Located in the historic Monadnock Building in Chicago’s Loop, Florodora features vintage-inspired contemporary fashions for women as well as pretty gifts, unique accessories and home accents.

Florodora features designers Lara Miller, Twinkle, Nougat, Feral Childe, Lia Molly, Chan Luu, Yoana Baraschi, and more.

The name, Florodora, is a nod to one of the 20th century’s first Broadway musicals–more specifically the Florodora girls, whom owner Michael Blossom explained to me were famous for being “beautiful and stylish” as well as getting into their share of trouble.  The overall impression one gets from this girl-shop is a nod to the era’s lady-like silhouettes and glamour. This love of all things retro-pretty is evident in the chic selection of dresses, accessories and ready to wear pants, skirts, and tops. (I highly favor the dresses.) Think frilly, flowers and fun. There is also everything from candles to magnets to stationary–and Spanx!

This thoughtfully assembled shop is priced a little steep– but keep your eyes open for trunk shows, themed sales (the “scandal” sale), private sales and coupons for email list customers and make this a place you can treat yourself too.  A fun plus– wine on Friday afternoons.

It would be nice to see some mid-range priced clothing as well as a larger range is sizes; but the overall feel is that of fantasy (I need to weigh 20 lbs less fantasty). You can almost imagine yourself in the dressing room or personal closet of a yesteryear star of the stage.  It’s worth a peruse and a lovely place to purchase or receive a gift from.

Florodora, 330 S Dearborn St.

Here is the vital step before eating a duck at Sun Wah: call ahead. Pick up the phone and make a reservation, not only for your party but for a duck. The best value for your dollars is the Peking duck dinner, not actually featured on the menu. The duck is carved at the table, comes with duck fried rice and a rather forgettable duck soup.

When you make it to the restaurant, order a beer—Goose Island brews are $3. A $3 Matilda is virtually unheard of anywhere else, and it will suit your duck well. Peking is carved at the table and served with steamed buns, a variety of sauces and daikon and carrots, so you can make yourself a little duck pancake. There is also an amazing cup of chili oil with roasted chilis on the table, it will go well on top of anything you care to consume that evening.

One duck dinner will set you back about $32 and will more than comfortably feed two to three. If you decide to go with four or more, order two ducks. My party of five happily destroyed two ducks, with a bit of fried rice left.

Also, rumor on the street says that the Mike’s chicken item is tops. Again, call ahead.

Sun Wah Bar-B-Q, 5039 N. Broadway.

While I had never seen the musical CHESS on stage, here are the things I knew about CHESS going in:

1. The music is written by the dudes of ABBA, Benny Anderson & Björn Ulvaues, as a concept album before it was a full production.

2. Lyrics were by Tim Rice, yes THAT Tim Rice

3. the book has gone threw many, many, many versions, this one by Chicago native, Richard Nelson written for the American version that opened on Broadway in 1988

4. The songs are sung by every musical theater performer at endless benefits and auditions around the globe.

and

5. The rocking One Night in Bangkok hit from the eighties is in this show! I love the eighties! I will therefore LOVE this show!

So with my expectations 1988 high as I walk into Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre’s CHESS at the No Exit Cafe’ in Rogers Park, I was ready for my Lion King meets the Dancing Queen evening of 80s royalty, and I would not be disappointed.

The set, by Nate Crawford, mimicked the black and white chess board, everywhere. The No Exit Cafe’ is a small cabaret style space where the audience sits at tables with white table cloths and do have the choice to make the show dinner theater if they reserve the dinner package before hand. The waiters are the actors and are mostly dressed in costume while they feed and fetch. I sat at the bar off to the side and skipped the dinner.

Then it begins. Full rock band, tucked off to the side of the playing space. The ensemble enters threw the house singing as they move to the stage. Black and white costumes by Bill Morey echo the set. The origins of the game of Chess are being explained by escaping Hungarians in 1956, or so the program tells me, the script, on the other hand, does not tell me that. Nope. Just dialects and immigrants running from something scary in the night while the father of some child, female, she has a teddy bear, spins some fairytale magic about the game that will be the focus of the night. When running from scary people, shouldn’t we be running and not talking about a game? I’m just saying.

The Book has problems. I mean Prob-le-eh-ehms. No offense to a fellow Chicagoian, but what happens in this play Mr. Nelson? Yes, an international CHESS competition between an Arrogant American, Freddie (Courtney Crouse) and the Soviet Union’s Anatoly, the returning World Champ (Jeremy Trager). Got it. Then there is Florence (Maggie Portman), Freddie’s, coach, or is it “second”? Should Freddie be unable to serve his duties as the US Chess Champ, Florence will take the crown and open super markets across the country? Is that what they mean by “second”? Why is she coaching him if she is his second? Wait, now it seems they had a thing. Like a thing, thing. Some time before the play? They dated? What?

On the Soviet side the second is Molokov (John B. Leen), I think. Or is he just KGB? What is his job, exactly? And then there is the Blonde guy who MUST be KGB. I like the blonde guy. He speaks in Russian and he lets me know exactly what he is saying by how he moves and reacts. Love the blonde guy, I get what he is about.(Travis Walker)

As the play goes, at one of the matches Florence falls instantly in love with Anatoly and Freddie is a jerk, he is just a jerk. Nothing more to him. Yep, oh maybe, nope, just a jerk. Anatoly wants to defect to The States and Walter (Anthony Apodaca), Freddie’s Agent? Manager? Sleaze ball for no apparent reason? is going to help that all go down.

With all the confusion of the book I just wanted something grounded and honest to happen, and it did. Jeremy Trager’s Anatoly is acted to perfection. His choices are so simple and specific, I fall for him and want him to be free. I care about his character, despite the constant confusion. Then he sings. His voice is that of an Opera star and I am completely won over. Maggie Portman is also a mighty force on the stage and she can work a sweet leather coat.

So, it’s about a game, an honored game, a game of intelligence and thought. It’s also maybe about love and freedom. That’s what I understood. The thing I did come out with is that Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre and directors Fred Anzevino and Brenda Didier, will not be limited by their small space. While this was not my first production at Theo Ubique, it will also NOT be my last. Even though I did not love the book, the show was still of the highest level I have come to expect from Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre. Next up for Theo Ubique? SWEET AND HOT: THE SONGS OF HAROLD ARLEN June 14-August 18

For more Info, go here: http://www.theoubique.org/

That is a super cheese title, sorry. It’s hard not to get a little mushy about this place. Twin Anchors has been serving up fine food and booze since 1932 in Lincoln Park, Old Town to be exact. Located on the corner of Sedgwick and Eugenie, this neighborhood spot has all the charm of a yesteryear supper club. The layout, complete with booths in the bar and a small dining room, is cozy and intimate. There is nothing chic and modern about the decor–it actually reminds me of my grandparents supper club opened in the 1960′s. Memorabilia covers the wood paneled walls, and there seems to be a story in every photo.

It was pretty busy on a Thursday night with a 5 minute wait for a 9:00 dinner time. We sat in the bar booths and had a great view of Blackhawks game on 3 big HD TVs. It wasn’t distracting, it was great. The bar was also full with people drinking happily. Twin Anchors seems like a nice place to get full and get drunk.

The menu was pretty small, but that’s fine–who needs a bunch of filler when you have a rock-solid foundation? THE RIBS. The ribs are what makes this place famous. (Fun fact: Twin Anchors was Frank Sinatra’s favorite rib joint and he frequented dozens of times.) Ribs, chicken, a couple steaks, some no-frill salads (I did also spot a veggie burger or something to the effect), and some seriously awesome sides. Hint: get the pepperjack creamed spinach. Sooo good. The “1960′s Style Fried Fish” also got my piqued my interest. A classic fish fry is fitting for the establishment.

There was also a nice beer and wine list as well as some tasty cheesecake for dessert. However, the only thing you really need to know here are the ribs. Two kinds of sauce complete the delight, I preferred the “zesty.”

Places like Twin Anchors are a joy to have in Chicago. Well-worn, tried and true.

Visit www.twinanchorsribs.com for more.

Gripe #528 about downtown Chicago: eateries are in extremes. Your choice:

1. Fancy place serving truffle oil infused vertically plated trendy protein of the moment topped with bacon foam, requiring payment on a diamond-encrusted credit card, or
2. A lovely generic chain restaurant. The end.

Sure, downtown Chicago tends to cater toward those with either diamond-encrusted credit cards or those seeking a quick lunch from a nice generic franchise, but what about, say, the exclusive mashmeal of brunch?

Brunch, by the by, is terribly underrated. It’s the best of both breakfast and lunch food, combined into one ultimate supermeal. Two meals in one! Not uncommonly served with adult beverages!

Eve, www.evechicago.com, 840 N. Wabash Ave., understands brunch, and it understands well. Brunch runs weekends from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., dangerously into late lunch territory, but this fact is a mere circumstantiality. Eve understands brunch as $20 for an entrée and unlimited mimosas.

Yes friends, eggs benedict with lobster, prosciutto and pesto hollandaise is just within reach! Or fill up on the waffle and chicken, burger or eggs with shrimp, mushrooms and goat cheese. Mimosas will tide you over (and over and over and over). All will be well in the cruel world of downtown eating, at least for the brunch window of an hour and 30 minutes. (As always, rules in paradise—can’t drink mimosas forever, now can we?)

Not only will Eve allow you to make a reservation for its brunch brilliance, a rarity in the world of combination breakfast and lunch, but it also understands that the days of Sunday through Thursday are prime for $29 three-course prix fixe from 5 to 7 p.m. and Wednesday is a fine day to bring your own wine as well. Hope for downtown eating, indeed.

In my perfect world, I would get spa treatments daily. For problems I don’t even have. Being pampered, for me, is the ultimate stress reliever and instant mood lifter–I feel like a better version of myself…but a broker (more broke?) version. Well, you get the picture.  A day at the spa can set a girl or guy back some serious change.  But Spa Week in Chicago is the perfect time to try out those fabulously luxurious remedies at a seriously discounted rate.

Participating spas, like Chocolate For Your Body in Pilsen, offer ultra-sweet deals, such as a 60 Minute Stress Relief Swedish Massage using real chocolate. Yum. Normally a $70 treat, it is now only $50. If you crave something a little more intense, Thrive Medical Spa in the Gold Coast can set you up with a Partial Face IPL Skin Rejuvenation for Acne, Freckles and/or Enlarged Pores for only $50, which is regularly $150.

And who doesn’t love free goodies? At www.spaweek.com you can also enter to win hundreds of dollars in products from Korres, TIGI and lots more.

Spa Week is a Bi-Annual Event that allows you to enjoy luxurious full-service spa treatments at the finest spas all across North America for just $50 each.

Another great site to check out if you are in the market for pampering is www.prettycity.com. They also offer great reviews on services from salons and spas as well as special discounts on treats for someone I love–myself.

Tuesday and Wednesday at the Vic will bring the debut of Jack White’s third active band, the Dead Weather, to Chicago. Jack White, superhuman, also currently plays in the Raconteurs and the White Stripes.

White, in a rare turn on drums (he did play drums for his first mainstream band, Goober and the Peas), Alison Mosshart on vocals (of Kills fame), Jack Lawrence of the Raconteurs on bass and Dean Fertita of Queens of the Stone Age on keyboards and guitar all form this grunge-tinged blues collection–whose first album, Horehound, is available.

The band formed out of an impromptu “end-of-tour”  jam session in Nashville during the Raconteurs last tour, with the Kills opening, respectively. The band members say the birth of their new project doesn’t signify the death of the Kills, the Raconteurs or the White Stripes. Mosshart explains that the Kills are writing their fourth release.

White recently opened a Nashville music complex (Third Man Records) that recalls the setup of old-school labels like Stax: recording studio in back, record store in front, office and performance space on the premises. For the time being, White will be Third Man’s only producer, so his sensibilities will rule–lucky for us.

Horehound, is an electric experience. Mosshart sounds scary and screamy and sexy, while the blues-grunge aesthetic White is famous for, lives and breathes.

Catch the Dead Weather at the Vic, July 28 and 29.

The Art Institute of Chicago recently joined in an online partnership of world-class art museums, officially becoming a partner of the online art video site ArtBabble.org

The website showcases hundreds of  art-centric videos, providing high-def and personal access to works of art,  interviews with artists and curators, documentaries, poetry readings, and videos of art installations.

Founded by the Indianapolis Museum of Art, the site partners currently include Art21, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the Museum of Modern Art, the New York Public Library, the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, the Van Gogh Museum Amsterdam, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, the Rubin Museum of Art, the Norman Rockwell Museum, the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, the Museum of Arts and Design and the Smithsonian American Art Museum.

“We are thrilled to be joining ArtBabble,” Sam Quigley, vice president of Collections Management, Imaging and Information Technology at the Art Institute, said in a statement. “ArtBabble is really a great leap forward both for museums and for Web users looking for information related specifically to the visual arts. It offers content of extremely high quality, technological innovation and the opportunity for us to dynamically and directly engage those who share our interests.”

ArtBabble.org describes the Art Institute as “one of the world’s leading art museums.”  Doubled with the recent opening of the Modern Wing, the Art Institute is the second largest encyclopedic art museum in the United States.

There are currently about a dozen videos from the Art Institute on the site, surely with more to come.

Map Room really doesn’t need to do much to lure people into this beer lover’s paradise, but International Night, which takes place every Tuesday, is hard to pass up. Here’s the concept: buy two drinks, receive a stamped ticket for the meal of the night. Each Tuesday features a different cultural cuisine; this month was Israel, Soul Food, Costa Rica, Nigeria and BBQ.

Map Room boasts over 200 brands of beer, plus 30 something styles of brewing. They really mean business. If you really want to have a proper beer experience, I would probably advise coming on a less crowded night though. International night is definitely a bit of a circus. Expect to see broke hipsters along side beer nerds and suits. If you can handle the crowd and line to the food, this is a must do.

Here’s a tip: The line forms when the food attendees announce that it is feeding time. Don’t ask for anything extra, different, or modified. These guys serve up no less than 100 plates and have it down pat. It’s standard issue–everyone gets the same meal. If there are extras, the guys will alert the feeders that seconds are available. Also, try to get there before 6pm, so you can score a table. It’s no fun to stand and eat.