Culture:
- For the hardcore Cubbies fans: the 2014 Cubs Convention runs from January 17 – 19 to kick off the hundred year anniversary of Wrigley Field. Events include coach and player appearances, autograph signings and a preview of the centennial celebrations coming up this season
- Date: Friday, January 17 – Sunday, January 19
- Location: 301 East North Water Street
- Cost: $60 for 3-day pass
- Explore Chicago’s hidden pedways connecting 5 miles’ worth of buildings downtown. Tour options include history, brunch and pub crawls (times and pricing vary)
Food:
- Indulge in a new dining experience during Chicago Restaurant Week. Held from January 24 – February 6, nearly 250 Chicago-area restaurants offer $22 lunch menus and $33 or $44 dinner menus. Make your reservations fast as they fill up quickly
- Best bets (based on available published menus). Note that I am not vegetarian and my tastes swing to the meat-lovers side of the fence. Most of these restaurants offer vegetarian options as well:
- Bar Pastoral – tempt your taste buds with braised pork belly and finish it off with salted caramel cheesecake
- Café des Architects – I was sold when I saw braised short ribs. Take note that you can supplement any course with shaved French truffles
- Howells & Hood – four words: truffle lobster pot pie. You can balance it out with the kale superfood salad
- Mon Ami Gabi – $33 for all the classics – escargots, beef bourguignon and crème brulee
- Table 52 – fried green tomatoes to start, then wash down your buttermilk fried chicken with an oatmeal cookie sandwich with buttercream icing
- Best bets (based on available published menus). Note that I am not vegetarian and my tastes swing to the meat-lovers side of the fence. Most of these restaurants offer vegetarian options as well:
Fitness:
- HIIT (high intensity interval training) class as part of Lululemon’s “Resolution Wednesdays” series this month
- Date: Wednesday, January 22 at 7:30 – 8:30 p.m.
- Location: Lululemon – 2104 N. Halsted
- Cost: Free
- Ski the slopes at Devil’s Head Ski Resort – an hour and a half drive just across the Wisconsin border is a fun weekend day trip for skiers of all levels. While the “mountain” descriptor might be a bit of a stretch, it’s the best way to enjoy the snow this season
Entertainment:
- My favorite Showtime escape, Shameless, returns for its fourth season on Sunday, January 12 at 8 p.m. CT. Watch as actors Emmy Rossum and William H. Macy survive Chicago’s south side
Go have fun this month – stay warm!