Archive for November 2007

Bookstores are a dime a dozen these days, it seems. But bookstores like Transitions Bookplace in Chicago are few and far between. Located at 1000 W North Ave, this store has gone beyond the traditional theme of bookstores that carry selections in categories such as fiction, biography, home & garden, and so on. Transitions inventory is separated into more esoteric collections like growth and transformation, angels, astrology, Buddhism, inspiration, etc.

The idea that became this gorgeous, 6000 square foot store came to owner Gayle Seminara-Mandel and her husband in 1989. Disillusioned by their day jobs, the couple decided on a whim to open their own bookstore. Originally located in a 400 square foot converted garage, they experience an overwhelming response from the community, which lead to the opening of the store at its current location.

Upon walking in, you know you’re not in any regular bookstore. The ambience is peaceful, but intellectual, and is heightened by new age music playing lightly throughout. To the left is a café, serving delectable sandwiches and coffee creations. This is a great place to sit down and browse through books.

And while books are the emphasis here, that is by no means where it stops. Transitions also stocks music CD’s, cassettes, and videos, and boasts a collection of DVD on subjects like conscious living, wellness, self-help & self-empowerment, and mythology & comparative religion. There’s a gift section as well, which carries a variety of gift options that range from tarot decks to aromatherapy oils.

Transitions also holds author events and workshops every month. Author events are usually free and workshops are offered at a discounted rate to members of the book club, which currently has more than 3500 members.

So next time you’re in the mood to pick up a book that you won’t want to put down, skip Borders or Barnes and Noble. Come to Transitions, but plan to make it an all-day thing. Once you get here, you won’t want to leave!

Next time you find yourself walking down North Avenue in Wicker Park, make sure you stop at Santullo's Eatery. Its outer appearance doesn’t quite hint at all the yummy goodness that can be found inside, which is why you have to check it out for yourself.

When you first walk in, delicious smells reach your nose and you realize that you’re suddenly really hungry. You’ll notice, too, the stylish but casual way that this place has been decorated. You have your choice of dark cherry-colored booths or high tables with chairs. Black and white photographs of people from generations gone hang high on the walls, and you can often hear quaint old-fashioned tunes while you eat. Tarnished wood floors add to the vintage feel.

But what’s most important is the food. Not only does Santullo’s serve classic sandwiches on fresh baked bread, but they also have homemade soups, salads, beer and wine, and sides like potato or pasta salad prepared daily! And who could forget their pizza; Santullo’s does, after all, boast “a slice of New York in Wicker Park.” They offer daily specials by the slice, too, and even a pizza “happy hour” Monday through Friday from 4-6 pm. A personal favorite is “Thee Hipster,” an amazing combination of fire roasted red pepper and goat cheese. Get a slice and you’ll be surprised by how it barely fits on the plate. For dessert, try the homemade Tiramisu or their signature “Big Apple.” And if by some chance you don’t want to leave the comfort of your own home, you can order one of Santullo’s 20-inch classics and have it delivered.

Best of all, Santullo’s Eatery is open until 3:00 A.M. on Fridays and Saturdays. That means you’ll be able to satisfy a late night craving without having to leave the bar early. Next time you’re in the area, stop in and have a slice. Your stomach will thank you.

Lots of people forget to stop and smell the roses. At Asrai Garden in Wicker Park, you won’t be able to help yourself.

This one-of-a-kind North Ave soap shop and gift boutique gives off the most amazing smell, and when the doors are open, it draws you in from the street as you walk by. Walking in, you feel like you entered an exotic garden. Bouquets of fresh cut flowers line the front and back walls. Their colors create a rainbow that fills the store with a romantic feeling.

Here you can find soaps and other bath creations made by local vendors, as well as plenty of other gift ideas, like soap holders and other bathroom items, and even candles that have the most amazing scents.

One thing that makes Asrai Garden stand out are its product displays, which are stylishly done and make it easy to pick up a product and examine it. And while the store is relatively small, they make great use of the available space, without having a cramped feeling. Artistic creations are spread out on tables and add to the classic, delicate feel of the store.

Perfect as a gift shop for a friend who has everything, this store boasts a collection that you can’t find in a shop like Bath and Body Works. Pick up a bar of soap; they’re silky to the touch and smell unbelievable!

If you’re a guy looking for an anniversary gift or even just an unexpected surprise for your sweetie, you can bet that any woman would be happy to receive a package with a luxurious bar of bath soap, an aromatherapy candle, and a bouquet of gorgeously arranged flowers. Visit Asrai Garden on North Avenue and you won’t be disappointed.

Vegetarians: stay far, far away, lest ye craves a lesson in nightmarish torture! This is Man’s Country, baby, as steaks served up at this Western-themed, suburban steak house are not for the meek (or even the health-conscious). Al's Char-House proves a great steak does not have to be located in the city, have an elegant or trendy setting or include a hefty price tag. Nor does require proper dining etiquette or attire. The steaks carry plenty of weight on their own!

“Oh. My. Gawd!” That is almost unanimously the first thing people state when their orders are brought, no, scratch that - thumped, onto the table down at Al‘s. No lie! In fact, a question poses out of a curiosity if new wait staff are required to bench at least 250lbs. before applying. Al’s popular and super-tender 56oz Char-House steak should probably be sided with a doggie bag, as very few people can tackle it in a single sitting. Complimented with delicious raisin pumpernickel bread and honey butter, baked potato, steamed veggies and a choice of soup or salad, every meal is transformed into a gluttonous memory in and of itself.

Yes, there are smaller portions and cuts available, but none of them warrant a tag like quaint, dainty or especially presumptuous. Aside from the 56er, there are other choice cuts featured people will want to explore, such as their 48oz Porterhouse and the 32oz Texas Sirloin. A nice selection of drinks are available from their full bar, though sticking with a good beer or glass of wine sides best. The muscular wait staff is knowledgeable yet laid back, and the chefs have a solid understanding of what constitutes as “rare”.

Keeping in mind families are welcome, most couples will probably want to go to Al’s later in the evening, when the kids are already fast asleep and the traffic from out of the city is lighter. Besides, a place like this needs time to work up an appetite and is definitely worth the drive!

Don’t let the newspaper-themed and reasonably priced menu deceive you: Chicago Joe's cuts out on all of the fluff and only offers the best the city has to offer! With its shoot from the hip slogans and their famous raw oysters, this trendy location that literally screams Chicago and is sure to make any night a Friday night out!

As expected by natives, world famous Joe’s aims to please with its gut busting portions and decadent flavors. Besides the fall off the bone ribs and incredible Italian sausages, guests are treated to giant burgers, homemade soups, and their popular Oysters Rockefeller. Even vegetarians will be pleasantly surprised to find a few items on the menu, like their veggie burgers and sides. Oh and yes, try the key lime pie for dessert, if there‘s room!

Also, be sure to check out their amazingly fresh brunch buffet on Sundays, which is quite possibly one of the best spreads in the city. Their eye opening Bloody Marys compliment just about everything available, from the fresh salmon to traditional breakfast standbys. Nobody leaves here hungry!

So, for out of towners and locals alike, Joe’s has something for everyone and encourages all of their new found friends to Vote (for Joe’s!) Early and Often!

If your date happens to be the antiquing type who simply adores authentic turn of the century, functional light fixtures, statuaries, moldings, beveled glass and paintings and also happens to love a good Chicago pizza, then Gulliver's on the far north side is a must!

Hearts flutter and jaws lie agape simply walking in the door, as the ambiance is absolutely breathtaking, many layers thick in stunning beauty. The owner boasts as having the largest such collection in the country, making the wait for a nice, thick pizza seem to fly right on by. The wooden bench tables adds to the flair, the delicate lighting is set just right and the HUGE outdoor garden makes for a beautiful, romantic evening.

Fresh, inventive and exhaustive toppings abound like artichoke hearts and eggplant are complimented with a perfect sauce, thick with tomatoes. The crust is thick, hearty and yes, crusty, and in true Chicago fashion, they don’t hold back on the cheese!

For those looking for something different, Gulliver’s offers a huge selection of authentic Italian entrees even staunch foodie critics rave about, and their steaks are cooked to perfection, with Mexican and even Chinese fare thrown in for a surprise bonus. Even their appetizers think big in terms of variety, like their avocado egg rolls. No stone has been left unturned, be it in its museum-quality decor, the expansive menu or in the pride and love put into the food.

So, while Chicagoans have a plethora of pizza places to choose from, all boasting to be the best, it’s Gulliver’s overall experience that makes it the best place for food and dining.

Before hitting a show at the Aragon Ballroom or making it a jazzy evening at the Green Mill, be sure to check out this authentic Chinese restaurant located in the heart of Uptown. Outside of Chinatown itself, the Silver Seafood is the best place for Chinese food in the entire city, featuring some of the freshest seafood around, many times right out of the tank. It’s little wonder why locals insist upon making this their must-hit dining spot!

Don’t let its outward appearance fool you, because once you step inside, this seemingly small Chinese joint opens up as wide as the ocean itself, capable of handling all those repeat hungry customers. The lighting is a bit on the bright side and the decor isn’t exactly extravagant, but because the food is simply that good and unique, the Silver Seafood proves to be a great place to break the ice before that big night.

So, while she ain’t pretty, she sure is good, and its close proximity to the Uptown scene makes it a standout among the gritty burrito joints and Vietnamese restaurants dotting the landscape.

Located just beyond Chicago’s western boundary and next door to the dry town of Oak Park is this popular Irish pub and grub that is sure to win over any sweetheart! With an inviting country atmosphere, its large beer garden complete with its own bar and plenty of fun and friendly locals, Horan's Snug is a place where anyone is welcome, from business professionals to blue collared laborers and just about everyone in between.

The main bar is well-stocked with a large variety of top shelf libations and a nice selection of brews, hosted by very talented and knowledgeable bar staff who can concoct anything desired. Not to be seconded is its homey menu, which features nightly specials of both contemporary and traditional Irish fare. Some of the biggest requests include the shepherd’s pie, the steaks and the Big Snug, a burger so large the meek should not even consider ordering. In the summer months, people from all walks of life enjoy the charming beer garden out back, with dim lighting and delicate theme, making patrons feel as though they’re spending an evening at a good friend’s back yard.

In addition to the wining and dining is their popular karaoke nights starting at 10pm, comprising of over 35,000 song selections from every genre imaginable, guaranteed to keep the night hopping! People are known to travel from the city and outlying suburbs just to croon! Also, because Horan’s is located on Forest Park’s main strip, marauding party-goers frequent this establishment and tend to hunker down in the later hours, making last calls hard to enforce!

This combination undoubtedly makes for any kind of evening a couple could want, from a casual dinner and drinks to a wild shindig later at night. It’s little wonder Horan’s is so popular, and why I highly recommend it to all of my friends!

On the outside, this Mt Prospect pizza joint and bar adjoin its neighboring businesses in a reminiscent display of a classic European village. On the inside, Ye Olde Town Inn is a mish-mash of kitschy old school Americana can be found the walls, while the game area in back offers a glimpse of the kitchen preparing the pizzas that made this establishment a local standby.

Friday and Saturday nights feature hard rock and heavy metal acts, both local and touring, and an excellent selection of micro brews and imports are available at the adjacent bar. Free WiFi and large satellite TV’s are also present, making YOTI a great spot for catching the game while munching on wings, sticks and other appetizers. Those looking to avoid the fat can chow down on their pastas featuring their own sauce or the super fresh Ye Olde Garden Patch salad that serves as a meal in itself!

The thing that makes this place a stand-out above all of the hundreds of other pizza shops around Chicago is its unassuming and caring staff. Every customer is treated as an old friend, checking superficial and otherwise fancy nuances at the door. Also, an extension to their commitment to the community is displayed by donating all of their proceeds for shows, as well as collecting non-perishable food for the hungry.

So, for those who like it loud and proud, Ye Olde Town Inn (or YOTI as regulars affectionately like to call it) serves up a rockin’ good time while treating its guests to some of the best thin pizza and biggest burgers in all of Chicagoland!

Why on Earth am I listing a hot dog stand as a place to take your date on a romantic encounter? Because quite simply, Superdawg is a one of a kind, nostalgic experience that will make your date swoon! From the car hops, to the Tarzan- and Jane-themed Maurie and Flaurie hot dog characters winking from above, to the diamond-patterned walls and right down to the "Hiya!" messages on the boxes, this is a place that creates memories for young and old alike. Both my mom and I cut our teeth at this place among millions of others, and is also one of the places I always hope to go to at least once year.

Superdawg’s kitschy menu features items like the Whoopskidawg (a Polish sausage sandwich) and the Whoopercheesie (a double cheeseburger) and also touts their Supershakes as so thick that they provide their customers with a straw, just to prove it can’t be used. Of course, what brings people back time and again is the world famous Superdawg, which has all the Chicago-standard condiments, including a bright green relish (or piccalilli as they say) and tangy, pickled green tomato wedges. I admit, I love those tomatoes so much, I tend to steal them off everyone else’s orders! All their sandwiches (sammiches in Chicago tongue) come with some of the best crinkle-cut French fries in town and are packaged in cute boxes, featuring Maurie napping on a fold-out recliner, thanking customers from the bottom of his pure beef heart for stopping by.

Some of the nicest car hops ever to exist bring out the cash-only orders and rest them on open window ledges, so dining at this location requires the weather to play along. Orders can also be taken at their small, indoor dining area or placed at the indoor pickup window, perhaps to be enjoyed at the forest preserve across the street. Catering is also available, which can rest assured make a unique impression on visiting family, clients and perhaps even those potential wedding guests. Vegetarians would find relatively few items acceptable on their menu, though even many vegans I know simply fall in love with the overall décor, as well as those fries and tomatoes!