Hidden Gems

Treat yourself at Marché
One area I intend on exploring more of in the near future is the near West Loop’s Warehouse District, primarily streets like Fulton Market and Randolph, where plenty of restaurants, bars and lounges lie just beyond the reach of those of us who don’t work downtown.

We commuters often see them as we’re passing by on the Kennedy, but when it’s time for making reservations, we sometimes lack creativity and stick with what we know on the North Side.

Well, things may have changed, as I recently was introduced to Marché (833 W. Randolph) and enjoyed one of the best meals I’ve had in years.

The atmosphere was vibrant, with rich colors, creative decorations (reds and yellows, large mirrors, thick velvet curtains, people painted on the walls) and soft music beats, but it wasn’t too overwhelming or loud and would make a perfect date spot, as it’s very conducive to conversation.

Our waitress was extremely attentive and knowledgeable about the food, pointing us in the right direction on more than one occasion.

And as if you needed more of a reason to check it out, they have a pre-set $25 deal on Mondays and Wednesdays that includes an appetizer, an entrée and a dessert. Try finding a similar offer from another upscale (yet inviting) French restaurant in the city.

I highly recommend the lamb shank, served with sour cream-and-chive whipped potatoes and vegetables, as well as the grilled grouper over a bed of risotto and shrimp. The lamb is so tender, it practically falls off the bone.

Also worthy of mention is the adult macaroni and a shrimp combination served in a butter sauce with green beans, tomatoes and mushrooms.

The cheesy French onion soup may very well be the best ever created and is worth the trip on its own, and the “Beautiful soup,” a creamy asparagus and walnut creation with melted cheese is also noteworthy.

Desserts are taken seriously at Marché, so be prepared to have a tough time making a decision. The homemade ice cream and the flourless chocolate cake will not disappoint.

Reservations are highly recommended on Mondays and Wednesdays, as well as the weekends. Call (312) 226-8399.

— Trent Modglin

 

Lakeshore Theater is going to comedy
The Lakeshore Theater (3175 N. Broadway) is going in a new direction, featuring the country’s top, edgy comedians. Initial engagements include Julia Sweeney, Doug Stanhope, Mike Birbiglia, Maria Bamford and Scott Capurro. Paul Provenza, director of “The Aristocrats” is serving as the theater’s advisor.

The initial engagement of their new series will be the critically acclaimed tongue-in-cheek comedy show “The Marijuana-logues,” exploring the fact and fiction of cannabis and back by popular demand, having sold out the 338-seat theater in its previous visit last year.

Catch the buzz as writers and performers Arj Barker, Doug Benson and Tony Camin riff on the rites and rituals of pot and regale the crowd with the highs and lows of marijuana. The Marijuana-logues sets herb center stage, delving into fact and fiction, myths and misnomers alike. Not since the ’60s has this “taboo” topic been explored in such an insightful and hilarious fashion.

The show will run March 28 – April 1.

Another of the upcoming engagements will be the hit comedy about two quirky and IQ-challenged “The Idiots.”

The modern-day interpretation of the classic film starring and written by Craig Anton and Ron Lynch, it’s a look into the lives of the two sons of Watson and Crick, the scientists who discovered DNA. True to the title, the sons, who have created a brotherly bond in their youth, attempt to perform their own scientific research, following in their fathers’ famous footsteps, but lacking one key ingredient — intelligence.

The show runs April 11 and 12 at 8 p.m.

Also taking part in the revamped scene at the Lakeshore Theater is former “Saturday Night Live” comedian Julia Sweeny, performing her one-woman play “Letting Go of God.” Sweeney, well known as playing the androgynous character “Pat” on SNL in the early 1990s, has found success as a playwright, using her life experiences as fuel for her hilarious, yet inspiring and sentimental monologues. In her latest show, Sweeney humorously describes her conversion from Catholicism to atheism following her brother’s tragic early death. The show will run April 13 and April 14 at 7 p.m.

Tickets for all shows are available by calling the Lakeshore box office at 773-472-3492 or by visiting www.lakeshoretheater.com.

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