190 North: June 26, 2016
CHICAGO -- On this 190 North special, Mark gets whipped into shape with a couple new workouts. Ji tours a historic Chicago social club that's enjoying 'new life' as a trendy dining destination.. Janet checks out a couple new eateries where they 'mash-up' the menu. Go behind the scenes of the whimsical new SpongeBob Musical that's bound for the Broadway stage ...and we celebrate our beloved colleague, Doug Banks.
The Chicago Athletic Association Hotel
The Chicago Athletic Association hotel in the Loop may've begun as a swanky all-male 'social club' at the turn of the century. But after a painstaking restoration... this historic hangout is now a hub for a bustling restaurant and nightlife scene.. it offers 4 distinct dining destinations. You can grab a gourmet burger at Shake Shack on the ground floor. Then, the lobby level offers up the Game Room for casual bar food. Across the hall, you'll find The Cherry Circle...the hotel's signature dining room and James Beard award winner for restaurant design. Then, on the top floor... you'll find Cindy's.. a beach house themed eatery that offers up family-style dining coupled with sweeping views of Millennium Park and Lake Michigan.
Chicago Athletic Association Hotel
12 South Michigan
Chicago, IL
312-940-3552
Menu Mash-up Restaurants
What do you get when you combine a Japanese specialty with traditional Mexican street food... or a hearty Canadian creation with Barbeque?? They're actually both new culinary concepts right here in Chicago! You see... 'mashing-up' menus is all the rage on the restaurant scene. Janet checks out Sushi Burrito in Lincoln Park that gives the burrito treatment to the basic sushi roll.... And Q-Tine in Logan Square serves up casual comfort food that blends Memphis-style barbeque and Montreal-inspired poutine.
Q-tine
2339 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Chicago, IL
773-227-5100
Sushi Burrito
1751 N. Sheffield Ave.
Chicago, IL
312-576-4989
The 606
For a year now... thousands of bikers, runners and walkers have gotten out to enjoy a brand new elevated fitness trail in Chicago. The 606' transformed the defunct Bloomingdale train line.. into a 2.7 mile path. There are 12 access points for you to hop on or off. It cost nearly 100 million dollars to build... but it has become a gorgeous new fixture for the Wicker Park, Bucktown, Logan Square and Humboldt Park neighborhoods. Wondering why they call it the '606'.. of course, for the first 3 digits of the zip code all Chicagoans share! Janet hosts the entire episode from various points along the trail.
New Workouts
Sure, summer offers plenty of ways to get fit in the great outdoors... but fitness buffs in Chicago also have a couple of new classes to get whipped into shape. Both new workouts that Mark Nilsson highlights actually revive a 'retro' exercise routine. Iron and Oar in Lakeview combines a great cardio routine on the rowing machine with intense muscle sculpting exercises. Sculpt and Shred Fitness in the Beverly neighborhood offers a signature class based on the Japanese Martial art of Kendo. In this class, the participants wield a sword, to get whipped into shape.
Iron and Oar
2933 N. Halsted St.
Chicago, IL
773-359-8562
Sculpt and Shred Fitness
1751 95th St.
Chicago, IL
773-629-6152
The SpongeBob Musical Behind the Scenes Tour
Chicago is now known as a great 'launchpad' for Broadway-bound theater! Well, we've managed to land yet another 'world premiere' musical. The curtain went up on The SpongeBob Musical this month.. and the set and costume designer granted Janet a behind-the-scenes tour of the glitzy pre-Broadway show... all about the adventures of a zany sea sponge! The SpongeBob Musical is playing at the Oriental through July 10th.
To buy tickets:
Remembering Doug Banks
ABC7 and 190 North were so very lucky to be the 'TV home' to broadcasting legend, Doug Banks. We lost our dear friend and colleague back in April due to complications of diabetes. But for a decade with Doug, our 190 North family shared an -incredible- ride together! Whether Doug was interviewing a celebrity, exploring a neighborhood... or packing in adventures on a 190 travel shoot, he always made us laugh... and love what we do, even more! We figured what better way to pay tribute to Doug...than to share some of his most memorable moments during his time here on 190 North.
