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 adam alexander photography (mercat); dwayne Kuan (carnivale) // this issue // on my r adar As the offcial kickoff event to Chicago Restaurant Week on January 29, First Bites Bash will feature libations from Chicago's own Terlato Wines International and Goose Island, paired with dishes from over 50 dining hot spots—and it's one of the early '15 events I'm looking forward to most. To purchase tickets and learn more about the evening, visit frstbitesbash.com. 1. Chef de cuisine Cory Morris of Mercat a la Planxa dishes up Spanish-inspired fare at First Bites Bash '14. 2. Tempting ropa vieja from Carnivale was among the dishes on offer at last year's event. All in the family: Communing in Las Vegas with friends and fellow Niche Media team members (from left) Senior Vice President and Editorial Director Mandi Norwood; Hamptons Publisher Debra Halpert; Vegas Publisher Joe Vann; Aspen Peak Publisher Alexandra Halperin; and Director of Human Resources Stephanie Mitchell. It's always a tall order to top ourselves at Michigan Avenue— but we rose to the occasion in 2014 by connecting, captivating, and celebrating with consciousness. We toasted celebrity royalty like Cindy Crawford and blossoming talent like Michelle Monaghan along with homegrown stars like Cecily Strong and adopted Chicagoans like Kristin Cavallari. We executed bold editorial and artistic collabo- rations through partnerships with Peter Max, painter of our psychedelic summer cover (and inspiration for our team Halloween costume!), and Chelsea Clinton, who delivered an emphatic address in our September issue on the dangers of ele- phant poaching. Most importantly, we supported the community through enriching partnerships with the Friends of Conservation, the Evergreen Invitational, and other philanthropic initiatives. I'm confident that the coming year will be equally memorable. Particularly excit- ing is our partnership with Choose Chicago's First Bites Bash on January 29 at Union Station's Great Hall (see sidebar). But that's not the only restaurant activity we're anticipating. With the upcoming debut of Prime & Provisions, dining power- house DineAmic restaurant group looks to add to our city's already incredible selection of steakhouses. The opening of Carmen Rossi's Pomp & Circumstance, a farm-to-table concept in Old Town, will also bolster the eating circuit. Lastly, I can't wait for wine maven Andy Li's Champagne lounge Club Coco to begin pouring out bubbly for Windy City residents. Suffice it to say, 2014 was an outstanding year—one that could not have been real- ized without the collective, tireless efforts of my Michigan Avenue teammates. I look forward to celebrating Chicago with you in print, online, and in life in 2015! 1 2 Follow me on Twitter at @danuslan and on Facebook at facebook.com/danieluslan. dan uslan 26 michiganavemag.com letter from the President and Publisher