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This little place is tucked away in what appears to be the wilderness. I was there just last night (that would be May 12, 2006) for a wedding reception and I sort of fell in love with this place. ...
This little place is tucked away in what appears to be the wilderness. I was there just last night (that would be May 12, 2006) for a wedding reception and I sort of fell in love with this place. It looks like you are about to spend the evening dining in someone's house. The parking lot behind the place goes on for what seems like ten miles. The inside is very cozy, with a large brick back porch area.
The problem with a wedding reception is that it does not generally give you the full range of the menu a place has. What we had last night was prime rib and I must say it was fantastic. The salad smelled and looked great but it came with cheese on it and I, being lactose intolerant, was not able to partake.
The staff was all very courteous and pleasant. The dance floor was small, but that was necessary given the size of the place in general. I definitely would like to go back here when it is during regular dining hours and not being rented out for reception purposes. I bet their menu is very diverse and quite good. The food we had here was outstanding and even the house wine was quite good.
It's tough as hell to find, and there is a cat who must live in the dumpster area, but even he's friendly.
Check it out.
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I have lived in Chicago pretty much my entire life and throughout that life the Chicago Metropolitan Rail system has had a kind of mystique about it. When I was growing up we used to actually play...
I have lived in Chicago pretty much my entire life and throughout that life the Chicago Metropolitan Rail system has had a kind of mystique about it. When I was growing up we used to actually play in and around the train tracks. This is insanity when I think of it now, but it seemed perfectly all right then.
It is METRA that makes vacationing in the city of Chicago and staying at a hotel in the suburbs an OK thing. They are in the middle of a multi-year project to remodel the local train stations, but the ones that are done are fantastic. Bright, with donut shops and newspaper stands and populated with generally friendly workers, these stations are very comfortable and comforting.
The train itself is great. You can sit in the upper deck for a unique view of the passing scenery. It's relaxing and it's the best way to get downtown. The conductors are dressed like something out of an old movie and they tend to be friendly as well. When you take Metra to work on a daily basis you get to know these guys.
I used to take Metra to and from work back when I worked downtown. I must say, I miss it, and I enjoy taking it whenever I can. Taking it downtown to get to the Sox game was a great treat this year. With Dan Ryan Expressway construction, Metra is needed and better than ever.
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Metro
Category:
Night Clubs
3730 N Clark St
Chicago, Illinois 60613
(773) 549-0203
Just wanted to add my two cents about this place in Chicago where some of the greatest musical performers have played. I must recommend the Metro. It can be crowded and finding parking is a...
Just wanted to add my two cents about this place in Chicago where some of the greatest musical performers have played. I must recommend the Metro. It can be crowded and finding parking is a nightmare, but in the end, this place does it right.
I have seen shows by Bob Mould and two Flaming Lips shows on New Years Eve. The place is all about standing, drinking and smoking, but it's sound is great and you can practically reach out and touch the performers.
There'sa balcony you can enjoy in order to get a bird's-eye view of things. The drinks must be great because everyone around me usually has one. The stage is situated perfectly so you can see everything even over the heads of the crowd.
My claustrophbobia kicks in here from time to time, but it's worth it. There's also a separate, smaller, bar and club downstairs from the main stage. I have not been in there, but I have a lot of friends who say that is worth a visit in and of itself.
For my money, it's the only thing worth going to Wrigleyville for.
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The Cheesecake Factory located at Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg Illinois is a strange combination of infuriating and delicious. The infuriating part comes from the fact that the place is always...
The Cheesecake Factory located at Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg Illinois is a strange combination of infuriating and delicious. The infuriating part comes from the fact that the place is always packed to the gills and you cannot make reservations. This means you spend a lot of time standing around in the cramped from part of the restaurant holding one of those vibrating pager thing waiting for your table.
However, once you get past that and get inside the food you find waiting for you makes you forget all of the rest of it. It creates a kind of food-haze amnesia similar to what makes a woman want to have another kid and forget all about the pain, I think.
I love their pork chops. They come with this homemade apple sauce that is the ONLY applesauce I can stand and will eat. The chops are made perfectly and are big enough to leave you feeling full and satisfied.
The menu is extensive. It has everything from Thai and Asian food to steaks and chops. Then there's the cheesecake, of course.
I recommend the Vanilla cheesecake. I know, it sounds so simple compared to some of the more exotic flavors out there, but I tell you, you need to try this. It's fantastic.
If you can get past the crowd and actually get to your food, this place is great. I suggest going during the week, maybe at an off hour to try and avoid the crowds.
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Going to the hospital is very rarely a good thing. I suppose going to the hospital to have a baby might be a good thing, but beyond that finding a happy reason to be stuck in a room for many days...
Going to the hospital is very rarely a good thing. I suppose going to the hospital to have a baby might be a good thing, but beyond that finding a happy reason to be stuck in a room for many days is hard. However, if you are in Chicago, and you find yourself sick or injured, I say make the effort to get downtown and go to Northwestern.
Northwester Memorial hospital is a big city hospital, without a doubt. It is, however, one of the best in the city. The best doctors, and the best equipment. It has a very long and storied reputation for leading medical care can be found here.
If you have to end up in a hospital you can do much worse than here. Each room is a private one. Each room has a television not only with a great view of the city but cable television. I think I also saw a DVD and VCR.
Being sick and being in bed with needles in your arm is not fun, but Northwestern does everything they can to make your stay as comfortable as possible. Even a trip to the emergency room is handled with as much care and attention to comfort as possible.
The doctors are excellent. Every one I have ever talked to has been kind, listened to what I had to say and gave me the impression he or she had done everything they could think of to come up with a solution.
Northwestern is also know for its research into rare illnesses and many studies are conducted on floors of the hospital.
Being sick isn't fun. Being hurt isn't fun. However, if you are either, finding a place that cares and makes things as comfortable as possible can go a long way to making you feel better. If you are in Chicago, Northwestern Memorial Hospital is the place to end up.
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The convenience of this place and my weekly visits to visit my folks were what made me go back again and again. No more. The last time I was there, shortly after I pulled up, I was told by an...
The convenience of this place and my weekly visits to visit my folks were what made me go back again and again. No more. The last time I was there, shortly after I pulled up, I was told by an attendant that they were out of the particular oil filter necessary for my Jeep.
Here's a little tip from me to you, Jiffy Lube guys: when you see that you are running out of something you should order more. No excuse about the manufacturer being out of the filter. Nothing but a lame excuse that they were out. When I asked for another Jiffy Lube they directed me to one way down Harlem avenue in the city. What? No Jiffy Lubes in all of suburbia?
It was like walking into Arby's to find out they were out of roast beef.
I have had some problems with this place before. Their service is not very good, and their employees are surly to say the least. Each one acts as though they have about a hundred better places to be than right there helping you with your car.
Avoid this place. Do the job yoursel if you have to.
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I live way the heck out west in a suburb known as Hanover Park. My parents live in Eidson Park, which is a part of Chicago wedged between two suburbs, Niles and Park Ridge. I make the trip into...
I live way the heck out west in a suburb known as Hanover Park. My parents live in Eidson Park, which is a part of Chicago wedged between two suburbs, Niles and Park Ridge. I make the trip into the city just to go to this particular Supercuts. I have never been disappointed.
Now, please, understand where this is coming from. I am male and my haircut is anything but fancy. Basically I am done in about 15 minutes and they use the clippers on me. The thing is, it always comes out just the way I like it.
The staff changes quite a bit at this place. At first there were a number of Eastern-Bloc women there. Now there were two very nice Asian women working there when I last had my haircut. Before that there was a very attractive blond woman there. I am just saying, I wish the staff were a little more consistent, but they all manage to cut my hair, make me feel comfortable and I have never come away disappointed.
There are still some old-fashioned, traditional barbers still in the Edison Park area. I go here and I am always satisfied.
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It's kind of a sorry thing to go to a movie these days. These multi-plex theaters have sort of taken all of the charm out of it. The popcorn is like eating styrofoam pellets at most of them and...
It's kind of a sorry thing to go to a movie these days. These multi-plex theaters have sort of taken all of the charm out of it. The popcorn is like eating styrofoam pellets at most of them and the staff tends to be just a tad surly. This theater manages to make things relatively pleasant.
Some of the same problems you always find with the multi-plexes can be found here. It's huge and the smaller theaters are very small. However, for the most part I have enjoyed every one of my experiences. Once I did end up seeing the same ads before the movie play over and over and over again before someone mentioned something to someone. I can't see that Coca-Cola add with the glass of Coke and the ice cream without having flashbacks.
Still, the seating is very comfortable. The staff is generally friendly. Even the restrooms are relatively clean. I enjoy a theater kept rather cool but to some you might find this place a little cold.
You do have to endure a lot of ads before the movie, but at least the sound is decent and they don't seem to be dimming the bulbs on the projectors in some mis-guided attempt to extend the bulb life.
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Making the trip out to Evanston for me is a difficult one, but taking a trip to this movie complex is worth it. Evanston's downtown area has gone through a real rebirth lately with all kinds of...
Making the trip out to Evanston for me is a difficult one, but taking a trip to this movie complex is worth it. Evanston's downtown area has gone through a real rebirth lately with all kinds of shops, condoes and restaurants sprouting up like weeds. These theaters should be seen to be believed.
There is a bar located in the lobby. Yes, a bar. People lean against the bar and have cocktails. You can actually go to this movie theater and then just drink if you want to.
The great thing about these theaters is that it plays the smaller independent films right along side the mass-market big-budget movies. It was at this theater I saw "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" before it went into wide release. I saw Tim Burton's "Big Fish" here too with my entire family.
The theaters are comfortable and feature stadium seating. The snack selection can leave you pondering for hours if you aren't careful.
It's worth the trip out to Evanston even if you live in the suburbs for this movie-going experience.
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I first ate at a Ruth's Chris steakhouse in St. Louis. At one time they tore down that one. I understand they have re-opened one, but I digress. This is without a doubt my all-time favorite...
I first ate at a Ruth's Chris steakhouse in St. Louis. At one time they tore down that one. I understand they have re-opened one, but I digress. This is without a doubt my all-time favorite steakhouse. It is also fine dining in the best sense. Yeah, the food is expensive and you can buy a $500 bottle of wine, but it's worth it (well, the food anyway. I can't speak for the wine).
This is the kind of place where you dress up, get your car parked by well-dressed gentleman that you tip and where the wait-staff is dressed well. Men hover around the walls waiting to fill your water glass.
The food is ala carte, so be prepared. The steaks are prepared on plates so hot they have to warn you. The steaks come sizziling in butter and may spit a bit on you, so be warned about that. I am telling you that you will not have a finer steak for the price. So many places want to be like Ruth's Chris but never match up.
The only drawback I can find is that they advertise on Rush Limbaugh's show. This does not detract from the food, however.
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