Location Scout Archive
11.05.09 8:00 AM
2 New Nightspots Near the Loop
The interior of Bar Novo Photo: Courtesy of Bar Novo
Located in or within walking distance from the Loop, these new bars can host after-work outings for groups.Bar Novo popped up in the lobby of the Renaissance Chicago Hotel in early October. Spanning 5,300 square feet, the venue houses a semiprivate lounge area that can host groups of 60. In the center of the bar, chefs work at an exposed station, preparing small plates of items such as smoked-prime-rib nachos and oven-dried tomato flatbreads with fresh mozzarella. The bar's cocktail list offers signature drinks such as the Red Champagne Cocktail, made with absinthe, Absolut vodka, and strawberry puree, and the Basil Tangerine Gimlet, which blends tangerine vodka with lime and fresh basil.
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09.22.09 12:43 PM
4 New Neighborhood Nightspots for Casual Group Outings
Rockit's Wrigleyville location Photo: Courtesy of Rockit Bar and Grill
In the past few months, several neighborhoods got laid-back new nightspots. Here's a look at four that can host low-key gatherings.Rockwood Place opened in Wrigleyville late last month. From the team of owners behind LaSalle Power Co. and Angels and Mariachis , the bar is available for full buyout with a capacity of 249. The venue can also host semiprivate events for 100, and a pool room stocked with two billiard tables can accommodate 40. Package menus include offerings such as cheese curds, mini corn dogs, and cheeseburgers; the bar selection focuses on microbrews and whiskeys.
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09.17.09 10:29 AM
3 Mexican Restaurants—2 New, 1 Classic—for Business Entertaining
Mercadito Photo: BizBash
New Mexican restaurants are popping up all over town. Here's the scoop on two that are suitable for business entertaining, and a look into the private dining room at Rick Bayless's classic.Mercadito opened in River North. The first Chicago location of a New-York-based chain, the 120-seat restaurant is decorated with rope lanterns, columns wrapped in wire mesh, and a behind-the-bar light sculpture that incorporates pierced metal pyramids. Semiprivate dining can take place at a communal table that seats 14, or in a tequila lounge that seats 35 and looks out onto Kinzie Street through garage-style doors. Sharable menu options include mango guacamole, scallop ceviche, and tacos filled with beer-battered mahi mahi or grilled pineapple and pork. Stocked exclusively with tequilas and beers, the bar offers specialty cocktails such as the Tres Citricos , which combines tequila with orange, grapefruit, and lime.
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08.03.09 12:30 PM
3 Places for Breakfast Meetings or Group Brunches
Jane's private dining room Photo: Courtesy of Jane's
Here are three spots—one old, one new, and one soon-to-open—that can host group brunches or breakfast meetings.Jam opened in West Town. Outfitted with plexiglass chairs, polished concrete tables, and an open kitchen, the venue can seat 34 inside and 10 on its patio. Chef and co-owner Jeffery Mauro, who's manned the stove at places such as Charlie Trotter's and North Pond , oversees a menu of sophisticated brunch fare. Options include malted custard French toast served with macerated stone fruit, lime leaf cream, and crushed pink peppercorn; the "Jamburger" blends beef patties with smoked tomato sauce, Butterkase cheese, and fried eggs. Despite the upscale ingredients, nothing on the menu costs more than $12.
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07.31.09 10:35 AM
New Nightspots for Private Events
River West's Red Canary Photo: Steven Johnson
Here's a look at the event capabilities of three brand new nightspots.Red Canary eschews traditional bar fare for items such as buttermilk-fried quail with basil whipped potatoes and homemade s'mores made with lavender marshmallows. The venue's 6,000-square-foot interior is decked in 1920's-style decor, with a chandelier, red damask booths, and photos of silent film stars decking the walls. Drinks follow era-appropriate suit, with sidecars and Manhattans headlining the cocktail list. The interior seats 100, and in the warmer months an ivy-covered patio can seat an additional 78.
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07.27.09 11:34 AM
Where to Host Group Wine Tastings or Champagne Dinners
Lincoln Park's Poison Cup wine shop Photo: Courtesy of Poison Cup
Entertaining a group of oenophiles? Here's a look at three close-to-the-Loop wine shops—and one champagne bar—that host group tastings.Noble Grape , which opened in West Town earlier this month, is a 900-square-foot wine shop with a design that incorporates eco-friendly paints and sustainable cork floors. Selling international wines, beers, and spirits (most bottles go for less than $30), the space can host receptions or wine tastings for 40. Hosts can bring in caterers of their choice; the venue can also provide cheese plates or contemporary American fare, or arrange for deliveries from neighboring Italian or Asian restaurants. Noble Grape offers Wi-Fi access, and staffers can assist with audiovisual equipment rentals.
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05.15.09 1:12 PM
4 New Italian Restaurants
The interior of Italiasia Photo: BizBash
A slew of Italian restaurants have opened up over the past couple of weeks. Here's a look at the event capabilities of four of them.Italiasia debuted in the lobby of River North's Holiday Inn Chicago Mart Plaza . With a menu of Asian-inspired Italian fare, the restaurant offers dishes such as chicken Milanese with Indonesian curried udon nooodles and filet of beef with wasabi potato cakes. Available for full buyouts, the venue can seat 170 in wraparound booths; food can be plated, passed, or served buffet-style. Smaller semiprivate sections of the restaurant can seat anywhere from 10 to 50 guests, and a private wine room seats 8 at a communal marble table. The hotel's in-house audiovisual team can bring in equipment for meetings and events.
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04.28.09 4:23 PM
3 Restaurants With Rooftop Cabanas
The rooftop at NV Penthouse Lounge Photo: Courtesy of NV Penthouse Lounge
Set to open on Friday, the West Loop's Market offers proximity to U.S. Cellular Field (and a shuttle to transport guests to and from the game) along with a beer garden and a cabana-equipped rooftop. Here's a look at the venue's event capabilities—and, since warm weather is on the way, details on two additional spots that offer event packages and rooftop cabanas.MORE >>
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Business Entertaining
03.27.09 10:36 AM
Where to Host Group Sushi Dinners
The Green room at Japonais Photo: Courtesy of Japonais
A new sushi restaurant with private dining opened in Lincoln Park last week. Here's a look at the venue's event capabilities, along with private dining info on two other sushi spots.Shine . At the new Lincoln Park location—which was once the home of Italian restaurant O'Fame—large, colorful umbrellas hang from the ceilings, and works from contemporary Asian artists spruce up the walls. Two private dining spaces can seat 20 or 30 guests; the restaurant is also available for full buyout for groups of 80. Shine owners provide speakers, a microphone, an amplifier, and a television upon request; and they will work with event planners to develop customized menus of sushi and Chinese cuisine.
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Business Entertaining
02.20.09 11:06 AM
Where to Host Group Movie Gatherings
An auditorium at Muvico—Rosemont 18 Photo: Courtesy of Muvico-Rosemont 18
In honor of the Oscars, we've staked out local movie theaters that host private events. Here's a look at three of them.Gene Siskel Film Center is the official film center for the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Companies such as ABC have hosted screenings at the venue, which features two auditoriums that seat 197 and 61 guests. The center's gallery and café, which overlook State Street, can seat about 95 or hold 150 for receptions, and guests of private events are treated to complimentary popcorn.MORE >>
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