Q-Tips Reviews

RUSSIAN TEA TIME REST. 77 E Adams St., Chicago, IL 60603, (312) 360-0000, russianteatime.com

Q-Tips say: Yes, go and enjoy, we did. Our meal started with a great cocktail and the have some of the most delicious complimentary dark bread/with butter and a complimentary outstanding Cole Slaw type of salad which has a delicious light dressing – it was awesome. We ordered the delicious homemade cup of soup. Mrs. Q had the Mushroom Barley Soup, which is different from the Polish style Mushroom Barley but delicious and fully vegetarian. Mr. Q. had the Ukrainian Borscht world classic! – sweet and sour soup of beets, cabbage, carrots, onions, potatoes and tomatoes. served hot with sour cream. Mrs. Q enjoyed the genuine Russian Dumplings Pelmeni. Making first-class Pelmeni, I understand, takes a truly special skill! the dough is rolled very thin and hand swaddled – they offer wonderful dumplings of seasoned ground beef and onions, boiled and topped with melted butter. served with touch of carrot salad, sour cream and yogurt sauce. So yummy! She should have order the larger portion. Mr. Q had the Wild Game Sausages kielbasa along with wild venison and wild buffalo sausages are broiled, served over mashed potatoes, sauteed spinach, sauteed shiitake mushrooms and carrot salad. They offer Vodka Flights which we passed on – but I am sure they are wonderful. The Q’s have been to the Russian Tea Time Restaurant before with friends several times and have never been disappointed.

LAKE LORRAINE STORIES: Mrs. Q’s comments:
We bought it in around 1982. Enjoyed it until soccer and tennis came along w/ travel teams and our weekends were busy with games. We owned a motor boat and went on the lake w/ an inner tube and pulled Sean/Shelly around. We heard faster, faster, faster until the rope broke and we had to go back and get you. Grandma Rose and Grandpa Walter would go there on weekends or a week for vacation. They always seemed to enjoy it because Grandpa loved to fish and Grandma liked it sometimes also along with gong out to eat. Shelly usually did not want to fish but she would take the plastic fish hook release dip it in the water and kept saying “Bless the fish”, “Bless the fish”.

Sometimes we would BBQ and many times would go to a movie and then out to eat at Randy’s Supper Club. (surprise! – somethings never change)

Some of the same people are still there. Did not see the “weed cutter” but I’m sure it is there somewhere. The Lake on the lower side recently flooded the homes that had a lower lever got water. A few of the cottages were torn down to build larger ones that now appear to have children there. Other than that, not much has changes over 20 years.

See the Q’s review of Randy’s Supper Club – under Wisc.

KLAS – 5734 W Cermak Rd., Cicero, IL 60804, (708) 652-0795, klasrestaurant.com

Q-Tips say: Went with friends and used our Groupon for 4 but have been here many times before and always enjoyed the food, service and ambiance. The Q’s had the Soup: The women had Liver Dumpling Soup and the men had the Goulash Soup. The Entrees we chose were: Breaded Pork Tenderloin and Roasted Pork Loin along with the Sauerkraut and the Sweet/Sour Cabbage and Boiled Potatoes and Potato Dumpling w/ gravy. One Apple dessert and the rest choose the Kolacky to go. A choice of Soda or a selection on Beer per person. What a deal and what a great meal with wonderful friends. Oh! they also have two gentlemen who entertain with they musical talents playing a violin and an accordion with traditional songs from Poland/Ukraine,etc. but they were not there on Sun.

Word has it that they are working on getting this building to be a Historic Landmark – hope they are successful because there is so much history at KLAS. The only negative is that they have limited hours that they are open to the public but will open anytime for a Banquet or Special Occasion

Mrs. Q says: Klas opened in 1922 by Adolf Klas a native of Pilsen, Bohemia, who gave up his job as a waiter at Chicago’s Drake Hotel and expanded to the famous Chicago land landmark. Take a few moments to look at the bar that is stacked with relics from World War I, II and many other eras, along with a deck of Al Copone’s playing cards and other items of his. The bar has hand crafted monks, murals taxidermy and stained glass windows. Guests over the years included bakers, doctors, lawyers, well known politicians and gangster. If you are fortunate enough to go when they allow you to go upstairs, do so. The upstairs was the bordello visited by many including Al Capone. Many stained glass windows and original Art, and furnishings. So, go enjoy the Food, the History, and Ambiance, we did.

RANDY’S SUPPER CLURB 841 E. Milwaukee St., Whitewater, WI 53190 262-473-8000 Www.funhunters.net

Q-Tips say: Go and enjoy! We did Mrs. Mr. Q enjoyed the Slow Smoked Pulled Pork Sandwich – BBQ Fans rejoice! Premium Pork, Delicately smoked in our kitchen with hardwood coals slathered in our homemade oatmeal stout BBQ sauce (Randy’s BBQ sauce is the absolute best) served on a freshly baked French Roll with our homemade pub chips. He said the best he has had. Mrs Q enjoyed the Blackened Salmon Sandwich – A petite salmon filet grilled with our blackened seasoning or grilled ciabatta bread with lettuce, tomato and a side of cucumber dill sauce. (Randy’s pickles that are served with the sandwiches are awesome – they taste like they are homemade:)

A bit of RANDY’S HISTORY:

RANDY’S SUPPER CLUB:
Yes, Randy’s is still there along with the original owner, Randy Cruse. The Q’s stopped by and the owner was there. Randy Cruse told hold us what happened to Randy’s Supper Club since we last visited during the 1982 when the Q’s owned a summer cottage nearby.

The original Randy’s burned down due to —-an ARSON FIRE. His partner was the culprit. It became a Federal case and Frank Willey and Michael Forbes, who poured the gasoline, and John Piscopo were found guilty. The Whitewater Police followed the trail and some of it lead them to Florida where Willey was up to some unsavory things there like a stash of guns, etc. Followed the trail back to Whitewater Wisc. and found that Willey got some of his gun stash from the Whitewater Police Dept. Some of the Police were also indited. Willey only spent 42 months in prison and had to pay 1 million in restitution for fire damage. $932,234.19 to the Ins. Co. that covered Randy’s Supper Club and $90,277.43 to Randy Cruse. Mrs. Q says: Wow! What a story coming from a sleepy little town in Whitewater Wisc. Randy and his wife decided to rebuild and remodel- looks good and so was the food*:) The Q’s are happy they chose to remodel.

We are now proud owners of an autographed business card signed by Randy and two souvenir napkins not to mention a photo of Randy himself.

THE PARTHENON – 314 S Halsted St., Chicago, IL 60661, (312) 726-2407, theparthenon.com

Q-Tips Say: Went with the Q’s Son and his Lady Friend. Began with a double order of the Flaming Saganaki – wonderful. Mr. Q ordered Roasted Leg of Lamb. The Lamb portion was ENORMOUS. Our guests ordered the SPECIAL TRADITIONAL COMBINATION – Dolmades, moussaka, pastitsio, roasted lamb with potatoes and veggies.
Mrs. Q ordered of Lamb slices and potatoes.

So many Greek restaurants in the area – perhaps we will try another one next time just for the fun of it.

NACHO MAMA’S – 5701 N Lake Shore Dr., Chicago, IL 60640, (773) 878-1183
nachomamaschicago.com

Q-Tips say: We are lucky – we can walk to Nacho Mama’s. Can’t beat the view – on Ostermann Beach. Good food not just Nachos, service, drinks. The outdoor restaurant has tables with umbrellas, which add to the ambiance and shade. The Q’s shared the Nachos on a sunny day with a cool breeze – perfection. The food ordering area is separate so you can take the food to the beach to enjoy, or eat at the patio, where alcohol, a full bar, is available via a bar in the back. No booze on the beach. Table service, or serve yourself and it is dog friendly for those with friendly dogs.

Las Fuentas – 9001 Waukegan Rd. Morton Grove, IL 60053, (847) 983-0248, lasfuentesrestaurant.com

Q-Tips say:  Well, never again.  Average service, food. Drinks – another disappointment. Real loud “thump”, “thump” music – annoying. Did our visit with our long time friends.  Enough said.

PEGGY NOBAERT CHILDREN’S/ADULT NATURE MUSEUM – 2430 N Cannon Dr., Chicago, IL 60614, b/t Fullerton Ave & Lake Shore Dr West in Lincoln Park, (773) 755-5100, naturemuseum.org

Mrs.Q says: What a great museum in a City of a number of great museums.

The Museum is easily reachable by bus and free parking can be had on Cannon Drive. Luckily the meters haven’t gotten here yet so street parking is still free here. You could easily see most of the Museum in two hours depending on the age of the children you bring along. The Butterfly Exhibit is an exhibit that Children & Adults will enjoy. They offer Thi Chi and Yoga in the Garden area. Have a room to eat lunch, if needed. Wonderful Museum for children – very hands on for the little ones, and room for strollers. A coat room for checking in your items. They offer special times when they feed the Turtles, release of the Butterflies – check on times when you enter. Also have classes for Composting 101, special Teen, Children & Family Programs. The Q’s have never been here before because we thought it was for children only – not so. The Butterfly exhibit is a wonderful exhibit for all especially if you are six years old, then it is magical.  Go and enjoy!

SHEDD AQUARIUM – 1200 S Lake Shore Dr., Chicago, IL 60605, (312) 939-2438, sheddaquarium.org

Q-TIPS SAY: If you you have not been there in awhile, SEE IT! Check out these exhibits: Amazon Rising, Caribbean Reef, Jellies, Abbott Oceanarium, Polar Play Zone, Waters of the World, At Home on the Great Lakes and Wild Reef. We saw and enjoyed. And also the Dolphin Show.

Mrs. Q says: Have heard negative comments about the Shedd Aquarium being an expensive venture.

1. Check out the FREE DAYS for Illinois residents – Bring an ID and get to see the main exhibits for FREE.
2. Any SPECIAL EXHIBITS that are offered on the Free Days are at a Discounted Price.
3. Save expensive parking fees by taking PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION – the El or Bus.
Mrs. Q says it may not be all FREE but it is Chicago-on-the-cheap or at least cheaper.

Mrs.Q says: After spending the day looking at fish, crabs, dolphins, whales, yes even the pregnant whale, we had to go eat some fish at Shaw’s Crabhouse.