jpschust

It depends on so many factors. Do we know the chef can do better? (i.e. previous experience). Was there something massive that happened that the kitchen had no control over? (Party of 20 just shows up randomly) How was the service? All these things can give an expensive restaurant a second chance. That said, for those places that knock it out of the park, we end up coming back again and again to entertain others.

We are staying around Michigan Ave and Rush St. I guess that is considered "River North" As for lunch on Saturday, we were trying to find a place in Wicker Park/Bucktown, or around Lincoln Park. We are willing to take a cab, so location isn't so important. Thanks.

Lunch in Wicker Park on a Saturday really tends to mean brunch- sure there are some places to get lunch, but really in this neighborhood you want brunch at that hour.

A few places immediately come to mind (note we live in Wicker Park, so we've been able to weed through a lot of the crap in the neighborhood).

1. Milk and Honey, on Division (not the one on Damen, that's just a cafe and you want real food). You want the Huevos Rancheros or the Turkey Rueben. The line will be out the door, but it moves fast, so be patient.

1920 W. Division St

2. Bongo Room, on Milwaukee. Again line's going to be out the door. The real treat here are the sweet breakfast entrees.

1470 N. Milwaukee Ave

I need some Chicago help. We are heading there this weekend for a little getaway (just the wife and I). We have reservations at Alinea for Sunday night and plan on swinging by Frontera grill when we arrive late tomorrow night. We are looking for a good suggestion for dinner on Saturday night. Would like to spend around $150 for the 2 of us. Any suggestions? Looking for something creative and good, yet don't want to do any of the "molecular gastronomy" places as we will be doing that on Sunday night. Don't really want to do Asian cuisine as we have that here in DC. We were thinking of trying Avec, but they don't take reservations and I think it is fairly small.

Also, we could use a suggestion for a relatively inexpensive but tasty lunch on Saturday afternoon.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

I live in Chicago and am happy to help in any way possible.

Let me tell you what I'd do if I were in your shoes for a Saturday night, though I don't know what your tolerance for drinking is. If I were in Chicago for just a few nights I'd want to get off the magnificent mile and see a neighborhood. I'd start by going to the Violet Hour at 6 PM on the nose, so I could walk in and get an amazing cocktail. Violet Hour is a speak easy, ala PX, and is doing cocktails at that level. If it's 6 PM, I'd look for the most inexperienced bar tender and order a Ramos Gin Fizz, if for no other reason than to screw with him .

I'd then take the short walk around the corner to Spring and have an amazing seafood experience. Afterwards if you wanted to have some more drinks the wicker park area in which these are both located have just tons of great bars.

Like I said, ping me for any questions you might have.

Have you seen "Diary of a Foodie" by Gourmet on PBS? It's one of better food shows, in my opinion, on the air right now.

Alton Brown and the entertainment of ICA is about all that keeps me watching.

Another take on "suggested wine pairings" - click.

just a small correction- you mean a scant cup, not a full cup I think- I read this recipe the other day.

I'm drinking a ton of metropolis coffee right now from Chicago- it's available from them directly and is just wonderful!

You sure about the Aged whiskey ones? Checked Amazon and did not see it there, maybe I missed it. I'll check again.

grapefruit bitters are actually amongst the easiest to make yourself if you're so inclined. http://www.jeffreymorgenthaler.com/2007/grapefruit-bitters/

Depaz Cane Syrup (and the forthcoming Petite Canne cane syrup from LeDroit) are both thicker than simple syrup, and sweeter, so use more sparingly than 1:1 simple syrup.

Not so easy when you live in a college dorm and can't be bothered. This is the preferred brand of KG's brother who is in undergrad. We are his liquor supplier and usually match the alcohol to the mixer. Someday we'll refine his taste but at this point it isn't worth it.

As exclusive as PX wants to be, folks should expect a certain level of douchebaggery simply based upon the number of times that the spot has received a favorable review in local and national publications. Wasn't it recently mentioned in Playboy (again)? I guess that the bottom line is that you will never be satisfied if you go out expecting others to be on the same wavelength as you. Remember that annoying people are everywhere, and most get even more annoying when they are drunk.

Also, giving someone the gasface in a bar because you don't approve of their behavior is no more classy (or less annoying) than someone acting "out of line" in "your bar" in the first place.

Does anyone have any experience with these? http://www.finestcall.com

On the Chicago scene it is really nice to see Suzy Crofton get a nod, also nice to see Paul virant get noticed.

On the outstanding service note, we've eaten at a bunch of these and Spiaggia far and away outdoes them all, though Vetri is pretty awesome.

Not entirely sure why Bin 36 got a nod in chicago, but after my meal at La Croix in PA that's easy to see. It's easy to see why Emeril's got the nod as well and same with Vidalia.

I ended one dating experience because she was a vegetarian. Oh yah, and she was insane.

Happy hour is about to start at maison Miller. Thanks!

Hey squire...I agree on all of your other points. It is a great way to try a wide variety of wines, for pretty cheap when you consider the volume you can try for the overall cost. But, aside from the lushes that swarm the event, I find the entire event just too darn crowded. I hate crowds.

Last night, a simple but delicious sidecar variation: brandy, Grand Marnier, lemon juice, and peach bitters. I forsee a lot of experimental cocktails with peach bitters in the near future.

I thought a flip had to have egg in it to be a flip?

Also tried a Golden Rye Flip, which made me want to hunt down some Advocaat, and the most delicious Pisco Sour mixed by Adam Bernbach. I have got to get to Bar Pilar on a Tuesday because that young man knows what he's doing.

if you like tonic water, i highly suggest trying the fever tree tonic- home made tonic is great, but the fever tree stuff is incredible on its own.

I'm not sure it constitutes a rave, but click.

If you're into bluegrass (and I think you are fe), it's absolutely worth the trip, especially for the Friday and Saturday shows. They get some very good bands in there and it's a small, cozy venue, with no cover. (you might even see local TV guy and banjo player Doug McElway perform once in a while)

also, while not a great culinary destination, madam's organ has great bluegrass on wednesday nights. it was my tradition when i lived in the area- bluegrass plus amstel light = fun night.

I know a lot of people aren't a fan, but I adore Penang.