What does 5411 Empanadas stand for, besides tasty stuffed pockets served from a popular, 2-year-old Chicago food truck? 

"It's the international dialing code for Buenos Aires, Argentina," owner Nicolas Ibarzabal said. "That is where I am from, and that is where the empanada style we make [originates]. We make them the Argentinian way."

That means baked, not fried with a dough that is just a little bit thinner than others.

"I like the baked option rather than the fried," Ibarzabal said. "It is a little healthier and it is tastier."

Like many trucks in the city, 5411's offerings are made at a brick-and-mortar kitchen. Until last July, food trucks could not cook on board and only a few trucks recently were given permits to do so.

"We have our stand-alone store," manager Ricardo “Ric” Perez said. "We bake fresh daily, from oven at the store to this hotbox directly to the customer."

A tour of Chicago's food trucks wouldn't be complete without a stop for empanadas at 5411, but be prepared to wait in line. The truck did so well last summer that the owners opened a restaurant on Clark Street to get through the winter. Now sales are warming up with the temperature.

"We maybe have been doing it the longest," Ibarzabal said. "I think we have a unique product that you cannot find very easy, so I think that is our edge."

Their edge has become more widespread. A second storefront is in the works, and the owners started an empanadas delivery and catering company.

Ibarzabal credits their success to fans, Twitter followers and a growing food truck community.

"The best thing is every day, as soon as we stop, there are people already waiting for us," he said. "When we are leaving the shop, we tweet, 'Hey, we are on our way, we will be there 15 minutes.' It's impressive."

For one Chicago couple, first came love, then came marriage, then came grilling pulled pork on a food truck.

The Fat Shallot is one of the city's newest mobile eateries, and the duo behind the food truck has a whole lotta love for each other and good eating.

Sam Barron and Sarah Weitz went to the same high school and same college, but it wasn't until they bonded over butter that things really started heating up.

"We discussed the importance of butter," Barron said, "and thought, 'Oh, this could really be something.'"

Weitz is a dietician and Barron brings the culinary chops to the relationship thanks to stints in kitchens in New Orleans and at Chicago's Everest and the revamped Pump Room.

"The idea to be able to work together and be together versus him coming home from his job at 2 in the morning, this way we could be together," Weitz said. "Sam could be creative and cook whatever he wants to and we work for ourselves."

They were married in June and now they're in business, and their gourmet sandwich truck just got the OK from the city to hit the road. Their menu includes pulled pork, salami and grilled cheese sandwiches, as well as sides such as tarragon slaw and roasted potato salad.

"Our whole concept is big hearty sandwiches," Barron said.

"I always get upset with a sandwich if I am still hungry later even if it tasted good," he said.

The truck's name is a play on one of Chicago's nicknames, The Big Onion, and though the shallot has a more subtle taste and vibe, there is nothing subtle about some of the homemade remoulades served off the truck.
 

When it comes to heat, Dan Salls is one chef who knows how to stand it in the kitchen.

Salls quit his day job less than a year ago as a financial adviser to take his amateur cooking skills on the road and open The Salsa Truck, the first licensed mobile food preparer in Chicago.

"When I left my job we were in my apartment every night with culinary textbooks," Salls said. "This is how you make mayonnaise, this is how you bake bread. So we really started from the ground up because we wanted to cook with purpose." 

The Salsa Truck provides more than the name implies, though the menu certainly spotlights salsa. Various tacos and quesadillas, as well as soup, rice, beans and chips, are all offered curb-side.

It's the authentic kind of food Salls imagined making, and though he hopes to expand the menu, this is the cuisine he always had in mind.

"We knew we had to do something special," Salls said. "We didn't want to be the food truck that went out there and started doing twists. We try to keep it as authentic as possible."

"We do everything from scratch. Nothing comes from a can."

The food truck has been Salls' foot in the door. He plans to open his own brick-and-mortar restaurant, The Garage, in the next few weeks. The restaurant offers a sort of lunch-counter atmosphere, and he plans to let other food trucks serve some of their items on his menu.

When asked if his food business is worth leaving his job for, Salls doesn't hesitate.

"We are out here every day living our dream and making people happy, so what's wrong with that."




 

For those of us who like to cook, getting kitchen gadgets as gifts during the holidays is actually a good thing.  So, every year I like to check out and share interesting and new items that will make food preparation or entertaining a little more fun and easy.  Many of the items below are available at local retailers as well as online.  Prices may also vary greatly from the listed price.

From Think Geek

Star Trek Enterprise Pizza Cutter
Metal Pizza cutter in the form of the famous NCC-1701 Enterprise ship from Star Trek the original series.  It's an officially licensed Star Trek collectable.  It has a laser etched stainless steel blade with solid zinc-alloy chromium plated body.  $29.99
http://www.thinkgeek.com/

Start Trek Enterprise Oven Mitt
It's a logical Vulcan chef accessory and a logical accessory for a chef.
Protect your hand while showing off your Star Trek fandom.  It's 100% cotton outside, 100% polyester inside.  $14.99
http://www.thinkgeek.com/

Pie Pop Kit
Move over, cake pops.  The Pie Pop Kit is a combination of a pie and a lollipop.  It's easy enough for kids to use.   And makes a great dessert on a stick. $24.95
http://www.thinkgeek.com/
 
From Kuhn Rikon

Push Pans
Our ingenious "no-spring" version of the springform pan makes it easy to create perfect quiches, tarts, cheesecakes, layer cakes and more! Traditional spring pans not only leak, they're fussy to use.  $24.95-$34.95
http://www.kuhnrikon.com/

From NuWave

The NuWave Induction Cooktop
This all-in-one kitchen solution has 52 temperature settings, heats up quickly and is easy to clean.  It's safer than any cooktop, lightweight and portable and has exact temperature controls.  $99 plus shipping and processing
http://www.nuwavepic.com/

From Mastrad

4" Ceramic Paring Knives
Mastrad's award winning Ceramic Paring Knife contains a folding protective handle. The knife has a zirconium ceramic blade that is stronger and lighter than harden steel. The knife is perfect for slicing, cutting, and chopping. $29.95
www.Mastrad.us

Weggy Egg Poacher
Easily cooks eggs evenly and consistently.  Features enhanced silicone material and is heat resistant up to 480 degrees F. Perfect for making eggs benedict.  Set of 2, $7.99
www.Mastrad.us

Mortar/Grater
This mortar/grater boasts three slicers and a lid for storage.  Offers a stainless steel mortar and pestle on a bamboo holder.  Grinds herbs and spices of all kinds.  $70
www.Mastrad.us

From Pop Tag

The Pop Tag  for People and Pets
The Pop Tag is a unique and handy gift for the beer drinker in your life.  It is a custom keychain and bottle opener in one!  The Pop Tag is stainless steel and hand-stamped.  The perfect personalized gift!  Also comes in a version for your pooch - ID tag & bottle opener in one. $14.99  
http://thepoptag.com

From Margaritaville

Margaritaville Mixd Drink Maker
Holiday party guests can be their own bartender with the Margaritaville® Mixed Drink Maker featuring more than 45 recipe options created by Margaritaville® bartenders.  One press of a button makes drink recipes come to life as this first-of-its-kind innovation whips up perfectly proportioned cocktails. This consummate party starter features a digital display with engaging imagery of each drink recipe, easily navigated by the rotating drink wheel.  Find yourself at the Port of Indecision? Press the “I Feel Lucky” button and set the digital display in motion as it lands on a fantastic drink selection for fun and entertainment.  Certain to be the centerpiece of any party, set up is a breeze, just add choice liquors and mixers into each of the four reservoirs and the automatic programming does the rest. Spin the drink wheel and let the fun begin! $299
http://www.margaritavillecargo.com/

From Krups

Krups Immersion Blender
For the perfect mashed potatoes and creamy soups. Whether whipping up warm soups or iced-cold smoothies, the KRUPS Immersion Blender is powerful enough to blend, chop and puree delectable sauces, soups and dips for your holiday feast with the touch of a button.  Its durable stainless steel shaft removes with a click for easy storage, while six variable speeds are controlled on the dial on handle. The easy-to-read LCD handle display shows selected speed, surrounded by a Soft Grip Ergonomic Handle with one-touch power. The Immersion Blender comes with a measuring beaker and wall mount. $99
http://www.amazon.com

Krups Beer Tender
For the Party Animal!  Always a party favorite, make sure the drinks are flowing as the in laws, cousins, neighbors and friends wreak havoc on your home. KRUPS, the worldwide leader of kitchen appliances and Heineken, the leader in European Premium Imported Beer have partnered together to create the ultimate beer drinking experience at home. The BeerTender system is compatible with the Heineken, Heineken Light, and Newcastle DraughtKeg systems. The BeerTender silent cooling system provides constant and consistent cooling, and will keep it beer the ideal temperature of 41 degrees F. $149
http://www.crateandbarrel.com

Krups Juice Extractor
oin the juicers in a healthy lifestyle with the Krups® Juice Extractor. Stainless steel juicer makes smooth, nutritious juices. Easily select high or low setting with buttons at side.  Three-inch feed tube and 2.2L pulp container allows for insertion of larger fruits and vegetables. Stainless steel blade maximizes juice extraction from delicate fruits and tough vegetables. Safety locking arm. $149
http://www.amazon.com

From Hello Kitty

Hello Kitty - Pancake Maker
Easy to use and great for kids. The Hello Kitty Pancake maker makes flavorful flapjacks in the shape of the Hello Kitty character.  It's a great addition to any home or dorm room. $39.95
http://www.amazon.com

From Crcok-Pot.com

NFL Crock-Pot® Cook & Carry™ Slow Cookers
Football fans can support their favorite team on the field and score a touchdown in the kitchen with the brand new NFL Crock-Pot® Cook & Carry™ Slow Cookers series featuring NFL team logos.  Now, football fanatics can personalize their Crock-Pot® Slow Cooker with any of the National Football League’s team logos and artwork.  Whether fans are hot for New Orleans jambalaya, craving Chicago-style dogs, or in desperate need of Texas-style spicy BBQ wings, these new NFL Crock-Pot® Cook & Carry™ Slow Cookers are ready to rock any local game day cravings. The perfect gift for friends and family this holiday season, the limited-edition NFL Crock-Pot® Cook & Carry™ Slow Cookers are available exclusively at Crock-Pot.com while supplies last. Starting at $29.99
http://www.Crock-Pot.com

From Ball

Ball Fresh Tech Automatic Jelly & Jam Maker
Create personalized gifts of homemade jam or jelly for the most important people in your life in just 30 minutes, from start to finish, with the Ball® FreshTECH Automatic Jam & Jelly Maker!  Nothing tastes better than a homemade gift of jam made with fresh or frozen strawberries, blueberries, peaches and other flavorful fruit.  SmartStir™ Technology consistently stirs during the cooking process ensuring no-burn results and a bit of freedom from standing over a hot stove.  Quick start guide with recipes, dual setting buttons and a nonstick interior make this one of the easiest appliances to use and clean and a perfect gift for foodies.  $99
http://www.amazaon.com

If you have any comments or questions, please send me an email at wayne@waynesweekend.com or follow me on Facebook or Twitter.

 

One of the most popular musicals in history began an extended Chicago run on Tuesday.

"Book of Mormon" is on stage at the Bank of America Theatre from December 11 through June 2.

The musical is created by the two minds behind the "South Park" cartoon, Trey Parker and Matt Stone, who are known for pushing the envelope.

"Oh, it's offensive, we didn't set out to make it offensive, but we're just offensive people so it just came out a little offensive," Stone said.

The production has one nine Tony awards including "Best Musical" during its New York run. Ben Platt, who plays Elder Cunningham in the production, says he's surprised at how well the show has done.

"I love that at the same time it's both raunchy comedy and it's got all that South Park hilarity but it's also a sincere love letter to musical theatre," Platt said.

As for the raunchy themes, the creative duo never worried about offending the Mormon church.

"The church is pretty awesome and they're really good at PR, and they said exactly what they should have said, which was something like they live in the same country we do that allows us to have this religion," Parker said.

Tickets are sold out through March 3rd, but seats remain for performances through June 2.

There's still a chance at getting into one of the earlier sold-out shows. A daily pre-show drawing will make a limited number of tickets available for $25 each day.

It's time to get hog wild with first set of Baconfest 2013 tickets available December 10.

VIP tickets went on sale at 9 a.m. for the popular event, which will be held April 20 next year at the UIC Forum.

It'll cost you $200, plus a $5.99 ticket processing fee to be the first to sample everything from hearty pork sandwiches, unique desserts made with the other white meat, porky-infused liquors and more.

Around 50 Chicago chefs will be on hand to serve up the goodness. The less-crowded VIP hour gets you first crack at the goods before the regular lunch and dinner shifts start. Only 175 VIP tickets will be made available.

It will be the fifth annual year for Baconfest, which typically sells out fairly quickly.

General admission tickets ($100) will go on sale in February.

Proceeds from Baconfest benefit the Greater Chicago Food Depository.

Growing up, I was never a big fan of mincemeat, primarily because I didn't know what it was.  MInce or mincemeat used in pies was originally a combination of meat, suet, and different fruits and spices and was always popular during the holidays.  Today, mincemeat pies are primarily a combination of fruits and spices, with meat no longer being in the mix.  So, this week, my facebook friend, Ida Waterous, sent me a recipe that she had already modified a bit, including the addition of Apple Pie Moonshine.  I've tweaked Ida's recipe a bit more and think this team effort with her will make a nice addition to your holiday recipe collection.  If you don't want to use alcohol in this recipe, simply substitute apple cider.

"Meatless" Mincemeat Pie
recipe courtesy of Ida Waterous (with a few modifications)

Pie Crust
makes two pie crusts

Ingredients


2 1/2 cu Flour

3/4 cu Cold Butter

6 oz Cream Cheese

Method

Cut butter into small cubes. Cut or pull cream cheese into small pieces.  Combine all three ingredients. Using your fingers, mix to form a dough (you can also put ingredients in a large food processor and process until dough forms a ball). Knead for about 30 seconds.  Split dough into two equal parts and wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for an hour. 

Filling

Ingredients

3/4 cups raisins, coarsely chopped
3/4 cu dried cranberries, coarsely chopped
4 apples, peeled, cored, and roughly chopped
1/2 orange, seeded chopped with rind
1/2 lemon, seeded and chopped with rind
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
1 1/2 cups dark brown sugar
1 tbl All Purpose Flour
1/2 cup molasses
3/4 cu Apple Pie Moonshine (you can substitue bourbon or replace with more apple cider)
1/2 cu Apple Cider
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon grated nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground clove
1 lg Egg, beaten

Method

Combine raisins, cranberries, apples, orange, lemon and apple cider vinegar in a medium saucepan over high heat.  Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.  Add remaining ingredients and simmer for 20 minutes.  Remove from heat and allow mixture to cool and thicken.  If you have time to let the ingredients rest overnight, the flavor and consistency will be better.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Roll out one crust large enough to line your pie pan and allow edges to lay over the sides by at least 1/2".  Using a slotted spoon, transfer the filing into the crust leaving behind any excess liquid. Reserve the liquid. Spread the ingredients evenly in the pa. Place the top crust over the pie and crimp the edges together. Cut steam vents in the top.  If you have extra crust, roll it out and cut additional shapes, like leaves, and decorate the top of the crust.  Brush egg over the surface of the top crust.  Place pie on a baking sheet and bake for 40 minutes or until crust is golden brown.  Cool to room temperature.  Serve with a bit of the reserved liquid, either a room temperature or heated a bit. 

Thanks again to Ida for sharing this recipe.  If you have any comments or questions, please send me an email at wayne@waynesweekend.com or follow me on Facebook or Twitter.
 

You may never be able to cook like Charlie Trotter, but now you have a chance to use some of his gear.

An auction will be held Wednesday to sell items from the renowned chef's restaurant, which closed for good in August after 25 years in business.

Auction items range from kitchen gadgets and appliances to the artwork on the wall of the restaurant. A sample of the items include:

• One-of-a-Kind Bernardaud China
• Jenn-Air Appliances
• Full Collection of Copper Pots and Pans
• Large Collection of Modern Contemporary Artwork
• Photography from Tim Turner and Paul Elledge
• Pastry Convection Slicer

An advanced viewing of the auction items was held Dec. 11 at 816 W. Armitage, which is also where the auction will take place, along with concurrent online bidding at bidspotter.com.

A recent Christie's auction of Trotter's rare wines fetched nearly $1 million.

The company that runs the popular Pitchfork Music Festival has until the middle of next week to turn over the complete footage recorded of teen rapper Chief Keef holding a rifle.

Pitchfork TV several months ago decided against using any of the footage, shot for a feature on the rapper, but prosecutors want the video to see if the teen violated his probation by holding the weapon.

Judge Carl Anthony Walker made his ruling Wednesday, saying prosecutors had successfully argued they had no other way of seeing the footage, the Chicago Tribune reported.

Chief Keef, whose real name is Keith Cozart, was convicted last year of pointing a gun at a Chicago police officer, and as part of his probation is banned from holding or using weapons.

Pitchfork Media must surrender the footage by next Wednesday, Dec. 12. Walker said he would make a decision as to whether Cozart violated his probation the following Monday, one day before the rapper makes his debut on a national label with his CD "Finally Rich."

Cozart came under fire in September for joking on Twitter about the shooting death of an 18-year-old rival rapper, Joseph "Lil JoJo" Coleman. He later claimed his Twitter account was hacked.

Police have been looking into whether Chief Keef or anyone he knows had anything to do with Coleman's death.

"Mob Wives Chicago" has been iced.

The VH1 reality show featured five women married or related to reputed mobsters in Chicago.

A spokesman confirmed to the Chicago Sun-Times that the show will not be coming back for a second season after an 11-episode run.

Cast member Pia Rizza told the newspaper that the Sunday night summer time slot and competition with the Olympics were factors in the low ratings.

The show was a spinoff of "Mob Wives," which followed the lives of five New York women with husbands connected to the Mafia.

The Chicago show faced some opposition from an Italian-American group that objected to the Mafia stereotypes, and businesses that would not cooperate with the show.

Even though a measurable snowfall has yet to hit the ground this season, Chicagoans can already start dreaming about warm weather activities.

The city's Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events has released the dates for 2013 festivals.

Taste of Chicago will be held July 10-14, replicating this year's recipe of a shortened festival and avoiding the Fourth of July weekend.

Other highlights include the return of the Millennium Park Music Series late May through mid September, the Chicago Blues Festival on June 6-9 and the Chicago Air and Water Show on August 17-18.

Click here for the full list of city-sponsored events.

Consider it one more positive sign that the South Loop is bouncing back.

The Shops at Roosevelt Collection, a 340,000 square foot property at Roosevelt and Wells has signed up its first round of retail tenants.

According to Crain's, the newcomers include clothing stores H&M, Republic of Couture, White House | Black Market and Francesca's Collection, home goods retailer Z Gallerie, restaurants BlackFinn American Grill and Chica Loco and specialty stores Ulta Salon and Fleet Feet Sports.

The development fell victim to the economic downturn in 2007 and was sold to a new owner.

An ICON theatre has been the most visible tenant since the development opened.

The shopping center offers 340,000 square feet of retail space, which is now a little more than 50 percent filled, according to Crain's.

Mike Tyson has been bitten by the acting bug.

After a limited Broadway engagement, the former heavyweight champion is bringing taking his one-man show "Mike Tyson: Undisputed Truth" on the road. The production hits Chicago on February 15-17 at the Cadillac Palace Theatre.

The play, directed by Spike Lee and written by Tyson's third wife, Kiki Tyson, ranges from his poor upbringing in Brooklyn, to many of his big moments in and out of the ring, such as his tumultuous marriage to actress Robin Givens and the infamous biting of Evander Holyfield's ear in a 1997 match.

The play will hit more than 36 cities across the country.

Tyson's acting credits include a popular role in The Hangover movies.

Pre-sale tickets are already available.

A Lakeview restaurant is taking a unique approach to attracting New Year's Eve customers.

Fish Bar is offering up the entire restaurant to the highest bidder who wants to ring in the new year with up to 50 of their closest friends.

The auction is live on eBay with a starting bid of $5,000 and ends at midnight November 30.

The winner takes over the restaurant from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. and gets access to the sound system, a choice between two seafood-heavy menus and a beer, wine and spirits open bar.

And in case the price seems a bit too steep, consider last year's auction was sold for the minimum $5,000. That's $100 a head, a relative deal when you consider the price of most New Year's Eve parties.

Now all you have to do is find 49 friends.

There is perhaps no more glaring exhibition of American consumerism than Black Friday: shoppers spending their long Thanksgiving weekends camped outside big-box stores for the chance to fight through crowds for the latest gadgets and toys.

Retailers invest a lot of hope in that day, because it can be used to build momentum for the six-week holiday shopping season, their most profitable time of year.

But Black Friday isn’t the economic bellwether that it used to be. The thrifty financial landscape, and the growth of online shopping, have arguably diminished the event’s impact, even as it grows in popularity, with more stores opening on Thanksgiving or offering sales weeks earlier.

“Everyone’s going to hype it, and there are a lot of deals out there, and some people make it an experience in itself, but I don’t think it’s as much of a leading indicator of the holiday season,” said Dennis Jacobe, chief economist for Gallup, the research and polling firm.

The biggest reason, Jacobe said, is that while the recession has abated, consumer caution has not. His studies show that that more Americans say they’re confident in the economy, but they aren’t as willing to exercise that faith by opening their wallets. That includes upper-income shoppers, who may be growing anxious about the looming fiscal cliff’s impact on their taxes. The lingering effects of Hurricane Sandy could be a factor as well.

Many researchers have reported modest spending in the weeks leading up to Black Friday.

In other words, the crowds that turn out for door-buster deals this weekend can’t necessarily be expected to remain enthusiastic.

From an economic researcher’s perspective, Black Friday is more sport than science. Analysts say that sales figures during this brief period are less a function of the broader fiscal climate than of the effort retailers go to in drawing people to their stores.

Because that effort grows every year, Black Friday—and the rest of the weekend—typically performs well, said Allen Sinai, chief economist and strategist at Decision Economics Inc. The zeal usually fades a bit, then picks up again in the days right before Christmas.

Sinai also recalled a couple occasions when a Black Friday turned out to be “a dud,” but sales rallied later in the holiday season.

That record, he said, was why he didn’t “place a lot of stock” in Black Friday as an accurate gauge of holiday-season shopping.

Tell an economist you're trying to get accurate data on Black Friday sales, and the response will often be “good luck.” Many organizations—retail trade groups, market researchers, polling firms—try it, but methods, and margins of error, vary. U.S. Commerce Department statisticians don’t break down economic data that narrowly.

Barry Ritholtz, director of equity research at Fusion IQ, takes to his popular blog every year to bemoan the “wildly optimistic” surveys that the media quotes at the end of Black Friday weekend.

Without fail, he says, the reports exaggerate consumer enthusiasm. He pointed to last year’s National Retail Foundation’s claim that sales had spiked by 16 percent – which, if true, would have been a record-breaking sum. There was no apparent attempt to check the data later on, but economists generally agree that consumer spending increased by less than 6 percent over the entire 2011 holiday season.

The NRF has predicted a slight decrease in the number of Black Friday shoppers this year.

“You should be reluctant to draw too big a conclusion from one day,” Ritholtz said. “As we’ve seen, it never lives up to the hype. In fact, part of the reason there’s so much hype and false signals is there are so many people trying to get a read into that one day, far more than what you should typically be willing to see in one day. This is an economy, not an event.”

His prediction, shared by many other researchers, is that no matter how frenetic Black Friday turns out to be, holiday season spending will enjoy a modest uptick this year. Bain & Co., for example, predicted a 3.5 percent increase in spending, compared to a 3.7 percent increase in 2011 and 3.8 percent the year before. Gallup has predicted a "good, though not great" performance.

The biggest variable, many say, is the fiscal cliff, the expiration of Bush-era tax cuts and automatic spending reductions that will go into effect Dec. 31 unless President Barack Obama can reach some kind of deal with Congress. If there is no solution before Christmas, consumers may get nervous, and hold back on holiday spending, some economists say.

Lawmakers are expected to get back to work on the issue after Thanksgiving weekend.

“Uncertainty is even greater than usual at this point,” said Scott Hoyt, senior director of consumer economics for Moody’s Analytics. “Whatever sales are like this weekend, it doesn’t really help to address that uncertainty."

Black Friday — it's the mother of all shopping days. A day when millions of people wielding billions of dollars scratch and claw for the biggest bargains. So what's the best plan of attack?

"My advice is to skip it entirely," says Jody Rohlena, senior editor at Shop Smart magazine.

Black Friday has been such a staggering marketing success that it's spawned Black Thursday, Cyber Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Small Business Saturday… the list goes on. The upside, as Rohlena sees it, is there's no need to focus all your energy, time and money on one day.

"We're gonna see really good markdowns all the way up to the Holidays, and guess what — when retailers have inventory that they're trying to unload, they're going to keep setting up new sales, so there can be advantages waiting," says Rohlena.

But whether you brave the crowds of Black Friday or not, you still need to be prepared. Even if you're a dedicated brick-and-mortar shopper, the Internet is your best starting point. There's a host of websites — BFAds.net, BlackFriday.com and SlickDeals.net — dedicated to tracking the best deals out there, as well as store hours.

"Take a look at those ads beforehand and really find out if they're great deals or not," advises Rohlena. "You can do quick searches at PriceGrabber.com, for example. Don’t assume because it's in a Black Friday circular that it's a great deal."

To help assuage your fears of overpaying, Rohlena says the big news this holiday season is in the realm of price matching. At a lot of stores, if you buy something and then find it cheaper someplace else, they'll refund you the difference.

If big box stores and national chains aren't your thing, Rohlena is a big fan of Small Business Saturday.

"People may think that prices are higher in those smaller independent retail stores — they may not necessarily be," he said. "And there's an advantage: If you ask for a better deal, you might be dealing directly with the owner, they have a lot more leeway to give you a better price. If you ask nicely, of course.

"If you go on AmericanExpress.com, you can register you card, if you use your AmEx to shop on Small Business Saturday at a participating retailer, they will give you a $25 credit. Spend $25, get the credit back on your bill — there's another really good reason to participate: free money."

If there's something you just have to have in-hand, Rohlena suggests a reconnaissance mission: going to the store a few days early to find out where your prey will be on display, the nearest entrance and the exact hour it will be available.

Among the other Internet tools available to the modern bargain hunter is the Black Friday Survival Guide app, which has a newsfeed, lets you search each store by category or each category by item, tells you exactly when each sale begins, provides competitor prices and lets you build a shopping list you can email to a loved one.

If the thought of the traffic and the crowds makes your chest tighten, the Internet is here to help but still requires a good plan. Rohlena recommends CyberMonday.com, CyberMonday2012.com, FreeShipping.org to see who's got free shipping and @cybermonday at Twitter.

With all of the new shopping tools at our disposal, why wade into the insanity of Black Friday at all?

"For those of us who really want to make sure we're giving a nice gift to someone we care about, I think it's important to be able to compare things physically, if you know what I mean, as opposed to virtually, online," says Dr. Tina Lowrey, professor of marketing at the University of Texas, San Antonio, and editor of "Brick & Mortar Shopping in the 21st Century."

"And for a lot of people, I think they enjoy being around other people that are in the holiday spirit, it's sort of an infectious kind of social gathering to be around… the communal nature of going out and being with other people who are out for the same reason."

Rohlena is unmoved.

"I know too much," he said. "I'm not going anywhere on Black Friday."

Turns out there is an entity strong enough to take down Chicago's fictional Mayor Tom Kane.

Starz announced Tuesday that it is canceling "Boss" after two seasons.

The show was set in Chicago and featured Kelsey Grammer portraying the iron-fisted mayor of the city.

The cable network did not offer a reason for canceling the show, but low ratings are likely to blame.

Deadline.com reports that negotiations are in the works for a two-hour movie that would wrap up the remaining story lines.

The cancellation is a blow for several Chicagoans who worked as extras on the show and in the behind-the-scenes production.

The holiday spirit came to Daley Plaza Tuesday night.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel lit Chicago's 64-foot Colorado spruce from Prospect Heights at 5 p.m.

The tree, donated by Barbara Theiszmann, was one of 25 submitted to the city. Mary Slowik, of the Department of Cultural Affairs said the tree had to be at least 55 feet tall, had to be a spruce or a fir and had to have a nice shape. This one fit all three and more.

"It's going to be missed," Theiszmann told the city, "but I'm glad it's going to be downtown."

The night's free festivities started at 4:30 p.m. with Santa and the cast of "A Christmas Carol." The Christkindlmarket also opened Tuesday.

The tree remains in the plaza until January.

Oprah Winfrey just loves Microsoft's new Surface tablet -- even though she appears to still be using an iPad.

Winfrey sent out an enthusiatic tweet Sunday about the Surface, including it in her list of "favorite things for the holidays, but the social media sphere is buzzing over the fact that the tweet was sent out on an iPad.

Ironic? Most definitely, although it's hard to imagine Oprah physically doing her own tweeting when any one of her many assistants would likely be glad to take care of the typing.

Winfrey says she's already bought 12 of the Microsoft items as Christmas items.

If you've been in denial that the winter season is upon us, this latest development should shake you out of it.

The McCormick Tribune Ice Rink in Millennium Park officially opened Friday.

Use of the rink is free, but skate rentals will cost you $10.

City officials said the rink draws more than 100,000 skaters annually. Click here for a schedule and holiday hours.

The rink remains open through mid-March.

If you're looking for an alternative to preparing a whole turkey for Thanksgiving, this recipe just might be the answer.  This turkey meatloaf, Italian style, is flavored with ground turkey, mortadella, mushrooms and fresh herbs and wrapped in prosciutto.  It's easy to prepare, makes a beautiful presentation, and can be made a few days ahead.  In fact, it also freezes well so you can make it as far in advance as you like.  The basic recipe was given to me by my friends Giovanni Lugli and Ivo Carlesso.  I've tweaked it just a bit and added instructions for making a tasty gravy from the pan drippings. 

Turkey Meatloaf with Mortadella and Portobello Mushrooms
Idea from Ivo Carlesso and Giovanni Lugli

Ingredients

1 lb Ground Turkey
1/2 lb Ground Mortadella
8 oz Ricotta Cheese
1/2 cu Onions, minced
1/2 cu Baby Portobello Mushrooms, minced
2 cloves Garlic, smashed and minced
1 tsp Fresh Sage, minced
1 tsp Fresh Thyme, minced
2 tsp Fresh Parsley, roughly chopped
1 lg Egg, slightly beaten
3 oz Prosciutto, thinly sliced
1 tsp Fresh Rosemary, stripped from the stem

Gravy

2 tsp Baby Portobello Mushrooms, very finely minced
2 tsp Onion, very finely minced
1 tbl All Purpose Flour
1 1/2 cu Low Sodium Chicken Stock
1/2 tsp Black Pepper

Method

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.  

In a large bowl, combine turkey, mortadella, ricotta, onions, mushrooms, garlic, sage, thyme, parsley, and egg.  Mix thoroughly and transfer to a 9"x12" baking dish.  Shape into a loaf roughly 9" long and about 4 1/2" wide.  Starting at one end of the loaf, layer the prosciutto on top, slightly overlapping the slices.  Tuck the ends under the loaf.  Sprinkle the rosemary on top of the prosciutto.

Place the loaf in the oven and bake for about 60-75 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 170 degrees F in the thickest part.  Remove from the oven and transfer the meatloaf to a serving platter or cutting board.  Cover with a sheet of aluminum foil.

Transfer about 1/3 cup of the juices and drippings that remain in the baking dish to a small saucepan.  Add onions and mushrooms and sauté over medium low heat for 5-7 minutes or until onions and mushrooms are tender.  Sprinkle flour over mixture and stir to combine.  Continue stirring for about 3 minutes.  Very slowly, whisk in about 1/2 cup of chicken stock.  Continue whisking until mixture is smooth.  Add remaining stock and pepper and bring mixture to a boil.  Boil for about 10 minutes until mixture is significantly reduced and the resulting gravy is of your desired consistency.  At this point you can either strain the gravy to make it smooth or use it as is with the tiny bits of mushrooms and onion.

Thanks to my friends Giovanni and Ivo for the idea.  It's a great dish.  If you have any comments or questions, please send me an email at wayne@waynesweekend.com or follow me on Facebook or Twitter.

 

Lights, camera, Mag Mile!

More than a million people traveled to Chicago on Saturday to see the 21st annual BMO Harris Bank Magnificent Mile Lights Festival.

The parade began at 5:30 p.m. Grand marshals Mickey and Minnie Mouse were joined by fellow Disney characters to host the magical evening as they lit up the mile and make their way south to the Fireworks Spectacular finale, which began at 7 p.m.

Santa Claus, Chicago sports stars, Garrett Popcorn Shop's popcorn and a float made entirely of candy were just a few sights seen during the 40-float procession.

The show doesn't stop there. Festival attendees can shop extended hours at participating stores after the parade as well as peruse other offers and events from area shops, restaurants, hotels and attractions.

With less than an hour to go before the Magnificent Mile lit up like a Christmas tree, thousands of spectators gathered along Michigan Avenue to stake their spot.

Getting downtown for the event was no picnic and heavy traffic was expected for the event. The DuSable Bridge closed around 3:30 p.m. and Michigan Avenue closed to vehicle traffic from Oak Street to Wacker Drive at 4:30 p.m.

The festival kicked off at 11 a.m. along Michigan Avenue and includes a full day of events, including the namesake illumination of more than one million lights on 200 trees and a fireworks spectacular.

Many who made the trip downtown early started the day off by participating in holiday-themed activities on Lights Festival Lane (Pioneer Court, 401 N. Michigan Avenue) and wandering through booths offering gifts and goodies from Chicago vendors.

Check out The Magnificent Mile's website for full details and information for full information.
 

It's Oscar day for Chicago restaurants. Details of the Michelin Chicago 2013 dining guide were officially released on Wednesday.

Alinea keeps its three-star status in the guide, but the staff at graham elliot and L20 are celebrating after moving up to a 2 star rating.

Three new restaurants joined a total of 19 restaurants with 1 star, including Acadia, Goosefoot and Mexique.

A total of 433 restaurants featuring 44 different cuisines are covered in the guide, which includes categories such as the Bib Gourmand category for restaurants that offer good quality.

The Michelin guide is available for purchase via print and ebook and an iPhone app will be available later this month.

A public interest law firm filed a lawsuit Wednesday against the City of Chicago in an effort to force officials to loosen the restrictions on mobile food trucks.

"Consumers are with us. We know that. Food truckers know that. They want us, and I feel the city is just not giving me and my fellow food truckers a fair share," said Greg Burke with Chicago Schnitzel King.

The Institute for Justice and three food truck operators, including Burke, filed the suit in an effort to remove the city's ban on the operation of a food truck within 200 feet of a brick-and-mortar restaurant and a requirement to install GPS devices so their whereabouts can be tracked.

"If food trucks could park anywhere they wanted to, just like a car, it would be a lot easier," said Laura Pekarik with Cupcakes for Courage.

Last month, Mayor Rahm Emanuel released a plan earlier this year that allowed food truck operators to cook on-site, and set up 23 new designated stations from which the businesses could operate. Some criticized the locations because there were only two in the Loop and its high foot traffic during the day, and a lack of locations on the city's South Side.

"Whether your business succeeds or fails should turn on how good your product is, not who you know at City Hall," said attorney Robert Frommer.

Others view it as a win for food truck operators because some of the locations Emanuel picked out are within the 200-foot zone and allow the trucks to roam into new neighborhoods like Lakeview and Wrigleyville.

Some traditional restaurant owners oppose the food trucks because they're competing with businesses that don't have to pay property taxes.

A well-known figure on Chicago's social scene passed away on Monday.

Photographer Steve Starr died after collapsing on the sidewalk outside the Drake Hotel, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. Starr, 65, had just finished lunch and had told his friends that he wasn't feeling well.

Any Chicagoan who's been to a local fashion show or charity event over the past few years has probably run into Steve Starr.

He was hard to forget. His well-tailored suits, old-school camera and gregarious nature helped him stand out from the crowd, along with his distinctive manner of taking photos which often required multiple takes and his insistence that the subject smile.

Starr was planning a photo exhibit on December 12th called "The Face of News," composed of photos of people in front of and behind the camera.

Show host Candace Jordan said that she would like the show to continue as celebration of Starr's life.

The Shedd Aquarium isn't all about the kids anymore.

Shedd officials teamed up with Logan Square's Revolution Brewing to create a new beer called Penguin Hops.

The harvest ale was made from hops originally planted in the Shedd's gardens a decade ago.

The vine-growing plants were originally designed for aesthetic purposes, but when they needed to be removed, the Shedd looked for a way to repurpose them. The hops were delivered to Revolution earlier this month to begin the brewing process.

The beer will be available starting November 28th at Revolution's Brewpub (2323 N. Milwaukee), Revolution's Tap Room, (3340 N. Kedzie.) and a few other select establishments.

A dollar from each pint sold will help benefit the Shedd's global and local conservation initiatives.

A couple of no-shows have turned out to be pretty expensive for Jenna Jameson.

A DuPage County judge Tuesday ordered the porn actress pay $92,000 for missing appearances at two west suburban theatres last year, the Chicago Tribune reported.

Some courtroom observers were no doubt disappointed that Jameson didn't appear for Tuesday's hearing. She has apparently decided not to contest the case and was not represented in court by a lawyer. 

Jameson was scheduled to appear at the theatre in conjunction with a showing of her 2008 movie "Zombie Strippers!" The lawsuit claims Jameson blew off the appearance to attend a Hollywood party hosted by gossip blogger Perez Hilton, costing them thousands of dollars in advertising, ticket sales and other expenses.

It's not Jameson's only legal problems these days. She was arrested over the summer on suspicion of driving under the influence.

Waving down a cab from the sidewalk is so last year.

Hailo, a smartphone app founded by three London cabbies, is making a move on Chicago.

The app uses GPS to find the closest cab, tracks the vehicle as it travels toward you, and provides vital information about the driver such as his/her name, a picture and a star rating provided by other users.

"There's a safety aspect where you know what you're getting into, especially for ladies traveling at night," founder Russell Hall says.

Users will already have their credit card info plugged into the app when they sign up, which they can use to automatically pay for the ride, or pay cash. And yes, you will pay a bit more for the convenience -- $1.50-$2.75, depending on the time of day.

Hailo is busily signing up cab drivers in the city and claims to have more than 700 on board.

They've also hired Chicago cab driver Rashid Temuri as an ambassador of sorts. Temuri has created a large Twitter following as @chicagocabbie, and is a big proponent of Hailo, mainly because the company offers a separate app strictly for the drivers.

"Not only do I get fares, I can run credit cards on it and it charges me less than any cab company, and it's much easier and faster and the money gets into my bank account quicker," Temuri said.

Hailo enters the Chicago market and provides immediate competition with Uber, a smartphone app that offers a similar cab services, along with town cars and SUVs, although Uber is currently being scrutinized by the city for its luxury offerings.

Hall didn't want to discuss any competitors directly, but expressed certainly that Hailo will come out on top.

"We're quite confident in what we've produced will be a winner, but it's a healthy market for apps. I'm quite certain that the drivers that join Hailo will get more work out of what Hailo's created," Hall said.

Chicago is almost top dog in Conde Nast Traveler magazine's annual Reader's Choice survey.

The Windy City ranked third in its list of the Top 10 Cities in the United States.

Chicago received the highest ratings for its restaurants, culture/sites and shopping, but rated fairly low on the friendliness scale.

More than 46,000 readers participated in the survey. Charleston, SC was ranked first and San Francisco took the second slot.

The Gold Coast's Waldorf Astoria, formerly the Elysian Hotel, was the highest-rated hotel in the country, scoring its highest marks for the rooms, design and service.