I love Chicago! There is never a dull moment and so many fascinating people, restaurants and parties to attend! And in no time, the Olympics will be here (hopefully!) and everyone will be trying to move to our incredible town! Well, we got here first, thank goodness and here’s what’s been going on….
I wrote about Sunda’s opening in a recent blog but hadn’t had a chance to go there yet myself. We went for one of a series of soft openings and who should I see first, but my friend from Bentley-Lamborghini Gold Coast, Jason Neagu! He is Sunda’s manager and also works at the dealership during the day. This is one hard-working and NICE guy! The restaurant is beautiful—very Asian in flavor with lots of dramatic lighting and a great wrap-around bar. The food is very reasonably priced—which is key right now in this economy—and very diverse and tasty. Some of the offerings include honey-ginger braised shortribs, Malay style Chilean seabass, lemongrass beef lollipops, “Devil’s Basket” (wok tossed crispy soft shell crabs with shallot, scallions and garlic), Thai fried chicken and an incredible selection of designer sushi. One of the most popular is “No You Didn’t! The Ultimate Handroll” (crab, shrimp tempura, salmon, spicy tuna, dynamite)….Whew….There is also a wonderful dessert--deep-fried banana “pie” fritters!! Prices start at $4 for the salted edamame up to $34 for the filet Tobanyaki (pickled wasabi butter, peppers and onions). Photos from top right: Toni Canada, Heather Farley, Jennifer Hamood and Liz Kolosa; Sunda manager Jason Neagu; Iko, a superior server at Sunda; Sunda's Scorpion Roll (softshell crab, tempura shrimp, avocado, asparagus and spicy mayo); me and Billy Dec. For more photos from this event, click here!
We also went to The Publican the other evening, which is Donnie Madia’s latest restaurant. Donnie's other restaurants include Blackbird and Avec and they are all sparsely modern in style and atmosphere. The night we went with our friends Nadine and Ira Epstein, the place was packed. The booths are entered through a pair of wooden doors which gives a very intimate feel but also doesn’t allow the serving staff to see when the table needs clearing—a small glitch which I’m sure will be improved upon down the road. The menu includes such tasty items as halibut with pistachios, lemon and mint ($14), Basque fish stew ($21), cassoulet (lamb, pork confit and Toulouse sausage-$16) and pork country ribs with polenta and asparagus ($20). There is also a very diverse oyster selection as well as appetizing sides. There are community tables as well as booths which I think are crying out for votive candles on the tables but then that’s just me, I’m a hopeless romantic. Photos from top right: inside The Publican; Nadine and Ira Epstein; The Publican's Dover sole.
Well, some young ladies have cake for their birthday parties and then other lucky people like Corinne Melchior have one of the major stars of the Joffrey Ballet conduct a dance class for her and her friends. That teacher was the handsome, 6’6”, 27-year-old principal dancer, Fabrice Calmels!! It was an evening of memories as we all diligently listened and tried to learn steps from the master Fabrice. He had unlimited patience and charm and if you haven’t seen him in any of the Joffrey productions, then you’re missing history in the making. Fabrice was born and raised in France where he began ballet training at the age of three. In 1991, he entered the prestigious, 300-year-old Paris Opera School which he says was basically a boarding school that he attended for 10 years. He moved to New York in 1998 and danced with the ABT as well as the Pennsylvania and Boston Ballet companies. The Joffrey Ballet, then under artistic director Gerald Arpino, hired Fabrice the day before 9/11. At this point in time, the Joffrey was stressed and Fabrice got stuck in Paris because of red tape with his visa. Not one to miss an opportunity, he joined the Lido de Paris and shortly thereafter the Joffrey beckoned again and this time he was able to answer the call. Fabrice says, “Dancing is like a personal escape. It’s a way to get away from life’s drama; you’re taken away and you can finally breathe. It’s peaceful--it’s a relief.” And it’s a BIG relief for us that he is here with our very own Joffrey Ballet! What a wonderful birthday party, Corinne!!!! I was honored to be a part of it! Other lucky guests included her loving mother Helen Melchior, Ann Waters (in a darling ballerina outfit), Margie Habermann, Amelia Silva, Christopher Conway, Jonathan Ryan, Ana Ernst and Laura Silva. If you want more Fabrice in your life (and why wouldn’t you?!), be sure to make plans to see Fabrice as Othello in the Joffrey Ballet’s Legends series from April 29th through May 10th. Photos from top left: Corinne Melchior and Fabrice Calmels; Fabrice instructing his "students"; Fabrice as Othello in the Joffrey's upcoming Legends series; Fabrice and Bonnie Letkeman. For more photos of Fabrice, click here!
The Baton Show Lounge celebrated its 40th anniversary in grand style on March 18th with a one-of-a-kind celebration. The show was as exciting as ever thanks to the wonderful choreography by Harrison McEldowney. Jim Flint, a native of Peoria, opened the club in March 1969 using beer crates with plywood as a stage. Now it has become famous across the globe as presenting the best of the best through the years in the art of female impersonation. Janet Jackson said of her first visit, “The first time I went to the Baton in Chicago, I told my female dancers they’re giving so much femininity and we look like boys onstage.” Other celebs who have enjoyed the shows through the years include Joan Crawford, Sammy Davis Jr., Carol Channing, Dinah Shore, Kirk Douglas, Robert Wagner, Stephanie Powers, Lauren Bacall, Shirley MacClaine, Joan Rivers, Madonna, Tim Curry, Chris Farley, Dennis Rodman, Gayle Sayers and Jimmy Connors. There were lots of familiar faces at this invitation-only event including Scot Sauer, John Gerald, Art Friedman, Jimmy Rittenberg, Greg Hyder, Hazel Barr, John Regas, Rodolfo Zavala, Craig Hogan, David Hudspeth, Mercedes (Miss Continental Plus), Kyle Ross, Robbie Ham, Denis Sabol, Eric Gorczya, Cole Stolman and Chrissy Rybarczyk. And another congrats to Baton owner Jim Flint for all that he does for the community (and on his anniversary!). If you haven't been to the Baton Club yet - or have been and want to go again - show times are Wednesday through Sunday at 8:30 p.m., 10:30 p.m. and 12:30 a.m. and reservations are required. Photos from top left: Mistress of Ceremonies Ginger Grant with Baton Club owner Jim Flint; Maya Douglas; Rodolfo Zavala, Greg Hyder and Craig Hogan; Maya Douglas; Sherri Payne; Ginger Grant; Scot Sauer and John Gerald; Jimmy Rittenberg and friend; Hazel Barr and John Regas; me and Jim Flint. Click here for more photos from this event and click here for a slideshow!
Lulu’s at the Belle Kay was the sight of a private shopping party hosted by Victoria Lautman of NPR and Chicago magazine's “Writers on Record.” Laurie Davis, LuLu’s owner, finds the most incredible vintage clothing, shoes, hats, jewelry and handbags and is a well-known fixture on the social scene around town. If you haven't visited this jewel at 3862 N. Lincoln then you're missing a shopping experience you won't soon forget! Guests included Carrie Lannon, Victoria Espy Burns, Melissa Weber, Jessica Diamond, Beth Loeb, Michelle Edwards, Lynn Lockwood Murphy, Nina Winston, Julie Shelton, Cioia Diliberto, Erika Bartelstein and Ruth Lednicer. Photos from top right: party host Victoria Lautman; LuLu's owner Laurie Davis with Julie Shelton; Carrie Lannon. For more photos from this event, click here!
I didn’t have the space in my last blog to tell you about the latest TRENDS I spotted in South Beach so here is the “hot” list!
1) Multiple mini bracelets. They can be in any price range but I’ve seen multiples of the enamel ones from Hermes and they’re so chic worn together with a fabulous Eres bathing suit!
2) Mismatched bikini tops and bottoms— girls by the beach and at the pools were all into mixing and matching and it looked so fresh.
3) Shortest of shorts! This is a trend that is CERTAINLY not for everyone but then I’m just the reporter!
4) Man bags—the most popular being the Damier pattern by Louis Vuitton
5) BIG earrings—for day and night…
6) Patio dresses during the day. These long, flowing dresses look especially nice worn poolside.
7) Havaiana flip-flops—a must have in Miami.
8) Dinosaur Designs bangles—these resin bracelets come in all sizes and colors.
9) Chrome Hearts silver jewelry on all of the young guys—a great look with a suntan.
...but in my world, I live by the motto “Cheap is the new black!!!” Photos from top left: Rihanna in a mismatched bikini; a LV Damier pattern man bag; Havaianas flip flops; Dinosaur Designs resin bangles.
And now I want to leave you with one of my favorite hostess gift ideas—Caron Powder Puffs! I found them in Paris years ago at the Caron Perfume Store but now you can buy them here. They come in two sizes—small ($45) and large ($75). They are the ultimate in body powder luxury and once you use one, you will never turn back. And they come in the most beautiful pale sherbet-colored shades. They’re available at Phyto Universe. Just heavenly!! :) Photo: Caron Powder Puffs.
I hope you’ve enjoyed the latest Candid Candace! Please check in next time and enjoy your week!
Love,
Candace :)
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