ML - Michigan Avenue

2014 - Issue 4 - Summer

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!

Issue link: http://digital.greengale.com/i/335804

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 91 of 163

Longtime friends Bruce Wolf and Brad Thor (left) trade quips over a decadent lunch at RL (top), which includes a savory lobster roll sandwich (above). photography by galdones photography media mates What: Cocktails and conversation over lunch. When: The buzzing noon hour on a recent spring Tuesday. Where: Brad Thor's preferred corner booth at RL, 115 E. Chicago Ave., 312-475-1100; rlrestaurant.com the Write stuff over lunch at rl, Best-selling author Brad Thor and Wls radio Broadcaster Bruce Wolf raise a glass to the release of thor's 14th novel, Act of WAr. By j.p. AndERson B rad Thor and Bruce Wolf are an unlikely pair—Thor speaks with the earnest intensity of a character in one of the espionage thrillers that have made him famous, while Wolf is a wisecracking TV and radio veteran always ready with a punch line—but the duo's common Chicago upbringing and shared worldview have forged between them a fast friendship. As Thor looks ahead to the release of his latest Scot Harvath novel, the two born-and-bred Chicagoans share a laugh-filled lunch at RL while talking books, bloody bulls, and being raised in the Windy City. How do you two know each other? Brad Thor: I wa s a fa n of Br uce's back when he wa s w it h Jonat hon Brandmeier here [at WLUP], and we met when I was on a book tour. My publicist had booked me on your show, and we hit it off. Why do you think there's a connection between you two? BT: The eyes. [Laughs] No, I love Bruce's sense of humor and I always have; I used to listen to him in high school and college. We can talk about politics and all that, but we always find the laugh in it. And I've always believed the shortest distance between two people really is a good laugh. The waiter arrives. BT: I'm going to have a bloody bull. Bruce Wolf: What is that? I don't even know what that is. BT: It's a Bloody Mary with beef bouillon. It's great for your cholesterol. BW: Make it two. Brad, you suggested that we meet here. Why is RL a favorite of yours? BT: There was nothing like it in Chicago. The décor is so cool—it was Ralph Lauren's first attempt at a restaurant. The food's fantastic, the service is awesome, and it's become like a second home. What's your typical order? BT: I get the short ribs in succotash. It's fantastic. It's a tough dish to cook and it's always perfect. The lobster club is also good. BW: I'm going to have that. The bloody bull cocktails are presented. BT: A h, look at t hat. Br uce, if t h is t u r ns into a problem for you, I'll pay your deposit at Betty Ford, since I'm the guy who's going to get you hooked continued on page 92 90 michiganavemag.com on the town

Articles in this issue

Links on this page

Archives of this issue

view archives of ML - Michigan Avenue - 2014 - Issue 4 - Summer