Chicago

I will be the first to say I love carbs- glorious carbs. But as we all know, that takes it’s toll on you. When my friend told me she lost 85 lbs. from eating at Protein Bar, a new chain in the Loop I knew I had to try this mystical place for myself. If food existed that-gasp-was healthy and didn’t taste healthy, these guys were on to something.

After anxiously awaiting, no stalking the Next website, facebook page and twitter for hints at opening dates, menus or any sneak peak for almost a year now, when master chef Grant Achatz and partner Nick Kokonas of Alinea fame announced last week on his social networks that tickets for the highly anticipated Next Restaurant would be released 500 at a time per hour in the order you signed up for the notification list (now closed to the public), foodies were sent into what can be described as nothing less than a complete frenzy. With close to 19,000 on the pre-order list, and no set date or time of when sales would begin, the chaos began as people obsessively refreshed their email servers waiting for the magical message inviting you to request a password.

With a culinary landscape second to none, new gems pop up faster than we can indulge. Check out these fantastic new hotspots from the land to the sea as the the charcuterie trend and oyster bars burn up the Chicago dining scene.

In light of the recent earthquake and tsunami in Japan, Peninsula Hotels has launched HOPE for JAPAN, a haute fundraising effort that involves each Peninsula across the U.S. and Asia. The initiative has shown that the company has remained true to its values as a family owned business with respect for the community at large. […]

High fashion meets high tea on the Royal Wedding Day on Friday, April 29 at 3:00 pm at Four Seasons Hotel Chicago with “Crumpets and Couture” – an afternoon tea and fashion show featuring the collections of London retailers Karen Millen and soon-to-open L.K.Bennett (the first store to open in the States, of which Kate Middleton is a fan). If you missed the 4:30 am live broadcast of the Royal Wedding, the fashion tea will feature coverage of the Royal Wedding festivities and nuptials on large flat screens in Seasons restaurant on the 7th level.

While pizza by the slice is certainly not what Chicago’s known for (as you can’t exactly get a single serving of deep dish), when push comes to shove, we can give New York style a run for their money when we have to. NYC, eat your heart out. Literally.

If dressing up in super-tight clothes and contorting your body into the shape of a pretzel in a 105-degree room is your idea of fun, then you know that Bikram yoga is hot—literally. But the sport is also one of the coolest fitness crazes to hit America in a generation. Chicago in particular has taken to hot yoga in a big way.

Like knives? Feeling salty? As Bravo’s Top Chef comes off of another intense season, Flavour Gallery, the recently launched men and women’s fashionable clothing line specially designed with foodies in mind, is calling all aspiring chefs and fashionistas as they kick off the Flavour Gallery “Chef of the Month” contest starting April 1, 2011. Enter your best recipe for a chance to win a Flavour Gallery “Bundle of Joy” featuring any one-of-a-kind customized t-shirts, tanks, hoodies, and accessories of your choice such as the popular Knives, Salt, Le Boeuf, or Colazione Del Contadino off the shoulder tee, a reusable Farmers’ Market Bag, and a limited edition Flavour Gallery “old school” reporter’s memo pad.

Chicago's legendary #23 will return to the city this summer to open his steakhouse. The restaurant rumored to be in the works over a year ago was caboshed due to a failed real estate deal. The new location inside the InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile will occupy the second floor dining room and first floor lobby bar space, replacing both Zest restaurant and The Lobby Bar. Construction is set to begin soon and opening is set for the summer.

Brunch returns to deca RESTAURANT in masterful fashion on Sunday, April 10th celebrating the 2011 Masters Golf Tournament. Tee-off the day in deca (located at The Ritz-Carlton Chicago, a Four Seasons Hotel), with fairways of festive fare.

On Saturday, April 2, guests can join Chicago Prime Steakhouse as owner Andy-John Kalkounos and Dr. Ken Ender, President of Harper Community College, watch their alma maters, Butler University and Virginia Commonwealth University battle for a Final Four win. To make things interesting, the two men decided on a friendly “Labor Wager” with the whole city as witnesses. 

“When Andy-John and I realized our alma maters were facing off, we couldn’t resist turning it into an opportunity to support students in their education,” Dr. Ender said. “It’s the best kind of bet: Harper wins big either way.”

Sprinkles celebrates the kick-off for the Chicago Cubs season with a special Red Velvet Cupcake adorned with the Cubs logo to benefit Chicago Cubs Charities. On April 2 from 4-6 pm, Starlin Castro will be on hand with Sprinkles owner Charles Nelson serving up smiles and taking orders.