Chicago Home and Lifestyles – Keeping the refrigerator clean and organized

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As a Real Estate Broker, I see refrigerators and their interiors every week. Most are in a state of disarray at best, and a smelly mess at worst. Even in the most upscale homes and neighborhoods, you’ll find refrigerators that leave a lot to be desired in the way of cleanliness and smell. I think we’re all so busy today that the refrigerator, along with the oven are the last thought in the kitchen. With a little work we can keep the fridge smelling clean and looking organized. 

If you haven’t done so, you’ll need to start out with a big clean up. I do this twice a year. Take out everything, shelves and any other removable parts. Wash all interior parts in hot water and dish soap. Set on towels to air dry. Wipe down the interior with the same dish water. Sprinkle baking soda on any tough spots, wet and wipe away in a minute or two. Replace all the parts. Wipe down any bottles, jars or containers with warm water and a cloth and put them back in the fridge.

Every month you can get away with a quick wipe down of the shelves as you fill up or empty the refrigerator. A damp paper towel is usually sufficient for this. I also check expiration dates every couple of weeks to weed out any old condiments and such. Check out what you have in your fridge and how often you use the items. A condiment that you haven’t used in a year, may just be taking up space. Using small bins in the refrigerator is the best organizing tool I can think of. Group like items together; such as single snack packs for the children. Group similar condiments together. Keep seldom used ones in the back.  Use your drawers too. I find using one of these drawers is sufficient for my produce; as I only buy what’s needed. Wrap your produce properly after prepping. Google the proper way to wash and store fresh veggies. Use other drawers for juices, seltzers and pop. Shallow bins can be stacked. Be careful to always keep any uncooked meats together and always on the lower levels of the fridge to prevent cross-contamination. Keep acrylic containers on hand to hold defrosting meat.

Of course, all this cleaning and organization really starts with your shopping habits. Create a list and review what you have in the refrigerator before you add to the list. Resist the temptation to over buy. It is not a bargain if you buy more than you can eat or store and half of the purchase winds up in the trash. 

Kathleen Weaver-Zech and Dean’s Team Chicago

Ideas For Closet Organization

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A chaotic closet is a recipe for disaster when you’re trying to get ready. But a nice, organized one can help ensure you’re on time for any occasion with an outfit that’s sure to impress. These organization tips and ideas can help!

If you are lacking space or hangers, start with getting rid of or storing rarely used items. Typically, many clothing items are seasonal. Save space by vacuum sealing these items and putting them in the garage or under a bed until the season comes around.

If you have enough space, adding a small dresser inside your closet is a great idea for storing items that don’t require hanging, such as socks, undergarments, swimsuits or trunks. This will vastly reduce the clutter.

Use divider hangers to separate different types of clothes. This will make it much easier to find certain items and will give you a framework to keep your clothes in order after laundry day.

Utilize all walls and vertical spaces in your closet. Hang your hats, belts, and more on the walls by using wall hangers or nails. If you don’t want to risk potential damage, you can also buy an over-the-door organizer that has pockets for socks, shirts, shoes, or small items.

Lastly, integrate bins and baskets into your closet organization to make sure every item has its place. These come in various sizes and styles to fit any shelf and help conceal items that you may need to put away quickly and easily.

THIS WEEKEND IN CHICAGO – Holiday Weekend Means End of Summer!

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It’s Labor Day Weekend which usually means the end of summer.  However, according to the calendar we still have three weeks left!  So let’s make the most of our remaining summer weekends!!

Celebrating its 14th mouth-watering year, the Roscoe Village Burger Fest returns to Belmont and Damen Avenues this Saturday and Sunday (11 a.m.-10 p.m.).  Come prepared to taste grilled creations from at least a dozen local restaurants that go to extraordinary lengths to impress all the burger aficionados out there.  Don’t forget to vote for your favorite since the most popular burger of the weekend will earn this year’s visitor’s choice award!  In addition, there are two stages of rockin’ music, arts & crafts, and an action-packed Kids Zone area that makes this a wildly popular Windy City fest!!

The month of September kicks off with a brand-new event.  The ARC Music Festival 2021 will take over Union Park (1501 W. Randolph St.) in the West Loop this Labor Day weekend, celebrating Chicago’s house music roots and welcoming an international lineup of dance music artists.  This festival will also extend far beyond the music.  Attendees can expect curated production elements and art to guide them between each of the four immersive stage environments!  Plus, attendees will be able to enjoy food from local chefs and aftershows at various venues like Radius and Prysm!!

Four special evenings at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park (201 E. Randolph St.) in The Loop will honor music born and innovated in Chicago.  As part of Chicago In Tune, DCASE presents new and re-imagined programs in place of this year’s Gospel music, Jazz, House, and Blues festivals.  This Saturday’s special evening (5:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m.) will present a re imagined Chicago Jazz Festival featuring Ari Brown, Marquis Hill and Lizz Wright!

Looking to set sail on one of Chicago’s famous boat cruises this Labor Day weekend?  Here are a few cruises happening on the Chicago River and Lake Michigan:

Though it typically takes place in May, this year’s Bike the Drive is scheduled for this Sunday at 5:30 a.m. and is celebrating its 20th year.  The recently renamed Jean Baptiste Point DuSable Lake Shore Drive will be completely closed to cars for 4.5 hours stretching from Bryn Mawr Avenue on the city’s North Side to the Museum of Science and Industry on the South Side.  Ride as little or as much of the 30-mile course as you’d like and then enjoy a post-ride festival in Grant Park!  Bike rentals are available, if you don’t have a bike.  Not only is this event a great way to reconnect with family and friends but all proceeds will support the Active Transportation Alliance (non-profit organization) that works to improve conditions for pedestrians and cyclists throughout the city!!

Enjoy Your Labor Day Weekend!

Sue Moss and Dean’s Team Chicago

CHICAGO NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS: Roscoe Village, Chicago Loop, Gold Coast, Lakeview

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Labor Day may mark the unofficial end of summer, but you’d never know it from the remarkable array of activities in Chicago. Enjoy the days with a slew of amazing summer festivals and events!

A Labor Day tradition returns!  Who makes Chicago’s Best Burger? Taste and judge the creations of a dozen Chicago eateries at the Roscoe Village Burger Fest, at Belmont & Damen for a mouth-watering Labor Day weekend Friday, September 3- Sunday, September 5. Far more than a burger fest, the streets of Roscoe Village are alive with two stages of rockin’ music, arts & crafts and the action-packed “Kids Zone” ‘Guests even have the opportunity to vote for Chicago’s Best Burger! A $10 suggested fest donation benefits the programs and services of the Lakeview Roscoe Village Chamber of Commerce.

The City of Chicago presents a special evening of Gospel music on Friday, September 3, as part of the City’s ‘Chicago in Tune’ series at Millennium Park from 5:30–8:30pm. Hosted by Jonathan McReynolds and Inspiration 1390’s Sonya Blakey and DeAndre Patterson — the program includes a special award to producer Sasha Daltonn and feature LaShon Brown; a celebratory music tribute to Rev. Dr. Clay Evans, Pastor Maceo Woods, Bishop Willie James Campbell and ArchBishop Lucius Hall featuring The Carson Sisters, Nicole Harris, and Illiana Torres.

The annual Chicago Jazz Fest is a Chicago institution, but in lieu of the four-day event, Chicago in Tune, along with the Jazz Institute, presents a free night of jazz in Millennium Park on Saturday, September 4, 5:30–8:30 pm, featuring Ari Brown, Marquis Hill and Lizz Wright. Featured performer Ari Brown is a composer, arranger, tenor saxophonist, pianist and educator. He has performed with many music greats including Anthony Braxton, Muhal Richard Abrams, Lou Rawls, B.B. King, Chuck Berry, Elvin Jones, Andrew White, Della Reese and Billy Eckstein.

Travel the 30-mile loop of the newly renamed Jean Baptiste du Sable Lake Shore Drive on Sunday, September 5 at Chicago’s annual Bike the Drive. All ages and skill levels are welcome. You can start the ride anytime between 5:30am and 9:30am, but organizers recommend starting no later than 7:00am to get the most out of your time on the Drive. Regardless of vaccination status, participants must wear a mask in the festival & rest stops and whenever you can’t maintain a distance of 6 feet from others. Admittance to a post–ride festival with food, live music and fun activities for kids is included in the admission price of $18 kids, $60 adults. Meet at Butler Field, 235 S. Columbus Drive, Chicago..

Hey, Pitchfork Music Festival fans! Prepare for the 2021 festival with the Pitchfork Music Film Series, at the Music Box Theatre, 3733 N. Southport Ave, Chicago, from  Monday,  September 6 (Labor Day) to Wednesday, September 8. Pitchfork and the Music Box showcase some of our most beloved music films, presented with extraordinary guests in conversation with Pitchfork editors. Films include ’20 Feet from Stardom’  with special guest Jamila Woods at 7pm. Ahead of the screening, Jamila will be in conversation with celebrated journalist and Pitchfork contributor Adrienne Samuel Gibbs. All Wilco fans will enjoy ‘I am Trying to Break Your Heart’ with Special Guest Glenn Kotche, Tuesday, September 7th at 7pm. On Wednesday, September 8, the 20th Anniversary of ‘Josie and the Pussycats’ will be celebrated with co-director and writers Deborah Kaplan and Harry Elfont,  with Pitchfork Staff Writer Quinn Moreland. Tickets are $15 apiece for each movie. 

Alison Moran and Dean’s Team Chicago

LE COLONIAL RESTAURANT

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Le Colonial, Chicago’s famed Vietnamese restaurant on the Gold Coast, describes itself as “a celebration of the seductive spirit and vivid flavors of 1920’s French Colonial Southeast Asia. Opened in 1996, Le Colonial moved from its Rush Street location of over 20 years to a new location on Oak Street in 2019.

Heralded as “an escapist’s paradise,” complete with palm trees, Le Colonial has a dining room, an all-season terrace overlooking Oak Street, a bar/lounge, and The Monkey Parlour, a private dining room with seating for up to 12 guests. An Open Table reviewer said, “The ambiance and decor reminded us of Raffles in Angkor Wat Cambodia or the Foreign Correspondents Club in Vietnam. Beautiful!!!”

Vietnamese cuisine has been described, as being “all about the yin and yang; the sweet and the salty, the cooling and the warming, the fresh and the fermented.” You can see this fusion in their All-Day Menu, which includes Small Plates like their Bo Bia–chilled vegetable rolls. carrots, jicama, cage-free eggs, shiitake mushrooms, aromatic herbs, and a peanut plum dipping sauce. Or a Banh Uot–sesame beef steamed rice crêpes, with grilled sesame beef, rolled in flat rice noodles; cucumber, lettuce, basil, & lime garlic sauce. Chao Tom is grilled shrimp wrapped around sugar cane, rice noodles, mint, cilantro, lettuce, and peanut plum dipping sauce.

Soups & Salads offer the opportunity to try Pho Bo Hanoi Beef Noodle Soup, which combines seasoned oxtail broth, rice noodles, scallions, bean sprouts, cilantro, and beef tenderloin. Or, for a lighter touch, try Goi Ngo Sen- a salad of lotus root, organic tofu, cucumber, and tomato, with a chili lime soy dressing. Goi Bun So pairs seared sea scallops, garlic egg & rice noodles, and lime vinaigrette.

For larger appetites, there are Large Plates, including Ca Hoi Nuong, which pairs roasted miso-glazed Scottish salmon (served medium rare) with shiitake mushrooms, baby bok choy, coconut lobster broth, and annato oil. Bo Luc Lac, also known as shaking beef, is a caramelized filet mignon, served with Valverdi Farm greens, watercress, sweet onions, and lime pepper vinaigrette. 

For a different take on red snapper, Le Colonial’s signature dish is Ca Chien Saigon- a crispy whole red snapper with a spicy, lightly sweet garlic glaze. Many reviewers on Open Table proclaimed it “The best in Chicago!”

Lunches are prix-fixe works of art, from noon-3:45 daily. Start with a traditional Pho, chilled vegetable rolls, or a Banh Cuon- Hanoi steamed rice crêpes, with chicken & wood ear mushrooms, rolled in flat rice noodles, with bean sprouts & Nuoc Cham sauce. Follow it up with Le Colonial’s Banh Hoi Thit Nuong- a thinly sliced & grilled barbecued beef short rib, vermicelli rice noodles, with Nuoc Cham Sauce. Or choose a Mi Xao Don Chay- a vegetable stir-fry with crispy egg noodles, wok-seared leafy greens, pea pods, shiitake mushrooms, organic tofu, and soy ginger sauce.

Following lunch, Le Colonial hosts a Social Hour in The Lounge, Monday – Friday from 3 pm to 6 pm. They offer a variety of light bites and specialty cocktails, including a lychee martini, or a selection of wine and beers, which could be paired with such delicacies as Cha Gio- crispy rice paper rolls of shrimp, pork & Asian mushrooms, mint, cilantro & chili lime dipping sauce. 

Le Colonial is located at 57 E Oak St, Chicago, IL 6061, and is open daily from 12 pm-10 pm. Reservations are highly recommended. For more information, click here.

Alison Moran and Dean’s Team Chicago

Chicago Home and Lifestyles – You can succeed at “Small Talk”

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Offices are opening up and many are now required to work in-office as opposed to remotely. This may prove to be a challenge for those who have gotten used to communicating via Zoom. This can be especially true for introverts. The art of small talk is a skill that even the most accomplished have trouble with. However, it is a necessary skill to have in today’s business world. Whether around the conference table before a meeting or at a business cocktail party; you’ll want to hone in on this skill. Avoid the following mistakes to ensure your small talk is top tier.

First, never assume no one wants to talk to you. People, especially now, are eager to make a connection. I know many of us feel very shy; but if possible think of the other person, as opposed to thinking of yourself. Think that you are doing a service. After months with so little interaction, we need the small talk. 

Do not try to start a conversation without something to say. If you see someone lost in thought, ask if it’s ok to talk to them. Make sure to have a formed sentence or comment ready when they answer in the affirmative. A simple “How do you like being back in the office?” or “I’m so glad to be out of the house” will give a comfortable opportunity for someone to respond.

Do not barge in. Wait for a lull in an existing conversation to enter. When you have someone’s attention, you can offer your thoughts. Also be aware of your spacing, especially now. No one is expecting six feet but do not stand too close. 

Stay away from controversial subjects. It is hard to do that now with so much of our daily lives tied up in the pandemic. It seems, unfortunately, what is a public health crisis has thrown us all into two or more camps that only care to hear what they want. So, keep it light. 

Do not be hard to understand or follow. Those of us who speak many languages can speak slower and try to enunciate carefully. Those of us who only speak English, should also speak clearly and avoid slang expressions that others may not understand. If you are asked what you do for a living, do not take five minutes to answer. Have a simple two or three sentence explanation. 

Be aware if you are getting too personal. There is a saying that people love to talk about themselves, and this is generally true, but if you get the sense your questions are not particularly welcome, back off a bit. Perhaps ask them if they have been out to any restaurants or what was their favorite new pastime during quarantine.

Do give all your attention, don’t waste peoples time. Maintain eye contact. Put your phone on silent and put it away for a bit. Don’t look over their shoulder as if you need to be rescued. Be present. 

Some people view small talk as insincere or an old-fashioned nicety. But every friendship or business deal begins with an initial conversation. No, it may not have been profound but at least you made a connection.

Kathleen Weaver-Zech and Dean’s Team Chicago

Tips For Hanging A Large Painting

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Found a stunning, large painting to perfectly complement your home? It’s important to follow a few rules of thumb while hanging it to maintain the integrity of your wall and your painting.

The weight of your painting is the key factor in determining the proper hanging method, so before you start hammering nails or finding studs, weigh your painting on a scale and note the weight. If your painting weighs less than five pounds, you can simply use adhesive wall hooks or mounting tape to hang it. You don’t have to make any holes in your wall or use any nails for paintings of this size.

Paintings that weigh between five and twenty pounds should be hung with a drywall anchor. You don’t need to find a stud to install these anchors and all you’ll need is a drill to make a couple holes in your drywall.

If you want to hang a painting that weighs between 20 and 50 pounds, you will need to find a stud in your wall. The stud is another name for the wooden frame of your wall, which is the strongest part. After you find your stud, you can use a thin metal nail to hang paintings up to 20 pounds or you can use a threaded wooden screw for paintings up to 50 pounds. You can also opt for hanging hooks as an alternative.

The safest way to hang paintings over 50 pounds is to use a rail-cable. These large metal cables can be attached to rails on the ceiling to hang paintings up to 300 pounds.

By following these guidelines, you’ll have your new piece of art displayed beautifully in your home in no time!

THIS WEEKEND IN CHICAGO – Is Summer Melting Away?!?!

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Summer seems to be slowly melting away from us as it’s already the final weekend of August.  However, that doesn’t mean we have to accept it. In fact, there’s still a variety of ways to make what’s left of our summer weekends memorable!

Returning for its 31st year, Taste of Greektownis the city’s largest celebration of Hellenic cuisine and culture taking place along Halsted Street between Adams and Van Buren Streets this Saturday and Sunday (12 p.m.-10 p.m.).  Enjoy authentic Greek cuisine like feta, tzatziki, roasted chicken, gyros, and more signature Mediterranean dishes cooked by some of the neighborhood’s most beloved restaurants.  Then stick around for performances from lively Greek bands, dance troupes, local musicians, and The Jesse White Tumblers.  There’s even a gyro eating contest!  OPA!!

Celebrating its 8th year, the Edgewater Arts Festival 2021 will take place at 1100 W. Granville Avenue in the Edgewater neighborhood on Saturday and Sunday (11 a.m.-7 p.m.).  Spend the weekend exploring art from over 70 artists booths in all mediums; from photography to painting to sculptures to jewelry and more.  Then catch amazing live performances by great cover and original bands at the festival’s Beer Garden stage.  Plus, this year’s family area will feature “The School of Rock” stage with many interactive and safe activities for kids and their families!

Hitting the streets of the West Loop neighborhood for its 8th year is Motoblot.  This urban moto street festival will be a jam-packed weekend featuring two live music stages, four blocks of vendors, a motorcycle and car show, the Motoblot pin-up contest, the Ace High VIP Lounge, and many signature highlights only found at this event.  It’s a Motorcycle and Hot Rod Street rally not to be missed!

Join the friendly Gladstone Park neighborhood at its 5th annual pre-Labor Day Throwback Music Fest on Milwaukee Avenue between Elston and Peterson Avenues this Saturday (11 a.m.-10:30 p.m.) and Sunday (11 a.m.-9 p.m.).  Enjoy cool tunes from the ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s performed live by local artists.  In addition, there’s also great food, arts & crafts, kids’ activities, a vintage car display, a pet parade, and a cool Miss Throwback contest.  It’s time to get retro!

It’s one part horror convention and one-part dark arts – The Oddities and Curiosities Expo takes place at McCormick Place Convention Center (2301 S. King Dr.) in the South Loop this Saturday (10 a.m.-6 p.m.).  This expo features over 150 local/national vendors and small businesses showcasing taxidermy, original horror and Halloween-inspired artwork, antiques, handcrafted oddities, and much more.  Plus, you can have a true carnival sideshow experience at the expo’s Freak Show ($5) and gaze upon many real wonders of nature with your very own eyes!

Quench your thirst at Brookfield Zoo’s 10th annual unique beer-tasting event ZooBrew this Saturday (12 p.m.-7:30 p.m.) sponsored by Hop Valley.  Enjoy 3-ounce samplings from a selection of over 80 beers, lagers, and ales.  Designated driver tickets are also available for unlimited soft drinks.  All tickets include commemorative swag and admission to the zoo.  Photo ID is required upon entry.  Enjoy a day of bears and beers, lions and lagers, anteaters and ales!

Sue Moss and Dean’s Team Chicago

Community News

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It’s the e last weekend in August, and our city remains committed to summer fun and festivals! Among the many options this weekend:

Rom-Com Thursdays at Navy Pier asks an age-old question…Can men and women really be friends? Come find out at Water Flicks’ free screening of “When Harry Met Sally,” starring Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal, on Thursday, August 26 at 6:30pm at the Lake Stage in Polk Bros Park at Navy Pier. You’ll leave saying “I’ll have what she’s having!” Masks are required. Also, closed captioning (CC) will be available. Times and schedule are subject to change.

Lincoln Park Zoo is known for family-friendly outings nearly every day of the year, but once a year, it’s the adults’ turn! On Thursday, August 26, the Zoo hosts ‘Adults Night Out: Summer Block Party’ from 6:30 pm – 10:00 pm. The 18+ event invites you to celebrate block-party style among wildlife and gardens! Activities Includes a classic grill-out with burgers, veggie burgers, and more, Hopscotch, Four Square, and chalk art at Foreman Pavilion, Cornhole, foosball, and giant Jenga, music, and much more! Tickets are $35 each.

Free rides on the AT&T Endangered Species CarouselFor more than 30 years, the Bucktown Arts Fest, held Saturday, August 28 and Sunday, August 29 from 9 am to 6 pm at Holstein Park 2200 N Oakley Ave, has been a neighborhood tradition and one of Chicago’s premier arts festivals, showcasing close to 200 juried artists who work in oil, watercolor, photography, textile, sculpture, jewelry, and so much more! The fest showcases old textures, animals and vintage design elements. Combine that with music and performances, interactive theater, food, beer & wine! ll proceeds from the Fest go to fund, develop, and support arts education programming at Holstein Park and in Bucktown classrooms. 

“On State Street, that great street, l just wanna say!” Come see what Frank Sinatra once sang about at ‘Sundays on State,’ a free, interactive city-wide block party, where you and your friends and family can safely enjoy art, culture, active recreation, shopping, food, drinks, and local attractions. On Sunday, August 29, from 11 am-8 pm, Chicago’s most iconic street closes to traffic from Lake to Madison, transforming into an open street market full of surprises. This Sunday, you can participate in a live mural painting, learn to bellydance with a professional bellydancer, receive business and life coaching from area executives, dance to the music of the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s and so much more! Click here for Sunday’s schedule!

Preview the upcoming Lyric Opera season during ‘Sundays in the Park with the Lyric’s Rising Stars’ this Sunday at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion at Millennium Park! This free performance features the Lyric Opera Orchestra will feature such rising talents as tenor Martin Luther Clark and soprano Mathilda Edge. The Lyric’s new music director, Enrique Mazzola, conducts a program that includes excerpts from Verdi’s Macbeth, Mozart’s The Magic Flute and Puccini’s Tosca. Bring a picnic dinner and blanket with you to witness an amazing evening! The first 2,000 people in attendance will receive free Lyric swag! The concert is part of Chicago In Tune, a citywide festival celebrating our city’s legendary music community.

Alison Moran and Dean’s Team Chicago

Restaurant Review – Osteria Rusticana

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One restaurant providing a touch of Sicily to the culture and arts mecca that is Wicker Park is OsteriaRusticana, whose owners promise to invoke “a welcoming atmosphere and flavorful menu, inviting sunshine, sea-kissed beaches, abundant farmlands, and a rich, long-standing food culture, infused with the unique and special tastes and fragrances only found on this beloved Italian island.” 

Osteria Rusticana has garnered rave reviews, with a near-perfect 4.7/5-star rating on Google. One particularly laudatory review reads, in part, “If you see a rating less than 5 stars on this place, this is probably from somebody who hates America and freedom and therefore cannot be trusted.”

Another reviewer says, “I only review The Best of the Best, and these are trying times to say the least. Whether you pick up, eat in, or have it delivered, you will not be disappointed.”

The best words to describe the food at Osteria Rusticana are ‘abbunnanzza divertimentu.’ In Sicilian, it means ‘abundant pleasure!’

Several unique starters are amply portioned and great for sharing, including the Arancini di Riso, which combines saffron rice balls with Sicilian meat ragout, and another filled with seasonal vegetables and fontina cheese, or a Polpette in Salsa di Ciliegino: beef, ricotta and zucchini meatballs in ciliegino tomato sauce. For a lighter start, there’s an Insalata Pantesca— Heirloom tomatoes, novelle potatoes, onions, capers and olives in a zesty lemon dressing, or an Insalata Mediterranea, integrating Hearts of romaine with grape tomatoes, red bell pepper, zucchini and cucumber in Sicilian olive oil. 

And then…there’s the pasta. Osteria Rusticana offers a wide variety of ancient Sicilian grains, including timilia, russello, perciasacchi, and gluten-free options such as taggliatelle, rigatoni, and fusilli. Favorite entrees include Gnocchi al Pesto Trapanese, which pairs whole handcrafted gnocchi in roasted almond-basil pesto sauce. Rigatoni al Ragu Siciliano is a Russello rigatoni with Sicilian meat sauce ragu. One specialty mentioned by several reviewers is the Tagliatelle Rusticana, combining handcrafted tagliatelle, sausages, rapini (broccoli rabe), grape tomatoes, and seasonal mushrooms in a white wine sauce. Or the Cavatelli alla Norma, which has Perciasacchi cavatelli, diced eggplant and ricotta salata in a tomato sauce. Another unique entrée is Paccheri in Salsa di Pistacchio–paccheri, Tiger prawns, zucchini and grape tomatoes in Sicilian-Bronte pistachio sauce.

Other entrees include Vitello alla Contadina, a tasty combination of pounded veal, seasonal mushrooms, artichokes, diced asparagus and peas in au jus, and Bistecca ai Ferri- a grilled, center-cut NY strip, sautéed mushrooms served with sage potatoes. 

All entrees can be paired with the restaurant’s selection of fine Italian wines and beers, or a specialty cocktail crafted to your specifications.

The perfect meal always ends with the perfect dessert. Selections include a highly rated tiramisu, panna cotta or fruit sorbet. Pistachio Tiramisu is a variation on the classic, and Semifreddo Nutella is a rich, chocolate/hazelnut mousse. You can pair your dessert with an expansive selection of cappuccinos and expressos for a maximum Sicilian experience!

A wide variety of pizzas are available for takeout and delivery only.

Osteria Rusticana is located at 2114 W Division St, Chicago, IL 60622, and is open Monday-Thursday 5–9 pm, Friday & Saturday, 5-10 pm, and Sunday, 5-8 pm. Reservations are recommended. More information is available here.

Alison Moran and Dean’s Team Chicago