Chicago tips

Does Everyone Know About Stanley's?

food and drink;  shopping

It's that rather bland looking place in its own strip mall at the southwest corner of Elston and North. There are usually plenty of cars parked thereso you can't miss it.

Stanley's has changed over time.  It used to have very reasonably priced produce of sometimes iffy quality.  Now the quality is better and they've even added a large organic section.  This is a great improvement since the quality of the fresh organic produce is very high.  Prices are way below Whole Foods.

The big plus at Stanley's is variety. There are all kinds of lettuces and greens and many vegetables that are absent from your local supermarket.  When a recipe calls for leeks or jicama I know I can find them here.  When I'm stymied about what vegetable to have for dinner I know there is plenty of inspiration on these shelves.  I like to experiment so this is a perfect place to find something different.  If something is in season it will definitely be here along with many out of season items.

You should learn how to pick quality produce so there are no surprises at the dinner table.  Not fresh looks not fresh so keep your eyes open, especially with the non-organic produce, most of which is just fine.  Example:  in early September I spied some marvelous looking white nectarines and bought a few to try.  Admittedly we are spoiled by those luscious Michigan peaches but the nectarines were completely tasteless.  Stanley's has a good variety of mushrooms but how do they look?

My guess is that the best produce arrives on Mondays when the store is most depleted and on Fridays in preparation for the weekend, so keep that in mind.

In addition there's a dairy area with milk and most milk products and eggs.  Also olives, dates, figs, nuts, pasta, spices in huge quantities, dried fruit, taffy apples in season, flowers (often) and hordes of pumpkins or watermelons as dictated by the time of year.

There are many herbs such as basil, tarragon and rosemary which you can buy individually by the pound so you're not stuck with that expensive, too large packet from Jewel or Dominick's.

You do have to be wary and inspect your purchases for flaws.  Raspberries may be dirt cheap but a few moments from decay along with perfectly good ones at a more realistic price.  Beginning around Derby Day and beyond there are huge bargains on large boxes of excellent strawberries.

This is not the place I buy good cheese or bread so if you're as picky as I am about those go elsewhere.  Sam's Marcey Street Market gourmet shop (312.664.4394)  has a wonderful selection of fresh and ripened cheeses and (Charlie) Trotter's To Go gourmet shop at 1337 W. Fullerton  (773.868.6510) has marvelous bread.  So does Red Hen Bread at 1623 N. Milwaukee (773.342.6823) or 500 W. Diversey (773.248.6025).

Even though I speak passable Spanish,  it's pretty hard to get detailed info from employees at Stanley's but it's always worth a try.  Greek might be helpful.  If you're looking for "how to prepare info" you won't get it here regardless of your linguistic abilities.  Other customers might be helpful, though.

Stanley's Fruits and Vegetables is at 1558 N. Elston.  312.276.8050.  Opens early and closes late.

The Best Framer In The Loop

services

She is Alphonsa Burcheri, the owner of Alfonsa Bucheri Framing Studio Inc. and she holds forth in room 400 in the building at 1 Quincy Court (see below for real address).  Alphonsa specializes in very unusual mouldings that you're not likely to find elsewhere and a large variety of same.  There are even handcarved and custom guilded frames, including imports from Italy available for a very special piece.

Although about forty percent of Alphonsa's business is corporate framing (she does work for the Chicago Symphony, Columbia College and Leo Burnett, to name some of her better known clients) she is warm and accessible and takes a personal interest in each framing project.  She will do on site consultation and installation so it's a "start to finish" kind of framing.  Clients also include fine artists, collectors and photographers.  Her successful business is based entirely on word of mouth referrals.

Pursuing a longtime interest, Alphonsa majored in art in college and graduated from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.  She worked part-time at a frame shop and gradually worked up to the point of starting her own business.  She particularly enjoys marrying the technical with the artistic, so that each piece is suitably framed.  The mark of a good framer, she says, is also knowing when a piece doesn't need a frame at all.  Customer satisfaction is always her prime concern.

Because she's now the mom of a year old son she finds flexible hours work best.  She and her small staff are generally there from 7-2 daily but it's best to call ahead to make an appointment.  I've had smaller pieces framed and jumped right on the subway,  virtually at her front door, feeling very smug with the ease of it all.

When you go to see Alphonsa, don't miss the vintage marble entryway of the white terra cotta building, the impressive marble staircase to the left, the huge old mailbox, directory frame and the original side light fixtures.  The building dates from 1912-13.  Alphonsa wisely says that it is buildings like these that enable small entrepreneurs to stay in business downtown, since the rents are still affordable.

Alphonsa Burcheri Framing Studio is really at 220 South State (formerly 1Quincy Court). Call 312.347.4560 for hours.

Gapinski Pharmacy Transformed

shopping

Step back in time to a delightful store that occupies a building actually built in the 1930s around an older vintage pharmacy's cabinetry and fixtures, which are ca the early 1900's  It's a gem intact. including faded murals, tin ceilings,  fans. and light fixtures.  The 30's building was actually built around the existing shelves! This is R.R. #1 Chicago, a delightful gift store at 814 N. Ashland, just north of Chicago Av.  Don't be confused by the awning emblazoned with the original name, Gapinski Pharmacy.

Two Sherris, Sherri DeYoung and Sheri Wiegard fell in love with the space about five years ago when they both lived in the neighborhood.  Now Wiegard has moved out of state and De Young takes care of the store.  They meet on buying trips which they do jointly.

Here's what you'll find in this magical place.   The emphasis is on toiletries which of course fit beautifully into the decor.  There are gigantic bars of aromatic soaps from Portugal including among others grapefruit/fig and pear/sandalwood scents.  There's a set of 3 little pig soaps that look serious, not silly, nestled in their box.  Two poodles, one pink and one black are another shaped soap offering.  Barefoot Venus therapeutic mustard bath grabbed my attention as did a stainless memo pad consisting of a roll of cash register paper that can be torn off to the length you need.

Now that tea has become "in", there are some new products to help one enjoy it better such as ceramic tea infusers (they make brewing easier and more aesthetic) from $22 to $28.  Dishwashing is less of a chore with aroma therapeutic dish soaps in a white tea fragrance.  There are wacky themed rubber gloves with fabric trim at $14 to assist with chores and bacon strip bandages to make light of one's wounds.

The greeting card assortment is first rate and not seen all over town.  You'll find many other gifts and trinkets here...it's a perfect place for early Xmas shopping.

R. R. #1 Chicago, Apothecary, Flowers and Gifts 814 N. Ashland.  Hours: Monday through Saturday 11-7;  Sunday 12-5. 312.421.9079.

Crafts For All; Classes, Parties, Projects

services;  shopping

Donna Palicka is a young woman with a purpose.  She's combined  work with parenthood in a most imaginative way as the founder of Sister-ARTS Studio www.sisterartsstudio.com .  Donna left her 20 year position as associate partner in the interiors studio of  Skidmore, Owings and Merrill, Chicago recently to open up this unique,  exciting storefront at 721 W. Wrightwood.

She researched her plan for two years and it shows.  Beginning by teaching various crafts after school at Francis W. Parker (the Parker Plus program) and at nearby St. Clements School, she implemented many of her ideas in a kind of on the job training which she continues.

At Sister Arts she teaches and sponsors classes for children and adults, organizes a host of different parties and gatherings and sells craft kits of all descriptions.  Craft kits may not sound creative but the ones Donna has sleuthed out actually encourage creativity.  In addition she has assembled her own kits, particularly jewelry ones which contain only glass beads, thus eschewing the usual plastic components. Unusual yarns are also stocked.

There are kits to make paper, airplanes, architectural models (with miniature bricks and real mortar), rubber stamp sets, lots of jewelry ideas; flower presses, even kits to decorate flip flops with crochet.  A teddy bear kit gives you a choice of four styles but one sews and stuffs and dresses these bears as desired.  A display model boasts accessories of handmade felt!  All kit prices at Sister Arts are very reasonable, generally ranging from $20 and under.

In the short two months the studio has been open, there's an impressive list of birthday parties scheduled.  These are all held at Sister Arts which is also equipped with a kitchen, pneumatic tables with adjustable heights and a beautiful cork floor!  There are two separated class areas and Donna reports (miraculously) that the birthday parties are very quiet affairs since the guests are always extremely absorbed in their individual projects.  A general price range for the birthday parties is $10 per child plus materials which range from $5-$10 each.  Parents may attend also, usually advisable when smaller children are involved and hosts may bring cake and beverages to help celebrate.

Donna's nine year old (almost ten) year old daughter Ona, is hugely enthusiastic about her mom's project.  She serves as student, critic, and all-round helper and, says her mom, "She's my inspiration."  When customers have age related questions re the suitablity of a particular item, Ona is a perfect advisor.  Donna also enlists her aid as a guinea pig on whom to test new classes.

Knitting and crochet is also taught for adults, children or a combo;  Mom can bring offspring along so that both can learn together, embodying the spirit of this enterprise.  The design of the space is particularly handsome and efficient and a tribute to Donna and her professional expertise.

Donna is very open to involving other skilled teachers with a variety of interests in the studio and its growth.  She's warm and excited about the studio, with good reason.

As a former retailer myself I was extremely impressed with this project.  You should go and look around carefully;  there's a great deal going on here and it takes a while to absorb it all.

Sister Arts Studio, 721 W. Wrightwood. 773.929.7274. Please call for hours.

Oysy Means "Delicious"

food and drink

Admittedly I haven't even tried the sushi as yet:  I love sushi but everything else is so inventive I can't resist the culinary explorations offered.  Recently I took my very discriminating son there for lunch.  He had a sophisticated palate even before he moved to NYC and he really loved Oysy.

The sleek but casual decor by Douglas Garofalo, a Chicago architect adds to the experience and it's great to find a swell place on South Michigan after all these years.  You can usually park at a meter on nearby south Wabash.  Or walk from your loop office.  This summer we attended a couple of concerts at Millenium Park followed by a delicious dinner outside with friends at Oysy, as we all noted with pleasure the increased number of pedestrians stolling by.

The menu is multifacted: dishes are cooked, cold or grilled and there's a selection of light tempura.  Personally I like the vegetable one.  The chef's specials are enticing and there's a wide range of sushi and maki of course.  Access the menu at www.OYSYsushi.com and you'll see for yourself.

Here's a picture of my tuna tartare.  It's a generous portion and people don't need to be urged to share because they're instantly seduced by the over the top presentation. 

Oh yes, it's not noisy but is popular notwithstanding! It's best to make reservations at peak times. Open for lunch on weekdays only and for dinner every evening.

Oysy is at 888 South Michigan. 312.922.1127.  (There's now a second location at 50 E. Grand. 312.670.6750.  Hours may differ.)