Q-Tips Reviews

Ophelia’s on the Bay – 9105 Midnight Pass Rd., Sarasota, FL 34242 opheliasonthebay.com Ophelia’s offers a Happy Hour Drink specials and Bar Bites between 5 and 6 – Only in the bar area. Their menu changes daily. They offer a $30.00 menu which other restaurants call their “Pre-Fix Menu.” The parking lot is very small but they offer Valet Service, which solves the problem.

Q-Tips say: A must try for “Special Occasions.” Located at the far south end of Midnight Pass Rd., Ophelia’s offers a beautifully romantic ambiance, plus we had great service, fabulous drinks, and great food with a slightly over-priced menu but worth it.

We ordered our drinks and enjoyed the warm bread and shared their great Caesar Salad.
Our entrees: New England Diver Scallops – A hearty serving of large Scallops with a delicious sauce, each topped with small pieces of bacon. The other entree was Red Snapper. Enjoyed both.

Despite the fact we thought it was a bit over-priced but worth it.  We would definitely go back for that “Special occasion” or to try their $30.00 menu or the Happy Hour and Happy Hour Menu.
“So many restaurants, so little time!”

Cortez Bait & Seafood Market –They have moved to:
12110 Cortez Rd. W, Cortez FL 34215 941-794-1547

Q-Tips say: Heard Cortez Village is drinking town with a fishing problem. Don’t know about the drinking part but they offer a seafood market and restaurant. The market offers fresh caught & frozen fish, shellfish, clams, sashimi tuna, etc. along with a variety of accompanying sauces, etc. The also have menu cards which have suggestions for cooking your fish. The Bait/Seafood Market has moved but the restaurant has not.

The restaurant has outdoor seating and a decent menu, service and drinks & OUTSTANDING Clams.

So if you are in the Anna Maria, Cortez Fl area, stop and and buy some fresh seafood to take home or eat at the restaurant. We have done both and enjoyed.

SUPERDOG Drive In -333 S Milwauke Ave., Wheeling, IL 60090, (847) 459-1900, superdawg.com

Q-Tips say: WE LOVE this Place. Been around for a long time. Began when a college student opened this restaurant to work his way thru college. Well the rest is history. The absolute best hot dogs, fries, drinks and service. They have tables to eat outdoors and also indoors. Most people drive up and order from their car like the olden days.

Mrs. Q says: LOVE this place! We had a Groupon, of course, and decided to order two Superdawg Hot Dogs (the juiciest creation of pure beef hot dog (no pork, no veal, no cereal, no filler) and a Whoopskidawg to take home. If you have never had their Whoopskidog, what are you waiting for? Christmas?
The Whoopskidawg is a char-broiled version of a Romanian/Hungarian, Polish sausage; basted in a special sauce, and served on a Whoopskiroll™ with grilled onion and a pickle. I was in Whoopski heaven! Soooo GOOD! Can’t miss Superdawg – it has two humongous HOT DOGS on top of the bldg whose eyes light up. GREAT PLACE to take the family, visitors or just go yourselves and enjoy. WE DID! Also has great Chile and small tamales.

The Cremer House – 6256 Hwy 9, Felton, CA 95018, (831) 335-3976, cremerhouse.com

Q-Tips say: We enjoyed it. They have a varied menu – small & big plates, Veggie Burger for those who don’t eat meat and Grilled Cheese, etc. The also have a good selections for the carnivores. Mrs. Q had the delicious Fried Chicken. Happy Hour is from 3 to 5. Nice selection of wines, beer and breads are made with organic ingredients. Also offer outdoor seating to enjoy the beautiful weather. However, they don’t do take out – but should. Great for families/kids/couples.

This time the visit wasn’t as pleasant. Went for lunch and it was so so and a very loud server.

Santa Cruz Museum of Discovery – 1855 41st Ave., Capitola, CA 95010, (888) 424-8035
sccmod.org

It is a GREAT place for 2 years old up to 17, especially on a rainy day.  Not so sure about the 17 year old but it can be fun for all.

They offer classes (check schedule), story time, hands-on activities, art techniques, creative craft play, music, gardening club, a honey bee exhibit and more. Mrs. Q says: Our  5 year old grandson really enjoyed this museum.  They have a new exhibit with a play kiln oven and pizza rest. play things – to make pizza, salads, a phone to take orders, etc. He did enjoy this museum.

SAPORI TRATTORIA – 2701 N. Halsted St. Chicago Il – 773-832-9999 –
saporitrattoria.net

Q-Tips say: You want Italian? Sapori Trattoria is one of the better restaurants, especially if you are an avid Pasta person. Hugh servings, decent drinks. We arrived a bit early and they were not open yet.  But Marco saw us standing outside waiting and invited us in and said,  ” the kitchen was not open just yet but please come in and sit.”  Mrs. Q asked if the Bar was open and Marco said, Yes.  Took our order and asked Mrs. Q for her ID. I smiled and said, “REALLY?”  Do you know how old I am?  We both smiled and he said ok, I believe you. After our getting our delicious drinks and Mrs. Q had many extra cherries for her drink.  Then came warm delicious bread.  Our waiter, Vince, was good and attentive but not hovering or rushing. Vince asked if we needed anything else and we said the “check.”  He came back with a  complimentary dessert for us to share. How nice.  Before we left, Mrs. Q went to say good bye to Marco and he said, “please next time please remember to bring your ID with you.”  We both laughed.  Great food, service and pleasant dining all around.

It was Pasta dishes all around. They did not rush us – being mature diners, we would NOT allow that (in a nice way) to happen, especially since they were not that busy when we arrived.

Linguini alle Vongole – Homemade Linguini pasta sautéed with fresh clams, garlic, and a touch of onion in a white wine olive oil sauce. Two of us had Spaghetti Barese – Fresh spaghetti sautéed in a rich red sauce with veal meatballs and mild Italian sausage. I believe one of us had: Pennette Cardinale – Penne pasta served with grilled artichokes, chicken, shallots and sun-dried tomatoes in white wine tomato cream reduction sauce. The spaghetti Barese had huge meatballs and Italian Sausage and a very large portion of spaghetti. Mrs. Q had to take some of her remainder home. Sometimes the company, ambiance far outweigh decent food and drinks.

GOLDFISH The2257 N Lincoln Ave., Chicago, IL 60614, (773) 404-7336,
greenhousetheater.org

Q-Tips say: Liked it and also liked the “easy free parking at the former “Children’s Hospital parking lot”. Mrs. Q enjoyed it more than Mr. Q. Mrs. Q always is amazed by the sets in theses smaller theaters and how well they can easily move through the story.

A young man takes it upon himself to care for his father by paying his rent for 6 months, arranges for the father to go for groceries with an account so he doesn’t have to worry about his money for groceries. All he asked of his father is to pay attention to the mail for bills and NOT cash his monthly retirement check till he returns for the holiday as that is what he will pay for his tuition. He goes as far as to have a jar of quarters put aside for the father to easily do his laundry without worrying about getting change. The young man goes off to college, meets a inquisitive young woman, well you know the rest of that story. Doing well in college the young man gets a call from the college administration telling him his father is not going to pay his tuition. Goes home to find that his father has been drinking and gambling and got himself in a fight due to money he owed someone. Their relationship escalates from there.

The young man goes to his lady friends mother(great acting here by the mother) to ask her hand in marriage and to his surprise she says, “NO”. Having not had a happy marriage herself, does not want that for her daughter. His father tells him NOT to worry about him and get on with his life.

Is the father just a gambler/drinker, or does he have issues with Alhiemer’s since he can’t remember things?

The Grand Concourse – 1650 N Halsted St., Chicago, IL 60614, (312) 335-1650,
steppenwolf.org

Shelley runs a Bronx soup kitchen with unsentimental efficiency, but lately her heart is not quite in her job—or her faith. When Emma—a driven yet erratic college dropout—arrives to volunteer, her volatile mix of generosity and self-involvement brings Shelley’s bubbling midlife crisis to a boil. Warm, funny and compassionate, Grand Concourse introduces you to some fascinating everyday people trying to figure out the enigma of faith, the limits of forgiveness and how to find a little peace.

Q-Tips say: Mrs. Q liked it more than Mr. Q, tho, he did enjoy. Mrs. Q called the morning of the play and got tickets for $20.00 pp. Mrs. Q says Great story line with 4 very strong actors (the nun, the air-head teen, the mentally ill male(but under control) (great acting by him) and the Hispanic male trying to make a life for himself and his lady. She especially enjoyed Shelley “the nun” who was not only questioning her job but also her faith. A fast moving play with some humor. Runs about 2 hours – no intermission.

Illinois Curiosities by Richard Moreno – Quirky characters, roadside oddities & other offbeat stuff

Mrs. Q says: Loved this book. Ill Curiosities is an easy read and will have you laughing out loud. Whether your’re born and raised Illinoisan, transplant or passing through this book takes you on a ride to some of the strangest sights of the Prairie State.

Who would have guessed that Berwyn has the World’s largest laundromat. Barrington has one of the most haunted cemetery. Read about the famous “Resurrection Mary.” Also find out about the famous foods that were born right here in Ill. Did you know there is a Historic Auto museum in Roscoe? Such cars as the police car from Andy Griffith Show, 1932 Studebaker used by John Dillinger, Elvis Presley’s 1972 Lincoln and yes, the Batmobile.

Read it. You will enjoy!

BRAVO Cucina Italiana – 1701 Maple Ave., Evanston, IL 60201, (847) 733-0917, bravoitalian.com

Q-Tips say: Yes, go for the Happy Hour Bar Bites. We decided to stop in at Bravo and check out the Happy Hour Menu (Discounted drinks and Bar Bites) after seeing a movie. Been here before but not in the bar area. The bar area has tables and booths so one does not have to actually sit at the bar.

Began sharing the Beef Carpaccio – With arugula, pickled red onions, caper aioli, Parmigiano-Reggiano, Parmesan flatbread 3.95 along with complimentary warm delicious bread. Then Mrs. Q had Crispy Shrimp Napoli – Fried shrimp, green onions, charred tomato sauce 5.95 and Mr. Q the BRAVO! Burger – 6 oz. burger with Provolone, caramelized balsamic onions and creamy horseradish mayo, served with Tuscan fries 4.95. The servings were ample and delicious and filling. The food & drinks are good, service excellent and the price is right. Can’t go wrong at Bravo for their Happy Hour Bar bites.