Hidden Gems

Run to Remember 2007
On Saturday, May 5, one of the finest 5K races in Chicago will kick off at 8 a.m. in Gold Star Memorial Park, right behind Soldier Field.

It’s the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation’s Run to Remember, a race that raises money for the families of Chicago police officers who have fallen in the line of duty. The 3.1-mile route takes you up the beautiful lakeside bike path and back south past the Adler Planetarium to the finish line.

Last year, the Emerald Society bagpipes geared everyone up before the race, and the CPD helicopter unit did a fly-by as the race began.

One of the best things about this 5K is the amazing raffle that takes place afterward. You are automatically entered when you get your time chip that morning. Last year’s prizes included rooftop Cubs tickets, Sox tickets, spa days, golf packages and gift certificates to Gibsons, Stefani’s, Topo Gigio and Ditka’s. You just have to stick around after the race to claim the prizes — which isn’t hard considering that the post-race goodies are provided by sponsors like Eli’s Cheesecake, Potbelly, Connie’s Pizza, Starbucks, Vitamin Water and Naked Juice.

Registration is currently $27, and $30 on race day. Complementary parking is available at Soldier Field.

For more information, log on to www.cpdmemorial.org/run.

— Kathrn Doi

 

Three Italian favorites
This month I would like to make the fellow readers of “The Real Chicago” aware of some of the best lil’ Italian joints to try in this great city. The other night on the news, there was a little boy about 10 years old reading to Mayor Daley about why he thought the Olympic Committee should pick Chicago for the 2016 Olympics, and one of the best reasons was simply “because we have the best food!”

I loved the answer and tend to agree. Especially when it comes to Italian food! This winter, as my hubby and I were hibernating, it seemed like we had more time to go out and try some new restaurants with friends and introduce them to some of our old favorites, and we have been pleasantly surprised by some of the new “hidden gems” we have found.

The first is still our favorite, and we used to walk there when we lived in Oak Park. For you city folk who rarely leave and hate to fight traffic, this is well worth the trip! Plus you can take the Green Line there! LaBella is located in the heart of Oak Park off the “L” and is a cozy, upscale restaurant with some of the best foods in this area. Some of the favorite dishes are the linguini in clam sauce, lobster ravioli, eight-finger cavatelli and, by far the best dish, the shrimp alla bella! We always go there for this dish after a long trip, and it seems to be the one thing we crave throughout the years.

LaBella Pasteria
1103 South Boulevard, Oak Park, IL.
(708) 524-0044

Next up is Filippo’s Ristorante on Clybourn, just north of Webster. Another quaint little restaurant with homemade pasta that tastes like you are getting it from Italy! We have only been a few times, but every meal is delicious and almost as good as Rosebud on Taylor (the only Rosebud that matters!). Bold statement, I know, but Rosebud is no hidden gem, and prices at Filippo’s are under $15 a plate and they offer very generous portions! Some favorites are the ravioli annarella, rigatoni napoletana and the pollo valdostana. Everything there is great, including the service. Very eclectic, not too fancy, and a great date place. The Webster Place theater is kiddy-corner from this, and Flounders is a great place for a beer a few doors down. Don’t forget dessert at this place either. The tiramisu is out of this world!

Filippo’s Ristorante
2211 N. Clybourn
(773) 528-2211

One last recommendation for a real tiny hidden gem is La Gondola. My friend introduced us to this for our monthly “Girls Night Out,” and she found it when there was too long of a wait a restaurant nearby. This place is mainly in the delivery or carry-out business and is located on Ashland in the strip mall by Jewel and Pier One Imports. It seriously looks like a pizza place on the outside. So here is the short of it: The restaurant only holds 30 people max and the service is a little slow, but the food is scrumptious — again, a good buy and huge portions. It may be better to order in from, but just wanted to share.

La Gondola
2914 N. Ashland Ave.
(773) 248-4433

— Heather Alejos

pH Productions and the Chicago Improv Festival
The Chicago Improv Festival will celebrate its 10th anniversary from April 23-29, 2007 with performances from the best in local, national and international improv and sketch artists. In the last 10 years, the Chicago Improv Festival has become the biggest, most prestigious and internationally known improv festival in the world.

pH Productions is honored to share in the production responsibilities of “The Funniest Week in Chicago.” Other CIF 10 Co-Presenters include Annoyance Productions, Chemically Imbalanced Comedy, ComedySportz Chicago, IO Comedy Theater, The Playground, Schadenfreude and The Second City.

Head out to see “Chicago Night” at Stage Left Theatre (3408 N. Sheffield Ave), co-presented by pH Productions on Wednesday, April 25.

7 p.m.: Chewties! and Stubs
8 p.m.: Pimprov and Duchess
9 p.m.: Dirty Water and pH’s production of pHamily
Tickets are $10 per show or $15 for the entire evening. Purchase tickets through the pH Box Office at www.whatisph.com or (773)732-5450.

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