Ox&Pen

Arguably Chicago’s second biggest holiday this week (not sure if anything can trump Lincoln’s birthday in this city), it’s Valentine’s Day. If you’re looking for ways to sweeten up the day and evening beyond the glut of candy sure to be found in your office kitchen, we suggest treating yourself (or a loved one) to something special at one of Chicago’s many unique, local merchants. Here are a few West Loop favorites:

Wine, cheese and hospitality
You’ve probably read about Vera in Chicago Magazine, the Sun-Times and countless other publications that have given the Spanish wine bar one of many

Vera Cheese Bar & Dining Room

gushing reviews. The warm and inviting décor and the seasonally rotating wines alongside Spanish sharable plates make Vera a perfect spot for couples or groups of friends sharing an evening of fine dining.

Create your own Little Italy
Dining in? Stop by the family-run J.P. Graziano on Randolph, just west of Halsted, for the city’s finest selection of Italian meats, cheeses, bread and dessert. Pick up some Prosciutto de Parma, fresh mozzarella, hot sopresatta, aged Manchengo and fresh Italian bread for a dining experience rivaled only by a fresh meal on the streets of Florence.

Pamper yourself
You deserve it. Whether the past few weeks at work have been draining or you just need something to get you through the latest cold spell, check out HM Day Spa on Madison and treat yourself to the gift of relaxation. A haven for reflection and inner discovery, everything at this brand new facility is designed to give you the ultimate spa experience.

Put some spring in your style
You can’t quite feel it yet, but spring is right around the corner. Ditch those dismal grays and get ready for warmer weather by brightening up your wardrobe. Ladies, check out Tribeca on Madison for the latest colorful apparel handpicked from the runways of the hottest designers. Gentlemen, visit Entourage Man at Halsted and Washington where you’ll find the latest pieces that facilitate “style beyond desire.”

No matter who you’re with, enjoy the day as you explore the great establishments the West Loop has to offer.

Continue reading “Your guide to a very local Valentine’s…” »

There is much to be excited about at Ox&Pen. Slowly, but surely, the many pieces of our puzzle are coming together.

From reading this blog or following us on Facebook and Twitter, you probably deduced that Ox&Pen is a mobile-driven network stocked with (exclusive) promotions that also presents members with opportunities to earn universal loyalty points. Other than that, you might be wondering what the site will look like, how it will work, and, most importantly, where you’ll be able to redeem promotions and earn loyalty points.

Your patience up to this point is sincerely appreciated. While we can’t show you the site quite yet, we can tell you that things are heating up around here.

Even prior to seeing a fully functional site, some celebrated Chicago merchants are excited about the model driving Ox&Pen.

Vera Cheese Bar & Dining Room

Among the merchants we already have on board are Vera, the critically acclaimed intimate, chef-driven wine bar; J.P. Graziano, the four-generations-standing fine Italian grocer; ORA Dental Studios, Chicago’s first green group dental practice; Bleeding Heart Bakery, the first Certified Organic retail bakery in the country; Tribeca Boutique, an independent boutique offering Chicagoans contemporary, yet wearable clothing and accessories; HM Day Spa, the West Loop haven for reflection and inner discovery; The Fifty/50, the popular casual bar started by Greg Mohr and Scott Weiner; and Roots Pizza, which offers authentic Quad Cities-style pizza made with fresh, local ingredients and boasts a Midwest-only beer list.

Bleeding Heart Bakery

Continue reading “Coming soon: Exclusive promotions for Vera, Bleeding…” »