Chicago’s big win

By R Life, posted Nov 24th 2009 at 3:31PM

Yep, we called it. Introducing the next Iron Chef, Jose Garces from Mercat a la Plaxa at the Blackstone Renaissance Chicago Hotel.

Philadelphia is claiming him as a native son (he earned his reputation heading up restaurants in the City of Brotherly Love) but the fact is that Chef Garces was born in Chicago. So there.

Read more about his win – then quickly make your reservations for yourself at Mercat a la Plaxa.

• READ MORE

Iron Chef Chicago

By R Life, posted Oct 21st 2009 at 5:26PM

True R-Lifers (and foodies all over the world) know what melon, curry, snails, and elk have in common.

Iron Chef, baby.

Naturally, our money this year is on Chef Jose Garces of The Blackstone Renaissance Chicago’s famed Mercat a la Planxa restaurant. Last year, he had a pretty intense showdown against fan-favorite (and oh-so-cocky) Iron Chef Bobby Flay – and served Chef Flay his first loss since 2006. Check out the Philly City Paper’s take on the subject.

• READ MORE

Bike Chicago

By R Life, posted Aug 20th 2009 at 10:44AM

Discovering Chicago’s neighborhoods is a big part of experiencing the city – and we think it’s done best by bicycle. Get the lay of the land on a cutting-edge Strida bike with The Blackstone Renaissance Hotel’s biking package.

Here’s how it works: pack a lunch from the hotel’s famed restaurant Mercat a la Planxa, then get two foldable Strida city bikes for a tour of Chicago’s sights, including Grant Park and Buckingham Fountain. Get more details at Gadling and Dealbase.

• READ MORE