CheekyChicago

So, ya know how some things are in, and some things are out, and then some things go around the bend and are in again? Precisely the reason we hold on to some of those items in the closet, hoping that they can re-emerge. Pretty flats were once out, now in. Uggs in, now out. Shirtwaist dresses, in – thank you, Mad Men. Conventional wisdom said that Merlot was out. There was that itty bitty wine movie, Sideways, that put the woof to the varietal and people “in the know” scoffed at the mention (“I will not drink any more merlot!”).  But, baby it’s back! Merlot is one of the classic five Bordeaux varietals …  Read more

Sometimes we make choices based on affinity: “Oh, you like that book, too.”  Sometimes it’s because of a friend’s recommendation: “Hey, why don’t you meet my  brother?” And, once in awhile (okay, maybe more than once in awhile), it’s simply looks. Thus it is with wine. While I have had wines I  selected for all the reasons above, today I am recommending a wine that was selected for its looks. Say what? Well, not the color, and not the label, but the actual look of the bottle. This is just one fantastic lookin’ designer-crafted bottle. It is called Protea and is named after the amazing-looking national flower of South Africa and has a …  Read more

A few weeks ago, my favorite Chicago woman, Rebecca Niziol, invited me to Blue Agave for a margarita to celebrate a great night. A Wednesday Funday?! Count me in. Rebecca told me that Blue Agave has the best margaritas and warned me that I would only need one to feel great. I couldn’t wait to try this drink she made sound sooooooooooooo delicious. When we arrived, we said a cheers! to our first margarita and broke our spring cleanse to dive into the basket of chips and salsa. After one drink, I didn’t think I needed to listen to her warning. We both decided to ditch the one limit rule and ordered …  Read more