Q-Tips Reviews

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.

TRENCHERMAN’S – 2039 W North Ave., Chicago, IL 60647, (773) 661-1540, trenchermen.com

Q-Tips say: The Q’s went to celebrate their anniversary and had a great time. The food, service and ambiance was terrific. Our appetizers: CDK Farm Beef Tartare, Sunflower Aioli, Sunchoke, Crispy Rice Paper $12, & Tuna, Wild Chickpeas, Green Romesco, Almonds $16. Entrees: Seared Scallops, Smoked Chicken, Green Peas, Spring Onion, Sherry Jus $30, & Beef Shoulder, Beets, Caraway, Sugar Snap Peas $28. TWO cocktails were in included in the Groupon – a great deal. Took public transportation because parking is only street parking and glad we did because it was heavy “rush hour” traffic.

Mrs. Q says: Pricey but decent food options and something different. Have been here before when it was called “Summer.” Summer went under and now a new owner and new chef. It it in a bldg. that was a “bath house” many years ago. Ah yes, I am full of worthless information.

MAGGIE DALEY PARK – 407-461 S Columbus Dr., Chicago, IL 60603, www.maggiedaleypark.com

The MAGGIE DALEY PARK offers: Several Climbing Walls -Skating Ribbon, Play Garden, Fieldhouse, Tennis Courts, Picnic Groves, Cancer Survivors’ Garden, and special Programs & Events.

Mrs. Q says: A wonderful park located on the beautiful lakefront of Lake Michigan. The play areas are arranged for different age groups. EXCELLENT place for families to have fun and let the little one run, and run till they get tired.

CHARLES DAWES HOUSE – 225 Greenwood St., Evanston, IL 60201, (847) 475-3410,
evanstonhistorycenter.org

Q-Tips say: Go and enjoy. They are open daily from 1 to 4 PM. Docent tours on on Wed. Th. Fri. at 1, 2, 3 o’ clock (call before going to be sure the docent tour is on). Parking is FREE – FREE is GOOD by the park area facing the lake. Full of history and the life and times of Charles Dawes vice president under Calvin Coolidge, our 30th President. Lawyer, a co-winner of the Nobel Peace Prize for his work on World War I reparations. Dawes was a self-taught pianist and a composer. His composition, “Melody in A Major” in 1912 became a well-known piano and violin song, and it was played at many official functions as his signature tune. It was transformed into the pop song “It’s All in the Game.” Decided to join the Armed Forces when he was in his late forties. The commanders welcomed him to assist them, but Dawes wanted to be along side the fighting troops.
He was decorated with the Distinguished Service Medal during World War I. Mrs. Dawes supported him in his efforts during the war and formed her own knitting group to knit items for 2 troops.

Mrs. Q says: The main level is exactly like it was when the Dawes lived there. Yes, you can take non flash photos. No, you cannot sit on their furniture. Many artifacts from other buildings are in the house.
Keep in mind that the Park area facing the lake by the Dawes House was not there at one time. It is man made.
Mrs. Q could easily live in the Coach House which was remodeled in the 1920s to accommodate autos. The second floor servants’ quarters and hay loft have been remodeled, now serve as a private residence to renters. Be sure to admire the wood carvings, and Mr. Dawes memorial honoring his superiors he served under during the war. See it – such an accomplished man, so much history in the Dawes House. The second floor has exhibits showing how Evanston evolved. At its early stages it was called “Heavenston”.