Posts by Lori Dake

I’m not one to rave about grocery stores, so listen up! Like just about everyone else these days, I try to be a smart shopper and buy more organic and healthy food, but the cost of superior products can really be a daunting task. I really don’t care for the predominantly snooty and asinine clientele one tends to find at Whole Paychecks or the overall craziness typical with that Trader fellow‘s stores. So when this store rolled into town, I admit I was pretty skeptical but was lured in with the coupon I got in the mail. Wow! So, so happy here, and I am now a loyal customer!

The very first thing people are going to notice is just how darn easy it is to get a parking spot! There’s almost always a spot up front, without any Land Rovers hogging up doubles in the lot. If you drive in from Marcey Street instead of Clybourn, you don’t even have to deal with the traffic! Then when you walk inside, the first thing you see is the produce section. Not huge, but the fact that the crisper section stuff is kept in a walk in crisper is an absolute treasure, and you can pretty much find everything you need. And then comes the prices you notice on said produce - not bad at all! In fact, a lot of what I see here is priced even lower than conventional super market prices, and this stuff is organic!

The rest of the store just makes me happy. It’s all big, bright and inviting, and it’s never, ever crowded. The people who shop here are just as eclectic as the regular super market chains, and the store help are some of the absolute friendliest and most helpful I have ever encountered. Consistently. I don’t think I have ever had a bad shopping experience here, and I rather look forward to doing the grocery shopping! Who can say that?

For those shopping on a budget, they offer so many discounts on top of their great prices it’s unreal! Coupons galore, discounts for using your own bags, their reusable bags are only $0.99, and Thursdays and Fridays offer you an ADDITIONAL $5 off for reusing bags!

Now it’s true they don’t have a meat or deli department, so that next section you go through is almost all pre-packaged. Oh well - they at least make up for it with having lots of free snacky things to munch on while you go through the aisles. And what they do offer is pretty decent, so yes, you can definitely make a few meals from here. Also, the choices of bread and pastries are pretty non existent, but again, it’s not a one stop shop. Even so, it’s such a wonderful overall experience, and I hope they stick around for many years to come.

Most foodies I know, myself included, do more than just hop from one restaurant and eatery to another: they do an awful lot of cooking at home, especially when trying to mimic or even rehash a dish they recently enjoyed! When it comes to all things that is kitchen supply, there really is only one place to go. No, not the place you get tacky wicker furniture, bed sheets and candles; leave that for the amateurs! Go to the place where the chefs and restaurant owners go - Northwestern Cutlery! It’s a little out of the way, but trust me, it is so worth the drive. And hey - their prices are so reasonable they won‘t have you running to the food pantry afterwards!

Before you go, be sure to grab all of your knives to bring down there with you, no matter what you think their value is. If you have never had them professionally sharpened before, then they definitely need to be, because any pro will tell you a good, sharp knife makes all the difference in the world. And why not - it only costs a couple dollars to do so! When you arrive, hand them to the guy behind the register and have him give his opinion of what you own. While it’s true he will probably try to talk you into upgrading, he will for sure tell you if what you have is even worth saving, with an explanation behind his opinion.

While you are getting all sharpened up, check out the store and be prepared to go into culinary overload! There is just so many wonderful items, many of which are nearly impossible to find in a store. (Hello? A fish spatula? Surely you won’t find this specialty item at Tar Gét!) The person shopping next to you is probably a chef or at least a fellow foodie, so if he or she seems to be in an amicable mood, go ahead and ask their opinion of what it is you’re looking for. The wealth of knowledge one can find here is truly beyond belief: you‘ll walk out feeling like a pro!

Now parking around here can seem a little daunting, but it is really necessary to drive in, so circling for a spot is mandatory. The best time to go is on Thursday mornings in the middle of the month, where the parking is a little more feasible and the store owners have more time to talk to you in depth. The effort more than pays for itself.

Okay, okay! I know! It’s high time I made special mention of my most favorite record store in the entire world: a store that isn’t afraid to say it like it is, throw up the horns and shout “Slay-ARRRGHHH!“ for no particular reason and revel in all that is Blasphemous! (Yes, with a capital B!!) If you want Metal in all its guises, then this is the number one place to shop! And hey: what other store is out there where you can walk in and score a CD that has such a truly gruesome album cover your Aunt Maggie will shrivel up and die from a mere glance?

People come here from literally every corner of the Earth to tap this blackened treasure trove, and in fact some couples have even gotten married here! Whether you’re looking for some classic Thrash, Death Metal, Black Metal or just about anything else, there is a very distinct possibility you will find that rare obscurity here. Just don’t go asking around for a Slipknot CD unless you really want to be pummeled in the back alley, as Nu is expressly denied! (I’m just joking, but really - they really hate that stuff!)

CDs are categorized accordingly, making your trip a true experience to write home about! My favorite section is the “Brutal Sh*t” department, because I’m that rubber necking type that can’t help but slow down the Interstate for a good, gory crash scene! And now that they’ve relocated from Hipster Central, the store is so much bigger, cleaner and easier to navigate around. And yes, all Hail the Dark Lord, because street parking is no longer an issue!

Besides CDs, folks can find tons of killer shirts, along with themed books and accessories. Local bands are more than welcome to hit up Mark about setting up a consignment deal and leaving their flyers with him, as he really cares about taking care of the scene. Be prepared to spend a couple hours here, because once you get him talking about his life’s calling, it can be pretty hard to steer towards the door. In fact, I’m surprised they don’t just have a door guy collecting a cover charge, because no one leaves here without at least dropping a twenty!

Dude! Oh my Gawd this place is fuggin AWESOME! Horns way up! Not only do they mix a mean drink and serve up a nice selection of brews, but the music is pumping, the tattooed waitresses are hot and cool as hell, there’s an outdoor patio and Wow! they make some really incredible pretzel bun burgers and sandwiches named after some of my all time favorite bands! And whoa! Jack on tap? What a marvelous concept!

What’s cool about this place is that it feels so much like when I go out to a metal fest, minus the bands and vendors, of course. The majority of the patrons are guys, so those of the rockin female persuasion are that much more welcome. And tattoo flash used as wall paper in the blessedly clean bathrooms is pretty cool as well! The music is obviously Metal, going from one extreme to the other, and kept at that perfect volume, where you want to jam out and talk to the buds you came with at the same time without losing your voice.

Lots of Belgian brews are to be had here, so you beer connoisseurs can rest assured you won’t have to gulp down swill while chowing down. And yep, plenty of the hard stuff to keep the rest of yas happy, too! But it’s the food most people come for, and Kuma’s certainly does not disappoint! Why oh why are pretzel buns not the standard for burgers, because they really should be! And for folks who fear burger and bar joints are just greasy dives can relax, because just about every sandwich can be ordered up veg, many of which feature plenty of healthy toppings!

Now besides the sandwiches, those fries they make deserve some serious praise all on their own. If you have never had fresh cut fries, then you are really missing out - perfect in every sense of the word. And why on Earth is macaroni and cheese never this good when I make it? That blue box in the pantry is just simply awful in comparison! The calamari they serve is pretty good too, with a garnish of deep fried basil no one should live without trying.

Kuma’s has been getting a lot of praise lately from mainstream reviewers, so needless to say, this place gets really busy on the weekends, even in the summer when the patio is open. Even so, that 1½ to 2 hour table wait on the weekends is definitely worth it, and I admit to being a pretty impatient lady! And thankfully, street parking isn’t a pain! I just hope these guys can expand for more tables and hopefully able to start having bands play here!

What a beautiful, beautiful park - a place children will beg to return to again and again! Not only does it have a giant playground and spray pool, but it also has a lagoon where ducks and geese swim in and has a neat little zoo to boot! There is also a charming Tudor style field house on the grounds, picnic tables and even a performing arts building. This is probably the most unique park in all of Chicago! In fact, one has to wonder if that song “Saturday in the Park” was partially inspired by this place!

When the kids first start making a bee line for the playground, their eyes will glaze over like saucers - this wooden construction lot is HUGE, with lots to climb on and explore! It’s decked out like an old fort, perhaps granting a nod to the land’s history. Of course, one thing that’s always important with the kiddos is there are enough slides and swings around so they don’t have to wait to get on one - Indian Boundary does not disappoint. They will surely find lots of other kids to play with, because this playground is so very popular with the locals. In fact, many families come here in the summer with the intention of having a barbecue and making a day of it. It’s little wonder why so many groups opt to hold their social gatherings here.

If (not when!) the kids get tired of the play lot, go as a family and explore the rest of the park. The beautiful lagoon has plenty of vantage points to view the ducks and geese merrily swimming around. At the other end is where the small zoo and field house are located. While it’s a given with most people these days, a gentle reminder is posted to please not feed any animals, enclosed or otherwise. On top of everything else, there is a performing arts building and field house to check out as well, where just about every interest is catered. Be sure to stop in and see what’s on the calendar!

Getting to Indian Boundary is pretty easy, though it’s somewhat off the beaten path. Granted, parking in the area can be a little on the sticky side, especially on weekends, but I have personally never had to spend more than ten minutes of circling the park to scope out a spot. Just be on the lookout for the permit only and street cleaning signs and you’ll do just fine.

Probably one of the most under rated locations in all of Chicago is the Cultural Center downtown. What was once the main library built back in the 19th century has been lovingly transformed into a free public building that is part museum, part visitor center and part landmark building. While tourists may come across this location as a place to pick up coupons and kitschy bric a brac, those who live and work in the area on a regular basis see it as a place to unwind, explore and yes, even just a nice place to relish their lunches!

Up the stairs to the main floor is where you will find the Corner Bakery, the visitors center, the large, open seating area and where the various art exhibits are located. Most locals wander in and discover this treasure while on their lunch breaks seeking a new spot to munch, which I personally think is the best time to go! Inside, they have these wonderful lunch break concerts, each day a new surprise. One day it’s jazz, the next classical, another folk and yes, even some contemporary and pop gets a nod! Of course, you don’t have to buy a Panini from the Bakery to enjoy the show - your brown bag will do just fine!

After that, wander through whatever exhibit they happen to be featuring. Don’t forget to look up - the giant domed ceiling is Tiffany stained glass! One of my favorite pieces is the old fashioned cigarette machine that they use for brochures - what a novel approach! And yes, you’re free to go up and downstairs as well, so don’t feel like you have to stick to the main floor. There is so much to see on the upper levels, with various styles of artwork gracing the walls. You may not personally like every single piece, but your company just might.

Looking to avoid the inclement weather? Ride the elevator from the Bakery to the underground pedway: it connects to the Metro train, Macy’s, the Daley Center, and the Red and Blue Line trains (when not being restructured!), as well as quite a few independent shops. Many office buildings are also connected to the pedway, making it that much more tempting. It doesn’t get any more convenient than that!

Now this place has nowhere near the best pizza in Chicago or Italian cuisine for that matter, but for the cost and ambiance, it sure is a great place to take a date! You almost literally walk through a time capsule here, where every aspect of this restaurant is very late 60s / early 70s mobster scene. One has to wonder if ole boy Quentin had scoped this place out when he was looking for a place to film the bar scenes in Pulp Fiction! In fact, I believe the juke box even has some Marvin on the play list!

The food is pretty decent, but again, nothing to write home about; it’s certainly not egg noodles and ketchup like Henry Hill complained about in Goodfellas! They do a pretty good job with the steaks, and the mozzarella sticks are huge and pretty tasty. And if you’re looking for a classic drink concoction, that’s what they do best around here, so feel free to go with the flow and go totally retro - good and strong! If you want something more on the modern side of things, the bar staff are very accommodating and will take their time to make sure they mix your drink to your specifications.

What diners go for is the very charming, laid back and dim atmosphere, where the service is by far superior than just about any other Italian place in the city. Each patron is made to feel like an old friend that has been coming here for years, offering up just the right amount of service. And those big, round booths in the bar area serve as the perfect spots for getting in some PDA time!

If you decide to keep it at home for the night, this place does a great job with their delivery service. The prices are pretty reasonable, the portions very large, and the drivers are pretty fast. An added bonus is their drivers will stop and pick up beer and cigarettes for you, so if the weather is pretty lousy or you don’t want to lose the moment by having to get up and hit the liquor store, that bit of info is a gem within itself. Also, keep this place in mind for parties, since Congress sells a Stadium Pizza that’s bigger than two large ones for a really low price!

Where else in Chicago are you going to see fish that swim by and see you as dinner? Combine that with the fun dolphins, beluga whales, penguins and otters, on top of all those neat and bizarre fish from all over the world, and you will find yourselves at the Shedd Aquarium. It’s probably one of the best aquariums in the country, not to mention impressive, considering the nearest ocean is over a thousand miles away!

Besides what has already been mentioned, two other favorite spots include the delicate sea horses stingrays and the awe inspiring moon jellies. What I found to be particularly impressive is the tank with sturgeon, which are just now beginning to make a comeback to Lake Michigan, and watching scuba divers feed the animals is just plain cool, okay!

Free parking is available by the meters on Sundays, but since they’re in high demand, you need to get down there early to scoop one up! There is also a cash lot nearby, with cabs and public transportation always available. Oh and also, Chicago residents who have a library card can stop by the library and check out a museum pass at the counter! It’s good for 4 people, gets you in for free and lets you bypass the lines! Sunday mornings are probably the best bet if a weekday isn’t practical, since the tourists haven’t gotten into town yet.

Because the Shedd is undoubtedly the most visited museum in the city, the lines here can get worse than camping out for Cubs tickets, especially in summer. The place is also on the pricey side of things, but is understandable due to the sheer magnitude of running such a facility. The Surroundings restaurant, while absolutely delicious and remarkable, is also on the expensive side, but offers a wonderful view of the skyline that makes up for it, and yes, they take reservations. Of course, locals know parking at the museum campus is tricky at best, but I fail to see how $25 valet parking is justified. I say go in winter, get the pass, pack a lunch and ride the bus or trolley!

What an exciting place to take the kids! There is just so much for them to see and do, all with a gentle slant that will leave you all with a passion for wanting to take charge in caring for the environment! And yes, you just might learn a thing or two as well! And, because it’s right by the beach, you can certainly make a day of your visit!

The largest exhibit they offer is outdoors called the Greening Project, which is really pretty and shows just how much they care about the environment. It’s also a recycling center, so feel free to bring your glass, plastic and paper along for the kids to contribute. An exhibit geared towards little ones is two stories tall, called the Hands On Habitat. It gives an inside view of various animal homes, which is always a big hit with the kiddos - climb up into the tree house, play with the water, ride down the slide, whatever! Another exhibit kids gravitate towards is the Mysteries of the Marsh, with creepy crawlies and swampy plants. Then there’s the Riverworks exhibit, another place to play with the water while learning a little something along the way.

Of course, one of the museum’s best assets is the butterfly room. Hundreds of beautiful butterflies merrily flutter around, many times landing on you. Some say it is a kiss from Nature, others a sign of good luck, so telling the kids those little tidbits ahead of time will make them even more eager to head in there! Just please remember not to touch them - let them touch you!

As far as the food goes, while it may be on the pricer side of things, you can be rest assured every item on the menu is all natural and home made and provided from local businesses, many ingredients local as well. Brown bagging is perfectly fine as well, with a group seating area on the first level over by the marsh exhibit. Please remember to use the recycling facilities! Oh and also, Chicago residents who have a library card can stop by the library and check out a museum pass at the counter! It’s good for 4 people, gets you in for free and lets you bypass the lines!

What other place in Chicago can be more fun to spend a day with the kids than this place! I promise, it is just as much fun as you remember, possibly for different reasons! From walking through the captured U-Boat, to boarding the Boeing 747, to the coal mine ride and the annual Christmas Around the World display, so many fond memories stir just thinking about this wonderful museum! And yes, it’s a place where the parents have as much fun as the kids.

It is literally impossible to list all of the things to see and do here, and for many people, a single day just isn’t enough. Besides the highlights already mentioned, other popular exhibits include the fairy castle dollhouse (every little girl’s dream!), a HUGE model train exhibit, the Old Chicago area and the adorable chick hatchery. Almost everything there is completely hands on, though some of the older exhibits are in dire need of update and repair.

I’m not going to kid you, this place can really start racking up money wise, because many of the best exhibits cost extra to see, especially the traveling ones and the OmniMax. Be sure to pack a lunch and check their site beforehand for special exhibits and pricing. There is free parking on the east side of the museum by the Lake Shore and Museum Drives if you get there early enough, and while the ice cream parlor in Yesterday’s Main Street may offer promise of excellent treats, they’re really not all that. (Buy the kids a cone on the way home. Trust me.

As always, the most memorable souvenirs are the ones your kids make for you. Bring a roll of quarters and run the die cast machines, collecting as many of those plastic novelties as possible. In our house, we actually transformed them into tree ornaments! And yep, you might just want to cave in at a soda or candy machine, too. Oh and also, Chicago residents who have a library card can stop by the library and check out a museum pass at the counter! It’s good for 4 people, gets you in for free and lets you bypass the lines!