Michigan Avenue - Niche Media - Michigan Avenue magazine is a luxury lifestyle magazine centered around Chicago’s finest people, events, fashion, health & beauty, fine dining & more!
Issue link: http://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/422226
photography by anjali pinto Food and fashion go hand in hand for April Francis, whose four-year-old Dose Market—a highly curated marketplace event showcasing Chicago designers, chefs, artists, and entrepreneurs—has gone from pet project to full-time job. As Francis recently prepared to host HoliDose on December 14, she met up with friend and colleague Ellen Malloy, a restaurant PR veteran who has just launched Morsel, an online forum for sharing food-related stories, for cocktails, conversation, and Latin-inspired fare at chef John Manion's La Sirena Clandestina. How do you two know each other? Ellen Malloy: I've known and admired April from way back when because I'm very familiar with Dose Market since it's all about fashion and chefs—the way April pro- moted chefs was really exciting for me. I had actually never met her, but I totally wanted to grow up and be her. April Francis: Stop! [Laughs] I had always heard about Ellen; I'd never met her but I knew she was a force to be reckoned with. April, you wanted to meet at La Sirena. AF: I come here all the time. The food is wonderful, and John Manion is incredible. I'm obsessed with the empanadas. Ellen, you have a history with John. EM: I went to culinary school with John. And then I was his publicist for years at Mas. Now I just mooch food off him every once in a while. I always have the moqueca. John is always trying to get me to order new stuff, but you know what? I just want the moqueca. Sorry. What about the vibe of the place appeals to you? EM: I'm so taken by it, because there's no pretense. AF: It feels like an extension of my house. [Server approaches] AF: I'll do a Dos Mil Diez. EM: I don't even know what you just said. I'll have a caipirinha. April, the HoliDose Market is coming up. What can people expect? AF: Gifts and cheer, essentially. We'll have a jazz band and a DJ, carolers, and incredible gifts spanning all types of categories. And great prepared foods and drinks as always, gift-wrapping, art-making… EM: [Laughing] It goes on and on—sounds like "The 12 Days of Christmas." BUSINESS & PLEASURE WHAt: A laugh-flled chat over cocktails and Latin-inspired nibbles. WHEN: Late afternoon on a brisk autumn Thursday. WHERE: La Sirena Clandestina, 954 W. Fulton Market, 312-226-5300; lasirenachicago.com Tasteful Living Dose Market founDer April FrAncis talks tech, coMfort fooD, anD Making the Most of winter in chicago with fellow entrepreneur anD fooDie EllEn MAlloy. by j.p. anderson ConTinued on pAge 102 clockwise from top right: April Francis (left) and Ellen Malloy; the dining room at La Sirena Clandestina; ceviche with mahi mahi and pine apple; bottles line the wall behind the bar. 100 michiganavemag.com taste On the town