McDonald, Editor in Chief

MIB founder Susan Noyes and I strategize with Nikki Wood and Mimi Towle of Marin Magazine; my husband, kids and I unwind at our favorite local restaurant.

Fish in Sausalito, CA

14 M AY/J U N E 20 18 M A K E IT B E T T E R

Vistro in Hinsdale, IL

TOP: COLIN LYONS

MORE THAN JUST MEALS

Riley Baker Educational Consulting would like to congratulate our seniors on their acceptances.

American University (5) Arizona State University Auburn University (2) Babson College (2) Barnard College Boston College (7) Boston University Brandeis University Bucknell University Butler University (8) Case Western Reserve University (3) Chapman University Clemson University (3) Colby College Colgate University (2) College of Charleston (2) College of the Holy Cross (2) College of William & Mary College of Wooster Colorado College (2) Colorado State University Connecticut College Cornell University (3) Dartmouth College (2) DePaul University (5) Denison University (4) Dickinson College (7) Elon University (3) Emory University Fairfield University (2) Florida State University Fordham University (5) Furman University (2) George Washington University Georgetown University (3) Georgia Institute of Technology Gettysburg College High Point University (3) Illinois State University King’s College London (2) Indiana University (33) Iowa State University Our Services: College Consulting College List Development Essay Editing Application Review College Transfer Guidance Therapeutic Consulting Graduate School Personal Statements

Ithaca College Kalamazoo College Kenyon College Lafayette College (2) Lawrence University Lehigh University (2) Loyola Marymount University (2) Loyola University-Chicago Marquette University (5) McGill University Miami University of Ohio (13) Michigan State University (6) Middlebury College (3) Milwaukee School of Engineering Montana State University New York University (4) Northeastern University (3) Northwestern University Ohio State University (3) Pennsylvania State University (3) Princeton University Purdue University (5) Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Rice University Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology Santa Clara University (4) Scripps College Southern Methodist University (2) Stanford University Syracuse University Texas Christian University (5) Texas A&M University Tulane University (6) University of Alabama (3) University of Arizona (6) University of California-Santa Barbara (5) University of California-San Diego University of California-Los Angeles University of Colorado-Boulder (11) University of Connecticut (3) University of Dayton (6) University of Denver (13)

University of Edinburgh (2) University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (19) University of Illinois at Chicago University of Florida University of Georgia University of Iowa (13) University of Kansas (6) University of Maine University of Maryland-College Park (2) University of Miami (2) University of Michigan-Ann Arbor (14) University of Minnesota-Twin Cities (5) University of Mississippi (2) University of Missouri-Columbia (4) University of New Hampshire (6) University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (2) University of Notre Dame (3) University of Oregon (3) University of Pennsylvania (3) University of Pittsburgh (2) University of Richmond (4) University of Rochester University of San Diego (6) University of San Francisco University of South Carolina (2) University of Southern California (6) University of St. Andrews (2) University of Texas at Austin (2) University of Toronto University of Vermont (6) University of Virginia (2) University of Wisconsin-Madison (20) Vanderbilt University (2) Vassar College Villanova University (3) Wake Forest University Washington University in St. Louis (5) Williams College Wesleyan University Wittenberg University (2) Xavier University (5) Yale University

Riley Ba Baker er Educational Consulting 16 Green Bay Road, Winnetka, IL 60093 847.441.8687 www.rileybaker.com We are unique and so are you!

From personalized care to personalized medicine.

Healthcare for what’s next.

At NorthShore, we’re precisely tailoring your care. From simply taking the time to talk to integrating genetics as part of each patient’s primary care plan. We’re mapping your unique genetic profile to identify safer, more effective medications, and analyzing the DNA of tumors to target them more precisely. And we’re doing leading-edge research to predict, prevent and halt neurological disease.

At NorthShore, we’re here for you, now and for what’s next in your life.

northshore.org (847) 733-5707

P ROMOT I ON

LIFE-SAVING, LIFE-CHANGING CARE. EVERY DAY.

Whether you need a routine checkup or are suddenly faced with a serious medical condition, you want the best care for you and your family. NorthShore University HealthSystem is transforming healthcare, creating new approaches to improve everyday care and providing the latest treatments to handle major challenges.

NorthShore believes the best overall healthcare begins with advanced primary care. They’re personalizing care on a whole new level, integrating genetics as part of each patient’s care plan. Their primary care physicians now have the most advanced genetic screenings, and can use patients’ own DNA to identify risk factors and help detect the onset of diseases at their earliest, most treatable stages. And they’re creating personalized treatments based on patients’ genetic profiles.

ADVANCED CARE, TOP EXPERTS IN EVERY FIELD Whatever your health issue, NorthShore offers the specialized expertise you need. For cancer patients, they’re using nextgeneration DNA sequencers to analyze the genetic makeup of tumors and target them more precisely. Their cardiovascular specialists are performing leading-edge minimally invasive heart surgery and implanting the world’s smallest pacemakers.

NorthShore’s orthopaedic experts are advancing joint replacement and regenerating patients’ own knee cartilage to help them get back to healthy, active living. Their renowned neurological team is developing new treatments for epilepsy, offering promising clinical trials for Parkinson’s Disease and actually preventing the onset of Alzheimer’s.

RANKED HIGHEST FOR QUALITY CARE Recently, NorthShore received the 5-Star CMS Rating for quality care, the highest ranking in the federal government’s Hospital Compare program. Less than 10% of hospitals nationwide achieved the 5-star rating. All four NorthShore hospitals did. NorthShore has also been on IBM Watson Health’s Top 100 Hospitals list a record 19 years in a row. They’re the only Illinois hospital with this impressive track record. NorthShore’s nursing team is one of only 6% nationally to achieve the prestigious Magnet status for excellence in nursing. And NorthShore hospitals are among the top 5% of hospitals nationwide for clinical excellence, according to HealthGrades’ annual list.

Offering convenience for patients with more than 100 doctor’s offices and multispecialty facilities throughout Lake and cook counties, NorthShore is home to award-winning Evanston, Glenbrook, Highland Park and Skokie Hospitals.

To learn more call NorthShore University HealthSystem at (847) 733-5707 or visit northshore.org today.

POV D I S T I N G U I S H E D CRAFTSMANSHIP FOR

Your Letters

GENERATIONS

Home Run

Thank you for a great issue! Last year, my family relocated to the North Shore and I have enjoyed learning about the community and happenings through this publication. This issue in particular hit home as my home state was featured: Hawaii. You highlighted our favorite places to go on Oahu as locals. Kudos!

—MYAH MOORE IRICK

A New Look

As a faithful reader of Make It Better, I’ve always found the content to be relevant and engaging.

I was quite impressed with the new layout and design of the January/February issue. The images and readability flowed so nicely—it was a subtle yet impactful change. —LESLEY M. CHEERS, DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS AND PR, NAVY PIER

Giving Back

Rather than throw a party in recognition of our 50th year in business, Hester Painting & Decorating decided to give back by painting the interior of Maryville’s Center for Children, which houses the Crisis Nursery and the Children’s Healthcare Center. These two groundbreaking programs provide social services and medical care to children and families in need, and we wanted to help create a welcoming atmosphere. —STEVE HESTER, PRESIDENT, HESTER PAINTING & DECORATING

Read more at makeitbetter.com/hester

Corrections

In the March/April ’18 issue, we reported in “Chicago’s Eco-Champions” that Mike Abt’s father is the CEO of Abt. In fact, Bob Abt passed away in 2016, and Mike and his three brothers are co-presidents. We deeply regret the error.

r o c c o

f i o r e

&

s o n s

landscape architecture . site development . management 847 . 680 . 1207 www.roccofiore.com c e l e b r a t i n g

RoccoFiore_0518_FNL.indd 1

18 M AY/J U N E 2018 M A K E IT B E T T E R

o v e r

7 0

In the March/April ’18 issue, we neglected to include writer Nicole Schnitzler’s byline in Currents. Read her conversation with Chicago chef Stephanie Izard on page 38.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Your comments may be edited for clarity and brevity. Send letters to info@makeitbetter.com.

y e a r s

4/10/18 7:25 PM

Make your event part of history at a Chicago landmark.

Built in 1916 as part of Daniel Burnham’s famed Plan of Chicago, Navy Pier today has more to enjoy and experience than ever before. There’s only one thing missing: your event. Bring your celebration, exposition or conference to life on the lakefront in one of Navy Pier’s elegant and expansive event spaces.

Offering unparalleled amenities in a spectacular setting, this time honored location makes any occasion one for the history books.

Festival Hall exhibition space

Lakeview Terrace

170,000 square feet of functional space divisible into two halls

15,000 square feet with beautiful lake and city views

34 flexible meeting rooms

Plus, distinctive catering, exceptional service, on-site enclosed parking for 1,600 vehicles, and dozens of restaurants, shops and attractions to complete your Navy Pier experience.

Historic Aon Grand Ballroom 18,000 square feet with a spectacular view

navypier.org

BOOK YOUR EVENT TODAY 312.595.5300 | navypierevents@navypier.org

Aon Grand Ballroom

Festival Hall

FEASTING

THE FESTIVAL

JOIN RAVINIA FOR A NEW MENU OF

DINING EXPERIENCES

Create your entire meal or supplement the picnic you packed at Ravinia’s expanded market, which features grab-and-go food and drinks as well as these new hot-food stations: Fresh pressed paninis (including a vegetarian option) will bring you in, but you’ll be blown away by the array of deli salads that you’ll want to share with your friends on the lawn.

New this year, the Lawn Bar, on the first floor of Ravinia’s extensively rejuvenated dining pavilion, is destined to be the social hub of the festival. The Lawn Bar is actually two bars—one indoors and one outside—fully stocked with your favorite brands and signature drinks. Serving small-plate delectables such as marlin fish tacos, battered chicken sliders, and nachos at community tables, it’s the perfect place to meet your friends (or make new ones!) at the start of your Ravinia visit. No reservations needed.

This is not your typical concert-venue hamburger. Now 847 is more than just our area code, it is the name of our signature burger—8.47 ounces of fresh beef, grilled to perfection and topped with a fried pickle (and brisket, if you choose!).

“Micro-seasonal” is the magic word for Executive Chef Michael Tsonton as he keeps the menu ever changing at the new serveyourself Tree Top restaurant on the second floor of the Dining Pavilion. Delicious wine pairings will be suggested to match every course and every flavor experience as guests sample flavors from themed tables and carving stations. Enjoy alfresco dining on our covered Porch. Reservations are advised.

Always a crowd pleaser, our charcoal-fired pizza—with your choice of popular toppings (and a few surprises)—is the perfect postintermission boost to your picnic.

Forget Tuesdays, tacos are a daily feast at our authentic taqueria, also serving loaded guacamole and easyto-eat elotes.

People-watching is definitely on the menu at the Park View restaurant and bar, where plated entrees run the gamut from short ribs and steaks to seasonal pastas, and side dishes always promise a surprise or two. Make a meal of the assorted appetizers or festival salads. Desserts include Ravinia’s signature Cappuccino Crunch ice cream pie. Reservations are advised. Walk-ups welcome when available.

This is the real deal—slow cooked for over 20 hours, our new smoked brisket and chicken drumsticks come packed with flavor, but you can add even more with a choice of chef-made sauces. Don’t forget the jalapeño cornbread!

TURN YOUR TICKET INTO A PARTY

Hand-dipped ice cream served from carts around the park.

Discover how Ravinia can put the spotlight on your special celebration.

Call 847-266-5087 • groups@ravinia.org

JUN & JUL CONCERTS ON SALE MAY 8

AUG & SEP CONCERTS ON SALE MAY 10

®

.ORG

BOTTOM DECK. TOP DECK. ALL DECKED OUT.

Chicago’s First Lady Cruises offers everything you’ll need for a one-of-a-kind experience: best-in-class service, elegant interior salons, magnificent open-air city views, and more.

Choose from six unique, private yachts that perfectly suit your party’s needs.

CRUISECHICAGO.COM

|

847.358.1330

|

CHICAGO RIVERWALK

|

112 E. WACKER DRIVE

Impact, Amplified

The 6th Annual Philanthropy Awards:

Meet the Winners

E

ARTS AND EDUCATION

The Chicago Debate League

MACON BIANUCCI

VERY CHILD DESERVES a

good education, a safe, loving home, and adequate health care. Every adult honestly trying to overcome difficulties and succeed in life does, too. Many Americans believe this and want to help.

They pay their blessings forward by starting and supporting nonprofits that help accomplish these bold goals.

Six years ago, humbled and inspired by all of the incredible nonprofits in our community, we kicked off our annual Philanthropy Awards as a way to identify, elevate, and amplify these causes—and play matchmaker with the people who can help them succeed.

It’s a virtuous circle, and one that we’re honored to facilitate. To date, the Make It Better Foundation has recognized 34 organizations for their exceptional work; at this year’s celebration, we’ll proudly add three more such causes to our growing network.

Our 2018 recipients have demonstrated excellence in the categories of Arts and

Education; Human Services and Empowerment; and Social Justice. MIBF’s academy of judges—a vibrant community of esteemed venture philanthropists and thought leaders—selected the winners based on excellence, scalability, efficiency, leadership, and effectiveness. Not only will this year’s award recipients benefit from the invaluable support of these mentors, but they’ll also receive coverage across all Make it Better platforms, plus vital marketing training and networking opportunities.

The Make It Better Foundation most gratefully thanks our presenting sponsor Wintrust, our emcees at CBS 2 Chicago, the Kellogg Nonprofit Executive Education Team, and our generous award sponsors Robert and Joan Clifford (Arts & Education), Michael Rosengarden/ Autohaus on Edens (Social Justice), and Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Foundation in honor of pathways.org (Human

Services and Empowerment).

Now for the fun part. Here, without further ado, are this year’s incredible winners (drumroll, please)...

The Chicago Debate League was founded in 1995 to transform the lives of our city’s youth through the power of debate. Since partnering with Chicago Public Schools in 1997, CDL has been able to reach as many as 1,400 atrisk middle and high school students every year, offering them an incredible opportunity that wouldn’t otherwise be available in their communities. With a presence in 75 schools around the city, CDL has grown into the country’s largest and most successful urban debate league.

In addition to its proven academic benefits including higher GPAs, ACT scores, graduation rates, and college admissions, debate teaches important life skills like critical thinking, writing, and communication and fosters personal growth. “Our students tell us that debate helps build their self-esteem,” says CEO Edie Canter, a former debater herself. “It allows them to have a place to exercise

THANK YOU TO THE JUDGE S Lou Bank, Dolores Kohl Education Foundation Jeanne Bishop, Office of the Cook County (IL) Public Defender Andrewa Bussey, One Million Degrees Greg Cameron, The Joffrey Ballet Matt Doubleday, Wintrust Katherine Elmer-Dewitt, Academy for Global Citizenship Mindy Fauntleroy, Make It Better Foundation Nancy Gianni, GiGi’s Playhouse Down Syndrome

Achievement Centers Utica Gray, Fresh Start Caring For Kids Foundation Francee Harrington, Fifth Third Bank Jonathan Heuring, Snow City Arts Jane Jorgensen, Indiana University Foundation &

Women’s Philanthropy Leadership Council Sarah Kerndt, Pathways.org Sharon Krone, Make It Better Foundation Liz Livingston Howard, Kellogg Graduate School

of Management

22 M AY/J U N E 2018 M A K E IT B E T T E R

Maura Mitchell, Women’s Business Development Center Janet Myers, Metropolitan Planning Council Susan Noyes, Make It Better Foundation Cindy Rawlings, North Shore Community Bank and Trust Shawnelle Richie, CBS 2 Broadcast Center Michael Rosengarden, Autohaus on Edens Joi-Anissa Russell, James B. Moran Center for

Youth Advocacy Eftiola Tribecka, Housing Opportunities and Maintenance for the Elderly (H.O.M.E.) Sandy Tsuchida, Make It Better Foundation Neli Vazquez-Rowland, A Safe Haven Andrew Wade, BUILD Eric Weinheimer, Forefront Crystal Williams, The Siragusa Family Foundation Barbara Wolf, Invest for Kids Caren Yanis, Croland Consulting Laura Zumdahl, New Moms, Inc.

This page: CDL students prep for a debate. Opposite: A tournament winner can’t contain his excitement.

their voice and to be heard, and it makes them excited about learning.”

Today, the CDL manages all programming aspects of debate in CPS schools, including recruiting students, training educators, and running after-school programs, competitions, and tournaments. Since its inception, CDL has engaged a whopping 14,000 students in public policy issues, and many have gone on to become active civic participants after high school.

SUCCESS STORY: One of CDL’s alums is a young man who grew up on the South Side of Chicago. In high school, he described himself as insecure and shy with little motivation—until he started debate. “He completely blossomed! All of a sudden he was on the student council, the president of various clubs, and a tremendous leader in his school community,” says Canter. “He realized he had a voice.” His academic success instilled in him the confidence to apply to college, and he received a full tuition scholarship to the University of Kentucky for debate.

BY THE NUMBERS • $5 covers 5% of the cost of 1 CPS student to participate in debate for 1 year.

• 14,000 students have been reached since its inception.

• Debaters are 3 times more likely to graduate from high school and 80 percent more likely to graduate from college.

HUMAN SERVICES AND EMPOWERMENT

Mercy Housing Lakefront

Mercy Housing Lakefront is a nonprofit developer of program-enriched, affordable housing for people in need. Since its founding in 1986, MHL has made it its mission to help the chronically homeless, those with special needs, senior citizens, and at-risk families gain independence, thus creating stable, vibrant, and healthy communities.

“Even though ‘housing’ is literally our middle name, Mercy Housing Lakefront is not in the business of building buildings; we’re in the business of building healthy futures,” says CEO Mark Angelini. To achieve that goal, Mercy Housing provides its residents with quality housing as well as a comprehensive range of services, including health care and education, until they can support themselves and sustain a healthy lifestyle.

Thanks to a concerted effort to preserve housing after the 2008 financial crisis, Mercy Housing now provides affordable housing for over 8,000 individuals in Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin across 52 properties. In 2017, 85 percent of Mercy Housing residents maintained their housing despite many obstacles including addiction, mental illness, and low income.

SUCCESS STORY: When Edna was a resident at Mercy Housing, she revealed to her property manager her aspirations of becoming a baker.

Mercy Housing’s caseworkers helped her enroll in Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts. “There were challenges—this was a person who had a lot of tough breaks in life— but she met every one and blew past it,” says Angelini. “Though there were days when she wanted to give up and quit, she didn’t—and she graduated.” Today Edna lives in her own apartment, has a job in the food industry, and is still pursuing a career in baking.

BY THE NUMBERS • $5 allows a resident to take public transportation to a job interview.

• 2,900 MHL rental units are scattered throughout Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin.

• 4,111 residents call MHL properties home.

• 16,322 individuals have avoided homelessness thanks to MHL since 2008.

Top: Just two of the many women MHL helps support.

Bottom: A resident poses proudly in her apartment.

M A K E IT B E T T E R M AY/J U N E 2018 23

Impact, Amplified

Left: A successful Accion loan recipient gets to work in her salon. Right: A loan helped this entrepreneur bring fitness and nutrition to her community.

SOCIAL JUSTICE

Accion Chicago

Since its inception in 1994, Accion Chicago has helped communities grow by investing in entrepreneurs in Chicago’s most underserved neighborhoods. Through quality business training and affordable credit, Accion equips local entrepreneurs with the means necessary to establish successful small businesses that generate income and jobs in high-need areas.

36 full-time staff work closely in the communities they serve to combat obstacles, including violence and falling income levels.

“We work very hard to build trusted relationships in the neighborhoods we are most interested in serving, and those are particularly the West, Southwest, and South Sides of Chicago,” says CEO Brad McConnell.

According to McConnell, Accion is the most efficient way to help small business owners in these communities. Accion businesses survive at a rate of 96 percent two years after obtaining a responsible Accion loan, and in the past three years, Accion clients have produced 6,000 local jobs that have generated more than $87 million in local wages.

SUCCESS STORY: When returning citizen Jimmie Williams could not get a steady job because of his record, he decided to hire himself. He and his wife Tiffany built a thriving snowplowing and landscaping business in the South Side with the help of an Accion loan. Today, “he’s always eager to talk to anyone we send his way about how you can—even with a troubled background—create and run a thriving business and do so by hiring people from your own community and partnering with organizations like Accion, who will do things that traditional lenders would never do,” says McConnell.

BY THE NUMBERS • $5 provides an entrepreneur with 30 minutes of business coaching.

• 100 loans will create 300 jobs that will generate more than $5 million in local payroll in neighborhoods in need.

• 1 Accion loan creates between 3 and 5 jobs.

YOU’RE INVITED! Join us on May 9 as we fête the winners of our 6th Annual Philanthropy Awards at Wintrust’s Grand Banking Hall in Chicago. Reserve your spot for this inspiring evening at makeitbetter.com/orangecarpet MEE T ALL 37 WINNER S — INCLUDING THIS YE AR ’S TERRIFIC TRIO —AND LE ARN MORE ABOUT MIBF JUDGE S AT M AKE ITB ET TE R .COM /PHIL ANTH ROPYAWARDS

24 M AY/J U N E 2018 M A K E IT B E T T E R

POWER of Purple

SUNDAY

JUNE 10

GALLERIA MARCHET TI

825 W. Erie Street | Chicago, IL 60642 11 a.m. | Reception and Silent Auction 12 p.m. | Luncheon and Program

Get out your purple and join us for the inaugural benefit event for Illinois Women United Against Alzheimer’s!

This garden party luncheon will be a fun opportunity to celebrate and connect while empowering women in the fight against Alzheimer’s.

Emcee

Featuring Speakers Judy Hsu

Anchor of ABC7 Eyewitness News at 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Heather M. Snyder, Ph. D. Senior Director Medical & Scientific Relations Alzheimer’s Association

Elizabeth Gelfand Stearns Chair, The Judy Fund Co-Producer, Still Alice

To purchase TICKETS: ILALZWomen.org/events.asp or call 847.324.0359

New in Town MACON BIANUCCI

Flight Club

incorporates brew into every aspect of the meal. fiskandcochicago.com

› Dog Haus The L.A.-based chain is known for its gourmet take on hot dogs—and if there was ever a city to appreciate that, it’s Chicago. The menu at the Lincoln Park hub is loaded with their signature dogs, burgers, and fried chicken, all of it hormone- and antibioticfree, and they’ve got plenty of options for the vegetarian crew. doghaus.com

E ATS

› Flight Club London’s popular “social darts” entertainment concept just debuted its flagship U.S. location in Chicago. The twostory bar features craft cocktails and eats for groups of any size to enjoy while playing Flight Club’s specially engineered, multiplayer darts games. Planning a party? Look no further. flightclub.com

serves up crave-worthy meat-free options—we’re talking cheeseburgers, meatball subs, and chicken wraps that even full-on carnivores will want to get in on. veggiegrill.com Fisk and Co.

the delicious Euro fare to Chicago. Located in Kimpton’s Hotel Monaco, the trendy spot—complete with a showcase raw bar and impressive beer list—fully embraces the Belgian cuisine à la bière, a style of eating that

Ice Cream Chicago’s beloved ice cream shop opened its fifth location in Wrigleyville in April.

To honor its proximity to Wrigley Field, Jeni (a huge Cubs fan) is launching a limited-edition

› Royal Palms Chicago In April, Brooklyn’s famous shuffleboard club launched its second-ever location right here in Bucktown.

Anyone 21 and over (read: no kids allowed) can practice shuffleboard skills on one of the 11 courts, all while sipping tropical cocktails and sampling the nosh from a visiting food truck. royalpalmschicago.com

› Café Coralie Evanston’s Patisserie Coralie opened its second E-town location this spring, an extension of the original, where it will continue to celebrate

Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream

French culinary culture with a large selection of macarons, pastries, and viennoiseries in a Parisian café setting. lebistrobordeaux.com

› Kinship This chic culinary destination in Evanston features a market, Next of Kin, that offers buildyour-own breakfast, lunch, or dinner, an allday dessert and coffee bar, plus a restaurant, Kinship, that boasts upscale eats like chicken fried scallop shooters, and—wait for it­—honey butter waffle fries. nextofkinship.com

› Radio Anago

› Veggie Grill Calling all vegetarians: The largest vegan, plant-based chain in the U.S. has opened another convenient location in Chicago.

Just like its sister spots, this downtown location

› Jeni’s Splendid

flavor, Popcorn! Peanuts!, which “tastes like the American summer in every bite,” she says. jenis.com

› Fisk and Co. There’s a lot to love about Belgian cuisine (read: mussels, frites, and beer), and Fisk and Co. has made it its mission to bring

Café Coralie

The talented team behind Au Cheval and 3 Arts Club just debuted this slick River North sushi tavern, a dimly lit den with moody cocktails and a concise menu of rolls, nigiri, and other special Japanese dishes, like steamed pork buns and wagyu tartare. radioanago.com

New in Town is an ongoing bulletin on new businesses in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs. To be considered for future listings, email anna@makeitbetter.com.

26 M AY/J U N E 2018 M A K E IT B E T T E R

Diversity Creates Change At Morgan Stanley, a diverse, dynamic and inclusive culture underlies the success of our company. It widens our perspective, helps our employees achieve their professional objectives and allows us to better serve our clients. Our commitment to diversity and inclusion also garner accolades that consistently recognize Morgan Stanley amongst the top places to work for minorities, women, the LGBT community and diversity overall.

To find out more about career opportunities and to apply, visit ms.com/wealth/careers.

Morgan Stanley is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversifying its workforce (M / F / D / V). Š 2018 Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC. and Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC. Members SIPC.

CRC 2092318 05/18 CS 9226645 04/18

the LOOK P RO M OTI O N

20 NEW OUTFITS IN TWO HOURS The Wardrobe Remix service is perfect for the woman that needs new outfit ideas, wants helps packing or simply has too many clothes and “nothing to wear.”

DREAM YOUR DRESS TO LIFE

In the comfort of your home and using your existing wardrobe, Hanna styles and photographs 20 head-to-toe outfits in less than two hours.

Whether you’re a bride, mother of, or just want a spectacular gown to spruce up your wardrobe, Mira Couture is where dream dresses come true!

Browse through their collection of designer gowns or have their team of in-house designers and couture dressmakers vivify your inner fashionista.

Within a week, you’ll receive a private link to your customized app.

20 Outfits at your fingertips!

HANNA LEE STYLE

312.972.1814 hannaleestyle.com

MIRA COUTURE

1 East Delaware Place Mezzanine Level Chicago, IL 312.255.1699 miracouture.com

GET “SUMMER READY” WITH SCULPSURE SculpSure, is the latest Non-Invasive laser body contouring treatment that reduces stubborn fat in areas such as abdomen, love handles, thighs, and chin. Achieve a natural-looking slimmer appearance without surgery or downtime in just 25 minutes.

Schedule a complimentary consult with Dr. Fagman at EGEA Spa in Evanston.

Call 847.332.2772 EGEA SPA

1521 Sherman Ave Evanston, IL 847.332.2772 Dr. William Fagman M.D. egeaspa.com

28 M AY/J U N E 2018 M A K E IT B E T T E R

DON’T CUT CORNERS ON LINGERIE It’s a common misconception that bras don’t matter because they don’t show—but they do!

Not only are the straps often visible in summer, but the right fit can change the appearance of your entire silhouette. Come in for a fitting—the ultimate in comfort, style, coverage, and durability—and see how much lighter, peppier, and more confident you feel. Not only will we teach you how to care for your bras, but you’ll discover that there’s nothing as fantastic as a properly fitted bra.

CHANTILLY LACE

Plaza del Lago, Shop #8 1515 Sheridan Road Wilmette, IL 847.256.8077 c-lace.com

CONNECT WITH US TOP GRAM

Back in February, daydreams of warmer weather inspired us to track down Chicago’s best guacamole. You loved this pic of Big Star’s version of the dip, and now that spring is finally here­, we can all grab some chips and revisit the list—just in time for Cinco de Mayo: makeitbetter .com/guac Want your photo to be featured in print?

Tag us on Instagram @makeitbetterns

Top 5 Online Stories Right Now 1 42 of Chicago’s Top

the city while we were all

some pretty surprising

list is a guaranteed page-

Black Women of Impact

hibernating. Before you

symptoms. Read up

turner: makeitbetter

During Black History

make plans for Saturday

on the effects of a low

.com/beachbooks

Month we celebrated a

night, check them out at

z-count at makeitbetter

diverse group of women

makeitbetter.com/new

.com/sleepy

3 16 Scary Things That

4 9 of the Best Beach

Women in Need That

Happen to Your Body

Reads to Pack on

collection of unopened

When You Don’t Get

Vacation Imagine this:

hotel toiletries cluttering

Enough Sleep According

You’re lounging poolside,

up your medicine

to a study from the

piña colada in hand,

cabinet? The untouched

Centers for Disease

when you discover that

goody bag from your last

Control and Prevention,

the book you packed

dental visit? A women’s

2 18 New Chicago

more than a third of

for your trip is a terrible,

shelter will gladly take

Restaurants You Need

American adults aren’t

horrible snoozefest. Total

them off your hands. Find

on Your Radar Some

getting enough shut-eye

nightmare, but we’d

organizations near you

pretty incredible eateries

on a regular basis—and

never let that happen to

at makeitbetter.com/

opened in and around

the deprivation can cause

you: Every tome on this

donatebeauty

who are making Chicago and the surrounding TOP: EDOUARD PIERRE; BOTTOM: CIGDEMHIZAL

Dollar for Dollar

suburbs a better place.

Help us amplify their powerful voices at makeitbetter.com/ womenofimpact

5 Where to Donate Beauty Products to

In the spirit of philanthropic collaboration, we love to celebrate and promote matching grants of at least $10,000, like these: Chicago Botanic Garden, Janet Meakin Poor Scholarship Endowment Fund Grantor: Josephine P. and John J. Louis Foundation Leadership Greater Chicago $60,000 Challenge Grant to support civic leadership Grantor: LGC Board Learn more about these incredible opportunities to give back at makeitbetter.com/matchinggrants

M A K E I T B E T T E R M AY/J U N E 2 0 1 8 29

FANS AT THE CUBS RALLY AND PARADE With a crowd that big, it meant a sea of diehard Cubs fans and not a whole lot of non-believers. In fact, we see zero. Just like the amount you’ll pay in ATM fees with Cubs Checking.

PAY

ATM FEES WITH

CUBS CHECKING

Use any ATM nationwide and we’ll refund the fee!1 Only $100 required to open.

GET A $100 BONUS

2

when you open a new Cubs Checking account by 9/30/18 and enroll in e-statements and complete a direct deposit within the qualification period*

CHICAGO’S BANK

TM

Legacy Partner of the wintrust.com/cubs

Banker instructions: Enter offer code WFC00ADCC100

Banking products provided Wintrust Financial Corp. banks MasterCard is a registered trademark of MasterCard International Incorporated. Chicago Cubs trademarks and copyrights proprietary to Chicago Cubs. Used with permission. *The bank must receive the direct deposit for it to be “complete”. The “qualification period” is two consecutive calendar months following the month of account opening. 1. The bank does not charge its customers a monthly card usage fee.

No transaction charge at any ATM in the Allpoint, MoneyPass, or Sum surcharge-free networks. Other banks outside the network may impose ATM surcharges at their machines. Surcharge fees assessed by owners of other ATMs outside the network will be reimbursed. Reimbursement does not include the 1.10% International Service fee charged for certain foreign transactions conducted outside the continental United States. 2. Limit one per customer. Current Wintrust checking customers and employees of Wintrust Financial Corp. and its subsidiaries are ineligible. $100 deposit bonus is IRS 1099-INT reportable. $100 deposit bonus applies only to new Cubs Checking customers. $100 deposit bonus will be deposited into the Cubs Checking account within the subsequent calendar month following the qualification period.

Your Chicago T H E P E O P L E . T H E P L AC E S . T H E C AU S E S .

Sarah Grueneberg, Monteverde CHILI “My mom’s single-pot recipe—which used venison, wild boar, and brisket—was easy to pull off for a single working parent, and we could use it as Frito pie, on hot dogs and tostadas, and so on. The best part? It had no beans, and her secret ingredient was spicy V8.”

Ryan Pfeiffer, Blackbird CHICKEN PAPRIKASH “There was chicken, of course—but for us, it was all about my mom’s overcooked rice and broken sauce.

We couldn’t get enough of it, and it’s one of my fondest memories.”

Home Cooking

John Manion, El Che Bar and La Sirena Clandestina SPAGHETTI AND MEATBALLS “My mom likes to tell a story about how when she and my dad were dating, she made this dish for him.

Apparently, my dad was so impressed with her cooking, he put a ring on her finger within weeks. Every time she cooked that dinner for me as a kid, she reminded me of this special memory.”

In celebration of Mother’s Day, we asked some of the city’s top chefs to dish on their most beloved childhood meals.

NICOLE SCHNITZLER

Bill Montagne, Nico Osteria FRENCH TOAST “My grandma’s French toast was so warped that when she would cook it, only the corners of the French toast got any color—the middle was more like steamed. I would add a ridiculous amount of butter and powdered sugar to it, then mix it into a paste. She would suggest cereal and yogurt, both of which I would say no to, but her French toast always got my attention.”

GMVOZD

Iliana Regan, Elizabeth and Kitsune FRIED ZUCCHINI “My mom and I used zucchini from our garden, just picked and still warm from the sun. She dipped it in an egg wash and tossed it in flour with salt, pepper, cayenne, and garlic powder before shallow frying it in a skillet with butter. We didn’t even have to dip it in anything—it was perfect.”

M A K E IT B E T T E R M AY/J U N E 2018 31

Your Chicago / CURRENTS

Derby Drink: Julep Redux

MARKET DAZE

If there’s anything better than a warm afternoon spent wandering through a farmer’s market, sampling the goods and soaking up the sunshine, we don’t know what it is. As summer heats up, dozens of markets will sprout up around the city and the ’burbs—and these are the best of the best.

CHICAGO Andersonville Berwyn Ave. between Clark and Ashland, Wednesdays, May-August; 3pm-8pm; SeptemberOctober; 3pm-7pm Highlight: Gluten-free (though you’d never know it) baked goods from defloured Lincoln Park Green City Market, Armitage Ave. and Orchard St., Saturdays, June-October; 7am-1pm Highlight: Heavenly grilled cheese sandwiches from Gayle’s Best Ever Grilled Cheese

DEVEREAUX’S DON’T BE BITTER JULEP 3 oz wine blend 2 oz George Dickel #8 .5 oz orange syrup .25 oz Leopold Bros. Fernet Leopold Highland Amaro

5 mint leaves Directions: Add all ingredients to julep cup, muddle just enough to extract the oils from the mint leaves, and top with crushed ice.

Garnish with mint sprig.

Lincoln Square Lincoln & Leland Aves., Tuesdays, June-October; 7am-1pm, Thursdays, June-October; 4pm-8pm (4-7pm after Labor Day) Highlight: Incredible plums, peaches, and apples from Mick Klug Farm Logan Square Logan Blvd. between Milwaukee Ave. and Whipple St., Sundays, May-October; 10am-3pm Highlight: Fresher-than-fresh salad greens from Closed Loop Farms The Loop Daley Plaza, 50 W. Washington St., Thursdays, May-October; 7am–3pm Highlight: The beehive (bring the kids!)—and fresh honey—at Kress Apiary Streeterville Museum of Contemporary Art, 220 East Chicago Ave., Tuesdays, June-October, 7am-1pm Highlight: The museum! Tuesdays are free for Illinois residents West Loop Mary Bartelme Park, 115 S. Sangamon St., Saturdays, June-October; 8am-1pm Highlight: Truly eggcellent eggs from Alden Hills Organic Farms Wicker Park Damen Ave. between Schiller St. and Wicker Park Ave., Sundays, June-October; 8am-2pm Highlight: Windmill Ginger Brew, a delicious nonalcoholic drink-alone or mixer

32 M AY/J U N E 2018 M A K E IT B E T T E R

NORTH SHORE Evanston University Place and Oak Ave ., Saturdays, May-November; 7:30am-1pm Highlight: Homegrown Artists, a showcase of work by creative Evanstonians Glencoe Chicago Botanic Garden, Saturday and Sunday July 14 and 15, 10am-4pm Highlight: The grounds! There’s never been a better reason to stop and smell the roses Glenview 1510 Wagner Rd., Saturdays, June 24-October, 8am-12pm Highlight: The truly adorable barnyard animal parade on opening day Highland Park Ravinia Farmers Market, Dean Ave. between Roger Williams Ave. and St. Johns Ave., Wednesdays, June-October; 7am-1pm Highlight: The cold brew from Tala Coffee Roasters Lake Bluff Village Green, Fridays, June-October, 7am12pm Highlight: Fresh-cut flowers from Pleasant Prairie Flower Farm Northbrook Cherry Lane and Meadow Road, Northbrook, Wednesdays, June 21-Oct 11, 7am to 1pm Highlight: The kids’ Explorers Club, which teaches children ages 4-12 about new foods and provides vouchers they can use to purchase fruits and veggies Skokie 5127 Oakton St., Skokie, Sundays, June-November 5; 7:30am-12:30pm Highlight: Outof-this-world giardiniera from That Pickle Guy Wilmette Wilmette French Market, Green Bay Rd. at Lake Ave., Saturdays, April 22-Nov 4; 8am-1pm Highlight: Anything from The Cheese People (when at the French Market, right?)

BOKA RESTAURANT GROUP; KAYLA HOWEY

Ready yourself for this year’s Run for the Roses with this boozy, sweet, and bitter riff on the classic Kentucky cocktail from Lee Zaremba, beverage director at Devereaux in Chicago’s Gold Coast. “A classic julep is all about the whiskey and mint, but here we add orange for an extra layer of flavor, and Fernet, which complements the mint,” he says. “It’s a favorite among industry guests who visit the bar.”

Devereauxchicago.com

SUMMER IN LAKE GENEVA Falling in love with Lake Geneva is easy…

Maybe it’s the way the sun light shimmers on the lake or the way the sunset hits the trees. Or maybe it’s the amazing sensation of soaring through the air and laughing with friends on a zip line adventure, or a fun filled day on the water. Or maybe … it’s just an afternoon of pampering and relaxation at one of the many area spas, or taking a stroll on the shore path or in downtown Lake Geneva, browsing in the unique shops or stopping for a bite to eat.

Summer holds special treasures like beaches, boating, paddleboarding, jet skiing, kayaking and a multitude of cruising options – lake living at its best! Enjoy a historic hike around our 21-Mile Lake Path, the Geneva Lake Shore Path - download our app (“VISIT Lake Geneva”) for a insiders perspective on the history around the lake!

Whatever your choice, Lake Geneva offers events, colors, tastes and wonders for each and every season.

EXPLORE IT ALL

VISITLAKEGENEVA.COM • 262.248.4416

Your Chicago / CURRENTS

5 Perfect Patios

Reason number 11,847,492 why summer in this town is so sweet: alfresco dining.

Each of these outdoor hot spots boasts killer ambiance, serves up mouthwatering fare, and—this is the best part—welcomes kids of all ages.

1

THE MOONLIGHTER This Logan Square go-to is all about classic, all-American eats and drinks — along with ample space in which to enjoy both. An expansive 1,000-square-foot patio is built to resemble a neighborhood front yard, only this one boasts 200 seats, built-in fireplaces, and hanging lights. Take it all in with the little ones, who are bound to enjoy kids’ menu bites like chicken strips and cheese curds.

Themoonlighterchicago.com

2

Honey Butter Fried Chicken

ANATOMY LESSON: THE CHICAGO HOT DOG When the Great Depression swept across Chicago in the 1930s, hot dogs—as cheap and easy back then as they are now—became a dietary staple.

But the salty snacks are neither filling nor nutritious, so creative vendors began bulking them up with all sorts of vegetables, branding them “depression sandwiches,” and selling them for a nickel (just 75 cents today). As the story goes, Abe Drexler, the owner of a small stand on Maxwell Street called Fluky’s, dreamed up the dog that now defines our city. We break it down.

34 M AY/J U N E 2018 M A K E IT B E T T E R

YELLOW MUSTARD

SPORT PEPPERS

3

FRED’S GARAGE What was once a 10-pump gas station is now a patio built for neighborhood denizens, complete with wicker sofa seating, live music, and themed events.

Parents will be pleased with elevated classics like grilled salmon and tequila tacos, while kiddos are in good company with approachable finds like grilled cheese and mini hot dogs. Fredswinnetka.com

4

THE WARBLER The team behind Lincoln Square’s Gather opened this sister restaurant right next door in early 2018, and its sprawling 120-seat patio has quickly become one of the neighborhood’s hippest hangouts.

Gather head chef Ken Carter (formerly of Charlie Trotter’s), is running the show here, too, and the light, veg-centric menu of flatbreads, salads, pastas, and entrees was practically made for sunny afternoons. Thewarblerchicago.com

5

FARMHOUSE EVANSTON This Evanston eatery prides itself on “honest to the heartland” cooking, with a big-time emphasis on local and sustainable ingredients. As such, consider your entire crew taken care of, thanks to options like the pasture-raised kids burger or Wisconsin grilled cheese. For an afternoon unlike the rest, score a sipper (opt for any of the proprietary hard ciders) and a spot on the sprawling front patio, which overlooks the passersby on Church Street. Farmhouseevanston.com

NEON-GREEN RELISH

STEAMED POPPY SEED BUN

DILL PICKLE SPEAR

VIENNA BEEF FRANK

TOMATO WEDGES

SPRINKLE OF CELERY SALT

CHOPPED WHITE ONION

PRAIRIE_EYE

The Moonlighter

HONEY BUTTER FRIED CHICKEN As the name implies, fried chicken served with honey butter is the signature dish at this Avondale hangout, where the team serves up comfort fare on the regular (think corn muffins, smashed potatoes, and mac-and-cheese).

Snag a table in the spacious, string-lit backyard, where you and the family can kick back and enjoy a leisurely night out complete with a round of lemonade (spiked with bourbon for those of age).

Honeybutter.com

Fred’s Garage

AN APPLE A DAY CATERING & MEG'S CAFE

From family gatherings to corporate events and festive occasions.

Our outdoor patio is now open! anappleadaycatering.com

317 Park Avenue | Glencoe, IL | 847-835-2620

Your Chicago / Q+A

Beauty in the Storm

T

HE MONSOON RAINS that sweep

across the high deserts of the Southwest every year have long held deep significance for Sibylle Szaggars Redford, the multimedia environmental artist and wife of Robert Redford. Drawing from this inspiration, Sibylle collaborated with musicians, dancers and other artists in works staged across the globe to conceive an interactive, 36 M AY/J U N E 2018 M A K E IT B E T T E R

interdisciplinary performance piece called The Way of the Rain, which raises awareness of climate change and invites the audience to remember their physical and spiritual connection to our planet’s beauty and plight. In 2015, the Sundance Film Festival presented The Way of the Rain as an official selection—and later that year, inspired by its impact and success, Sibylle established a New Mexico-based nonprofit, The Way of the Rain Inc..

Sibylle’s husband, the Academy Awardwinning actor and director Robert Redford, has been fighting for the planet for much of his adult life, protesting destructive coal mines in the American West and lobbying Congress on various environmental issues.

He spoke at the COP 21 United Nations symposium on climate change in 2015, where President Obama negotiated the Paris Climate Accord.

KARSTEN STAIGER

Environmental activists and artists in their own right, Sibylle Szaggars Redford and Robert Redford combine forces to bring awareness of our planet’s greatest challenges. KARI LYDERSEN

The illustrious couple will be honored for their environmental leadership on June 1, at the 35th Annual Smith Nature Symposium and Benefit at the Brushwood Center in Riverwoods, IL. In advance of the event—during which The Way of the Rain will be staged—the couple spoke with us to discuss their art and their hopes for the future.

How did you both come to be focused on environmental issues, specifically climate change?

Sibylle: My environmental awareness started as a young girl, growing up in Europe, and traveling with my family and learning about different indigenous cultures. I realized they all had one thing in common: a spiritual con-

on a deep level. To inspire us to ask ourselves “How will I take part in this world?” “How do my actions impact the earth?” And, “How can I be more conscious?”

Robert: Art feeds and nurtures the soul of a society, provokes thought, inspires critical thinking, and fosters understanding of things foreign to our own immediate world.

We need this so desperately right now.

How did you conceive the idea for The Way Of The Rain? What does rain and specifically the monsoon symbolize for you?

Sibylle: In New Mexico, the monsoon season is like live theater. The storms are dramatic, the colors are so beautiful, and most impor-

“As artists and through art, we have the power to open minds and bring awareness of our planet’s beauty and fragility. As collaborators we unite to strengthen our voices and like raindrops, together, we nourish the river of life.” —SIBYLLE SZAGGARS REDFORD

SALK INSTITUTE

nection to nature and the landscape they lived within. They were a part of—not separate from— nature. At a certain point, I sadly realized that our Western modern world had lost that connection. From there, I became aware of climate change because I was living in the western United States and experiencing firsthand its dramatic impacts; wildland fires, drought, extreme storms, and the impact these events had on local communities. As an artist and citizen, I wanted to speak out.

Robert: I grew up in Los Angeles, and when I was young, there were green spaces in between the various communities of Santa Monica and Beverly Hills. I loved it. Then after World War II, everything began to change. Development took over—pavement, freeways, pollution. Witnessing that transformation had a big impact on me. In 1987, I attended a lecture given by two scientists from the National Center for Atmospheric Research, who warned what a warmer planet would mean if fossil fuels were not phased out.

From that point on, I did whatever I could, along with many others, to bring attention to this issue.

tantly, these storms provide life to the high deserts of New Mexico. And so, through art, I wanted to create a conversation with nature during the monsoon season to draw attention to how precious rain is and how we all depend on our relationship to nature. I began with the idea of applying watercolor pigment to paper. Then in the middle of the night, when a storm began, I would throw on my raincoat and capture raindrops on paper. My “Rain Painting” series began as a collaboration with Mother Nature, and it grew from there.

What do you think are the keys to engaging youth from a wide variety of backgrounds in understanding the environmental challenges facing our earth?

Robert: Young people are ready to lead solutions to the biggest challenges we face.

We are seeing it happening right now on multiple fronts. And, they are bringing creativity, passion and ingenuity with them.

I was inspired to see audiences this year at our Sundance Film Festival energized by two films—Inventing Tomorrow and Science Fair— the true stories of high school students from over 75 countries who have channeled their early passions into science and are exploring environmental issues like climate change and where our energy comes from.

While it can be hard to find hope these days, it’s easier while watching these remarkable young people. I’m rooting for them. I hope we all will support them.

Sibylle: As a child I used art as a tool, a way to communicate how I felt about the environment and other issues that were important to me. And now, like Bob, I feel such inspiration, and hope, when I meet with young people. Their creativity and passion inspire me every day.

The Way of the Rain will be performed at the John and Nancy Hughes Theater at the Gorton Community Center in Lake Forest. For more information, visit thewayoftherain.org.

Just two of the colorful works from Sibylle Szaggars Redford’s “Rain Painting” series, which will be on display at Brushwood Center May 20-June 15. Visit brushwoodcenter.org for details.

As an artist, how do you view your role in raising awareness of climate change?

Sibylle: Art has the ability to reach each of us M A K E IT B E T T E R M AY/J U N E 2018 37

Your Chicago / CONVERSATION

Girl and the Kid

She may be the celebrichef behind three of Chicago’s top restaurants, but Stephanie Izard’s recipe for motherhood—a heaping portion of quality time, a sprinkle of swimming lessons, and a dash of crispy duck—is the one she’s most proud of.

S

NICOLE SCHNITZLER • PHOTOS BY LUCY HEWITT

TEPH A NIE IZA RD DOESN’T sit still

for long. After winning season four of Bravo’s Top Chef (and being dubbed “Fan Favorite”), she opened Girl and the Goat in Chicago’s West Loop, the adventurous eats destination that has earned her a James Beard Award for Best Chef: Great Lakes. Next up was all-day breakfast spot Little Goat Diner in 2012, and in 2016 came Duck Duck Goat, where her clever takes on dim sum reign. Two months after that opening, she and her husband Gary Valentine, a beer consultant, had even more news—they’d become first-time parents to a son, Ernie. “That’s the thing about opening a restaurant when you’re seven months pregnant,” says Izard. “I was so stressed about getting everything done that I completely forgot how uncomfortable it was.” Today, she maintains that life-on-the-go attitude as a full-time mom and chef but is quicker to pump the brakes when need be—which is usually for breakfast.

“We either cook breakfast all together at home and hang out for a couple of hours, or we come to Little Goat,” she says. “Breakfast and the mornings are really important to us.” Here, Izard discusses the myths of momhood, the perks of delegating wisely, and why pancakes—and dance routines—save the day.

Even eight years after its opening, Girl and the Goat is still one of the toughest tables to land in the city. Did you ever anticipate it becoming as big as it has?

I don’t think so. I’m not one to think ahead, honestly. I know people do the whole five-year and 10-year goals thing, but I mostly just think about getting through the week and making each day better. I’m pleasantly surprised that 38 M AY/J U N E 2018 M A K E IT B E T T E R

it continues to be as busy and fun as it always has been. I was just at Daniel in New York, which has been open for 25 years, and I was like, “Do I want to be open for 25 years?” It’s a little scary to think too far in advance, so for now, we’ll keep doing what we’re doing.

Within eight years you’ve opened three restaurants and had a baby. What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned in the process?

When asked about doing it all, some women might be honest when they say, “Oh yeah, everybody can do it, it’s so great.” But truthfully, it’s hard. I’m sad when I’m unable to spend as much time as I’d like to with Ernie, and I’m sad when I’m unable to give 100 percent to my restaurants.

It’s about looking at every day and trying to find a balance. But I know that 20 years from now I’m more likely to say, “Wow, I wish I had spent more time with Ernie,” than I am to say, “Wow, I wish I had spent more time working.”

I’ve also learned that being a parent is different for everyone, and that every parent has a different way of figuring it out. If I look around too much and start comparing my “mom-ness” to other moms who work from home or from nine to five, I start to feel like I’m doing something wrong—but we’ve found our own routine that makes sense. You have to remember it’s different for everyone.

What is your routine?

I try to go to the gym before he wakes up, which doesn’t always work. We’ll have breakfast, and I take him to soccer on Wednesdays and swimming on Thursdays. I can spend a few hours with him and still get to work by 9:30am and get home most days at 8pm to put

Stephanie, Gary, and Ernie prep for a family dinner in the kitchen of their Little Italy home.

M A K E IT B E T T E R M AY/J U N E 2018 39

Your Chicago / CONVERSATION

Stephanie and Ernie hang with three of the toddler’s favorite things: Books, toys, and—of course—snacks.

him to bed, just so I can be the last person he sees before he goes to sleep.

What’s your favorite part about breakfast together?

Ernie does a dance when he gets the pancakes at Little Goat. It’s become quite the routine.

He’s always standing up in the booth, and as soon as the server is coming over with them, his eyes light up and he starts dancing back and forth with this huge smile on his face.

After we eat, we give him one of the plates and he’ll walk it over to the station and basically bus his own table—it’s really cute.

Has delegating tasks to your team always been easy for you, or has becoming a parent changed that?

40 M AY/J U N E 2018 M A K E IT B E T T E R

When I opened a second restaurant, the first step was to learn how to trust and delegate more. I was seven months pregnant when I opened Duck Duck Goat, and because I knew I’d be on leave for a few weeks once we opened, I set things up more efficiently. I had to make sure that there was someone else who could make the dumpling wrappers like I did, so they could solve problems when I wasn’t there.

To get things situated in a way that I wasn’t as crucial to the process was a much smarter way of opening a restaurant.

What has been the most challenging aspect of the balancing act?

Everything. Just this morning I got back from a work trip—I have to go on a lot of work trips, too, which can make things really

challenging—and yesterday, the babysitter texted me saying there was nothing to eat in the house. So I was like, “OK—I guess he can have the frozen pizza and fruit.” When you’re a chef and don’t have a child, you look in the fridge and there’s usually nothing there except maybe beer and ranch dressing. When you have a kid, you have to turn into a better adult.

What are you always well-stocked on now?

Eggs. Ernie’s favorite thing is scrambled eggs.

He can eat three eggs for breakfast, and he’s not even 2.

Has becoming a parent changed your approach as a chef and an employer—especially when considering other employees who are parents themselves?

It becomes a bigger part of the conversation.

A bunch of my line cooks have children, and that becomes our target talking point every day. We don’t necessarily talk about work first, we talk about our kids. We also try to think of ways to incorporate everyone, like making our gatherings more family friendly so that employees can bring their kids, too.

What is your very favorite way to disconnect these days?

The only time it really happens is when I go to swim practice in the mornings. When I’m underwater, no one can text me. At swimming, everyone talks about swimming—not about restaurants or my normal day-to-day. It’s my head-clearing part of the day.

Does having your own child change your perspective on dining out with kids?

One hundred percent. When we opened Little Goat, I didn’t even think about having a kids’ menu. We ended up doing it, but it didn’t occur to me until after I had Ernie, when we started coming in to eat at 7am and realized we were the only restaurant in the neighborhood open that early. Parents can’t always wait until 9am to give their kids breakfast. As soon as I had Ernie, we installed changing tables [in the restrooms] at all of the restaurants. We didn’t have them before, and I thought to myself, “I feel so terrible—where did parents used to do this?”

I still get a little bit of anxiety when taking him out to eat, but as an owner and fellow diner, now when I see babies making a little noise, I no longer feel even remotely annoyed. It’s more like, “Yeah, that’s just what happens.”

Where’s your favorite place to dine in Chicago with the entire family?

Ernie loves going to Piece Pizza. He has the same light-up look on his face with the pizza as he does with the pancakes.

So, pizza and pancakes. What about goat?

He comes to tastings at Girl and the Goat sometimes, when we put up all of the dishes before service to make sure they’re ready to go. He’s tried the goat, and he really likes the duck tongues. At Duck Duck Goat, he’s all about the crab Rangoon and pork steamed buns. He’s definitely a good eater.

Since becoming the first woman to win on Bravo’s Top Chef in 2008, Izard has opened three wildly successful restaurants and received myriad accolades including Food & Wine’s “Best New Chef,” in 2011; the James Beard Award for“Best Chef: Great Lakes” in 2013; and the title of “Iron Chef” on Food Network’s Iron Chef Gauntlet in 2017.

Girl and the Cookbook Izard’s second title, Gather & Graze, made its big debut on April 10. Featuring collaborations with writer Rachel Holtzman, food stylist Johanna Lowe, and photographer Huge Galdones, it promises “120 recipes for tasty good times,” including Banh Mi Burgers, Roasted Shishito Peppers with Sesame Miso and Parmesan, and Sticky Sweet Potato Cake with Blueberry-Tomatillo Jam. One word: YUM.

M A K E IT B E T T E R M AY/J U N E 2018 41

Your Chicago / READING LIST

Jocelyn Delk Adams, Chicago author of Grandbaby Cakes and the upcoming Grandbaby Celebrations, makes food that honors her family history.

MIB: Why do you think it is important to honor family cooking and baking traditions?

JDA: Before I started my blog [“Grandbaby Cakes”], I noticed that a lot of my friends didn’t cook or bake much.

Their daily consumption came in the form of takeout and fancy restaurant dining. I was quite similar when I was in my 20s. At some point, I realized the importance of historical reference and legacy. A lot of my readers mention that they love certain recipes that their parents or grandparents made when they were growing up, but that they missed the opportunity to learn those recipes before their relatives passed away. I hope I am helping to fill in that gap and provide a place where people can feel some sort of family connection, even if their loved ones are no longer here. For those who do have loved ones here, and fantastic recipes worth preserving, I hope I am inspiring people to capture those recipes along with their unique history, so they can pass them on to new generations.

MIB: You’ve said in your blog that you didn’t realize you had the “baking gene” until you were in your 20s. How did you discover your penchant for baking?

42 M AY/J U N E 2018 M A K E IT B E T T E R

JDA: I knew early on that I definitely could bake and enjoyed it, but unlike the elder women in my family, I didn’t feel a strong desire to be in the kitchen. Deep inside, I downright rejected the notion of wanting to bake for the pure enjoyment of it. I thought the idea was primitive and anti-modern, but inwardly something kept drawing me into the kitchen. One weekend in my late 20s, I was bored and randomly walked into my kitchen and pulled out the ingredients to bake a pound cake. Something just felt so right that I decided to stop fighting it.

MIB: What has been the most rewarding thing about turning your blog into a book?

Writing a cookbook has been a dream I’ve had since I first bought the domain for my site. This book allowed me to delve deeper into a single dessert subject and my own family history. I loved sifting through vintage photos and hearing the funny stories behind them. I adored talking to my grandparents about their history and seeing how it all ties back to me. The blog just touches the surface of what I am able to share in the book. I’m so privileged to be the vessel that carries a family legacy forward in a unique way.

DANIELLE MCLIMORE

In a dinner rut? Read It & Eat, Lincoln Park’s hippest culinary bookstore, recommends these mouthwatering new cookbooks to reignite your creative spark (and your stove).

Korean BBQ: Master Your Grill in Seven Sauces, by Bill Kim and Chandra Ram, Ten Speed Press, $28. Anyone who’s tired of the usual BBQ fare will find inspiration in this book from the chef and owner of the award-winning bellyQ restaurants. Bill Kim’s first cookbook is Korean-American-focused, filled with accessible, flavor-packed recipes aimed to spice up your grill—just in time for summer.

Between Harlem and Heaven: Afro-Asian-American Cooking for Big Nights, Weeknights, and Every Day, by Alexander Smalls and JJ Johnson, Flatiron Books, $38. Afro-Asian-American Gumbo—who knew? This book explores the crisscrossing of cultures expressed through the canvas of food, and it serves as a beautiful example of how cultural boundaries are being broken down and brought together through new twists on classic cuisines.

Sharp: The Definitive Guide to Knives, Knife Care, and Cutting Techniques, with Recipes from Great Chefs, by Josh Donald, Chronicle Books, $28. Did you know it’s easier to injure yourself when using a blunt knife vs. a sharp one?

Raise your hand if you worry about chopping your fingers off every time you make a salad. Described as a knife-skills class in a book, Sharp not only teaches you how to use your knives, but also how to clean, maintain, and store them. Bonus: This book includes recipe contributions from great chefs, including Stuart Brioza of State Bird Provisions and Melissa Perello of Frances.

Once Upon a Chef: The Cookbook, by Jennifer Segal, Chronicle Books, $30. You know a story will be good if it starts with “Once upon a time,” and this one’s no exception. Jennifer Segal went to culinary school and worked in fancy restaurants— and then life happened. Now, a marriage and two children later, she uses her professional skills to bring working mothers tried-and-true recipes that are as easy as they are impressive. Her cookbook, based on her blog of the same name, brings us that same experience and expertise with over 100 recipes that promise to up your cooking game.

CHUCK OLU-ALABI

Author Talk

New and Noteworthy

H H the H H

SCIENCE to get your

life back

FIGHTING IMMOBILITY ONE STRAND AT A TIME.

Here comes 26 stories of scientific-powered hope for patients facing life-altering injury or illness. Built on the shoulders of the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, this shining new hospital has 10x more dedicated researchers than any other rehabilitation hospital.

Like never before, researchers work directly alongside doctors and therapists, surrounding patients to collaborate in real time, not theory time. Faster, better outcomes. Do you hear us coming?

BRAIN I SPINAL CORD I NERVE, MUSCLE & BONE I PEDIATRIC I CANCER

Your Chicago / GIFT GUIDE

2

You Got This!

Want to win Mother’s and Father’s Day this year?

Make your picks from these pages, and show your siblings who’s boss.

4

CARA SULLIVAN

3

8 for

5

6 7

[MOM]

1. TOFFEE Made locally in small batches by a woman-owned company, this rich, buttery toffee will satisfy any sweet tooth. KP! Dark Chocolate Gourmet English Toffee $12/half-pound, kptoffe.com 2. NECKLACE This posh pendant—wrought from 14K recycled gold by Chicago goldsmith Rebecca Zemans—can be customized with a diamond for each child or grandchild. $900 as pictured, rebeccazemans.com 3. WINE There’s rosé , and then there’s rosé . This organic California varietal, with notes of rosewater, pineapple, key lime, and strawberry, is the latter.

Bonterra Rosé 2017, $16, bonterra.com 4. OLIVE OIL Adopt an Italian olive tree on Mom’s behalf (she can chose the grove and even visit it!), and its fresh, cold-pressed EVOO will arrive on her doorstep as often as you like. $290 for quarterly deliveries of (3) 16.9oz tins, nudoadopt.com 5. BOOKS A double whammy for the Anglophile who appreciates good design, this gorgeous set of Austen’s complete works is bound in creamy, elegant cloth that looks chic on any shelf. Jane Austen Set, $225, juniperbooks.com 6. ART LESSONS Indulge Mom’s inner Georgia O’Keeffe with private painting lessons at North Shore Art League. (Psst: If you’re both local, do it together!) Independant Study from $70/hour, northshoreartleague.com 7. CLIPPERS Every green thumb deserves a quality pair of garden shears; these are the perfect blend of form and function. Jayson Home Leather Clippers in brown, $98, jaysonhome.com 8. ROSE BUSH Moms who love to garden know one thing: David Austin-bred English roses are the cream of the crop (and come with a five-year guarantee). David Austin “Olivia Rose Austin” rosebush, $29, davidaustinroses.com

44 M AY/J U N E 2018 M A K E IT B E T T E R

PAINT SET: FLOORTJE

1

1

3

2

8

6

SAILING: DAVEL5957

7

for

[DAD]

4

5

1. SAILING LESSONS For the guy who’d rather do something than get something, a few summer afternoons on Lake Michigan should do the trick. Sailing lessons at Sheridan Shore Sailing School, $75 and up, sheridanshore.org 2. COOLER Way cooler than your average cooler, the Yeti Roadie 20 is sweatproof, leakproof, and keeps 14 cans cold for days. $199, Chicago Fly Fishing Outfitters, 1279 N Clybourn Ave. 3. WHISKEY Buy Pops a bottle of this Evanston-distilled spirit, learn how to make a mean old-fashioned, and show him what you’re made of. Few Rye Whiskey, $65, Few Distillery, 918 Chicago Ave, Evanston 4. SUNGLASSES These bad boys are made in Chicago—and your dad will be made in the shade when he wears them. State “Clark” Sunglasses in Coffee Silver, $417 stateopticalco.com 5. POSTER We’d be willing to bet his office could use a little love. Enter Sold Out Posters, the coolest Chicago store you’ve never heard of. Pearl Jam at Wrigley poster, $200, soldoutposters.com 6. FIRE PIT If James Bond had a fire pit, we’re certain it would be this one. Solo Stove Bonfire Pit, $350, solostove.com 7. INFUSION VESSEL Treat Dad to dinner at Aviary, point out the sleek infusion vessels they use to make cocktails, sauces, and marinades, and then present him with his own.The Porthole Infuser, $120, theportholeinfuser.com 8. SHOES Work-appropriate formality, sneaker comfort, and GQ swagger—all from a Chicago designer. Marc Nolan Jasper Cognac Wing Tip Sneakers, $115, marcnolan.com

M A K E IT B E T T E R M AY/J U N E 2018 45

Your Chicago / FINANCE

Cryptocurrency 101

W

Robot-speak? A fleeting financial trend? The cash of the future?

Writer Joshua Streckert went straight to the source to find out.

their custody and of other hacks related to bitcoin. What advice can you give to owners of cryptocurrencies on how they should secure them?

HEN IT COMES to crypto-

currency, Bart Stephens, co-founder and managing partner at Blockchain Capital, the first venture capital fund to invest in the blockchain technology sector, knows his stuff. Formerly the EVP of venture investment for Ivanhoe Capital Corp, a founding investor of Oncology.com, and a cofounder of Stephens Investment Management (a nano-cap-focused hedge fund), the blockchain and bitcoin guru recently brought his expertise to Chicago as a featured speaker at the Invest for Kids Conference. Here, he answers our most pressing questions about the “cryptic” currency.

Coinbase is the market leader, as it makes the purchase and storing of bitcoin and other crypto assets secure and easy to use, but other services such as Robinhood, Square and Circle are also efficient.

Facebook and Cambridge Analytica have come under fire for the misuse of the personal information from as many as 87 million Facebook accounts. Could the blockchain have prevented the release or misuse of personal data?

4

Give us your elevator pitch: What is bitcoin, and how does it work?

1

The core innovation of blockchain technology Bitcoin is a new type of asset that functions as “Gold is that decentralized networks based on BART STEPHENS 2.0,” and it exists outside the traditional financial cryptography can now encroach upon the system (banks and governments). Bitcoin is intertwined with and enabled turf of traditional centralized trust-based authorities. Centralized by blockchain technology. Under the hood of bitcoin is the blockchain: a trust-based authorities include banks, technology monopolies, health worldwide, peer-to-peer network of computers all running the same open insurance companies and even governments. An increasing number of source software. This system is the largest computational resource that has Americans are starting to ask questions like: Do I trust Facebook with ever been created and it is virtually free to use. The important ideas that my online identity? Do I trust banks with my money? Do I trust insurunderpin blockchain technology are about achieving consensus through ance companies with my health records? Our view is that blockchain incentives in a decentralized, distributed and ultra-secure manner. technology might be the answer to many of these thorny questions in our digital age.

The IRS intends to tax cryptocurrencies just like other assets and therefore subject bitcoin trading to capital gain taxes. What reactions have you experienced from bitcoin traders?

2

Different financial institutions have differing opinions on how to categorize and monitor cryptocurrencies. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) treats bitcoin like “digital property,” and therefore it is subject to short-term and long-term capital gains. You have to pay your taxes!

The Department of Treasury and Federal Reserve have indicated that cryptocurrencies are not legal tender or a currency; The Commodities Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) sees it as a digital commodity; and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has indicated that some crypto assets might be securities (like a stock or a bond).

There have been many media reports of crypto exchanges losing customer coins that were held in 3

46 M AY/J U N E 2018 M A K E IT B E T T E R

Finally, since a high of near $20,000 on December 17, 2017, the price of bitcoin been quite volatile, trading at approximately $8,000 at the time of this interview. A year from now, will it be higher? Lower?

About the same?

5

I focus on the ideas and the technology made possible by blockchain, not the fluctuating price of bitcoin. While bitcoin is the best-known cryptocurrency, there are over a thousand crypto assets on the market and they are all very volatile and high risk / high return. Interestingly, one in three millennials would rather own bitcoin than stocks, bonds, real estate or commodities.

MONEY TALKS Visit makeitbetter.com for MIBTV videos from April’s Money, Value, & Impact summit.

FO R MO R E FI NAN CE CO N T EN T, VISIT M A K E IT B E T T E R .COM / FI N A N C E

Preparing for the future?

Let’s have that conversation.

Planning your family’s future is too important to treat lightly. That’s why you should evaluate a Financial Advisor based on what they can do for their clients. The guidance they provide, the insight they’re equipped with, the level of service and excellence they offer. So contact me and find out how I can help you prepare for the years ahead.

The Roeser Group at Morgan Stanley Kathy Roeser , ChFC® Managing Director — Wealth Management Wealth Advisor CA Insurance Lic. #0B07198 NMLS# 1285027

70 West Madison Street Chicago, IL, 60602 +1 312 443-6500 kathy.roeser@morganstanley.com http://fa.morganstanley.com/theroesergroup/

© 2018 Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC. Member SIPC. CRC 1176138 04/15 CS 9165146 02/18

TAKES

48 M AY/J U N E 2018 M A K E IT B E T T E R

IT

TWO

Danielle and Thai Dang, HaiSous and Cà Phê Dá

RESTAURANT COUPLES

MAKE IT WORK

Romance often blossoms at work, but in the high-pressure hospitality industry, how do you keep that love alive?

Here are five couples who are as committed to each other as they are to the award-winning restaurants they own and operate together.

BY JULIE CHERNOFF • PHOTOS BY TODD ROSENBERG

M A K E IT B E T T E R M AY/J U N E 2018 49

THE RESTAURANT BUSINESS IS GRUELING. Whether working front or back of the house, the job means hours on

your feet and service with a smile in a high-energy, high-anxiety environment. Getting along with your fellow workers is a necessity, as the best staffs must work seamlessly as a team to achieve greatness in the kitchen and at the table.

But how one gets from “Let’s hang out after work” to “Let’s get married” and “Let’s put all our eggs in one basket and open a restaurant together” is a story that begs to be told. Navigating the acmes and pitfalls of running a restaurant—the financial and personal burdens, the big personalities involved (both guests and staff), the ebb and flow of business—and juggling home and work life can be hard on a marriage, unless the relationship is rock solid. We talk to five well-known Chicago restaurant couples who are making it all work. One tip: Form a mutual admiration society and always be supportive of each other.

I

DANIELLE AND THAI DANG, HAISOUS AND CÀ PHÊ DÁ t’s been an eventful 10 years for Danielle and Thai Dang, who’ve been together since they met through work friends in Washington, D.C. They moved to Chicago when Thai took a job with Laurent Gras at the late, lamented L20, then worked together at The Elysian Hotel before opening Embeya in the West Loop with another couple.

Danielle was beverage director, Thai the executive chef, and the other couple ran the front of the house. In case you’ve been living under a rock, suffice it to say that this didn’t end well; embezzlement of funds, the FBI’s Most Wanted List, and a protracted legal action brought a sad end to the exquisite restaurant that featured Thai’s modern take on Asian cuisine. But once the extensive smoke cleared, the Dangs went on to open two fresh and exciting Vietnamese spots in 2017: HaiSous and the fast casual Cà Phê Dá.

“Looking back, I sometimes don’t know how we made it through,” says Danielle. “But we did it together and it made us stronger.” Working together at HaiSous finds lovely synergy in matching up Danielle’s thoughtful beverage programs and pairings to Thai’s sophisticated cuisine. The public and critics alike seem to agree, as they were named a 2017 Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand restaurant and a 2018 James Beard Award semifinalist for Best New Restaurant. The once-deserted corner is now pulsing with life as foodies from around Chicago descend on the Dangs’ Pilsen hot spots.

Theirs is a culinary partnership built on respect for each other’s aspirations and a genuine recognition of each other as equals, no competition allowed. When the restaurant is closed on Sunday nights, they’ll choose a special dining destination—sometimes several—or cook at home and watch a movie.

Not every couple is cut out to survive this demanding business, but the Dangs know not to sweat the small stuff. “Every day is an emergency in a restaurant. There are so many moving parts that stress can take a toll on your soul and in turn can take a toll on your relationship,” says Danielle. “Take time to reflect on your achievements together even if they are small. It’s so easy to just continue the daily grind in a restaurant. Don’t forget to pick up your head and reflect upon the things that are working.”

What do you value/respect most about your partner?

Danielle: I admire Thai’s resilience that stems from childhood after his family survived war in Vietnam and refugee camps in the Philippines 50 M AY/J U N E 2018 M A K E IT B E T T E R

before settling in America. He and the rest of his 10 brothers and sisters learned how to live, work, and thrive here in America. These adversities became his strength later in life. Thai is a hard worker, creative, kind, generous, and the best, most supportive husband I could ever ask for.

It makes me a better person, business owner, and boss.

Thai: I respect Danielle, because she throws down with every turn we make together and she doesn’t stop until she too is the best. She stood by me when I fell hard in business and my partners robbed us of everything we had. I respect my partner and wife professionally and personally. I respect her for her sacrifice, work ethic and overall talent.

I never could have rebuilt my life again if it wasn’t for her will to help me, if it wasn’t for her talent to be the architect and designer of our restaurant and cafe. Our mutual respect is deep rooted and imperative to good partnership.

HaiSous and Cà Phê Dá, 1800 S. Carpenter St., Chicago, 312-702-1303, haisous.com

JENNIFER JONES ENYART AND BRIAN ENYART, DOS URBAN CANTINA

B

y anyone’s standards, Jennifer and Brian Enyart are a power couple. They met cute in 2009 when Brian was chef de cuisine at Rick Bayless’ Topolobampo and Jennifer was applying for the plum job of pastry chef, which she won handily after interviewing with Brian. There, they fell in love with a contemporary vision of Mexican cuisine—and each other. In 2015, they left the Bayless nest and opened Dos Urban Cantina in the Logan Square neighborhood to great acclaim: Chicago magazine placed them in the Top Five of “Best New Restaurants,” and the Michelin Guide deemed their particular vision of the tastes and flavors of Mexico worthy of a 2017 Bib Gourmand. Jennifer’s innovative hand with desserts won her a nod as a 2018 Semifinalist for the James Beard Award Outstanding Pastry Chef, while the Chicago Tribune made her 2017 Pastry Chef of the Year.

“Our culinary partnership works because we respect each other’s talent, and we have a similar taste and vision,” says Brian of their working relationship. But relishing and nurturing their personal relationship is also a priority. Time off means kicking their feet up, taking in a movie, checking out other restaurants, or cooking at home and hanging out with their “low-maintenance” cat. “We spend our

Jennifer Jones Enyart and Brian Enyart, Dos Urban Cantina

M A K E IT B E T T E R M AY/J U N E 2018 51

Nicole and John Manion, El Che Bar and La Sirena Clandestina

weekends together,” says Brian. “We spend most of our time together; it feels strange when we are apart, honestly.”

The Enyarts’ experience has been a great one, but their advice for other pairs who are considering taking the plunge into restaurant ownership—which rings true for any project a couple might take on together—is that working together so closely will be a test of your relationship. “Be sure this is the journey you want to take with each other,” says Brian. “Give it everything you have, and love each other well.”

What do you value/respect most about your partner?

Jennifer: Brian is such a natural leader—that is something I was initially amazed by. He has a genuine character and sense of humor that people are drawn to. He is loyal and has a lot of integrity. Those are just a few characteristics I love about him.

Brian: I value Jennifer’s deep love for people and wanting to create a special experience for guests and staff. I respect her ability to do anything that’s needed, from being a James Beard-nominated pastry chef to bookkeeper to host.

Dos Urban Cantina, 2829 W. Armitage Ave., Chicago, 773-661-6452, dosurbancantina.com

52 M AY/J U N E 2018 M A K E IT B E T T E R

NICOLE AND JOHN MANION, EL CHE BAR AND LA SIRENA CLANDESTINA

N

icole and John Manion knew each other from industry events, but their love story really began about six years ago, when they were at the post-wedding festivities of mutual friends.

Nicole, suffused with liquid courage, pitched him her latest restaurant idea; they clicked and have been together since. Currently, they work together at the West Loop’s El Che Bar and La Sirena Clandestina, where John is executive chef and Nicole is director of operations.

John, who lived in Brazil as a child, has awakened Chicago’s taste buds to the glories of South American food. At his first restaurant, La Sirena Clandestina, the menu skews Brazilian; at El Che Bar, which the Manions opened together in 2016, Argentine cuisine is the template for deliciousness.

Both spots have won plaudits from the local press, La Sirena with the 2015 Jean Banchet Award for Best Neighborhood Restaurant, and three stars from the Chicago Tribune for El Che Bar. In addition, Manion was named a Master of the Flame in the Trib’s 2017 Critic’s Choice Dining Awards.

Division of labor is key to their collaboration. “Nicole has better instincts than me when it comes to the hospitality business, and I’m smart enough to recognize this,” says John. “That is to say, we complement each other beautifully and play to each other’s strengths. Nicole feels that John has taught her the virtue of patience, to know when

the time is right for action. One of the joint projects on their horizon is starting a family. For now, Tina the Wonderdog, age 2, is enough.

The Manions have learned from experience that honest communication becomes even more important in a relationship when you work together all day. “Never let things fester,” says John. “Respect each other’s lanes. Trust one another.”

“He’s 100 percent right,” agrees Nicole. “One night we came home from work angry, not seeing eye to eye. We cracked a bottle of rosé and I said, ‘Divorce isn’t an option, we have to learn to work together, and if we can’t, I will find a new job. We love each other too much to let work get in the way.’ That night, we had one of the most honest conversations as co-workers and as husband and wife. After that conversation, we have been the strongest team.”

What do you value/respect most about your partner?

Nicole: I value his talent. John is a phenomenal cook, and I have always been a huge fan of his texture and flavor combinations. The first time he cooked for my parents, I was sold. I love his calm attitude in the kitchen

and as a leader. I love the respect he has for his staff; he treats everyone like family. Also, he’s very smart, witty and funny…very funny.

John: I value her hard work, her dedication, her compassion and determination. I’ve learned that Nicole is a hospitality savant; she just gets it, so I trust her completely.

El Che Bar, 845 W. Washington Blvd., Chicago, 312-265-1130, elchebar chicago.com; La Sirena Clandestina, 954 W. Fulton Market, Chicago, 312-226-5300, lasirenachicago.com

I

ANNA AND DAVID POSEY, ELSKE t’s been a very starry beginning for Anna and David Posey of Elske.

Since the restaurant’s December 2016 opening, they’ve been showered with accolades from the Michelin Guide (one star), the Chicago Tribune (three stars), Bon Appetit (#2 Best New Restaurant in America 2017) and the 2018 Jean Banchet Awards (Pastry Chef of the Year). Together, they are finalists for the 2018 James Beard Award for Best Chef: Great Lakes. Not a bad start for a first restaurant.

Anna and David Posey, Elske

M A K E IT B E T T E R M AY/J U N E 2018 53

The Poseys met when David was chef de cuisine at Restaurant Row pioneer Blackbird and Anna got her start there as a pastry intern.

While David stayed at Blackbird, she headed off to The Publican, so they rarely got the chance to work together. At Elske, they’re making up for that in spades.

Before the restaurant opened, they spent a lot of time talking about their relationship, and what effect the ensuing pressures of opening a restaurant might have on it. It came down to how they were going to communicate, and how they would carve out their own piece of the puzzle.

I think over the past two years we have both developed more of an understanding of each other,” says Anna. “We understand each other’s strengths and weaknesses and try to create our specific jobs around that.” Anna is more design focused, so she handles creative issues, while David is better on the business end, so he handles purchasing and invoices.

During their workweek, they are “more like business partners,” according to Anna. But on the “weekend” — Monday and Tuesday for the Poseys — they want to “hang out like normal couples do.” So they’ll head out for a bowl of Vietnamese pho on Mondays, check out new bars, or catch an art exhibit. “But we’re also good at giving each other personal space. David usually goes to the driving range or golfing with his friends. I go to figure drawing on Monday nights, or go for a long run.”

Finding just the right balance between time spent together and apart is the secret sauce to a good marriage as well as a business partnership.

What do you value/respect most about your partner?

Anna: He has such a great sense of how people work. Sometimes I am too much of an idealist, and David can be very much a realist. But it’s a really good balance for me. When I get too emotional, he has a way of helping me focus my emotions and think a bit more logically. Elske wouldn’t be here without him, 100 percent.

David: Anna brings an amazing warmth to the restaurant; I feel that she is the sole reason that the restaurant has “hygge.” She also has the most amazing eye for things and really helps me make a boring plate of food really stand out and be beautiful to look at.

Elske, 1350 W. Randolph St., Chicago, 312-733-1314, elskerestaurant.com

KAREN URIE SHIELDS AND JOHN SHIELDS, SMYTH AND THE LOYALIST

C

harlie Trotter knew talent when he saw it, and you can count Smyth and The Loyalist’s Karen Urie Shields and John Shields as two more up-and-coming luminaries to do their time in that demanding kitchen environment. They met there in 2003—Karen in the pastry kitchen, John on the line—but didn’t become a couple until 2007, marrying two years later. When Trotter asked them to run the Vegas branch of his eponymous restaurant, they demurred, choosing instead to head for rural Virginia and the then-unknown Town House.

Their elevated farm-to-table cuisine put them on the map, winning notice from the James Beard Awards and Food & Wine. The location was remote and the restaurant a true destination, but after several years there they were ready to move on to their own place, preferably somewhere more populous.

Now a family of four, they returned to Chicago to open two separate restaurants: the two-Michelin-starred Smyth, deemed Chicago’s Best New Restaurant at the 2018 Jean Banchet Awards; and The Loyalist, 54 M AY/J U N E 2018 M A K E IT B E T T E R

home of the “Dirty Burg,” one of Bon Appetit’s “Best Burgers in the United States,” a canny blend of ground chuck, short rib and bacon.

The grind of work and home make downtime elusive. “We don’t relax,” insists John. “Two kids and two restaurants make that impossible.” Carving out quality time to spend with their daughters, Cicley and Lillienne, is a high priority. “We make it work through teamwork and evolved roles in the restaurant,” says John.

As for advice for other restaurant couples looking to tread the same path, he says, “Make sure it’s someone you can’t stand NOT being

Karen Urie Shields and John Shields, Smyth and The Loyalist

around at all times! You have to be partners.” That compatibility is paramount to any successful joint venture; being able to enjoy each other’s company, especially in a pressure-filled environment, is an absolute necessity. Good chemistry is impossible to manufacture, so it’s to be cherished and nurtured, like anything truly worth having.

What do you value/respect most about your partner?

Karen: No matter how late he works service, he always gets up first, packs lunches for the girls and helps get them ready for school. The

girls adore him and getting some quality time with them is important to him (even if it’s few and far between). It’s all about family.

John: I love her attention to the smallest of details and the constant drive to improve in all aspects of our life.

Smyth and The Loyalist, 177 N. Ada St., Chicago, 773-913-3773, smythandtheloyalist.com

M A K E IT B E T T E R M AY/J U N E 2018 55

A 5 M I YA Z A K I BEEF

I N G OOD TA STE To experience a tasting menu is to tumble down a rabbit hole on a culinary adventure, not really knowing what to expect or whether the lavish price tag will be worth it in the end. But if said rabbit hole happens to lead you to one of these seven extraordinary restaurants, hop in with abandon. Sip everything that says drink me, taste everything that says eat me, and remember the magic long after you’ve reentered reality.

BY AMBER GIBSON 56 M AY/J U N E 2018 M A K E IT B E T T E R

ACA DI A

Acadia’s South Loop location is in a bit of a restaurant dead zone, which could make chef Ryan McCaskey feel like an underdog—or the beholder of a delicious secret. He’s also smart: In January, Acadia switched from multiple tasting menus to a single seven-course menu with optional wine pairings. “Being able to dine without a huge time commitment, and at a manageable price point, we think will allow diners to experience Acadia more than a handful of times a year,” Chef Ryan McCaskey says. “We love the thought of seeing our regular diners more often!” A shorter—read: less pricey—bar tasting menu also makes more frequent visits more feasible.

One of the most interesting dishes on the current tasting menu is a cured foie gras atop Anson Mills steel cut oats. “It’s served almost breakfast style,” McCaskey explains. He cures the foie gras in goat’s milk, then slices it into thin curls with candy cap mushroom milk, confit pineapple and pickled Maine blueberries. Diners will also choose between two classic courses from the opening à la carte menu: the Yukon potato “risotto” flavored with leeks and black truffle, or a deconstructed lobster “pie” with garlic flan, turnips, Brussels sprouts, lobster bisque and sour cream pastry, a contemporary creation also inspired

by McCaskey’s summers in Maine.

7-course tasting menu ($145/person); optional wine pairing ($115/person); bar tasting menu ($45/person), acadiachicago.com

NEIL JOHN BURGER

LUAU CA K E M A DE W ITH LYCH EE SOR BET, H AU PI A , A N D DEH Y DR ATED COCON U T M ER I NGU E .

M A K E IT B E T T E R M AY/J U N E 2018 57

GU I N E A H EN W ITH BROW N BU TTER SAUCE , PA R SN I P PU R EE A N D GA L A N T DE S A BBE SSE S

ROA STED CAU LI F LOW ER W ITH F ER M EN TED SU NCHOK E PU R EE , RY E PA I N PER DU, A N D BL ACK LI M E

SOFI A G OAT CH EE SE W ITH BEET SHORTCA K E , W I LD STR AW BER R I E S, F R EEZ E-DR I ED BA LSA M IC, A N D J U N I PER SMOK E

TEMPOR IS

The dining room at this inconspicuous 20-seat restaurant in West Town is stark, nudging your attention to the colorful and dainty abstract landscapes on your plate. Chefs Sam Plotnick and Don Young met working together at Les Nomades, but the 11-course tasting menu at Temporis is a departure from classic French food, with more contemporary twists and unusual flavor combinations including white chocolate with caviar and foie gras ice cream with black sesame and canelé de Bordeaux for dessert.

This upstart restaurant is still flying under the radar for now, and seats are easy to come by on OpenTable. “I believe we have really hit our 11-course tasting menu ($125/person), temporischicago.com 58 M AY/J U N E 2018 M A K E IT B E T T E R

stride creatively and Temporis is just becoming what we had dreamed it would be,” Plotnick says. “We are excited about spring ingredients such as white asparagus, morels, and ramps.”

You might be asked to snip something from the centerpiece growing out of the middle of the table for a course, and a basement hydroponic garden supplies herbs and garnishes for several courses. They’re even growing strawberries and cherry tomatoes. “We want to see if we can produce excellent fresh products even if they are not available locally yet,” Plotnick explains. They even make their own kombucha for the palate cleanser with teas from Rare Tea Cellar.

STEPHANIE ZHAO

OCTOPUS W ITH M ISO - GL A Z ED EG GPL A N T A N D A N I BER ICO EM U LSION

OR IOLE

Enter through the door of a freight elevator to what many now consider to be Chicago’s best fine-dining experience, in a 28-seat exposed brick dining room with white tablecloths. Chef Noah Sandoval’s food is incredibly fancy—he uses only the best ingredients, like Japanese A5 wagyu and Alba truffles—yet craveable, like the Berkshire pork ribs you eat with your hands. Sandoval tweaks dishes on a daily basis, but a few items, like jamón mangalica and nigiri, have become signatures. It’s hard to believe, but what’s arguably the best bite of sushi in town—Santa Barbara sea urchin one night, madai snapper the next­—isn’t even served at a sushi restaurant. For spring, Sandoval is most excited to work with white asparagus and rhubarb. “White asparagus is floral and takes on fat very well,” he says. “I really like rhubarb and foie gras in a light preparation with a lot of sweetness and acid to represent the season.”

The attention to every detail extends to the well-stocked bathroom, including breath mints made by Pastry Chef Genie Kwon. She’ll send you home with a generous sweet treat to enjoy the morning after, too.

G OLDEN OSETR A CAV I A R W ITH COCON U T DA SH I, LYCH EE , A N D SE A GR A PE

13-course tasting menu, ($190/person); optional non-alcoholic beverage pairing ($85/person); standard beverage pairing ($125/person); reserve wine pairing ($250/person), oriolechicago.com

SAMMY FAZE PHOTOGRAPHY

A L A SK A N K I NG CR A B W ITH AGUACH I LE , CH ICH A R RON E S, A N D W I LD OR EGA NO

M A K E IT B E T T E R M AY/J U N E 2018 59

EL IDE A S

The industrial brick building in Douglas Park and bottlecap sign on the door are hardly what you’d expect of Michelin-star dining in Chicago, but El Ideas is Chicago’s fine-dining rebel. Chef Phillip Foss runs a bare-bones open kitchen operation with just two cooks blasting hip hop and cranking out high-quality food. Befriend the team and you might be asked to do shots with them after service.

El Ideas finds inspiration everywhere, viewing life through the lens of food. One new dish was inspired by Chef Abe Conlon’s egg tarts at Fat Rice, and the El Ideas version is equally rich, but savory, topped with tart finger lime and briny caviar and sea urchin bottarga.

French fries and ice cream is one dish that will never leave the menu, a fine-dining version of dunking your fast-food fries into melting ice cream, inspired by Foss’ daughter. El Ideas kicks it up a notch with liquid-nitrogen vanilla ice cream, potato-leek soup and crispy diced fries. It’s hot, cold, crunchy and creamy all in one bite. Even better, there’s no dress code here and you’ll BYOB. 11-13-course tasting menu ($155/person); frontrow seat in the kitchen ($195/person), elideas.com

ELIZ A BETH

Self-taught chef Iliana Regan calls her cuisine “New Gatherer,” and thanks to the importance of foraging and Midwestern ingredients in her food, she’s been compared to René Redzepi and her restaurant regarded as the Noma of the Midwest. At Elizabeth, whimsical tasting menus eschew luxury products flown in from all corners of the world in favor of appreciating what is growing beneath our feet. Local ingredients like Lake Superior herring roe and Wisconsin wild rice appear on the menu along with mulberries Regan picked herself and veggies she pickled last year.

Regan has received several James Beard nominations, a Food & Wine best new chef award and a Michelin star for five years running, Prices fluctuate based on menu theme, elizabeth-restaurant.com 60 M AY/J U N E 2018 M A K E IT B E T T E R

so Elizabeth is certainly on the map for foodie visitors despite its offthe-beaten-path location in Lincoln Square. Themes play an important role here in telling a story through food and recent menus have been inspired by Dr. Seuss stories and Wes Anderson movies.

Generally, diners can expect to be served about a dozen courses, starting with several small bites. Prices fluctuate based on the menu theme, day of the week, and time, and tickets are available on Tock. Both alcoholic and non-alcoholic pairings are offered and the non-alcoholic option is especially thoughtful, including teas, juices, and tinctures all created by the kitchen.

LORENZO TASSONE

L A M B LOI N W ITH CH A R R ED TU R N I P, CUCU M BER , A PR ICOT, A N D A BROK EN YOGU RT A N D SMOK ED OLI V E OI L V I NA IGR ETTE

A LIN E A

SAGE , CH ICK EN, A N D OA K LE A F SMOLDER

Alinea is the only three-star Michelin restaurant left in Chicago and easily the top restaurant in town for the international jetset. Chef Grant Achatz was a pioneer in dining as theater with memorable courses like the now famous taffy apple helium balloon that is at once ridiculous, tasty, and fun. Achatz challenges the concept of what food can be, exploring molecular gastronomy and the idea of food as an art medium and science experiment. Since a complete renovation in 2016, the space is lighter and brighter with three different tasting experiences—in the gallery, in the salon, and at the kitchen table.

10- to 14- course tasting menu, ($185-$265/person); kitchen table for parties of 6 ($385/person), alinearestaurant.com

V E A L CH EEK , H E A RT OF PA LM, A N D PI N E A PPLE

N EXT

ALLEN HEMBERGER

M ER I NGU E , BLOOD OR A NGE , A N D PISTACH IO

This innovative West Loop concept is a bit more nomadic than big sister Alinea. Case in point: It changes its concept three times a year—we’re talking everything from restaurant decor to dinnerware. This year kicked off with historical French classics, followed by a modern interpretation of French cuisine (the two complementary menus are titled “French: from Classique to Nouvelle”) from April through June. Next up? An Alinea retrospective in two parts.

Prices fluctuate based on menu theme, nextrestaurant.com

M A K E IT B E T T E R M AY/J U N E 2018 61

SAVOR THE

MOMENT

Operated by the Gibsons Restaurant Group, this local favorite is a top area dining destination set within Rivers Casino’s walls. The menu features Gibsons Prime Angus Beef and also features lobster tails, king crab legs, fresh fish and seafood, salads and sandwiches. Gibsons Restaurant Group is the only restaurant group in the country to have its own USDA Prime Certification.

RIVERSCASINO.COM | 888.307.0777 | 3000 S. River Road | Des Plaines, IL 60018 Not valid for any participant of the Illinois Gaming Board Statewide Voluntary Self-Exclusion Program. Must be 21 years of age or older. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537).

Destinations

LO C A L G E TAWAYS A N D FA R- F LU N G J O U R N E YS TO SAT I S F Y YO U R WA N D E R LU S T Emmer and Rye in Austin, TX

WILL TRAVEL FOR FOOD

EMMER AND RYE

Live to eat? These four must-visit cities—each of them perfect for a long weekend away—promise a deliciously good time. » BY JULIE CHERNOFF

M A K E IT B E T T E R M AY/J U N E 2018 63

Destinations / GO

T

64 M AY/J U N E 2018 M A K E IT B E T T E R

Austin, TX

The capital city of Texas is much more than a government town, although the LBJ Presidential Library and the gorgeous Texas State Capitol building are well worth a visit. Increasingly, it has become one of the hottest foodie destinations in the country, its stunning growth perhaps due at least in part to the everexpanding influence of the annual South by Southwest film/tech/music festival.

• EAT HERE: Start your morning with a

delightful breakfast or brunch at CAFÉ NO SÉ, located in the South Congress Hotel, where you might recognize executive pastry chef Amanda Rockman from her star turns at Chicago’s Balena and Nico Osteria. Her kouign amann is legendary, and you can’t go wrong with her Ricotta Hotcakes gilded with bananas, pecan butter and maple syrup. The Golden Quinoa Bowl, topped with a poached egg, fried chickpeas, avocado, and pumpkin seed pesto is everything that’s right with modern morning food.

Lunch is when to eat like a native. In Austin, that means tacos and barbecue. It’s always taco time, so head immediately to one of the several TORCHY’S TACOS and don’t miss the Fried Avocado (trust me), Green Chile Pork or the Mr. Orange tacos, along with a side of Street Corn. Craving BBQ? Join the hungry hordes that descend upon the James

Beard Award-winning FRANKLIN BBQ in downtown Austin and order the justifiably famous brisket with sides of potato salad and slaw, and of course, a Lone Star beer to wash it down. If you’re up for a field trip, head out to SALT LICK BBQ in Driftwood, handily located across the way from the lovely Fall Creek Vineyards. Yes, there is fine wine to be had out in Texas Hill Country.

At dinnertime, it doesn’t get much more charming—or flat-out delicious—than LENOIR. Married couple Todd Duplechan and Jessica Maher wanted to bring something new to Austin. Inside the tiny restaurant, Lenoir offers a mix-and-match, microseasonal three-course prix fixe menu for $48 (extra courses are $12 each, and wine pairings can be had for $40), and if you so chose, you could order three desserts, or all seafood for your meal, but you’ll want to experience the full range of what they can do here.

TEXAS STATE CAPITOL

here was a time, not so very long ago, when there were only a few destinations for the food-obsessed: New York, San Francisco, New Orleans and Chicago. But the food world has greatly expanded, and cities once thought of as secondary— and even tertiary—markets are very much in it to win it with restaurants that showcase all the myriad flavors and ingredients these different regions have to offer.

In the past year, my travels have taken me to four American cities that have proven to be hotbeds of promising young chefs with restaurants drawing attention from the James Beard Awards and national food publications Food & Wine and Bon Appetit. If you, like me, consider yourself a devoted foodie, these cities deserve top spots on your vacation bucket list.

Opposite: The Texas State Capitol building; This page, clockwise from top: Live Music at SXSW; all the meat at Franklin BBQ; Kimber Modern; Polenta with confit mushrooms at Emmer and Rye.

Outdoors in the wine garden, expect shareable snacking plates, like Farmer Veggies + Labneh, Blue Corn Hush Puppies, and Grilled + Chilled Shrimp. Go for Happy Hour when all bottles of wine are half off, then kick back and relax.

FROM TOP: DENISE CHAMBERS; JULIE CHERNOFF; CASEY DUNN; EMMER & RYE

EMMER AND RYE,

found on the quieter end of Rainey Street, is a veggie-centric restaurant where they mill their own grains for house-made pasta and bread and honor local farms and producers. Dishes are meant to be shared, but keep in mind when ordering that in addition to the menu, special dishes circulate on carts like locavore dim sum. I’m still thinking about the Charred Broccoli with burnt tangerine-hoisin sauce and benne (sesame) seeds, the Dry-Aged Beef Tartare with potato miso and egg custard, and the Caramel Panna Cotta with meringue and lemon curd.

Although a little off the beaten path, L’OCA D’ORO is well worth a dinner detour, as their handcrafted pastas and salumi and scrumptious preparations of local products are as attractive as their social policies: They pay one fair wage to all employees, and have declared themselves a sanctuary restaurant. So you can order their Mafaldine pasta with carrot ragu and burrata, or their special S’More Stack dessert, and feel pretty damn good about it.

Not too far away is UCHIKO, an offshoot of its famous sushi sibling Uchi, which describes itself as “Japanese Farmhouse Dining.” I’m not sure about that label, but I do know that it’s a wow. Yes, there’s pristine sushi and sashimi, but more interesting here are the small dishes such as Karaage (marinated and fried chicken served with cucumber and seasonal pickles), or the Kamo Kemuri (seared duck breast dressed with blackberry, beet, and yes, smoke). Short Rib in a tamarind jus, accented with the fresh crunch of green apple and celery, falls apart to the touch. And the Jasmine Cream with cilantro granita is a must-order dessert .

• STAY HERE: THE KIMPTON HOTEL VAN ZANDT (hotelvanzandt.com), located just a stone’s throw from the hot spots of Rainey Street, is a hip oasis of calm that’s geared toward the music lover in all of us. Ask for a west- or

south-facing view room to catch a glimpse of the massive bat migration each night at sundown. Grab one of the hotel bikes and cruise on the easily accessible hike and bike trail along the banks of Lady Bird Lake. Prefer a smaller boutique hotel? Perhaps the KIMBER MODERN (kimbermodern.com), located in the SoCo (South Congress) neighborhood, is more your speed. It has the feel of a contemporary, art-filled treehouse surrounding a magical courtyard that is perfect for lingering over your complimentary breakfast.

M A K E IT B E T T E R M AY/J U N E 2018 65

Destinations / GO

LOUISVILLE, KY

• EAT HERE: Loved our brunch at HARVEST,

a “locally grown” restaurant in the downtown NuLu arts district. This farm-to-table spot kills it from the brioche rolls with sorghum butter to the Louismill Grits-N-Goo, the creamy grits topped with burgoo stew, a sunnyside-up egg, chive biscuit, and hot sauce.

The Pickle-Brined Fried Chicken Thighs with house slaw and Capriole goat ranch puts the Colonel to shame.

PROOF ON MAIN, located in the 21c Museum Hotel, is a feast for the eyes as well as the palate, as it is decorated with a rotating series of art installations. Chef Mike Wajda and his team are turning out breakfast, lunch, and dinner at a high level, from the morning Proof Benedict (cornmeal biscuit, country ham, and “red-eye” hollandaise) and lunchtime Gulf Shrimp Banh Mi sandwich to Hearth-Roasted PEI Mussels with merguez sausage and white beans in a Moroccan broth at dinner. Every 66 M AY/J U N E 2018 M A K E IT B E T T E R

dish is produced with an eye to seasonality, local products, and maximum taste.

“Mind of a Chef” star Edward Lee has three places you’ll want to check out immediately. Old Louisville is home to 610 MAGNOLIA, his original restaurant, which provides a modern take on Southern foods.

An ever-evolving tasting menu of four or six courses is on offer here. MILKWOOD is where Lee mashes up Southern flavors with his Asian heritage and adds bourbon: Smoked Chicken Wings get a hit of chili-lime sauce and a sprinkling of chopped scallion and sesame seeds, while his low-and-slow roasted Pork Shoulder is swabbed with black barbecue sauce and served with coconut rice and edamame. His

newest joint is WHISKEY DRY, a bar with food where you’ll find over 200 varieties of whiskey, ranging globally from Scotland to Japan. Expect a first-rate, seriously juicy cheeseburger, Pimento Cheese Curds, Poutine with kimchi and gravy, and boozy Adult-Only Milkshakes.

The former meatpacking district has heated up, and the 19th-century building that once housed a family market is now home to BUTCHERTOWN GROCERY, a hip hangout featuring craft cocktails (try the well-balanced Scofflaw, with Rittenhouse Rye, dry vermouth,

KENTUCKEY DERBY; 21C MUSEUM HOTELS; JULIE CHERNOFF

If you’re a bourbon lover, it won’t take much to coax you to visit this languid Southern town, the starting point for most jaunts to the Bourbon Trail. Or perhaps you follow the ponies, and the Kentucky Derby is your North Star. Either way, Louisville offers much beyond mint juleps and Big Bourbon, although they have long been the draw here.

Clockwise from left: Kentucky Derby; 21C Museum Hotel; Proof and Main; Whiskey Dry adult milkshake; below: Chef Ed Lee makes watermelon pickles

NASHVILLE, TN

JULIE CHERNOFF; CHRIS HOLLO; A LA MODE MEDIA; ANDREA BEHRENDS

The capital of country music has much to recommend it. No visit is complete without paying homage at the Grand Ole Opry or a visit to the Ryman Auditorium (the “Carnegie Hall of the South”). Music is at the very core of this city and cannot be ignored. But in between sets at the Bluebird and other honky-tonks, you’re going to get hungry and need a place to lay your head. That’s where we can be of some help. lemon, grenadine, and orange bitters) and updated comfort food at brunch, lunch, and dinner. Chesapeake Bay Oysters with bourbon mignonette, Bourbon Barrel Smoked Grits with white cheddar cheese, and the Steak Frites with black truffle béarnaise or chimichurri are all winners. Finish off with the Banana Bread Pudding if you dare.

• STAY HERE: Surround yourself with

modern art at the 21C MUSEUM HOTEL, winner of a Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Award for one of the Top Hotels in the South.

It’s a museum AND a boutique hotel, all in one. Look for the towering gold replica of Michaelangelo’s David outside on Main Street to guide you in. The rooms are luxurious and contemporary, but if you’re really looking to splurge, opt for the one-bedroom, threebathroom rooftop apartment with enormous garden terrace.

• EAT HERE: Elbow

your way through the scrum of college students and hipsters to get to BISCUIT LOVE in The Gulch (or play it safe at the Hillsboro Village or Franklin outposts).

You’ll be rewarded with a super flaky buttermilk biscuit that is the answer to prayers you didn’t even know you had. Kick it up a notch with the East Nasty biscuit sandwich, that naughty biscuit enveloping a fried boneless chicken thigh topped with aged Cheddar cheese and sausage gravy. Order a Bill Neal and you’ll get a plate of some very fine cheese grits topped with sautéed Gulf shrimp, mushrooms and bacon, sassed up

From top: Grand Ole Opry; Biscuit Love in The Gulch, plain biscuits at Biscuit Love.

with lemon-Tabasco sauce. All praise.

You can’t visit Nashville without a stop at ARNOLD’S COUNTRY KITCHEN, winner of the 2009 James Beard American Classics Award and home to the “meat & three.” For more than 30 years, they’ve been serving up heaping helpings of meatloaf, roast beef, chicken and dumplings and fried catfish with your choice of three sides, including mac and cheese, candied yams, turnip greens, and mashed potatoes.

Throw in a sweet tea and some chocolate chess pie and your food coma can commence.

M A K E IT B E T T E R M AY/J U N E 2018 67

Destinations / GO

From top: Deviled Ham Deviled Eggs from Husk; bartenders at Analog, the Writer’s Room at the Hutton Hotel

Charleston chefs have made some inroads here with the opening of BUTCHER & BEE and HUSK, and they’re welcome additions to the mix. Stop by the Butcher & Bee for brunch, lunch , or dinner and their Mediterraneanmeets-the-South cuisine. Picture I.F.C. (Israeli Fried Chicken) with harissa, tahini slaw and a potato roll, Turnip Cacio e Pepe, or the B & B Biscuit with whipped feta, honey butter, maple-sage sausage and softly scrambled eggs. Add a Spiced Dark Chocolate Pôt de Crème, then picture yourself happy.

Husk, from James Beard Award winner Sean Brock, is another South Carolina transplant. He’s a Southern food missionary, advocating for seed saving and promotion of heirloom Southern varietals and working almost exclusively with local products.

Southern favorites like Pimento Cheese with Benne Wafers find new life here with the addition of pickled serrano peppers; 68 M AY/J U N E 2018 M A K E IT B E T T E R

Johnny Cakes, another staple, benefit from the sweet-sour-spicy tang of barbecued spaghetti squash and sorghum butter. The whiskey list is deep, and the vibe is good.

• STAY HERE: THE GERMANTOWN INN is an

upscale, presidential-themed boutique inn just a few blocks from downtown, close to all of the action, but a world away once inside.

Contemplate the festivities to come over strong coffee and tasty pastries, then head out for the day. If you’re looking for a hotel experience, consider a stay at the HUTTON HOTEL in the West End, just a short walk to Vanderbilt University in one direction and Music Row in the other. The hotel was fully renovated in 2017, when they added ANALOG, the huge cocktail bar/live music venue. An extra bonus: They are tremendously pet friendly, offering welcome treats, toys, a pet bandana, and a Furry Friend Room Service menu.

Philly has a bit of a chip on its shoulder.

Even though it was once our nation’s first capital (until Hamilton sold it down the Chesapeake) and, with the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the birthplace of liberty, Philadelphia has long taken a back seat to New York City and Boston as the East Coast’s bustling hubs. But here in the City of Brotherly Love, there are world-class art museums (the Rocky-approved Philadelphia Museum of Art and the quirky, overstuffed Barnes Foundation), a Super Bowl-winning football team (complete with crazy-obsessive fans), endless historical places to nerd out, and a vibrant food scene well beyond the famous cheesesteak.

• EAT HERE: The Israeli-born, James Beard Award-winning chef Michael Solomonov is slowly taking over Philadelphia. You can have breakfast at one of six FEDERAL DONUTS locations (you’ll be ordering the Coffee Cake and Strawberry Lavender donuts and a Fried Chicken Sandwich, btw); a hummus-filled lunch at DIZENGOFF, modern deli at ROOSTER

JULIE CHERNOFF; RICK DIAMOND FOR GETTY IMAGES; KATIE KAUSS

PHILADELPHIA, PA

Clockwise from left: Philadelphia Museum of Art; visitors at the Barnes Foundation; Zahav; Suga; Niçoise Salad from Parc; below: The Ritz-Carlton, Philadelphia

SOUP COMPANY or ABE

GRAYDON WOOD; ©BARNES FOUNDATION; JULIE CHERNOFF (3); THE RITZ-CARLTON, PHILADELPHIA

FISHER, or falafel and

a tehina shake at the vegan restaurant GOLDIE. But the jewel in the crown is ZAHAV, the epicenter of the current Israeli food revolution in America. Revel in the gorgeous silken hummus, dressed with sesame, garlic, lemon, olive oil and spices; the fried cauliflower with labneh and mint; the haloumi with date, walnut and preserved orange; and the tender, flaky grilled branzino sauced with tzatziki, cucumber and harissa. Save room for the rich and velvety Chocolate Olive Oil Cake with cacao nibs and kumquat.

Oh, how I love PARC BRASSERIE, located right on Rittenhouse Square. Open for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and brunch, this enchanting French café echoes the feel of the great Parisian brasseries of St. Germaine. Start with a little something from the raw bar or the Onion Soup Gratinée, glistening under an epaulet of melty cheese. A glass of rosé and a Niçoise Salad would not be out of place, nor would a steaming bowl of mussels bathed in white wine, garlic, shallots and butter, accompanied by impossibly crispy frites.

People-watching on the front terrace is simply de rigueur.

Susanna Foo, another James Beard Award winner, is credited with bringing gourmet Chinese cuisine to America via Philadelphia.

Her son Gabe, a doctor who never quite shook the restaurant bug, coaxed her out of retirement and in 2016, they together opened SUGA, a modern Chinese bistro. Dishes like Crispy Yellowfin Tuna Tacos with avocado, jalapeño, and chili-soy glaze, Lobster Spring Rolls with spicy apricot aioli, and Tea-Smoked Peking Duck Breast with faro risotto and truffle emulsion showcase their willingness to experiment with different influences.

luxurious fabrics, and stunning floral displays.

Even if you don’t choose to stay there, a visit to the awe-inspiring lobby of THE RITZ-CARLTON, PHILADELPHIA is an absolute must. The neoclassic design of the original building, once a bank, was based on Rome’s Pantheon, and the space is simply jaw-dropping.

• STAY HERE: The Rittenhouse Square area

is a beautiful, central location from which to base your restaurant tour. You might opt for the KIMPTON HOTEL PALOMAR, with its spectacular art deco exterior and chic interior, or perhaps the nearby HOTEL SOFITEL, all dark woods, M A K E IT B E T T E R M AY/J U N E 2018 69

18/19 DANCE at the Harris Miami City Ballet

November 8, 2018 / 7:30PM November 9, 2018 / 7:30PM Miami City Ballet’s Jordan-Elizabeth Long. Photo by Alberto Oviedo.

Ragamala Dance Company Written in Water

January 11, 2019 / 7:30PM

English National Ballet Akram Khan’s Giselle

February 28, 2019 / 7:30PM March 1, 2019 / 7:30PM March 2, 2019 / 2:00PM March 2, 2019 / 7:30PM

Gauthier Dance Mega Israel

April 5, 2019 / 7:30PM April 6, 2019 / 7:30PM

312.334.7777 | harristheaterchicago.org | 205 East Randolph Drive

Jay Franke and David Herro

The Harris Family Foundation, Caryn and King Harris Dance Residency Fund

Abby McCormick O’Neil and D. Carroll Joynes

Miami City Ballet Engagement Presenting Sponsor

English National Ballet Engagement Presenting Sponsor

English National Ballet Engagement Lead Sponsor

Out & About C A L E N DA R / T H E AT E R / D I N E / B E T T E R M A K E R S

EAT THIS NOW

THEATER

Jesus Christ Superstar

TODD ROSENBERG

LISTING ON PAGE 72

M A K E IT B E T T E R M AY/J U N E 2018 71

Calendar

T H E AT E R / CO M E DY / F I L M / M U S I C / G A L L E R I E S / M U S E U M S / E V E N T S

BY NICOLE SCHNITZLER

EVENTS

THEATER CLOSES MAY 20 Jesus Christ Superstar With music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice, this global blockbuster tells the story of the final weeks in the life of Jesus Christ, from the perspective of Judas Iscariot. Lyric Opera of Chicago, 20 N. Wacker Dr., 312-332-2244, lyricopera.org MAY 8-20 The Wizard of Oz This production follows the iconic story of Dorothy as she makes the journey through Oz,

refreshed for a modern audience as told through updated special effects and original songs composed by Harold Arlen.

The Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St., Chicago, 800-745-3000, thechicagotheatre.com MAY 18-20 Ballet Nacional de Cuba Don Quixote Ballet Nacional de Cuba returns to Chicago for the first time in 15 years with company director Alicia Alonso’s Don Quixote, putting a Cuban spin on the classic ballet.

Auditorium Theatre,

72 M AY/J U N E 2018 M A K E IT B E T T E R

50 E. Congress Pkwy., 312-341-2300, auditoriumtheatre.org MAY 29-JUNE 3 Dirty Dancing In this live performance, expect the same music, romance, and dancing that catapulted the film into worldwide fame.

Cadillac Palace Theater, 151 W. Randolph St., 312-977-1700, broadway inchicago.com JUNE 9 Giordano Dance Chicago America’s original jazz dance company closes out its 55th season with its fourth full-evening

appearance at the Auditorium Theatre.

50 E. Congress Pkwy., 312-341-2300, auditoriumtheatre.org JUNE 12-JULY 15 The Cher Show Twotime Tony nominee Stephanie J. Block stars as one of three actresses portraying Cher in this bio-musical, which chronicles the life of the Oscarwinning star. Oriental Theatre, 24 W. Randolph St., 312977-1700, broadway inchicago.com

H IG H LIG HT S

Editors’ Favorites Make It Better is a proud media sponsor of these events: MAY 11 The People’s Music School Gala: Let It Shine The People’s Music School serves roughly 700 students through programs supported by its annual gala.

This year’s event will include a cocktail reception, seated dinner, and student and guest artist performances. Morgan Manufacturing, 401 N. Morgan St., Chicago, peoples musicschool.org MAY 31 The Working Lunch Celebrate 45 years of “speaking up, speaking out, and making change” at this Women Employed event. Laura S. Washington will moderate a conversation with Ai-jen Poo, Mónica Ramírez, and Andrea Pino. Hyatt Regency Chicago, 151 E. Upper Wacker Dr., Chicago, women employed.org/ working-lunch JUNE 1 Smith Nature Symposium and Benefit Now in its 35th year, this Brushwood Center at Ryerson Woods symposium celebrates nature and leaders in the realm

of conservation. This year, Robert Redford and Sibylle Szaggars Redford will be honored.

See more on page 36.

Brushwood Center, 21850 N. Riverwoods Rd., Riverwoods, brushwoodcenter.org BEGINS JUNE 7 Food Truck Thursdays with Music in the Park The Ravinia District of Highland Park will host Food Truck Thursdays with Music in the Park through Sept. 13. These evenings will feature food from local food trucks; adult beverages from Abigail’s, Ravinia Brewing Company, and Viaggio; and live music.

Jens Jensen Park, 486 Roger Williams Ave., Highland Park, facebook.com/ RaviniaDistrict .HighlandPark JUNE 20 Chicago Debate League Luncheon 2018 Champion of Debate Andrea Zapp will be honored at the seventh annual Make Room for Debate luncheon. 12pm-1:30pm, Fairmont Chicago, 200 N. Columbus Dr., chicagodebate commission.org

EDDIE HERNANDEZ PHOTOGRAPHY

MAY 18-25 Illinois Craft Beer Week Beerophiles rejoice: This annual celebration of local hops (formerly Chicago Craft Beer Week) features hundreds of events in breweries, bars, and restaurants all over the state.

It kicks off on the 18th with Beer Under Glass (BUG), the yearly fundraising bash at Garfield Park Conservatory. illinoisbeer.org

COMEDY MAY 19 Stories I Only Tell My Friends: Live Following his sold-out debut, Rob Lowe is taking his one-man show, “Stories I Only Tell My Friends: LIVE!” on a limited-run tour—inspired by the success of his two New York Times best-selling memoirs. Cadillac Palace Theater, 151 W. Randolph St., 312-9771700, broadway inchicago.com JUNE 1 The Onion Comedy & Arts Festival Presents David Cross Spend an evening with Emmy Award winner and Grammy Award nominee David Cross, a performer, writer, and producer whom Comedy Central dubbed “One of

the Top 100 Stand-Up Comedians of All Time.”

The Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St., Chicago, 800-745-3000, the chicagotheatre.com JUNE 12 Carol Burnett During “An Evening of Laughter and Reflection Where the Audience Asks the Questions,” Carol Burnett will take questions from the audience in a format that harkens back to the legendary openings of The Carol Burnett Show.

The Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St., Chicago, 800-745-3000, the chicagotheatre.com

FILM MAY 4-10 Chicago Critics Film Festival Created by the Chicago Film Critics Association

in 2013, this festival offers a selection of films composed of recent festival favorites and asyet-undistributed works from a wide variety of filmmakers. The Music Box Theatre, 3733 N. Southport Ave., Chicago, 773-383-9667, chicago criticsfilmfestival.com JUNE 6-10 Chicago Underground Film Festival This annual film festival showcases the best in new American and international cinema and provides the public with access to some of the most critically acclaimed filmmakers and emerging talent from around the globe.

2558 W. 16th St., Stage 18, Chicago, 773-9981082, cuff.org

MUSIC CLOSES MAY 4 Bach Week Festival The 45th annual concert series will feature the world premiere of Marcos Balter’s new Bach-inspired work for solo cello, pianist Sergei Babayan in a Bach concerto and solo works, and the festival’s first performance of Bach’s Cantata 191. 1555 Sherman Ave. Ste. 312, Evanston, 847-2699050, bachweek.org JUNE 1-2 33rd Chicago Gospel Music Festival Celebrating the great influence of the music genre born in this city 80 years ago, the Chicago Gospel Music Festival features local and national artists from traditional choirs

to contemporary urban styles. The best part?

It’s free! Millennium Park, 201 E. Randolph St., and Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington St. chicagogospelmusic festival.us JUNE 8–10 35th Annual Chicago Blues Festival This fest features performances from over 100 national, international and local artists celebrating the city’s rich blues tradition, while shining a spotlight on the genre’s contributions to soul, R&B, gospel, rap, and more.

Millennium Park, 201 E. Randolph St., chicago bluesfestival.us JUNE 2 Diana Ross One of the earliest acts of this summer-long

festival is this diva supreme, best known for hits like “Someday We’ll Be Together,” “Stop! In the Name of Love,” and “You Can’t Hurry Love.” Ravinia, 418 Sheridan Rd., Highland Park, 847266-5000, Ravinia.org JUNE 27-30 Star Wars: A New Hope in Concert John Williams’ Oscar-winning score performed live to a backdrop of the full feature film? Star Wars fans, this is your moment. Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Center 220 S. Michigan Ave., cso.org/anewhope

GALLERIES MAY 12-26 Galleri Ramfjord Group Show The Norwegian

DISCOVER IT THROUGH AUG 26 EXPLORE NATURE’S WAY OF TEACHING. Visit our popular Animal Secrets

through August 26, to uncover hidden habitats of our furry and feathered friends.

Let curiosity be your guide and discover why we’re The Place Where Awesome Lives!

KOHL CHILDREN’S MUSEUM OF GREATER CHICAGO • 2100 Patriot Blvd., Glenview • (847) 832-6600 • WWW. KCMGC.ORG

KohlsChildren_0518_FNL.indd 1

4/11/18 10:05 AM

M A K E IT B E T T E R M AY/J U N E 2018 73

Out & About / CALENDAR gallery Galleri Ramfjord curates this exhibition of all Scandinavian artists.

Vertical Gallery, 1016 N. Western, Chicago, 773697-3846, vertical gallery.com OPENS JUNE 2 Alexis Rockman: The Great Lakes Cycle This multifaceted project explores the past, present, and future of the Great Lakes. Chicago Cultural Center, Exhibit Hall, 78 E. Washington St., chicagocultural center.org

MUSEUMS OPENS MAY 4 Flesh: Ivan Albright at the Art Institute of Chicago More than 30 works from the museum’s

collection present a focused retrospective on this “master of the macabre,” whose work even today retains the power to shock, move, and fascinate. The Art Institute, 111 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago, 312-443-3600, artic.edu MAY 4 Astro Overnights at Adler Planetarium Explore the Solar System at this after-hours, familyfriendly event, which features new, hands-on programming, special sky shows, and the chance to spend the night under the stars or in an exhibit next to a planet. Adler Planetarium, 1300 S. Lake Shore Dr., Chicago, 312-922-7827, adler planetarium.org

OPENS MAY 12 Never a Lovely So Real: Photography and Film in Chicago, 1950–1980 Providing a poetic survey of photographers and filmmakers who worked in neighborhoods across the city from the 1950s through the 1970s, this exhibition draws a comprehensive portrait of Chicago at the time.

The Art Institute, 111 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago, 312-443-3600, artic.edu OPENS JUNE 15 Antarctic Dinosaurs at the Field Museum This new exhibition follows Field Museum scientists on the thrilling search for never-before-seen fossils from Antarctica and sheds new light on our planet’s changing climate and geology.

Join us for the 5th Annual RACE AGAINST GUN VIOLENCE 8K & 5K Run (USATF Certified Courses) 2-Mile Walk| Tots for Peace Sprint THURSDAY, JUNE 7, 2018 Program starts at 6:30 PM at Hutchinson Field, Grant Park, Chicago

The Field Museum, 1400 S Lake Shore Dr., Chicago, 312-922-9410, fieldmuseum.org

EVENTS MAY 5 20th Annual Chicago Kids and Kites Festival Kids of all ages will get swept up by this timeless spring tradition, when free kite kits are provided for children to build, decorate and fly. Enjoy other family activities, too, such as professional kite- flying demonstrations, balloon artists, and the Big Kite Candy Drop.

Cricket Hill in Lincoln Park, Lake Shore Dr. and Montrose Dr., Chicago, chicagokidsandkites.us MAY 7 James Beard Awards This evening celebrates the chefs and

hospitality leaders who are making America’s food culture more exciting and diverse, including Chicago nominees Sarah Rinkavage (Marisol), Greg Wade (Publican Quality Bread), Abe Conlon (Fat Rice), and Lee Wolen (Boka, Somerset). Lyric Opera of Chicago, 20 N. Wacker Dr., jamesbeard.org

MAY 19-20 Lincoln Park Wine Fest This fourth annual tasting event in Lincoln Park celebrates fermented grapes with more than 80 varietals, food, artists, a deejay, and food pairings. Jonquil Park, 1001 W. Wrightwood, Chicago, 773-8683010, lincolnpark winefest.com

MAY 19 TODO Chicago River Clean Sweep Help maintain Chicago’s most treasured waterway on May 19, when TODO will be hosting its sixth annual Chicago River Clean Sweep—on kayaks. Kayak Chicago will supply the boats, bags, guides, and basic instruction for the cleanup, while a local band serenades paddlers. TODOnfp.org

MAY 25 Chicago Dogs Opening Day Our newest baseball team will face the Kansas City T-Bones for their home opener at Impact Field in Rosemont.

The team will play 50 games throughout the summer. Impact Field, 9850 Balmoral Ave. Rosemont, 847-2602544, thechicago dogs.com

Connect. Commit. Contribute.

Be Part of Building Peace In Chicago.

Strides for Peace believes all of Chicagoland has a stake in stopping gun violence and that by working together we not only change the narrative of our city — we save lives.

To register, volunteer, or donate, visit stridesforpeace.org Use Coupon Code PEACERUN for 10% off registration fees Follow us!    stridesforpeace

PROCEEDS AND 100% OF DONATIONS BENEFIT MORE THAN 40 PARTICIPATING ORGANIZATIONS WORKING TO END GUN VIOLENCE IN CHICAGO

StridesForPeace_0518_CR.indd 1

74 M AY/J U N E 2018 M A K E IT B E T T E R

4/5/18 12:19 PM

MAY 26 Chicago Memorial Day Parade The City of Chicago’s Memorial Day Parade honors all men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our country.

State St. from Lake St. to Van Buren St., cityof chicago.org/dcase MAY 26-27 Randolph Street Market Festival Since 2003, Chicago’s Randolph Street Market is a year-round shopping destination for everything from furnishings and art to jewelry and global goods. 1341 W. Randolph St., randolph streetmarket.com MAY 27 MB Bike the Drive With Chicago recently named the number-one bicycling city in America

by Bicycling magazine, what better way to celebrate than with a ride on the city’s crown jewel roadway—Lake Shore Drive? Jackson St. and Columbus Dr., 312-9671016, bikethedrive.org MAY 27-28 BelmontSheffield Music Fest Kick off Chicago’s summer street fest season with this event, a gathering of top local tribute bands on the main stage, a second community entertainment stage, food, libations and arts and crafts vendors.

Sheffield Ave. from Belmont to Roscoe, Chicago, 773-868-3010, chicagoevents.com JUNE 9-10 Wells Street Art Festival This early summer

art extravaganza is recognized as one of Chicago’s most popular fairs, thanks to works from more than 200 artists. Expect live music, kids’ activities, and tastes from Old Town restaurants, too. Wells St. between North Ave. and Division, Chicago, 773-868-3010, wellsstreetartfest.us JUNE 9 North Shore Pride Fest Celebrate Highwood and Van Gogh Vodka kick off their 6th Annual North Shore Pride Fest to head into Pride Month and support the LGBTQ community.

Festivities include a full day of family-friendly activities. Everts Park, 130 Highwood Ave., Highwood, 847-6681213, celebrate highwood.org

JUNE 16-17 Gold Coast Art Fair at Grant Park Celebrate the summer season with an artfilled experience at the 61st annual Gold Coast Art Fair, a celebration of more than 300 juried artists from around the world. Experience artist demonstrations, live music, and interactive art projects. Butler’s Field, S. Lake Shore Dr. and E. Monroe St., 847926-4300, amdur productions.com JUNE 22-24 Logan Square Arts Festival This immersive arts and music experience is presented by local nonprofit organization I Am Logan Square, with music curation and cocktails by The Whistler, 30 bands, 50 art vendors, and food

from neighborhood restaurants. 3131 W. Logan Blvd., Chicago, logan squareartsfestival.com JUNE 23-24 Evanston Chamber Artisan SummerFest The annual North Shore art happening features the works of nearly 100 juried artists, as well as more than 25 artists focusing on ecofriendly and recycled pieces. Peruse it all while checking out craft beer and wine tastings, strolling musicians, food, and kids’ activities. Sherman and Church Sts., Evanston, 773-868-3010, chicagoevents.com JUNE 24 49th Annual Chicago Pride Parade Celebrate the culmination of gay pride month

with one of the largest gay pride parades in the country.Parade kicks off at noon on the corner of Montrose and Broadway Aves., chicagopridecalendar.org.

OPENS JUNE 28 22nd Annual Chicago SummerDance Swing, waltz, cha-cha, or simply enjoy the music at the largest outdoor social dancing series in the United States.

Dancers of all ages and skill levels are invited to take part in introductory one-hour dance lessons from professional instructors, followed by live music and dancing.

Grant Park, Spirit of Music Garden, 601 S. Michigan Ave., chicago summerdance.org

RAVINIA DISTRICT FOOD TRUCK THURSDAYS WITH MUSIC IN THE PARK

4:30PM TO DUSK

JUNE 7TH TIL SEPTEMBER 13TH

JENS JENSEN PARK ST. JOHNS & ROGERS WILLIAMS

bensidounusa.com

AL FRESCO DINING • LIVE MUSIC RaviniaParkDistrict_0518_FNL.indd 1

For More Details, Visit:

https://www.facebook.com/RaviniaDistrict.HighlandPark/

3/28/18 10:08 AM

M A K E IT B E T T E R M AY/J U N E 2018 75

Editor’s Theater Picks W E T U R N T H E S P OT L I G H T O N T H E H OT T E S T S H OW S I N TOW N .

ROBERT LOER ZEL

20,000 Leagues Under the Seas

THEATER APRIL 27-MAY 20 Jesus Christ Superstar Lyric Opera of Chicago continues its acclaimed Broadway at Lyric initiative with Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s popular 1970 rock opera about the last week of Jesus’ life. This is the

North American debut of Timothy Sheader’s energetic production, which won Britain’s Olivier Award after its first run in London.

The Guardian called it “gorgeous, thrilling, heavenly.” Lyric Opera, 20 N. Wacker Drive, Chicago, 312-827-5600, www.lyricopera.com

76 M AY/J U N E 2018 M A K E IT B E T T E R

MAY 9-JUNE 17 Buried Child The late, great Sam Shepard’s Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winner from 1978 gets a fresh look from talented director Kimberly Senior, who’s working with a stellar cast, including Larry Yando, Shannon Cochran and Mark Montgomery.

Shepard’s stark drama captures a family disintegrating in a desolate corner of rural Illinois.

Writers Theatre, 325 Tudor Court, Glencoe, 847-242-6000, writerstheatre.org MAY 18-27 Ever in the Glades Laura Schellhardt, a local

playwright who teaches at Northwestern, wrote this tale of five teens growing up on an island in the Everglades— where the adults are as dangerous as the gators.

Northwestern’s Wirtz Center is presenting this world premiere, directed

by Rives Collins, before it moves to New York City’s prestigious Kennedy Center. The show is said to be suitable for kids 12 and older, but it does contain strong language.

Josephine Louis Theater, 20 Arts Circle Drive, Evanston, 847-491-7282, wirtz.northwestern.edu MAY 23–AUG. 19 20,000 Leagues Under the Seas Jules Verne’s thrilling nautical adventure from 1870 should be an ideal

vehicle for Lookingglass, a company renowned for its playful and inventive stagings of literary classics.

Lookingglass Theatre, 821 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, 312-337-0665, lookingglasstheatre.org JUNE 9-17 The Pirates of Penzance Music Theater Works, the local group formerly called Light Opera Works, presents the most famous of Gilbert and Sullivan’s operettas, promising a swashbuckling good time that’s suitable for kids as young as 8, with plenty of wit and musical flourishes that the grown-ups will appreciate. Cahn Auditorium, 600 Emerson, Evanston, 847-920-5360, music theaterworks.com

Guards at the Taj

OTHER PLAYS WORTH CHECKING OUT: MAY 5-JUNE 10, Having Our Say, Goodman Theatre, 312-443-3800, goodmantheatre.org MAY 10-JUNE 19, Cry It Out, Northlight Theatre, 847-673-6300, northlight.org MAY 23-JUNE 3, Druid Theatre’s Waiting for Godot, Chicago Shakespeare Theater, 312-595-5600, chicagoshakes.com MAY 25-JUNE 24, Mies Julie, Victory Gardens Theatre, 773-871-3000, victorygardens.org

MAY 25-JUNE 24, Father Comes Home From the Wars (Parts 1, 2 & 3), Goodman Theatre, 312-443-3800, goodmantheatre.org MAY 29-JUNE 3, Dirty Dancing, Cadillac Palace Theatre, 800-775-2000, broadwayinchicago.com MAY 31-JULY 22, Guards at the Taj, Steppenwolf Theatre, 312-335-1650, steppenwolf.org JUNE 12-JULY 15, The Cher Show, Oriental Theatre, 312-977-1700, broadwayinchicago.com JUNE 21-AUG. 5, The Roommate, Steppenwolf Theatre, 312-335-1650, steppenwolf.org

NorthlightTheatre_0518_FNL.indd 1

4/16/18 2:35 PM

M A K E IT B E T T E R M AY/J U N E 2018 77

Dine

EDITED BY JULIE CHERNOFF

773-772-4422, piecechicago.com LD $

DOWNTOWN/ LOOP ACANTO Italian Terrific rustic Italian food is just within reach of Millennium Park and Chicago’s Cultural Mile. Order one of chef Christopher Gawronski’s thin-crust pizzas or tender pastas and a glass of wine, and relax. 18 S. Michigan Ave., 312-578-0763, acantochicago.com LD, BR $$

Cindy’s jaw-dropping wall of windows

• CINDY’S Mediterranean Shared Plates The panoramic rooftop patio views overlooking Millenium Park and Lake Michigan are worth it alone, but happily chef Christian Ragano turns out food both delicious and Instagrammable. 12 S. Michigan Ave., 312-792-3502, cindysrooftop.com LD, BR $$$

CHICAGO ANDERSONVILLE BIG JONES Southern Just off a recent reno, this is chef Paul Fehribach’s delicious letter to the American South, inspired by its people and history.

The cornbread! The chicken! The gumbo!

All stellar. 5347 N. Clark St., 773-2755725, bigjoneschicago. com LD, BR $$ HOPLEAF Gastropub For 25 years, this has been the place for

mussels and frites, washed down with one of more than 60 different craft beers.

5148 N. Clark St., Chicago, 773-334-9851, hopleafbar.com LD $

BUCKTOWN/ WICKER PARK ADA STREET Global/ Shared Plates New chef Scott Sax brings a decidedly Latin flair to this charming resto, including pleasantly doughy Brazilian Pao de Quejo, tequila-glazed Grilled Baby Octopus and Pork Adobo. The

78 M AY/J U N E 2018 M A K E IT B E T T E R

outdoor patio is a superfun (and secluded) summer destination.

1664 N. Ada St., 773697-7069, adastreet chicago.com D $$ HOT CHOCOLATE American Comfort Food James Beard Award-winning pastry chef Mindy Segal is so much more than a dessert queen; witness the brilliance of her mac and cheese, the perfect hamburger, or her Crispy Chicken with Grits. But back to the dessert—if you decide to leave without

slurping down her Malted Coffee Cocoa Nib Milkshake, you are clearly insane. 1747 N. Damen Ave., 773-4891747, hotchocolate chicago.com LD, BR $$ PIECE Pizza/Brewery New Haven-style pizza at its finest (read: charred, thin-crust Neopolitan-style), especially when accompanied by a growler of their awardwinning brew. If you really want to be taken seriously, order the clam with bacon.

1927 W. North Ave.,

THE DEARBORN Upscale Tavern It’s the perfect location for dinner before (or after—they’re open late!) virtually any Loop theater show or concert. The Dearborn’s eclectic global cuisine covers the gamut from Korean BBQ Tacos to Shrimp and Octopus Ceviche, but they’ve also got a damn good burger.

145 N. Dearborn St., 312384-1242, thedearborn tavern.com LD, BR $$

GOLD COAST THE PURPLE PIG Mediterranean/ Small Plates Chef Jimmy Bannos Jr. is a fourth- generation restaurateur—and a James Beard Award winner. Known for an awe-inspiring collection of cured meats, cheeses, “smears,” and housemade antipasti, they keep the plancha fired up with a great selection of meaty small plates, perfect for sharing after a hard day of shopping on Michigan Avenue.

500 N. Michigan Ave.,

312-464-1744, thepurple pigchicago.com L D, $$ SOMERSET Seasonal American Chef Lee Wolen and pastry goddess Meg Galus are at it again, shaking up the Gold Coast with this snazzy resto in the new Viceroy Hotel, designed to the nines and the perfect backdrop for their seasonal take on elevated comfort food.

Viceroy Hotel, 1112 N. State St., 312-586-2150, somersetchicago.com BLD, BR $$$

SPIAGGIA Italian Barack and Michelle flipped for James Beard Award winner Tony Mantuano’s luxe Italian cuisine, and it’s easy to understand why. The nearby Café Spiaggia is a more casual option and is also open for lunch.

980 N. Michigan Ave., 2nd floor, 312-280-2750, spiaggiarestaurant.com D $$$$

LINCOLN PARK/ LAKEVIEW ALINEA Tasting Menu James Beard Award winner and three-star Michelin chef Grant Achatz has the world on a string. Reservations are rare and the price is steep, but if you can, this is an experience you should have at least once. 1723 N. Halsted St., 312-867-0110, alinearestaurant.com D $$$$

BOKA Contemporary American Chef Lee Wolen ably helms the BOKA Group’s flagship restaurant. Clubby, sleek interiors are the

CHICAGO ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION HOTEL

A N I N S I D E R ’ S G U I D E TO T H E V E RY B E S T E AT S I N C H I C AG O A N D B E YO N D

ideal backdrop for his lovely, seasonal American cuisine and pastry chef Meg Galus’ outstanding creations.

1729 N. Halsted St., 312-337-6070, bokachicago.com D $$$ NAOKI Sushi Muchawarded sushi chef Naoki Nakashima is all about the freshest, most pristine sashimi and nigiri. Japanese small plates, specialty maki and substantial sake and Japanese whiskey offerings round out the menu. 2300 N. Lincoln Park, 773-868-0002, naoki-sushi.com D $$ NORTH POND Seasonal American This Arts & Crafts beauty perches on the edge of a tranquil pond in verdant Lincoln Park. James Beard

Award-winning chef Bruce Sherman sources from small local farms to create his exquisitely prepared and presented dishes.

2610 N. Cannon Dr., 773-477-5845, north pondrestaurant.com D, BR $$$

RICCARDO TRATTORIA Italian Now that’s Italian— Northern Italian, to be exact. We’d be hard-pressed to name a favorite among the gems, but truly every risotto and pasta dish is like a quick trip to Milan or Florence.

Authentic and delicioso.

Sister restaurant Riccardo Enoteca is across the street. 2119 N. Clark St., 773-5490038, riccardotrattoria. com D $$

LOGAN SQUARE /AVONDALE

Ave., 773-661-9170, eatfatrice.com LD, BR $$

Ave., 773-661-1582, osterialanghe.com D $$

DOS URBAN CANTINA Modern Mexican Husband-and-wife chef team Brian and Jennifer Enyart opened this spot as a showcase for their modern Mexican cuisine.

Octopus al pastor with pineapple and adobo and masa gnocchi in chorizo sauce are just a few of their inventive dishes.

2829 W. Armitage Ave., 773-661-6452, dosurban cantina.com D, BR $$

GIANT Global Cuisine Chef Jason Vincent is a culinary omnivore with many influences, so he decided to cook all of his favorites. The buzz around the Jonah Crab Salad with Waffle Fries, Super Uni Shooter and the “Sortallini”? Well deserved. 3209 W. Armitage Ave., 773-252-0997, giantrestaurant.com

PARACHUTE Korean Top Chef finalist Beverly Kim and her husband Johnny Clark were in the forefront of the couplesopening-restaurants phenomenon in Chicago with this fabulous Korean fusion spot in Avondale. The Baked Potato Bing Bread is a must-order, along with the Oysters with Soju Granita and the Bi Bim Bop, here made with yellowfin tuna and preserved lemon.

3500 N. Elston Ave., 773-654-1460, parachute restaurant.com D $$

FAT RICE Macanese The first Macanese restaurant in Chicago is a happy combination of Southeast Asian, Portuguese, Indian and Chinese food. The Arroz Gordo (“Fat Rice”) is like paella on steroids.

2957 W. Diversey

D $$

OSTERIA LANGHE Italian Possibly the best Italian restaurant in the city, this sister restaurant to Animale is run by Scottish chef Cameron Grant and BelgianItalian frontman Aldo Zaninotto.

2824 W. Armitage

PILSEN/ BRIDGEPORT THE DUCK INN Gastropub Bridgeport’s

other favorite son, Kevin Hickey, came home and brought a restaurant with him. The Rotisserie Duck is the star of the show, but the supporting players are equally talented. 2701 S. Eleanor, 312-724-8811, the duckinnchicago.com D $$ HAISOUS Vietnamese On everyone’s best new restaurant list, this Pilsen spot scored a Bib Gourmand rating from the venerable Michelin Guide. Owners Thai and Danielle Dang are sharing their love of Vietnamese food with us. And trust us—from the soulful beef pho to the earthy roasted duck stuffed with kaffir lime leaves, you will feel the love. 1800 S. Carpenter St., 312-702-1303, haisous.com D, BR $$

TRUNK SHOW MAY 4 & 5 Representative will be on hand to customize your choices.

810 Elm Street Winnetka, IL 60093 847.446.2112 | francesheffernan.com FrancesH_0518_FNL.indd 1

3/22/18 11:34 AM

M A K E IT B E T T E R M AY/J U N E 2018 79

Out & About / DINE S.K.Y. Global Fusion L.A. transplant Stephen Gillanders unites the cuisines of East Asia and the Mediterranean at this chic new spot.

Dishes like Foie Gras Bibimbap and Maine Lobster Dumplings with Jade Butter are bursting with flavor. 1239 W. 18th St., 312-846-1077, sky restaurantchicago.com D $$

RIVER NORTH BRINDILLE French Chef/owner Carrie Nahabedian’s seasonal interpretations of impeccable French cuisine are worth every penny. Luxe dishes such as Hudson Valley foie gras, steak tartare, and whole Dover sole sound their siren call. Tasting menus available. 534 N.

Clark St., 312-595-1616, brindille-chicago.com D $$$

FRONTERA GRILL Mexican For over 30 years, James Beard Award-winning chef Rick Bayless has been educating Chicago— and beyond—about authentic regional Mexican cuisine. His fine-dining restaurant, Topolobampo, shares an entrance with Frontera; fast casual Xoco is on the corner.

All three more than live up to the hype. 445 N. Clark St., 312-661-1434, rickbayless.com LD, BR Frontera Grill $$/Xoco $/Topolobampo $$$ GT FISH & OYSTER Seafood Chef Giuseppe Tentori, in partnership with the Boka Group,

Schmechtig_Landscapes_0518_CR_FNL.indd 1

80 M AY/J U N E 2018 M A K E IT B E T T E R

has his way with seafood, and the results are memorable. 531 N. Wells St., 312-929-3501, gtoyster.com LD, BR $$ GT PRIME Steakhouse See above; substitute meat for seafood and you’ve got the idea.

707 N. Wells St., 312600-6305, gprime.com D $$$

PORTSMITH Seafood From the Fifty/50 Group comes this gorgeous seafoodforward resto. The bread service is stellar, raw bar items topnotch, and Chef Nate Henssler’s cacio e pepe with uni butter and caviar a rich surprise.

660 N. State St., 312202-6050, portsmith chicago.com BLD, BR $$$

TANTA Peruvian Peruvian super chef Gaston Acurio brings Lima to Chicago by way of his kitchen, turning out luscious empanadas, antichuchos (skewers), cebiche with leche de tigre (translated as “tiger’s milk,” but not really!), pollo a la brasa, and more. Pisco drinks are big here, and we don’t mind at all.

118 W. Grand Ave., 312-222-9700, tanta chicago.com LD, BR $$

SOUTH LOOP ACADIA Tasting Menu Dinner is always a wow at this Michelin Guide two-star stunner. Chef Ryan McCaskey plays with the classics in beautiful and supremely flavorful ways. 1639 S.

Wabash Ave., 312360-9500, acadia chicago.com D $$$$ MERCAT A LA PLANXA Spanish In this Spanish spot in the Blackstone Hotel, small plates, Catalan-style cuisine, a lively downstairs bar, and an airy two-story dining room are all selling points. 638 S. Michigan Ave., 312-765-0524, mercat chicago.com BLD, BR $$$

STREETERVILLE / GOLD COAST MARGEAUX BRASSERIE French Bistro California celeb chef Michael Mina’s first outpost in Chicago, Margeaux pulses with life—and sound, so be forewarned. Bistro favorites abound, but

the Shellfish Plateau is truly above and beyond.

Waldorf Astoria Chicago, 11 E. Walton St., 312-625-1324, michaelmina.net BLD, BR $$

NICO OSTERIA Italian/Seafood The Gold Coast’s chic Thompson Hotel really scored big when it opened this Italian seafood-focused resto.

House-made pastas and pastry chef Leigh Omilinsky’s calorieworthy desserts are particular highlights.

1015 N. Rush St., 312994-7100, nicoosteria. com BLD, BR $$ SHANGHAI TERRACE Chinese Tucked away in the glamorous Peninsula Hotel is one of the best Chinese

3/27/18 2:28 PM

restaurants in the city—and undoubtedly the priciest. The dim sum nibbles, the Peking duck, the abalone (you read that right)… all spectacular, and the service is impeccable.

In summer, insist on the glorious rooftop terrace. 108 E. Superior St., 312-573-6744, chicago .peninsula.com LD $$$

WEST LOOP AVEC Mediterranean Small Plates Make new friends at Avec’s communal tables while sharing the signature Chorizo-Stuffed Medjool Dates wrapped in bacon, served with a piquillo pepper-tomato sauce.

The paella here is spot on. 615 W. Randolph St., 312-377-2002, avec restaurant.com LD, BR $$

BAD HUNTER VeggieCentric So much gorgeous light streams into this cozy resto at lunch and brunch.

Veggies are the star, but carnivores get some love, too. And the Spicy Carrot Cooler works at any time of day. 802 W. Randolph St., 312-2651745, badhunter.com LD, BR $$

BELLYQ Asian BBQ Chef Bill Kim’s panAsian menu is filled with craveable delights: Korean Fried Chicken, Scallion Pancakes with BBQ Pork, TeaSmoked Duck Breast and Coconut Grits are just a sampling. And that PB&J Soft Serve! Addictive stuff. 1400 W. Randolph St., 312-563-1010, bellyqchicago.com D $$

BLACKBIRD Contemporary American This is where it all began for Paul Kahan and his restaurant empire, and it’s still of the moment.

Chef de cuisine Ryan Pfeiffer is putting out beautiful, modern food made with local, sustainable ingredients.

619 W. Randolph St., 312-715-0708, blackbird restaurant.com LD $$$ GIRL & THE GOAT Global Cuisine James Beard Award and Top Chef winner Stephanie Izard favors familystyle, big-hearted dishes at her culinary global mashup, like the Wood-Oven Roasted Pig Face (surprisingly scrumptious despite the name), Goat Empanadas, and even a whole goat leg,

available by reservation only. 809 W. Randolph St., 312-492-6262, girlandthegoat.com D $$ LEÑA BRAVA Mexican/Seafood Rick Bayless’ newest venture is a Mexican seafood (from sustainable and environmentally responsible sources, of course) restaurant that draws inspiration from fire and ice.

Everything is cooked by fire, either in a woodburning oven or over a hot grill. Bayless’ Cruz Blanca Brewery and Taqueria is right next door. 900 W. Randolph St., 312-733-1975, rickbayless.com D $$$ ORIOLE Tasting Menu Two Michelin stars for the Asian-influenced vision of chef Noah

Sandoval combined with the divine desserts of pastry chef Genie Kwon. An inauspicious entrance belies the serene and awe-inducing culinary experience within.

661 W. Walnut St., 312-877-5339, oriolechicago.com D THE PUBLICAN Gastropub Oysters, craft beer and pork, oh my! If it’s über-loud here, that’s because everyone is fighting over the last piece of roasted farm chicken. Don’t miss Publican Quality Meats (L only), the amazing deli across the street. 837 W. Fulton Market, 312-6012970, thepublican restaurant.com D, BR Publican Quality Meats $/The Publican $$

LA SIRENA CLANDESTINA South American Chef John Manion spent his childhood in Brazil and cooked his way through Argentina, so it’s no surprise that he’s doing South American cuisine serious justice here.

His feijoada (a meat, rice and greens dish), moqueca (a coconutinfused seafood stew with risotto) and Black Beans & Rice are all delicious. Try them with a house caipirinha or pisco sour. 954 W. Fulton Market, 312226-5300, lasirena chicago.com D, BR $$ SMYTH + THE LOYALIST Tasting Menu / Modern American Powerhouse husband-and-wife team John and Karen Shields give you two options:

February 10–August 12, 2018

STYLE. CRAFTSMANSHIP. INNOVATION. POSTURE.

Thirty-seven exceptional chairs show all.

The Art of Seating is organized by the Museum of Contemporary Art, Jacksonville, in collaboration with the Thomas H. and Diane DeMell Jacobsen Ph.D. Foundation and is toured by International Arts & Artists, Washington, D.C. Design and Manufacture Attributed to Pottier & Stymus and Company (Est. 1859), New York, NY, Egyptian Revival Side Chair, c. 1875 Photo by Michael Koryta and Andrew VanStyn, Director of Acquisitions, Conservation and Photography

DriehausMuseum_0518_FNL.indd 1

4/11/18 12:19 PM

M A K E IT B E T T E R M AY/J U N E 2018 81

Out & About / DINE Smyth’s exquisite multicourse offerings, or The Loyalist’s casual vibe.

Honestly, there’s no wrong choice here.

177 N. Ada St., 773-9133773, smythandthe loyalist.com D Smith $$$$/The Loyalist $$

SOAK IN SUMMER Spend your summer days in a Tudor mansion on the Northshore.

• Beach Access • Living Room with Surrounding Lake Views • Gourmet Breakfast • Luxury Guest Rooms • Outdoor Terrace & Grounds

SWIFT & SONS Steakhouse Chef Chris Pandel and the Boka Group are aiming for nothing less than the evolution of the American steakhouse for modern sensibilities. The meat is aged beautifully, dessert comes on a cart, and the gin is cold. What more could you ask? 1000 W. Fulton Market, 312733-9420, swiftandsons chicago.com D $$$

NORTH SHORE 1622 Forest Place, Evanston, IL 60201

847-859-2198

EVANSTON

stoneterracebb.com

FRESH FOAM CRUSH StoneTerrace_0518_FNL.indd 1

4/9/18 12:23 PM

THE BARN Contemporary American / Steakhouse This sister restaurant to Found Kitchen has a speakeasy feel (it’s down a side alley), chic decor and food that’s classic with a twist.

The craft cocktails here are also top-notch.

Rear 1016 Church St., Evanston, 847-868-8041, thebarnevanston.com

whenever possible.

Pappardelle bolognese here is some of the best around. 815 Chicago Ave., Evanston, 847475-6100, campagnola restaurant.com D $$ FIVE & DIME /LULU’S/ TACO DIABLO American/Asian/ Mexican Owners Dan and Laura Kelch are back after a devastating fire closed the original Taco Diablo. Now across the street, they’ve got three energetic joints going at once: the pan-Asian Lulu’s; tequila-haven Taco Diablo; and indoor/ outdoor hangout spot Five & Dime. 1026 Davis St., Evanston, 847-8596847, lulusevanston .com, tacodiablo.com LD $

FOUND KITCHEN AND SOCIAL HOUSE Farm-to-Table Thirdgeneration restaurateur Amy Morton is behind this creative restaurant with a distinctly urban flair. Feast on seasonally focused shared plates, locally sourced meat and produce, and inventive craft cocktails. 1631 Chicago Ave., Evanston, 847-868-8945, found kitchen.com LD $$

D $$$

BOLTWOOD Farm to Table Chef Brian Huston’s seasonally driven food draws a crowd. Order the Roasted Half Chicken and Crispy Potatoes with Garlic Schmaltz and thank us later. 804 Davis St., Evanston, 847-859-2880, boltwood evanston.com LD, BR $$

Premium Cushioned Fitness Shoe for the Female Athlete

NewBalance_0518_FNL.indd 1

82 M AY/J U N E 2018 M A K E IT B E T T E R

CAMPAGNOLA Italian Rustic Italian hits the spot at this longtime South Evanston favorite. Chef Vince Di Battista favors local, organic ingredients 4/11/18 11:32 AM

NAKORN Modern Thai This “Cosmopolitan Thai” resto is exactly where you need to eat.

Clean, bright flavors pop big in craft cocktails and curries; not your average Thai menu, as the mouthwatering New York Strip Steak attests. 1622 Orrington Ave., Evanston, 847-7338424, nakornkitchen. com LD $$ OCEANIQUE French/ Seafood Whether you opt for the seven-course tasting menu or the à la carte choices, it’s clear that chef Mark Grosz

has serious cooking chops. Pair your foie gras or lobster with something fine from the award-winning wine list. 505 Main St., Evanston, 847-8643435, oceanique.com D $$$

UNION PIZZERIA Pizza Pies from a wood-burning pizza oven just have that special something.

We love the blistered thin-crust pizzas and small antipasti plates here and the Detroitstyle square pizzas down the street at sister restaurant Union Squared. 1245 Chicago Ave., Evanston, 847475-2400, unionpizza. com D $

GLENCOE GUILDHALL Contemporary American The bar is always packed at this lovely restaurant just a stone’s throw from Writers Theatre.

Seasonal produce and

local purveyors play an important part. 694 Vernon Ave., Glencoe, 847-835-8100, guildhall restaurant.com LD, BR $$$

HIGHLAND PARK/ HIGHWOOD ABIGAIL’S AMERICAN BISTRO Contemporary American Chef Michael Paulsen’s big flavors deliver all the yummy and keep everyone happy, from the killer cheeseburger and flashfried Brussels sprouts to the duck confit salad.

Even better, it’s close to Ravinia. 493 Roger Williams Ave., Highland Park, 847-780-4862, abigails493.com LD $$

LAKE FOREST/ LAKE BLUFF INOVASI Contemporary American Separated into small, medium and large plates of seasonal deliciousness, chef Boltwood’s grilled pork chop and cauliflower

• BOLTWOOD Farm-to-Table Whether for a power lunch or family dinner, Chef Brian Huston’s seasonally driven food draws a crowd. Order the Roasted Half Chicken and Crispy Potatoes with Garlic Schmaltz and thank us later.

804 Davis St., Evanston, 847-859-2880, boltwoodevanston.com LD, BR $$

John des Rosiers’ food is also largely—and naturally—gluten-free.

28 E. Center Ave., Lake Bluff, 847-295-1000, inovasi.us LD $$ MARKET HOUSE ON THE SQUARE Farm to Table Local and seasonal are the watchwords here.

So much so that chef Dan Marquis and his brother Tim own Mill Road Farms in Sheffield, Illinois, and supply the restaurant with their organic produce. 655 Forest Ave., Lake Forest, 847234-8800 LD, BR $$

NORTHBROOK/ NORTHFIELD HOUSE 406 Contemporary American / Steakhouse Beef is a strong point here, but Chef Eloin Amador has a way with seafood, grilled pizza, soups, and salads as well. Be sure to save room for one of the beautiful Wisconsin Cheese Flights—the perfect complement to that last glass of wine.

1143 ½ Church St., Northbrook, 847-7140200, house406 restaurant.com LD $$ PRAIRIE GRASS CAFE Farm to Table Chef/ owners Sarah Stegner and George Bumbaris are committed to using seasonal produce from local farms and meat and dairy from Midwestern producers, all prepared with great care for maximum flavor. 601 Skokie Blvd., Northbrook, 847-2054433, prairiegrass cafe.com LD, BR $$

SKOKIE LIBERTAD Pan-Latino Latin Americanflavors are well represented in

this cozy spot. Small plates, reasonable prices, and beautifully prepared and presented food make this a must-visit place.

7931 Lincoln Ave., Skokie, 847-674-8100, libertad7931.com D, BR $$

WILMETTE CONVITO CAFE & MARKET French / Italian Stroll through the gourmet market stocked with imported Italian delicacies, wines and freshly prepared take-home foods to the charming bistro beyond. 1515 Sheridan Road, Wilmette, 847-2513654, convitocafeand market.com LD, BR $$ NAPOLITA Pizza / Italian The hand-tiled, wood-burning oven in the corner lets you know they mean serious pizza business here, but it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the pastas, risottos, and salads hold their own. 1126 Central Ave., Wilmette, 224-2150305, napolitapizza. com LD, BR $$

WINNETKA RESTAURANT MICHAEL French Chef/proprietor Michael Lachowicz has long championed an elegant French dining experience, with spectacular food and service. From the opening salvo of Tuna & Salmon Tartare to the Hot Fallen Chocolate Soufflé, the food here never disappoints. 64 Green Bay Rd., Winnetka, 847441-3100, restaurant michael.com D $$$

M A K E IT B E T T E R M AY/J U N E 2018 83

Out & About / FLAVOR

Sound Bites

Past due for an upgrade, the Dining Pavilion at Ravinia is reconceived with a new look and a take on what—and where—to eat before a concert. It’s music to our ears.

JULIE CHERNOFF Concertgoers picnic on the lawn outside the Dining Pavilion in a rendering of the new space.

rejuvenation of the Dining Pavilion will expand the opportunities for our guests to enjoy their night out, whether they just need to add to a picnic or luxuriate in a full-service appetizer-to-dessert feast.”

When the Ravinia Festival opens for the 2018 season on June 1 with fan favorites Los Lobos and Los Lonely Boys, the Dining Pavilion will throw open its doors to show off the exciting improvements. Here’s what to expect: FIRST FLOOR Lawn Bar and Patio This engaging first-floor space, which once housed the Mirabelle buffet, will have indoor and outdoor full-service bars that will remain open for service throughout the concerts, a first for Ravinia. Look for small-plate appetizers and entrees with comfort-food roots (think fried chicken sliders and marlin fish tacos), signature craft cocktails, and a casual vibe.

Festival Shop Located next to the Lawn Bar, the gift shop (run by the Ravinia Women’s Board) has doubled in size and increased its selection of Ravinia apparel, gift items, and picnic gear, with all profits earmarked for Ravinia’s REACH*TEACH*PLAY education initiative.

Pavilion at Ravinia had grown tired, both in terms of form and functionality. So when the 2017 outdoor performance season came to a close, Ravinia President and CEO Welz Kauffman and his design team (including original building architect Michael Barnes of Wight and Company and interior restaurant space designer Mark Knauer of Chicago’s Knauer Incorporated) got down to business on a $15-million buildout. Their goals: create greater synergy between indoor and outdoor spaces without increasing the structure’s footprint; expand seating and accessibility; and rejuvenate the dated food and beverage menus, all in a single off-season.

“Ravinia is famous for offering a different concert most every night, and all the offerings of our new Dining Pavilion parallel that concept,” says new Executive Chef Michael Tsonton. “It’s like opening five restaurants at once.”

Tsonton, who was brought on to the Levy Restaurant team at Ravinia during the 2017 season, knows something about opening restaurants and multi-unit properties—his past projects include the now-shuttered Brìo, Tizi Melloul, and Copperblue restaurants in Chicago and numerous boutique hotels and country clubs in the area. The scope of this project provided a welcome challenge for the chef, allowing him to push the envelope further when envisioning the expanded menus and fresh concepts for the new space.

“Along with its spectacular concerts, Ravinia offers a three- to five-hour social experience that is unlike anything you’d find at a typical concert venue, and dining is a major part of that experience,” says Kauffman. “The 84 M AY/J U N E 2018 M A K E IT B E T T E R

SECOND FLOOR Tree Top What was once sporadically used private dining space now offers a different take on the self-serve buffet, with chef’s tables and carving stations focused on “micro-seasonal” displays of locally sourced produce and more. Outside is a covered terrace, its support posts reminiscent of the birch trees surrounding the park.

Park View Ravinia’s lovely fine-dining restaurant overlooks the Great Lawn; other than a fullmenu refresh, the space remains much as it was, but the alfresco terrace has been covered to allow guests to enjoy their meals outside no matter the weather.

I SCREAM, YOU SCREAM...

The Carousel ice cream space has been decommissioned, but fear not: Hershey’s mobile carts will be stationed througout the park.

COURTESY OF RAVINIA

O

RIGINA LLY OPENED IN 2007 to great fanfare, the Dining

Ravinia Market Levy has expanded the offerings in this fast-casual food hall for those looking to grab a quick dinner before the show. Gone are the sad reheated steam-table burgers of past seasons; say hello to juicy made-to-order griddled burgers at 847 Burger. Find freshly made paninis and more at Pressed Paninis & Sides; charcoal-fired pies at the revamped Pizza Classico, including special pizzas themed to each concert; authentic tacos every day of the week at Sabrosa Taqueria, along with loaded guacamole and elotes; and real-deal, slow-cooked smoked brisket and chicken at Smoke House 1904. Grab-and-go items have seen an upgrade as well, including several beautiful cheese boards fresh from The Great American Cheese Collection, perfect to supplement your own picnic offerings.

2015 | 2016 WWW.MAKEITBETTER.COM

We now serve weekend Dim Sum Brunch Saturday and Sunday from 11:30am–3pm Brunch-Lunch-Dinner | Private Dining & Catering | Gift Certificates | Events 624 Davis Street, Evanston | (847) 866-6969 | koievanston.com

On behalf of the Make It Better Foundation invites you to

The 6 Annual th

presented by

Wednesday, May 9, 2018 Wintrust’s Grand Banking Hall 231 S. LaSalle Street Chicago , Illinois 5:30-7:30pm Reservation Required

RSVP at makeitbetter.com/orangecarpet Presented by

CBSChicago.com

Better Makers

R ECO G N I Z I N G C H I C AG O ’ S E V E RY DAY H E R O E S A N D T H E I R I N C R E D I B L E I M PAC T

MARIAH SMITH; IMPACT PHOTO BY ROBERT KUSEL

• ILLINOIS HOLOCAUST MUSEUM

Museum President Fritzie Fritzshall; the Right Honorable Tony Blair, former prime minister of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and keynote speaker; and museum CEO Susan Abrams.

& EDUCATION CENTER On March 7, the Illinois Holocaust Museum hosted its 2018 Humanitarian Awards Dinner to honor Mitchell Feiger and Pamela L. Netzky, who received the Humanitarian Award, and the Robert R. McCormick Foundation, which received the Distinguished Community Leadership Award. The keynote presentation featured a conversation between Tony Blair, former prime minister of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and veteran newscaster Bill Kurtis. This event raised more than $2.5 million for the museum’s educational mission.

Mitchell Feiger, David Hiller, Tony Blair, and Pamela Netzky

A special performance by Musicality

MIB IMPACT

The Illinois Holocaust Museum welcomes more than 160,000 students, educators, and visitors every year. Money raised at this event will support the educational mission of the museum.

• PAWS CHICAGO

NICK HARVEY OF FOTIO

On March 18, Autohaus on Edens hosted its annual Launch: Driving Fashion Forward Spring Fashion Show, this year benefiting PAWS Chicago. The evening featured trunk shows; food and drinks from Bent Fork Bakery, Knightsbridge Wine Shoppe, Morton’s The Steakhouse, The Happ Inn, and Cafe Central; silent and live auctions; “ruff”le tickets; and a fashion show featuring spring looks from local designers and boutiques. Best of all, the event raised more than $12,000 for PAWS Chicago.

Watch the runway at makeitbetter.com/ launch2018

Michael and Andrea Rosengarden

MIB IMPACT

Designer Peach Carr and her puppy Margo Ann

Kara Miller and Carrie Cihasky of the PAWS Chicago events team

Events with this icon indicate Make It Better was a media sponsor.

Money raised at this event will support the work of PAWS Chicago, a no-kill animal shelter.

M A K E IT B E T T E R M AY/J U N E 2018 87

Out & About / BETTER MAKERS • MULTIPLE MYELOMA RESEARCH

FOUNDATION On Feb. 17, the MMRF Young Professionals Group of Chicago hosted its 4th Annual Mingle for Myeloma to benefit the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation. The event, which raised $85,000, featured live music from Pat McKillen, a silent auction, passed appetizers, an open bar, and more.

MILA CRAILA PHOTOGRAPHY

Grant Norstrom and friends

Claire Cosgrove, Alyssa Friedberg, and Michael Horwitz, co-chairs of Mingle for Myeloma 2018

• THE COVE SCHOOL

On Feb. 24, The Cove School hosted its 2018 annual benefit, “Find Your Outstanding,” at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare Hotel. The evening raised a record amount, more than $690,000, for its work providing “the highest level of support for students with learning disabilities.”

Prism Award Recipient Dean Gerber and Executive Director Dr. Sally Sover

MIB IMPACT Money raised benefits The

The Cove Benefit Committee: Standing: Betsy Ellen, Sue Gottfred, Amy Goldenberg, Shana Peretz, Amy Walsh; Sitting: Betsy Crosswhite, Lisa Flanagan, Debra Johnson, Jennifer Puccini, Courtney Jack, Beverly Petersen; Not Pictured: Rebecca Blase, Jessica Blomquist, Gigi DaDan, Howard Ellen, Carol Finnegan, Lisa Foley, Gerri King, Maureen Klatt, Amy Kyhos, Halley Lydecker, Kristin Moran, Ann Marie Novar, Lauren Pietrafetta, Sean Regan, Anna Riedler, Robin Scheier, Jennifer Schneider, Danna Staff, Julie Talano, Julie Vanderpoel, Georgina Vo, Nicole Weldzius

88 M AY/J U N E 2018 M A K E IT B E T T E R

Cove School, which upholds the belief “that every child, given the appropriate support, accommodations and time, has the potential to learn, grow, and flourish.”

MICHAEL LEE PHOTOGRAPHY; COURTESY OF THE COVE SCHOOL

Pat McKillen

LANDSCAPE CONTRACTING AND MAINTENANCE Scott Byron & Co., Inc. • 30088 N. Skokie Highway, Lake Bluff, IL 60044 847.689.0266 Tel • www.scottbyron.com ScottByron_0518_FNL.indd 1

FreshSkin_0518_FNL.indd 1

Photo by Tony Soluri

4/10/18 6:47 PM

4/12/18 11:27 PM

M A K E IT B E T T E R M AY/J U N E 2018 89

Out & About / BETTER MAKERS • SELAH FREEDOM

Cocktails For A Cause

Hosted by: Chicago’s Anti-Human Trafficking Community and The Chicago Bar Association’s Alliance for Women Committee Elizabeth Fisher, founder and CEO of Selah Freedom

Selah Freedom is grateful to all who made Cocktails For A Cause a huge success, raising over $32,000 to fight sex trafficking.

All funds raised help support our Outreach Program partnering with Cook County Sheriff’s Office to bring freedom to survivors in the jail and on the streets!

To learn more visit www.selahfreedom.com Andrea Ferris, Alex Sobczak, and Adam LaValley

RAQUEL CADENA

Chicago’s antihuman trafficking community and the Chicago Bar Association’s Alliance for Women Committee hosted Cocktails for a Cause on March 8 at the Chicago Yacht Club.

The event, which featured cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and live music, raised more than $32,000 for Selah Freedom, an organization confronting sex trafficking here at home and around the country.

•NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY DANCE MARATHON

Northwestern’s 44th Annual Dance Marathon raised over $1 million for Cradles to Crayons and Evanston Community Foundation. More than 1,000 undergraduate students danced for 30 hours for what is one of the largest student-run philanthropies in the country.

MIB IMPACT The mission of Cradles to Crayons is

to provide homeless or low-income children essential items for home, school, and play. Pictured: Cradles to Crayons’ Giving Factory in Logan Square

90 M AY/J U N E 2018 M A K E IT B E T T E R

Students dancing during NUDM

R E AD MO R E AT M A K E IT B E T T E R .COM / PH I L A NT H RO PY

NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY DANCE MARATHON

NUDM Executive Committee

aLash_0518_FNL.indd 1

Our Lady of Perpetual Help School A Premier Private Education in the Finest Catholic Tradition

Preschool - 8th Grade

Love Your Lashes

EXPLORE OUR WEBSITE • TOUR THE SCHOOL • ASK QUESTIONS

ENROLL NOW FOR FALL ‘18

Glenview | (224) 661-0259 1444 Waukegan Rd. Lake Forest | (224) 212-9738 840 S Waukegan Rd.

Discover the distinction that makes our school an extraordinary place of learning

Call or book online at dekalash.com

olph-il.org

1123 Church Street • Glenview • 847-724-6990

4/10/18 1 4:32 PM OurLady_0518_FNL.indd

the cafe

Private parties • Full bar Outdoor Cafe Kids menu • Open for lunch, dinner & Sunday brunch

the market

Prepared foods • Bakery Wines • Cheeses & meats Gourmet groceries • Catering Gifts

celebrate mother’s day with us

brunch 10am-3pm • dinner 3pm-9pm superb spring specials in addition to our regular menu

Serving the North Shore for over 38 years 1515 Sheridan Rd, Wilmette • 847.251.3654 • convitocafeandmarket.com

M A K E IT B E T T E R M AY/J U N E 2018 91

3/27/18 3:

FUN TRADITION EXCITEMENT

Oak Brook Polo Club is an American Polo treasure and one of the oldest polo clubs in the United States. It was once the sport's epicenter for elite professional polo and served as home to the U.S. Open Polo Championship for twenty-four straight seasons and other prestigious international and national polo tournaments. For decades, the Club has been a popular Sunday tradition and social scene known for entertaining Hollywood celebrities, dignitaries, royalty and Chicago's distinguished.

Today, Oak Brook Polo hosts several Sunday matches and continues to attract thousands of fascinated spectators who marvel at the athleticism and majesty of this timeless sport.

June 10th - Chicago Polo Day, Season Opener June 24th - Drake Challenge Cup July 15th - Butler Challenge Cup & Horses & Horsepower July 22nd - Heartland Cup & Jaguar Concours de’Elegance August 5th - Caribbean Cup August 19th - Chicago Polo Open September 9th - Butler International Cup September 22nd - USPA Board of Governors Match September 23rd - USPA U.S. Open Polo Alumni Match

Gates Open: 1:00 PM / Match Start: 3:00 PM

Chicago Home

FROM BEAUTIFUL BUILDS AND STUNNING

MAKEOVERS TO TOP TRENDS AND REALTOR INSIGHTS

GOOD ENOUGH TO EAT A Logan Square kitchen

proves that practical design doesn’t have to sacrifice style.

DANIELLE MCLIMORE • PHOTOS BY ANDREW MILLER

Sunlight fills the professional-grade kitchen of Chicago author Stacey Ballis.

M A K E IT B E T T E R M AY/J U N E 2018 93

Chicago Home / BACKSTORY

A

KITCHEN RENOVATION CAN

seem like a daunting task, but for local novelist Stacey Ballis it was truly a labor of love. “I walked in,” she says of the first time she visited her house, “and the building gave me a hug. It felt like home in such a warm and visceral way.”

That was in 1993, when the Logan Square building was still a three-flat. While signing the lease for the available first-floor unit, she recalls, she told her landlord that he had to promise to eventually sell her the building so she could live there forever.

Ultimately, that’s exactly what happened: After renting for 20 years, she and her husband, Bill, “made it official” and bought the place—all three glorious units—in 2013.

94 M AY/J U N E 2018 M A K E IT B E T T E R

Given that she’d had two decades to map out every detail of the renovation, the two wasted no time converting the apartments into a singlefamily home. Because Ballis is a successful foodie novelist and lifestyle blogger who loves to cook and entertain, having a functional kitchen was the immediate priority.

“What we wanted was very different from what’s happening in contemporary kitchen design right now,” she says. “We don’t have kids, so we didn’t need the space to function as a family/den/hangout/homework station. Instead, I wanted a zoned kitchen with a chef’s table.”

In order for them to accomplish that, the footprint needed to be completely reimagined. Half of what was originally the second-floor apartment was absorbed into

Top: A long Dekton counter cleanly divides the 800-squarefoot room into two sections—a dining area that seats up to 10, and this prep space—while providing additional seating.

Bottom: Ballis and her husband, Bill.

Clockwise from top left: The open, airy space is ready and waiting for Ballis to work her culinary magic. Knives hang neatly on magnetic strips. Open shelving keeps muffin tins, baking sheets, and other hard-to-store items organized and within reach. The butler’s pantry holds a truly impressive collection of cookbooks. A custom wood piece from Larchwood, Canada, tops the prep island. How many other home chefs can say they have a rotisserie?

the new kitchen space; a small bedroom was transformed into a cookbook library and equipment room; and what was once the formal dining room is now a baking center with an electric oven, warming drawer, sink, and dishwasher. Only two rooms kept their intended use, a butler’s pantry that’s now stocked with all manner of goods (including a wine fridge that’s been hacked to store cheese) and the first-floor unit’s kitchen, which functions as a prep/staging area.

Because the goal was a zoned, restaurantquality kitchen, areas were quickly defined by task. “This kitchen had to be practical above absolutely everything else,” says Ballis. To that end, the south wall is the primary cooking station with a heavy-duty BlueStar range top, a BlueStar gas oven and a La Cornue rotisserie lined up and ready for battle. From there, a R E A D MO R E AT M A K E IT B E T T E R .COM / R E A LE STAT E

counter wraps around the kitchen perimeter to the secondary cooking zone, where a Gaggenau induction cooktop can sense the size of the pot it’s heating and an in-counter steamer can be used for steaming vegetables or cooking pasta.

The prep island doubles as a cutting board, and Blanco sinks and faucets and Miele dishwashers round out the mix of appliances.

But even with a focus on functionality, the room is striking, colorful, and full of unexpected elements that look beautiful while serving a very specific purpose. Instead of a tile backsplash, for example, Ballis had tempered glass painted and installed behind the rangetop. “I make Sunday gravy and splatter tomato sauce everywhere, so I didn’t want to be driving myself crazy cleaning grout,” she says. (Sunday, you say? How’s 7ish? We’ll bring the wine.)

M A K E IT B E T T E R M AY/J U N E 2018 95

Chicago Home / STYLE IMPRESSIONIST ART IMPRESSIONIST ART Femme assise dans un jardin, Edgar Degas After purchasing this painting at the Bernheim-Jeune Gallery during a trip to Paris, the Rockefellers hung it in the front hall of their NYC home.

Estimate: $1-1.5 million

L’âne bleu, Marc Chagall David famously commissioned Chagall to created a stained glass window in memory his father, John D. Rockefeller, at Union Church in Pocantico Hills, NY. Soon after, he visited the artist at his studio near Paris. This vase caught his eye, and he bought it—plus two paintings—on the spot.

Estimate: $80,000-$120,000

Rockefeller+ Christie’s A Match Made in Philanthropic Heaven

The Collection of David and Peggy Rockefeller will be auctioned at Christie’s in NYC in early May—and every cent from the sale (anticipated to be in the $1 billion range) will be donated to charity. Here are a few of our favorite things.

CARA SULLIVAN

ENGLISH FURNITURE George III Polychrome-Painted FourPoster Bed After the death of Max Epstein, a prominent Chicago collector, the Rockefellers acquired this bed and a number of other pieces from his estate.

“Eventually all these objects which have brought so much pleasure to Peggy and me will go out into the world and will again be available to other caretakers who, hopefully, will derive the same satisfaction and joy from them as we have over these past several decades.”

—DAVID ROCKEFELLER

Estimate: $8,000-$12,000

IMPRESSIONIST ART IMPRESSIONIST ART Mural I, Mural II, Mural III, Joan Miró The artist had originally painted these murals for a child’s room, but the Rockefellers found a home for them in the living room at Ringing Point, their estate in Seal Harbor, Maine.

Estimate: around $20 million

Special thanks to Christie’s for providing the images and information—much of which comes from the David and Peggy Rockefeller Collection books—on this page. For more, visit christies.com.

96 M AY/J U N E 2018 M A K E IT B E T T E R

Oval Sculpture, Henry Moore On one of many business trips to London, David Rockefeller visited the artist Henry Moore at his studio. While there, he asked if he could purchase this white marble sculpture as a memento of the trip.

Estimate: $300,000$500,000

ALL ABOARD! ALL ARE WELCOME

2018 CELEBRATION CRUISE

Join us for a festive evening boat cruise on Lake Michigan celebrating Make It Better businesses, partners and friends.

TUESDAY, JULY 17, 2018 6:30–8:30 PM Chicago’s First Lady Cruises 112 E Upper Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois Cocktails • Small Bites • Music Space is limited.

A special thanks to our Host Sponsor

Reflections

CHARLES EAMES

98 M AY/J U N E 20 18 M A K E IT B E T T E R

NINNI ANDERRSSON

Take your pleasure seriously.

Cazzue Cazzue LLeLLe

's Day 's Day for Mother for Mother

mix.mix. matmat ch. ch. at t acattach. h. add birthstones add birthstones for children for children and grandchildren and grandchildren to the one to and the one onlyand only bangle bracelet bangle bracelet with removable, with removable, interchangeable interchangeable inserts inserts

creating exceptional creating exceptional jeweLLeryjeweLLery 7 East Huron 7 East Street Huron • Chicago Street • Chicago

312-944-6888 312-944-6888 • WWW.LESTERLAMPERT.COM • WWW.LESTERLAMPERT.COM