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Carnivale
Category:
Latin American Restaurants
702 W Fulton Market
Chicago,
Illinois 60607
I went to Carnivale for my birthday with 3 of my friends, and I am so happy we did! The space is...
More 2 years ago
I went to Carnivale for my birthday with 3 of my friends, and I am so happy we did! The space is gorgeous, with a lot of interesting photography all over, including in the bathroom. Service was great, from the moment we walked in, and our waiter was very helpful in explaining the menu. I especially liked that they buy from local farmers. Their signature raspberry mojito is worth the hype, and the caipairinhas and margaritas are very good as well. We had the guacamole to start, which was a very generous serving, with a really nice amount of spice, and it was very fresh. I had the pernil for my main course, which is shredded pork with a rum glaze, and it was fantastic! It was served with rice and beans and fried plantains, which were also excellent. It can be VERY difficult to find well-made plantains in Chicago, but Carnivale does it. The portions were very generous, as well, which is often not the case in some upscale restaurants. They even brought out a birthday dessert for me, which was tasty, but not as tasty as everything else. I didn't really care at that point, though, since I was stuffed already. I would definitely recommend making reservations here, though, because it was pretty busy, even on a rainy Thursday night.
Pros: service, decor, food, drinks
Cons: dessert
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The Underground
Category:
Bars, Pubs & Clubs
56 W Illinois St
Chicago,
Illinois 60610
This establishment is the BEST at playing the game of nightlife politics. Everyone bitches about...
More 5 months ago
This establishment is the BEST at playing the game of nightlife politics. Everyone bitches about how hard it is to get in, the 70/30 female:male ratio, and the "dbag" doormen. They make their own rules because they can. If you want an enjoyable relaxed scene to drink and dance with some friends in a non-superficial environment-- mostly ANY nightclub is not for you, especially Underground. Chances are you've heard about Underground before you attempt to attend. Don't bother going if the scene and the people that run it don't sound like your cup of tea. Everyone that goes out tries to look their best and be the "hottest babe" or "biggest b aller" out there. In such a shallow nightlife arena, don't expect routine equality standards to apply. You are asking to and will be judged. Money talks in this scene if you are a guy, plan ahead and reserve a table. Also, let's face it-- looks matter. Its not fair, but its life. Their reputation wouldn't be as pronounced if they let anyone and everyone in, and half of the clientèle wouldn't want to go if that were the case. Underground is a great place to party. Great music and overall fun atmosphere.
Pros: Great crowd, Great music, Exclusivity, VIPs
Cons: Jaded linestanders.
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The Redhead Piano Bar
Category:
Banquet Rooms
16 W Ontario St Ste 3
Chicago,
Illinois 60610
(312) 640-1000
This is a great place to go on the weekend, but you better be prepared to be packed in with all...
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This is a great place to go on the weekend, but you better be prepared to be packed in with all other people who also think that it is a great weekend place. There is a dress code, but it brings a quality to the jazz bands that you can catch there. The atmosphere is serene, and the people who work here make you feel at home.
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Miller's Pub
Category:
Restaurants
134 S Wabash Ave
Chicago,
Illinois 60603
Millers Pum is apparently known for its ribs but I happened in off the street and wanted a burger...
More 2 years ago
Millers Pum is apparently known for its ribs but I happened in off the street and wanted a burger and what a burger it turned out to be. I would definently rate the hamburger at Millers as the best I have ever had. I can't wait to try the ribs on my next trip to Chicago. Oh, the service should also get a mention as being nothing less than sensational as one should expect from an establishment of this caliber.
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Vivo
Category:
Local Favorite
838 West Randolph Street
Chicago,
Illinois 60607
(312) 361-8366
I have always enjoyed hitting this unique spot in the west loop for a great meal and a great time....
More 12 months ago
I have always enjoyed hitting this unique spot in the west loop for a great meal and a great time. The service is not stuffy and the staff is very friendly and knowledgeable. I have had the same server a few times and he always remember waiting on me and what wine I usually order. The most recent time I was there we got him again and he came up to the table and told us they were actually out of the wine I liked but he had already thought of some suggestions of different bottles I might enjoy just as much. He was right on, the new wine was fantastic. And I was pretty impressed by his ability to remember and offer something he knew we would enjoy.
There is always a long list of specials to choose from. I ordered a bone in stuffed veal chop that was delicious, and my date ordered the rigatoni pasta with peas and goat cheese, which the waiter said was one of his favorites.
If your looking for a very fine-dining, stuffy atmosphere, with robots as waiters, this is not the place for you. If you want to be in a fun and lively space with good food, service, and ambiance; then Vivo is the place.
They also recently opened the new lounge next door and had a DJ playing the Saturday night we were there. We sat in the lounge after our meal for a night cap and had a great time.
They are obviously still doing things right, since I was told they have been open for 17 years. I will definitely be returning again and again.
Pros: food, atmosphere, service
Cons: drinks tend to be a little pricey
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Green Dolphin Street
Category:
Local Favorite
2200 N Ashland Ave
Chicago,
Illinois 60614
(773) 598-5762
I go to green dolphin and have an absolutely great time... its a great club with very nice people....
More 9 months ago
I go to green dolphin and have an absolutely great time... its a great club with very nice people. Its not trashy at all, I mean its a club your suppose to dress fun and have fun. That person who commented earliar is probably a loser if they think that about green dolphin..... At every club you get a few drunk perves. Why? Maybe because there drinking duh!! Okay I agree with the gymshoes inapproaite...but otherwise love green dolphin ..its not trashy at all.
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Excalibur
Category:
Bars, Pubs & Clubs
632 N Dearborn St
Chicago,
Illinois 60610
This place is so fun! I went there for my 21st birthday and I had a blast. It's a little pricey...
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This place is so fun! I went there for my 21st birthday and I had a blast. It's a little pricey but then again, anywhere you go downtown is going to cost you. The shot girls are such sweethearts and the DJ's have that place pumping. I like the music selection the most, they play everything, not just one certain sound. There's also additional floors and a game room in the basement. The food is delicious too! Get there pretty early around 8:30 or 9 am or you wont get a table. If you are going with a group of 5 or more I would make reservations....They're also open until 5 am on saturdays!!!
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Comedysportz is amazing!
My girlfriend and I went to see the show on a Friday and we couldn't...
More 1 year ago
Comedysportz is amazing!
My girlfriend and I went to see the show on a Friday and we couldn't believe how awesome it was. Normally, improv is pretty hit-or-miss, but this place has its act together; there wasn't a single moment when I wasn't laughing. I even got the chance to get on stage with the cast (Comedysportz is very big on audience participation, as I found out).
Probably the best part about the whole thing was that they kept the material clean. It's very hard to find clean entertainment that's as funny as this show; I was very pleasantly surprised! I figured the material would be extremely toned down, but the whole audience was right there with the actors every step of the way. It's not a kids show, but if I had a kid, I would definitely have taken him (or her).
My girlfriend and I are looking forward to going back to see some of the late-night series shows, which are a variety of different improvised (and comedy) shows ranging from stand-up comedy to improvised movie-making (coincidentally, this is their Wednesday night lineup). They also offer an "adult show" on Saturdays at midnight (probably not for kids) and a college night on Thursdays.
The laughs are clean, the drinks are cold (they have a fairly nice bar), and the prices are just right. Definitely a great way to spend an evening.
Pros: Funny; appropriate for all ages; great show variety; audience participation; very high energy
Cons: Parking's a little rough (TAKE THE "L" YOU CAN SEE THEM FROM THE PLATFORM); can't bring in outside beverages
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Le Passage
Category:
Bars, Pubs & Clubs
937 N Rush St
Chicago,
Illinois 60611
Had a ton of fun here. From out of town and didn't realize Chicago had after hours bars. It was...
More 9 months ago
Had a ton of fun here. From out of town and didn't realize Chicago had after hours bars. It was definitely well worth it!
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Big Chicks
Category:
Bars, Pubs & Clubs
5024 N Sheridan Rd
Chicago,
Illinois 60640
I love Big Chicks. As others have mentioned here, they have a great Sunday afternoon FREE...
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I love Big Chicks. As others have mentioned here, they have a great Sunday afternoon FREE bar-b-que (rain or shine, summer or winter). The staff is always super friendly and eager to please. The girl that works weekday afternoons makes the best cosmos in the city!!! I like to go on Wednesdays or Saturday nights to play euchre with the euchre club!
Pros: Great food and mixed drinks. Great prices. Friendly. Euchre on Sat. & Wed.
Cons: Can get quite smoky
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