Monthly Archives: September 2011

Bug-Eyed in Bucktown and Wicker Park, Guide to Local Coffee #1: Filter

Posted on September 30, 2011 by markdollardrealty

Intro Wicker Park arguably has the best neighborhood selection of coffee places in Chicago.  Options abound from the ubiquitous Dunkin’ Donuts/Starbucks (they don’t deserve a spot in this review because plenty has been written about both of these places) to … Continue reading →

Posted in Bucktown, Coffee, Dining, Espresso, Neighborhoods, Wicker Park | Leave a comment

Own Your Neighborhood Guide #1: A Princely Look at Noble Square / West Town

Posted on September 26, 2011 by markdollardrealty

I personally get the feeling that Noble Square/West Town is the least-known neighborhood combo (I put them together because they are each pretty small) in the near north/west part of Chicago.  This is totally unscientific, but it’s just that I … Continue reading →

Posted in Bars, Beer, Bib Gourmand, Chicago, Coffee, Dining, Neighborhoods, Noble Square, Real Estate, Real Estate Trends, Three Little Pigs, West Town, Whiskey, Wicker Park | Leave a comment

You Might Have to Earmuff It While Drinking Your Coffee in WPB: Cussing Cozies

Posted on September 16, 2011 by markdollardrealty

Actually, it might be eyemuff?!?!  Wicker Park/Bucktown has a thriving art scene and some signs of a stronger-than-expected economy, and we here at DNS like to see those worlds collide in a new way.  One of the ways this can … Continue reading →

Posted in Arts, Economics, Fashion | Leave a comment

The Real Mussels from Brussels (Not JCVD): Hopleaf

Posted on September 14, 2011 by markdollardrealty

The title should be a hint: this post will have egregious use of initials.  As any beer nerd in Chicago knows this: Hopleaf is the OG of beer lovers’ gastro-pubs.  Unlike most other GPs, Hopleaf serves some real-deal “ethnic” food … Continue reading →

Posted in Beer, Chicago, Dining | Leave a comment

Hops, Schnapps May Not Even Be the Best Parts: Laschet’s Inn

Posted on September 12, 2011 by markdollardrealty

The craving hits like a ton of bricks.  The weather is changing, football is starting up and it becomes a little less necessary to keep the summertime physique.  What we crave is comfort food (read: gravy) and German food is … Continue reading →

Posted in Chicago, Dining | 1 Comment

10 Real Estate Necessities: Important Notes for Tenants and Landlords in Chicago

Posted on September 12, 2011 by markdollardrealty

In my roles as a Realtor and landlord I have come across a lot of information about the ins and outs of renting and owning real estate in Chicago.  Anyone who is familiar with the city shouldn’t be surprised that … Continue reading →

Posted in Chicago, Landlord, Ordinance, Real Estate, Rental | Leave a comment

An Aside: Conference Realignment and Economic Stagnation

Posted on September 6, 2011 by markdollardrealty

As the parallels between the socio-psychological currents stagnating the American economy and the paranoia-fueled activity of BCS Conference Realignment get eerily more similar by the day, we are compelled to take a step back to examine the philosophical inconsistencies in … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Sports | 3 Comments

Red Meat and Mythology: A Visit to Folklore

Posted on September 6, 2011 by markdollardrealty

In Chicago, discovering reasonably priced steakhouses that have substantial upside is a real trick.  For the most part, the well-known places (Morton’s, Ruth Chris, Primehouse, Tavern on Rush, etc.) tend to do an ok steak, but with some variability in … Continue reading →

Posted in Dining | Leave a comment

You Know the Trend is Dead and/or The Only Good Economy in Illinois?

Posted on September 2, 2011 by markdollardrealty

It turns out that the microeconomy of Wicker Park/Bucktown (WPB) seems to be thriving while the rest of the country is mired in stagnation.  The Bucktown six corners (there are multiple claims to that moniker) at North/Milwaukee/Damen is seeing a … Continue reading →

Posted in Fashion, Real Estate | Leave a comment