Chicago Gets Waldorf Astoria Hotel

The Elysian Hotel opened in Chicago to much fanfare in 2010.  It is a luxury hotel with 188 rooms boasting 5-star amenities including a spa and a gorgeous courtyard.

Guest Room at Elysian Hotel, Renamed Waldorf Astoria (Photo from Chicago Tribune)

Continue reading “Chicago Gets Waldorf Astoria Hotel” »

Bridal Show at Swissotel

Calling all brides!  Have you seen the new ballrooms at the Swissotel in Chicago?!?!  NO?  Gotta check it out!

Bridal Event at the Swissotel

Please do not forget to RSVP!

TIP TUESDAY: F&B Minimum

When you sign a hotel contract for your wedding, the catering manager will talk about an F&B minimum.  Do you know what that is?  And why it is important?

Know the Terms & Conditions of Your F&B Minimum (Photo from www.movethefood.org)

Continue reading “TIP TUESDAY: F&B Minimum” »

Win a Wedding!

Have you checked out the brand new event venue at Bridgeport Art Center ~ Skyline Loft?  Well, here is one good reason to do so:  win a wedding!

Bridgeport Art Center ~ Skyline Loft Wedding Contest

Please submit your application to crystal@eastbankstorage.com.

GOOD LUCK!

Staycation at Public Chicago

Have you checked out the new Public Chicago?  No?!?!  Well, we have a deal for you!

Public Chicago

Stay at Public Chicago through March 30, 2012 and receive special rates from $110 per night as well as guaranteed reservations to the reimagined Pump Room with new menus by award-winning chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten and guaranteed access to the Pump Room and Library bars.

Love at Breathtaking Heights

Hi Newly Engaged Brides ~

What are you doing on Friday, January 6, 2012?  Want to kick off your wedding planning right?  Check out The Metropolitan Club Wedding Show!

The Metropolitan Club Wedding Show 2012

The evening includes hand crafted cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, swag bag AND a visit to the SkyDeck.  Please RSVP to Nora.Narkevic@ourclub.com to receive $10 admission or $15 at the door.

Have fun!

TraveLin: Breathe in This Holiday Season

As event planners, we get invited to a great number of soirees.  Last year, I traded in gaining holiday pounds for a cleansing trip to the rainforest on Hawaii’s Big Island.  I came back renewed with a great glow (and not just as the tannest of them all).  This year, I look forward to sleek holiday dresses and far fewer stresses!

Christmas Tree at Macy's State Street in Chicago (Photo by Linda Decker)

Continue reading “TraveLin: Breathe in This Holiday Season” »

Westin Chicago North Shore Open House

Brides ~ You and your fiance are invited to check out the Westin Chicago North Shore for An Evening of Inspiration!

Westin Chicago North Shore Bridal Open House

Please RSVP as space is limited.

Cellar Princess: Where to Stay When at Wine Camp

Our wine expert Cellar Princess J’nai Gaither shared the fabulous experience of her time at Camp Schramsberg yesterday.  And her conclusion:  Camp Schramsberg is the Camp of everyone’s dreams!  Oh, my… what a time.

www.meadowood.com

Camp Schramsberg‘s fee is only inclusive of the Camp itself but you get your money’s worth and then some.  Since lodging is up to you, you can choose any hotel you’d like in the Napa Valley.  I chose Meadowood Resort because of its vaunted reputation.  It’s somewhere I’ve wanted to visit for quite some time.  It was also the hosting property where most of our meals and food and wine seminars occurred.  Camp began and ended there every night, so it made it much easier to not have to travel off the grounds when you’re dog tired and full from the day’s activities.

Ahhhh.... Relaxation (Photo from www.meadowood.com)

Meadowood Resort is a storybook 250-acre property scattered high above the hills in St. Helena, California.  It’s garnered much acclaim, not only its restaurant, but the property and amenities themselves.  Consider it your “bunking” headquarters for your Camp experience although you may never want to leave once Camp has concluded.

Enjoy Poolside (Photo from www.meadowood.com)

You can reward yourself with signature spa treatments at the Spa but only after you’ve played nine holes of golf on the resort’s own course, tennis at its tennis courts and croquet on its own croquet field.  Yes, after all of that activity, you’re certainly going to need a relaxing massage.  Or, if you feel you’ve spent more than enough money already, feel free to retire to your room to your two person soaking tub to bathe with provided fragrant sea salts and Molton Brown bath products.  If a bath isn’t your speed, walk a couple of steps to enjoy a relaxing rain shower in your separate shower.  It’s big enough for two… or three or four… just don’t let the Camp counselor catch you!  He’s sure to write a note to your parents  ;-)

Perfect Pairing ~ Golf & Wine (Photo from www.meadowood.com)

And if the night is still young (it won’t be since you’ll be in Camp all day), check out your beautiful 200 square foot terrace and enjoy each other under the moon and stars and forested area that surround you.  There’s nothing more romantic.  Except for maybe a perfect night’s sleep in your fluffy bed.  The pillows are abundant and the sheets’ thread count is off the charts.  Although there are many windows in your room, you’re in a wooded area and the lovely Meadowood sleep fairies have drawn your shades.  Sweet dreams are guaranteed.  Trust me, you’ll need it.  You’ll be doing it all over again tomorrow for day two.

Be One With Nature (Photo from www.meadowood.com)

On Monday, Cellar Princess will share her camp tips for make your stay the ultimate experience.

Your Cellar Princess promises to make all your wine selections royal!  Follow her on facebook and twitter.

FOOD FRIDAY: The Story of Norman and Louise

I can cook.  Some would even say that I cook well.  The kitchen fits me like a glove more often than not.  Cooking is in my blood.  I have made elaborate dinners for 20, intimate romantic dinners for two, weekly meals for one, lunches, quick snacks – you name it, I have cooked it.  With one notable exception.  I have NEVER cooked a lobster.  Mostly because cooking lobster properly requires, well, dealing with live lobster.

Like any adventurous person, I thrive on conquering my fears.  So, when I got a chance to attend the New England Lobster Party cooking class at The Chopping Block cooking school in Chicago, I was chomping at the bit.  The Chopping Block is a magical place.  Their motto is “We will get you cooking”.  Do they ever!  The kitchen is fantastic!  Global knives, professional cookware and appliances.  Chef instructors, who are patient and knowledgeable.  A lovely wine list of bottlings under $20 available for purchase.  I mean, how great is that?!

New England Lobster Party Cooking Team (Photo by Gourmet Rambler)

The menu sounded delicious:  fennel potato salad, Maine lobster with tarragon beurre blanc, grilled corn with dill lime butter and individual blueberry cardamom crisps.  YUM!  There was only one thing standing between me and my meal, well, two things:  Norman and Louise.  This, folks, is what happens when you name your dinner.  Thankfully, I recruited the delightful and witty Michael Faltum to cook with me.  After a few glasses of delicious wine that we bought to help the cooking process along it was time to say good-bye to Norman and Louise.

Lobster Named Norman (Photo by Gourmet Rambler)

I will leave out the details.  Suffice to say, I STILL have never cooked a lobster (I left it to Michael).  I did help make a mean fennel potato salad and had my hand in the blueberry cardamom crisps.  The point isn’t who cooked what.  We worked as a team and bonded with our instructor, Chef Ortiz, and a couple of total strangers (Hi, Alex and Heidi!).  We laughed, we shared a meal and some wine.  What a fantastic way to spend an evening!  I think that even Norman and Louise would approve.

Maine Lobster with Tarragon Beurre Blanc (Photo by Gourmet Rambler)

Cooking classes at The Chopping Block are great for people on dates, groups of friends or just about anyone with an open mind and a love of food.  Hands-on classes in particular allow you the opportunity to get your hands and your aprons dirty.  At the end of it all you enjoy the fruits of your labor.  And they are that much sweeter.  Don’t believe me?  Try one yourself.

The Chopping Block
Downtown in the Merchandise Mart, Suite 107, Chicago, IL  60654 ~ (312)644-6360
Lincoln Square at 4747 North Lincoln Avenue, Chicago, IL  60625 ~ (773) 472-6700

Hungry?  Want more?  Follow me on Twitter at Gourmet Rambler.

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