I am by no means a bird watcher – not by trade or hobby but when Groupon invited me to The Aviary for an NRA Show After Party I practically flew over! Though by definition a large enclosure for confining birds allowing them to still fly freely, The Aviary in Chicago is so much more. Probably the most anticipated bar/restaurant opening in Chicago in 2011, The Aviary has literally redefined the cocktail bar thanks to Grant Achatz and Nick Kokonas. When the lounge initially opened patrons from near and far waited around the block for hours to get inside. Two years later and my first time experiencing The Aviary I can see why. Cocktails anywhere else will never be the same. It’s no wonder Groupon chose the popular locale to host a special NRA Show After Party.

Nestled in a quiet corner in the West Loop, The Aviary offers its patrons a memorable experience in fine dining and an appreciation for the art of mixology. It is rare for me these days to be impressed and awed from a bar, lounge, or restaurant but I was beyond blown away Monday night. From the ambiance to the service and impressive bar and food menu, the entire evening was perfection. Every morsel burst with flavor and most passed hors d’oeuvres were vegetarian. Upon arrival I was offered a smooth, rich, and creamy avocado roll followed by delectable mini risotto balls and orgasmic pops of potato. Every bite more delicious. Dessert also wowed – chocolate squares that oozed tasty surprise once consumed.

But the real reason folks pray to be one of the lucky randomly selected guests to experience The Aviary is attributed to the cocktail menu. Ordering a drink here is an experience one won’t soon forget and if you’re curious about the process guests can gawk through the wired “bird-cage” wall and watch the “bird”-tenders fly free as they create both art and magic before their eyes. Using fresh ingredients and the most creative vessels, your apertif is brought to life. From portholes to light bulbs, beakers, and beyond, no glass is off limits.Everything about their cocktail menu is innovative down to the ice cubes – either made from fresh fruit or herb ingredients or specially shaped to add to the ingenuity of the final product. And the cherry on top is the incredible flavors, smoothness, and just pure deliciousness of each and every beverage including the lavender vapor infused drink where the glass(es) are brought to the guest in a plastic bag which is slit table side letting out the vapors and creating a special experience.

The Aviary is officially on my list of favorites possibly sitting at the top impressing me in every aspect and far-exceeding my expectations. Perhaps some of the restaurant’s success stems from its adoption of Groupon Breadcrumb Pro – a complete restaurant and bar management system offering over 200 features including customizable menus, full modifiers, flexible kitchen printing, labor tracking, and real-time reporting for a low monthly fee. The Groupon team was on-hand to share more about this great program along with Groupon Breadcrumb POS and Groupon Reserve. Breadcrumb POS is a free and easy to use point of sale system with 24 hour support perfect for smaller chains. Groupon Reserve is another daily deal program focusing on fancy tasting menus at a bargain. Easily book a reservation at one of Chicago’s favorite eateries and receive 20-30% off your bill including cocktails. It was great hearing how Groupon continues to differentiate itself from the competition.

Spending an evening with Groupon at one of the hottest establishments in the city surrounded by incredible people made for the perfect night. I will be dreaming about a return visit to The Aviary and look forward to giving Groupon Reserve a try. See more photos from the night here.

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Summer Fests Chicago 2013

Summer festivals are on the top of things to see in Chicago! From Art Festivals in Chicago to Music Festivals in Chicago and Food Festivals in Chicago they are the place to be and be seen! Each summer we love to share links via some sort of Chicago Street Festival Calendar with many thanks to both MetroMix Chicago and Time Out Chicago. Both editorial outlets cover the gamut of things to do in Chicago. Summer is the perfect time to celebrate our city. Check out all the fabulous 2013 Chicago Summer Festivals listed by month below. More festivals will be added to our Summer Fests Chicago 2013 list so please book mark this page and check back regularly.

Chicago Festivals May 2013

Chicago Festivals June 2013

Chicago Festivals July 2013

Chicago Festivals August 2013

Chicago Festivals September 2013

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Summer Fests Chicago 2013

Summer festivals are on the top of things to see in Chicago! From Art Festivals in Chicago to Music Festivals in Chicago and Food Festivals in Chicago they are the place to be and be seen! Each summer we love to share links via some sort of Chicago Street Festival Calendar with many thanks to both MetroMix Chicago and Time Out Chicago. Both editorial outlets cover the gamut of things to do in Chicago. Summer is the perfect time to celebrate our city. Check out all the fabulous 2013 Chicago Summer Festivals listed by month below. More festivals will be added to our Summer Fests Chicago 2013 list so please book mark this page and check back regularly.

Chicago Festivals May 2013

Chicago Festivals June 2013

Chicago Festivals July 2013

Chicago Festivals August 2013

Chicago Festivals September 2013

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Now You Know Top Three Picks at NRA Show 2013

National Restaurant Assocation: The very title itself is likely to paint the image of a mystical paradise for the cuisine connoisseur in all of us. In its own regard, that’s what the NRA Show is; wall-to-wall booths stacked levels high throughout the colossal McCormick Place in Chicago with restaurant higher-ups and representatives eagerly waiting to hand out free samples of the finest digestible things they have to offer.

In that same breath, the NRA show is so much more. There were booths for companies that sell menu covers, heated pizza delivery bags,  dinnerware, furniture, mobile food vans, and even some workout equipment that felt all too much like a subtle hint placed amidst all the bread and the cookies. To cover it all would be overwhelming for writer and reader alike, so here’s an easily digestible (pun only partially intended) list of the top three showcases that stood out to me.

1. First stop, the Greenwave Biodegradable Products based in Brooklyn, New York.

What makes this tableware so neat is the fact that it’s environmentally friendly. According to Green Wave Executive Director John Calarese, all Green Wave products are made out of environmentally-friendly, natural fiber such as bamboo, sugarcane, corn starch, and wheat. There’s no plastic involved at all. To be more exact, their official website (http://greenwave.us.com/)  showcases  plates, trays, carry-out boxes, and bowls made out of bamboo and sugarcane as well as a selection of plates, containers, lids, and carry-out boxes made of corn starch. Their cutlery is made from corn starch and they feature carry-out trays and a bowl and plate design made from recycled fiber/pulp.

Green Wave’s newest innovation is a line of bowls, plates and boxes called Ovation which are made out of wheat and sugarcane. The products are 100 percent decomposable with a marble-like appearance. It’s easy to feel like products composed of plant and fiber would be flimsy and hardly resilient, but Green Wave has developed technology against that. “We have developed a technology that has very high heat tolerance and strong durability,” Calarese said.

What’s more, when a user is finished with their Green Wave product, they can use it as a fertilizer! “When you’re done with it, you could put it in the compost in your yard and it’ll be a fertilizer in six to 12 months,” Calarese said. Green Wave sends an environmentally friendly message and goes about achieving the green standard in an efficient manner. ”We were green when green was just a color. A lot of people have duplicated our work that we’ve done in the last 15 years, but they cannot duplicate the products we’ve innovated. We have a staff of PhD chemical engineers that work for our company and all they do is find ways of finding plants or nature to make our product,” Calarese said.

2. Next, we have the PB2 display. PB2, based in Tifton, Georgia, stands for Peanut Butter Next Generation, and it quite literally feels something like a peanut butter from the future.

PB2 peanut butter is powdered peanut butter, which creates a feeling like this is the kind of product I’d want to have in an apocalypse shelter. It isn’t actually intended to be used for that, though. The actual purpose of PB2 is to take peanut butter and make it more versatile. “PB2 is peanut butter second generation, so we’ve taken peanut butter to the next level,” said Executive Vice President Jill St. John.

Of the various uses for powdered peanut butter, some include greek yogurt flavoring, sprinkling it over ice cream, and even using it to make the coating of fried chicken. But PB2 is a little more than just versatile powdered peanut butter. It’s also good for the waistline. ”We take out 85 percent of the oil, so it reduces your calories and your fat calories dramatically,” St. John said. The PB2 nutrition facts weigh in just 45 calories for a two tablespoon serving. Compared to the usual 195 for the same amount in regular peanut butter, this seems like a no brainer!

They’ve been at it for seven years and the Bell Plantation’s PB2 has experienced a lot of success. Their product not only has a webstore (http://www.bellplantation.com/products), but it can also be found at Wal-Mart, Kroger and Whole Foods.

3. Last but not least, the South New Jersey based Waver Costumes. When I walked past a display of various life-sized ice cream cones, pizza slices, and french fries with big smiling faces on them, it certainly stopped me in my tracks.

According to Waver Costumes Sales Manager Kerri Tooley, the company developed out of their parent company Rasta Imposta. Rasta Imposta has been in business for a little over 20 years manufacturing the Halloween costumes one might find in a store such as Party City. About three years ago, they came to the NRA Show with a display of Halloween food costumes and received a lot of feedback that restaurant industry employees were looking for waving costumes that didn’t show their face and, thus, the Waver Costume line was born.

It started with Rasta Imposta bringing about 12 waver costumes to the NRA Show last year and developed a couple of months ago into the separately established Waver Costumes company. The type of services they provide include producing waving costumes for restaurant employees to wear as they hand out coupons, flyers and things of that nature for their restaurant; those involved in parades, such as 4th of July or Memorial Day; and minor league baseball.

Although they don’t have any distributors or store locations, Waver Costumes do attend shows such as the NRA Show regularly and they sell through their website (www.wavercostumes.com). The costumes run $250 with an additional $30 for a pair of oversized hands and $40 for the placement of customer-sent logos.

See more photos from the NRA Show when you like Now You Know Events on Facebook.

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2013 Randolph Street Market Opens

Spring is here and so is festival season in Chicago! The Randolph Street Market opens its doors for 2013 on the weekend of Saturday, May 25^th.  The European-style, indoor-outdoor market is the place for vintage finds, classic antiques, and amazing quality. Home of the Chicago Antique Market, I, Modern Vintage Chicago, and the the Randolph Street Market is your one-way stop for all your decorative and designer stylings.

Over 200 vendors will be posting up shop at the renowned West Loop festival selling everything from vintage clothing, jewelry, furnishings, and collectibles. Music lovers can find solace at the Vinyl Swap Meet where they can sell and trade their records. The Global Goods Bazaar boasts crafts and artisan goods from Chicago’s ethnic neighborhoods. After shopping around, enjoy the Fancy Food Market where you can enjoy a variety of food and drink specials and dine al fresco. This festival has something for everyone!

Passes for the urban market are $8 in advance and $10 at the door. To purchase tickets to this antique and vintage haven, click here.

Not only can festival goers indulge in shopping, but the following services will be provided:

• Appraisal Service
• Onsite Furniture Delivery Service
• Gold Buying Service
• Crystal & Porcelain Repair Service
• Furniture Restoration Service
• Art Restoration Service
• Lamp & Lighting Repair Service

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McGee’s 24th Annual Headsuckers Ball

This past Saturday, I got down and dirty at McGee’s 24^th Annual Headsuckers Ball and I learned there’s no better way to spend a warm, spring day in Chicago than stuffing your face with all-you-can-eat crawfish, jambalaya, and gumbo. The tavern opened its doors to the hungry and eager masses at 10:00 a.m. and when I showed up at noon, the Louisiana party was in full force. A line of patrons was stretched along the outside of McGee’s patio area and people were being herded inside for the festivities after paying their $25 cover charge.

Upon entry, I immediately wished I had headed to the bar earlier. It was jam packed with folks inhaling crawfish as they hovered over their larger-than-cafeteria-sized trays, which were situated on top of the garbage receptacles that McGee’s had systematically placed around the restaurant. I bee-lined it to the back of the bar where I noticed a flood of customers emerge holding trays piled high with steaming hot crawfish, corn-on-the-cob, and potatoes. The line for our authentic feast intricately weaved itself throughout two different areas of the restaurant and as I merged myself into it, I was told there would be an hour wait before I was able to get my grub on. Like a child at an amusement park who sees the “your wait will be one hour at this point” sign, I stomped my feet in displeasure. I was ravenous and was being taunted by the heaps and mounds of crawfish that passed my face directly at eye-level. In an effort to restore my stomach’s sanity, I dipped over to the bar and ordered myself the $8 hurricane drink that was concocted especially for the day’s events.

My hurricane (specifically the Meyer’s Rum) helped the line move quicker than I expected and after a mere 35 minutes of patiently waiting, I was in front of a bounty of Louisiana deliciousness. The outdoor buffet was manned by a team of men and women of varying ages who appeared to know a thing or two about crawfish. I walked away with enough food for about three people and I could not have been more excited to dig in. Unfortunately, space was mildly limited at this party. The only place to set your large trays were on top of the garbage cans or on very small high top tables, which were somewhat limited in numbers. After the wait for food, it took another half hour to find a place to post up shop so I could finally enjoy my meal.

As zydeco music resounded in the background from the band, Hurricane Gumbo, I went to town on the excessive amount of crawfish I was holding. Completely unaware of how to actually eat crawfish, I tried to mimic the enthusiasts who surrounded me. Though I found it somewhat frustrating at first, I quickly learned the tricks of the trade and between two people knocked back three extremely large helpings of crawfish, potatoes, corn, and jambalaya. All in a day’s work!

McGee’s definitely hit the nail on the head with the Headsuckers Ball; I had never seen the bar so packed with such a happy and mildly ridiculous crowd. After staying there for several hours listening to some good music, I entered a crawfish food coma and decided to bow out gracefully. The party was still raring to go and I’m excited to see what’s in store for the 25^th anniversary of the Headsuckers Ball!

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Living Social Hosts Sumo Sushi and Sake… Oh My!

A unique piece of Japanese culture came to Chicago for the first time.

Living Social hosted a Sumo, Sushi, and Sake event at Germania Place from May 17-19. And when I say a sumo wrestling event, I don’t mean watching it on a big screen TV. I experienced live sumo wrestling matches with World and U.S. champions battling it out.

Some seats were so close to the men that you could’ve had a 400 pound man land on your plate next to the California rolls. Like a water ride, you could have gotten drenched from the sumo wrestler’s sweat. Balcony seating was also available which gave you a great view of the entire venue. I gladly sat a little further back near the high tables to get a good view of the entire place. The room had colored spotlights flashing throughout and had many tables surrounding the matted area where the action took place. There was music playing throughout the hall while we ate and relaxed before the fight.

Each guest received three sake samples and was served edamame for a snack. The menu consisted of “Big Eye Tuna Crudo” which is raw tuna with lemon, black lime, and shiso and Ponzi gel. I was not very fond of this entrée. Maybe because I am new with trying sushi pieces instead of rolls but it was a little too chewy for me. The second plate was California Rolls and come on, who doesn’t enjoy California rolls? They were delicious. And for dessert we were given a “Caramelized Ginger Lemon Torte” which was a perfect way to end this meal.

Our host for the night was very knowledgeable, energetic, and kept the audience involved. There was a designated time for questions if anyone had any about the culture and rules of sumo wrestling. This event was exciting and informative.

I enjoyed the three sake samples that were imported by Banzai. The first sample was Banzai Bunny Blueberry that is a Japanese-style champagne that was absolutely delicious. It was sweet and had a great taste. The second was Snow Moon Beauty which was clear and it had more of a “sake” taste to it. The last was Crazy Milk. It had a sweet and creamy texture.

The show was 90 minutes of fun and entertainment. There were 6 matches with World Champion Sumo Wrestler, Byamba Ulambayar, and two other U.S. champions. The audience was urged to cheer for their favorite wrestler. There was even a big screen that was showing live tweets from guests from the evening. Many guests found this event through Living Social. Guests from my table commented that this was a very enjoyable 90 minutes that went by too quickly.

At the end, a few guests were brought into the circle and battled it out with their favorite wrestler of the night. It was great to watch Byamba swing a man with one arm! This is actually the first time this type of an event came to Chicago and I was very fortunate to have attended. This was a great new experience that is unforgettable. Please don’t pass up this event if it is offered in your area.

See more photos by visiting Now You Know Events Facebook Page.

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Summercamp Gets a Grown Up Urban Twist at Campfire Ball 2013

One of my all-time favorite childhood memories is going away to summer camp. I remember bunking in the cabins, canoeing down the river, pitching tents, telling ghost stories, singing songs, and toasting marshmallows over the campfire. I loved it so much I returned a few summers in a row. So imagine my excitement when I was invited to cover the 6th annual Campfire Ball benefiting One Step Camp, part of Children’s Oncology Services, Inc, offering camp experiences and other educational excursion programs throughout the year allowing children with cancer to just be kids.

The fundraiser took place at Venue One in the west loop and though there were some decorations reminiscent of summercamp I felt they could have done a better job, Though, I absolutely loved the big tree that welcomed the guests upon arrival with little stumps for seats and a sign at the top that said ‘to cabin.’ Also nearby was some faux  lake water that could’ve have used a canoe in front and would’ve made for a perfect photo backdrop. To compensate, my friend and I  squated down and pretended to paddle down the river for our own photo op. Then proceeded to “climb trees” and “climb rocks.” Hey, we really wanted to get the full camp experience.

Once inside the space seemed somewhat empty with a few lanterns and twigs scattered about. Early in the evening the crowd was sparse but grew over the course of the night. Food and drinks flowed steadily with servers passing out spiked bug juice in mason jars and camp-inspired foods including grilled cheese, french fries, mac & cheese, sliders, and more. There was little vegetarian options so I cannot properly rate the food but my friend just thought it was so so. There were also two bar areas set-up making it easy to get a drink.

Attendees had the option of purchasing raffle tickets for prizes or bidding on several silent auction items with all proceeds benefiting One Step Camp. I won a silent auction item that I was very excited about – a gift certificate to the salon where I get my hair done, Salon Envy. My friend and I also had our photo taken at the photo booth which offered up simple black & white prints with no exciting backgrounds or props but made for a nice keepsake nonetheless.

Perhaps the best parts of the night were running into people we knew and dancing to the great DJ music. And the absolute cherry on top for me and I think most people in attendance was the s’mores/dessert bar! They set-up the coolest indoor campfire to toast marshmallows with all the s’mores fixings – graham crackers and Hershey’s chocolate. There were also cupcakes by Swirlz and the most amazing peanut butter and jelly macaroons which I heard were made by the former pastry chef at the Penninsula Hotel who is getting ready to launch her own bakery business. Until then I pulled a grandma move and stuck a couple in my purse to enjoy at home.

We acted like kids at summer camp climbing anything we could, making s’mores, canoeing, and even spinning records with the DJ. In the end, my friend and I had a great time at the Campfire Ball 2013 and the event raised a fair amount of money to go towards Children’s Oncology Services, Inc One Step Camp.

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Paradise 4 Paws Singles Yappy Hour

You’ve heard of Happy Hour, maybe even Singles Happy Hour, but what about Singles YAPPY Hour?  Paradise 4 Paws invites you and your four-legged friend to a charity happy hour benefiting Chicago House. This fabulous outdoor event on Sunday, June 2, 2013 from 12PM-3PM,  arrives just in time to enjoy the glorious Chicago spring weather. The event is open to the public and created for singles and their pups. Enjoy a delicious brunch with a special doggie menu, too, at Side Track in Lakeview. Plus there will be refreshing brunch cocktails, raffle prizes, and more. It’s the perfect way to spend a Sunday and meet other dog-loving singles. There is a required $20 donation at the door that includes food, drinks, raffles, and fun, of course.

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NRA Show 2013 Appliance Product Highlights

One of the expos I look forward to ALL year is the National Restaurant Association (NRA Show) held right here in our windy city at McCormick Place. It’s specifically for folks in the industry – restaurants, hotels, hospitality companies, retailers, etc. Now You Know attends the big event to share the newest and most innovative products hitting the market with our readers. Within the first day alone I saw several products – appliances, food, and bevarage. So, as not to overwhelm our followers we are going to share several different posts with you starting with appliances and other items that caught my attention.

The first two products I am going to highlight are great for the germaphobe like me!

Meritech - Meritech is the leader in automated hand washing. And for those of you that love the new automated hand driers popping up in public restrooms everywhere (you slide your hands in and they dry almost instantly), you are going to love Meritech’s automated hand washing systems! They most certainly get my vote for awesome, innovatine product creation! No more touching the faucet or worrying about the soap dispenser being empty. Let’s just say I visited this booth more than once… to wash my hands, of course! Read more about Meritech’s products: http://meritech.com/.

iFork – Never let your utensils touch the table again. iFork is a line of plastic and metal utensils – forks, spoons, knives. The unique iFork design ensures germs stay off your fork or any eating utensil. If you’re anything like me you hate putting your fork down on the table when dining out. I am always looking for a clean napkin to set my utensils on because I can’t stand when something I am about to put in my mouth touches the table. Now I don’t have to worry. And I just love how they make standard utensils to keep at home or use to serve in a restaurant as well as an entire like of plasticware, too, for on the go! The iFork web site is not fully up and running yet but you can sign-up for their mailing list here http://theifork.com to be informed of when the iFork line of Flatware becomes available.

I seriously had a blast at the NRA Show getting an up-close-and-personal look at the latest innovative products to hit the industry. I love going up and down every aisle to see what booth, product, company, individual, etc will catch my attention. We will be adding more coverage of the show throughout this week as well as the International Spirits, Wine, and Beer Expo (!SWB) and the Sweets and Snacks Expo so check back please! I will be covering cool new food and beverage products next.

See more photos from the NRA Show when you like Now You Know Events on Facebook.

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