Navigating the Windy City
For his ‘day job,’ Tommy Hensel is the Director of the Fine and Performing Arts Center at Moraine Valley Community College, a position he has held since January 2008. A native of Columbia, South Carolina, he has worked for more than 35 years as a professional actor, singer, stage manager, director, and arts presenter. He holds a B.A. in music and a B.A. in communication from Florida State University and an M.A. in theater from the University of South Carolina. He currently serves as Chair of the Illinois Presenters Network and is a board member of NAPAMA (North American Performing Arts Managers and Agents).
After his ‘day job’ is over, Tommy has a side gig as a restaurant, cocktail, and wine blogger both here on Your Chicago Guide and on his own website at https://www.tableforoneplease.com. He holds a Level 3 certification in wine from the WSET (Wine & Spirit Education Trust).
Tommy maintains side businesses as both an Independent Consultant for Pampered Chef and as a Wine Ambassador for the Boisset Collection. You can follow him on Instagram @table41please and Twitter @table41please and on his YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/tommyhensel
The J. Parker sits atop the Hotel Lincoln and offers stunning lake views, craft cocktails, and delectable food. They recently invited Your Chicago Guide to visit for a sample of their menu. Lake views are always at a premium in Chicago. In my culinary wanderings, few spots have impressed me more than the J. Parker …
Stunning lake views, craft cocktails, and delectable food at the J. ParkerRead More
Located in Andersonville, Bar Roma specializes in meatballs, house made pasta and wood-fired dishes highlighting the cuisine of Rome, Italy. After opening in 2016, Bar Roma quickly built a reputation as one of the best Italian restaurants not only in Andersonville but in the city. In 2017, I had the pleasure of visiting and posted …
Bar Roma excels with house-made and wood-fired dishes highlighting the cuisine of RomeRead More
Kenny Yang’s reimagined Ken Kee Restaurant officially opened late April, celebrating the flavors and vibe of 1950s Hong Kong in Chicago’s Chinatown.
Ken Kee celebrates the bold flavors and bright vibe of 1950s Hong KongRead More
Koi Fine Asian Cuisine & Lounge continues to inspire diners with fresh sushi and authentic cuisine from 8 different Chinese regions. Since opening in 2004 in Evanston they have become one of the most respected Asian restaurants in the Chicago region. Koi has been voted “Best Chinese & Sushi, Chicago Northshore Suburbs” by Better Magazine …
Koi inspires diners with fresh sushi and authentic cuisine from 8 Chinese regionsRead More
Tacos Guanajuato, also known as Tacos G, is a casual yet classy full-service Mexican restaurant located in Kildeer.
Tacos Guanajuato serves up impressive Mexican street fare in a casual yet classy styleRead More
Since opening just three years ago, Le Sud has created a reputation as one of the best of the Mediterranean-inspired restaurants in Chicago.
Le Sud remains one of Chicago’s best for Mediterranean cuisineRead More
Perry’s Steakhouse and Grille invited Your Chicago Guide to attend a special pre-opening tasting event on October 21, 2020. I have come up with 5 reasons to visit the new Perry’s Steakhouse in Schaumburg. Perry’s has had a successful location in Oak Brook since 2013, serving up some of the best steaks in the western …
5 reasons to visit the gorgeous new Perry’s Steakhouse in SchaumburgRead More
Oda Mediterranean Cuisine invited Your Chicago Guide to a dinner to sample their traditional and modern Mediterranean fare, an homage to the foods of the Ottoman kitchen. Tucked away on the east side of North Clark street, just before the Ashland intersection, sits one of the finest restaurants I have visited in Chicago. That is …
Oda features 6 Georgian wines and a delectable homage to the foods of the Ottoman kitchenRead More
Since opening just two years ago, Le Sud has become a firm neighborhood favorite for people who live in the Roscoe Village area and has developed a reputation as one of the best and most approachable French restaurants in Chicago. I had the pleasure of visiting just after the opening and wrote about it in …
Le Sud impresses with the fresh, intriguing tastes of the MediterraneanRead More
Dr. Murphy’s Food Hall is the newest dining destination in the Illinois Medical District. In anticipation of the opening, Your Chicago Guide was invited to attend a special preview of this exciting new concept. The preview was carefully managed to include only small numbers of people, all properly socially-distanced. We were asked to wear masks …
Dr. Murphy’s Food Hall serves up 12 delicious diverse concepts in a sleek new spaceRead More
For the past two years, one of Chicago’s most innovative and fun destinations has quietly built a loyal following in the East Lakeview neighborhood.
Bonci Pizza invited the Local Tourist to stop in and sample their unique Roman-style pizza. Chicago is a pizza-centric city. The endless debate of “deep dish” vs. “thin crust” will likely never be resolved and everyone has an opinion. In advance of February 9 – National Pizza Day – it was a struggle to figure …
Celebrate National Pizza Day in Roman style at BonciRead More
