There is no shortage of fun to be had in the great city of Chicago! And with so many awesome events and happenings, April proved to be a very busy and very fun month. Check out what I was up to:
Brass Monkey Restaurant
Brass Monkey Restaurant– I love finding the newest, hottest spots around town, and Brass Monkey is definitely one of them! The newly opened restaurant and bar in the Fulton Market District has not only delicious food but an awesome ambiance. The best part is that the whole concept is centered around a throwback to the 70’s; I’m talking cocktails named Tang (with vodka, spiced pear, lemon and cherry) that taste just like the nostalgic drink as well as TV style dinners served in compartmentalized dishes that resemble the actual frozen meal (but are clearly not frozen meals). It’s such a fun, unique concept that I haven’t ever seen anywhere else. But most importantly, the food was fabulous at Brass Monkey, and I really enjoyed trying out some of the great vegetarian items. I loved the French bread pizza as well as the crispy brussel sprouts and the desserts were beyond ridiculously amazing. Trust me, keep your eye out for this place because it really is going to be the next “it” place in the Fulton Market District. I can’t wait to go back and try out the vegetarian TV dinner!
Breakfast At Goddess And The Baker
Goddess and The Baker– I love me a great coffee shop. I also love me a great coffee shop with a relaxed and “hipster” vibe. And, I love all of these things even more when the awesome coffee shop is not far from me in the Loop (with a Navy Pier location coming soon). Welcome to the neighborhood Goddess and The Baker! The newly opened coffee and bake shop offers so much more than just gourmet coffee and sweet treats. You can also find a wonderful full breakfast and lunch menu with delicious items like breakfast burritos, naan bread grilled cheese sandwiches, soups, gelatos and so much more. Um, yes please!!! I’ve had the chance to try out the breakfast and fantastic coffee and I can’t wait to go back and try some of the awesome lunch offerings. And the latte I had was one of the best I’ve had in a while. Come meet me at Goddess and The Baker!
Fox Bar At Soho House
Fox Bar at Soho House– If you follow my blog you know I’m kind of obsessed with the Soho House here in Chicago. I’ve already written about how it is my home away from home (read about that here). So, it will come as no surprise that I found myself there again for the launch party of the newly created Fox Bar in the Chicken Shop. This awesome space feels very cozy and almost like being in your grandfather’s den (as my friend Mina (aka Chicago Food Girl) so eloquently put it). More than the space alone, the drinks were unbelievable. I tried a few of the fabulous offerings on the menu and was impressed with all of them, but my favorite was actually not on the menu! It was the Moscow Mule and I know it will be a staple of the Fox Bar. I was blown away by the unbelievable and spicy ginger flavor in the drink, unlike any other Moscow Mule I have ever had. I came to find out the ginger syrup in the drink is made in-house. Quality ingredients always make a difference and you could definitely taste it. I will be back for many, many more Moscow Mules at Fox Bar!
Relaunched Rockit Restaurant Desserts
Rockit Bar and Grill – Rockit is the fabulous restaurant and bar in River North that my friends and I have been going to for the past ten years. In January of this year, the owners decided to close the doors for a few months to completely renovate the interiors and give it a fresh look as well as revamp the menu. I was fortunate to get a sneak peek before the official opening today on May 1st, and loved both what I saw and what I ate! The interiors have a new edgy look while the food still has some of the fan favorites from the old menu, as well as new culinary creations. Several of my personal favorites from the original Rockit menu are still included like the truffle fries and veggie burger but I was totally blown away by some of the new amazing desserts served in cute little mason jars. The cherry cheesecake one was to die for. Like, I couldn’t stop eating it! At any rate, check out the updated space and I’ll be curious to hear what you think of all the “updated” fun to be had and eaten at the relaunched Rockit.
Billy Elliot Musical At Drury Lane Theatre
Billy Elliot Musical– Ok, confession time. Prior to this month, I had never read the book or seen the movie or attended the musical Billy Elliot before. Please don’t shun me as a member of society! Luckily the stars aligned and I had the pleasure of finally checking out this famed and award-winning musical. And let me tell you, WOW! The Drury Lane Theater in Oakbrook is currently running Billy Elliot through early June and I am already trying to figure out when I can go back to see it again. Yes, it was that great that I am willing to leave the city limits and drive back out to Oakbrook to see the musical again (it’s only about half an hour away from downtown Chicago). I am actually going to make a bold statement here and say that Billy Elliot is the best musical I have ever seen. EVER! I just can’t rave enough about it. But, don’t just take my word for it, go see it for yourself and I promise you will not be disappointed.
Give Me Some Sugar Donut Making Class
Give Me Some Sugar– This adorable shop in Roscoe Village will teach you and your friends/family everything from how to make cupcakes to donuts to macarons and much more. What a fun concept and great idea for gatherings such as a bridal or baby shower! I had the chance to partake in the first ever donut blogger bake-off between two different groups of bloggers, and it was a blast! There were some serious competitive spirits coming out since the donuts we made were actually being judged. Our team did not win overall, but we did win one round out of three based on our unbelievable samoa donuts. Yes, you read that correctly….samoa, as in the girl scout cookie. We made cake donuts and then dipped the top half in caramel, dipped the bottom half in chocolate ganache, topped the donut with toasted coconut and finished it off with a chocolate drizzle. Can we just say heaven? It might be a slight problem that I now know how to make these on my own. Just sayin.
Please Note: While I was invited to these events, all opinions are my own.