Quoted message said:Gregory Morrow said:Both these places are gen - u - wine tourista traps (but then what sort
of
Quoted message said:Quoted message said:"advice" can one expect from a friggin' TOP POSTER -- and from Indianer
no
Quoted message said:Quoted message said:less...lol). The Cheesecake Factory can be found in any suburban US
mall
Quoted message said:Quoted message said:(and I LOATHE the waiting schtick they force their patrons to go
through;
Quoted message said:Quoted message said:also their portions are gross) and the Signature Room is over - priced
for
Quoted message said:Quoted message said:what it is.
Agreed. But the weekday lunch buffet isnt bad.\
That's what I've heard, it's pretty high quality for something like twelve
or so bux...
Quoted message said:Quoted message said:
For the view from the Hancock I'd suggest simply going up to the
cocktail
Quoted message said:Quoted message said:bar that is one level up from the Signature Room. For the price of a
(albeit over - priced) drink you can linger and enjoy the view...
If you want something uniquely Chicawgo I'd go here:
http://www.andysjazzclub.com/
I disagree with you Greg. I've found the food and the music at Andy's
to be pretty mediocre.
For a uniquely chicago jazz space , go to The Green Mill:
www.greenmilljazz.com
4802 N Broadway St,
Chicago, 60640 -
(773) 878-5552
Live music until late (4 or 5AM on weekends). Feels like you walked
into a 1930's movie set.
Ah, I forgot about that! Yes, it's authentic and the "real deal", IIRC it
opened in 1917 or so. Right next door is a great used
music/book/memorabilia store called "Shake, Rattle, and Read". Lotsa unique
stuff to peruse, both the rare and expensive and the cheap -- there are
original rock posters on the wall worth thousands but you can pick up bound
volumes of c. 1940 _National Geographics_ for five bux each. Apparently the
guy does a thriving business with movie companies and such seeking out music
props, etc. Now if they'd only get the Uptown Thee - ater restored (both
businesses are storefronts in that building). Right across the way is a
shopping plaza with a large modern Asian supermarket, a coupla blocks north
is Argyle St. with it's plethora of Viet and Asian restos, groceries, and
businesses, TONS of great cheap places to go (Thai Grocery, Ba Le Bakery,
Sun Wah BBQ, pho places, etc.). At the east end of Argyle around the street
on Sheridan is another splendid dive bar, Big Chick's. The place is
unchanged since the 40's, the owner has expanded and has a room that doubles
as an art gallery. She throws free (and great feeds) on Sundays. It's
largely gay, but you'll find all kinds there -- old pensioners, cops, Goths,
tarnnies, etc. etc., e.g. it's a great " 'hood bar" (the best kind) Very
welcoming staff and atmosphere, you'll make friends there. You sit at the
old bar and you can pretend it's 1939 or whenever. It's the kind of place
you'll only find in a big urban center like Chicago, it's a real treasure.
Quoted message said:For Jazz in Chicago THIS weekend, Dee Dee Bridgewater is playing at The
Jazz Showcase: http://www.jazzshowcase.com/
59 W. Grand Ave.
Chicago, IL 60610
Telephone: (312)670-2473 (670-BIRD)
Lots of good eats within steps of the club (Rainforest Cafe (not!),
Gordon, Ben Pao, Topolobambo/Frontera Grill, + more)
For jazz with a dinner before (or should that be dinner with jazz
after?), Green Dolphin Street: http://www.jazzitup.com
2200 N Ashland Ave,
Chicago, IL
(773) 395-0066
Nice space, loud in my limited experience. Not much else in this hood
(unless you like yuppie heaven over the bridge to the east. Webster
Place? Clybourn? Is that it?
Me, I'd opt for Dee Dee Bridgewater and dinner close by.
Good recommendations all, thanks. It's a pity the Berghoff is closed, that
was always a stop for taking visitors to Chicago :-(
Greektown just west of the Loop is fun too, they've spiffed it up. A good
old standby is the Greek Islands on Halsted; there are tons more places.
And Chinatown is south of the Loop, plenty to see and eat there...
Gawd but we are blessed to live in Chicawgo, I am right proud of our city.
Yesterday I took a long walk along the lake, from Belmont to Fullerton Beach
and back. A crisp, sunny "technicolor" Spring day. I found myself gawping
at the beauty of our skyline and the lake and the park -- felt the same
sense of amazement I had when I moved here almost 30 years ago :-)
I'd say my most "awestruck" Chicago moment happened about a decade or so
ago. Van Cliburn playing Tchaikovsky's first Piano Concerto at a Grant Park
concert on a clear soft - as - velvet full moon June night with the
glittering city in the background, lights sparkling like diadems in an urban
crown. Tens of thousands listening in rapt TOTAL silence. I thought "This
must be what Heaven is like...". At night's end I overhead some guy from
Texas say to his wife, "Can you believe how GREAT this place is -- and the
concert was FREE!" :-)
--
Best
Greg
