Chicago tips

Try Al-Khyam For Delicious Yogurt And So Much More

food and drink, culture, shopping

Taking a hint from Peter Condic (see post dated April 2)  I high tailed it to Lawrence and Kedzie as quickly as possible to check out a swell Midddle Eastern food resource, Al-Khyam at 4738 N. Kedzie.  Armed with a variety of brands in quart containers, I approached the man at the counter for his expert opinion, settling on the Tazah brand.  It's really excellent.  Check out the photo at left so that you can pick it out easily from its' bretheren.

A mainstay in this largely Middle Eastern neighborhood, Al-Khyam has been in the area since 1986 and takes up a large portion of  the block with a daunting array of exotic foods.  There are fig and quince jams, both rose and orange blossom water, pomegranate molasses and impressive looking 6 pound cans of vegetables, including one of grilled eggplant pulp.

The pastry assortment is astonishing, including date, walnut and pistachio mammoul, a semolina-based filled pastry or "moon cake."  Many varieties of baklawa and other luscious looking temptations fill a huge display case in the front of the store.

A handmade-looking metal store fixture with numerous windows affords views of all kinds of seeds and nuts at reasonable prices.  A large quantity of spices are also well-priced for budget minded shoppers.  In the same area is a display of traditional Turkish water pipes, the perfect off-beat gift for those who have everything.

Al Khyam grocery and bakery, 4738 N. Kedzie.

Hidden Pharmacy At Diversey & Sheridan

shopping (and architecture too!)

You'd never guess it from the unpreposessing facade of this building at left, but there's a terrific pharmacy inside, giving competent competition to the "catch all" merchandise at the Walgreens on Diversey and Broadway.

Besides prescriptions you can find all manner of special items here.  There's a truly marvelous moisturizing skin cream called Vanicream which is available in a one pound jar for $15.99.  It's free of all kinds of additives.  Salli Eley, a good friend gave it to me for Xmas a  couple of years ago when it was suggested to her by the Mayo Clinic.  (I'm about to stop by for my third jar.)

Then there's the all-time magical cuticle scissors with a special tip that gets closer to those troublesome spots than anything known to man.  Made in Italy, it's item # 2404 by Denco.

Who knows what other magic they have at this place.  Speak to Betty, who's very helpful.

Then, for a more esoteric look of the same corner, check out the Commonwealth Promenade Apartments, a project of Mies van der Rohe from 1953-56 and just across the street to the east (see photo at left).

Also the National Headquarters of the Elks Club (lower right photo) is on the southwest corner of the same intersection in a classical style building at 2750 N. Lakeview.  Free tours of the sumptuous interior may be arranged by calling 773.755.4876 or by email to DavidA@elks.org.

Stone Medical Pharmacy, 2800 N. Sheridan Rd., 773.929.6555.

 

Practically One Stop Shopping Near Roosevelt Road

services, shopping and culture too

Yesterday I took a package to the main UPS shipping facility at 1400 S. Jefferson.  The service is great and it's less expensive than those UPS/Kinko places.  Did you know that it's also cheaper if you ship to a business address?

While in the neighborhood I realized I could do a group of errands in a very concentrated area rather than in the much larger northside sphere I usually use.  A huge plus is the plentiful parking and the lack of crowds.

After UPS I went to Staples for office supplies, then to the large and super well-stocked Jewel on Roosevelt.  After that I thought I'd try the Target on the north side of the street which I'd never noticed before but which has been there since the fall of 2004.

This Target has a large fortress-like appearance and there's lots of indoor parking, accessible by ramp and with an indoor elevator  The whole place seems a bit daunting and apparently I was not alone in my assessment since there were only a few customers at 10:30 AM, quite a contrast to the always busy store on N. Elston.  Once you go there, though, it's easy to navigate a return visit.

In addition to clothing for the whole family, electronics and items for the home, there's an expanded grocery (no produce) selection at very good prices;  some items are dramatically lower, such as Yoplait yogurt in small containers for 57 cents as opposed to the 75 in most grocery chains.

Additionally, I could have gone to my choice of two (one east of the bridge and one west) Walgreens, a Dominicks, a number of banks including mine, purchased gasoline at a decent price at the BP or Marathon station, and had lunch at the famous Manny's Deli and steam table, a large cafeteria-like place at 1141 S. Jefferson.  There are also a Starbuck's and a forthcoming Home Depot, to complete my list of large chains in the area.  Plenty of smaller businesses too.

On the way home, heading towards Lake Shore Drive, I got a fine glimpse of the newly installed Agora sculptures by Polish artist Magdalena Abakanowicz,  at the southwest corner of Grant Park at Michigan Av. and Roosevelt Road.

Still More Holiday Shopping

shopping

Wander over to Milwaukee Av. and you'll discover that Intuit: The Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art contains a shop within its' folds,  The Intuit Store.   Here you'll find all manner of gifts and stocking stuffers such as a menagerie of brightly painted animals and insects made from recycled tin (see  praying mantis in photo), bottle cap necklaces, unusual handbags, Mexican malagres (good luck healing charms) and more.

There's a huge assortment of books on outsider art and related subjects.

While you're there you won't be able to resist the exhibit running through January 6, "Take Me To The River" featuring a group of "big hitter" outsiders that inspired the creation of Intuit 15 years ago.  Included are Chicago's own Henry Darger and Lee Godie together with Howard Finster and many more.

Ken Burkhart has done a fine job of curating so even if you know the field well, expect to be surprised by some of the inclusions.  Both galleries are used for this exhibit, and admission, of course, is free.

Intuit now has a well organized study center, a non-circulating library that includes books, catalogs, periodicals, slides, photos, videotapes and archival material, enabling students and scholars to peruse info on an artist or a special area of interest.  An advance appointment is needed for the study center.  Access www.art.org for details about that and other Intuit info.

Intuit: The Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art, 756 N. Milwaukee Av.  Hours Tues-Saturday 11-5 (Thursday 11-7:30).         

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The shop at the Archicenter, home to the Chicago Architectural Foundation at 224 S. Michigan  has swell gift ideas, many related to architecture in Chicago, but others with broader appeal plus loads of stocking stuffers.

Of particular punch are the newly arrived jumbo watches by S.T.A.M.P.S. with a great graphic design sense (see photo at left).  Apparently the dial can be used alone as a small wall or desk clock or on one's wrist, more or less like a stamp.  All this style for $48, including the watch band.  Other watches may be of some interest.  They're generally more serious.

Also new is the book, "Richard Nickel's Chicago" by Richard Cahan and Michael Williams, complete with 250 photographs.  You may know that Nickel died in the rubble of the Chicago Stock Exchange, ironically while on one of his missions to catalog fine Chicago buildings before they were demolished.

The Archicenter at the same address is headquarters for fine tours of the city, exhibitions and educational programs for children.

Chicago Architectural Foundation, 224 S. Michigan, 312.922.3432.

That's it for this year but chicagoTips hopes you have a fine holiday season.

More Holiday Shopping

shopping

Drag out your sense of humor, useful during this holiday melee, and head to one of my favorite stores, Uncle Fun on Belmont.

You'll find all kinds of treasures, from a small book, Taxi Driver Wisdom to a packet of  10 (anti) George Bush bumper stickers, or your choice of bendable Simpsons, all at $5. 

If you missed the opera "Nixon in China" last year or didn't, you'll want to grab the irresistible booklet of "Richard M. Nixon and his Family" paper dolls.  Other paper doll choices too.  Look up to the ceiling for the oversize traditional sock monkey toy.

Toward the back of the shop there's always a swell collection of out of print art and art related books as well as some carefully chosen children's titles.   I found a thick origami tome for my grandson and noted a Leger art book, "New Design Miami", "Art Cuba" (from Abrams) and "Arte Latino," all at low prices.  Also "50 Favorite Furnishings by Frank Lloyd Wright."

I hope someone I know reads this and buys me one of those cool Mexican wrestler masks (see photo).  There's an assortment of styles at $22;  one could build a collection on the spot.

Tons of stocking stuffers too, such as the shower cap emblazoned with discreet images of raw meat, perfect for my Argentinian daughter-in-law.

Don't panic at the unusual environment, but look around carefully.  Staff is pleasant, funny and helpful.

Uncle Fun is at 1338 W. Belmont.  773.477.8223.  Check out Southport to the north for parking if there's none on Belmont.

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While you're in the neighborhood, check out African Safari Imports at 3705 Broadway, festively adorned with holiday lights in an otherwise dull neighborhood.  The pleasant owner who has lived in the U.S. for some time offers a potpourri of items from all over Africa.  I spotted a handsome banner from Burkina Faso (see photo) priced under $100 and an impressive assortment of heavily beaded Yoruba tribal headdresses from Nigeria with three dimensional bird motifs, see photo at right.

The owner has lived here for about 15 years and paints when things are quiet, converting the shop into a makeshift studio.  You can view some spare landscapes on the wall in back that he says are reminiscent  of his former homeland.

There's jewelry, fabric, handbags, clothing, small gifts, etc. here and a range of tribal music CD's that you're not likely to find easily elsewhere.

African Safari Imports, 3705 N. Broadway, 549.2744.

Holiday Shopping

shopping

I'm a dedicated shopper so I wouldn't consider leaving you in the lurch at holiday time.  This year the offerings will be added piecemeal.  I plan to include  items for men, women and children.  Since our household is pet free you'll have to find these things on your own.  When I've finished "shopping", I'll let you know.

An intriguing place with a wide variety of possibilities is P.O.S.H.  They carry dishes and vintage silver and many, many accoutrements relating to serving food and beverages.  Some are reproductions of vintage items and there are originals and "flea market finds" to check out too.  I liked the tiny worn looking silver Xmas ornaments one could wear on a ribbon or yield to a tree.

Lisa, the store manager deserves a rave.  She's one of the most pleasant and helpful people I've encountered in many, many years of shopping.  She knows everything about P.O.S.H.'s merchandise, no kidding.  Ask her the significance of the name., P.O.S.H.

The store has commissioned Chicago dinnerware, made of heavy-duty commercial china in white with the skyline in black.  Pieces include dinner (shown in photo), salad and appetizer plates, soup and cereal bowls and mugs.  You can purchase all six pieces for $55 or buy them individually.

There's a bin of reproduction antique maps from far away places which sell for just $5 and would look great framed. (Bring Paris to your Francophile!)

A collection of vintage French pastis bottles are $40 each, (see photo).  Pastis is a decendent of absinthe, now banned in France.  Both  have anise flavor.   After  WWI  pastis replaced absinthe.  It is sweet and has a lower alcohol content.  The custom was to  put some  liqueur in a glass and pour ice cold water  (from  these cool  old bottles) over a sugar cube suspended by an absinthe spoon,  sweetening and diluting  the pastis  (or absinthe).

P.O.S.H. is at 613 N. State in the historic Tree Studios Building. Hours: M-Sat 10AM-7PM;  Sun 11AM-5PM.  312.280.1602.

Artist Gifts Abound! 12/10 Fair At Architectural Artifacts

current calendar, shopping

It's your one-shot chance to snag some very special artist made gifts for the holidays.  This Sunday from 10AM to 5PM about 60 artists will participate in a brand new fair in the vast space of Architectural Artifacts at 4325 N. Ravenswood. (It's being held concurrently with A A's annual sale but the two events aren't affiliated).

This sale hasn't been publicized in Time Out  so  you might have a shopper's advantage.  This is a juried show, meaning quality will be high and imported items will be excluded.  Craftspeople will be right there to chat about their work which includes jewelry, accessories, ceramics, fiber, paper, wearables, paintings and lots more.

Additionally a silent auction of donated items from each participant will fund the purchase of  a permanent public sculpture for the playground at Holstein Park.  Maria Mariotini, the event co-ordinator  promises that the sculpture will be so child-friendly that kids will be able to climb all over it.

My friend Sara Julsrud, a talented fiber artist will be showing her work at the fair, including handmade felt scarves and bracelets pictured above.

The Holiday Show at Architectural Artifacts, this Sunday, 12/10 from 10AM til 5PM, 4325 N. Ravenswood.  773.263.5882.

Wood Street Gallery Holiday Bazaar

current calendar, shopping

This weekend's  bazaar is guaranteed to feature high quality work.  The 17 artists and craftsmen are all seasoned veterans and were carefully chosen to participate.  The gallery space is worth a trip on its own.  It all begins Friday, December 1 at 5PM, continuing til 9.  Saturday, December 2 hours are from 10AM til 6PM.

Among the items offered are furniture and accessories made from pencils, (see Sue Lowenberg's pencil topped table at left), handmade felt accessories, a wide assortment of unusual jewelry, inexpensive silk scarves, lamps made from vintage tin containers, clothing, original designer handbags and more, more, more.

Wood Street Gallery is at 1239 N. Wood St.  Admission is free but leave your credit card behind;  it's cash or checks only.  If you need additional info., call 773.227.6757.

Art Institute Students' Holiday Sale Begins 11/16

current calendar, shopping

Every year students of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago hold a holiday sale, featuring original works:  paintings, sculpture, photographs, prints and drawings, ceramics, jewelry, fashion accessories and designs from handmade paper.

This year the event will take place in the ballroom of the building at 112 S. Michigan, roughly across from the Art Institute itself.  Tickets for the opening night on November 16 from 5:30 to 8:30 are $40 in advance or $50 at the door.  They are available at Ticketmaster or phone 312.629.6880 for info.

The sale continues on Friday the 17th from 11AM-7PM, and Saturday the 18th from 10AM-5PM when admission is free.

Shown is a photo of a ceramic plate I bought at this sale many years ago.  I still use it  frequently.

Holiday Art Sale of theSchool of the Art Institute, MacLean Center ballroom, 112 S. Michigan

La Brea Bread from LA In Chicago Now

food and drink, shopping

I insist that my bread is crusty on the outside and I'm fanatic about this.  One of the first bakeries to go national with distribution of artisan par baked bread, which is bread that is partially baked and then finished at the point of sale, is La Brea Bakery of L.A. You can barely tell the difference between this and bread fresh from the oven.

The great news is that this bread is readily available at local Jewel stores.  From years of experience seaching for good bread I was astonished to find it in an actual supermarket, the usual home of squishy crusts.

My favorite is a whole grain loaf which is especially delicious toasted, but there are other varieties available; sourdough baguettes, roasted garlic, a pecan cranberry combo, ciabatta loaf, French and a few more.  There's a display that looks like this one and the bread is, of course, baked fresh daily.

I take my choice to the deli counter where they graciously slice it.  Then I wrap it in heavy foil and a freezer bag and freeze what I'm not using immediately.  This way I'm ready for any dinner guest without a special bread foray and I can reheat what I need in a 425 degree oven for about 15 minutes.

These breads are reasonable, mostly under $4.  My only complaint is that often they're out of the bread I want.  A morning trip is advised for the best selection.  If we all start buying these great breads perhaps management will clue in to the greater market potential.

La Brea Bakery products at your local Jewel.