April 2008 Archives

I've always been a firm believer in the theory that if you can't be original with your birthday party venues make the birthday party itself unique and fun. Kids like the same stuff, gyms, playgrounds, bouncy castles, and any old thing they have done a million times before. For that reason, we did Chase's birthday at My Gym on 1880 W Fullerton. It was a race car theme, we got the cake at Cakegirls ($200.00), a little expensive, but certainly worth the wow factor. Not only was it the most beautiful cake I've ever seen, but it tasted so delicious, not too sweet and unnatural, just homemade. I only did Pizza Hut for the kids; however, I had one of my staff members come in and roll sushi for the adults ($200.00). It didn't occur to me that a sushi chef would be a great commodity until someone called me after the party asking to hire my "Sushi Chef". Anyway, I passed the work onto him and I will put his information at the bottom of this entry so anyone that wants to can contact him.  The goody bags were my favorite part. Everyone got a race car cookie, made by "Cookies by Kay" ($3.00/cookie) She makes her own cookie cutters, which means she can pretty much do anything. The party was a huge success and people are still talking about it!

Important Information

Cake
Cakegirls
(773) 404-3147 (call early!)
2207 W Belmont
Chicago
www.thecakegirls.com

Friendly Staff

Tuesday through Saturday 9 am to 5 pm

 
Sushi Chef
James Whiddon
(940) 206-6666
jwhiddon@gmail.com

Goody Bags
Cookies By Kay, Inc.
Kay Vanasco
(312) 622-0113
cookies@cookiesbykay.com
www.cookiesbykay.com

I just gave birth to my beautiful baby Gabby in January of this year. The birth has been particularly hard on my three year old son Chase. I planned a "special day" for Chase on Saturday. Steve took Ethan and Gabby to soccer and Chase and I headed off to Toast Restaurant in Bucktown for an early brunch. I've never had an extremely friendly reception there when I have brought kids but it is so close to my house, sometimes it is too convenient to pass up. We had a pleasant brunch until the end when Chase took a little extra time to eat his pancakes. The hostess came up to me and said "do you know when you will be finished? I have a seven top that needs to sit down right now." I then pointed to my son who was still clearly eating. When the hostess noticed that I was a little miffed (that is not very good restaurant etiquette) she came over and apologized. She then followed her apology with "When you come to a busy restaurant on a Saturday, there is only a limited amount of time you should eat." I paid the bill, picked up my son and marched out, upset and irritated.

 

We were having dinner in the Clark Street area on Sunday. It was such a beautiful night, we decided to walk over to Molly's Cupcakes and have dessert. Molly's is the latest of the new batch of cupcake bakeries popping up around Chicago. My husband and I shared the Red Velvet ($2.00) and the Ron Bennington ($3.75), a chocolate cupcake filled with peanut butter chocolate cream, topped with dark chocolate ganache, chocolate chips, butterscotch chips and Butterfinger crumbles. Ethan had a chocolate mini ($1.00) and Chase had a vanilla mini ($1.00). The cupcakes were moist and delicious. Like Sweet Mandy B's, Molly's is very kid friendly (toys and games are on the table), and has a colorful atmosphere with a "sprinkle station" and wooden playground swings hanging from the ceiling.

Another one of my favorite places is Cupcakes on Briar Street, although it is geared towards an adult crowd. They have interesting flavors like Chocolate Merlot ($2.50) and Earl Grey Truffle ($3.50).

Swirlz on Belden appears to be kid friendly at first glance, but the cupcakes fall short. All of my mommy friends agree, the cake is too dry and there is not enough frosting, which is the only part of the cupcake Chase eats!

Molly's was the best of the bakeries. It is satisfying to both kids and adults--something the other cupcake places in Chicago have failed to achieve. I ended up ordering 30 minis for Chase's birthday party, which is a big deal for me because I always make my own cupcakes for my kid's parties.

Important Information

Kid friendly Picks:

Molly's Cupcakes

(773) 883-7220
2536 N Clark
Chicago
www.mollyscupcakes.com

No Highchairs

Friendly Staff

Closed Monday through the spring
Tuesday-Thursday 8 am-10 pm
Friday-Saturday 8 am-midnight
Sunday 8 am-10 pm

Sweet Mandy B's
(773) 244-1174
1208 W Webster Ave
Chicago

Highchairs Available

Friendly Staff

Sunday-Thursday 8 am-9 pm
Friday-Saturday 8 am-10 pm

Not so Kid Friendly, but great:

Cupcakes
(866) 525-0817
613 W. Briar Pl.
Chicago
www.chicagocupcakes.com

Monday 10am - 3pm
Tuesday-Friday 10am-7pm
Saturday 10am-6pm
Closed on Sundays.

 

 

It's been over ten years since I moved to Chicago from New York City. It has taken me almost all of that time to find thin crust pizza of equal caliber. Ironically, Santullo's is situated next to Piece Brewery & Pizzeria, one of the most critically acclaimed pizzeria's in the City. It has been the leading authority on thin crust and is so big that it is difficult to notice the tastier Santullo's right next door. The only people that love Santullo's more than my husband and I are our kids. There is something for everyone. Steve, my husband, loves the pizza ($3.25 per slice). I love the House Salad ($3.25 for a small) and the Mozzarella-Tomato-Pesto Sandwich ($5.95). Ethan, my five year old, loves the Spaghetti & Meatballs ($5.95). Chase, my three year old, loves the requisite Macaroni and Cheese (Regular $2.00). My newborn, Gabby can cry as much as she wants and nobody stares!

 

Important Information:

Santullo's Eatery
(773) 227-7960
1943 W. North Ave
chicago
www.santullos.com

Highchairs Available

Friendly Staff

Sunday through Wednesday 11 am to 11 pm
Thursday 11 am to midnight
Friday and Saturday 11 am to 3 am
Delivering 7 days a week 11 am to 10 pm