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Even when I don't particularly care for a place, I try to find something good about it, and when it comes to the Alley, I can applaud them for filling a niche, and making money on that niche. The...
Even when I don't particularly care for a place, I try to find something good about it, and when it comes to the Alley, I can applaud them for filling a niche, and making money on that niche. The Alley caters to those who are visiting Chicago, and want to buy something that exemplifies the urban lifestyle through a strange connection with Mad Max movies. This place poses as punk, or bondage, or something. I have purchased a t-shirt here, but everything else seems to cater to teenagers from the 'burbs who need attention from daddy. The prices are reasonable, I suppose, but to find something to buy, well, good luck, unless you have some kid brother or sister going to college in Minnesota. Thay may appreciate some PVC ware as a way to make a splash freshman year.
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Chicago Comics is kind of like a beginner's comic book store; it's well-spaced, clean, brightly lit, and they have books and toys, too. If you have questions, there are people that work there,...
Chicago Comics is kind of like a beginner's comic book store; it's well-spaced, clean, brightly lit, and they have books and toys, too. If you have questions, there are people that work there, even though I have never noticed them until I paid for something. But I don't usually seek out help at places like this. I mean who would need help unless you are looking for something specifically, but I'm not everybody. The comic selection isn't vast, but well-represented. The store probably benefits from the location on Clark Street, but it is definitely not hard-core, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, when it comes to the rather closed society of comic book geeks.
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Platiyo
Category:
Restaurants
3313 N Clark St
Chicago, Illinois 60657
(773) 477-6700
Platiyo is a spot that I am sorry to have moved away from. The food is top-notch, the service is always excellent, and the prices aren't that bad, especially when you are paying for such good...
Platiyo is a spot that I am sorry to have moved away from. The food is top-notch, the service is always excellent, and the prices aren't that bad, especially when you are paying for such good mexican. Entrées are usually between 10 and 20 dollars, apps 5 to 10 dollars, and make sure you try a margarita. It's served martini-style, up with salt. The bartender was generous with mine, continuing to refresh it from the shaker he placed very close-by. He was a flirt, too. Same with the guys in the kitchen, smiling as I walked by to the restroom, but hey, who doesn't dig a little attention? I didn't have room for dessert, but guess what, they send you off with a shot of tequila and a chaser of margarita (spiced-up tomato juice). Colorful, clean, pleasant, somewhat cheap, good service, what's not to like?
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When I used to live about a half-block away, Gold Crown Liquors was such a great place to go for entertaining, myself or others. They carry all sorts of imported beers and micro-brews, as well as a...
When I used to live about a half-block away, Gold Crown Liquors was such a great place to go for entertaining, myself or others. They carry all sorts of imported beers and micro-brews, as well as a really nice wine selection for the size of the place. But if I had to focus on just one thing about this liquor store that I miss, it's the shots the guys behind the counter would make me do. maybe because I was a regular, maybe because I was a cute girl, but when they got a new liquor in, I would get a complimentary shot. They also carry an array of mixers, and a tiny amount of food products, but usually only stuff you'd put in a drink. Oh, yeah, and ice cream. The guys that own the place are flirts, and plain friendly otherwise, and if you have questions, they have answers. They also offer keg services.
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Pink Frog has two locations, one down the block from the other, and the "chain" offers fun clothes, good for going out and catching attention. The prices vary, but they often have good sales on...
Pink Frog has two locations, one down the block from the other, and the "chain" offers fun clothes, good for going out and catching attention. The prices vary, but they often have good sales on things, so you can find a cool and unusual skirt. The store on Belmont and Clark has a downstairs that has all kinds of shoes and handbags, but the more westerly store on Belmont has one space that has a little bit of everything in that store. I can't quite figure out why the two stores exist, but I have never asked, so it's my own fault, I suppose. The clothes are fun, the staff is nice, the prices reasonable, and you'll feel good for shopping in a small locally-owned shop, rather than a huge chain.
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A lovely little storefront on Belmont, to the east of the Red and Brown Line Station, Shanghai Gallery offers a nice array of imports from China, such as the lovely chinese dresses that i love so...
A lovely little storefront on Belmont, to the east of the Red and Brown Line Station, Shanghai Gallery offers a nice array of imports from China, such as the lovely chinese dresses that i love so much, despite the fact they are not designed for buxom girls like myself. The prices are comparable to anything in Chinatown, but the atmosphere isn't quite so Chinatown, impersonal, overly crowded racks, digging through bins. Shanghai Gallery is pleasant and clean, the lovely girl behind the counter is nice, and the merchandise is mostly geared toward chicks. In addition to dresses and slippers, there are little purses and trinkets, as well as anything with an asian print.
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My ex-roommates liked this store, but I never found one thing in it that I would have spent too-much money on. Everything is really girly, and pastel, lacey, frilly, and they always have dresses in...
My ex-roommates liked this store, but I never found one thing in it that I would have spent too-much money on. Everything is really girly, and pastel, lacey, frilly, and they always have dresses in the window that no one would wear, except maybe your divorced, lonely aunt to your cousin's wedding. The prices are high, so it's not like Forever 21 or H&M, where you can spend $20 on a shirt that will probably rip the first time you wear it and not feel bad about it, it's $20. But Fashion Tomato is not the place for that kind of shopping. There is a much better place very close by called Pink Frog. Go there, you'll be happier.
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Strange Cargo has it's purpose in my life (when someone needs a PBR cap), but not one that is called on regularly, thank god. It's usually filled with lame suburbanites kids looking for things that...
Strange Cargo has it's purpose in my life (when someone needs a PBR cap), but not one that is called on regularly, thank god. It's usually filled with lame suburbanites kids looking for things that hearken back to a decade they missed. The prices are getting more and more expensive, since I first shopped there years ago, but if you can charge the prices, and people them, well, good for them. The staff is usually way too cool to talk to anyone but each other, which doesn't bother me as they all come across as members of the Audio-Visual Club in high school, but then moved to the city and got a studio in Andersonville, started dressing in clever t-shirts with iron-on's of your favourite 80's band and the low-top chuck taylors, and finished it off with chunky black glasses...oh, wait, I just described the inventory.
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Lovely, lovely cookies and cakes, tarts, pastries, and they offer cappuccinos (but no flavours). Bittersweet on Belmont, to the west of the Red and Brown Lines Station, is as cute as it is sweet. ...
Lovely, lovely cookies and cakes, tarts, pastries, and they offer cappuccinos (but no flavours). Bittersweet on Belmont, to the west of the Red and Brown Lines Station, is as cute as it is sweet. The decor's colour scheme makes me crave sugar-frosting on sugar cookies. And Bittersweet delivers...animal shapes, with bright sugar frosting. But expect to pay for the cuteness. I can't leave this bakery without spending at least ten dollars on cookies, and that's maybe five or six cookies. But you pay for the designs and the extra care spent on these cookies...and besides, if you have to spend a lot on cookies, you won't eat them as often. But if you are going home for the holidays, stop by Bittersweet to take something home to the family. They will be impressed, and you'll actually hear aw's. There are cute little cafe tables inside to have your cake and eat it, too.
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cleo's
Category:
Food & Dining
1935 W. Chicago
Chicago, Illinois 60601
(312) 243-5600
What makes me happy about a bar...mm, usually good drinks at a good price, but I need something more...yes, that's it, good food. Cleo's on Chicago Avenue is a lovely spot for sports, as they have...
What makes me happy about a bar...mm, usually good drinks at a good price, but I need something more...yes, that's it, good food. Cleo's on Chicago Avenue is a lovely spot for sports, as they have lots of TV's, but it is also just a great place to hang out. The food is what keeps me coming back. It's fairly cheap, and the food is surprisingly good. I really recommend the brunch, with the Bloody Mary bar -- think all kinds of little bottles of things to add to your tomato juice and stoli. Cleo's makes me happy to go out for drinks, and to be able to order food to try to absorb the ample alcohol I will be adding to my system. There are daily specials: wing night, pizza night, burger night, so you can get their cheap food, even cheaper. Cleo's has one of those trivia and game machines in the back and on the bar, which I try to stay away from, as I can get a little too competitive. Other than that, you make your own fun, in other words, no pool table.
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