Don "Three-Star" H.'s Profile

Mmm... Wings. The last time I had wings was for Super Bowl Sunday. We had to wait forever. But, hey, what can you expect? This time I was smart. It was early on a Saturday and I was just heading home to watch a movie and had the apartment to myself!

I got myself the lemon pepper and hickory smoked BBQ. I thought that would make a nice combo. And, well, the pepper one was spicy plus a little on the dry side. The BBQ was the total opposite. together, they made a perfect combo. They were eaten quickly and downed with a delicious, frozen lemonade. I cannot complain. And it was all for about $12. I did takeaway, of course. Still stayed hot until I got home, but those buggers lose their heat quick when the bag is opened.

They do bulk without a problem if you call ahead. Definitely going back here for my little snack attacks.

I am not a fancy person. I am not one of those people who needs much to make me happy. I was a bit dubious when my work pals decided to head to the Bedford. It sounded really interesting, but I didn't really know what I was getting myself into.

It's a bar... In a bank... Next to a CVS? Sounds ... interesting.

So I went. We went plenty early (around 6p) to make sure to get a seat in the vault itself. And it's REALLY a vault. All around are the safety deposit boxes. A few of them have been left open (so we deposited some notes, and read some). It's very dim but lovely ambiance.

We of course couldn't help but have drinks and some snacks. They have a very small selection of finger foods, but they're all very unique. We all got denied eggs. That's right: eggs. And to go with that, I got myself a bunch (I lost count -- 8 maybe?) caipirinhas. Because those drinks are near and dear to my heart, I can tell you they're the best ones I've had in the city. They're that good.

The bill wasn't cheap (my 8 drinks, plus my partners, plus my share of the eggs) came to about $120. When you think about it, it's not that bad. But it's not a cheap, Cheers-type place. Definitely nice for the pre-show/movie/date night out or just hanging with friends. The vault has great seating designed for multiple people. They also have a proper lounge area where you can get a meal. So maybe we'll go back there for that.

While I am much more a fan of the traditional movie theaters, I do have need to see some newer films from time to time. City North has come a long way since my first visit in '08 or '09. Since it's down the street from us, we have been here a few times. The recent renovation has definitely brought it up to the likes of ICON Showplace: they have all digital signboards (which means you better choose quick before it disappears) and the Coke Freestyle machine, which I personally want at home. They have good selection of concessions.

I tend to purchase ahead of time and get the ticket at the kiosk because there's usually a HUGE queue to get tickets on a weekend evening. The seats inside are always good, the sound system pretty flawless and their new digital projectors are top notch (you can barely tell they're digital anymore). The new RPX is something I want to experience, but recently I saw "Titanic" in 3D and was impressed with the audio (since I've seen that movie more than 3 dozen times, I know what to listen for).

The biggest beef I have (and this is the case with all theaters anymore) are the prices. For the two of us to see a movie, share a large popcorn and get two drinks, you're going to spend nearly $50. That's just nuts to me. But it's worth it once in a while. And, for those once-in-a-while date nights, we'll head here.

When my family moved back to the east side of the metro area, all the usual haunts were still a mystery. So I pulled up ol' Yelp to find a new clock shop to replace the one we used to go to. We came by on a Saturday morning to drop off a grandmother clock -- not even 20 years old -- to get cleaned. Or so we thought. It wasn't working at all. We dropped it off to get a checkup and they said they would call. A few days later, they did call but, to our surprise, it needed to be completely cleaned and practically rebuilt -- at nearly $300, it cost almost as much as the clock itself.

While they were very courteous and knowledgeable (at least the technician was), that seemed like too much to swallow. Then again, how many clock shops are there in the world anymore? A dilemma. So I would recommend heading here with some caution. While I cannot rate their service, you'll definitely find a huge selection of new and used clocks for all budgets. The prices were very reasonable considering the selection. And they all work. Check it out for sure.

On the way home from our typical trip from the Detroit area to Chicago, we were getting hungry. We have this policy: try local foods. So we did. In Battle Creek, we drove up and down the main strip to find something interesting and atypical. And boy we were surprised.

We walked into what looked like a museum. I expected a middle-aged, Jimmy Buffet type with a spit in the middle of the restaurant, hand turning a pig and smoking a cigar. But we  couldn't be further from that stereotype. We ignore the people for a minute and get to the food.

I got the rib tips. With them came mac and cheese and three different types of sauce. All of which were very very good. Definitely more in the KC style. It was very filling, very delicious and ... unfortunately, it was really empty in there. After a few minutes, we started talking with the owner. He's VERY chatty. And I love that. We heard all about the restaurant, the collection of car signs (down by 2/3rd at least!) and the food. But we couldn't understand where he was from. It matters not, but he's from Canada -- after his family emigrated from India. What a story!

DEFINITELY worth leaving the expressway for. We went around 7p on a Sunday so they were just about to close up. Still I have to imagine this place is packed at other times. At least I hope so because I definitely will go back.

I will NEVER get enough of Star of Siam. Never. When I worked in the Illinois Center, we'd walk over here from time to time to treat ourselves. It's just consistent and always delicious.

This particular visit, we were walking around on a Friday night. We came in since we wanted something a little lighter but delicious and not crowded. We got in right away, were attended to immediately and proceeded to order drinks. I ended up with a chicken supreme and tom kah soup. Both were hot, flavorful and cooked to order with a medium spice.

Delightful. After a couple drinks each, the bill came to just around $55. That's not bad for two people with drinks at all. What's surprising is their proximity to the happening spots yet their attention to service and food haven't lost their way in all these years. We'll be back!

I cannot say enough about The Professionals. Before moving this last time (just last week in fact) I would see them parked at the local diner getting breakfast, every morning of the week. I got used to the idea they were a local movers.

I made the reservations about three weeks out (thanks to a forgiving landlord). Their popularity is clearly growing since they were nearly booked that entire weekend. So a Thursday it was. After getting a quote, I received a link to electronically sign the document and we were done.

They quoted 6 hours. It took 4. They said 8:00a or 8:30a, we got the call at 7:45a. We asked to shrink wrap 4 items, they did 10 and didn't charge for tape. We're still unpacking but (knock on wood) nothing has been broken. Even some of our most fragile collectables were handled with extreme care. Not a mark on the walls or on the floors.

These guys are true pros. The company calls, confirms, and follows up very quickly. I cannot say enough. Well, besides the five stars of course.

Wow.

My partner brought me here as she, from time to time, gets a sandwich here on the way to the office. She was bragging on this place for ages so, in the middle of a Saturday of errand-running, we decided to head here.

When you first walk in, you feel like you're in a drive-in theater concession stand. It's as though there was a Stargate at the entrance that delivered you to 1983. The interior is decked in all kind of newspaper memorabilia, some submarine antiques (like a phone) and lots of formica. Tons.

But I don't usually let that bother me. I gladly ordered the conqueror sandwich and got some chili. After a slight wait, we were presented with the submarine delight. Sat in the rickety booth, we sit and eat. And my goodness was it delicious! Warm and toasty, just the right spices, and right crunch. Freshness galore. I decided to eat more slowly.

After what seemed like an eternity, we were finished. For the two samsubs, a soup to share (which was incredibly yummy as well) and a beverage, we were just around $18. It's not Subway cheap, but it's not Subway quality. It's more than that.

Another Lincoln Park spot I have been visiting lately serves up a quick meal on the go. I am a big fan of the pizza. And this place serves it well and at a reasonable cost.

I have done both the slices and a full on meal on a Tuesday evening, which is never busy. More often I am getting slices. For $8 I get a deep and a thin plus a carbonated soft drink. Then you go the left side dining room with a row of two-top tables.

The other day I stopped in and had a little more time so I decided on a pasta dish. A simple Linguini Bolognese. It came with a salad and bread, which meant that the food was truly deserving of two guests. It was that plentiful. But I enjoyed it with an apple juice and the total came to about $13 before tip. Not bad.

So it's a great place to get an easy meal. I have no idea how it is on the weekends, but I do appreciate a low-key joint on a weeknight.

I am a big fan. Gold card member and all of that. My "home" Starbucks and those in the area are vibrant places of loveliness, dispensing caffeine and good camaraderie without fail, even on busy days.

I have been coming to this location for about 6 months, usually in the early evening, and hang out before my standing 7p appointment. It's been recently redecorated and therefore made much more functional for computer types (previously I think there were four outlets for the entire area).

But the one thing that is a stick in the mud is the staff. And it doesn't matter who's here (because there is some rotation). It seems like everyone's miserable. The only other locations I've felt that way is literally up the street (3300 N Lincoln area). So maybe it's a Lincoln Ave funk or something.

Otherwise, everything's great. There is usually a shortage of sweets toward the end of the day, but now with the new decor and new outlets there's no lack of places to sit and watch the "wildlife" outside.