Chicago's My Kind of Party Town

We usually talk about fabulous ideas for entertaining at home but this fall we're also going to talk about great parties on the road. If you really want to have some fun, book your flight to Chicago immediately! The stars are aligning. The weather is almost perfect. The Cubbies need 12 to clinch. The magic number is 16 for thre White Sox. The Bears will be at home  September 21 and that's when the real party starts. Or stops---depending on if you have a game ticket or not. BIg controversy. Anyway, the whole town is buzzing--- the bars, restaurants, and sidewalks are packed. Everyone wants to park it by a TV to watch the game if they're not lucky enough to have tickets. There's a party vibe in Chicago and I'm sooooo homesick (I consider Chicago my second home) hearing about all of the fun! OK, if that's not enough to start hitting the cheap ticket sites to look for fares, how about the shopping? Fall fashions are in the stores and the weather's just right to break out that new sweater or awesome boots you've been dying to wear. If you're lucky enough to be heading to Chicago-- here's a few "can't miss" favorites for food, drinks, and fun! Save me a seat; we'll be up there in October with fingers crossed for the playoffs!

The Favs:

Best Party Spot: Wrigley Field, of course!

Worst Party Spot in Chicago? The parking lot at Soldier Field on game day once the game starts. A new NFL rule puts a damper on game day fun by essentially shutting down tailgate parties once the game starts unless fans actually have a game ticket. Duh. The party police have fans really ticked.

Best Party Sponsored by the City: Check out Millennium Park. Everything---- including the concerts are free. Amazing architecture, art exhibits, sculpture, parks, events, and more make this one of Chicago's finest accomplishments.

Favorite Chicago Beef: Mr. Beef on Orleans-- get it with sweet peppers-- there are Chicago beefs and then there is the one and only Mr. Beef. Don't miss it! Put the peppers on the side so the bread doesn't get too soaked if you're taking out.

Favorite Place for Breakfast: Toast on Webster and Halsted-- You may have to wait on a table-- do it! Their  French toast with marscapone cheese--- yummmmm. Incredible Eggs Benedict. And terrific bacon. Love the bacon! It is always packed and once you go there, you'll know why.

Favorite Outdoor Dining: North Pond in Lincoln Park for romantic. The patio at Toppo Gigio on Wells in Old Town for kind of neighborhood-y Italian. Love the rigatoni. For people watching: Any sidewalk in the Viagra triangle where Gibson's, Tavern on Rush and Luxbar collide.  All good.

Best Pizza: Lou Malnati's for deep dish Chicago-style

Before the Game: While Cubby Bear and Murphy's Bleachers are traditions, grab some pre-game food and drinks at Bar Louie. even if it is a big chain now.

Before/during/apres' shopping: RL Love the mussels.Love the lobster club. Decadent with applewood smoked bacon.

Best Bloody Mary: A tie. If you like yours hot, try Ditka's. It's so good, you can buy the mix in stores. If you prefer yours peppery-- they rim the glass with a sea salt and pepper mixture at Bistro 110.

Best Steakhouse: I vote for The Saloon. There are lots of incredible Chicago steakhouses--- but I hold a special regard for the Cowboy cut and their creamed spinach. Full of flavor and totally worth the calories and the cholesterol.

What about sweets? Grab a seat in the window at Bistro 110 and order the creme brulee. Crack the warm carmelized sugar top and the inside is sweet, creamy, and cold. Make sure to have a glass of champagne with it. I have to give an honorable mention to the incredible chocolate bar at the Peninsula Hotel. OMG. And speaking of---

Best Hotel Bar (and best hotel): The bar at the Peninsula Hotel. Top martinis and old school classics.

Best Burger: The Plaza at Park Grill at Millennium Park. Mostly for the burger, partly for the scenery. Get it with the award winning fries. You have to. For an over the top taste, add the Herkimer cheddar and the applewood bacon. Turn a date on to this burger--- and he'll marry you (or the burger) ---it is that good.

Best Ribs: Twin Anchors. Hands down. You might recognize this place from that movie where Minnie Driver got a heart transplant from her new boyfriend's dead wife. I think Archie Bunker was the grandfather in the movie--- anyway, it's not Alabama BBQ but is pretty close.

Best Chicago Beer: Goose Island, of course. I just picked up a case of their latest seasonal release,  Harvest Ale when I was there a couple of weeks ago.

Favorite Mexican:-Upscale: Salpicon. Wooonderful food and a great selection of boutique tequilas give it the edge over the Bayless restaurants.

Favorite Mexican: Just because I know my friend Clifton will make fun of me---and they do have the  best chips and salsa--- Uncle Julio's!! The scene of many a party and waaayy too many swirly frozen margaritas!

Last but not least, best party planner AND award winning party girl-- Lori Stephenson of LoLa Event Productions.

Party on, Chicago!

Update on Monday, September 15, 2008 at 3:09AM by Martie Duncan

Holy Cow! Carlos Zambrano throws a no hitter against the Astros-- the first one for the Cubs in 30 something years! The magic number is down to 7!

Martie's Pomegranate Lemonade

I love PAMA-- pamegranate liquor! This deliciously intoxicating elixir is one of my summer favs--- we mix a pitcher of Pink Pama Lemonade almost every weekend. It's my own concoction and super simple. Just a couple of ingredients. Here's the recipe: In a shaker mix 5 ounces FRESH squeezed lemonade. (Don't bother if you're going to use the carton stuff.) Add one ounce PAMA and one ounce Absolut Citron. Add ice, shake, and pour into a glass filled with ice and lemon slices. Delish! I'm working on my favorite fall cocktail--- something perfect for tailgating or to drink while watching the incredible sunsets down on the bay. It has to be orange-- the color of the late summer afternoon sky. Stay tuned! Check out more PAMA drinks and recipes on their website.

Jeremy and Nedra's Rehearsal Dinner

Friends Scott and Cam's son Jeremy got married last night. The day before the wedding, I helped Cam implement her party plan for their after rehearsal dinner--- a casual shrimp boil on the lake.  The party was touching tribute complete with speeches and sentimental moments--- a perfect kick-off for a busy wedding weekend.

Cam created a casual yet elegant setting which allowed the perfect opportunity for everyone to relax. Take a look at some of the ideas Cam used and steal some of them for your next party! See more photos of the party in the photo gallery.

Congratulations Jeremy and Nedra! Best wishes for a happy and healthy life together.

Backyard Olympics Party

A new Martie Party update! Since the Olympics start this Friday, we decided to hold our own backyard Olympics party to  cheer on Michael Phelps, Dara Torres, Jenny Finch, Jason Kidd,  Venus and Serena Williams and other members of  TEAM USA competing for gold in Beijing. Check out the party pics by the ever fab Arden Ward of Arden Photography-- she captured the festivities. It was all-American fun--- from the hula hoop contest and biggest bubble competition to the southern fried chicken and apple pie. I made some party lanterns using plastic cups, scrapbook paper, and battery operated votives. They looked awesome when the sun went down and were super cheap, too.

Have an idea for a Fall party? Tell me about it

Party on the Dock: Grilled Shrimp, Cedar Planked Salmon, and Watermelon!

Here's a preview of my next Martie Party on MSN!

Delicious grilled fish and lots of fun at the lake! We served grilled planked salmon, grilled shrimp, scallops and  tuna steaks served with pineapple salsa. It was all so good! Take a peek! 

See more images from this party or read the how-to party article and see the slideshow on MSN now!

Thanks Catherine and Daniel!