CHICAGO SILENT DATE AUCTION for the Greater Chicago Food Dpsitry

Chicago, IL 60622

John B. writes: So Andy and Vamsi are one-upping each other with the gourmet food, fine wines, and exotic locales. Mama don't play that. You come to dinner at my house, it's like dinner at grandma's. If grandma was an overweight sarcastic queer. Comfort food, fun…

Chicago Cultural Center
Neighborhood: The Loop

78 E Washington St
Chicago, IL 60610

Jenny z. writes: Among the other wonderful things about the Cultural Center, you can also get hitched there on Saturday mornings for a measly $10.00!  You have to sign up ahead of time at the clerks office, but we were able to get in with 2 days notice ~ sweet.

They…

The Spice House
Neighborhood: Near North Side, Old Town

1512 N Wells St
Chicago, IL 60610

Caroline A. writes: I stopped in here before my dinner next door, and could not leave.  For serious cooks, this is the place to come.  Where else can you find powdered wasabi?  My personal favorites are the mesquite bbq rub, jamaican jerk seasoning, the many different…

Deluxe Tattoo
Neighborhood: Lakeview

1459 W Irving Park Rd
Chicago, IL 60613

Erin J. writes: I have been getting tattooed by Ben for hmmm...about 8 years now (7 tats by Ben). I have a large celtic cross that Ben did on my left upper arm and I get seriously complimented on it all the time! But more importantly, I love it! It is not just a…

Garfield Park Conservatory
Neighborhood: East Garfield Park

300 N Central Park
Chicago, IL 60624

Preet C. writes: This place is the promised land; I don't care how shitty your life is before you walk thru these doors, an hour here is the best therapy money can buy.  That fern room is off the chain - I'm not ashamed to say I teared up when I saw it. For real. And…

Arun's Thai Restaurant
Neighborhood: Irving Park

4156 N Kedzie Avenue
Chicago, IL 60618

Christina S. writes: I have wanted to dine at Arun's for such a long time!  Afterall, Arun's is considered the best Thai restaurant in the country, and I wanted to see if it lived up to the reputation.  

When you step into Arun's you feel like you have been transported to…

Walker Bros Original Pancake House

153 Green Bay Road
Wilmette, IL 60091

E. V. writes: APPLE PANCAKES!!!  ::salivating::

This is my favorite Walker Bros. location.  Food is consistent and service is great.  I love everything I've ordered here.  The apple pancakes are amazing.....you can't go wrong with warm caramelized apples and…

Bahai House of Worship

100 Linden Ave
Wilmette, IL 60091

Caroline A. writes: I first came to the Bahai Temple in high school.  The architecture of this building truly takes my breath away.  Since then, I have visited several times, and will make a stop if I am driving down Sheridan Road.  I especially love the temple during…

The Art Institute of Chicago
Neighborhood: The Loop

111 S Michigan Avenue
Chicago, IL 60603

andy s. writes: When I was on tour with my band in Chicago we had a little time to kill before the show, and our choices were either the Lakeside or the Art Institute.  Since my band was hideously ugly and would make me go blind if I saw them in swimsuits the…

Seminary Co-Op Bookstores
Neighborhood: Hyde Park

5757 S University Ave
Chicago, IL 60637

Marion P. writes: New social science and humanities publications on display all over the store, and the largest philosophy section I have ever seen in a bookstore. Wow. Bookstore philosophy sections are often a bit of a joke for anyone actually studying it, but this…

Chicago Botanic Garden

1000 Lake Cook Rd
Glencoe, IL 60022

Preet C. writes: Ever have this kinda day: wake up, late! DAMN!! gotta go!!!, skip shower, lookin RAW AS HELL (not fergie raw as hell, ME raw as hell, a.k.a. ROUGH), run out the door, see flat tire, OF COURSE, call in late, go to McDonald's b/c their breaky is the…

ABT Electronics & Appliances

1200 Milwaukee Ave
Glenview, IL 60025

Nancy K. writes: Updated 11.25.07

We recently bought a stackable washer and dryer for my folks here and dealt with Phil Corrado, very down to earth, and had one of the more pleasurable transactions with him.  

We wanted to purchase a front loading washer and dryer and…

Hot Doug's
Neighborhood: Avondale

3324 N California Ave
Chicago, IL 60618

mindy m. writes: GOODBYE, YELP.

Open letter to all on Yelp:

Dear Friends,

It has been a joy getting to know all of you and experiencing Chicago in a new way.  Food has brought us together, but now we must part.

For you see, I have eaten at Hot Doug's.  I have had duck…

Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Neighborhood: The Loop

Symphony Center
220 S Michigan Ave
Chicago, IL 60604

Julie K. writes: because I am still holding a student ID from California, I could get a discount ticket..  was only 15 bucks (via Internet, $13.00)!!  cheaper than MET!!

around 5 pm, I purchased a ticket for Brahms' Requiem.. since I *HEART* his works, and one of my…

Morton Arboretum

4100 Illinois Route 53
Lisle, IL 60532

Nancy K. writes: This is a great place to spend some time and have a picnic.

Alinea
Neighborhood: Lincoln Park

1723 N Halsted St
Chicago, IL 60614

G S. writes: My girlfriend described her experience as follows:

"This is like having sex in my mouth!"

Any questions?

-G

Family Fruit Market
Neighborhood: Portage Park

4118 N Cicero Ave
Chicago, IL 60641

carolynne r. writes: Out of all the hundreds of reasons I could bestow 5 stars on this place, the main one is that one day I stopped in and bought a sweet potato so big it was just slightly smaller than my head.  I think I spent a dollar on it.  Cut up it produced enough…

Buckingham Fountain
Neighborhood: The Loop

S Columbus Dr & E Congress Pkwy
Chicago, IL 60605

Dave S. writes: You can call me a geek, dork or a nerd or whatever comes to mind but sounds that water makes calms me. It doesn't matter if it is waves on a lake, a gurgling creek, or the churning sounds made by a fountain.

Not only can I sit here and listen to…

Old Town School of Folk Music
Neighborhood: Lincoln Square, Ravenswood

4544 N Lincoln Avenue
Chicago, IL 60625

Preet C. writes: Just saw two groups from Mali - Tinariwen & Mamadou Diabate-- performing here tonight. It was off the mother-f'in CHAIN!! I knew a few things going in:

1) I would be the brownest mofo in the audience (CHECK; this audience was so privileged i'm pretty…

Lincoln Park Conservatory
Neighborhood: Lincoln Park

2391 N Stockton Drive
Chicago, IL 60614

Jerry M. writes: Got one of those stuffed up, snotty noses that comes with a miserable cold that nyquil gives you no relief for other than feeling like the walking dead when you finally do wake up? Lincoln Park Conservatory to the rescue!

Yes, I'm totally serious.…

Roeser's Bakery
Neighborhood: Humboldt Park

3216 W North Avenue
Chicago, IL 60647

Carol J. writes: I was born in Humbolt Park and my grandmother lived there until I was in college and every great cake I've ever had in my life has been from this bakery.  I cannot even begin to tell  you what it was like to go there in the morning on Saturday and…

Gene Siskel Film Center
Neighborhood: The Loop

164 N State Street
Chicago, IL 60601

Jookie K. writes: Gene Siskel Film Center does so much, even if it's not always good, and even if they're bound to lose money on some things.  But they provide options, and I think that's suggestive of the type of work they do in a city like Chicago that doesn't lack…

Chicago Architecture Foundation
Neighborhood: The Loop

224 S Michigan Ave Ste 430
Chicago, IL 60604

Nancy K. writes: Loop Tour Train

New schedule for 2007!

The Chicago Transit Authority elevated trains offer a unique vantage point for seeing the internationally renowned architecture in the heart of Chicago's business district. Learn the history of the 170-year old…

Wendella Sightseeing Boats
Neighborhood: Near North Side, Magnificent Mile

400 N Michigan Ave
Chicago, IL 60611

Ed to the M. writes: Apparantly, there are a lot of riverboat architecture tours in Chicago, but this one is convenient because it starts where N. Michigan meets the Chicago River, and I don't have to venture to the tackiness of Navy Pier.  

I paid 20 bucks for a…

Four Seasons Hotel Chicago
Neighborhood: Near North Side

120 E Delaware Pl
Chicago, IL 60611

Bucky K. writes: We have a relative who works in the business offices at the Four Seasons which makes us eligible for the "Friends & Family" plan. We've never taken advantage of this until we had a one night layover in Chicago which also happened to be the first…

Pastoral
Neighborhood: Lakeview

2945 N. Broadway
Chicago, IL 60657

Brett D. writes: Who doesn't love cheese? Lactose-intolerants put your hands down, you don't count.

I take cheese seriously, but I also take it where I can get it. Whether it's in Kraft form, block Jarlsberg from the supermarket, or even at times in a can ::wince:: I…

American Science & Surplus
Neighborhood: Jefferson Park

5316 N Milwaukee Avenue
Chicago, IL 60630

Jenny R. writes: Uh, I'm a nerd so i love this store. They have everything from telescopes, lab equipment, wire & tubing, motors, nick knacks, science and gardening kits, military surplus, science books, craft supplies and so on. My boyfriend is a modern artist,…

Early To Bed
Neighborhood: Edgewater

5232 N Sheridan Rd
Chicago, IL 60640

Hollie S. writes: Face it. People love vibrators.

They just do. Early To Bed has pretty much every kind you can imagine and many that you have never imagined. They have the goods that are affordable for nearly any budget. Seriously. You can set yourself up for under 20…

Mario's Italian Lemonade
Neighborhood: University Village

1068 W. Taylor Street
Chicago, IL 60686

Bonnie L. writes: How lucky am I to be visiting Chicago when Mario's is open. He only opens for the summer months......and a GEORGE WASHINGTON is enough to buy me a sweet cold icy treat. The last time I spent a dollar was at the dollar store for some beaten-up expired…

Brainstorm
Neighborhood: Wicker Park

1648 W North Ave
Chicago, IL 60622

Michael P. writes: BRAINSTORM IS INSANE!  Most triumphant!

I'm not much into comic books, but I love to go to a video store, find a random movie that's interesting, and watch it.  This is the place to do that.  They have tons of obscure and bizarre films adjacent to the…

Steppenwolf Theatre Company
Neighborhood: Lincoln Park, Near North Side

1650 N Halsted St
Chicago, IL 60614

Preet C. writes: The Traffic Series here is just amazing, as are, I'm sure, all the other productions. I saw David Sedaris reading some of his new work this afternoon, along w/ a question and answer and book signing. Here's how he signed my book:

To Preet -

I am glad…

Terry's Toffee
Neighborhood: Near West Side

1117 W Grand Ave
Chicago, IL 60642

Nancy K. writes: We went in here for the first time today.  Amazing toffee!  They are the exclusive sweet treats to the stars -- the only sweets to be backstage and in the green room of the Academy Awards/Oscars this year.  For the last two years they were in the…

RR #1 Chicago

814 N Ashland Ave
Chicago, IL 60622

laura b. writes: It's the kinda store that makes me think I could live in Chicago.  
THAT BEING SAID: the place feels straight outta voodoo style New Orleans.  It's a bit cluttered (but in a pre-meditated way) and has this strange southern romantic feeling...I think a…

Lush Wine and Spirits
Neighborhood: University Village

1257 S Halsted
University Village
Chicago, IL 60607

Andrea R. writes: My boyfriend made a very good point while we were dining at BYOB establishment, May Street Cafe, the other night.  "Maybe it's time we invest in some wine that is more expensive than the corkage fees at the restaurants we go to".  

I entered this…

Sleep City

706 W Diversey Pkwy
Chicago, IL 60614

Carrie W. writes: If my boyfriend and I were in a Simmons Beauty Rest Mattress commercial, he would be the delicate glass of Merlot, and I'd be the graceless bowling ball toppling him, spilling red wine all over the place.

Clearly we needed help.  My boyfriend's firm…

Super H Mart

801 Civic Center Dr
Niles, IL 60714

Nancy K. writes: FABULOUS!!!  ...and Dizzying!  So many items, fresh produce and fish I have never heard of before.  I can't wait to figure out how to add and prepare all of these wonderfully new found delicacies to our meals!  

This store has been open for about a…

The New School For Massage Bodywork and Healing
Neighborhood: Near North Side, River North

800 N Wells St
Ste 300
Chicago, IL 60610

Andrea R. writes: After visiting The New School for Massage Bodywork and Healing I'm certainly going to have trouble shelling out $90 for a massage at any fancy spa, although if anyone would like to treat me to a massage at Kiva I'll hardly object.

Looks like many…

Foremost Liquors
Neighborhood: Logan Square

2300 N Milwaukee Ave
Chicago, IL 60647

Kiarash Z. writes: I like beer that gets me drunk on two bottles.

Vas Foremost carries that kind of beer.

I think I could try a different beer each day and still never exhaust their selection. It's mind-boggling.

They also sell big-bottle beer. I'm not talking about 40…

The Belmont Barbershop
Neighborhood: Roscoe Village

2328 W Belmont Ave
Chicago, IL 60618

Frankie B. writes: Excellent Barbershop. I have been going here for about a year and have to say that this a true barbershop in every sense of the word. The services offered by Josh and Billy are great! I appreciate the fact that these guys cater to men only and use…