Fireside is one of those places that always pulls me back. I agree so much with the previous reviewer because there are so many great things about this classic place.
1. free parking...they have the lot thats open all night and ravenswood seems to always have a spot for me when I pull up.
2. the staff are friendly and fun. if you watch them work the seem to honestly be enjoying their job and being there (which for many of us I think we can say the opposite). they approach the table in a very relaxed way and treat you like a regular (if you want white table cloth service and people bowing down to you...this is NOT your place).
3. the atmosphere is one of the best things because if you sit down by yourself at the bar, everyone will talk to you. its like a giant family there full of staff, regulars and new comers (or returning patrons like myself). it has that old chicago bar feel to it with a quiet dining room, HUGE back patio and i guess a NEW street cafe (which I had beers and sun taned with friends on there other day).
4. the food...I love it. its casual and not that upscale crap that you over pay downtown for. its got great amercian food with influences of cajun spice and other wordly flavors. i love their weekly specials because they seem to try out new stuff each week. the other day I had this pasta dish on the specials with mushrooms, grilled onions and this AWSOME spicy vodka cream sauce. I love heat so I added some of thier blackened chicken breast to the dish and wow was my mouth and stomach happy...
5. finally...if you like beer or specality wines (that wont cost you $14 a glass) this is the place for you...they have over 200 beers and a 3 page wine list. there is something for everyone...and KUDOS for carrying "Dragons Milk" on of my most fave beers...
thanks Fireside its good to be back
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