HP Daily Blog

Kids aged from 4-10 years old, adn their parents, will really this Botanic Garden program… Examine the cacao tree and learn how bitter beans make delicious desserts. Better yet, kids will take home chocolate mint and chocolate pepper plants.  Who knew there was a Frango Mint plant?!?!?! 

Cost:  $20/child ($3 discount for members). Reserve your spot at the link below:

February 6 – 9:30am-11:00am OR 1:00-2:30pm

February 13th – 9:30am-11:00am OR 1:00 – 2:30 pm

The HP Park District Centennial Ice Arena is offering to improve your ice skating skills.  For $15/15 minutes, a professional staff member will help you ace your routine or assist you in not injuring yourself as you play goon in your next Tanya Harding moment. 

Whatever the case, at a Buck a Minute, it may be worth getting a professional opinion…

Do you enjoy eating while it’s still light outside?  Below zero not-withstanding, Lincolnshire Gourmet delivers with a rousing 4pm offering.  A 3-course, Early Bird Special available daily from 4-6pm for $19.  Here’s how it works:

First Course
Cup of Soup or Caesar Salad (up to 8 soups daily – including the sensational Roasted Cauliflower Soup)

Second Course
Grecian Hanger Steak (the grecians are known for their steak hanging)
Chicken Vesuvio (erupts with deliciousness)
Blackened Talapia (poor fishy)
Gourmet Burger (and trimmings)
OR Any Sandwich, Salad or Wrap

Third Course
Stuffed Strawberries
Scoop of Ice Cream or Gelato

A lovely 3-course meal with the bonus of being home in time for the 5pm news… Enjoy!

In memory of the late Chef David, and as a fundraising event for his family, Bluegrass Restaurant in Highland Park is hosting a Bayou Wine Feast.  Four top Creole chefs are flying in to cook for the event – which includes hand picked wines to accompany go-to Mardi Gras seafood fare. 

February 8th 2010 – 6pm Reception – 6:30 Dinner

100 dollars per person   RSVP  ASAP @ 847-831-0595 as space is limited

Yummy Bowl is hosting a Chinese New Year concert and celebration on January 29 and 30th (Friday and Saturday).   It’s the Year of the Tiger and in past years, the concert has included traditional dancing and music and a fabulous spread of Chinese food.  Approximately $30/person and reservations are a MUST!

Reserve your spot by calling:   847-266-8880 .

NY Slices turns the restaurant over to the kids come Tuesdays after 5pm.  That’s when children make their own 8″ pizzas.  If you don’t have ‘em, it may be worth adopting a couple anklebiters simply for Tuesday nights, because this sounds like a blast. 

Tuesday nights – after 5pm – $6/kid including a drink…(And as a note: this drink is a soda in the NY parlance)

HP Daily Blog Correspondent JG reports on Carol’s Cookies making the party a success.

“We’re short on dessert, any ideas?”  It was Christmas night and the guests were soon to arrive.  What were the chances that they’d bring dessert to plug the hole? 

“I have an idea.”  Of course, it had to be a good idea, because pretty much everything was closed given the Xmas holiday.  And Conveniently, it was a good idea “Shell sells Carol’s Cookies”.  That’s right.  Shell Gas Station – the purveyor of fine foods along Highway 41 and Park Avenue is open 24 hours and sells Carols Cookies. 

At $2.25 a cookie, 6 no-nut chocolate chip cookies were purchased – that’s 3 pounds of cookie.  The result can be summarized by 92-year old Great Grandpa Al - a sweet-tooth sufferer for his entire life.

“Have you tasted this cookie?  I’ve never had a cookie like this.”  That’s how good they are when they’re warmed up.  Even when the conversation moved past dessert, Al found a way to segue back to his new found friend with lines like “they should send these cookies to Afghanistan”.

So thank you to Carol and her Cookies for making our holiday dinner a real treat.

Tamales' Can't Miss Skirt Steak

Your ’shoot ‘em up’ at the Renaissance Theater starts in less than 45 minutes—and you haven’t eaten a thing…what to do?

Well that’s the exact scenario that HP Daily Blog correspondent EB faced…and his solution? Tamales on Central Avenue:

“Not a problem.”  That’s what the server told us when we mentioned that our movie was starting in 45 minutes. And sure enough, it wasn’t a problem.  But better than simply making the movie was dinner.  Tamales simply delivers when it comes to delicious Mexican fare.  We ordered the steak which has to rank as one of the best entrees in the City.  It comes with mango salad, salad, broccoli and potatoes.  It’s really a destination meal. 

The chicken fajita rounded out the entree.  Along with guacomole, margaritas and the bread pudding dessert – with extra caramel – we were in and out in less than 40 un-rushed minutes…and of course we grabbed some delicous Hot Tamale candies on the way out the door. 

We made it to the movie with time to spare, having eaten a delicious meal…

This Sunday, Jan. 24^th at 3pm – enjoy Ron Surace’s Strings that Swing – a complete jazz orchestra in an intimate cabaret setting that covers big band jazz music from 1920 to the present.  About Mr Surace, the Jazz Review/New York writes: “Chicago pianist and composer Surace…if he were based in NY, LA or Paris he’d be known the world ’round.”

 Conveniently, he’s playing right here in HP as part of the Community House’s 14^th Annual Jazz Series - $10/adults $5/children (under 16).   Register at 847-432-1515.

The Highland Park Community House is located at 1991 Sheridan Road in Downtown Highland Park.

Due to popular demand, the HP Historical Society Toy Train exhibit has been extended through January 31st at the Highland Park Historical Society.  See a model train in action, complete with steam coming out of the engine…And of course, what toy train exhibit would be complete without hot cocoa and cookies!

Suggested donation:  $3/pp or $8/family. Open Saturday 10-3pm, or Sunday  1-4pm.

HP Historical Society – 326 Central Avenue HP