Paddy O'Splaines

Yes, I have been going out way too much the past few days. I can't help it. I keep running into people that seem interesting and they want to grab a bite or, as the case would be at Paddy O'Splaine's last evening, a bite and a few beers. What am I supposed to do? Say no? Please, if nothing else going on a date with someone gives me something to do and often a funny story or two (ask me some time about the attractive and seemingly normal red head that turned out to have just gotten out of an institution - yeah, I really know how to pick 'em).

By now you should be starting to notice a trend in my restaurant reviews: I pretty much only go if they have some kind of ridiculous special. Like $1 Schlitz or half off an entire menu. Well, last night was no exception: $2 domestic bottles of beer, half off all pizzas, and free pool. Unbelievable! Whoever said Chicago was expensive spent way too much time going clubbing because I have to tell you that I've never seen deals like this anywhere else I've lived or traveled...well, except maybe Hungary but I couldn't speak the language so that was a pretty major drawback to meeting locals out. Back to Paddy O'Splaines...

The pizza was tasty but by no means incredible. I make a better pizza (which, for those who haven't tried it, I probably make the best pizza in the world) and domestic bottles pretty much limits you to crabby Miller Lite or similar derivatives. But come on - $2 beers and $6 for a pizza? It's like going out at the Town Tap in my home town of 4000 people again. Well, except for the decor was a little more upscale (but nothing special) and the girl I was with was cute and interesting - not a lot of those hanging around Columbus that are single and my age.

Atmosphere: 3 (nice but kinda sterile), Price: 5 (but only on a Tuesday night), Food & Drink: 3, Overall: 3 (0-5 point scale)

Vines on Clark

Monday night I headed to see a hysterical improv show with someone and before we went we stopped and grabbed a bite at Vines on Clark. What and awesome idea that was! It turns out that Mondays are half off all food and $3 for any drink!

Don't worry Kate's Pub in Seattle, you are still my favorite place for happy hour food, but this was pretty incredible. It wasn't quite as cheap as Kate's, but the food was significantly better and I was able to get a Guinness for just $3. I love the $1 PBR at Kate's, but I have to say that Guinness might be more than 3x better - so this is a better bargain.

Fortunately for Kate's, it retains it's number one spot on my list but I think it owes that to my somewhat dull date. I'm going to head back there when the weather is warm, sit outside, and bring along someone leggy and funny next time. Then Kate's may be in trouble.

Atmosphere: 4 (this will definitely be a 5 when the weather is nice), Price: 5 (but only on a Monday night), Food & Drink: 4, Overall: 5 (0-5 point scale)

Reviewing Restaraunts Now, Too

I plan to continue the fantastic concept of tracking Macs vs. PCs in the various cafes around town, but I've decided that in my exploration of the city, I should also start saying a few words about the other fun eateries and drinkeries (is that even a word?) that I go to in Chicago. Granted, there's probably a hundred other people doing this but it's my creative outlet so backoff! I'm doing it!

My first review: Glunz Bavarian Haus. I was first attracted to this place when I was wondering by on a Monday and saw a sign outside that said: "$1 Schlitz and $3 bratwurst." To a true blue Wisconsin boy, that's the same thing as putting up a sign that says, "Naked, hot chicks and free sex." Seriously, how could anyone resist.

So I did some searching and found someone to go with me. I used the old Gregg Myer line: "It's kind of like losing money by not going."

The two of us had three beers and each got a brat. For the mathematically challenged among you out there, that's a total bill of $12! $6 bucks apiece for a good night of beers, brats, and conversation with someone interesting. As to the food and drink, Schlitz is, well, Schlitz, and I wasn't super impressed with the brat but it was still tasty.

And the other bonus to this place: It's about 4 blocks away from my apartment. I'm starting to love Chicago and it's not even summer yet!

Atmosphere: 4 (they'd get a 5 with an outdoor bier garden), Price: 5 (but only on a Monday night), Food & Drink: 3, Overall: 5 (0-5 point scale)

Perfect Cup in Chicago

It turns out that The Perfect Cup is not the perfect place to be online. Actually, it's a pretty nice place with a good wi-fi connection, but there's hardly anyone in here on a computer. I was actually in yesterday, too. I was the only one on a computer yesterday and today there's a girl running one of those mini Asus laptops (which happens to run Windows). So neither side gets a big boost today. 1 Mac and 1 PC.

Running Total: 18 Macs, 16 PC's

As the cafe itself, pretty nice...Well not counting the screaming baby that was in here about 2 minutes ago. Fortunately, the mother was a very considerate person and bundled the little joy up and took him out as soon as he got antsy.

The baristas are extremely friendly (and one of them is quite cute), the coffe is good (again) and reasonably priced, and there's plenty of seating. However, I'm not a big fan of the jazz playing over the speakers. I just can't get into a jazz. It's a bunch of guys sitting around proving how musically talented they are. Seriously, does anyone else think that jazz is the musical equivalent of masterbation?

I guess the bottom line on The Perfect Cup is that it's a nice place but nothing about it really excites me. So far my favorite Chicago cafe is The Grind. Tomorrow I'm heading down to Wriggleyville to review Cafe Avanti - that's where my friend Dressler hangs out. We'll see if that can show The Grind who's boss.

Atmosphere: 3, Price: 3, Coffee: 3, Overall: 3 (0-5 point scale)