FINALLY FALL

Most people I know love the summer season and don't want it to end--especially in Chicago--but I am ecstatic that Fall has begun. While I'll agree that Chicago is the best place to be in the summer months, I think autumn is the most beautiful season of them all and has just as much to offer. Sleeping with the windows open as the air gets cooler at night, football season, my traditional Sunday night dinners and the leaves changing colors are some of my favorite things to look forward to. Oversized sweaters, a new season of boots and don't even get me started on the seasonal food! I can already taste my first bite of butternut squash soup.Here is a top ten guide of things to do in Chicago in the fall from City Search, as well as a my favorite place to search for fall recipes.

Annie Neyman
Group Director, Hospitality

ROCK RA!

Vote RA! may be over, but the fun has just begun. With ballots collected from all three RA Sushi Illinois restaurants (Chicago, Glenview and Lombard), the Barack Attack defeated the McCain Terrain with 174 votes to 166 votes as the best tasting maki.
The new menu has arrived and it features none other than Mr. Obama proudly wrapped up in smoked salmon, cream cheese, cucumber and artichoke rolled in rice and seaweed and topped with crunchy blue tempura bits, finished with a sweet eel sauce and wasabi mayo. The roll created to embody the character, integrity and honor of Democratic nominee and Illinois Senator Barack Obama is available now until Oct. 3 for $10, with $3 of every order benefiting Rock the Vote, an organization that engages and builds the political power of young people in order to achieve progressive change in our country.

Cassandra Mazur

TASTE TEST CAMPAIGN OF PRESIDENTIAL PROPORTIONS

I'm not much of a political aficionado but I have to admit that this election has been more exciting than any I can remember. No matter where you get your information on the election or how involved you are or who you think should be the next President, the most important thing this year is voting. If ever there was a time to register and make a difference for our country and our generation it is now. Everything from fashion magazines to the Paris Hilton's of the world have in some way contributed to this election season and restaurants are no exception.

At the end of this month, RA Sushi will go "maki-to-maki" in the taste test of this election season. During the span of both Democratic and Republican conventions, RA will have customers taste test sushi rolls that embody both Presidential hopefuls and vote on their favorite. Political pundits and sushi supporters will have a great time tasting the "Blue" BARACK ATTACK and the "Red" MCCAIN TERRAIN and voting on their favorite candidate. And the best part is that $3 from every sale of the Campaign Platter ($10), will benefit Rock the Vote, an organization that engages and builds the political power of young people in order to achieve progressive change in our country.

The winning candidate’s roll will be inaugurated onto the menu at all three Illinois RA Sushi restaurants starting on Friday, Sept. 12 through Friday, Oct. 3. Both Lombard and Glenview locations will also host voter registration events with Rock the Vote on Thursday, Oct. 2 from 6 to 8 p.m. and Friday, Oct. 3 from 6 to 8 p.m., respectively.
SO, if you haven't done it yet, now is your chance to register for possibly the most important election of our generation.

Annie Neyman
Group Director, Hospitality

I'M IN LOVE WITH A NACHO!

If anyone knows me they know that I love two things: avocados and crab.

So when HUB 51 debuted their menu with Peekytoe Crab Nachos, I knew I was in for taste bud heaven. Upon my first official visit to the new River North restaurant, my table of four ordered the decadent dish. We were gleefully glad to see the heaping pile of Peekytoe Crab, Fresh Crisp Tortilla Chips, Homemade Guacamole and White Cheddar & Oaxaca cheese sitting in front of us in no time. Each one of us dove right in and I don’t know about anyone else, but my mouth was elated. I would have never thought to pair nachos and crab together, but I swear those chefs at HUB 51 are genius. Usually when I tell my friends about the nachos, they get a weird look on their face but trust me these nachos are incredible!

I have officially found my new favorite nachos of all time at my new favorite client HUB 51.

Annie Neyman
Senior Publicist

TOP FOODIE

Since moving to Chicago last June, one of the best ways to be introduced to the city’s well-known cuisine and dining establishments has been my loyal watching of Top Chef Chicago. The show combines factors that I consider great television these days, laughter, intrigue, drama, combine this with one of my favorite pastimes--food. How can such a show go wrong? It doesn’t.

The show has also been a wonderful tour guide to the Windy City's culinary delights. Featuring many of Chicago’s top chefs and restaurants, it has also showcased one the true gems of this city, Green City Market.

Little by little inspired by Top Chef Chicago and the Food Channel, I have been making journeys through out the city to explore my culinary desires. From Smoke Daddy’s to Smoque in the realm of BBQ to the simplicity of the complicated sandwiches of Hannah’s Bretzel. Some new venues I am anxiously awaiting to explore are Zapwater client Hub 51, Hot Doug’s, and Lettuce Entertain You's L2O.


With my weekend nearing, I plan to grab some friends and enjoy another night relaxing and chowing down to a grand meal.

John Delaney
Office & Special Projects Manager

EATING FOR A CAUSE

As if I need a reason to eat more Tunacado, my favorite entrée at RA Sushi! At least this week the money I spend on my sushi fix at RA is going to a great cause and while I scarf down yummy rolls and salty Edamame, I can at at least feel good about it.

This week, May 25-31, RA will host its fourth annual "Nicky's Week" fundraiser to benefit the renowned St. Jude Children's Hospital. 100% of the proceeds from sales of various food and beverage items will help the amazing efforts at St. Jude's to help treat and cure children with life-threatening illnesses.

The fundraiser was developed in memory of longtime St. Jude patient Nicky Maillard, who died in February 2005 after a long battle with brain cancer. A nephew of one of RA's founders, Nicky holds a special place in the hearts of many RA employees. Also, every year patients and families of the hospital visit a restaurant and share their stories with the staff.

RA has raised more than $150,000 for the national hospital and this year they hope to raise $100,000 more. This is an amazing cause and I hope to encourage anyone that loves sushi as much as me to come to RA next week and give a little back!

Annie Neyman
Senior Publicist

WHO KNEW...LOMBARD!

Zapwater’s most recent opening activity was coordinating the Grand Opening of RA Sushi’s 14th national and 3rd Chicagoland location in Lombard, Illinois. Coming off Crimson Lounge’s opening, Zapwater was tasked with creating an equally successful yet entirely different event to celebrate RA’s growth, support two local charities and introduce the city of Lombard to its newest upbeat and trendy sushi destination.

Complete with blackjack, roulette and poker tables and live DJ, RA’s venue was transformed into a gambling haven for a Vegas-themed Grand Opening Party. Guests could partake in faux gambling festivities, feast on RA’s tasty and equally aesthetically pleasing menu items and enter for a chance to win one of a selection of many raffle prizes. Consistent with Grand Opening tradition, RA chose two local charities around the Western Suburbs to donate bar proceeds from the evening. The night resulted in over $2,800 raised and split between the Naperville Young Professional Group and the American Cancer Society branch in Oakbrook.


I will keep names anonymous but will leave you with quote from one of Zapwater’s own, “I have never been out to Lombard before, but there really is a lot going on and it’s pretty cool!” So for all you suburban skeptics out there, I suggest you give it another try (it’s not that far), the evening was a great success and as the restaurant’s mantra promises, “It’s more fun in the RA!”

Natalie Cowel
Publicist