There is no problem that cannot be solved by chocolate. - Buffy

332 Days to go: 314 Things to Do: Day 28 in Chicago

I'm going to be sick. - Xander

'cept that. - Buffy

52. Chocolate Eclairs from La Farine
53. Dinner at J.Patrick's

We're heading out of town for the weekend so I leave the office a little early to meet Allison and Emily at home.  On the way I stop at La Farine 1462 W Chicago.  La Farine was opened about a year ago I think, just a few blocks from my apartment.  Fresh bread is made daily - there's always a little chalkboard out front to let passersby know what type is featured that day.  But, what they've really become known for is the chocolate eclair, which I have yet to try.  Today seems like the perfect time.  Heaven.

Because I don't leave early enough to beat the traffic, we decide to grab dinner and wait out the commuters.  J. Patrick's 1367 W Erie is a pub only a couple blocks from home; I had noticed on my way home that they had outdoor seating so we walk over there.  There's a Hawks game, so it's busier than usual.  Plenty of seating outside though, but the waitress is frantic.  We manage to place our order and ask for the bill at the same time.  We still have to hit the road after all.    

331 Days to go: 312 Things to Do: 28 Days in Chicago = 29 new experiences

It was pretty impressive. Although later there was an ick factor. - Willow

338 Days to go: 322 Things to Do: Day 22 in Chicago

44. BYOB at Butterfly Sushi
45. Beer Garden and board games at Happy Village


I love birthdays. Those people who don't celebrate their birthday? I don't get those people. And I always get a little confused when the birthday girl or boy apologetically explains that the birthday dinner/party/drinks they just invited me to isn't happening ON the actual day, but is the day before/after/on Friday. I celebrate my birthday all week long. The entire month if I can get away with it. Although now I have a lot of good friends that also have January birthdays so I must share.

I think my devotion to celebrating birthdays was cemented in college. Being a January birthday in college means no classes and friends spread all over the country because of winter break. Typically, friends return to college in waves, not all at once, and wave by wave friends would realize I had turned a year older and decide we needed to commemorate the occasion (this was particularly true when I turned 21). Just because I'm not in college now....

In one of my more brilliant moments I once pulled off a spectacularly fake birthday for a friend of mine. She'd just broken up with a boy and needed cheering up, so we had a girls night. At stop number two I blatantly lie to the wait staff and tell them it's her birthday. Even strangers enjoy celebrating birthdays. It's happy. People sing to you. You get free stuff. There is cheering.

I believe this to be true: Everyone likes to be cheered.

Anyway - birthdays are great. But you know when getting sung to and getting free stuff and being cheered is even better? When you're SAD and DON'T WANT TO BE. One of the funnest nights ever. ;)

All of this explains why I was so excited today to join my friend Emily as she attempted to make up for years of neglect and do her birthday RIGHT. Way to kick off Memorial Day Weekend. In style.

Our first couple stops are old favorites - dinner at Butterfly Sushi 1421 W Chicago (the restaurant is BYOB so almost all of us stop at Noble Grape across the street and bring a bottle of wine. they also bring us some yummy desserts in celebration of the birthday girl. see? free stuff!) then down the block and across the street for a martini and manicure at the Beauty Shop. Sadly there was another group ahead of us getting manis and as we had a packed agenda, we didn't want to wait. But they did give Emily a $10 chip for a free drink (more free stuff)

Then we head to one of Emily's favorite places; Happy Village 1059 N Wolcott. This place is pretty great. Very happy. It's nestled in a residential neighborhood and has a huge back yard turned beer garden. They've set up a couple of tents in the back with patio chairs and picnic tables and let you bring in your own food (no kitchen). Typically there are any number of board or card games being played and the whole atmosphere is very chill. Oh, and they only serve beer - in bottles and cans, nothing on tap. We play yahtzee and catch phrase. Emily is not the only birthday in the house (under the tents?) so there is lots of singing. And when they move everyone inside around midnight (so as to be a good neighbor) there are ping pong tables to cushion the blow.

Eventually we move on to the Small Bar. Just a quick stop here to have a beer. I, of course, put money on the jukebox. I even convince a couple of guys to give me money to put in the jukebox for watching their drinks when they went out for a smoke. But, we hear rumors of dancing next door so we head over to Innjoy 2051 W Division.

Initially the music isn't that great, but soon the DJ figures out what we like. We're not subtle. And the cheesy 80's tunes keep flowing. Fun was definitely had. There was a group of guys there dressed like the A Team. One of them was particularly excited because I knew he was B.A. Baracus (not Mr. T) but I'm anxiously awaiting the movie so was in the right frame of mind. Towards the end of the night we also managed to recruit several of the Innjoy patrons to join us as we pretend to double dutch (we didn't have jump ropes). The bouncer was amused.

At the end of the night Mary Grace and I (and our new friend Patrick) relocate to evilOlive for more dancing. I manage to get home around 4am. Happy Birthday, Emily!

So all in all, it WAS pretty impressive. The ick factor arrived the next day when I was incapable of motivating off the couch and arrived at the barbecue four hours behind everyone else.

337 Days to go: 320 Things to Do: 22 Days in Chicago = 27 new experiences

If you want the ultimate, you have to be willing to pay the ultimate price. - Bodhi, Point Break

339 Days to go: 325 Things to Do: Day 21 in Chicago

41.  Grab a bottle of wine at Noble Grape
42.  Chicago style hot dogs at Duks
43.  Netflix DVD at home


It's not tragic to die doing something you love. - more from Bodhi.   I don't know about that.  But it's sure fun to live doing something you love.

It's Memorial Day Weekend.  Weeeeeeeeee.  We've got big plans for the weekend, so tonight we go low key.  In preparation for one of the 'Chicago To Do's' on the list we had Netflixed a copy of Point Break, and tonight seemed the perfect night to watch it.  So, after work, we hop on the blue line, get out at Chicago and head to my favorite neighborhood wine shop - Noble Grape 802 N Bishop.   

There are a lot of things to love about Noble Grape.  They do free wine tastings once or twice a week.  The staff are friendly and laid back.  The wine is good and inexpensive (flowing from their 'sophisticated, approachable wine' philosophy).  There is a membership list or loyalty club or something that results in a discount for every $100 you spend.  I'm not sure of the details, I haven't hit $100 yet, but (fingers crossed) any day now.  But the best, best, best thing about Noble Grape?  They DELIVER.  They BRING you wine.  If you live near by (which happily I do) or if you're dining at one of the neighborhood BYOBs you make a little phone call and minutes later you have wine.  It's glorious.  And tonight they are doing a free tasting of Spanish Wine, which Emily and I enthusiastically participate in before making our purchase.

And for dinner - Chicago style hot dogs.  Duk's (officially Donald Duk's Red Hots) 636 N Ashland is the perfect neighborhood hot dog stand.  It's cheap and the food is great.  Excellent late night stop - complete with an stacked jukebox (bob seger's you'll accomp'ny me is one of my all time favorites).  There's limited outdoor seating when the weather is nice and only about half a dozen stools inside when it's not.  The women who work there are somehow crotchety and hospitable at the same time.  And did I mention the food is great and wicked cheap?  Because it is.  I always order the polish sausage with everything (chicago style of course) and a chocolate shake.  Nine times out of ten the shake machine is broken - but if you can catch them when it's not WORTH IT!

The first time I was offered a polish sausage here I refused it.  I was convinced it was the most unhealthy thing I had ever seen.  But after four hours of drinking I returned and while I may have been right - this may be incredibly unhealthy - it's worth every bite.  And I'm told the cheeseburgers are also a tasty treat. 

A Chicago - style hot dog is a steamed, boiled or grilled all beef hot dog topped with mustard, onion, sweet pickle relish (like emerald relish), a dill pickle spear, peppers and celery salt.  Note:  NO ketchup.  Nope.  Ketchup allowed only for those who need them on their fries.  And the hot dogs (and polishes) are brilliant that way.   

Another fun fact?  Chicago has more hot dog stands than McDonalds, Burger Kings, and Wendy's COMBINED.  At least according to wikipedia.  And in my day to day experience seems to be true.

Oh, and Point Break?  Just as horrifically enthralling as you remember it.  We miss you, Mr Swayze.
What's the matter with you guys? This was never about the money, this was about us against the system. That system that kills the human spirit. We stand for something. We are here to show those guys that are inching their way on the freeways in their metal coffins that the human spirit is still alive.  - Bodhi, Point Break

338 Days to go: 322 Things to Do: 21 Days in Chicago = 27 new experiences