Chicago Archives - InspiringKitchen.com

Jul 13
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view from hotel room at Renaissance

Where to Stay When You Visit Chicago: Renaissance Chicago Downtown Hotel

Posted by | Chicago, Hotel, Travel | No Comments

You’re coming to Chicago, but you don’t know which hotel to choose. I can help! I just stayed at the Renaissance Chicago Downtown Hotel and left feeling rested, relaxed and reminded of how truly beautiful this city is. This was the view from my hotel room. Gorgeous!

Renaissance Chicago Downtown Hotel Location

Located in the heart of the city, with incredible views, steps from Michigan Avenue, Millennium Park, the theater and business district, shopping, restaurants, the Chicago River for boat rides and to wander the Riverwalk, this modern hotel offers the perfect place to call home while you are visiting Chicago.… Read more

Apr 22
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coopers hawk wines for blind tasting

Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant Celebrates 20 Years with Special Wine Tasting

Posted by | Chicago, Restaurants, Wine | No Comments

In celebration of Cooper’s Hawk Winery and Restaurant’s 20th anniversary, they have launched Behind the Label. This blind-tasting challenge is designed to transform the traditional wine experience into a gamified event. Join the fun by visiting any of the 68 locations across the country throughout the month of April.

behind the lanel

Cooper’s Hawk was founded in Orland Park, Illinois, in 2005 by Tim McEnery. What sets this restaurant apart is their modern causal style with winery experience. Napa-style tasting rooms along with experiential dining plus a specialty market make for an engaging, delicious and entertaining restaurant ambience.  

When you hear about Cooper’s Hawk, what might first stand out is the community they have created within their brand.… Read more

Feb 04
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Rosemont Restaurant Week Chocolate cake

17 Restaurants to Visit for Rosemont Restaurant Week

Posted by | Chicago, Restaurants | No Comments
Get ready, foodies! The Village of Rosemont Restaurant Week is set to return Sunday, March 2 through Saturday, March 8, 2025. Diners can indulge in specially curated prix fixe, three-course lunch and/or dinner menus at a variety of participating Rosemont restaurants.Rosemont Restaurant Weel tortilla
“Rosemont Restaurant Week has become a highly anticipated annual event, bringing guests back year after year,” said Rosemont Mayor Brad Stephens. “With so many outstanding restaurants participating again this year, it’s a fantastic opportunity to discover new flavors, revisit favorite spots and enjoy Rosemont’s exceptional dining offerings at a great value.”
 

2025 Rosemont Restaurant Week participating restaurants include:

  • Bub City
  • Carlucci
  • Carmine’s Rosemont
  • Crust Brewing
  • Fat Rosie’s Taco & Tequila Bar
  • FLIGHT
  • Giordano’s
  • Harry Caray’s Italian Steakhouse
  • Land & Lake
  • McCormick & Schmick’s
  • Moretti’s Rosemont
  • Morton’s The Steakhouse
  • Saltwater Coastal Grill
  • SLYCE Rosemont
  • The Ashburn
  • Thorn Restaurant & Lounge
  • Truluck’s
Rosemont Restaurant Week menus and dining reservation information are available to view here.
… Read more
Mar 02
0
St. Patrick's Day in Chicago dyeing the river

5 Fun Spots to Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Chicago

Posted by | Chicago, Holiday, Travel | No Comments
Have you ever seen the Chicago River turn green in celebration of St. Patrick’s Day? Now’s your chance! Get in to the Irish spirit with so many fun activities this upcoming St. Patrick’s Day in Chicago. River dyeing, festive food and beverage offerings, the Trinity Irish Dancers, high energy parades plus special hotel packages all to welcome you to the city. Read on to find a selection of 5 spots to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Chicago.  
 

St. Patrick’s Day in Chicago

 
HOTEL ZACHARY
hotel zachary
Hotel Zachary at Gallagher Way is Chicago’s most distinctive boutique hotel. Nestled just across the street from historic Wrigley Field, the property combines a vibrant, modern aesthetic and rich, classic elements with a unique neighborhood character that can’t be found anywhere else in Chicago.
… Read more
Jan 02
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First Bites Bash to kick off Chicago Restaurant Week

First Bites Bash Returns to Kick Off Chicago Restaurant Week

Posted by | Chicago, Restaurants | 8 Comments

Get ready for all the Chicago restaurant exploration you will be doing in 2023!

First Bites Bash, the celebratory kick-off event for the 16th annual Chicago Restaurant Week is returning. Making an exciting return for the first time since 2020, the event will be held Thursday, January 19, 2023 at Chicago’s Field Museum from 6 to 9 p.m.

First Bites Bash Returns to Kick Off Chicago Restaurant Week

“First Bites Bash is one of the events Chicagoans love the most about our city,” said Lynn Osmond, Choose Chicago President and CEO. “It is a signature celebration championing Chicago’s leading role as a culinary destination.… Read more

Oct 01
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Sofitel Chicago Hotel

Celebrate Wine Days at the Sofitel Chicago Hotel

Posted by | Chicago, Cocktails, Foods, Tourism, Travel, Wine | No Comments

Looking for a Fall getaway that includes delicious food and wine and a location that can’t be beat? Book a stay at the Sofitel Chicago located just off Chicago’s famed Magnificent Mile for Sofitel Wine Days.

Sofitel Chicago Hotel Room with Wine

Sofitel Wine Days

If you are a wine lover, French wine in particular, then Sofitel’s Wine Days are for you. I attended the opening of their Faire la Fête wine tasting celebration which was hosted on La Terrace. From whites to rose to deep reds, these wines were delicious and oh so fragrant. Sofitel Wine Days from Terrace

violin girl at sofitel

sofitel la terrace

Sofitel Chicago Wine Days will continue through October 31 with seasonal fall wine dinners, which are part of the larger wine dinner series, and weekly complimentary wine tastings.… Read more

Aug 02
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Ford F-150 truck Lightning

The Design Features of the 2022 Ford F-150 EV Truck

Posted by | Chicago, Travel, Vehicles | No Comments

On the day I was invited to check out the new 2022 Ford F-150 EV Lightning™ trucks, I immediately thought of my truck-loving friend who always challenged me to consider buying a truck for my next vehicle.

Ford F150 Lightening

Well, Bob, I understand why after learning about the new F-150 Lightning all electric truck. Pickup trucks and electric vehicles were new to me so I have many takeaways to share. Take a look at this video to see the vehicle’s design and features. 

2022 Ford F-150 EV Truck

The 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning series has a number of different models. Some features are constant across the board.… Read more

Jun 12
0
Four Cheese Yellow Pizza

Piccolo Buco & Cooper’s Hawk Introduce Authentic Roman Pizza

Posted by | Beverage, Chicago, Cocktails, Foods, Restaurant Opening, Restaurants, Tourism, Travel | 4 Comments
Have you ever traveled to an international city on vacation and discovered the most amazing food and then tried to figure out how you can bring it home with you?  Well, Tim McEnery of Cooper’s Hawk had that same experience, only he made it happen! Read about how Piccolo Buco and Cooper’s Hawk are bringing Roman Pizza to Chicago.
 

Piccolo Buco by Luca Issa & Cooper’s Hawk

⁣Piccolo Buco Cooper's Hawk Roman Pizza

Introducing Piccolo Buco, by Chef Luca Issa of Piccolo Buco Roma and Cooper’s Hawk Winery and Restaurants, where you will find the most delicious and unique Roman pizza. 
chef luca issa
⁣The magic of Chef Luca’s pizza comes down to the extraordinary crust that is light and airy inside and yet has a tall crispy edge.
… Read more
Jun 08
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NRA sign

2022 National Restaurant Show Trends and Innovations

Posted by | Chicago, Foods, Restaurants, Trade Show, Trends | 6 Comments

The National Restaurant Show took over Chicago’s McCormick Place last week showcasing the latest restaurant innovations. This four-day event that brings together over 60,000 food service professionals came back to life after the pandemic as it introduced us to the latest trends in the industry.  What do you think of the 2022 National Restaurant Association trends?

NRA exhibit floor

Exhibitors and attendees alike were happy to be seeing colleagues once again and talking shop. There was definitely an energy throughout the halls to get back to business as we knew it. This is a very big show which means lots to see and explore.… Read more

Jan 26
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shelfgenie title page

Kitchen Organization with ShelfGenie Custom Shelves: Installation Day

Posted by | Chicago, Home Design, Kitchen Design, Remodeling | 8 Comments

The day I have been eagerly waiting for is here!  ShelfGenie installation time. As I mentioned in Part 1 of my kitchen’s small renovation project, I discovered a solution to my cabinet organization challenges when I learned about ShelfGenie at a home design conference. 

ShelfGenie is a national organization with local outlets that provide custom shelving and design ideas to help improve the way your home functions. This could be in your kitchen, pantry, bathroom, laundry room or office. Working in the housewares industry, loving to cook and entertain friends and family but having limited storage means everything I have is stacked on top of each other. … Read more