Yay, summer has finally arrived and I’m done with my communications class!! I expect to be back on my more regular writing schedule again shortly. I have one more trip coming up in early June and after that will have lots to share, so stay tuned. With that, here are some fun things I tried out during the month of May:
Raised Rooftop Bar View
Raised Rooftop Bar- You know I’m a total sucker for a great outdoor bar. Pair it with a stunning view, delicious food and fun drinks and I’m expected to be seen there all summer. Yup, Raised Rooftop bar at the Renaissance Hotel downtown is where it’s going to be at this summer. Right along the river, this stunning rooftop has it all, fun vibes included. I loved the decor, cool private cabanas and some tasty treats we tried like the elotes and peanut butter and jelly push-pop desserts. If you are looking for one of the newest hot spots in Chicago, Raised Rooftop is definitely it. Keep your eyes peeled for me there.
Furious Spoon Ramen
Furious Spoon– This popular Bucktown spot for ramen is the real deal. With communal tables and fun hip-hop music it’s kind of hard not to love this joint. I went with some friends on a random, cold May evening and we had a blast catching up and *attempting* to eat ramen properly. I still don’t quite have the hang of it with the semi-large ladle in one hand and chopsticks in the other, but I somehow managed to eat and not have most of it running down the front of my shirt (a bib would’ve been real handy just to be safe)! It can be tough to find veggie ramen as it is not always available at every ramen shop, but you are good to go at Furious Spoon. I also like that you can customize your order and add extra veggies of your choice. Oh, and don’t forget to get the Fury Sauce to add a nice, spicy kick to your ramen. My mouth was on fire but I kind of liked it…some definitely like it hot! Lastly, a new Logan Square location is expected to open any day now, so you’ll have even more chances to get your fix.
Dunkin Donuts Cookie Baking Class
Dunkin Donuts Cookie Baking Class– On May 2nd Dunkin Donuts revealed their new chocolate chip cookies and I had the honor of learning how to bake them alongside the executive pastry chefs from Dunkin Donuts. The new chocolate chip cookie boasts simple and wholesome ingredients and is definitely delicious. During our baking session, let’s just say that I spent more time laughing and cleaning up the mess I made than actually baking anything. I think one of the chefs was a little concerned (and humored) by my friend Peggy and I. We created quite the disaster during our baking escapades, but it was such a blast. We also got to make some fun dessert creations from the new caramel latte squares and blueberry cobbler cronut. Everything we made was of course heavenly and we even got to bring home the recipes. So, now I can make these amazing cookies at home too. Who’s coming over for warm chocolate chip cookies and a glass of cold milk?!
SPiN Chicago
SPiN Patio– Who doesn’t love a fun game of ping-pong, especially when snacks and drinks are involved?! This spacious, awesome place opened earlier this year and has a small and cute little patio with, you guessed it, a ping-pong table outside to play while the weather is nice! I think I actually prefer the indoor space personally and will definitely be back to take advantage of all the fun to be had there. I think SPiN is a great place to show up with a group of friends and have a friendly (or more likely, a super competitive) ping-pong match against each other. It’s neat because there’s also an option to join nightly tournaments, events and even private ping-pong classes with professionals. And, if you feel like just hanging out and having nothing to do with ping-pong, there are several VIP lounges throughout the large space to chill with your homies. So many options, the choice is yours. Whatever you choose, I know it will be fun.
Green Bean Restaurant
Green Bean Restaurant– This one goes out to all my gluten-free peeps. The adorable and cozy Green Bean restaurant in Lincoln Park is 100% gluten-free and serves everything from sandwiches to salads to ramen, plus a lot of fun sides and desserts. The owners and chef spent two years developing and perfecting this menu to be completely gluten-free. They are even opening a second location in Schaumburg soon! My friend Sarah and I checked it out and really enjoyed the tempura battered green beans with teriyaki ginger dipping sauce and the sweet potato fries with chipotle aioli among other things. Oh, and don’t leave without trying the gelato-filled cupcakes. Yes, you read that correctly. They were delicious and gluten-free. A win-win for sure.
Please Note: While I was invited to these events, all opinions are my own.