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Off the Beaten Path: Chavas Tacos

Everyone loves tacos. If you live in Chicago, it’s probably a weekly indulgence. Sure, there has recently been a boom, with more upscale and refined taco joints popping up around town, complete with patios and deliciously complex margaritas. These places also feature notoriously long lines on weekends and warm nights. Sometimes, waiting over an hour for chips and guacamole, no matter how good it is, can be a bit much. READ MORE

Hog Heaven

It isn’t normal for a man to walk into the ballroom of the Four Seasons. This occasion is generally reserved for socially pious affairs, where ascots are abound and cleverly matched with cufflinks and monogrammed, custom-made shirts. I found myself bucking convention by attending Cochon 555, a pig-cooking competition comprised of many of the best chefs in the city.

The first sense to be overtaken was smell – the glorious, wonderfully wafting scent of cooking pork. I once cooked an entire pig at my apartment, a serious undertaking, and in the end worth it. Having done that, I fully understand how complex and intricate the process is: what these chefs do is nothing short of art. READ MORE

Picasso + Chicago

Everyone has heard of Picasso. Cubism, right? That sort of response is common, because Pablo Picasso managed to transcend art. A womanizing genius with an endless appetite for all things creative, he became a master of many mediums and styles. From classicism to cubism, sculpture, printmaking or ceramics, nothing was out of his prowess. He had everything a man could want and more.

Living out his days on the French Riviera, he was often photographed shirtless as he worked tirelessly, or lounged stylishly next to gorgeous companions. A friend once said of him, “No woman could resist his stare, and no man ever called him an asshole.” With that in mind, I sipped some Champagne before heading downstairs to view the main attraction of Night Heist 2013. READ MORE

Haberdash at Night Heist

There is a certain whimsy hanging in the air at the Art Institute of Chicago. I’ve always relished the opportunity to visit, and last night only heightened my adoration. Being handed a glass of Champagne as you enter a room with floor to ceiling windows overlooking Millenium Park is not terrible. In fact, it’s probably the most fitting way to prepare for a collection of 250 Picasso works. Haberdash was very excited to be a part of the museum’s hit party Night Heist, where I spent most of my time silently admiring one of Modern Art’s pioneers. Growing up the son of an artist was, at times, difficult. You don’t fully grasp the importance of mastery and execution art requires until it is up close, daring you to consider… READ MORE

15 American-Made Artisan Foods You Have to Try

America. Home to the blockbuster, the mega mall and the double wide parking stall. We invented BIG, but we are also remarkably good at small. From stone ground chocolate to small batch tonic, here is what this country’s artisan foodies are doing really well right now. READ MORE

The Butcher Shop

Step inside Publican Quality Meats and your first inclination might be to buy specialty groceries, eat fantastic sandwiches and drink delicious beer. And yet, PQM is so much more than that. Like many, I have limited knowledge of what a butcher actually does. They break down thousands of pounds of animals, using a bunch of cool knives. In the case of PQM, it turns out, they also use a bandsaw. Yes, a bandsaw. “It’s pretty cool,” laughs Cosmo, the head butcher. It’s one of many machines lining the walls of the basement, a dizzying place with several talented butchers slicing away. From the outside, you’d never expect such a complex operation. “We wanted to be a full animal butcher shop,” Cosmo continues. For those of you who are unaware, most butcher shops receive a half or a quarter of an animal—it’s easier to break down and most don’t have a need for every pound. This is not the case at PQM: “Nothing goes to waste. All the bones we make stock out of, the fat we render down and use to for our fryers.” READ MORE

Under One Roof

The 33,000 square-foot City Winery is staggering. The mere size of the building is impressive, let alone the fact that it’s home to a professional music venue, a restaurant, and—of course—a winery. The space itself is dynamic, the tables are made from the building’s original ceiling, for example. When part of the wall was taken out, the bricks were kept and reused. There is a palpable buzz in the air. READ MORE

Zoo-ologie 2013 Pre-Party

This was the scene from Zoo-ologie 2013 pre-party last night: beautiful people dressed very well for a great cause. Held at Untitled on Kinzie, the evening featured signature cocktails from Hendrick’s Gin, a raffle, and an amazing rock-a-billy band. All in all, it was the perfect way to get pumped for Zoo-ologie 2013, coming up on May 18. More on Zoo-ologie 2013 here. READ MORE

Zoo-ologie 2013 at Lincoln Park Zoo

Tucked into our bustling city is a charming, not-so-little haven where locals and visitors alike stroll through some of the globe’s most diverse habitats, free of charge. We’re talking, of course, about Lincoln Park Zoo, one of the nation’s oldest zoos and one of Chicago’s finest establishments. Which brings us to our next point: Zoo-ologie. As invites begin to pour in for charity events this summer, we think this one is a must. READ MORE

Mantry

It’s a pretty standard rule of thumb that every closet needs a few staples, those easy standouts that you can throw on and look sharp. A go-anywhere blazer, a well-tailored suit, a good pair of boots. Well, the same goes for your kitchen. Enter Mantry—the modern man’s pantry—a food-of-the-month club that brings small-batch, American-made artisanal products to your doorstep in reusable wooden crates that are nailed shut for that extra hint of authenticity. So, the next time you need to throw something together for impromptu guests, you’ll have something interesting to build on. READ MORE