theBrideScoop

TIP TUESDAY: Give Us Your Hungry & Broke

February 21, 2012 By Food Editor ~ Gourmet Rambler 1 Comment

Valentine’s Day left you exhausted and light in the wallet? If you find yourself in Chicago this week, you shouldn’t fear. The Restaurant Week is here!

Restaurant Week (Photo from www.choosechicago.com)

For ten days starting February 17, over 200 restaurants will offer special prix fixe menus starting at $22* for lunch and $33/$44* for dinner. What are you waiting for?! GO! Explore! Visit old favorites, try new places, spend a few days romping about town without breaking the bank. Plenty of tables are still available.

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FOOD FRIDAY: Let Your Meal Take Flight

February 17, 2012 By Food Editor ~ Gourmet Rambler 2 Comments

My friends and I love to nosh. Whenever two or more of us are gathered together to dine the plates get passed around and you can bet someone is sneaking bites out of someone else’s dish. I have talked about my love of noshing before in FOOD FRIDAY: Where Everybody Knows Your Name. It’s the nature of my group of friends: we like to taste everything.

La Famiglia Salad Flight at Sono Wood Fired (Photo by Gourmet Rambler)

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FOOD FRIDAY: The Spirits of Frisco

February 10, 2012 By Food Editor ~ Gourmet Rambler Leave a Comment

San Francisco… The Bay, the Golden Gate, Lombard Street… There’s so much to see everywhere you look. All that beauty makes a girl rather… well, thirsty. After all, let’s be honest here, sightseeing and shopping are always more fun after some cocktailing. Where to imbibe in San Francisco depends on your beverage of choice.

Sommelier at Winery Collective (Photo by Gourmet Rambler)

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Mrs. Murphy’s & Sons Irish Bistro Invites You

February 9, 2012 By theBrideScoop Editor Leave a Comment

After you check out the Swissotel bridal show, drive up Lincoln Avenue to Mrs. Murphy’s & Sons Irish Bistro for an evening of sweet treats, bubbly, music and great ideas for your rehearsal dinner, wedding or reception.

Mrs. Murphy & Sons Irish Bistro Wedding Show

Please RSVP for two complimentary tickets!

TIP TUESDAY: Ultimate Rehearsal Dinner Checklist

January 31, 2012 By Guest Writer 1 Comment

Thanks to our friends Kim Forest of the Washingtonian for this amazing article to plan the ultimate rehearsal dinner.

The Expect: Jamie Sears of Simply Chic Events ~ follow on twitter or facebook or blog
Her best rehearsal dinner advice: “Make your rehearsal dinner the complete opposite of your wedding. For example, if you’re having a formal wedding, keep the rehearsal dinner laid-back, casual and fun. Why not plan a Mexican fiesta or a clams-and-crabs party? Don’t use the same color scheme or theme as your wedding, either. Do the opposite, so you’re not giving away all the surprises of the next day! Don’t wait too long to start planning your rehearsal dinner. Secure your location as far in advance as possible; nine months to a year beforehand is ideal.”

Casual Rehearsal Dinner (Photo from www.bucadibeppo.com)

Planning your pre-wedding bash? Follow our checklist to ensure your wedding eve is memorable for all the right reasons.

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Bridal Show at Carnivale

January 27, 2012 By theBrideScoop Editor Leave a Comment

We love Carnivale with its delicious authentic nuevo Latino cuisine, bold colors and amazing artwork! So we are excited to see them hosting the Windy City Wedding Show.

Windy City Wedding Show at Carnivale

Definitely RSVP to receive your complimentary four tickets! We hope to see you there!

TIP TUESDAY: Give Feedback

January 24, 2012 By Food Editor ~ Gourmet Rambler Leave a Comment

In my previous article IN THEORY: Fame & Price Tag Are No Guarantee, I wrote about my not so stellar experience at one of the most highly acclaimed restaurants in the country. I don’t live my life with regrets and I do not regret dining there. But unfortunately one thought haunts me to this day. What would have happened, I wonder, if instead of staying silent at the time I would have given my honest feedback to the restaurant right away. Could it be that I would feel differently about the place now? Would they have taken the time to make things up to me? I will never really know.

Customer Feedback IS Important (Photo from www.seanseo.com)

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FOOD FRIDAY: Favorite Romantic Restaurant

January 13, 2012 By theBrideScoop Editor Leave a Comment

Ahhhh… romance is in the air! So many newly engaged couples and Valentine’s Day is a month away.

Please include restaurant, city and state in your response.

FOOD FRIDAY: Rehearsal Dinner

January 13, 2012 By theBrideScoop Editor Leave a Comment

Almost everyone hosts a rehearsal dinner of some kind. Do you go upscale or for comfort food?

Please include restaurant, city and state in your response.

FOOD FRIDAY: Fitness Editor SKoFit’s Top 10 Foods of 2011

December 30, 2011 By SKo-Fit 4 Comments

Last year, I was inspired to put together my top eats by fellow Food Editor Gourmet Rambler and our friend Genie Bae. In keeping with tradition, I am sharing my list for this year. You can also check out Genie’s list here and Gourmet Rambler’s first list from last week (see FOOD FRIDAY: Best of 2011 – Part I).

When I became unemployed in 2008 from my design job and made the decision to switch careers, it meant that I had to be frugal with where I ate. What is great about Chicago, is that there are plenty of options for delicious food without having to break the bank. Last year’s list reflected that as well as this year. There are some repeat favorites in respect to where I dined. This further proves that these chefs consistently turn out amazing food, while always improving their craft. So, here is my list (in no particular order):

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