Singled Out (Part 3): Meet 17 of the most notable single-for-the-moment Chicagoans

Spotlighting the city's star singles may not sound like an easy task but once you see who we've selected, the choice was simple. Here's a round-up of our favorite leading ladies! (Listed alphabetically)

Elysabeth Alfano
Creator/Executive Producer/Host, "Fear No ART" & "The Dinner Party"

Blogger, The Huffington Post

Nest: East Rogers Park

Girls just want to have fun and that usually includes dinner and a show. The brainchild of The Huffington Post Arts & culture writer, Elysabeth Alfano, "The Dinner Party" is a monthly intimate affair which brings Chicagoans together for good food, wine, and memorable performances, all in front a live audience. Grab a ticket to this ultra-cool dinner event and score a seat next to Alfano (if you can) - you’re in for one hell of a party.  

Describe your job in 140 characters: Creator, Executive Producer, and Host of two TV-web shows, "Fear No ART" and "The Dinner Party"; and blogger on art, culture, food, and travel for The Huffington Post.

Your proudest personal or professional accomplishment: Launching my first show, "Fear No ART", on WTTW was really exciting.

Joyce & Jeremy Piven on "Fear No ART"

What do you do when you want to impress someone: Speak French. Êtes-vous impressionné?

What is your favorite activity: Long walks anywhere in the world.

Your Hollywood/Historical crush: Johnny Depp

Johnny Depp

Describe your dream guy in three words: Wicked smart, keenly exploratory, and super funny.

Pretty Tomboy

The one little secret you would never divulge to a guy, but your mother/BFF gladly would: I’m secretly a tomboy who loves to be surrounded by nature.

Name one item on your bucket list: Climb Annapurna in the Himalayas.

Andrea Barraco 
Sales Manager, David Sutherland Inc.
Nest: Printer’s Row

Making a memorable first impression is Andrea Barraco’s day job. As the sales manager and style authority for David Sutherland Inc., Barraco keeps clients sitting pretty from the idyllic love nest to the chic corner office. And when she’s not showcasing the good life, she is out painting the town platinum – from the Wit Roof to the Pump Room – or anywhere with a glamorous view of the world.  

Describe your job in 140 characters: Sell multi-line collections of the world’s finest furniture, fabric, and accessories to residential and hospitality design markets.

Your proudest personal or professional accomplishment: Changing my career path so I could use my creativity to help others.

Hot Green Crush: Kermit the Frog 

Your Hollywood/Historical crush: Kermit the Frog. He’s cute, down-to-earth, and easy going.

You’re feeling romantic. How do you like to set the mood: Light Voluspa vanilla candles, open a bottle of Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc, and snuggle in front of a fire with someone special.

Describe your dream guy in three words: Affectionate, loyal, and intelligent.

Room with a VIEW: NoMI Kitchen

Favorite first-date romantic destination: A restaurant with a spectacular view, great food, and wine.

First date uniform: 

A flirty dress and hot heels.

Name one item on your bucket list: Front row at The Oscars. 

Jen Fite

Partner, Frontera Grill

Nest: Chicago

Frontera Grill partner and Rick Bayless’ loyal right hand, Jen Fite’s role in helping Chicago’s leading (top) chef turn his award-winning, Mexican-inspired dishes into a formidable branding empire has made her a who’s who in the intimate world of A-list restaurateurs. Whether she’s hosting an epicurean media dinner, promoting a new cookbook, or sourcing the freshest farm-to-table ingredients, this 5'11" food aficionado is keeping cool even as she’s helping set the culinary world on fire.

Describe your job in 140 characters: I work for a celebrity chef and manage his press, appearances, and events. I also handle television, book projects, and marketing to promote the Frontera brand.

What personal trait gives you the most confidence: My sense of humor.

Cher: Idol and Icon

If you could cast anyone to play you in a movie, who would it be: Cher. She has been my idol since I was a little girl. I grew up in the 1970’s, she was it for me.

Describe your dream guy in three words: Tall, hilarious, and confident.

You've been invited to participate in a Bachelorette auction. Describe your ideal date package: Drinks at NoMI Garden, dinner at Spiaggia, and dessert at ¡Bang! Bang Pie Shop in Logan Square.

 ¡Bang! Bang pie

The one little secret you would never divulge to a guy, but your mother gladly would: That I have a softer heart than I let on.

 

Couples LOVE Cabo

Favorite first-date romantic destination: Cabo. Would that be weird for a first date?

Lee Litas

Dining & Trend Columnist

Chicago Sun-Times

Nest: Chicago

We were rocked to the toes of our Manolos when the role of “Newspaper Reporter” won a not-so coveted spot on CareerCast’s “10 Worst Jobs of 2012”. Really, what J-school grad wouldn’t swap their Montblanc for a stab at being the next Helen Thomas? Of course, having the glamorous gig of reporting about must-attend events and gastronomic destinations wouldn’t hurt either. Enter Lee Litas, a modern day, raven-haired Brenda Starr with a penchant for scooping glamorous, “wish-you-could-be-here” parties, uncovering nascent trends, and dishing up cuisine culture in the Chicagoland area. Can we be your plus one?

Describe your job in 140 characters: Columnist and photographer for the Chicago Sun-Times’ "Splash" section; and columnist for STM/Pioneer Press’ "Table Hopping" and "Lee's Social Studies" columns.

Editor's Essential

Your proudest personal or professional accomplishment: Being a published writer.

What do you do when you want to impress someone: Listen intently.

Your Hollywood/Historical crush: Gabriel Macht

Knock! Knock! Who's There?: 
Gabriel Macht

Describe your dream guy in three words: Intelligent, sensual, and present.

The one little secret you would never divulge to a guy, but your mother/BFF gladly would: That I am really clumsy.

¡Che bello!: Carnevale di Venezia

Name one item on your bucket list: Festivale in Venice in full costume.

If you could cast anyone to play you in a movie, who would it be: Kate Beckinsale

Mel Muoio

Stylist/Marketing Manager, Element Collective

Nest: Wicker Park

Blessed with supermodel good looks, a killer style sense and brains to boot, Mel Muoio (pronounced “Mu-o”) spends her creative hours handling the marketing for Element Collective hospitality group. When she’s not grabbing the spotlight for Element restaurant concepts like Nellcôte and RM Champagne Salon, Muoio pens for the Chicago edition of UrbanDaddy.

Describe your job in 140 characters: Handling Element Collective’s marketing and working as a fashion stylist.

Everyone has that someone that got away. What you’ll miss LEAST about him: Nobody is perfect but if I were to start the list it would not be pretty.

Your Hollywood crush: James Franco

Mix designer jeans and

vintage jewelry for a perfect 

first impression! #MuoioZoe

Describe your first date uniform: Jeans, stilettos, t-shirt, and my favorite vintage accessories.

Pick up line you would NEVER utter: "Want to go home with me?" I’ve never been a one-night stand kind of girl.

Jay-Z serenades Beyonce at 

Coachella Music Festival

If you could serenade someone, what song would it be: Anything by Jay-Z.

You’ve been invited to participate in a Bachelorette auction. Describe your ideal date package: A delicious taco-and-movie date.

Sexy Mama: Marisa Miller 

rocking her granny panties

The one little secret you would never divulge to a guy, but your mother/BFF gladly would: I wear granny panties on Sundays. 

Elena Samokhina

Consultant

Mila Samokhina Photography

Nest: Lakeview

As the marketing consultant for Mila Samokhina, Chicago’s “It Girl” of fashion photographers, Elena Samokhina is used to swimming in a sea of pretty faces. When she’s not sipping champagne with this month’s “girl next door” cover model, she’s kick-boxing off calories from last night’s red carpet charity fundraiser.

Describe your job in 140 characters: Create the strategy for expansion and coordinate marketing.

Your proudest personal or professional accomplishment: I completed an Olympic distance triathlon last year and am looking to improve my time this year.

Fitness Tip #0484: Kicking butt 

has great health benefits

What is your favorite activity: Kick-boxing and cooking.

Your Hollywood/Historical crush: Jason Statham. There is something so confident and masculine about him.

Jason Statham: Definition of SEXY

Describe your dream guy in three words: Confident, intelligent, and funny.

Favorite first-date romantic destination: Golf. You really get to know people outside of their comfort zones.

Fore!: Keep romance on course

Name one item on your bucket list: Play a round of golf at St. Andrews.

LeeAnn Trotter
Entertainment & Lifestyle Reporter, WMAQ-TV NBC 5 Chicago
Nest: South Loop

Don’t be surprised when you first meet LeeAnn Trotter – razor smart and pretty, the pint-sized package is amazon tall on talent. When the NBC 5 reporter isn’t accruing accolades (she’s already got one Emmy to her credit) or playing emcee for one of her favorite charities, Trotter's keeping her fans’ hedonistic side satiated with glamorous event coverage and smart interviews with the city’s talented citizenry.

Describe your job in 140 characters: I report on fun things to do around town, celebrities who visit Chicago, and human interest stories.

Your proudest personal or professional accomplishment: I debunked the naysayers who said I would have to go to a smaller market before I could get an on-air reporting job in Chicago. There was no way I was leaving Chicago, and I never did.

If you could cast anyone to play you in a movie, who would it be: Maya Rudolph or Rashida Jones. Both are beautiful, strong women who are also funny.

Laugh Riot: Rashida Jones

Describe your dream guy in three words: Funny, thoughtful, and spiritual.

The one little secret you would never divulge to a guy, but your mother gladly would: I once forgot my ex-husband’s name. If I forget yours, please don't be offended.

Favorite first-date romantic destination: A picnic on the lake or a classical music concert.

 Rev up the romance with a lakefront picnic

Your Hollywood crush: Alec Baldwin

You’re feeling romantic. How do you like to set the mood: Pop an unexpected kiss on his neck or gaze deeply into his eyes.

Awe-some!: Skip the Grand Canyon's 

dated donkey tour and hit the skywalk instead

Name one item on your bucket list: See the Grand Canyon.

Photo Credits:
Photo of ¡Bang! Bang Pie courtesy of @ShannonDowney
Photo of Rashida Jones courtesy of Getty Images

Written by Kerry & Sally Shorr