With the South Side Irish parade just a few days off (see sidebar) and St. Patrick’s Day on the way, Chicago is greening up for a major celebration. But if you’re not the sort who’s already downing pints of Guinness and planning your parade-day face paint, don’t worry — there are plenty of other ways to paint the town green. Check out these seven ways to get yourself in a green state of mind.
1. Eat green. Tuck into some eco-eats at 3-month-old Northwest Side spot The Balanced Kitchen (6263 N. McCormick Rd. 773-463-1085), where everything on the menu, which changes weekly — and sometimes daily — based on available ingredients, is gluten-free, vegan and organic. The greenest item? The Big Salad ($7.50), a menu staple featuring a chef’s selection of the best of what’s on hand.
2. Soak green. Take a chromatherapy bath in the tub-for-two at new mySpa in The Fairmont Hotel (200 N. Columbus Dr. 312-946-8945). The treatment’s colored light allegedly boosts your mood. Choose the green chromatherapy for relaxation and concentration. ($40 for 30 minutes).
3. Shop green.Feast on locally madegoods from new specialty shopGreen Grocer Chicago (1402 W. Grand Ave. 312-624-9508), which stocks green-huedtreats such as Chicago Soy Dairy’s mint chocolate chip ice cream ($3.79), tomatillo salsa from Tomato Mountain Farm ($6.99) and River Valley Kitchen’s spinach-artichoke dip ($4.99).
4. Date green. Does your idea of a romantic night out involve making eyes at your date over a bubbling pot of fondue? Geja’s Cafe (340 W. Armitage Ave. 773-281-9101) has a cheesy holiday promotion just for you. The time-tested Lincoln Park date spot serves up pots o’ green cheese fondue on St. Patrick’s Day with apples, grapes and bread for dipping ($13.95).
5. Drink green. Redefine your concept of “magically delicious” with a sip of the Leprechaun Libation ($6, right) at Rockit Bar & Grill (22 W. Hubbard St. 312-645-6000). This St. Pat’s cocktail is made with Stoli Vanil, Starbucks Coffee Liqueur, creme de menthe and cream — and, hey, is that a sprig of mint or a four-leaf clover garnish? Available March 14-17.
6. Roll green. Corned beef again? Screw that. Skip that annual charade where you pretend to actually enjoy that stuff. Sushi house Tsuki (1441 W. Fullerton Ave. 773-883-8722) is offering a verdant $25 St. Pat’s Day special: minty martini, seaweed salad, a tuna-and-avocado roll, green soba noodles and green-tea ice cream.
7. Order green. If the sight of tinted beer leaves you feeling flat, raise the bar with a green mojito ($10) at DeLaCosta (465 E. Illinois St. 312-464-1700). The pan-Latin restaurant-lounge celebrates El Dia de San Patricio on Monday with complimentary plates of corned beef and cabbage.
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