Most people who visit this structure though are visiting the ground level’s AMC Theatre, the largest cinema downtown with 21 screens. There are plenty of restaurants in the area, so it’s a good place for a date night’s dinner and a movie.

Photo credit: (c/o Flickr) polomex, BWChicago, Antre

River East Center: 350 E Illinois St; 847-765-7AMC (7262) (theatre showtimes)
Parking garage
Public trans: Bus # 2, 29, 65, 66, 124

To all our U.S. readers, Happy Independence Day! I hope you’re out there having fun and being safe.

Photo credit: (c/o SXC) Ben Shafer

• Continuing from yesterday’s festivities, the Fourth of July Celebration at Citizen Bar features a $25 drink package (along with a free burger before 1 p.m.) and a bags tournament. (11:00 a.m. – 2:00 a.m.)

• Are you a fan of anime? Break out your costumes for J-Pop Night, a Japanese pop dance party at darkroom. ($5 after 11 p.m., 9:00 p.m. – 2:00 a.m.)

• Blu Coral, a contemporary sushi lounge, offers a special patriotic menu. Dinner specials include a Red Stripe Special (Red Dragon, Caterpillar, Urban Heat signature maki and sushi trio), a White Stripe Special (White Sox, Dragon, Rainbow signature maki and sushi trio), and a “Blu” Stripe Special (Blu Coral, Spicy Tataki, Ocean Drive, and California Sunset signature makis). They will also be offering red, white, and blu martini specials. (ends July 6)

• The Deerfield Family Days continue, including a pancake breakfast, flower show, 10K race, arts and crafts sale, and kids’ activities. (7:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.)

• The Brookfield Independence Day Celebration includes a parade and a community picnic with live music in Kiwanis Park. (10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.)

• Take a moment to remember what this holiday is all about. The Freedom Museum will host family activities and invites visitors to creatively show what freedom means to them. (10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.)

Photo credit: (c/o SXC) Steve Knight, Elvis Santana

• At Navy Pier, the Fourth of July Fireworks are a ten-minute display accompanied with inspirational music. (9:30 p.m. – 9:40 p.m.)

• Partygoers will meet at Lumen before buses will take them to the DayRa Fourth of July Boat Cruise, a three-hour cruise with dancing, cocktails, food, and a great view of the Navy Pier fireworks. After the display, an after-party will be held at Lumen. ($75-$95, 5:00 p.m.)

• The Oak Lawn Star-Spangled Fourth Family Festival features a basketball tournament, volleyball tournament, arts and crafts vendors, swimming pool games, and more, followed by fireworks at dusk. ($1 admission to pools)

• A parade and kids’ activities precede the Oak Park Fireworks at the Oak Park-River Forest High School. There will also be a parade, live music, and family activities at Niles West High School before the Skokie Fireworks at dusk.

• The 24^th annual Barrington Fourth of July Celebration features food vendors, a raffle, cooking demonstrations, a beer tent, bingo, kids’ activities, and fireworks. ($5, 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 p.m.)

• The Hoffman Estates Fourth of July Festival (PDF schedule) includes a carnival, cooking competition, bike auction, a parade, fireworks, and live music. (11:00 am. – 11:00 p.m.)

• Enjoy food from local restaurants, fireworks, and live music at the Elmwood Park Fourth of July Freedom Festival. (2:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.)

• The annual outdoor Wheeling Freedom Fest features live music, food vendors, kids’ activities, a parade, and fireworks at dusk. (3:00 p.m. – 12 midnight)

Photo credit: (c/o SXC) Zoran Nikolic, Patrick Nijhuis, Steve Graham

More than a million people gather along the lakefront to catch the Independence Eve Fireworks, accompanied by music from 101.9 WTMX-FM. Although technically a part of the Taste of Chicago, these fireworks can be seen for miles around. Get to Grant Park and/or Lake Michigan early to claim your spot. (9:30 p.m.)

Don’t want to fight the crowds at the Lake? Join the Fourth of July Celebration at Citizen Bar on Thursday, and watch the fireworks from the rooftop patio. (5:00 p.m. – 2:00 a.m.)

You can watch the fireworks from the lakeshore… or you can watch them from the Lake itself! The third annual Sea Level Boat Party is a three-hour outing on Lake Michigan that includes an open bar, appetizers, DJs, and (of course) a great view of the fireworks. ($75, 8:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.) Or try Odyssey Cruises’ Fireworks Dinner Cruise, which consists of a four-course menu, a premium open bar, and dancing. ($140, 6:30 p.m.) Finally, the Spirit of Chicago includes appetizers, a dinner buffet, and a DJ. ($110, 7:00 p.m.)

The 51^st annual Hometown Fest in Palatine features carnival rides, arts and crafts vendors, food, drinks, and live music. (12:30 p.m. – 12 midnight)

Deerfield Family Days includes food vendors, live music, and fireworks at 9:15 p.m. (PDF Schedule) (5:00 p.m. – 9:15 p.m.)

Enjoy the patriotic concert by the Fine Arts Orchestra followed by the Park Ridge Fireworks at dusk. ($5 for parking, 8:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.)

Photo credit: (c/o SXC) Kathryn McCallum

The county board approved the tax raise back in February, coming into effect yesterday. It applies to clothes, alcohol, furniture, and restaurant food. Chicagoans could drive to neighboring counties where the tax isn’t so steep. But many Windy City residents have already cut back on driving in the face of the highest gas prices in the U.S. So many people are hoping to cut back where they can, make more purchases online, and do less shopping locally. Unfortunately, this makes small business owners nervous.

As for me personally, I’ve been saving where I can. Clipping coupons, buying in bulk, and even driving a bit out of my way to a good sale. You can check out The Chicago Traveler’s posts on budget-friendly hotels, cheap eats, and free Chicago attractions.

Photo credit: (c/o SXC) Przemyslaw Szczepanski

^[1] (2008). Population Estimates for the 100 Largest U.S. Counties. Retrieved July 1, 2008, from U.S. Census Bureau. Web site: http://www.census.gov/

This Italian/Mediterranean eatery with exposed-brick walls is clean, casual, and comfortable. The furnishings are a hodge-podge of recycled materials, including the chalkboard menus and an old, wooden farm table. Mado uses “green” cleaning supplies and serves filtered water, rather than bottled.

However, the kitchen is the area that excels in innovation. Chef Rob Levitt and his wife (and co-owner) Allison use locally-produced vegetables and purchase whole animals, breaking them down with a giant meat-saw. The pigs, lambs, etc., are then either roasted on a rotisserie or a wood grill. The Levitts use every part of the animal possible, resulting in homemade sausages, pates, and head cheese.

The menu changes on a daily basis (hence the easily erasable chalkboard menu) based on ingredients’ availability and freshness, but you can expect to find dishes like hangar steak with polenta, whitefish with carrots, rotisserie chicken, fresh tagliatelle pasta, and/or rainbow trout with walnuts. Every dish is kept simple, rustic, and flavorful. Finally, the restaurant features a monthly family-style meal featuring roasted goose or pig.

With the chefs’ remarkable training, skills, and resourcefulness, you will have no problems clearing your plate and not wasting a single bite.

Photo credit: (c/o Flickr) consumatron (1, 2)

Mado ($$$): 1647 N Milwaukee Ave; 773-342-2340
Tues – Thurs: 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Fri – Sat: 8:00 a.m. – 12 midnight
Sun: 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Street parking
Public trans: Bus # 50, 56, 72 or Blue Line train (Damen)
http://www.madorestaurantchicago.com/

The eclectic phenomenon begins the moment you walk in the door. Energetic and fun, the sound of a salsa beat greets hungry patrons. The spacious restaurant is divided into several sections, each with its own atmosphere and personality. From the rooftop lounge to the sleek circular sushi bar, the spaces are just as attractive as the people who fill them. This is a great place to do a little people-watching, so don’t be surprised if you catch someone checking you out.

The menu features an array of small dishes, featuring appetizers like tuna tataki (tatsoi, heart of palm, avocado, lemon, yuca chip, and aji panca coulis) and butter lettuce wraps (with crispy rock shrimp, uni ailoi, peas, and black truffle vinaigrette). “Samba rolls,” a.k.a. sushi rolls, include Samba rio Roll—which brings together lobster tempura, red leaf lettuce, cucumber, avocado, and rice cracker—and the Bobo Brazil—seared kobe-style beef, avocado, kaiware, shiso, red onion, and chimichurri ponzu. And if you’d prefer a traditional one-plate entrée, try the crispy red snapper in spicy red curry sauce or organic chicken teriyaki.

Of course, a place this hip serves up excellent cocktails. Try a traditional caipirinha, pisco sour, or mojito, or order one of the restaurant’s signature drinks like the “Sambatini.”

The colors are bold, the menu is daring, and the people are lively. Sushi Samba Rio isn’t just a restaurant; it’s a party.

Photo credit: (c/o Flickr) Khaotikit, leighrowan

Sushi Samba Rio ($$$$): 504 N Wells St; 312-595-2300
Sun – Tues: 11:45 a.m. – 12 midnight
Weds – Thurs: 11:45 a.m. – 1:00 a.m.
Fri – Sat: 11:45 a.m. – 2:00 a.m.
Street parking difficult; pay lots nearby; valet available
Public trans: Bus # 11, 65, 125, 156
http://sushisamba.com/

The oddball couple wasn’t always a pair though. Originating on Chicago’s south side, the original Gertie’s Ice Cream began in 1901, and Lindy’s was the city’s first chili parlor in 1924. Joseph Yesuits bought both of the businesses in 1977 and, despite the naysayers, put them together. The concept has been a hit ever since.

The chili, made both with and without beans, is just as hearty and delicious as it’s ever been. The recipe’s been left untouched over the decades. If you like, you can add macaroni, onions, cheese, and/or sour cream to the mix. Once you’ve finished everything on your plate, treat yourself to an old-fashioned banana split, a brownie sundae, or one of the other dozens of options on Gertie’s menu.

Popular on the weekends, the simple, seat-yourself space attracts hungry “boys in blue” and neighborhood families, the latter benefiting from the budget-friendly menu. And, just like in the old soda-fountain days, you will still find the occasional young couple on a date.

All year long, you can find just the right comfort food you need, hot or cold.

(Lindy’s and Gertie’s has eight Chicagoland area locations.)

Photo credit: (c/o Flickr) polomex

Lindy’s Chili & Gertie’s Ice Cream ($): 3685 S Archer Ave; 773-927-7807
Mon – Thurs: 10:30 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Fri: 10:30 a.m. – 12 midnight
Sat: 11:00 a.m. – 12 midnight
Sun: 11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Street parking; free lot
Public trans: Bus # 49, X49, 62 or Orange Line train (35^th/Archer)
http://www.lindyschili.com/

While this sculpture is absolutely fascinating, I had a difficult time finding much information on it. Miss Chicago stands 39 feet tall (12 m) and was completed in 1975 by artist Joan Miró.

The more I read about the artist, however, the more fascinated I became. The Spanish-born painter and sculptor received international acclaim for his work in Surrealism. He was actually one of the very first artists to represent this unconventional genre, undoing previously established techniques in art. Not only did he want to take art away from the critics and politics, but he wanted to take it beyond the dimensions it was seemingly limited to. Miró wanted to explore the possibilities of four-dimensional painting, transcending the two dimensions of the canvas and the three dimensions of sculpture. If you’re having difficulty wrapping your mind around the concept, that’s okay—that’s exactly the mystified, intangible feeling the artist would be hoping for.

Back to the subject at hand, as intriguing and photogenic as she is, I just don’t know very much about Miss Chicago. What do you know (or think) about this piece of art?

Photo credit: (c/o Flickr) polomex (1, 2, 3, 4)

Miss Chicago: 81 W Washington St (approximately)
Public trans: Bus # 20, X20, 22, 24, 36, 56, 62 or Blue Line train (Washington)
http://www.fundaciomiro-bcn.org/