—Coco restaurant (www.cocochicago.com) : This restaurant at 2723 W. Division St. is absolutely gorgeous, with various paintings and other works of art dotting the walls. Oh, and the Puerto Rican cuisine—which includes mini-jibaritos, pollo guisado (stewed chicken with vegetables), flan de coquito and escudo boricua (lamb chops with papaya sauce) —is nothing less than amazing.
—Drift: The Unmooring of American Military Power: Out commentator Rachel Maddow is as incisive as ever in this book, in which she argues that the United States seems to be at peace with constant war.
—Wish Me Away: This documentary centerpiece focuses on the coming out of country singer Chely Wright—and the title refers not only to the a song of hers but her feelings of self-loathing as she dealt with her homosexuality. Filmmakers Bobbie Birleffi and Beverly Kopf not only talk with Wright, but with family members, townspeople, a minister/spiritual adviser and music-industry insiders. The movie’s now in theaters around the country and is available on-demand.
—Whish Body products (www.whishbody.com) : Whish is a luxury all-natural and organic skincare line specializing in body products. According to a press release, the items were “created with women in mind but inspired by the simplicity and efficacy of men’s grooming essentials.” That being said, I can’t stop using the almond shave cream—it smells heavenly. (Other scents in the catalog of products range from lemongrass to coconut milk.)
—Andrew Davis
(Andrew@WindyCityTimes.com)