LINCOLN PARK Z00 5/19/2026 – IT IS FREE !

Posted on May 19, 2026 by Q-tips

LINCOLN PARK ZOO – 2200 N Cannon Dr., Chicago, IL 60614, (312) 742-2000, lpzoo.org

The exterior of Lincoln Park Zoo in the Lincoln Park neighborhood of Chicago. This zoo is free to everyone year round and features 1,100 animals Stock Photo - Alamy

Mrs. Q-SAYS: YES, GO AND ENJOY! IT IS FREE! – FREE IS GOOD.

Decided to thru the zoo instead of around the hood.  Had a great walk & beautiful weather.

LINCOLN PARK ZOO is a wonderful place to visit – old and young alike enjoy the wonderful zoo & lakefront.  Found free parking on the street but there is a parking lot & pay the fee just in case you can’t find free street parking. Many animals to see and they were active due to the sunny beautiful weather.  The Zoo offers little people train & all restaurants were open.  Restaurants and sidewalk vendors are available as well as areas to picnic either under shelter or on the grassy areas. The small working farm was not open along with a few other venues but most are open. The day we went the animals were very active, which adds to your enjoyment.

Mrs. Q says:  The Zoo was busy with School children & families enjoying the Zoo. The four legged animals were out  playing & enjoying the day also. Go and enjoy, it may not be the largest Zoo due to lack of some animals but a great way to spend the day.  I miss the Elephants.
PS Lincoln Park Zoo has a great Ape House. So go and enjoy – say HI your distant relatives! 

Photo of Lincoln Park Zoo - Chicago, IL, United States
Photo of Lincoln Park Zoo - Chicago, IL, United States
Photo of Lincoln Park Zoo - Chicago, IL, United States
Photo of Lincoln Park Zoo - Chicago, IL, United States. Love the Zebras!
Photo of Lincoln Park Zoo - Chicago, IL, United States. Gorilla
Hi to my very very distant relative.
Photo of Lincoln Park Zoo - Chicago, IL, United States
Posted in Chicago Events 2026 | Comments Off on LINCOLN PARK Z00 5/19/2026 – IT IS FREE !

Beard & Belly

Posted on May 18, 2026 by Q-tips

6157 N Broadway Ave Chicago, IL – (773) 754-7429, beardandbellychicago.com

Beard & Belly and Honeypie Bake Shop - CHICAGO, IL 60660 (Menu & Order Online)

5/18/26 – Mrs. Q had: Old Fashioned – Maker’s Mark – demerara, Regan’s orange bitters, angostura bitters with an orange swath- dirty ice on the side.

The other half had: Perfect Manhattan.

Yes, enjoyed the ambiance- Sandwiches can be big at times so we share sometimes.

We shared the: Baked Pretzels w/ mustard.

Half Pint Burger w/Fries/
cheese sauce on the side

Shared: Half Pint Burger w/Fries/
cheese sauce on the side.

Baked Pretzels w/ mustard
Chili Mac & Cheese
Chicken Hand Pie -Flaky, buttery
pastry crust with savory filling.
Inside seating
Cute bar
The outside heated tent space. The heaters are those tall lamp-like objects.
Posted in Chicago Rest. 2026 | Comments Off on Beard & Belly

Tapas Barcelona

Posted on May 17, 2026 by Q-tips

5/17/26 -1615 Chicago Ave Evanston

(847) 866-9900, tapasbarcelona.com

We shared the bread.

Q-tips shared: Queso de Cabra con Tomate – Baked Goat cheese in tomato sauce, garlic bread. Gambas al Ajillo – Sauteed shrimp with olive oil, garlic and chiles. Chuletas de Cordero – Baby lamb chops in a savory red wine sauce served with couscous.

Queso de cabra con tomate -Baked goat cheese
Gambas al Ajillo – Sauteed shrimp with olive oil, garlic and chiles.
Chuletas de Cordero – Baby lamb chops in a savory red wine sauce.

Pulpito a La Plancha

Ceme Brulee

Inside seating
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Calo’s

Posted on May 16, 2026 by Q-tips
Photo of Calo Pizzeria Restaurant & Lounge - Chicago, IL, United States

www.calorestaurant.com – 5343 N. Clark St. Chicago, IL

5/16/26 – Valentina‘s drinks at Calo’s are the best restaurant drinks around.

Mrs. Q: had: an Old Fashion

The other half had: Perfect Manhattan

We shared the delicious bread.

Each Q had: a cup of soup.

Q’s shared: Veal Piccata.

Delicious Bread
Minestrone Soup
Grilled Salmon
Penne Pasta w/meat sauce
Vongole
Wild Mushroom pasta
Pork Chops

inside seating
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Indie Cafe – Sushi

Posted on May 11, 2026 by Q-tips

5/11/2026 – 5951 N Broadway St Chicago – (773) 561-5577 – indiecafe.us

Photo of Indie Cafe - Chicago, IL, United States. Chicago's best casual neighborhood sushi spot

  Indie has indoor/outdoor seating. BYOB with corkage fee for Beer & Wine only. No BYOB outside.

Today was “Maid Day,” – Cleaning Day, which means NO COOKING DAY. This visit was a take home & we ate and drank our favorite libations at home.

We shared & always enjoy one of the best Crab Rangoon around.

Mrs. Q ordered the BIBI SUSHI – 7 pcs. of Nigiri and one California Maki roll – no sesames please & Wonton Soup. A Cosmo with dirty ice (ice from the shaker) on the side.

The other half had: OMAKASE – 9 pcs of Sashimi, a few pieces of Unagi & Miso Soup. His Saki.

Women Owned Restaurant – Executive Chef Iggy Waranon and Co-Owner Gui Prasartkul came to Chicago in 1998 to study the arts of photography(Governor State University) and film making(the School of the Art Institute of Chicago).

Photo of Indie Cafe - Chicago, IL, United States
Delicious Crab Rangoon
Photo of Indie Cafe - Chicago, IL, United States. Omakase Nigiri
Omakase Nigiri
Photo of Indie Cafe - Chicago, IL, United States. Unagi is so good:)
Delicious Unagi
Photo of Indie Cafe - Chicago, IL, United States. Lunch special
Lunch Special

Posted in Chicago Rest. 2026 | Comments Off on Indie Cafe – Sushi

GINO’S NORTH PIZZA – EDGEWATER -near Loyola U.

Posted on May 9, 2026 by Q-tips

1111 W Granville Ave Chicago, (773) 465-1616, ginosnorth.net

Nice seeing Mixologist – Joe

Sean, our favorite son, suggested a visit to Gino’s on our arrival day,

Sean had: An Old Fashion.

Mrs. Q had: An Old Fashion & a Cosmo.

Mr. Q had: A Perfect Manhattan & a glass of wine.

We shared: The Antipasto & Garlic Bread & Gino’s Special pizza – Includes Italian sausage, fresh mushrooms, green peppers, black olives & onions.

Gino's North
Beautiful Holiday Decorations
Gino’s Special pizza – Includes Italian sausage, fresh mushrooms, green peppers, and onions.
Friends & Drinking buddies at Gino’s
Philly Cheese Steak Sandwich
Antipasto Salad w/
side of Garlic Bread
Posted in Chicago Rest. 2026 | Comments Off on GINO’S NORTH PIZZA – EDGEWATER -near Loyola U.

McNamara’s Irish Pub

Posted on May 8, 2026 by Q-tips

2740 Old Lebanon Rd Nashville, TN

mcnamarasirishpub.com

On our way to Chicago, our favorite Son, Sean, suggested to stop at this Irish Pub for dinner & an overnight stay at The Hampton Inn. The Inn was the cleanest place we have ever stayed in & the bed & pillows the best ever – Mrs. Q wishes she had that mattress & pillows at her house.

The Pub was awesome. The service/drinks/food & the ambiance was outstanding.

Sean had: A Guinness beer & soup & Steak & Guinness Pie -Guinness Marinated. Beef Tips with Button Mushrooms in A Rich Brown Sauce. Topped with Puff Pastry Served W/ Steak Fries.

The Q-tips shared: Irish Stew & the other half also had soup. Our usual drinks: Old Fashion & Perfect Manhattan.

Irish Stew
Steak & Guinness

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STONEWOOD REST. 5/6/26

Posted on May 6, 2026 by Q-tips

STONEWOOD – 5415 University Pkwy., Sarasota, FL 34276, (941) 355-3315
stonewoodgrill.com

Q-tips say: Go & enjoy!  

Wonderful dinner with long time friend: Roger from the hood.

We shared the Pretzels.

Roger had: Sangria & Clam Chowder & Buffalo Shrimp.

Mr. Q had:  Perfect Manhattan & Clam Chowder & Buffalo Shrimp.

Mrs. Q had: An Old Fashion & Blast Stack.

Pretzels
Blast Stack
Beignets w/three different sauces.
Buffalo Shrimp

French onion soup

French Onion Soup 

                                                                                                                                                                    

Posted in Fl Restaurants 2026 | Comments Off on STONEWOOD REST. 5/6/26

Anna Maria Oyster Bar – 5/5/26

Posted on May 5, 2026 by Q-tips

Anna Maria Oyster Bar- 5405 University Pkwy Unit 110 University Park, Fl.  (941) 491-2662

oysterbar.net     

I had – an Old Fashion.

The other half had:  Perfect Manhattan & Special of the day: Lobster & a side of onion straws.

Mrs. Q had: Scallops & a Ceasar Salad & house chips w/ a side of Ranch dressing for dipping the chips & we shard: a dozen Blue Point Oysters.

Drinks/food/service was good.

Salmon
Photo of Anna Maria Oyster Bar - Bradenton, FL, United States. Onion straws appetizer
Onion Straws
Dozen Oysters
Scallops
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Uncle Vanya

Posted on May 4, 2026 by Q-tips

In the heat of summer, Sonya and her Uncle Vanya wile away their days on a crumbling estate deep in the countryside, until Sonya’s father suddenly returns with his new alluring wife, declaring his intention to sell the house.

Q-tips say: Was good. Mr. Q enjoyed it more than Mrs. Q.

Posted in Movies 2026 | Comments Off on Uncle Vanya