tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5554416132312183522.post907816779101345970..comments2023-04-06T06:11:37.127-05:00Comments on One Messy Lady: I Blame the New York Times!Aunt Messyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07424781871244170075noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5554416132312183522.post-7105959960676837682009-12-23T16:55:19.669-06:002009-12-23T16:55:19.669-06:00Grrr. The good news is that the Hopleaf will be ta...Grrr. The good news is that the Hopleaf will be taking over the space next door that used to be an Italian restaurant. They hope to be serving lunches there, too.<br /><br />Ok, there are strategies to getting in there for a meal. Week nights are good. Try and be there either before 6 or around 7:30 - that's roughly when the tables turn. Fridays you have to get there early, but the kitchen opens at 5. If you're willing to eat early, between 5 and 6 is the best time to get in. If I'm planning to go on a Friday, I just skip lunch and have an early dinner.<br /><br />Saturdays are a bust. I've been there on Saturdays, but we don't even bother trying for a table. Usually it's just a stop on our way home from running errands. If you call ahead even a few hours though, you can generally get a table at Ante Prima, just a couple of blocks up Clark, and I like the place. It's good basic Italian and I adore their winter menu. They also have a reasonable wine list that won't break the bank.<br /><br />Sundays are good, actually. If you time it to be there by 6, you're good. That's another "skip lunch" kinda day if you're up for it.<br /><br />I know, I know. A whole lot of people freak at the very thought of eating before 7:30. Tough. We've gotten into some places that most people whine they've never been to at all just because if it's worth it, it's worth going a little earlier than the big crowd.Aunt Messyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07424781871244170075noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5554416132312183522.post-62543581538329359422009-12-23T14:51:55.950-06:002009-12-23T14:51:55.950-06:00Messy, I know what you mean re Hopleaf. We used to...Messy, I know what you mean re Hopleaf. We used to go there a lot, but the past several occassions we had to have last minute venue changes b/c the damned crowds meant way too long of a wait. Now we just won't go b/c you can't really get in. It isn't JUST the national media, though. This happens thanks to Check, Please! too. I mean it's great when well-deserving restauranteurs get recognition, but it often means the loyal clientele can no longer get in the doors. Uptown for years was supposedy on the verge of a boom, but they always petered out. Sadly, I think it's definintely coming, b/c in 2009, suddenly there are 50 people getting off at the Sheridan stop with me, rather than the usual 8.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09057978657988465722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5554416132312183522.post-40837148724943578942009-12-20T13:31:36.665-06:002009-12-20T13:31:36.665-06:00That was a neat shot, but full credit for the disp...That was a neat shot, but full credit for the display has to go to Todd, owner of the Four-Sided Gallery on Clark Street. He's the real artist. <br /><br />If you ever come here, you have to wander past all of the galleries and nifty vintage stores in Andersonville. It's a classic neighborhood - you can furnish your house, get art for the walls, fill the wine cellar and get the snacks for the housewarming party - all without getting into your car.<br /><br />This is why I have to laugh at people who seem to think that Chicago is some monster-behemoth of a city and deride it for being "impersonal" and "cold". Only the temperature is cold and like the slogan on Chicago Magazine (I think) says, "If you're bored, it's not our fault!"Aunt Messyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07424781871244170075noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5554416132312183522.post-67027123813456457882009-12-20T12:24:02.425-06:002009-12-20T12:24:02.425-06:00PS: neat doll photo! Love the poignancy, the dea...PS: neat doll photo! Love the poignancy, the dead butterflies, the harsh geometric pattern underneath them... Your photographer's eyes see things that cannot be expressed in words... And the composition is perfect!Katihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05645682203535768013noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5554416132312183522.post-60155935974732825862009-12-20T12:18:09.297-06:002009-12-20T12:18:09.297-06:00If The Boy lived in my area, he'd be even more...If The Boy lived in my area, he'd be even more upset (like we are!). It was bad enough that Bellingham, Washington made it in AARP as one of the top ten best places to retire, but recently it made it in the New York Times as one of the best places to visit! It used to be such a lovely small town. You could go to the bagelry (yes, a genuine New York style bagels)or the Cookie Cafe and be pretty sure of bumping into someone you know.... <br /><br />But now, our town has become huge! This didn't stop the New York Times for describing the natives usual occupation as cayaking!<br /><br />PS: I used to teach in Vancouver, I wished I could have settled there. It's one of my favorite cities....Katihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05645682203535768013noreply@blogger.com