Ox&Pen

This Sunday is the start of what is, for many, the reason March exists. Hint: it’s not a holiday that revolves around green.

It’s March Madness!

There are plenty of places in Chicago you can go to cheer on your alma mater or favorite NCAA team, but which ones will reward you for every dollar you spend on pitchers and pizza and burgers and wings?

Here’s the skinny on the bars that support some of your favorite teams, and will also give you Ox&Pen points—points that you can redeem for rewards at any merchant in the network.

Lotties Pub
Although Lotties, a Bucktown favorite, has been busy beefing up its on-screen resume as the feature bar in NBC’s Chicago Fire, they are ready for March Madness. And per usual, they’re ready for the swells of fans coming in to watch two teams in particular:

Kansas University
Owned & operated by two KU alumni, Mark Domitrovich and Dan McCarthy, Lotties definitely understands the nostalgia of the Crimson & Blue. Plus, it’s the “Official Chicago Bar of the KU Alumni Association,” so you know they can handle you and your friends decked out in school spirit.

University of Wisconsin
The Big Ten Tournament start today, oh my! But as all the Badger fans out there know, Wisconsin doesn’t play until Friday. Head to Lotties to guarantee you’ll see your game; they have loads of plasma TVs dedicated to every move of the athletes from Madtown.

The Pony
If you like Kentucky, plan to do your game-watching at The Pony, at Belmont & Ashland. Even if the Wildcats don’t win it all again this year, at least you can watch the Tournament surrounded by friendly faces.

Standard Bar & Grill
Chicageaux’s home of the LSU Tigers is at Wicker Park’s Standard Bar & Grill. Their attempt at making it to the Big Dance starts today at noon, as they take on Georgia. If you’re fortunate enough to have a decent lunch hour or two, pop over to Milwaukee Ave. and pull up a chair; the TVs will be tuned into the game.

Don’t forget to check in & submit your receipt!
Keep in mind you get points for just about any engagement with the aforementioned restaurants. Check in, share with your social networks and submit your receipt to earn Ox&Pen loyalty points.

Continue reading “Where to watch the Big Dance…” »

You know it’s January in Chicago when you’re excited about 30- and 40-degree weather. Most of your attention is focused on which layers of clothing will keep you warmest in the biting cold as you hustle from your building to the bus and again from your bus to the office. The rest of the time you’re thinking about what to make for dinner that will warm you up from the inside.

Today, take a break from your anxious cooking blog scanning to find a recipe for stews and soups, and let a professional lend a hand. Frontier‘s critically acclaimed Chef Brian Jupiter has graciously shared a page from his own recipe book for Elk Shepherd’s Pie. Warm enough for a Chicago winter, foodie enough to share with friends. Once you master the recipe, post a photo on Ox&Pen’s Facebook page and let us know how it went!

Chef Brian Jupiter's Elk Shepherd's Pie

Elk Shepherd’s Pie
Serves 5-6

Ingredients:
4 large potatoes, peeled & cubed
Salt & pepper to taste
4 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup heavy cream
2 pounds elk stew meat
1/2 teaspoon fresh rosemary, chopped
1 small onion, chopped
1/2 cup celery, chopped
1 cup carrots, diced
1 cup fresh fava beans
2 cloves fresh garlic, minced
1/2 cup red wine
1 cup beef stock
1/4 cup flour
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 cups Grafton cheddar cheese

Directions:
1. Place potatoes into a large pot and cover with salted water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until tender, about 20 minutes.

2. Drain and then mash with salt, pepper, 4 tablespoons butter and heavy cream. Set aside.

3. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

4. Heat cast iron Dutch oven pot. Add olive oil.

5. Add Elk stew meat and brown on all sides.

6. Add flour, onions, garlic, rosemary and celery. Deglaze with red wine.

7. Add beef stock and bring to a boil.

8. Reduce to simmer and cook for 1 1/2hours or until meat is fork tender. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

9. In salted boiling water, blanch carrots and fava beans until tender. Do not overcook.

10. In an oven safe dish, layer carrots and favas, then elk, mashed potatoes and cover with the Grafton cheddar.

11. Bake in preheated oven until the cheese begins to turn golden brown, about 30 minutes.

12. Serve hot.

Continue reading “Exclusive Recipe from Chef Brian Jupiter…” »

You’re in luck: Skinnie Piggy now has two locations. Long a staple on Little Italy’s Taylor Street, the boutique sweet shop recently opened up on Madison in the West Loop, much to the delight of the neighborhood’s sweet-deprived residents and professionals (ahem—these girls).

Peanut Butter Chocolate Cupcake at Skinnie Piggy

The cupcake menu at Skinnie Piggy is like a page out of my dreams; there are so many decadent options to choose from that I get decision anxiety every time I go in. Flavors include crowd-pleasing favorites like Red Velvet, German Chocolate and Vanilla as well as creative originals like Salted Caramel (salted caramel buttercream frosting on vanilla cake with salted caramel center, topped with caramel drizzle), Pina Colada (pineapple and coconut buttercream frosting on vanilla cake with pineapple chunks inside), and Lemon Drop (lemon buttercream frosting on lemon cake with lemon mousse filling and topped with homemade candied lemon zest). When I’m with Vanessa, nine times out of 10 we’ll leave with the Macon, a peanut butter cupcake filled with chocolate ganache topped with brown sugar butter cream frosting and a piece of candied bacon. Yum!

Skinnie Piggy boutique sweet shop

Great news for Ox&Pen members: Skinnie Piggy is one of the most recent local merchants to join the Ox&Pen universal loyalty network! Stop in for a treat and start earning points in Little Italy or in the West Loop today. Or, if you’re in need of some instant gratification, drop in to buy a coffee and get a free Piglet cupcake!

It gets better…
If you’re a new Ox&Pen member, head to Skinnie Piggy West Loop (940 W. Madison) on Friday, 9:00 am – 6:00 pm and claim four FREE Piglet cupcakes! Not an Ox&Pen member yet? Just download the app (for iPhone® or Android™) and we’ll see you there! Don’t delay; supplies won’t last.

Continue reading “For those of us who would gladly…” »

Lincoln Parkers, get ready. You can now earn Ox&Pen loyalty points and take advantage of sweet promotional offers right in your neighborhood!

Lincoln Station
If you live in Lincoln Park, you’re probably already well acquainted with Lincoln Station. If you like beer, you probably are as well. If you haven’t yet stopped into Lincoln Station, here’s your chance!

Located at the intersection of Lincoln, Halsted and Fullerton, this Lincoln Park hangout boasts a relaxed atmosphere, homemade American cuisine, a full service bar and a variety of amusements including pool tables, darts and HD TVs throughout the bar.

What impresses me above all, however, is the extensive beer menu at Lincoln Station. Currently, the bar has 19 beers on tap, 21 bottles and four cans, including Great Lakes Holy Moses, Three Floyds Alpha King, Ska Buster Nut Brown and Finch’s Cut Throat Pale Ale. Plus, Lincoln Station has a patio. A great selection of cold beers and an inviting patio—two key elements to doing summer in Chicago the right way!

Lincoln Park Massage
Christine Ramsey and Dr. Wyman Hall-Walker founded Hired Hands On-Site Massage Specialists 19 years ago. Hired Hands focused on bringing chair massage to corporations and full body massages to client’s homes. Together, Chris and Wyman built the largest on-site massage company in the Midwest.

In 2003, Chris and Wyman opened Lincoln Park Massage Spa on Webster just west of Lincoln, right in the heart of Lincoln Park. Ever since, they’ve been the source for massage therapy, body treatments and spa services. The spa was voted Best Massage in Chicago by Citysearch.com in 2011.

Services at Lincoln Park Massage include everything from Swedish, Deep Tissue and Couples Massages to facial massages, hot stone massage and aromatherapy sea salt glow scrubs. You deserve a treatment like this. Go visit Lincoln Park Massage; it’s your own private sanctuary in the city.

Continue reading “Popular local merchants in Lincoln Park join…” »

Great news for Bulls fans, Blackhawks fans and any lucky soul who finds himself in the West Loop – The Ogden is the latest eatery to join the Ox&Pen network! There’s also great news for those of you looking to get into shape: personal trainer Eric Pelz has also joined the network and is offering members incredible private training and boot camp promotions. Check it out:

The Ogden

If you’re on your way to or from a Bulls or Blackhawks game, The Ogden is the obvious choice for pre- or post-game revelry. But don’t just limit your visits to game days. This place is more than just a sports bar; it’s appealing for the sports fan, beer snob and foodie alike.

On tap at The Ogden

PelzFit

Scenario: alarm goes off; I hit snooze; alarm goes off again; I hit snooze; repeat sequence until I begrudgingly get out of bed with just enough time to dab on some mascara and get to work. There go the big plans I had for working out before work.

Does this sound familiar? If so, then you and I both need to check out PelzFit, and get involved with a personal training or boot camp session. Personal trainer Eric Pelz will whip you into shape, whether you’re on your own or in a group. He has been training clients in Chicago for over three years, and for private or semi-private training sessions, he’ll come to you for training in the comfort of your home or condominium gym.

The Pelz boot camps, conveniently located in Lincoln Park (one block north of LaSalle on Clark), are guaranteed to whip you into shape. There are three, four-week sessions this summer, each week packed with four days of 45-minute workouts. The Beginners Challenge will get you fit, but check out the Extreme Challenge to really sweat it out…

Are you up for the challenge?

Continue reading “A bar for the foodie sports fan,…” »

This summer, Ox&Pen wants to buy you a drink. Seriously. All members are invited to use their Ox&Pen app to redeem a promotion for a free drink at any of the following local Chicago bars:

• The Fifty/50:  Free house shot
• Roots Pizza:  Free house shot
• Witts:  Free draft beer ($6 value or less)
• Leopold:  Free draft beer ($6 value or less)
• Jefferson Tap:  Free domestic draft or Beer of the Month
• Porkchop:  Free draft PBR

If you’re not an Ox&Pen member yet, becoming one is easy! Simply download the Ox&Pen app for iPhone® or Android™ (search for “Ox&Pen”) and complete the registration process. You can also register here, but you still need to download the app to get your free drink!

Sidenote: if you’re heading out to Wells Street Art Festival, Old Town Art Festival or Rib Fest this weekend, look for Ox&Pen! We’ll be clad in purple and handing out some sweet swag. Come say hi!

Continue reading “Free drinks for Ox&Pen members!…” »

Which artist sings “My Sharona”?* Rapini, the leafy green vegetable often found in Italian dishes, is commonly referred to by what name?** Which U.S. state capitol is named for a German statesman who unified German states into a powerful German Empire?***

Ox&Pen kids do trivia at Witts

All of these questions were asked last night during trivia at Witts. Team Ox&Pen was divided into two strong teams, The Sharks and Overpromising/Underdelivering. Our massive amounts of brain power and eclectic backgrounds helped us answer most of the tough questions (thank goodness the Dutchman knew a thing or two about Otto von Bismarck). There were, however, a few that completely stumped us. Turns out Shakira is the bilingual artist with an album coming out this week, not J.Lo (what is this, amateur hour?).

Brian and Jeff proudly display The Sharks' answer sheet

Despite missing a few killer questions (and a few softballs that we should have dominated), the evening at Witts was nothing but awesome. The food was delicious (wings and sliders, yum!) and there was no shortage of cold beer options. Needless to say, I see myself racking up quite a few Ox&Pen loyalty points here.

In closing, I would like to remind everyone that Phoenix is the most populous U.S. state capitol. In case it ever comes up.

*The Knack
**Broccoli rabe
***Otto von Bismarck

Continue reading “Trivia night at Witts!…” »

Elizabeth Grace

As Chicago’s own Vince Vaughn once exclaimed with anticipation, “it’s wedding season!” This seems to be true more than ever; nearly everyone I know is getting married. Those in the market for rings and white dresses will also be in need of invitations. If you’re invitation shopping, but feel like there’s nothing out there that really reflects you, then you’re not alone. When Elizabeth Grace owner Laura Manteuffel was helping a friend pick out

wedding invitations, she was amazed at how difficult it was to find exactly what they were looking for. Armed with a graphic design background and an obsession with beautiful typography, Laura took the matter into her own hands and designed the invitations herself.

After that initial spark, she continues to create custom invitations using luxurious papers and different printing techniques, working with couples to ensure their special event is exactly what they want. Elizabeth Grace has grown to be far more than a source of personally-tailored wedding invitations. The trendy Lincoln Park boutique is filled with over 35 lines of stationery and other gifts, cards and invitations, created by talented designers Laura has admired over the years. Next time you need a card, knick or knack, make sure you stop into this shop!

Bonus: the Elizabeth Grace blog is an arsenal of insight, ideas and assistance for all things wedding, stationery and invitation related.

Dog-a-holics

When I lived on Southport, and walked past Dog-a-holics every day, I found myself wanting  a dog more than ever, if only to give myself a legitimate reason to buy the awesome dog accessories, toys, food and treats they carry. I didn’t ever make it into a dog-friendly building, so my former colleague’s Yorkies ended up benefiting from the slew of canine gifts I would inevitably end up buying.

Dog-a-holics Retail Boutique, located at Southport and Waveland, is packed with tough toys, gourmet bakery treats and all-natural dog food, as well as long lasting bones, custom dog beds, unique collars and leashes and dog birthday items. Foods, treats and chews sold here are made of the highest quality ingredients. Grooming services for both dogs and cats are also offered, performed in a calm and quiet environment by trained, animal-loving professionals. All services are cage free and include a large outdoor play lot.

And, as you would expect from any dog person, customer service here is amazing! Whether you’re a dog owner in need of food accessories or just a dog lover like me, definitely check out Dog-a-holics next time you’re in Wrigleyville.

Continue reading “Lincoln Park paperie, Wrigleyville pet boutique join…” »

It’s April! The sun is shining, today is Opening Day at Wrigley Field, and that antsy, I-can’t-wait-for-summer feeling is spreading throughout the city. Take advantage of the changing of seasons and spruce up your home and wardrobe with flowers, fashion and accessories from local vendors. Earn loyalty points while you’re at it, and shop at these merchants, which can be found on Ox&Pen:

Blümgarten & Co. Floral Design

Blümgarten & Co. Floral Design
Spring is here! As Chicagoans, we suffer through the winter months, clinging onto the hope of sunnier days in April and May. Whether or not Tom Skilling brings us perfect weather, bring the sunshine to you by decking out your home and office with stunning floral arrangements. Don’t rely on delivery; buy local for instant gratification. Head to Blümgarten & Co. Floral Design at 114 N. Aberdeen, and celebrate spring the right way!

Cram for Kids
Cram for Kids is the boutique in East Lakeview which offers specialized, fashion-forward pieces; from tops and bottoms to dresses and great accessories, this place has it all. This gem boutique doesn’t only carry apparel; they also offer an array of all-organic toys such as: Green Toys, Miyim, Sophie the Giraffe and Apple Park. Definitely a one-stop boutique for someone looking for great (and reasonably priced!) gifts, Cram for Kids is located at 3343 N. Broadway.

Bourdage Pearls
Striking designs, unbelievable colors and locally-made, eco-chic fine jewelry is what to expect at Bourdage Pearls. Whether gifting for wedding or graduation, or enhancing a professional wardrobe, customers are guided by the friendly and knowledgeable staff through the pearl-selection process to ensure their selection is exactly what they want. Situated in the heart of the bustling Southport Corridor at 3530 N. Southport, Bourdage Pearls is Chicago’s pearl hub.

décollage

décollage
décollage owner Kelsey Tanner-O’Connor was hooked on vintage fashion from the age of 18. Since then, she’s been slowly building a personal collection of vintage and designer treasures as well as stockpiling for the boutique she would one day own. The collection contains pieces from as far as Asia and as near as around the corner. Chosen with care and restored when necessary, each piece at Décollage is unique and inspiring. Check out the collection at 1219 W. Madison or online at www.shopdecollage.com.

Continue reading “Local options help Chicago shoppers do spring…” »

Ox&Pen will be launching softly at March 24 event in Ravenswood, and attendees will have the first look at how the network functions. If you’re interested in going, please RSVP here.

We’re excited to announce a few of the newest merchants in the Ox&Pen network. Look for their promotions and loyalty rewards when we launch in a few weeks!

Designer eyewear, quality eye care
Vision Boutique, with locations in the West Loop and Lakeview, is one of the few remaining doctor-owned optometric office and optical stores. This means you’ll get the right care and expertise for your eyes in addition to the selection of exclusive designer labels they carry, including Prada, Oliver Peoples and ic! berlin. Whether you need glasses or sunglasses, Vision Optical has something for you.

For superior service, stay local
Outstanding quality and service are not necessarily guaranteed these days. But when furnishing your home, those are two things you need above all else. To get both, you’ll probably have to think local. Far Below Retail, at 919 N. Larabee just east of Halsted, has relationships with each of the four major distributors in Chicagoland. This allows them to get your furniture to you faster than anyone else out there (and often on the same day of purchase!). Additionally, with their wide network of distributors, Far Below Retail is always expanding their lines to keep a steady flow of new ideas and designs. A high-quality selection of furniture and quick, reliable service? Why not.

Need your fix of smoky, salty goodness?
Barbeque and whisky. That’s what Porkchop does. One of the latest ventures on the West Loop’s renowned Randolph St., Porkchop has taken the neighborhood bar experience and menu options and enhanced them for a unique dining experience. A menu full of favorites like pork belly sliders and baby back ribs and a seemingly endless assortment of whisky will draw you into Porkchop. A pretense-free dining atmosphere will keep you coming back for more.

Continue reading “More local opportunities for Ox&Pen members…” »