Summer Kick Off! Wells Street Art Fest, Forno Rosso Pizzeria, Pub Royale.
Summer seems like it's finally here! So let's celebrate! Here are some fun and delicious ways to spend these warm days and nights... Click HERE to listen to my full radio segment on 101-WKQX.
Wells Street Art Festival/Old Town Art Fair
So my personal belief is that the Wells Street Art Festival uses "art" as an excuse to throw the best damn street festival of the entire year. Yes they have a ton of awesome art vendors...but usually people have had too much to drink to actually know good art from bad art... which could be a huge positive for the vendors. "Make more money with drunk customers!" Regardless, It's just a damn good time. Tons of awesome beer, tons of great food (street vendors and participating restaurants), and tons of loud live music. Oh, and I guess tons of art. This year, the headliner on Sat night is 16 Candles cover band, always a blast with them! This is the best way to kick off summer in Chi! It takes place all weekend on Wells St. between Division and North Ave.
Me with my girlfriends, Katie Stenson and Jaclyn Swartz, at Wells. St. Art Fest 2 years ago
Wells St. Art Festival- OLD TOWN
Forno Rosso Pizzeria
Forno Rosso Pizzeria is one of the best authentic Italian pizza joints in the city. The owner, Nick Nitti, actually studied the art of how to make the perfect Pizza Napoletana in Italy. Let me tell ya, he learned a thing or two. The pizza reminds me of all of my favorite pizza I ate in Italy. They even have pizza Capriciossa which was my FAVE in Italy... it has artichokes, olives, mushrooms, prosciutto, and I always add a sunny-side up egg in the middle. But all of their creations are authentic and delicious coming out of their wood fire brick oven.
Breakfast pizza courtesy of Forno Rosso Pizzeria's Instagram
But NOW, they serve brunch at their Randolph/West Loop location! And this isn't your typical brunch. Imagine everything coming right out of Italy...and right out of a brick oven. They have a breakfast pizza served with fior di latte, baby asparagus, grape tomatoes, pecorino romano, and 2 cage free eggs. They also have wood fired pancakes served with marscapone and cherries! Yum. And one of my favorites, uova (egg) in purgaturio (spicy san marzano tomato sauce). Make sure you check it out next time you want brunch in the West Loop! Sundays only.
Wood fired brunch pancakes- courtesy of Forno Rosso pizzeria Instagram
Forno Rosso Pizzeria- WEST LOOP- 1048 W. Randolph
Pub Royale
I may have to go out on a limb and say that Pub Royale is the coolest spot in Wicker Park. And that's saying a lot since this neighborhood is oozing with hipster coolness. Pub Royale has a dark English Pub vibe, but they throw you a huge curve ball when you find out that they have an Indian Inspired menu. And the food is GOOD. It's a slightly modern/shared plates take on Indian cuisine, and nothing is intimidating in case you're an Indian food novice. Try the samosas, the butter chicken, and the chicken tikka kati roll... oh and the badass selection of craft beers.
Samosas- courtesy of Pub Royale's Instagram
Pub Royale- WICKER PARK- 2049 W. Division St.