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?”
Chicago Water Taxi – www.chicagowatertaxi.com, 1 Ride Tickets: One rides are good for only 1 ride to or from the dock locations for the purchased ticket $5.00 to $7.00. All Day Passes: All day passes are good for to use for the entire day and you may ride any route as many times as you please $10.00. Each person must have their own all day pass as these cannot be shared among other riders.
Chicago Water Taxi Stops: Chinatown, Ogilvie/Union (West Loop), LaSalle (River North), Michigan Avenue, North Avenue, Riverwalk Clark Street, Chinatown Route, LaSalle (River North) Route, Michigan Avenue Route, North Avenue Route, Riverwalk Clark Street Route, Chicago Avenue.
Mrs. Q says: As a tourist or a resident, in the great city of Chicago, riding the Chicago Water Taxi can be a quick and cost effective way to ride on a boat on all branches of the Chicago River and take in all the architectural sites and attractions that Chicago has to offer. Went with family to China Town and had a great day with a wonderful view along the way in the water taxi.
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.
Our Lady of 121st St. – Alhenaeum Theatre Studio Three., 2936 N. Southport Ave., Chicago,
773-935-6875 – The Ortiz Funeral Room is in big trouble: The body of beloved community activist and nun Sister Rose has been stolen from the viewing room, and waiting for her proper return are some of New York City’s most emotionally charged, life-challenged neighborhood denizens, trying to find a place to put their grief, checkered pasts and their uncertain futures. Among the equally hilarious and tragic twelve characters, you’ll meet Rooftop, a chronically unfaithful but otherwise popular Los Angeles DJ, looking to reconcile with the love of his life; Pinky and Edwin, two brothers tragically linked forever; and the outrageously angry Norca, who doesn’t let the fact that she slept with her best friend’s husband deter her from the full expectation of being immediately forgiven of her sin by her best friend, Inez, still in pain fifteen years later. The rest of the crowd in this dark, insightful and very funny comedy inevitably square off on each other, motivated by rage, pain and a scary desire to come clean—perhaps for the first time.
Q-Tips say: Was ok. Way too much screaming, yelling, too many F you, etc. Was said to be funny but Mrs. Q did not find too much humor in it except for the introduction when they tell you to turn off you gadgets. It was don’t with humor by saying “Tho shalt not have your phones on, tho shalt not, etc”. In other words anything you do not do in church, do not do here. There was mention about the alcoholic Nun, Sister Rose, in the description of the play but nothing said about it in the play itself.
CLINTON CASH – An investigation into how the Clintons have amassed millions in personal wealth through foreign contributions to the Clinton Foundation, a supposed charity, in exchange for political favors while Hillary Clinton was the US Secretary of State.
Q-Tips Say: A real eye opener. We knew they were not the innocents that they portray themselves out to be but this movie shows the lengths they will go to be successful and rich. Unfortunately, the poor people of the other countries that they said they were helping were helped very little and the Clintons made themselves very rich in the process. Mrs. Q says: So, that’s how they got so wealthy since leaving the White House when Hillary said, “they were practically broke and they were wondering how they were going to pay their mortgage.”
MAPLE & ASH –– 8 W Maple. (312) 944-8888, mapleandash.com
Q-Tips say: Restaurant and on the first floor there is a bar w/Happy Hour and a Menu. Went for a drink with a friend after dinner. Located on the first floor, Downstairs at Maple & Ash has a long stone-topped bar and large banquettes with high-top tables. By day, it’s the perfect spot for lunch & happy hour and by evening, a lively bar scene for dinner, libations and late night revelry. Was loud, vibrant bar scene. Enjoyed the drinks and the atmosphere. Open daily from 11am till late. Brunch open Sat & Sun from 10am to 4pm.
Del Frisco’s double Eagle Steakhouse – 58 E Oak St., Gold Coast., (312) 888-2499, delfriscos.com
Q-Tips say: OMG! Outstanding food, drinks, service, ambiance and a wonderful
evening with a special friend who kept saying, “Hey, I won the Lottery! Not the really big Lottery but enough to treat us to dinner with some of his winnings. How Nice! It is set in the the old Esquire Theater approximately five stories high with incredible chandeliers and an escalator to the restaurant.
The food was fantastic from start to finish – starting with the Tuna Tartare. We shared the Tuna, the sides which included decadent mashed potatoes, a side of macaroni and lobster, a side of shaved brussel sprouts with bacon and more, Wedge Salad, and of course, Steak. Along with several decadent drinks & champagne.
After our wonderful dinner, went to Maple & Ash and topped the evening off with an after dinner drink. Yes, do go to Del Frisco’s double Eagle Steakhouse especially for a “special occasion.”
