Yen's is closer to Orchard than Diversey. I went there once but hated it. I ordered sesame chicken or something and the sauce was way too gravy-like.

Miss Asia at 434 West Diversey Parkway is pretty solid for Thai.

PSA: Tuesday's episode of Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern will be Chicago-based.

Travel Channel - 9 pm Eastern

Yeah, easy to miss. I liked Yen's food, though - I think I mostly ordered beef lo mein or empress chicken when I went there, but it was pretty good. Worth trying if you're close enough to it.

Has anyone checked out the auto show yet? I'm thinking of heading over there tomorrow. Anyone have McCormick place parking tips? I'd love to not get raped like I do anytime I try to park anywhere downtown.

Long Grant Achatz article in today's Tribune: http://www.chicagotribune.com/entert...741,full.story

Highlights on soon to be opening Next Restaurant:
-late march opening in fulton market
-rotating place/time theme every 3 months, 1st is 1906 Paris
-seats 62 with tables for 2 or 4 and one chef's table that seats 6
-will probably not accomodate dietary restrictions or allergies (nooo)
-ticket system = prepay for everything including gratuity and prices vary based on demand for day/time
-already 15k signed up for the ticket notification
-no refunds on tickets

awesome comment: "I don't care how many awards or stars the guy has gotten, his HAIR looks greasy and like it would fall into any food he works on. - it makes me understand why in the school cafeteria EVERYONE wore those hair nets."

I went to Henri on Vday. First time there. It was convenient since we both work in the loop. She had the sole and I had a bean and duck cassoulet. It was very good but I would say Merlo is better. Merlo is not well known but I think it is one of the best places in town.

I had breakfast this morning at Orange on Grand. Green eggs and ham!

Yeah, he seems a bit full of himself.

Some friends went to Alinea a few weeks ago. They went all out and got the the full 20 course tasting menu with wine paring. Each course was like two bites. Some of it was more out of a chemistry lab than a kitchen. Like, one of the courses was a shot glass of foam. Came to $500 each.

Not really a Chicago destination but I'm headed up to Potowatami Casino in Milwaukee this weekend for the Cheap Trick concert...anyone have thoughts of the casino up there and NL games (5/10 and above)?

Hi guys,

I'm looking to play tennis during the day at recreation park on Lake Shore, or somewhere else if you prefer. Already have a couple of people to play with, but looking to expand my options. I'm a good 3.5 of a bad 4.0 . Also, I don't know where to play but I'm definitely up for some racquetball.

Looking for some advice. Young guy(22) moving to Chicago with his girlfriend. I work in the Financial District.

We like to go out to eat/drink and hit up bars occasionally, obviously not as much with working, so day-to-day commute will be important.

Any suggestions for places to look for an apartment in terms of areas?

River North, West Loop, and Streeterville will be your best options imo.

Thoughts on Privét? I got invited to a party there?

'Privét is a private, upscale nightclub inspired by old-world royalty. There is no guest list or RSVP. Entry is based on the networks of staff and management.'

Is it a douchefest? Also, how expensive is it? How much for a 12 oz. beer, say?

I said Old Town/LP also. Don't really like Streeterville (boring/old people) and River North is also pretty old for someone who's 22.

LP will be a longer commute but imo being around similar age is important.

i can't imagine this place being anything other than a douchefest based on how you described it .... i wouldn't go imo

Went to Perennial last night with some friends. Fantastic place that does classy and casual very well. Did the restaurant week menu. Had duck croquettes to start, basically little deep fried balls made with duck and some sort of cream based sauce, very tasty. Then had the rib meat ravioli with mushroom sauce, holy crap this was amazing ... Entree was pork belly, really really good, so tender it melted in your mouth. Dessert was a hazelnut bar with chocolate ice cream(more of a fudge) and mint ice cream, also tasty. Cost me $50+tip with a drink. I also recommend the chicken lollipops as a friend had those. Also the Mac and cheese ... Not really Mac and cheese, well certainly not of the Kraft variety. Highly recommend this place. Located in Lincoln Park on 1800 Lincoln I believe

Was there in Dec and chicken lollipops were great. The chicken breast dinner wasn't amazing and was a bit small, but overall a nice meal and cool atmosphere.

They're getting a new chef Paul Virant (from Vie in Western Springs, which got 1 Michelin star, but who even knows where Western Springs is?!) and renaming to Perennial Virant: http://leisureblogs.chicagotribune.c...perennial.html

Chis is always on top of it.

Went to OneSixtyBlue last night for RW.

Steak tartare app was really good. Main course was the tri tips with mushrooms and blue cheese mashed potatoes - which was pretty solid. Desert was this chocolate fudge thing with caramel popcorn, probably my favorite desert in a while.

Had a bottle of wine and some beers, total was about 270 for 4 people. Would probably go back.

My wife and I have been there twice and had outstanding meals, from top to bottom, both times. OneSixtyBlue is very underrated imo. I've had better food there than many of the more talked about restaurants in the city.

Went to Mexique last week for RW and Nia Meditteranean today for RW

Onesixtyblue is my go to spot for drinks or meal before bulls/hawks games. Assumption being that whomever im with is willing to spend a little money, it can get a little pricey compared to a typical pre/post game meal. Def recommended, it's about a 5 min taxi from UC. For a 7 oclock game if you get in by 545-6 you can be in your seat at gametime.

Benchmark/Old Town Social as HoosierAlum said are good additions. I live pretty close to North/Wells also but I'm on the other side so the El stop is a long walk.

Overall I think Old Town is the ideal place to live if you:

1. Don't want to live Downtown but go there often enough and don't want a long commute.

2. Aren't just out of college, probably 25+ is a good age.

3. In a relationship or are "over" the whole wild/crazy/late night bar scene.

4. Have some $ to spend. It's going to be more expensive than most LP and LV areas. My understanding is that it's about equivalent to RN as far as cost of living but I'm not too sure about that.

I'm a big fan of this place. They are getting a new chef who is apparently a celeb chef but I'm not up on that stuff: http://chicago.eater.com/archives/20...-perennial.php

Some recommendations:

-go for brunch on weekends. highly recommend bob's breakfast quesadilla and sancho's omelette is also good. fresh fruit side is great too.

-menu changes regularly for dinner. the "fish tacos" for appetizer are awesome. it's just some raw fish pieces (crudo) with mango salsa/avocado. it's not actually a taco at all. i love mac and cheese, the current menu has four different options and if you know a good heart surgeon i'd recommend the sampler.

i probably eat at this place more than any other restaurant in chicago, it's v good.

i'm not sure but what's the downside of taking a shot? it's not like you are going to get chopped up and put into a meat locker as long as you are meeting randos in a public place. just do it. i'll prolly do it soon enough but i've just been busy as fk.

1. don't know your gf situation and this is OT but be careful. probably very tempting to move to new city, hang out nearly exclusively w her, not meet people, whatever. just be careful as i know some people who came here and did that and things didn't end well.

2. you're pretty young compared to most people living downtown (RN/GC/Streeterville) areas. that's cool, just keep it in mind. it's mostly a mid/late 20's + crowd.

if it were me, i'd probably live near an El stop somewhere in Lincoln Park. the reason being that most just out of college kids seem to go out in this area and you are also centrally located for going up to lakeview/wrigleyville or going to work/downtown for "big" nights out.

this is assuming you don't know other people in town. if you know some guys then i would highly recommend living pretty close to someone that you know/like as it will make it easier to get out and do stuff more and i think it's a good idea to do that as much as possible once you get to town.

ty sir.

For the first 12-18 I'll be working nights and she will be working days. She is working for a wedding planner so will be there until like 8 on weekdays and working weekends. AKA we will be seeing too little of each other really.

This should allow for her to meet friends and go out with them and such, as well as allow for me to do the same. I'm thinking the beginning period will be crucial in us developing friends and social circles outside of each other so that when we do get on the same schedule we will be fine operating away from each other as well.