Healthy Influence Blog

Lord have mercy upon my weak soul, but I did not find interesting persuasion news at the annual conference of the National Communication Association.  I spoke with several smart folks and they, too, had nothing new to offer.

So, let’s hit the street!

Melanie starts us with a shot over the Chicago River at night on the North Michigan bridge.  She’s got a bag which means we’ve been shopping.

If we’re shopping, we’re eating, so let’s get to the point.

If Chicago caught fire again, I’d save Al’s Beefs at Ontario and Wells, just a few blocks west of North Michigan.  You know there has to be more to life than evolution with food like this.

Okay, so pounds of beef soaked in gravy is not your cup of tea.  How about Rosebud’s on Rush, Yoshi’s, or North Pond?

First, it is Rosebud on Rush and not Rosebud Trattoria on Dearborn.  I enjoyed an embarassing moment sitting in the Ann Taylor store on North Michigan (no, I was not trying on the new winter styles; yes, I was the mule for Melanie) failing to distinguish between these two restaurants that are just a few blocks away from each other.  I used her iPhone Google Map function to find “Rosebud” while I waited.  Listen up:  the app gives you the closest hit and it turns out that Rosebud Trattoria is closer to Ann Taylor’s than Rosebud on Rush.  When Melanie told me she was ready to eat, I told her we’re heading for Dearborn street and she stopped me saying, “It’s Rosebud on Rush, hon-ey.”

If you’re in a long term relationship, you know what happened next and if you’re not, I won’t tell you so you can experience moments like these without bias from me.  Let’s just say we had a discussion and I looked like a stupid mule.  Onto Rush Street.

Rosebud on Rush is just a couple of quiet blocks off the mayhem of North Michigan.  It turns into a neighborhood with lots of brownstones, kids, and little shops.  Rosebud feels like a special neighborhood place, not a joint, but not overly formal and fancy.  Great service that starts at the door, takes you to a quiet table, delivers a great meal, then takes you out the door, happy and satisfied.  Man, did we eat good and a lot.  I had a huge antipasto, the Misto, with a diverse array of cured meats, cheese, greens, and sauces.  It was built for two, but mules work up an appetite.  Our fabulous server cast a nervous eye upon me, warning to save room for my entrée, a double cut veal chop.  I’ve learned to trust good servers, so I backed off just a bit.  Thus, I finished one of the best veal chops I’ve ever had.  Hubba-hubba.  Then coffee and desert.

And this.  The obligatory Martini shot.

We ate at Yoshi’s before taking in the Blue Man Group up in the Lincoln Park area of Chicago.  We had a nice 6pm taxi ride up Lake Shore Drive with a fabulous view of the lake and the city brightly lit up against the evening.  Then YuppieVille on the Northside and Yoshi’s.  Yoshi’s is a fusion of Asian and European influences.  The room is pretty, open, and functional; the service is experienced, expert, and professional; the food is fabulous.  I had a sea bass Bento box entrée that was some of the best tastes I’ve experienced.  Yoshi and his wife toured the room with professional greetings for newcomers and longer conversations with neighborhood regulars.  This is one great place.

And the room.  Yoshi has his back to us just left of center as he talks with a regular.

The Blue Man Group was a surprising disappointment.  It is extremely kid-friendly which means the content is pretty simple.  I didn’t expect Vegas showgirls and boys, but this was closer to SpongeBobSquarePants than What Happens In Vegas Stays In Vegas.  The performers were skilled and talented, but the show material was just weak, like SNL after midnight.  The audience, filled with quite a few children on a Thursday night, enjoyed the show greatly.  It’s just pretty simple.  Here Melanie puts on her poncho in anticipation of the flying debris from BMG.

North Pond is in the Lincoln Park area and was recommended by my nephew, Clifton, who is the chef de cuisine at Max London’s in Saratoga Springs.  Clif has great taste.  North Pond ranks as one of the best eating experiences I’ve had.  There is nothing to change (other than moving it to Morgantown).  It’s a Frank Lloyd Wright inspired building and room; the service is great; the food is the best.  I had the “pork ‘n beans” which was a medley of pork tenderloin, andouille sausage, and pork belly with black and white beans.  It was all to die for.

Here’s the North Pond exterior, a free standing building by the North Pond.

And the main dining room.

And a nice touch with individual coffee servers at the finish.

And Chicago still shows its style with outdoor art.

Just remember – Rosebud on Rush, hon-ey.