This blog post was contributed by: Malcolm Logan, a freelance writer and Wicker Park Bucktown resident. Visit his website at www.fillmyemptyblogspace.com. He can be reached at malcolm.logan@rcn.com.

It’s a requirement. In Chicago, every neighborhood worth its salt has to have an Irish pub.

In Wicker Park it's called Pint.  

With heavy oak woodwork, panel moldings and ornate chandeliers, Pint nails an authentic Anglo-Irish decor.  A characteristic red London phone booth out front completes that across-the-pond feel. 

In Chicago, Irish pubs are understood to be solid local hang outs during the week as well as the happy hunting grounds of eager singles on the weekends. During the week, Pint passes muster, providing a friendly staff, adequate in number, ready to serve, and featuring 18 quality beers on tap, with an emphasis on Irish products like Guiness, Smithwicks and Harp.  For food it offers shepherd’s pie, a selection of burgers, and fish and chips, hitting all the right notes.  As for décor, Pint’s library room is like something out of Sherlock Holmes, with a pillared and mantled fireplace, Edwardian mirrors and overstuffed sofas, great for relaxing in. 

On the weekends, Pint pumps up the volume.  The cavernous bar with its brick archways and swanky upstairs loft overflow with spirited twenty-somethings, laughing, mingling and dancing.  More than a dozen TVs show sports, some up close and at eye-level within the confines of individual alcoves.  In fact, cozy nooks and comfortable corners abound, making Pint a great place to hang out with friends or get acquainted.

In the summer, Pint comes alive with comfortable sidewalk dining along one of the busiest sections of Milwaukee Avenue, perfect for people watching while relaxing in the heart of vibrant Wicker Park. 

When it comes to food, in addition to its Irish staples, Pint offers eighteen appetizers, seven salads, fourteen sandwiches, and a selection of main courses.  Beyond its eighteen drafts, Pint offers more than 40 beers in bottles, as well as cocktails, wine and a full bar.

Every Chicago neighborhood has an Irish pub – it’s practically a rule - and Wicker Park has Pint.

From local hangout to pulsing nightspot to great sidewalk dining, Pint covers all the bases.  It’s everything an Irish pub should be, and more.   

Pint

1547 N. Milwaukee
(773) 772-0990
Su-F: 11am-2am; Sa: 11am-3am

Only a Few More Days Left to Enter to Win a Beautiful Bucktown Poster

Answer questions on what kinds of businesses you'd like to see in Wicker Park Bucktown and where you'd like to spend your dollars and you're entered to win this beautiful screen-printed Bucktown poster by StudioChris. Make sure to include your email address for a chance to win! Take our survey now. 

May Chamber Mixer at The Anthem

When: Wed, May 16th, 6-8pm
Where: The Anthem, 1725 W. Division
Cost: Free for Chamber Members, $5 for Non-Members
Grow your network or just casually meet your neighbors at the Chamber's May Networking Event at The Anthem! Click here for more information and to RSVP. 

Summer Sidewalk Sales

Wicker Park Fest 2012

Every Day is Earth Day

Keep up your efforts to go green and save money with some earth-friendly ideas that you can act on any day of the year: 

Small Business Energy Savings Program 

Small businesses receive expert advice on energy-saving improvements for their business, and assistance with the application for rebates on energy improvement investment. There are program freebies too, such as compact fluorescent lamps, faucet aerators, and pre-rinse sprayers! For more information, please click here. 

10 Simple Things: WPB Green Designation 

The Wicker Park Bucktown Chamber's Green Committee has assembled a list of actions, ranging from simple, low-cost tasks to big ticket investments with long term pay-offs for member businesses that wish to go green and save money. Review the list, complete ten action items, and earn "WPB Green" designation. For more information, please click here. 

Featured Green & Eco-Friendly Chamber Members:

Greenheart Shop, 1911 W. Division, is Chicago's premier eco-fair trade non-profit shop, carrying eco fair trade products made by artisans from around the world.

The ReBuilding Exchange, 2160 N. Ashland, a project of the Delta Institute, offers reclaimed building materials at a fraction of the cost, keeping them out of our landfills, and available to residents at all income levels, particularly those who can't afford the rising costs of such materials. Classes and volunteer opportunities also available!

Reynolds Power/Zap My Bill, 1286 N. Milwaukee, is a commercial, medical, municipal and industrial full-service energy solutions company that offers a fresh and innovative process for helping you save money on electricity and natural gas. 

For a complete list of Green & Eco-Friendly Chamber Member Businesses, please click here.

This blog entry was contributed by: Mark Dollard, Realtor. Visit his blog at dollardnsense.com. He can be reached at mark.dollard@gmail.com.

As the weather turns especially nice and springtime has settled in, weekend brunch becomes something akin to a necessity.

For the design, health and eco-conscious, you would be hard pressed to find a better option than prasino.  It’s a modern, chic spot that prides itself on sustainable dining options.  Everything is done here with style, even the tea service.  The menu is quite comprehensive and it’s one of the rare Chicago places that will include pancakes with your omelette (that’s a huge plus in my book).





For a little more casual option, Milk and Honey Cafe is right down the street and boasts a lively, yet cozy vibe for brunch. The menu isn’t huge, but every item is very well-thought-out and imaginative.  It’s definitely the kind of place where you don’t want to substitute ingredients because they have been put together with great care.  

If you are looking for traditional southern brunch, there’s no place better than (well, kind of obviously) The Southern to tame your brunch cravings.  The doughnuts are a great starter with a very nice coffee anglaise for dipping and all the dishes are very well made.  Plus, they have good drink specials and an extensive set of Bloody Marys to choose from (ask your server).






Brunch doesn’t get any bigger or livelier than at Feast in Bucktown.  Feast boasts a very diverse menu (anything from chilaquiles to crab benedict) and a huge crowd on the weekends. This is a favorite spot for families and an institution to many Wicker Park and Bucktown community insiders.

Summer Event Vendor Applications

We are NOW accepting vendor applications for the following exciting upcoming Chamber events and festivals. 

For artists, retail, restaurants and non-profits:
Wicker Park Fest 
July 28-29

Polish Triangle Marketplace
June 7-Sept. 27 

For Wicker Park Bucktown Businesses:
Summer Sidewalk Sales
July 21-22 and/or Aug. 25-26 

Space is limited, so please send in your application today!

Your Input Needed!

The Wicker Park Bucktown Chamber of Commerce and WPB SSA #33, 1414 N. Ashland, need your input! We have hired Business Districts, Inc, to conduct a market study to identify our neighborhood's unique strengths and opportunities. Please take the survey now and pass it on to your customers, partners, neighbors, and fellow business owners. Your help completing and circulating the survey will be invaluable to the market study results and help our local economy thrive. Thank you!

Read more...

This blog post was contributed by: Malcolm Logan, a freelance writer and Wicker Park Bucktown resident. Visit his website at www.fillmyemptyblogspace.com. He can be reached at malcolm.logan@rcn.com.

Everyone likes to find a hidden gem, a cool little place off the beaten path that serves up interesting food at great prices. 

Irazu could be that place.  

Irazu has a loyal following that has been trying to keep it secret for years, but with only middling success. Residents of Wicker Park and Bucktown mostly know about its signature Costa Rican cuisine, but visitors to the neighborhood will find that what’s being served in the former convenience store on a sparsely populated stretch of Milwaukee is well nigh a revelation. 

Authenticity and Creativity at Great Low Prices

The Cerdas-Salazar family has been dishing up authentic Costa Rican cuisine like Casado (rib eye steak with caramelized onions over white rice) and El Tico (chicken breast sautéed with onions, bell pepper and tomatoes) for more than two decades. But what really keeps the loyalists coming back are the vegetarian options. 

The oatmeal shake wins glowing praise from every vegetarian and vegan who has ever taken a sip, and the vegetarian burrito with black beans, yellow rice, hot pepper, avocados and sautéed onions is award winning. But for my money the hands-down winner in the creativity department is the potato taco, a rolled up corn tortilla, fried, filled with mashed potatoes topped with guacamole and served with yellow rice.

If you are a fan of empanadas you will be seduced by the spinach and cheese emapanada. This is the kind of thing upscale restaurants put on their menus as a measure of their ingenuity and then charge you handsomely for. Here you can pick it up for a mere $2.95. 

Keeping the Secret

Low prices are definitely part of the draw at Irazu. Many of the menu items are under $10, and nothing is higher than $15. Add to that the fact that Irazu is BYOB and two people can enjoy a fine meal out for under $25. Is this Chicago? 

Irazu’s cash only policy helps keep the prices low, and if you are looking for valet parking, you will have to look elsewhere. What’s more, be prepared for long waits during peak times. But these minor hurdles shouldn’t discourage you from enjoying Irazu’s many charms.

Irazu is open Monday through Saturday for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Outdoor dining is available during the summer months. The dining patio is under a climate controlled canopy in the winter months. The staff is attentive, the portions are generous and the food is delicious and reasonably priced. Irazu is a hidden gem. Come and enjoy. 

But keep it under your hat.

Irazu

1865 N. Milwaukee Ave.
(773) 252-5687
www.irazuchicago.com

Can you tell us a little bit about your background as an artist, curator and/or resident of Chicago?

Sure. I did my undergraduate work at Cornell University where I studied Art History and Archaeology and minored in Visual Studies. After graduating, I worked as the Exhibitions Assistant at the Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art at Cornell before moving to Chicago to pursue my Master’s degree in Modern Art History, Theory, and Criticism from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC). Currently, I am the Director of Monique Meloche Gallery, where I have worked for over six years. I also curate an exhibition program at the Belgian-inspired restaurant Leopold in West Town and am the Managing Director of Gallery Weekend Chicago.

What excites you the most about running a gallery?

Working with the artists and being able to introduce their work to the community. Each artist that we work with has a different voice, a different conceptual project that I am specifically interested in and proud to promote. We change shows every 6-8 weeks and I enjoy that constant change/stimulation. 

How did you get your start in the Chicago art world? 

I met Monique Meloche, the owner of the gallery, while I was at SAIC. After a semester of school work, I was missing the working world and wanted to insert myself into Chicago's contemporary art world to augment my education and build my Chicago-based network. So, I set up "informational" meetings with a few art world people that I admired and it turned out that Monique was looking for help at the same time. 

Why did you choose Wicker Park for Monique Meloche? 

The gallery opened on Fulton Market in the West Loop in 2001 and moved to Peoria Street in the West Loop in 2004. By 2009, when we moved to Wicker Park, our program had grown quite a bit. About 70% of our clients are not from Chicago, but when they do visit, they'll make the trip to see us anywhere, so being outside the West Loop contemporary art gallery district doesn't really matter. Plus, Monique and I both live south of the gallery in the Ukrainian Village, within walking distance to the gallery. We love the community around Division Street. We've found great support from the small local businesses as well as the Chamber of Commerce. We've very happy with our new location, which we were able to build out to our specs with the help of Dirk Denision Associates. 

How does your space engage with the culture of this area?

Being on the corner of Division and Leavitt (2154 W. Division) with floor to ceiling windows makes us very noticeable. Plus, our "on the wall" window project is lit and visible from the street 24/7. Being near a bus stop, a high school, and a hospital also brings a number of new people into that gallery on a daily basis. While the majority of our clients aren't from the neighborhood, we welcome visitors and are free and open to the public Tues-Sat, 11am-6pm. Check our website for news about upcoming opening receptions, tours, and artist talks.

What interests you about today’s art scene in Chicago? 

I'm always inspired by the DIY culture in Chicago. Whether it's apartment galleries, pop-up shows, or performance art, there is a lot of 'can do' attitude. Lots of this energy has to do with the city's great art schools. We've got a ton of smart artists and arts administrators teaching a strong crop of students. These kids get great educations and are hungry to make it so they start writing, curating, and showing where ever they can. I try to make it to these events and spaces as much as possible, and I know other curators do to. It's a great way to keep your finger on the pulse.

On The Wall at Monique Meloche

Feb 4 - May 12, 2012
Kerry James Marshall
Black Night Falling:  Black holes and constellations, 2012 
Vinyl and screen prints on iridescent cellophane mounted to Plexiglas
Installation view at Monique Meloche Gallery, Chicago
Photography by James Prinz
www.moniquemeloche.com

--
Copyright 2012. Interview by Clover Morell, Administrative Assistant at Wicker Park Bucktown Chamber of Commerce. 

This blog entry was contributed by: Malcolm Logan, a freelance writer and Wicker Park Bucktown resident. Visit his website at www.fillmyemptyblogspace.com. He can be reached at malcolm.logan@rcn.com.

There’s something raucously naughty about the idea of a tequila lounge.  The whole idea suggests a Sergio Leone-like ambiance – grizzled bandito’s narrowing their eyes and ordering drinks in gruff voices. But Salud Tequila Lounge is anything but dangerous. Quite the contrary. It’s cool and sophisticated in all the right ways.

The warm gold and burnished copper décor is tastefully decorated in Castilian accents. The plush half circle booths with timber and parchment tops are stylish yet rustic.  The dozen or so wall niches behind the bar housing individual bottles of tequila are underlit with an elegant museum-like glow.  

Warm Décor and Great Deals

The menu at Salud offers an inspired selection of Mexican fare, including fajitas, tacos, empanadas and tortas. A 3-course dinner for two, including cocktails, is one of several bargains cooked up by the house. Featured tequila dinners the last Wednesday and Thursday of every month are another terrific deal. And every Thursday night, the One-Two-Three starter menu dangles a selection of tasty appetizers for just $1, $2 or $3 to hungry penny-pinchers.

Ready for a drink? Salud excels where its heart is: Tequila. 75 premium 100% aguave tequilas, many from small artisanal producers, present the connoisseur with a rich array of choices. Not quite sure where to start? The house specialty, Cadillac Tequila, is as smooth and compelling as the menu implies. For anyone looking to savor one of the world’s most complex spirits, Salud will be your guide.  In addition, there is a full bar featuring beer, wine and cocktails. 

Smooth and Compelling

In the summer months, Salud’s sidewalk seating provides customers a people-watching view of bustling Milwaukee Avenue. In the winter months, the warm, buttery tones of the interior complemented by a bracing shot of tequila are all you’ll need to feel warm right down to your toes. 

A grizzled bandito might feel at home, but most of the customers are 30-something singles and couples looking for something comfortably sophisticated with a bit of an edge. Sounds like the description of a fine tequila.  

And you’ll find plenty of that at Salud Tequila Lounge.

Salud Tequila Lounge

1471 N. Milwaukee
(773) 235-5577 / Reservations Accepted
www.saludlounge.com 

This blog was contributed by: Stephanie Sack, not your typical, well, anything. She is a Chicago native, your friendly neighborhood Wicker Park and Bucktown Chamber Vice-President, small business owner, plus-size fashion expert, Bikram Yoga addict, and rabid Kraftwerk fan.  She rarely reads fiction, because she far prefers the unbelievability of reality. You can come see her or her awesome staff at her two shops: vive la femme, which is Chicago's only independent boutique for curvaceous cutie pies between sizes 12-24; or violette, Bucktown's only cheap-n-cheerful shoe store that features street chic footwear up to a size 11.

Clinking cocktail glasses. Suburban homes. A bowl of gin for dinner.

The American lifestyle from the fifties and sixties has been brought back from the sidelines to the limelight thanks to the glamorous gals in television programs such as Mad Men and Pan Am, as well as other cultural touchstones in independent film and high fashion.  Happily for the broads who like to show off their gams, Wicker Park boasts an welcoming oasis of ladylike vintage style, Store B.

Open now for nine years, Store B is packed with carefully curated fashion treasures thanks to the studied eye of its owner, David James Ginople.  A student of costume design with a degree in textiles and clothing, Mr. Ginople has been a resident of Wicker Park for seventeen years and came into the concept basically by accident when the previous shop in the space began consigning a handful of his vintage pieces and suddenly asked if he wanted to take over the business.  Having sold labels in the past such as Pucci, Leonard of Paris, and Zandra Rhoodes, Mr. Ginople knew he had a practiced eye for retro clothing and, luckily for Wicker Park, Store B was born.

Hot Drinks

For the Do-It-Yourselfer, how about taking a stroll over to Olivia’s Market, 2014 W. Wabansia Ave., and getting some fixin’s together for some hot spiced wine punch (known as Glühwein or Gløgg)?  It’s one of the most popular ways to stay warm in Nordic lands.  

Olivia’s has a great selection of inexpensive wines from independent producers and a very well-thought-out liquor selection to go along with all your grocery needs.

Here are links to some recipes:

1. For the beginner, check out this one.

2. A good recipe that’s more involved, and stronger.

Comfort Food

Dessert