People looking to paint the town red won’t have to search too hard in the Windy City. Such sought after DJs like Samantha Ronson have been known to spin at this lounge where a sultry setting and creative cocktails create a nocturnal paradise for party goers. Glowing crimson mirrors and globally inspired accents are icing on the cake at this exotic venue that promises adventure.
This is undoubtedly Fisherman’s Wharf’s waterfront hotspot. Balmy breezes rolling right off the San Francisco Bay add to the sheer bliss of the seafood inspired menu at Castagnola’s Restaurant. Favorites include fresh specialties like the Cedar Plank King Salmon and Whole Main Lobster, but there’s also steaks, lamb, and veal for the meat lovers.
If you like a little sizzle to your meal, Castagnola’s offers entertainment like nightly live comedy and jazz during happy hour. There’s good food, great entertainment, and sophisticated cocktails-all with a beautiful view- at Castagnola’s.
Cabanas at The Maritime Hotel is the Meatpacking’s rooftop escape from New York City’s summertime swelter. Whimsical patio furniture, amid tropical décor, feels like a Hampton retreat stories above the concrete jungle below. It’s always a better scene mid-week for social cocktails. A good dance floor night at Cabanas is refreshingly playful, unlike its fellow summer see and be seens.
Cabanas is just one of the Maritime Group’s NYC nightlife institutions. Its sister NYU hang Bowery Bar is another summer air favorite, and The Maritime Hotel’s Matsuri and nightclub Hiro offer a swankier scene just downstairs. A massive white wall with marine windows, the Maritime Hotel is impossible to miss. Its meatpacking/Chelsea location makes the Cabanas perfect for jumping off or capping a crisp summer night out.
Located up in the hills near San Francisco Bay is the family run Chouinard Vineyard & Winery. Sure, Chouinard offers tours and wine tastings, things you would typically expect from a winery, but don’t be fooled, this is no ordinary vineyard. Reggae in the Vineyards, Jazz in the Vineyards, 70’s and 80’s Dancing in the Vineyards as well as Ghouls in the Vineyards are some of the ever changing events happening at the winery. It’s needless to say, these are certainly not activities you would expect from a vineyard.
Yet, you’ll still find a staff that loves making wine and can’t wait to share it with their clients. Escape the city for a day to this nearby vineyard and winery and take pleasure in the award-winning wine- and entertianment- Chouinard has to offer.
Chef Gary Mennie’s unique twist on good ol’ Southern cooking makes Livingston Restaurant and Bar one of the most sought after restaurants. This glamorous Midtown getaway serves it up in a setting that recalls the charm and elegance of yesteryear. The fresh flavor of the food reflects a predilection for organic ingredients, and we could get poetic about the desserts until the sun goes down.
Local lovers of art and museum-marveling out-of-towners will go gaga for the Art Institute of Chicago’s new Modern Wing. The 264,000-square-foot addition, designed by Renzo Piano, is a magnificent home for the museum’s much lauded collection of modern European paintings, contemporary art, and photography. The entry hall’s grandeur rivals that of a cathedral, and the staircase, supported by metal rods, makes the Wing a work of art in its own right. Come see what all the fuss is about!
