Category Archives: Dining

Own Your Neighborhood Guide #2: A Surprisingly Stable Overview of Lincoln Park

Posted on October 4, 2011 by markdollardrealty

Long-time residents of Chicago can attest: the transformation of much of Lincoln Park over the last 20 years has been remarkable.  Take for example the area around North and Clybourn.  In the early 90’s, one would be likely to see … Continue reading →

Posted in Bars, Beer, Chicago, Dining, Goose Island, Lincoln Park, Neighborhoods, Real Estate, Real Estate Trends | Leave a comment

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

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 →

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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

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 →

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Growing Pains and Oyster Delivery

Posted on August 31, 2011 by markdollardrealty

Pseudo-western, pseudo-gastro pub is not the most common descriptor for a bar and grill, but it’s probably the most accurate way to describe Frontier.  It’s a relatively new place that is trying to leverage its proximity to a pretty good … Continue reading →

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What’s that smelt? Oh yeah, it’s great pizza.

Posted on August 31, 2011 by markdollardrealty

Anyone that watches the eating channels has probably seen Vito and Nick’s being pimped by Guy Fieri or whoever.  It is one of the few places that deserves TV time.  Here are a few reasons why: 1. My first visit … Continue reading →

Posted in Dining | 1 Comment