Edition: Dance All Night
Celebrity Concierge: Ted Allen
Author: Interview by Jody Robbins
The erudite, cute, slightly nerdy guy behind the black glasses is Ted Allen, of ‘Queer Eye for the Straight Guy’ fame, and he’s just finished a successful season of his new show, the Food Network’s ‘Food Detectives.’ He calls New York City home, but is clear that Chicago is, has been, and always will be, his adopted hometown.
We asked this food and wine guy, brand ambassador for Robert Mondavi Private Selection, for his perfect day: He straightened our tie, then accepted, while noting: “I’ve lived in Chicago longer than anywhere else and I feel like I’ve been taken hostage by a hostile city (NYC),” says Allen. “Every time I come back, the city just looks better and better—with the exception of your absurd sales tax.” And then he went to iron his shirt. Seriously.
11 a.m. One of the first things I do in Chicago is to visit my favorite bookstore on the planet, Unabridged Bookstore. The owners read the books themselves and tack up mini reviews on the shelves. In an era when big box bookstores are in trouble, this independent store hangs in there because of its relationship with its customers and its books.
12:30 p.m. On my show,‘Food Detectives,’ we’re into the science of food, but when I come to Chicago, I visit Rick Bayless’ Frontera Grill. I’m also into the corned beef at Manny’s deli, but isn’t everyone?
2 p.m. Whether you can afford it or not (most people can’t), visit George Greene. It’s independently owned and filled with gorgeously curated men’s wear from well known and obscure designers. I like Jake and also Apartment No. 9 (1804 N. Damen Ave., 773-395-2999).
3 p.m. Next, a quick stop at BIN 36 for a snack and a glass of wine. I love everything about that place. The food is fantastic and they come at everything from a wine education angle. Where else can you have wine with your meal, then purchase that wine from the on-site retail store?
5 p.m. When I’ve been in Chicago lately, I’ve been working, but if I could, I’d head straight to the John Hancock Center, which is extraordinary. They’re building a Skidmore, Owings and Merrill building close to our house in NYC, so I feel even more connected to the Hancock. I’m running out of time, but I have to visit the Art Institute of Chicago, as well.
6:30 p.m. After a quick trip to pick up brewing materials at The Coffee & Tea Exchange, I’d visit both the Zolla/Lieberman Gallery and the Carl Hammer Gallery. I experienced both of them recently when I was on the ‘Discover Wine with Robert Mondavi’ tour at the Gold Coast Art Fair.
8 p.m. Dinner in Chicago is such a hard choice. I’d have to think about Shawn McClain’s Green Zebra or Grant Achatz’s Alinea. Last time I was at Alinea, I had my back facing the dining room and Justin Timberlake sat down right behind me, so it was hard for anybody to concentrate on the meal. I also have a huge soft spot for Gibson’s Steakhouse, even though their desserts are ludicrous.
10:30 p.m. I have to head to Boys Town for a drink at either Sidetrack or Roscoe’s Tavern—or both. In so many cities, the gay bars are just dumpy, but these places have done it right. I also like dive bars like The Hideout and Matchbox.
Carl Hammer Gallery
740 N. Wells St., Chicago, IL 60654
New and emerging artforms have a place to call home. The Carl Hammer Gallery is one of the River North neighborhood's hottest shops for outsider art and has been since opening in 1979.
