Things to do in Chicago.

[HFCS]

Where did the name "Viagra Triangle" for Rush Street come from? I assume it is about all the rich old men who wander over from Michigan Avenue. We moved 8 years ago and I never remember hearing about it during the 20+ years we lived there. And I've returned many times, but I don't think I've ever heard it.

Who coined it? And it is used commonly now? It is a great (and accurate) name!


I don't know who named it that, but you I hear it called that all the time on sports radio and around town. The little open square in the middle is shaped like a triangle so it's too perfect, and it does come from the wealthy older men and business men who try to entice the younger ladies with money in that area. I had an attractive friend who was a waitress at a bar there and the tips she would get from older men and traveling business men were ridiculous. $500 a night quite often in the summer, high end stripper money for bringing beers to tables and being fully dressed.

 

[cyinne]

Go to the The Wiener's Circle and ask for a chocolate milkshake!

 

[twistedredbird]

As a foodie, thought I might share a couple of my fave places to eat that are somewhat "less" known.

On Michigan Ave in the shopping area, hit the Purple Pig, amazing tapas style restaurant, in the new wave old world euro style. Wine is fantastic, and the food, off the charts. The beets and goat cheese are a must. Go for lunch. Evening wait on weekends can be an hour or two. If weather is nice, they may have the tarp down, sit outside and have a beer.

Also on Michigan, but on the south side of the river, impress your girlfriend and take her to Mercats for dinner. This is a Jose Garces(Iron Chef America) restaurant that won't break the bank relatively speaking. Do the tasting menue(with pairing if you like wine). Yes you will spend $200 to $300, but in Chicago, and Iron Chef caliber food, where else you gonna get that. Reservations needed.

Petterios - I am all for old style Italian. Service beyond reproach. If you like heavy Italian, not the new wave "light Italian" this place is for you. It is more New York in style and menu, and I think that is why I like it. Every time I eat there I think Soprano is going to walk in.

TRU - Only if you have major bucks to spend. $200-400 a person. But, truly a once must try kind of place. Dressy, you will want to wear a suit. Do the tasting menu, don't bother otherwise.

AVOID - With all the culinary treasures in Chicago, please God don't do the steakhouses please. Yes they are good. But you can get just as good of steak in Iowa from a good butcher and on your grille.

Moto - high end,
Carnivalle - fabulous, and budget friendly

For a great dessert, brunch or Breakfast (reasonable pricing) - Artopolis in Greek town - easy to find street parking in area. Great coffee drinks, amazing pastries and cookies....The almond cookies are off the charts. I do a lot of meetings there. Be careful, the servers there are off the charts hot with their Euro accents, don't let her catch you staring.

 

[marothisu]

As a foodie, thought I might share a couple of my fave places to eat that are somewhat "less" known.

On Michigan Ave in the shopping area, hit the Purple Pig, amazing tapas style restaurant, in the new wave old world euro style. Wine is fantastic, and the food, off the charts. The beets and goat cheese are a must. Go for lunch. Evening wait on weekends can be an hour or two. If weather is nice, they may have the tarp down, sit outside and have a beer.

Also on Michigan, but on the south side of the river, impress your girlfriend and take her to Mercats for dinner. This is a Jose Garces(Iron Chef America) restaurant that won't break the bank relatively speaking. Do the tasting menue(with pairing if you like wine). Yes you will spend $200 to $300, but in Chicago, and Iron Chef caliber food, where else you gonna get that. Reservations needed.

Petterios - I am all for old style Italian. Service beyond reproach. If you like heavy Italian, not the new wave "light Italian" this place is for you. It is more New York in style and menu, and I think that is why I like it. Every time I eat there I think Soprano is going to walk in.

TRU - Only if you have major bucks to spend. $200-400 a person. But, truly a once must try kind of place. Dressy, you will want to wear a suit. Do the tasting menu, don't bother otherwise.

AVOID - With all the culinary treasures in Chicago, please God don't do the steakhouses please. Yes they are good. But you can get just as good of steak in Iowa from a good butcher and on your grille.

Moto - high end,
Carnivalle - fabulous, and budget friendly

For a great dessert, brunch or Breakfast (reasonable pricing) - Artopolis in Greek town - easy to find street parking in area. Great coffee drinks, amazing pastries and cookies....The almond cookies are off the charts. I do a lot of meetings there. Be careful, the servers there are off the charts hot with their Euro accents, don't let her catch you staring.

Purple Pig is awesome. Have you tried Xoco (Rick Bayless)? Love that place. Carnivale is good, although the main exec chef who helped it get good left awhile ago to open his own spanish wine bar (funny when you realize who your neighbors are lol).

If you really want to splurge too, go to Next if you can get in. It was an amazing dinner.

 

[CycloneErik]

While I admit that most graphic designers are, I most certainly am not. I like hunting/fishing too much (and don't dress weird).

Going to KFC and Long John Silver's doesn't count as hunting or fishing.

 

[CyBer]

Going to KFC and Long John Silver's doesn't count as hunting or fishing.

I'd post pictures of some of the beasts that I have caught, but you would all want to know my fishing spots.

 

[twistedredbird]

Purple Pig is awesome. Have you tried Xoco (Rick Bayless)? Love that place. Carnivale is good, although the main exec chef who helped it get good left awhile ago to open his own spanish wine bar (funny when you realize who your neighbors are lol).

If you really want to splurge too, go to Next if you can get in. It was an amazing dinner.

Two new places for me to try

 

[marothisu]

Two new places for me to try

Yeah. Xoco is casual, but be prepared to wait in line. Their tortas are made in a wood-fired oven and the caldos are very good. Churros are great especially with the chocolate and soft serve that you can get with it. They have chocolate drinks (i.e. an aztec hot chocolate with cayenne pepper), which are made from choco beans they grind themselves.. The most expensive torta/caldos are $12, but the average price of them all is closer to probably $9.50 or $10. Worth it IMO. Most reviews on Yelp are awesome, a few claim it's not proper. I like to listen to a friend of mine, who cooks a lot, and is originally from Mexico (grew up in San Diego). He said the place reminds him of his grandma's cooking in Mexico and that she'd love it. FWIW, that's a pretty good thing in my book.

You seem like you know what's up in food though, so I"m sure you've heard of Next and who is in charge of it

 

[CyBer]

Go to the The Wiener's Circle and ask for a chocolate milkshake!

You should explain this to me.

 

[marothisu]

You should explain this to me.

hahaha, it's pretty good. It's a really big chocolate shake