Bowker Michael J OD

960 S Oak Park Ave
Oak Park, IL 60304

Susi D. writes: Good lord, i had no idea how blind i was til Dr. Bowker showed me how life could be with glasses!  What's that you say? I'm near-sighted AND i have a muscle imbalance?  What a surprise...i can SEEEEEEEEEEEEE!  Anyway, Dr. Bowker is very nice &…

Thee Fish Bowl

600 Dempster St
Evanston, IL 60202

Erika G. writes: Excellent selection of pet food, and v. knowledgeable. Great cages and accessories too.

But please . . . adopt a pet rabbit from the House Rabbit Society instead of buying animals at a pet store.

Grosse Pointe Lighthouse

2601 Sheridan Rd
Evanston, IL 60201

Kristine B. writes: The Grosse Pointe Lighthouse, completed in 1873, was built after the "Lady Elgin" floundered on the coast and claimed 300 lives.  Today visitors can see the restored lighthouse keeper's office, living quarter, and climb to the top of the tower.  The…

Trace
Neighborhood: Lakeview, Wrigleyville

3714 N Clark St
Chicago, IL 60613

Kevin A. writes: CHILLIN' ON CLARK

Trace is the perfect place to grab a few drinks pre-game and to chill out post-game when you want a relaxed vibe in a douche-bag free environment.  It's also a great place to meet your friends before you head out to other bars since…

2nd Hand Tunes

800 Dempster St
Evanston, IL 60202

Deanna M. writes: Erika, I still buy vinyl.  I need places like this.

I always find really fascinating records here, usually dirt cheap.  I've bought so many gems for less than $5.  One of my favorite finds was an LP called "The Swingin' Teen Sounds of Ronnie Dove,"…

Pine Yard Restaurant

1033 Davis St
Evanston, IL 60201

Dee W. writes: Finally, a decent Chinese place around here!  It still only gets three stars for authenticity though.  I was dragged here to try it for lunch and was very pleasantly surprised.  Their lunch specials range from $6.75 to $7.75 but you get free hot tea,…

Whole Foods Markets

1111 Chicago Ave
Evanston, IL 60202

Kathy R. writes: I'm not vegetarian, but I do sometimes like to eat healthy (healthfully?).  Most reviewers compare Wild Oats to the Whole Foods down the street. Having been to both, I do not see a huge cost difference between the two.  

But, I did find what I wanted…

Form-All Spring & Stamping Co Inc

380 Meyer Rd
Bensenville, IL 60106

peter b. writes: If you need precision parts..this office provides crisp precision. Family owned business owned and operated by the Bragiels. Great people who really know their tool and dye. If you're ever in the area, i'm sure Mary or Walter would love to show you…

Dave & Buster's

1155 N Swift Rd
Addison, IL 60101

Joel B. writes: This was a cool place.  The prize place is not the typical counter...its the size of a hotel gift shop. The games are great, too. The only reason its 3 stars instead of 4 is the fact that you couldn't go anywhere without inhaling second-hand smoke.…

Danny's
Neighborhood: Bucktown

1951 W Dickens Ave
Chicago, IL 60647

Vaughn C. writes: It's an unassuming facade, branded simply by a lonely, glowing red Schlitz sign  and its interior maintains the motif. The small two story house is lit by candles, with vast array of nooks and crannies to cozy up to. To the uninitiated, this could be…

Kingston Mines
Neighborhood: Lincoln Park

2548 N Halsted Street
Chicago, IL 60614

Colleen C. writes: Kingston Mines has a special place in my heart.

Every summer my dad comes to visit, and we trek to the Mines for a night of boozin' and bluesin'. Every year we vow to make it til 5am...and every year we make it til about 2am, then get burritos and go…

Woodlawn Tap
Neighborhood: Hyde Park

1172 E 55th St
Chicago, IL 60615

Kathleen A. writes: i absolutely LOVE that a lincoln park trixie despises Jimmy's.  What more could I say?

Only that I cried the day Jimmy died.  May his dirty and smoke-filled  bar and disabled toilets live on in his memory... and may I continue to find myself drunkenly…

Dublins Pub
Neighborhood: Near North Side

1030 N State St
Chicago, IL 60610

Lisa V. writes: This is my go-to bar when I am in downtown and I just want a neighborhood type bar, but good food.  Its like if Smith & Wollensky had a 3rd cousin, then it would be Dublin's.  It has great service, white linen cloth & napkins on the tables, but its…

Payless Shoesource

E101 Woodfield Mall
Schaumburg, IL 60173

Linda Y. writes: This Payless has recently been remodeled, and it looks spectacular! It is organized in a way that is different than other Payless stores. This is like Nine West style, except with a wider variety of shoes and a lot of orange all over the store. I…

Funky Buddha Lounge
Neighborhood: Near North Side

728 W Grand Ave
Chicago, IL 60610

Linda L. writes: this is the melting pot of chicago's nightlife in so many respects! from culture to fashion... you can walk in and expect to see your uber chic fashionista sipping on cocktails alongside b-boys, preps, trendy punk and hip hop heads.  

its urban…

Panera Bread

1140 N Plaza Dr
Schaumburg, IL 60173

Niki C. writes: It was absolutely FRIGID in here.  Like entering an icebox, no joke.  That really sucked cuz I was literally shivering the entire time we ate.  & I was eating hot soup.  In July.

That being said, the bread is good & the employees were nice & it was…

Oysy Japanese Sushi Restaurant
Neighborhood: South Loop

888 S Michigan Ave
Unit 403
Chicago, IL 60605

Andy G. writes: For me, Oysy is my top sushi place in the city.  I've tried a lot of sushi in the city, and for me, Oysy is my #1.  Here's why.

Sushi - The fish is fresh.  It's tender, it melts in your mouth and is flavorful, yet not fishy.  This is a very hard thing…

Home Run Inn Pizza

1480 W Lake St
Addison, IL 60101

Patty V. writes: The best garlic crust thin pizza!!Love the garlic bread also. Service can be a little spotty,but servers are always nice!! Great for a bite before or after a movie-huge Marcus Cinema right across the street. Lots of new shopping nearby,this area has…

Precis Hair & Nail Design
Neighborhood: Near North Side, Old Town

1211 N La Salle Dr Ste 1
Chicago, IL 60610

Anna G. writes: My brazilian was doing very well and in record time.  I usually go to Exhale where I can get a brazilian for around $60.  Precis was $30, and it took less than 10 minutes!  Probably 5.  The setting isn't the prettiest, but the job was done very well,…

Club Lucky
Neighborhood: Wicker Park

1824 W Wabansia Ave
Chicago, IL 60622

Amy H. writes: All I knew of Club Lucky was that it was a stop on the annual Chiditarod - Epic Urban Iditarod.  The interior was cool...I liked the bar-stools...and the bathroom was clean.  Beyond that, the only experience that I had with Club Lucky was drinking…

Lion Head Pub
Neighborhood: Lincoln Park

2251 N Lincoln Ave
Chicago, IL 60614

Kiarash Z. writes: Go here for football.

Do not go here for weekends.

Stick to those rules, and you'll be just fine.

Lion Head on a Monday is an oasis from the rest of the neighborhood. My group of seven was easily seated, and we drank ourselves stupid and ate ourselves…

Pure Skin Rejuvenationn & Laser Hair Removal Ctr
Neighborhood: University Village

Water Tower Ste
Chicago, IL 60607

Lee-Han J. writes: They have this wheat mask that they use..it exfoliates so well and leaves your skin soft. It's pricey, very relaxing and full of tranquility.

Heaven On Seven
Neighborhood: Lakeview

3478 N Clark St
Chicago, IL 60657

Dez Z. writes: Unfortunately I only got to eat here once before they closed, but I am sad to see them go. Their food was excellent and I fell in love with their honey butter.  I wish they would have stuck around. I hear their other locations are good but the…

57th Street Books
Neighborhood: Hyde Park

1301 E 57th St
Chicago, IL 60637

Marion P. writes: A very comfortable and cozy basement bookstore that lets you wander through several low-ceiling rooms. Browsing-friendly, with a smaller, but still comprehensive and well-selected count of books.

Apparently I rate every restaurant by its vegetarian…

Xsport Fitness
Neighborhood: Near North Side, Old Town

230 W North Ave
Chicago, IL 60610

Beth P. writes: A solid 3 star review for now:  some goods and some bads.  The main reasons I signed up for it is because it's very close to my apt, and it's open 24/7/365.  

It's a bright, large, clean place that will impress you during the tour.  A decent sized…

Sigara
Neighborhood: Ukrainian Village

2013 W Division St
Chicago, IL 60622

Matt W. writes: Rang in the new year back in '05 at Sigara and it was a very cool experience. We were lucky enough to have gotten there early and scored a booth complete with privacy curtains. The four of us settled in, ordered drinks and started a cherry cola…

Pizza Capri
Neighborhood: Hyde Park

1501 E 53rd St
Chicago, IL 60615

Kristen F. writes: I figure I should probably review Pizza Capri since it is the restaurant I have eaten at most in Chicago.  My boyfriend is their biggest fan, but I have no complaints whenever he mentions his PC craving.
First, the olive oil & bread is to-die-for.…

Tempo Cafe
Neighborhood: Near North Side

6 East Chesnut Street
Chicago, IL 60611

Daniel W. writes: The only place in Chicago for breakfast.  Reminds me of New York style diners that are open 24hrs a day and have a full menu. For those that love omlettes, waffles or pancakes this is the place.  No place better to cure your weekend hangover.

Bring…

Nonno Pino's
Neighborhood: Edison Park

6718 Northwest Highway
Chicago, IL 60631

carolynne r. writes: The interior of Nonno's is large and spacious, with high ceilings, exposed brick walls and large windows along the street side that open in the summer.  They have a lovely menu.  I recommend the Stuffed Eggplant rolls,  Caprese salad (but only in the…

Maggiano's Little Italy
Neighborhood: Near North Side

516 N Clark St
Chicago, IL 60610

Ellen M. writes: This was some of the best wedding reception food I've ever had.  I'm not as excited about dining in the main restaurant, but even that's pretty darned good.

My sister's reception was this weekend and it was seamless.  We had about 100 people in the…

Barnelli's Pasta Bowl
Neighborhood: Near North Side, River North

100 W Ontario St
Chicago, IL 60610

Kengo H. writes: I love delivery places. Here's yet another delivery review.

I had the Peasant Pasta. It was a fantastic blend of "Italian sausage, chicken breast, and pancetta, seared and mixed with escarole, garlic, canolini beans and rigatoni, carefully cooked in…

Catch Thirty Five
Neighborhood: The Loop

35 W Wacker Dr Ste 4200
Chicago, IL 60601

Robert F. writes: Need to impress?  Look no further than Catch 35.

Business or pleasure, this place is going to make your guest take notice.    The waitstaff is impeccable, and the food is without equal.  I have some severe seafood allergies, but there was still a…

Back to Bed
Neighborhood: Lincoln Park

662 W Diversey Pkwy
Chicago, IL 60610

Amanda C. writes: I had a good experience here.  

I came to this store, bonus check in tow, bound and determined to find something that would NOT poke me with springs as I slept!

I walked in, was pleasantly greated by the salesman, and gave him my price range.  I…

La Creperie
Neighborhood: Lakeview

2845 N Clark St
Chicago, IL 60657

Mark S. writes: I'll never forget my first trip here- that long ride into Chicago on the school bus with all the other 8th graders in the French club!  My first trip to a French restaurant- I was on my best behavior!  Madame Doyle was impressed.

So was I with La…

Cafe Central
Neighborhood: Noble Square

1437 W Chicago Ave
Chicago, IL 60622

christine f. writes: I have lived 3 blocks away from this place for 3 years now and never knew it was a Puerto Rican restaurant until a friend told me about it last week.  When I walk my dog along Chicago Ave, I've often smelled the enticing aroma of Latino food but I…

Kincades
Neighborhood: Lincoln Park, DePaul

950 W Armitage Ave
Chicago, IL 60614

Kristin C. writes: This one time, at Kincades I met an NHL player.  I didn't even know he was one until later  on in the night when his friend pulled me aside and told me.  I didn't believe him and didn't care because this dude was hot.  To make a long story short, I…

Kafein

1621 Chicago Ave
Evanston, IL 60201

Hannah D. writes: 9:43pm - I partake of their mocha zombie, which consists of 3 espresso shots, steamed milk, whipped cream and coffee.

9:58pm - I begin to feel the effects.  Music seems a little louder and my left leg starts getting antsy.

10:01pm - My roast beef and…

Illinois Center Sopraffina Marketcaffe Llc
Neighborhood: The Loop

111 E Wacker Dr
Chicago, IL 60601

Carrie B. writes: Great lunch spot! Fresh salads, great pizza and paninis.... I'll be coming back!

The Blue Agave
Neighborhood: Near North Side

11 W Maple St
Chicago, IL 60610

Kristin C. writes: Some people like cake and a tall glass of milk for a birthday treat.  Not my friend Lee C.  Her big day called for only one thing. . .a birth-rita!  As my buddy Arnold states in the classic Pumping Iron, "Milk is for babies."  Lee is no baby.  This…