Jim K.'s Profile

Look, here's my number one pet peeve in the restaurant business: you do not close your kitchen early. Ever.

I've worked in the service industry. I managed a restaurant that was one off the few late night eating destinations in Chicago at the time. Yes, on a slow night the kitchen would start closing up and cleaning everything early, but if we closed at 2 a.m., and someone walked in at 1:59 a.m., they were seated, the kitchen was dirtied,, and they got the same service they would have received if they'd walked in at 6 p.m.

Now I'm not saying it doesn't suck to have to go through that, especially when you've got your eyes on the clock and want to get the hell out of there, especially if it was a super busy day. But that doesn't change the fact that at the end of it all, posted hours should be observed. if they're not your reputation plummets in no time.

Big Star in Wicker Park has only been open a week and already they're falling prey to this behavior, and it's infuriating. I was pleased to hear people simpatico to the neighborhood had bought The Pontiac space, and even more pleased when I heard it's center on solid but affordable Mexican fare and lots of bourbon and whiskey! And what they've done with the interior is fabulous.

However if they're going to staff it with people that are too lazy to do their job, or can't be bothered to pay attention to little details like posted hours, then I give up on the place. Will losing my patronage hurt them? Of course not. But it's still a bummer to see one more place in Wicker Park fall into the average category that ends up primarily catering to douchebag clientele with middling service.

Whatever.

This place has potential. Cheap drinks. Good DJs the nights I've been there (though I haven't been there on any of the genre-specific theme nights).

The only problem is that the upstairs feels cavernous when it's mostly empty, which is every time I've been there. It's right near the heart of Wicker Park but just outside of strolling distance so it doesn't seem to be picking up the random crowds in the 'hood. I'm hoping more folks do discover this place though since I'd really like a joint to go dancing to rock and/or roll and not bangin' beats.

We went last night to take advantage off the restaurant week menu, but once we got there we opted for a few different dishes from the main menu. Considering the prices, we all thought that the wine and food didn't live up to expectations. The scallops were over-peppered, the mashed potatoes over-salted, and my steak was decent ... but I've had a comparable cut for half the price elsewhere.

The only thing saving me from giving this place a terrible review is the staff. Everyone we encounter from host to server to bussers were excellent. Everyone was attentive and it is by sheer force of their presence that I walked out in a good mood.

Cafe 200 in the Aon building has me so furious right now I can barely contain myself. Three times in the past week I've gone down there at 2 p.m. to get a grilled cheese only to be told by the dude manning that station that they're "closed." Look dude, I've worked in the restaurant industry as everything from a chef to a manager and I know "closed" means you've started cleaning the grill because you want to get out of there. I understand that. But if the cafeteria doesn't close until 2:30 p.m. you can't start cleaning the grill that early! Put away your food tubs and all that other crap, but you can't turn the grill off until the restaurant is closed!

And the fact that management there is so shoddy that this has happened three times is driving me absolutely insane.

So three times in the past week I've stormed out of there and headed to other restaurants in other buildings, even though other stations in the cafeteria are obviously still open and have food. Way to win and keep customers folks.

I love their briscuit but they recently considerably raised the prices on their menu making this place pretty durn pricey for a BBQ joint. Add in the fact that service is always lackluster -- the staff seems nice enough but they aren't exactly attentive nor do they seem in any hurry -- but maybe I'm missing something.

When you combine the two that means I will be a far less frequent visitor. I do love that briscuit ... but it's not worth THAT much.

Big fan of this place ... been here a few times for tastings upstairs and to see bands downstairs. Ate there this weekend after Pitchfork and dug the food too. Great vibe, great staff, and as the booking picks up I think it could become one of the best music rooms in the city that's super band-friendly both via amenities and technical support.

The only thing keeping it from 5 stars is fact the awesome upstairs deck isn't always open! Because the view from there is just terrific.

Not a fan of the place but I will grant they have pretty good food. So if it's Saturday afternoon, and you're looking for a bite, and you're nearby, why not?

I took a couple years off from the Mutiny, but lately I fid myself there more and more. It must be the gravitational vortex of the HUGE urinal in the men's room, right?

This place is pleasantly divey and the folks there tend to be younger but plenty friendly. My only gripe is that the booze prices don't really accurately reflect the bar, and tend to be on the higher side. Boo to that, but yay if you can snag one of those mini-pitchers before they run out each night ... that is one way to get your money's worth.

Simply awesome. How could anyone not love Miss Mia and Ratso? And where else are a bunch of little kids gonna get down to Bobby Conn American Bandstand-stylee?

A solid 4am bar. In fact it's the one I tend to go to most often now that the smoking ban is in effect and you don't have to wait in line to get in (or out for a cigarette). The clientle seems to veer between rockers and college kids, so sometimes they sort of rub each other the wrong way so interparty  socializing isn't huge, but if you're just into a late-night bar to spend with some friends or the pal you just met before last call at another bar, this is a good place to head towards.