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"That's the tragedy of the strategy of looking out for Number One."
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- 362 Reviews
- 42 Review Updates
- 58 Firsts
- 41 Fans
- 2 Local Photos
- 21 Events Submitted
- 11 Lists
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Rating Distribution
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Review votes:
2129 Useful, 2078 Funny, and 2046 Cool
Chicago, IL
Yelping SinceDecember 2006
Things I Love Find Me Invading rogue (and rouge) nations
Current CrushI actually have two. One has considerably more fur than the other.
Date
It's a bit dimly lit, though. Please, open the blinds a little more, it's hard for a loner to read.
Naperville, IL 60540
(630) 416-4898
Frankie's Blue Room
Categories: Bars, Music Venues
Weak drinks, weak service, dickhead patrons. Ah, downtown Naperville on a weekend.
The SO bought gift certificates for my birthday, and I've been holding onto them for...a rainy day. And it was definitely rainy, windy, and cold today, which did not improve my mood AT ALL when I realized, while on the Belmont bus an hour before my appointment, that I'd left the gift certificates at home. I called the poor man nearly in tears; he promptly called the spa and they reassured him that they had the GC info on file, shit happens, no big deal. What a relief.
The place is so...words fail me. It's beyond relaxing--it's almost like an auto-sister support system, with hot tub. (I love the $20 spa use package, which I'll have to take advantage of when I'm really low on cash and running on physiological fumes.) The cedar sauna and eucalyptus steam room prepared me to be wrapped and sweated and rubbed down by a lovely woman named Becky. Her hands are MAGIC, I tell you! She is determined to rid your body of every knot she can destroy.
When I first got the gift certificates from the (greatest) SO (ever), I wigged out with sticker shock. What I didn't know at the time is that I'd get to steam and soak myself to near oblivion for an hour before my appointment.
Two things I really love about Thousand Waves:
--The pro-feminist atmosphere.
--The Cancer Stress Management program. God forbid anyone be diagnosed with something so horrific, but this program is really generous and wonderful for those in need.
Perhaps coughing up a few extra bones for ambiance IS worth it after all.
Chicago, IL 60647
(773) 252-1414
Belly Shack
Categories: Latin American, Korean
Neighborhoods: Bucktown, Logan Square
It's love, folks. LUV.
1 Previous Review: Hide »
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11/5/2009
While much has been made of the melding of Chef Bill Kim and Managing Partner Yvonne Cadiz-Kim's Korean and Puerto Rican cultures in their newest venture, little has been said about the fact that the UrbanBelly team's newest food baby is basically a love letter from husband to wife. "Here, my dear, is some food you can eat as well." As Cadiz-Kim was recently diagnosed with celiac disease, this is a gesture of devotion far greater than any trinket or bauble one can buy or words one can say.
And there is, my friends, much love in this food.
Not everything on the menu is gluten-free, but there are enough items to make for a gut-busting-without- autoimmune-response meal. I did not try the tostones or the quinoa (leaving myself stuff to try next time), but the roasted squash is truly wonderful: an entire mini pumpkin is roasted, with the brunt of it heavenly seasoned in pho spices and maple syrup, served inside the remaining pumpkin shell. Not only is it adorable, but if you like roasted squash as much as I do (and you don't mind scraping the meat from the shell), you get to eat it two ways in the same dish.
But the real revelation is the Boricua. I've personally never been able to eat a jibarito, given the meat content and more-than-likely unsafely prepped plantains. The combination of tofu, black bean sauce, a green (I think it was kale), and those crispy, oily plantains with a side of hot sauce made for a delectable--and messy--experience. (If you have a modicum of shame when it comes to eating food in public, make sure to order this one to go.)
I loved UrbanBelly when it first opened, but I felt increasingly like a pain in Bill Kim's ass every time I'd go in there and make modifications to my order. Now I don't have to do that.
Other gluten-free proprietors should take note: this is how you accommodate those with limited diets, not by making a lackluster version of a better glutenized dish (Souen in NYC, I'm glaring at you), but by creating whole new items that EVERYONE can enjoy. And it is with this spirit that Belly Shack operates.
I'll update once I've had the other two dishes. For a menu that's so small to begin with, having this many tasty options is a joy.
Chicago, IL 60640
(773) 561-2224
Middle East Bakery & Grocery
Categories: Bakeries, Grocery
Neighborhoods: Uptown, Andersonville
The vegetarian dolma--lust-inducing.
1 Previous Review: Hide »
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5/28/2008
Nicoletta's right, that cashier does have fabulous hair.
I can't believe I've just now discovered this place. Cheap pickled turnips? Check. Affordable olive oil? Check. Lots of bulk rice, nuts, and legumes? Check. A fridge wall of pureed and marinaded ready-made delights?
Check.
It's a good thing I'm marrying my art, because this place is gonna make my ass fat.
Chicago, IL 60641
(773) 685-6773
Tassili
Categories: Coffee & Tea, Halal
Neighborhood: Irving Park
OMELETS WITH FRIES IN EM.
Where can you eat this brilliant, fluffy concoction (with a salad and a basket of bread on the side for $5)? Tassili, that's where.
Owned by the man who also co-owns the beautiful, lovely, ridiculous Zebda, Tassili is so friendly that you can plunk down with your Zebda goodies and order a Coke--they don't mind being their neighbor's unofficial dining room.
But do give their menu a shot sometime.
Granted, vegetarians are stuck with sides, omelets, and cookies, and vegans fare far worse. If you've got a meat loving pal, I'm sure they'll love Tassili's high-quality halal options.
I will have to go back and try their espresso drinks.
*Please, no one take personal offense to this statement. The vast majority of people who use Yelp do not write reviews and don't stalk the Talk threads, so they do not nor should not care if someone refers to Ossie V.'s review or had drinks with Rex "1 2 3 4 who killed Demi Moore?" H. and Ramona Z last night after the UYE. Being so self-referential is one of the most irritating things about this website, and yet here I am, being irritating. To myself. Oy vey.
Niles, IL 60714
(773) 626-9906
White Eagle Banquets
Categories: Restaurants, Venues & Event Spaces
The staff at White Eagle is wonderful. You hear me? ONE-DER-FULL. I didn't even have to talk to a manager about my vegetarianism and gluten intolerance--our server was right on it. On top of the unwanted salads donated by some lovely tablemates (thank you, boyfriend and boyfriend's mom), I ate some well-prepped potatoes and green beans and received a surprise plate of freshly sauteed, fresh herb-covered green and red peppers which tasted as lovely as they appeared. And they were sweet enough to let me take my leftover peppers home, which they typically don't do.
I love special treatment.
Chicago, IL 60641
(773) 545-8585
La Oaxaqueña
Category: Mexican
Neighborhood: Irving Park
I'll be back, but I'll probably be alone.
11 Lists
3 Events
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FREE Workshops/Demos at Lillstreet Art Center… (CANCELED)
December 13 12:00 PM -
UYE- White Elephant Gift Exchange and Charity…
December 16 8:00 PM -
Yelptastic Chili Cookoff
January 9 2:00 PM
The signature pizza selections are creative, with mostly organic toppings. The service was good. I'll have to return on a Thursday when they don't charge extra for GF pizza.