Chicago Weekend Fun!

This weekend promises to be a cold and rainy one as far as weather goes in Chicago, but there is still plenty to do. As always there are new movies opening, new restaurants opening and plenty to shop for now that all the new spring clothes are in at the mall. I have tried to compile a list of cool things to do this weekend here and as always feel free to leave me some feedback about what you are doing in Chicago and if I have missed any events or happenings. If you do plan on some fun recreation this weekend it might be wise to stay inside through the April showers and wait for the May flowers.

1. New movies opening this weekend in Chicago. I am kind of a picky movie person so it is always a challenge to recommend movies. The ones playing this weekend that look promising to me are Leatherheads and 21. Leatherheads is a vintage 1920s movie about football and hopefully comedy. TIME magazine wasn’t too impressed, but I still like Renee Zelwegger in Vintage roles and George Clooney in anything. 21 is a movie based on a true story about the MIT card counting gambling team. It looked good in the previews as a nerds win after all and possibly go over the edge kind of film. I like thrill of some kind in movies that don’t have a lot of violence, I think this one delivers. Keanu Reeves has a new film out called Street Kings but it looks very violent and almost like a live action video game. Something about his walk just looks digital now. Anyway, have fun with those picks and let me know what you think of them.  

2. New Restaurants opening in Chicago. Cinners just opened in Lakeview on the North Side. It is located at 4757 N Talman Ave in Chicago and features a dinner specialty called Cincinnati Chili. What is Cincinnati Chili you ask? (I asked too) It is a kind of chili-mac kind of dish that involves a lot of layers of good things like spaghetti noodles, chili, beans and cheese. It’s not too spicy but it has some kick to it too. There were several people in our office here that were excited about this because they grew up in Ohio and this was a favorite food of theirs. I know there are a ton of ex-Ohioans living in Chicago, so Cinners should be a big hit. There were some complaints listed on Yelp though about the initial opening weekend, lets hope they got those complaints addressed and fixed by now. There are also not a ton of options for vegetarians, so it’s not the best place for that. It is pretty reasonably priced for the north side of the city at about $8 per dinner dish on the menu plus tax and tip. Check out Cinners this weekend. 773-654-1264

Maggiano’s(former Lettuce Entertain You Chain Restaurant) has opened a new location in Naperville off of I-88. It is the latest new location where you can get great Italian dishes in portions as big as your head. Always get your left overs to go, they are great the next day. The new Maggiano’s location is at 1847 Freedom Drive, Naperville, IL, 60563. They are open at 11 am every day and stay open until 10 pm weeknights, 11pm Friday and Saturday and till 9pm on Sunday night. As always the prices range from $10-$25 per dinner (depending on what you order) at Maggiano’s but you will get at least 2 meals out of it. Call 630-536-2270 for a reservation.

3. Jerry Seinfeld is doing his stand-up again at the Chicago Theater (175 N State Street) on Friday and Saturday night (wow, two shows each night, 7pm and 9:30pm). See if he mentions recently rolling the vintage Porsche in the monologue at all. I was never really a fan of his show or his stand-up but a lot of people miss him and will turn out in force for these shows. Tickets range from $45-$85.00 each on Ticketmaster but I couldn’t find any available online. If you are a huge Jerry fan and want last minute tickets, check out StubHub or Ebay for what is available via resale.  

And have a great weekend!