Hidden Gems

Designers’ sample sale a big hit in Chicago, due to return soon

Christkindl Market
To really embrace the Christmas spirit in Chicago, there’s only one place you must go. The Christkindlmarket is a free event located in Daley Plaza between Washington, Clark and Dearborn. This December, it’s the top destination for finding Christmas ornaments, decorations, fine European chocolates, potato pancakes and much more. The two-week-long Christmas extravaganza attracted more than 300,000 visitors in its first year, 1996. The next year, Christkindlmarket Chicago became a four-week long event and more than 500,000 visitors came. 

According to the market’s website, “Christkindlmarket Chicago is the largest and most renowned German winter holiday market in the United States, attracting visitors from the Chicagoland area, the rest of the country and from around the world.”

Last Christmas time, I had a chance to compare my hometown version with the real one in Berlin, Germany. I was one of just 20 young American journalists participating in the Fulbright Foundation’s Berlin Capital Program, which included visits to relevant media, political, cultural and economic institutions. At night, I observed that Bill O’Reilly’s so-called “War on Christmas” certainly doesn’t exist there (or really here in Chicago, for that matter). Germany bustles with numerous ‘Weichnachtsmarkts’ (original version of the Christkindl market), which feature “1/3-meter bratwurst” instead of “foot-long hot dogs” and gluwein, a warm wine served in really cool-looking coffee cups that I had to keep as souvenirs. Both here and abroad, these events will win over even the biggest grinch this holiday season.

For market hours log on to www.christkindlmarket.com

— Paul M. Banks

Café Wicked desserts
Let me start by saying I had never been to a “dedicated” dessert restaurant before. I was on a date in Wicker Park and had just finished eating at a top-rated pizza place in Chicago. My date suggested a dessert restaurant called Café Wicked she had heard about from a friend of hers, located at 2151 W. Armitage in Bucktown. We arrived at the restaurant at 9:30 p.m. on a very cold Friday night, and it closes at 10 p.m. on Fridays. It was clear that we were going to be the last customers of the evening, so we did not get a true feel for the atmosphere, but it has seating for about 50 people.

The menu lists an assortment of cakes, cheesecakes, pies, tortes, mousse, tarts, bars, brownies, ice cream and pastries. A few sandwiches, salads and soups are also available, along with coffee. The restaurant is BYOB, which is always a nice touch. The display case houses an assortment of beautiful looking premium desserts.

As usual, I was in the mood for chocolate. To say I love chocolate would be an understatement. I ordered up a piece of Chocolate Eruption, described as “A pyramid of rich chocolate cream with a golden caramel center and studded with nuts, chocolate chips and turtle cheesecake.” Wow! Absolutely the best piece of chocolate cake I have ever had. My date ordered the “Spoon Lovin’ Chocolate,” which was the second best piece of cake I have ever tried. These two cakes were thick and very rich — desserts to be eaten slowly and savored. The staff was very kind, and a manager came by to ask if we were enjoying our slices. The owner was also there and was very friendly as well.

I would absolutely go back and would recommend Café Wicked to anyone. The desserts are a bit pricey, so know that going in. Perhaps extended hours and thinking ahead to bring a dessert wine would have made the experience even better.

— Mike Florczak

Holiday cooking class at Citizen
Risotto 101 and more! Saturday, Dec. 15, 2007 at 3:00p.m. at Citizen — 364 W. Erie Street.

A $35 class fee includes a sampling of all the recipes plus complimentary beer and wine.

Spice up your holiday menu this year with an eclectic Italian feast from Citizen’s Chef Eric Smith. Class will start with Risotto 101, then participants will learn to make Chestnut Risotto with Shaved Parmesan, Braised Pork Shoulder with Rosemary Peach Chutney and Celery Root and Sweet Potato Hash. For a sweet ending, Chef Smith will demonstrate Cherry Rhubarb Cobbler with Fiore De Late Gelato plus a Soco and Eggnog Martini. Contact Citizen for class reservations. www.citizenbar.com (312) 640-1156.

‘Marrying Terry’ at Victory Gardens
Nightingale Group presents the Chicago Equity premiere of Gregg Opelka’s New Year’s Eve romantic comedy about love and radiology, “Marrying Terry.”

During a contemporary New Year’s Eve blizzard, Chicago rare books librarian Terry Adams reserves the last room at the Drake Hotel for herself and her long-distance boyfriend, who’s flying in from Boston to propose. Thanks to a reservation mix-up, however, the room is already occupied, and the ensuing events gradually compel a workaholic, straight-arrow radiologist to take a long overdue hard look at himself, and his own wedding plans.

The play runs from Dec. 19-Jan. 26. Shows run Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 5 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. No 5 p.m. shows on Saturday, Dec. 15 and Dec. 22.

For tickets, call the Victory Gardens Greenhouse Theater box office (2257 N. Lincoln Ave) at (773) 871-3000.

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