interactiveAmy.com » life in general

Zagat Chicago Blog Hop: My Best Night Out

Amy — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 16:00:33 +0000

I’m excited to be part of the first ever Zagat Chicago Blog Hop! In honor of the 2012 Chicago Restaurants and Nightlife Survey, Zagat reached out to me to write a post about a special night out in Chicago. Just one? I’m stumped! After ten years in Chicago, I have a long list of “best nights out” cross referenced by categories including: date nights, pretty parties (aka girls night out), and family visits (and what parental visit does not entail eating out at all of your favorite places in one weekend?!) then factors like cuisine, celebrity chef and BYOB. Needless to say I have too many favorites to single out one best night – so I made a mash-up.

For starters – the foielipop at Graham Elliot! Pop Rocks are an instant flashback to my childhood, a classmate’s grandpa invented them and he spoke to our class during 4th grade invention week! A lollipop of Foie gras covered with watermelon pop rocks sets the mood for a playful night. Another bonus at Graham Elliot is the deconstructed Caesar salad with brioche Twinkie – two awesome things that you would never think could go together. Playing with your food is A-OK in my book since I love all things interactive! I rank any night spent with family and fun food among my tops, and Pop Rocks rock.

Tables full of friends, tapas and sangria are always blast. I’ve recently had a few great group dinners at Chilam Balam in Lakeview, which sources locally and serves shared Mexican with a farm fresh twist. Co-owned by Top Chef Texas contestant Chuy Valencia, it’s eclectic and offers big flavors on small plates! Some favorite bites at Chilam Balam include: seared scallops with roasted sweet potato and chorizo in a tomatillo sauce, duck breast with red peanut mole, butternut, and bacon; and for dessert chocolate chile mousse with spiced goat cheese and a sweet peanut butter empanada to top off the night. If “sharing is caring,” than I can’t think of a better place to celebrate with friends!

For my birthday dinner this year I had an awesome meal at Roots, a newcomer on Chicago’s pizza scene and a definite new favorite! So good in fact, that I returned a second time in one week (after having so much fun there with my girls my man was jealous so we came back!) Grilled salami and granny smith apples on a pizza is an incredible mix of sweet and savory. And with the rectangular shaped “quad city style” pizza, you get crust on every slice! I always love m birthday dinners, but it was especially fun to be feted at a casual kick back place, that still counts as trendy – and most importantly had two back to back great meals with my besties and my beau.

It’s your turn! Time to share your best nights out by voting for your favorite local spots in the 2012 Chicago Restaurants and Nightlife Survey, which is open until January 16^th, 2012. It’s really empowering to share your opinions where it actually counts!

But wait, there’s more: by participating in the survey, you will be eligible for either a free copy of the 2012 Chicago Restaurants and Nightlife Guide or an entry into our $500 “Night On The Town” Sweepstakes.

Not satiated yet – bounce on over to my fellow Zagat Blog Hopper’s posts to read about their favorite Chicago eating and drinking experiences:

Sill reading? Go ahead, get your vote on – if the restaurants and nightspots you select get Zagat Rated, you get bragging rights for a whole year!

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Reality Check Video Contest Deadline Extended!

Amy — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 16:41:33 +0000

Exciting news! We’ve decided to extended the Reality Check video contest until December 15th!

YAY! If you know a teen girl, please let her know that she has more time to share her reality in the Reality Check video contest, (a campaign by the Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana that I am proud to be working on!) It only takes two minutes to film your video and seconds to upload… so enter now!

Prizes include $250 gift cards from Best Buy and this phone from Motorola Mobility Foundation to be awarded to the entry that best uses Social Media in their video. The winner will receive a $250 Best Buy Gift Card AND a fun Motorola Mobility RIVAL phone ($100 value) and a very cool Bluetooth headset ($130 value)!

Just share your reality before December 15th, 2012! Grab your cell phone or video camera and show what makes you real. Follow Girl Reality Check on facebook and twitter too!

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Best Birthday Cake Ever!

Amy — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 15:23:11 +0000

Thank you Andrew J Stone and Ali Montag for surprising me with the most perfect birthday cake ever! And, THANK YOU to all of you who wished me a happy birthday this week!

Not only does this cake make me happy because I am celebrating the start of another fabulous year with friends, it is a sweet reminder of what it means to embody your personal brand. Sappy, but true.

I am wishing for another great year ahead, and am thankful for building a successful business, and most importantly living, breathing (and eating!) my personal brand.

Photo cakes are the coolest. It is so much more fun to have your face on a birthday cake than cake on your face, don’t you think?!

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Why I love facebook, and Jewish geography!

Amy — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 00:03:48 +0000

This is my favorite facebook comment thread ever!

Talk about my worlds colliding – family, teen tour and college are all connected!

Yet another reason why I love facebook, and Jewish geography!

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My Out of Office Reply

Amy — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 03:44:40 +0000

Thank you for your email. I will be out of the office on Friday, April 1st, 2011 and I will not be checking my email.

(NOTE: This is NOT an April Fools Day joke, I am really unplugging!)

I will have limited access to email and voicemail and I look forward to being in touch when

I return on Monday, April 4th.

Best,
Amy

Happy April Fools Day!

What was the best prank you’ve ever pulled off, witnessed, heard about or dreamed of…?

While I’m out of the office, enjoy these funny April Fools Day pranks! I love #3.

Way to go Rick Astley!

Have a RickRollin’ Friday!

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