Jonathan "Polar Bear" C.'s Profile

Such an unassuming store front near the south part of the actual square of Lincoln Square.  The first few times my wife and I walked by it was always closed.  So obviously in my head I start building up how cool this place is going to be.  It will have everything that I could ever need from an Apothecary (thats like a drugstore of days yore).  But alas, my guesses of what is in this store were merely that.

Then one glorious day they were open when I walked by.  And it was glorious.  It was as if I walked into some Pharmacist from the 1800s that also carried the best of the modern products to go along with all of the old world remedies, soaps, shampoos, cleaners, and stuff you will need.

By far my favorite thing here is their amazing collection of straight edge razors.  I really really want to learn to shave with them.  It just seems more fun to shave when there is a chance of death attached to being smooth.

This bar is like the Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde of bars as far as I am concerned.  

From late spring through early fall the beer garden cannot be beat during the day time.  If you and some friends want a pretty good lunch and some drinks the I fully believe enjoying the beer garden here is a gem of the neighborhood.  It is much much more than a few crappy patio tables outside.  This is the real outdoor furniture you would buy if you could afford decorating your rooftop deck the way you dream to.

Then during the nights it becomes your stereotypical bar is south lakeview.  It is crowded past the point of comfort.  This is probably me showing my age, as I used to love going out to the bars that were this packed.  However, having to fight to get to the bar and then pay $5+ for only a halfway decent beer seems crazy especially when Sheffields or other bars with better beer are only 3 blocks away.

If you are a Nebraska kid, this is where you watch/talk about anything Nebraska.  If you are not a cork husker then just come for the beer garden.

After multiple exchanges with the doctor regarding said incident where his billing department set the bill wrong.  I had to send complaints to my health insurer and the Chicago Better Business Bureau since his staff did not respond.

At first he said that it would be illegal for him to change the bill.  But your staff made an error when it was sent out, isn't it illegal to charge for services not performed??

Then he sent a compromise through the mediator at the BBB.  He agreed to waive the excess charges he was sending to us but would not claim that his staff mis billed.  By agreeing to this settlement I didn't have to pay the money, but he gets to not admit his wrongdoing and the BBB will consider this case closed.

Here is my pieces of advice:

1.  Do not go to this doctor.
2.  If you go to him, get him to write down in writing that you asked for a physical (so he cannot blame you for his staff's shortcomings).

Just a followup after the wedding.  The DJ they sent us was totally unexperienced.  He had a haircut that made him look like an extra from "The Wedding Singer".

We gave him a list of songs to play.  Well any extra songs he could fit in if he got through a good portion of our list would be okay.  He plays all these random songs we didn't ask for.  There was Love Shack, a bunch of Michael Jackson (MJ died like 3 days before our wedding), and other shit we didn't ask for.  But he didn't play half of our play list.

Then when friends of ours make requests he says that those songs weren't on the play-list and he must stick to the play list.  But he gave himself free reign to pick what he wants.  If people want Kanye but not Love Shack play what we want.

When I called to the DJ company to complain they said that it is traditional to play those songs.  But we told them we didn't want 'traditional wedding music'.

They don't listen and therefore my view of them went down the drain.

Craptastic

This place may be fun after pounding a few beverages of choice while watching some Jersey Shore.  But on top of a night to sit back and watch d-bags in their natural habitat (sort of like going to Brookfield Zoo) I would avoid this place like the plague.

I don't hate all Wrigleyville bars, but this one seems to be the bottom of the barrel.

It is still a great local liquor store... I can come in here on a Sat evening and expect to be greeted by friendly staff (who hopefully will be giving out samples of wine, beer, or liquor).

There beer selection is great, the whiskey selection is great.... I'm sure the wine selection is great but I'm not a big wine-head.

I have never had any complaints, only good stuff to say about this place.  Also their kegs are cheaper than the local competition

Flippidy Flappity..... I had flap steak for dinner (no clue what it is but flaps are yummy... I looked it up when I got home, keep on reading to learn more).

Anyways so we make reservations and head out there, booze in hand and all since its a BYOB with no corkage free and a http://restaurant.com coupon to boot.

My wife and I are waiting for the rest of our party to arrive.  She orders a Chicha Morada, which they describe as "Extract of purple corn with clove and cinnamon".  It came out as a dark purple drink, and tasted damn good.  In the future I can see spiking that with some rum instead of bringing other booze.  

One of my buddies finally shows up, so we order some apps.  We got some Tiradito ceviche (tilapia with other stuff), and Chocolo con queso.  Holy Sh!t, those were some big corn kernals ever (http://img6.travelblog...).  The ceviche was nicely flavored, very enjoyable.  Plus there was much more than I would of expected to receive (when you compare to ceviche portions are restaurants downtown).  The corn was very starchy and flavorful (especially with the cheese it came with).

So most people ordered the filet for dinner.  Basically all people except my wife and myself.  I ordered the Vacio.  This is what they describe as flap steak.  It is similar in texture and taste to a hanger steak.  Its a very flavorful cut so I would say go for this if you like your beef and want something a little out of the ordinary

My wife got the Aji de Gallina (Shredded chicken cooked with Aji Mirasol (sun-dried yellow peppers), walnuts, milk and cheese. Served with white rice) and a side of fried plantains.  It was really tasty.  I only had a bite.  I couldn't taste the walnuts but the chicken with the milky peppery sauce complemented each other well.  

It was a great night, we spent 3 or 3.5 hours at the table and never felt rushed.  We all enjoyed our meals, sat around and talked, and it was just a good time.

Vroom Vroom (thats my Mini on the highway) then... pppting (sound of little stone hitting my windshield)

So I got a crack on my window.  I have Geico (full coverage).  I call them.  They say they'll cover it for free, yup that is right no need to pay a deductible.  They tell me they recommend Safelite and I won't have to fill out any paperwork.

The guy shows up to my car the following morning.  He does his thing, and within 20 minutes the crack is filled and hopefully no issues will come from this.

Are you hungover?  Did you just wake up early to go to the casino and now need some food?  Well whatever your reason for being out here at lunch time, you have no choice but to go here?  Why, because its damn good.  

Not sure what you want?  Get the "Buy the farm".  Its a porkchop, a 9 oz burger, and a chicken breast all piled onto one bun.  If you think that sounds too healthy because of that lean chicken, the "Red white and Moo" has two burger patties and a porkchop on one bun.  Only in America!!!!!

Its hard not to be a fan of Molly's.  Granted its been a while since I was here (it was a place my wife and I were considering to use for our wedding cake).

The flavors are great, some are very creative and most importantly they're yummy.

This brings back one large problem, you probably should only eat one!!!  But who can do that?  Nom nom nom nom.... now I got to run for like 10 days just to work off what I enjoyed in 5 minutes.  I got to learn self control.