Sexy Springtime Sips

Spring is in full swing and that means it's time for fruity, refreshing cocktails.  The cocktail connoisseurs at www.MyDrinkOn.com have put together a list of recipes from the nation's top mixologists are delicious and easy to make at home:

The Last Word (Masa's - San Francisco, CA)

     -3/4 oz. Midori Melon Liquor

     -1/2 oz. your favorite brand of gin

     -1 maraschino cherry

     -Sprig of mint

Add Midori, gin and ice into martini shaker.  Shake well.  Strain into chilled martini glass and garnish with cherry and mint.

Clementine Crush (Abe & Arthur's, New York City, NY)

     -2 oz. Svedka Clementine

     -2 oz. orange juice

     -1/2 oz. triple sec

     -Splash of Sprite

Pour all ingredients into a glass with ice and stir.

Frozen Peach Margarita (www.MarthaStewart.com)

     -16 oz. package frozen sliced peaches

     -3/4 c. tequila (any brand)

     -1/4 c. triple sec

     -1/4 c. fresh lime juice

     -1 c. sugar

     -1 c. ice cube

Combine all ingrediants in a blender.  Puree until smooth.  Serve immediately in margarita glass.

The Flirtini (The Bombay Club - New Orleans, LA)

     -2 1/2 oz. vodka (any brand)

     -1/2 oz. Chambord

     -1 oz. pineapple juice

     -1/2 oz. triple sec

     -1 1/2 oz. lime juice

     -Sparkling wine (any brand)

Add all ingredients in martini shaker with ice.  Shake well.  Strain into chilled martini glass.

Fuze It Worldwide Comes To Chicago

The Windy City will be taken by storm on Saturday, April 9th by some of the nation's most talented talented artists.  Fuze It Worldwide takes the most exciting musicians, DJ's, fashion designers, aspiring models and painters and puts them into a spectacular show that tours the country.  

Excalibur Nightclub (632 N. Dearborn St.) will host Fuze It Worldwide Chicago on Saturday, April 9th from 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.  In addition to over a special performance by Evie G, 50+ fashion models and live art, party-goers will get to experience a performance by DJ Boi Jeanius, who has been dubbed the next big thing by music insiders.

Tickets are priced at $20/each and you must be 18 years of age or older to enter the show.  Tickets are almost sold out so those who do not have tickets yet are advised to arrive at Excalibur early.

VIP entrance begins at 5:45 p.m. and for those lucky enough to have VIP status, an exclusive after-party will be hosted by The W Hotel.

For more information about Fuze It Worldwide, contact fuzeitworldwide@gmail.com

This Just In......

Popular Logan Square brewpub, Revolution Brewing, has announced plans to build a production brewery.  Slated to open sometime in 2012, Revolution beer will be available in bottles and cans in Chicago-area bars and stores.  With current in-restaurant selections like Cross of Gold (a crisp golden ale with a delicate hop finish) and Eugene (a striking, robust porter full of warmth and chocolate malt) for only $5-7 a pint, the take-home versions of the their delicious beers can't come soon enough. 

Fore more information on Revolution Brewing visit www.revbrew.com 

Introducing The Hubbard Inn - Trendy Tavern Draws a Crowd

Recently a friend of mine and I visited the very new Hubbard Inn and discovered a new favorite Chicago watering hole. From the outside, the Hubbard Inn is relatively unassuming, but as you enter you are greeted with what the trendy hot spot coins as a “continental tavern” feel. It’s the type of bar Sherlock Holmes and Will Farrell’s Ron Burgundy would love – it’s filled with an interior that reminds one of rich mahogany and contains many, potentially leather-bound books. Literally, the bar is decorated as a bi-level inn: The first level is home to a large bar as well as multiple high tables, it also has various chairs and couches grouped together in corners - perfect for conversation; the second level is similar but also has a cozy collection of chairs next to a fire place and bookshelf where we spent most of our evening. This throw back bar certainly has its quirks: Look out for paintings of regal monkeys.

My friend and I liked the Hubbard Inn so much that we convinced my fiancé to join us. All three of us were impressed with the quality of our drinks. My friend had one of the best Absolut and diets she’s ever had (truly it was perfectly mixed), I had a wonderful Napa Cabernet followed by a refreshing Sonoma Fume Blanc, and my fiancé had a couple of blondes (Belgium ales – that is!). For a busy bar, we were decently catered to on both levels – we moved from the first to the second to do a bit of exploring. All three of us decided to keep it light and ordered salad. The pear salad was delicate and flavorful and, although skeptical at first, my friend very much enjoyed the red and yellow beet salad – I had a bite too, it was tangy and tasty! The bar serves everything from a charcuterie, pate and cheese plate to a variety of sandwiches including a lobster salad club and a lamb burger. For those that just want a little something, they offer small plates like oysters, seared scallops and short ribs. 

For more information on the Hubbard Inn, visit their website at www.hubbardinn.com.

Party for a Good Cause - NEDA-polooza

In honor of NEWtrition Blog's 1st Anniversary, founder/editor Lauren Newman is hosting an event to celebrate the blog's success increase awareness and support for The National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA.)  NEWtrition (www.newtritionblog.com) is a Chicago-based restaurant and culinary blog dedicated to healthy living.  Since it's conception, NEWtrition has become a virtual destination for young professionals who want to lead healthy lives and want to be in-the-know about the Windy City's hottest new restaurants and chefs.

The National Eating Disorders Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting individuals and families affected by eating disorders.  NEDA-polooza will take place during NEDA Awareness Week, which falls between February 20-26th.

Here are the details:

WHAT: NEDA-Palooza: an event celebrating the one-year anniversary of NEWtrition Blog and supporting National Eating Disorders Awareness Week!

WHEN: Friday, February 25th 2011. 9:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m.

WHERE: Privet Nightclub

937 N. Rush Street

Chicago, IL 60611

DETAILS: $40 donation at the door (*all proceeds go directly to NEDA)

Guests will receive complementary drinks from the evening’s official liquor sponsors as well as passed hors d'oeuvres catered by The Drawing Room.

          *Guests must arrive by 10:30 p.m.

For more information, please visit www.newtritionblog.com

My Drink On Masquerade Ball - 2.12.11

Thank you to everyone who attended the My Drink On Masquerade Ball at Crimson Lounge!  Here are just a few of the night's top photos......more to come.

Springtime in Chicago...and the Living's Easy

We’re almost there! The weather this week has been a balmy 30-40 degrees, people are smiling more and runners with no feeling in their legs are donning shorts. As Chicago rounds the corner from blizzardous conditions to livable temperatures, I thought it appropriate to survey Chicagoans to see what they’re most looking forward to this spring. Here are my top five favorite answers:

A little leg!

Yes, a male friend suggested this answer. But I have to agree that being able to show off a little leg is something a lot of women are looking forward to doing. And living in one of the world’s most fashionable cities ensures that the parts left to the imagination will be well attired. For more on fashionable finds to wear on a night out, look out for my blog about My Posh Jeans’ fun spring finds and visit their site at http://myposhjeans.com/style-trends/12-looks-im-loving-this-spring/ 

Outdoor Seating

It’s a bit disheartening to watch bar patrons pull in outdoor patio arrangements at the end of summer. But fear not, as spring nears, My Drink On is sure to find some out-door patio bar deals so you can baste your winter paleness away while sipping 312. Sign up to receive updates from My Drink On to make sure you don’t miss out http://www.mydrinkon.com/ .

LSD

Come on, not the drug! We at My Drink On like a good glass of red wine, but we don’t condone that – we have oodles of fun as it is! I’m of course talking about Chicago’s glorious Lake Shore Drive. Nothing says spring like a bike ride, run, or leisurely stroll along sparkling Lake Michigan.

Tornado Warnings

What can I say? I surveyed some interesting people.

The Chow

Chicago becomes home to a new restaurant about as often as Brangelina comes home with a new child. But you don’t hear anyone complaining because our mouths are too stuffed with Stephanie Izzard’s goat masala pizza. Chicago will soon be welcoming Doughnut Vault, Dawali Mediterranean Kitchen and more. To keep up with restaurant openings, check out Metromix’s list of soon-to-be open joints http://bit.ly/gXU8va.