Fans of the Kaiser Cartel can rejoice in the news the band is releasing a follow-up to their well-received debut, March Forth. The boy/girl harmonic/melodic duo of Courtney Kaiser and Benjamin Cartel will drop Secret Transit on June 8. The album was produced by Matt Hales, better known to music fans as Aqualung, so don't be surprised to hear his piano-driven poppy sound incorporated. If the first single, "Ready to Go," is any indication, this album should be a fun one for the summer. The email I just got said the album is "darker and more experimental," but this sounds pretty much the opposite. I guess we'll have to wait until June to hear the rest but for now, enjoy "Ready to Go."
We all want to do our part to help the planet (except maybe that guy who just tossed his McDonald's bag out his car window) by changing out lightbulbs, using non-toxic cleaning chemicals and eating more locally grown food. We don't just have to be good on Earth Day. Everyday should be Earth Day. And you can add drinking certain wine to your do-gooder checklist.
Many wineries from France to California to New Zealand have been growing grapes more sustainably and using organic or biodynamic methods to maintain their vineyards. If you're concerned about the food you put into your body, you'll likely appreciate that organic growers do not use pesticides and other harmful chemicals throughout the wine production process. Both organic and biodynamic growing allows for more natural elements to flourish. And while selecting a 100 percent organic wine may not be as easy as, say, finding a bottle produced with organic grapes, which only requires 70 percent of the grapes be organic, more and more are popping up.
Continue reading "Beyond Earth Day: Great Wines for Sustainability" »
Lunch in the Loop just got a little more affordable: To celebrate the 30th anniversary of his original Heaven on Seven restaurant on Wabash in Chicago, chef/owner Jimmy Bannos is rolling back the prices on all entrees at that spot to $7.95 in May. "I want to thank my customers for their loyal following for the last 30 years," Bannos said. "And in these [tough economic] times, I want to give them a little gift."
That little gift can add up to a whole lot of fantastic New Orleans-style grub. Dishes like the Mardi Gras jambalaya, the Southern fried Louisiana soft shell crab salad, Southern fried oyster po' boy and Bannos' favorites: the chicken andouille sausage gumbo, the etouffee and "any of the po' boys."
Continue reading "Bannos Rolling Back Prices to Celebrate Heaven on Seven's 30th" »
And here it is folks. Lollapalooza's 2010 Lineup. Grant Park, Chicago. August 6-8. Get your tix now:
Soundgarden, Green Day, Lady Gaga, Arcade Fire, the Strokes, Phoenix, Social Distortion, MGMT, Jimmy Cliff, Hot Chip, the Black Keys, the National, Spoon, Devo, Cypress Hill, Cut Copy, the New Pornographers, Erykah Badu, Slightly Stoopid, Grizzly Bear, Gogol Bordello, Chromeo, Wolfmother, Yeasayer, X Japan, MUTEMATH, Metric, Dirty Projectors, AFI, Mavis Staples, Matt & Kim, the xx, Drive-By Truckers, Blues TravelerEdward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros, the Temper Trap, Jamie Lidell, Frightened Rabbit, F Buttons, Deer Tick, Blitzen Trapper, Stars, Raphael Saadiq, the Cribs, Minus the Bear, Switchfoot, the Walkmen, Mumford & Sons, Wild Beasts, Rogue Wave, Los Amigos Invisibles, the Big Pink, the Dodos, Hockey, Cymbals Eat Guitars, B.o.B, Dawes, Warpaint, the Antlers, the Soft Pack, Rebelution, Balkan Beat Box.
2ManyDJs, Empire of the Sun, Digitalism, Perry Farrell, Tiga, Felix da Housecat, Rusko, Erol Alkan, Kaskade, Flosstradamus, Wolfgang Gartner, Joachim Garraud, Mexican Institute of Sound, Caspa, Peanut Butter Wolf, Dirty South, NERVO, Cut Copy (DJ Set), Beats Antique, Steve Porter, Didi Gutman of Brazilian Girls, Ancient Astronauts, Ana Sia, Team Bayside High, Dani Deahl, FreeSol, DJ Mel, BBU Vonnegutt, Only Children, Lance Herbstrong.
While it's no surprise that hot Logan Square spot Longman & Eagle will debut brunch this Easter Sunday starting at 10 a.m., with incredibly sounding dishes like house-smoked salmon with creme fraiche; sunny side duck egg with duck confit; omelet of morel mushrooms; smoked catfish cakes and waffles with plum compote (all courtesy of that crafty chef Jared Wentworth), the other good news is they'll roll out some delicious cocktails to pair with the rustic fare.
L&E is known for its extensive whiskey and bourbon list as well as having a sweet craft beer selection (I enjoyed an Allagash White last night), for brunch they're introducing a trio of Bloody Marys: The Larry, The Mary and The Maria, with whiskey, vodka and tequila, respectively. They'll be rimmed with house-crafted bacon salt to add an extra little savory zing to each sip. Plus, they're offering an "adult" Horchata, a play on the Mexican cinnamon rice milk, but this will include Sailor Jerry's spiced rum.
It should be a good Easter indeed.
[*note: image used just to whet your palate; not the actual Longman Bloody Mary lineup.]