IN SEARCH OF A BETTER BURGER

Unlike most of my colleagues, I can’t really say I am much of a foodie. As a recent college graduate, my diet consists of the same several, pitiful staples: wheat bread, tomatoes, hummus and popcorn. Usually, these are consumed while watching the Food Network as I pretend that my paltry sandwich is whatever delicious comestible is being prepared on the tube. While many of my peers are turning to fast food to satiate their dietary desires, I would prefer to use my imagination. Lately however, my imagination can only go so far. With the smell of summer BBQ wafting through my neighborhood and only re-runs of Paula Deen on TV, I have been craving something tasty and new but still affordable and natural. Luckily David Friedman, founder of the new South Loop eatery Epic Burger, once had a similar dilemma!

Inspired by a road trip that left him longing for a quick yet fresh bite to eat, Friedman set out to create a burger joint that could be delicious, fast, affordable and above all, natural. Epic Burger’s staples are a bit different from my own, consisting of all fresh, natural ingredients including hormone and antibiotic free beef, Wisconsin made cheese and locally grown produce. Add freshly baked buns and cut to order French fries to this mix and you can start to see how Epic Burger got its name. The menu is uncluttered, consisting of only four burger and sandwich choices, their trans-fat free fries and a variety of real fruit smoothies. My suggestion? The All Natural Epic Burger that comes with all the traditional burger fixings and “epic sauce”. If you’re feeling like enjoying an especially epic meal, try it out with their one-year aged cheddar and a few slabs of nitrate free bacon.Although the official grand opening of Epic Burger is Tuesday July 29th, they’re now open to meet your meat needs. I am confident that even if your diet is a bit more thrilling than mine, Epic Burger will live up to its name!

Emma Richards
Intern

72 HOURS, ZAPWATER STYLE

It’s not every week that you can start with an open house in the suburbs, followed by a Carnivale, topped off with a 2.0 grand opening event (complete with burlesque dancers) and then end the festivities by Dressing Up! Get ready, here we go!

Wednesday, July 16

3:00 pm
Our journey to Des Plaines to visit Feldco, Chicago’s own home renewal specialists, began in the late afternoon and was an hour and half reminder of why I live in the city, it only took that long to go 26 miles! In that time, we managed to wave at fellow drivers, call Allison’s grandma, watch planes land freakishly close at O’Hare and then some.

5:00 pm
Our task for the night was to host and staff a private reception for media and VIP’s, giving them a “behind the windows, siding and doors” look at the all-new Feldco showroom and headquarters.

8:30 pm
The night was a success, as drinks were poured (with one minor bartender finger injury) and RA Sushi was devoured, the crowd was truly impressed by the new Des Plaines facility.

Thursday, July 17

5:00 pm
Prepping for events entails a lot of work, including stuffing gift bags for guests. In preparation for a Friday afternoon/evening event at le Dress, I kidnapped our intern Ashley for a night of stuffing, staffing and dancing.

7:00 pm
After meticulously prepping 100 bags, we crossed over from Wicker Park to Bucktown for the Carnivale celebration at Akira. Proceeds from the door benefited Chicago Gateway Green, the non-profit organization dedicated to beautifying and greening Chicago, and served as the second of three pre-events for this years’ annual Green Tie Ball.

9:00 pm
A quick change and cab ride later, we found ourselves at Crimson Lounge, ready to participate in the Grand Opening 2.0 celebration. Scantily-clad burlesque dancers stole the stage and almost bared all (I was impressed!), and the Crimson Kitties made their debut dancing performance. Champagne, appetizers and DJ Kiss filled the night and I even had my own dance-off with one of my favorite DJ’s, Matt Roan!Friday, July 18

10:30 am
As the day begins with a totally crazy cabbie, what other kind is there really, I was ready to put the week to bed, but not before I “le Dress”ed it up at le Dress’s media event and official grand opening. The city’s newest dress-only boutique treated media and guests to champagne, wine, amazing truffles, cheeses and cupcakes (all from our great friend Rehanna at Chocolate Grape), toasting to the boutique’s success and walls of beautiful dresses. I myself felt a bit like Katherine Heigel, I tried on at least 27 dresses throughout the day!

7:30 pm
Equipped with two bottles of wine, I grabbed a cab and headed home, where I immediately toasted with my fiancé to a whirlwind 72 hours – Zapwater style!

Holly Ramsey
Publicist