Oh, What a Night
In February, Broadway in Chicago announced that Jersey Boys, the hit musical about Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons’ rise to fame, will stay in the city, playing at the LaSalle Bank Theater, indefinitely. Group rates are available for crowds of 20 or more, and a private room for such groups opens 45 minutes before showtime and during intermission, with hors d’oeuvres and a separate bar, restroom, and coat check.
Pizza Party
At the end of last year, Chicago’s gourmet-pizza boom brought new takeout options to River North. La Madia specializes in Neapolitan-style pizza with crispy crusts and accoutrements like white truffle oil and torn basil. The sleek joint can host seated lunches for 150 and will deliver to in-office groups of 20 or more.
All You Can Eat
Zed451 brings its unique serving concept to River North: Diners place a stone in front of their plates to signify that they would like more charcoal-cooked meats, chicken, and fish. When they want to pass on a serving, they place the stone to the side. For a private party, there’s a 2,300-square-foot rooftop blanketed in grass and foliage with a deck and cozy seating around an outdoor fireplace; the space holds 100.
All that Sparkles
Prosecco restaurant’s wine director, Christian Hood, aims to educate people about the venue’s namesake sparkling Italian wine. Starting in June, the Piazza dining room, which has an exhibition kitchen and an ornate chef’s table, will be available for private dinners for 50. Local guest chefs will join Prosecco chef Mark Sparacino, and Hood will be on hand to provide pairings for whatever they prepare.
Candy Land
Former lawyer Valerie Beck created Chicago Chocolate Tours with corporate outings in mind. Catering to groups of as many as 60 people, the two-hour tours hit up six chocolate shops in the Loop or on the Magnificent Mile. The Chocolate Challenge, new this summer, is a teambuilding exercise that pits associate against associate in a quest for confectionary knowledge; after the tour, the group that correctly answers the most questions about the history and health benefits of chocolate wins.
A Ballpark Perk
If a ball game is in your summer plans, commemorate the outing with the latest baseballs from Bergino, which sport a glossy-coated map of the U.S. highlighted with all of the major stadiums and retail for $20. Bergino also makes individual city-map balls for Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Boston, and Washington, D.C.
A Cultured Outing
From May 31 to September 21, the Museum of Contemporary Art will host a survey of artist Jeff Koons’s sculptures and new paintings, to be shown exclusively in Chicago. Koons’s work—which often reinterprets everyday items into fantastic objects—ranges from comical and ironic to controversial. His famous reproduction of an inflatable bunny is included in the exhibit. Planners can arrange for private guided tours, and associates can dine on site at Puck’s Café.
In February, Broadway in Chicago announced that Jersey Boys, the hit musical about Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons’ rise to fame, will stay in the city, playing at the LaSalle Bank Theater, indefinitely. Group rates are available for crowds of 20 or more, and a private room for such groups opens 45 minutes before showtime and during intermission, with hors d’oeuvres and a separate bar, restroom, and coat check.
Pizza Party
At the end of last year, Chicago’s gourmet-pizza boom brought new takeout options to River North. La Madia specializes in Neapolitan-style pizza with crispy crusts and accoutrements like white truffle oil and torn basil. The sleek joint can host seated lunches for 150 and will deliver to in-office groups of 20 or more.
All You Can Eat
Zed451 brings its unique serving concept to River North: Diners place a stone in front of their plates to signify that they would like more charcoal-cooked meats, chicken, and fish. When they want to pass on a serving, they place the stone to the side. For a private party, there’s a 2,300-square-foot rooftop blanketed in grass and foliage with a deck and cozy seating around an outdoor fireplace; the space holds 100.
All that Sparkles
Prosecco restaurant’s wine director, Christian Hood, aims to educate people about the venue’s namesake sparkling Italian wine. Starting in June, the Piazza dining room, which has an exhibition kitchen and an ornate chef’s table, will be available for private dinners for 50. Local guest chefs will join Prosecco chef Mark Sparacino, and Hood will be on hand to provide pairings for whatever they prepare.
Candy Land
Former lawyer Valerie Beck created Chicago Chocolate Tours with corporate outings in mind. Catering to groups of as many as 60 people, the two-hour tours hit up six chocolate shops in the Loop or on the Magnificent Mile. The Chocolate Challenge, new this summer, is a teambuilding exercise that pits associate against associate in a quest for confectionary knowledge; after the tour, the group that correctly answers the most questions about the history and health benefits of chocolate wins.
A Ballpark Perk
If a ball game is in your summer plans, commemorate the outing with the latest baseballs from Bergino, which sport a glossy-coated map of the U.S. highlighted with all of the major stadiums and retail for $20. Bergino also makes individual city-map balls for Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Boston, and Washington, D.C.
A Cultured Outing
From May 31 to September 21, the Museum of Contemporary Art will host a survey of artist Jeff Koons’s sculptures and new paintings, to be shown exclusively in Chicago. Koons’s work—which often reinterprets everyday items into fantastic objects—ranges from comical and ironic to controversial. His famous reproduction of an inflatable bunny is included in the exhibit. Planners can arrange for private guided tours, and associates can dine on site at Puck’s Café.
The cast of Jersey Boys
Photo: Joan Marcus
Bergino offers a "Ballparks of America" baseball.
Photo: BizBash
Groups can check out a peformance of Jersey Boys.
Photo: Joan Marcus
La Madia's upscale pizzeria can be booked for luncheons, and pies can be delivered to the office.
Photo: Courtesy of La Madia
Chicago Chocolate Tours explore local candy shops.
Photo: Courtesy of Chicago Chocolate Tours
Zed451 offers all-you-can-eat dining.
Photo: Courtesy of Zed451
Prosecco specializes in sparkling Italian wines.
Photo: Courtesy of Prosecco
The Museum of Contemporary Art's Jeff Koons retrospective opens May 31.
Photo: Collection of William J. Bell/© Jeff Koons
