Sarah M.'s Profile

If I could give Gilt Bar a negative review, I would. After reading all of the reviews on Yelp, I was really looking forward to checking it out. Actually, I was considering hosting our company's holiday party at Gilt - sufficient to say, that will NOT be happening.

Anyway, back to the nightmare: I was organizing a happy hour for my company and thirty people responded saying that they wanted to go. I called the bar to see if they take reservations because I know that bringing thirty people to a bar can be overwhelming for a staff to seat and I didn't want to be rude.  I thought they could just rope off a small section. After all, the restaurant seats close to 150. Easy enough, right? Well, when I called the bar and spoke to the hostess, I guess that was my warning. She couldn't have been less helpful. She said, "We don't take reservations for cocktails but if I'd like to buy out the bar I'd be happy to accommodate." Seriously? It's an office happy hour... Of course I don't want to "buy out" the bar.

Anyway, my coworkers and I showed up at 4:45, promptly as the doors for the bar opened. Only 10 of the 30 were able to make it right at 4:45, but the rest assured me they would show up within the hour. Let me be clear that when we showed up, we had 10 people with us, expected 30 people and said that we'd like to sit anywhere in the bar that sat 30 people. Tables, booth, whatever, we just wanted to be able to mingle together. Also, it's important to note that even at 5:00, the bar was EMPTY! Maybe 20 people plus staff in an area that probably seats close to 150.

The hostess sat us in an area that was loungy and somewhat elevated from the rest of the bar, but let me be clear - we didn't request to sit there.  The entire lounge area looked like it would comfortably sit 30 people so I thought it would work perfectly. Boy was I wrong. About 5 minutes later, she started bringing other people to that area and seating them next to us. I approached her and asked what was going on. She said that she couldn't tell people where to sit and that it was first come, first serve. Well, fine, but the bar isn't full. Serve them in one of the other 100+ seats instead of at the table next to ours since you know I'm expecting 20 other people!! She said she would, "see what she could do". Such bullshit. Another five minutes went by and she sat another couple there. The third time she came up, I approached her and asked what was going on. Again she said that she couldn't control where people wanted to sit - like they were all demanding to sit directly next to us when there were plenty of other seats available. Well here was the real kick in the pants. I asked  her if we could move our group to another area that sat 30 people and she said those tables were reserved. So if I understood it correctly, I wasn't able to reserve tables, but other people can. And I didn't choose where I sat but other people could. Within 20 minutes of our arrival, the rest of our coworkers showed up and we were so cramped that people literally had to sit on the floor. The staff yelled at US because we were creating a "fire hazard" and yet they were the ones that had given away our seats.

On top of the whole seating fiasco, the service sucked. It took some of our party 45+ minutes to get their first drink. When some people went to the bar and opened a tab, our waitress got upset and said that wasn't allowed because we were getting served. Well, I don't expect a beer to take 45 minutes, no matter what section I'm in. I could eat an entire meal in a restaurant in that amount of time!

Bottom line: I will not be back. They were not accommodating and frankly, I felt like I was being talked down to the entire night. Gilt Bar - If you happen to read this, please know that I will be doing all I can to make sure as many people as possible find out about your horrible customer service, that includes my friends, family, coworkers, acquaintances, etc. - and so will the rest of my coworkers. Show owner comment »

We've been using Real Deal Laundry for 3 months and I continue to be impressed by their service. Yes, their prices did go up slightly but they are still worth it.

Recently, they shrunk one of my new dresses in the wash. An honest mistake that I guess anyone could make... However, the reason they are awesome is that on the day I informed them of the error, they not only apologized profusely in person and with a letter, but they also drove out to Skokie and purchased the dress to replace the shrunken one.
Talk about great customer service!

MMM, mmm, mmmm. Mystic celt! Right down the street from our apartment, they have tons of seating and really good specials.

We first went in because internet hadn't been set up at our apartment yet and we heard they had free-wifi. We continue to come because their burgers and fries are delicious and the service is great. If you are a regular you should definitely sign up for their e-club. About once a month they will send members a coupon for half off specials. So their burger and fries that are normally $8.75, or a special on Tuesdays for $5 can be purchased with the e-coupon for $2.50! Now that's a deal!

And did I mention that they will be sending me a $20 gift certificate for my birthday as part of their birthday club! Yep, you heard me right, no half-off, not buy one, get one free, but an actual gift certificate, just for being a loyal customer. I'll keep you posted on how it goes, but it sounds amazing.

Just whatever you do, don't get the quesadillas. Greasy nastiness and not in a good way.

Simply put, I LOVE THIS GYM!

When I first stumbled across it I thought for sure there was a catch. At the time I was a member of Bally's so I was familiar with the cheap price but crappy setup. I thought okay, it'll be smelly and unkempt, but I'll save money. Nope, no catch! This location is clean, the staff is friendly, AND the service is great. I've been a member for over a month and so far, it's been perfect!!

Top ten reasons I go to WWW:

1. It's next door to my office, convenience is key.
2. Oh yea, I pay $19.99 A MONTH!!! That price beat out every other gym in the Loop. I should warn you that this does mean you are only paying for basics. They don't have tvs, towel service or fancy shampoo in the showers. And, you will have to pay 25 cents for the locker each time you use it.
3. As the name implies, this gym is for women only, which means there are no macho guys hogging the weight machines while they stare at their biceps in the mirror for 45 minutes. It also means that I can use those aforementioned weight machines without feeling all self conscious.
4. Their group classes are amazing. Zumba, strength training, cardio, intervals, kickboxing, you name it, they've got it. And with class schedules that rotate every month, if they don't have it now, they'll probably have it next month.
5. Their entire staff is super friendly!!
6. They blast girly music through the overhead speakers so I don't have to remember to bring my own music. If I'm using the cardio equipment or weights I can just listen to theirs.
7. When you join they put you through orientation, that is more than just hey, here's the equipment, they actually show you how to use it.
8. They have a fitness plan that's included in the price of the membership fee. Basically, they weigh and measure you when you sign up and then about once a month you can check in to track your progress. As part of the fitness plan, each member as a check-in card that a staff member signs each time you come in. Keeps me accountable and I can see how active I've been each month.
9. The locker room is huge. They have tons of areas to change and get ready so you're not cramped, standing hip to hip with the other women getting ready. Oh, and it's clean. The locker rooms are obviously cleaned each night - no mold or mildew (unlike some other gyms in the loop...ummm, Ballys! I'm looking at you!)
10. Personal training is available if you're into that sort of thing.

Location - Pretty good I think. The leader on Wed. mornings is peppy and encouraging. I've been going for about 6 weeks now and they have computers and always do awards - not really sure what the previous reviewer was talking about. I've gotten two bravo stars and a 5lb star. Things must have improved drastically since they reviewed. I picked this location because it is a block from my office. I keep coming because the time is convenient and all the ladies in my meetings are really nice. The reason I only gave 4 stars though is that some of their staff can be a little unfriendly/cranky, but it's Wed. mornings at 8am... maybe they just haven't woken up all the way yet.

Now for WW as a program - I love it!! I love it, I love it!!! As mentioned earlier, I joined a little over a month ago, and it was the best decision. They really do teach you how to eat healthy. I have been making smarter choices and have lost 10lbs. In the past few weeks I've noticed that my body has changed, but more than that, my mindset about food has changed too. Now I'm eating the correct portions of food I like and finally getting back into the shape that I want to be in.

First of all, when I see a restaurant on Yelp that has only been open a month and it already has tons of positive reviews, I know I need to try it out.

So, that's what I did today. I was craving Indian but have recently been on a health kick, so the whole wheat  Flabread Paratha sounded perfect!

The restaurant itself was nothing to write home about - kind of Chipotle-ish feel with an assembly line of employees making the food. However, the food....mmmmmm, just finished eating it and I had to write a review immediately, THAT'S how good it was! I got the Chicken Tikka Wrap and fries and I seriously can not hype this place up enough. I will be going back, probably next week.

I like a smaller lunch so one wrap was the perfect size. I agree with Yini though, if you are a big eater, you may need two wraps. Also, they had regular fries instead of sweet potato fries so I tried those and they were mmmm mmm good!! Crispy, crunchy, spicy deliciousness.

Lunch for a coworker and myself was $11.00. Can't complain about that! If you like spicy foods and work in the Loop, you have to try this place!!

DO NOT go here to do your taxes! While I hate doing taxes and I mean I really hate it. I usually postpone doing them until the weekend before they are due and then haphazardly fill them out, not really sure if what I'm doing is right or not.

So in light of this I thought, this year it will be different. I will take it to a "tax professional". Sure it may cost a bit more. (Their website claims $39 for federal and $29 for state returns) but at least it will be done quickly and efficiently.

Boy was I wrong. I called to make an appointment in March with one of their tax associates. They said the session shouldn't take longer than 30-45 minutes. I thought, "perfect, I can do it during lunch."

Came in at 11:30 and met with Michael Moore. He was completely incompetent. We sat down and he asked to see my papers. Then quickly pulled up the screen and started entering numbers. Didn't ask me anything about what I did for a living or anything that may have helped him fill out the paperwork accurately. I sat there while he filled out the screen and I kid you not, my 7 year old cousin could have filled it out faster. He slowly typed each individual letter and number in as if it was his first time using a keyboard. Keep in mind, I was on lunch and these were valuable minutes.

Anyway, after about 45 minutes, he finally filled out all of the forms. Then their computer system does this thing where it goes through what he filled out and see if he did anything wrong. Well, low and behold, he had filled out TONS of it incorrectly. I swear at one point he was just guessing which number to put in the box in order for it to stop telling him it was an error. Not really the tax expertise I was expecting.

When he finally finished after another 45 minutes (so I had been in there for 1.5 hours!!!) he told me it would be $300 for their services. Wait, what?? No, it's 39 for fed and 39 for state, that's what you told me when we started. Nope, apparently I had ended up having a more "complicated tax return". So even though they had not told me upfront, I had to pay $300 to some dumb idiot who barely knows how to use a computer in addition to the money I owe the government. Lovely.

He could tell I was pissed. I asked for the manager Lincoln Pinto, who apoligized but couldn't do anything about the amount I owed. If I had known it would have cost that much, there is no wayyy I would have had them complete it!!! I was furious. I went back to Michael to finish the e-file. As he was completing it a number of screens popped up and he had to ask me to fill them out. When the screen popped up that asked if I was satisfied with the service, he quickly clicked the yes and next button - way to be dumbass! Like I wouldn't notice... I was so furious that I just walked up to the counter, paid with my credit card and left as quickly as possible. I will not ever go back to H&R block, they have no regard for customer service or for that matter, value in hiring competent employees.

You would be much better off buying turbo tax or asking a friend for that matter, than going here.

I went into this store last week looking for the items that I could make a bridal necklace out of. When I entered, they seemed pretty helpful and asked me what I was looking for. I explained what I needed and the sales lady seemed pretty excited that I had chosen their store. She was busy with another client and told me she'd be just a minute.

Now let me explain that they have a table set up in the back of the store for regulars to come in an assemble jewelry in the store. While I waited I was watching all of these women chat it up while they put together some gorgeous pieces of jewelry. From what I could see, they all seemed to know each other pretty well and this was just their hang out place.

Well, the customer that the sales lady had been helping left and instead of helping me, she joined her group of friends at the table. Now I understand that I was just a one-time customer, but come on now, can't you chat after I leave? She came and helped me off an on for about 40 minutes but kept leaving to answer the phone or catch up on the latest gossip with these women.

In the end, I walked away with some nice merchandise, I just wish it hadn't taken me almost an hour to purchase something that should have been a 5-min experience.

If you are looking for affordable, custom invitations for any occasion, please go to Paper Boy and at least get a quote.  Their staff is friendly and their service is impeccable. Plus, I got the exact custom invite I was looking for, at about half the price I was expecting to pay! And when I say custom invites, I mean we got to pick out the paper color, how it was assembled, the font, the layout, everything was truly custom!

I had shopped around (received quotes from probably 10 different stores) for our invites and was pleasantly surprised when Paper Boy quoted our custom invitations at $3/invite!! That includes the paper (4 pieces per invite), envelopes, ribbon, printing, assembly and packaging!

Printing and assembly only took one week after proof approval because they do all of it in house. The only negative to their service is that they only print in black ink so if you want a colored ink, your kind of out of luck.

Besides their printing, the shop is pretty adorable. Lots of random/ funny cards, pins, accessories and paper. I would also recommend their store if you are looking for a unique card for someone although they can be a bit pricier than your standard hallmark card.

To top it all off, when I came to pick up our invitations, they included a hand-written thank you note in the bag from "The Paper Girls" thanking me for using their store... now that's good customer service!

This is an adorable little pastry shop in the midst of lots of restaurants near Music Box. While we were waiting to be seated at Tango Sur, we stopped in and bought a White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake slice which was delicious!! Large enough that we could split it and reasonably priced $3.57 considering it was cheesecake! They have tons of cupcakes, cakes, etc. We will definitely be back to try out the other treats!