ML - Michigan Avenue

2014 - Issue 1 - Winter

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!

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ON THE TOWN WINTER FORECAST What: French-inspired fare in a lovely Sofitel setting. When: A frigid January weekday. Where: Café des Architectes, 20 E. Chestnut St., 312-324-4063; cafedesarchitectes.com FROM LEFT: Eric Ferguson and Paul Konrad seek shelter at the Sofitel; Café des Architectes serves lunch fare like the grilled flat iron steak salad. Freeze Frame CHICAGO MEDIA STARS PAUL KONRAD AND ERIC FERGUSON BEAT THE WINTER CHILL OVER LUNCH AT CAFÉ DES ARCHITECTES. BY MEG MATHIS PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANJALI PINTO T he city all but shut down in early January after being hit by a "polar vortex," but if anyone is expert at braving the elements, it's WGN Morning News weather anchor Paul Konrad and morning radio star Eric Ferguson of 101.9FM The Mix, both of whom are on the job no matter how harsh the weather. The pair of friends and colleagues found refuge from the record-breaking -40 wind chill over a warming lunch at Café des Architectes in the Sofitel, where they broke bread and discussed the upside of Chicago's frigid winter. Paul, you suggested meeting here. What do you like about this place? Paul Konrad: It's an easy location. I've come for lunch, and I've come for drinks at Le Bar. I have a good friend who comes in and stays at this hotel, so I can connect here. What's your go-to on the menu? PK: I'm getting the f lat iron steak salad. It's a new year; I'm trying to eat healthy. Eric Ferguson: How long will that last, this whole salad thing? PK: [Laughs] Well, when you look at the salad, you'll realize it's steak with 80 a few greens and some bread alongside it, so it's my kind of salad. I say I'll eat healthier year-round. It's already been a long winter for Chicago. What are you looking forward to this season? PK: My wife is from Southern California, so at some point in January or February, we've got to get out of town and warm up—otherwise she'll just flat-out leave me. [Laughs] EF: Love it or hate it, at least this is a real winter, and there's something to be said for that. I'm trying to remember if we used to have the same kind of panic that we have now; I think back to when I was a senior in high school—in January of '85—and it was, like, 27 below zero. The world didn't shut down. PK: [Laughs] That's what cracks me up! I don't know whether we've gotten soft. I love cold weather. EF: I don't get you. PK: I love it in extremes; I'd rather have it be like this than 25 degrees and cloudy for one long stretch. continued on page 82 MICHIGANAVEMAG.COM 080-082_MA_Taste_OTT_Winter_14.indd 80 1/10/14 9:47 AM

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