Q-Tips Reviews

OPEN HOUSE CHICAGO – openhousechicago.org

200 places to get behind-the-scenes access to building all over Chicago by the Chicago Architecture Foundation and it is FREE! Mrs. Q says: FREE is GOOD!

Q-tips say: Enjoyed it. A FREE weekend festival that you can explore/tour re purposed mansions, skyscrapers, opulent theaters, exclusive private clubs, industrial districts, private offices and beautiful sacred spaces. Some of the Churches were not open on Sun. due to regular services for their congregation members.

NO tickets were required and everyone was welcome. Saw mansions near our home that are not open to the public any other time. If you missed it this year, there is always next year.

MAGGIE DALEY PARK 407-461 S Columbus Dr., Chicago, (312) 742-3918, maggiedaleypark.com

Q-tips say: WHAT A GREAT PARK for Families of all ages and right on the lakefront! Age appropriate things for kids/adults to do. Climbing wall, water park, food vendors when the weather is fair – food vendors close when school starts but the park remains open. A great place for the little one to run and have fun till they get tired. Go and enjoy and best of all it is “FREE” to play. FREE is good.

BUCKINGHAM FOUNTAIN – 301 S Columbus Dr., Chicago, (773) 742-7529 chicagoparkdistrict.com/park

Q-tips say: Great place with a lot of history. Took the grandson there.

It is one of the largest fountains in the world, built to represent Lake Michigan. Four sets of sea horses symbolize Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan and Indiana, the states that border Lake Michigan.

Also fun to see at night when the colored lights are on – different colors enhance the look of the fountain.
After Buckingham Fountain we walked over to Maggie Daley Park and had a great day.

CRIME TOUR – chicagocrimetours.com

Q-Tips say: Enjoyed it! Went with The Son and Daughter-in-law. 90 min. tour on an air conditioned comfortable bus. You do get off the bus to see “sights” up close and personal along with movie clips while the bus driving is going to the next destination. Ben, our guide was good plus he had a sense of humor. You read/hear about locations of some of history’s most interesting crimes, probably pass them everyday, but never stop to look & see.

Do you the true story of the Holy Name Cathedral “bullet holes?” You will know about them after this tour. Did you know that Victory Gardens Theater (where Capone was supposed to have been shot) still has the Biograph sign on the outside? See the tunnels and the original safe of the Capone era.

Mrs. Q says: Some things never change. First it was Capone and other gangs during prohibition, now we have gangs that involve drugs, etc – go figure. Yes, they do offer coupons/discounts on different internet sites.

CREPE BISTRO – 186 N Wells St., Chicago,(312) 269-0300, crepebistro.net

Q-tips say: Ambiance, decor, and good service make this a place to go. Had a discount coupon.
Crepes are big, variety to chose from along with dessert crepes and a bottle of wine – great deal.
Good place to meet for a bite and a drink, (also have a Happy Hour), after work or anytime you want some crepes.

Rittergut Wine/Cheese Tasting – – 10 S Wacker Dr. Chicago, (779) 216-5939, rittergutwinebar.com

Q-Tips say: Go and enjoy! Yes, they do have outdoor seating with a view of the River.
Had a gift Groupon which included 2 Whine Flights and selection of cheese and toast points. The Q’s decided to also add on a selection of meats and that was our dinner. Service was great along with good ambiance made for an enjoyable early dinner. Chose the Red wine flight – a Dr. Konstatine Cab Franc from Fingerlakes NY, a Quinta cedro do novel from Dours Portugal, and a Belvedere Chianti from Chianti, Italy.
Mrs. Q says: Never had Elk meat but decided that was one of our choices – found it to be very chewy but now I can say, “I ate Elk meat.” Also they have a couple of dollops of delicious honey. (a nice change from butter/ or liver pate.) Always like trying new places and would go back. Great place for a drink/and bite to eat after work or any other time.

Taste of POLONIA– Copernicus Center, 5216 W Lawrence, Chicago, ToPchicago.org We took public transportation but there is free street parking and a parking lot for $20.

Q-Tips Say: Go and enjoy! We found free tickets in the newspaper and used them. Great Food, Music, Entertainment, a lot for the little ones to do and keep them busy. All kinds of Polish food and a few booths that were not, just in case you are not a fan of this cuisine. This year it seemed a tad smaller than before and more advertisement booths and no arts/craft booths:( Had a great day and make sure you go to the Copernicus Bldg. (air conditioned) and see the dancers (check the schedule). Mrs. Q says: Especially loved the little dancers (probably pre-school thru kindergarten) they made people laugh and did a good job. The older dancers were excellent. Before the dancers began there was a movie about the rich history and the different towns of Poland. Yup, you bet your dupa we enjoyed it!

Mrs. Q says:  Who stole my kieshka? Oh, it was Johnny! Only the Polish people would come up with a polka named “Who stole the kieshka?”

Angry Crab 5665 N Lincoln Ave., (773) 784-6848, theangrycrabchicago.com-

Q-Tips say: WHAT A PLACE! Extremely casual, they don’t take reservations, and they have no parking lot, street parking only BUT it is BYOB and they bring you bibs, water and an ice bucket if you so desire and no napkins, rolls of paper towels. Now you get the idea. A great seafood restaurant with seafood sold by the pound. They serve it in a plastic bag and give you a plastic fork. You get a choice of what sauce you want it cook in, like garlic butter, or lemon flavored, different levels of spicy sauces. We chose a pound of clams and a pound of mussels in the garlic sauce, of course. Our friends had headless shrimp, yes, you can also have the shrimp with the heads on. There is no salad or green veggies on the menu. The only sides are a potato, corn on the cob, and bread.

Did we enjoy? You betcha! We will go again and wear something you don’t mind getting soiled. So if you don’t enjoy seafood, don’t come here.

Between Riverside & Crazy – Steppenwolf – 1650 N Halsted St., (312) 335-1650, steppenwolf.org– – Ex-cop “Pops” Washington and his ex-con son Junior are barely holding on to one of the last great rent stabilized apartments in Manhattan. Pops has his hands (not to mention his apartment) full as he navigates a steady stream of sketchy houseguests and sweats out the impending verdict on his law suit against the police department. A celebration of the glorious contradictions that make up human nature, this rowdy dark comedy looks at the slippery nature of justice, and the grit it takes to finally move on.

Q-Tips say: See it. One of the better plays we have seen so far this season. Don’t leave after the first half (no one did)- the second half has some very funny scenes. Mrs. Q says: I guarantee you will laugh. The play comes to an end with a touch of humor. Mrs. Q says: Some violence but you have seen much more on your TV. NOT for children.