July 13, 2012
Hello and welcome to this week's edition of
your Insider Weekend Guide.
Hope you all had a
terrific 4th of July. First and foremost, we'd like to thank everyone
who supported our efforts for the small business grant. Not only did we
get enough votes to qualify, we exceeded the number we needed by a
landslide. So thanks a million for your time -- and votes. We will keep
you posted.
Secondly, we're
catching up this week on a little neighborhood news and more. Lots of
restaurants have opened including The Trenchermen, Grass Fed, and Purple
Cow Ice Cream and a few new boutiques as well. But that's not all. Lots
of great events are taking place this weekend including the Annual
Bucktown Garden Walk and party at Club Lucky. Jerry's is celebrating 5 years all weekend long. The amazing J.
Davis Trio is also playing at Double Door and Wicker Park Fest is just
around the corner. So be sure to mark your calendars.
Last but not least, we still have a few Forever Yogurt Gift Cards to give away. So be sure to follow us on Facebook and/or Twitter. We'll let you know where will be so we can give those gift cards to you!
If you'd like
to receive our handy Guide to week ahead via email every Thursday, sign up! Weekend Guide. Thanks, as always for joining us and we'll see you in the neighborhood.
BARS
Cheeseburger Fridays- Just $20 Tonight
Not only do they have
huge open windows and a patio, every Friday night The Standard Bar &
Grill at 1332 N. Milwaukee Avenue serves up a great special from 6pm
-9pm which includes: all of their domestic bottles, well drinks, house
wine, soda, and
a full-sized Standard cheeseburger with a side of fries for just $20. Cheeseburger Special.
Movie Mondays
For those who may not
know, Wicker Park's The Anthem has tv screens that are 190 inches wide.
And, starting Monday July 16th, The Anthem will feature free movies
every Monday night. You'll also receive free popcorn with any purchase.
You can see the line-up of what's playing right here: Movie Night.
COMMUNITY
Bucktown Garden Walk & Party
It's time again this
weekend for the Annual Bucktown Garden Walk from 11am - 5pm rain or
shine. Each year over 700 attendees explore the 100+ gardens of
Bucktown. Don't miss this neighborhood fundraiser & party at Club
Lucky (the location of the welcome tables) at 1824 W. Wabansia. Club
Lucky will be featuring 7 bands, food, drink and more both Saturday and
Sunday. For additional details: Garden Walk.
Farmers Markets
Just a friendly
reminder that there are 2 Farmers Markets in the neighborhood; the one
on Sunday in Wicker Park proper at 1425 N. Damen Avenue and one on
Thursdays in the Polish Triangle at Milwaukee/Division/Ashland. Last
week, the Thursday Farmers Market was cancelled due to the hot weather
but should be back in business today. For times and more: Farmers Markets.
Wicker Park Fest
Wicker Park Fest is
just around the corner. As always, food, shopping and music will fill
Milwaukee Avenue from Wood Street to North & Damen Avenue. For
dates, times and the final line-up. Wicker Park Fest.
MUSIC
J. Davis Trio at Double Door
For something
different, head to Double Door this Saturday for the J. Davis Trio. The
J. Davis Trio combines the perfect blend of hip-hop and jazz. Drums,
bass, trumpet, congas and vibraphone make up the instrumentation. A
don't miss. Grab dinner and then head on over. J. Davis Trio.
Pitchfork Aftershows at The Empty Bottle
This weekend is
Pitchfork and you can still score a few aftershow tickets right here.
Don't wait until the last minute.You know these are
going to sell out. Pitchfork Aftershows.
RESTAURANTS
Fifty/50 Team Opens The Homestead
Owners of Wicker
Park's The Fifty/50 have done it again. In addition to The Fifty/50,
Bleeding Heart Bakery and Roots, this team has recently opened the new
seasonal rooftop spot in West Town called The Homestead. The Homestead
officially opened their doors this week and will feature farm fresh fare
and a menu of predominantly small plates. For additional information: The Homestead.
Grass Fed's Soft Opening
Grass Fed has opened
their doors (via a soft opening) in the space formerly the home of Caffe
de Luca at 1721 N. Damen Avenue in Bucktown. What can you find here?
Steak, steak and more steak. Seriously. There's one option on the menu:
sirloin. And it's served with a salad and fries for $25. Vegetarians
fear not. There's an off-the-menu option for you too. The official
opening of Grass Fed is July 21st. Grass Fed.
Jerry's 5 Year Anniversary Party
Jerry's Wicker Park will hosting a 5 Year Anniversary celebration this weekend from July 12th-15th, with rare beer, whiskey specials, hickory-smoked
meats, and special music to thank Chicago for supporting them the past
five years. Each day features a different menu/beer tapping. For the highlights of each day: Jerry's
Oiistar's Ramen Plans For September
With seating for
approximately 50, Oiistar is heading to Milwaukee Avenue with a focus on
ramen dishes. Oiistar will feature specialty drinks and a simple
streamlined menu which will include about 5 entrees. Appetizers will
also be available. Look for Oiistar to open at 1385 N. Milwaukee Avenue
in September. Oiistar.
The Savoy Opening Delayed
Wicker Park's newest
seafood/raw/absinthe restaurant - The Savoy - has said there will be
about a week delay for their opening. Their goal is to open next weekend
and worst case scenario by the end of July. The Savoy has moved into
the space formerly La Fonda del Gusto at 1408 N. Milwaukee Avenue. For
additional details: The Savoy.
The Trenchermen is Open
The Trenchermen is officially open at 2039
W. North Avenue in Wicker Park. Reviews to date have been excellent.
Expect a slight delay in brunch however. The Trenchermen team is working
hard to make sure dinner is running smoothly before expanding their
hours to include weekend brunch. Trenchermen.
RETAIL/SHOPPING
Blair Chic Boutique Opens Saturday
Please welcome Blair
Chic Boutique to Wicker Park. Blair Chic is opening Saturday at 1343 N.
Ashland Avenue and focuses on fresh, hip, chic and affordable clothing
for women. Wicker Park's newest boutique is hosting a grand opening
party with appetizers, drinks, giveaways and more from 7pm-10pm
Saturday: Blair Chic
Bucktown's Hidden Gem - Valentia
Looking for
one-of-a-kind clothing, housewares, glassware & more that don't
break the bank? Head to Bucktown's newest boutique Valentia at 2042 N.
Damen Avenue. Valentia showcases fair trade items as well as those made
my local artists & more. These items truly are one of a kind. So if
you miss them, you miss them. Stop by today. Valentia
Macarons, Mimosas & Up to 30% Off - Right Now!
Second Time Around is hosting a fabulous party in Wicker Park right now. So head on over from now until closing today and enjoy food, drink and up to 30% off. Great deals are waiting at 1543 N. Milwaukee Avenue. Mimosas.
Plenty Grocery's Kickstarter Campaign
Wicker Park's newest
grocery store (to be) Plenty Grocery has launched a Kickstarter Campaign
to help raise funds for their opening. Plenty will focus on locally
sourced, organic products and those customers who are on more
specialized diets. If you'd like to support this new neighborhood store
on Division Street, feel free to make a contribution. Kickstarter.
Thanks again for joining us. If you're interested in
receiving up-to-the minute news & event information from us
throughout the week, please feel free to join our 8,200+ followers on Facebook & Twitter.
We'd love to include you. And if you have news or an event to share,
please don't hesitate to let us know.
Have a great weekend and we'll see you in the neighborhood.
The Wicker Park Bucktown Insider's Guide
2013 Headliner Joe Pug. photo credit: www.lastfm.com
Wicker Park Fest 2013 is just around the corner. Festival times are 12:00pm - 10:00pm Saturday
and Sunday. Music starts at 1pm and Milwaukee Avenue will be fill with
food, drink, shopping and more. There will also be designated areas for
kids activities.
Do Division Street Fest 2013
Quickly becoming one of the most popular festivals in Chicago, Wicker
Park Fest 2011 was attended by over 50,000 people and 43 bands played within
the 2 day period.
The festival is adding two new arts sections this year. Redmoon Theatre is
presenting a piece called The Sonic Boom, a massive battery powered vehicle,
sculpture, and performance platform. Redmoon performers will activate the two
hydraulic performance platforms and mobile DJ booth with spectacle performance
and sound pieces, a portion of which will be fully composed in advance and a
portion that will be structured for live improvisation during the event. This piece
will be on Honore Ave., next to Native Foods, from Milwaukee to the alley. 
Defibrillator Gallery will exhibit a series of large-scale inflatable
sculptures by local artists Claire Ashley, Marianne Kim, Helmut Heiss, among
others, that will be installed each day of the festival and activated with live
movement and spectacle based performances. This work will be installed on Wood
St. from Milwaukee to Beach St. across from the family area.
