Lisa Davis:

Toast a Green Beer at These Chicago Irish Bars

Looking for a true Irish bar or pub to toast a green beer at this St. Patrick’s Day? You’re in luck. Chicago has more Irish watering holes than most U.S. cities, giving you plenty of choices to enjoy Irish beer and specialty dishes like shepherd’s pie. Top Irish bar and pub contenders in the...

March 14th, 2010 | Chicago | Read More

Chicago’s Luxury Spas Offer Great Savings This Weekend

With rains taking over Chicago this weekend, it might be the perfect time to take advantage of the last day of SpaFinder’s Deal Days on Sunday, March 14. Several high-end Chicago spas are participating offering significant savings on their signature services, from pedicures and body wraps, to facials...

March 14th, 2010 | Chicago | Read More

New on Chicago’s Dining Scene

With spring almost here, the weather will soon turn warm enough to eat al fresco. Celebrate spring with a night out at one of these restaurants new to Chicago’s dining scene. Purple Pig (500 N. Michigan Ave.; map it; 312-464-1744) – The brains behind popular restaurants Heaven on Seven and...

March 5th, 2010 | Chicago | Read More

Chicago’s Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Chicago has a long history of Irish culture with its huge Irish population; almost an Irish pub on every corner; and also one of the biggest St. Patrick’s Day parades in the United States. This year Chicago kicks off its St. Patrick’s Day celebrations with its annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade...

March 1st, 2010 | Chicago | Read More

Chicago’s Best Sports Bars

This Sunday is a big sports day in Chicago with the gold medal round of Olympics hockey: USA vs. Canada. It is especially big considering that the Chicago Blackhawks have more Olympics players than any other NHL team. Sunday, the Blackhawks’ Patrick Kane takes to the ice playing for Team USA. His...

February 28th, 2010 | Chicago | Read More

A Staycation on Chicago’s Michigan Avenue

With so much happening on Michigan Avenue this weekend from restaurants participating in Restaurant Week, to ice skating on Michigan and free admission to the Art Institute, why not make a staycation out of it and spend the night at the only hotel in Chicago with a front entrance on the Magnificent Mile:...

February 27th, 2010 | Chicago | Read More

Start Your Spring Off Right with a Walking Tour of Chicago

With March 1 next week, it’s not too early to start thinking about being outside. Soon the snow will melt and blue skies will prevail. In honor of the start of spring just around the corner, why not consider getting to know Chicago by foot. Walking a city can be one of the greatest ways to experience...

February 26th, 2010 | Chicago | Read More

Enjoy the Last Days of the Games with These Olympics Dishes and Drinks

With the Olympics wrapping up this weekend, there’s still time to partake in Vancouver’s best Olympics-inspired dishes and spirits. Some places to add to your Olympics itinerary this weekend should include: The Opus Bar in Yaletown has an Olympics-themed “O Bites” menu with the Susan...

February 26th, 2010 | Vancouver | Read More

Pamper Your Skin with Chicago’s Best Facial

Looking to do something nice for yourself? How about treating yourself to one of Chicago’s best facials? Elina Skincare, which recently moved to a new location at 46 Oak St. (map it; 877-384-8300), is one of the top places in the Windy City for a facial. Part of the success behind the spa’s facials...

February 25th, 2010 | Chicago | Read More

Enjoy Dining Out During Chicago’s Annual Restaurant Week

If you are a foodie and are in Chicago this week, you’re in luck. Major luck. This week (through February 28) is the third annual Restaurant Week in the Windy City with over 160 establishments showcasing their best dishes and spirits with three-course lunches ($22) and dinners ($32).(According to...

February 24th, 2010 | Chicago | Read More

Top Tips for Navigating Your Way Through the Vancouver Olympics

During a recent trip I took to the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver, not only did I walk away with Olympics souvenirs and memories, but also with an arsenal of insider tips to make your time at the Winter Games more productive and enjoyable. Here are some of my top tips for navigating the Olympics scene...

February 24th, 2010 | Vancouver | Read More

Enjoy “Free February” at Chicago’s Art Institute

One of Chicago’s famous landmarks, the Art Institute (111 South Michigan Ave.; map it), is celebrating winter with its “Free February” promotion giving free admission to its art galleries, including its new Modern Wing, every day this month. Current exhibitions at the Art Institute include “Art...

February 24th, 2010 | Chicago | Read More

Vancouver Hotels Toast Olympic-Inspired Cocktails

Athletes aren’t the only ones taking centerstage at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Games. Bartender at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver preparing their Olympics-inspired cocktail The Torch made with real red peppers and Ruby Red Absolut vodka Several of the city’s luxury hotels are serving up Olympic-inspired...

February 22nd, 2010 | Vancouver | Read More

Chicago’s Equinox Gyms Add New Classes to Their Exercise Rosters

Still working on your New Year’s resolution to get in shape? It’s not too late thanks to one of Chicago’s top gyms, Equinox, which this spring is launching two new heart-pumping, calorie-burning classes: Tabata 2010 and Whipped!. Exclusive to Equinox, Tabata 2010 is described as a “courageous,...

February 22nd, 2010 | Chicago | Read More

Pamper Yourself with These Chocolate Spa Treatments

February is a great time for chocolate. From Valentine’s Day to National Heart Health Month (dark chocolate is good for the ticker), February has more reasons than one to indulge your sweet tooth. If you want to really pamper yourself, what about a chocolate spa therapy? From massages to body wraps,...

February 11th, 2010 | Chicago | Read More

Show Your Love This Valentine’s Season by Volunteering

Sometimes showing your love is more than about money. It can also be about the time you spend together. Consider volunteering with your significant other and work together to serve meals to the homeless; walk a dog; or help build a home through Habitat for Humanity. Here’s a list of volunteer ideas...

February 10th, 2010 | Chicago | Read More

One of Chicago’s Most Talented Chefs Launches a New Cookbook

If you are a baker by heart who loves making homemade cookies, cakes, and pies, and even experimenting with new dessert creations, this is news you don’t want to miss. Considered to be one of the world’s top “sugar artists,” the Hyatt Regency Chicago’s Executive Pastry Chef, Chef Alain Roby,...

February 6th, 2010 | Chicago | Read More

Valentine’s Day Dinner Ideas in Chicago

The clock is ticking with Valentine’s Day almost a week away. If you’re still looking for a great place to wine and dine your sweetheart, check out this list of restaurants in Chicago that will make for a memorable Valentine’s Day dinner. aja (660 N. State St.; map it; 312-202-6050) … Known...

February 4th, 2010 | Chicago | Read More

Get a Free Facial or Massage with Exhale Spa’s Buddha Bootcamp

Tomorrow will be February 1, one month into 2010. How are your New Year’s Resolutions going? Are you staying fit, eating healthy, and eating less? Need help staying on track with your resolutions? If fitness and weight loss were at the top of your New Year Commitments list, then check out this deal...

January 31st, 2010 | Chicago | Read More

Dine Cheaply at Some of Chicago’s Tastiest Restaurants

If one of your New Year’s resolutions is to save money, then you’ve come to the right place. Chicago’s dining scene is one of the best in the country and it can also be one of the cheapest, if you know where to go. Some of the top “eat on the cheap” restaurants in the Windy City include: Pollo...

January 31st, 2010 | Chicago | Read More