Logan Square is a continuously gentrifying area of Chicago. It's one of the "hip" neighborhoods in…read moretown. Lots of restaurants, some concert venues and the like. It's got several notable parks, such as Palmer Square Park, Unity Park, and Kosciuszko Park. What makes Logan Square special is that it's part of the boulevard system, and it has these beautiful wide boulevards which have large, park-like medians. I've seen people having gatherings, picnics, barbecues and the like here in the medians along Kedzie. I don't actually spend much time in Logan Square or its environs, but probably should. There's Emporium or Fireside Bowl if you're looking for fun (and I think Pink Squirrel is in the area, if you want to try duckpin bowling); more than one brewery, I think, though Revolution Brewing is the big one I think. Lots of great public art, from the Greetings from Chicago and Robin Williams murals to the most amazing mosaic commemorating L. Frank Baum and the land of Oz that you've ever seen (Oz Park can suck it). Worth a stroll, and get some Puerto Rican food.

Logan Square is an area on the northwest side of Chicago that is dear to my heart. Southeast of…read moreLogan Square is the gateway to downtown Chicago. Northwest of Logan Square is the gateway to the most Polish neighborhood in the United States - almost like a little Warsaw. East of Logan Square leads you into the old German part of Chicago, which once covered over a dozen square miles, had 6 German newspapers, and over 100 German stores, restaurants, bars, bakeries, dancehalls, & cultural centers. And west of Logan Square opens onto a seemingly endless stretch of ethnic neighborhoods and faceless buildings that were flung up in grids during the first half of the 20th century. Once, Logan Square was an affluent neighborhood, a rich area of the city one might say, like a late 19th century suburb on the outskirts of Chicago's center. Even today, one can find the occasional stretch of old stone mansions with carriage houses left standing, tucked in between the many 1930's three story brick apartment buildings where other even older mansions once stood, some stretching back to the Gilded Age. Logan Square offers a bittersweet memory of the glory days of Old Chicago, when Speakeasys dotted the city, Sicilian Gangsters drove the streets, and European Immigrants from Sweden, Saxony, and other cities far and wide were pouring into town daily, enriching our lives with their many cultures and their absolutely delicious cuisines. Now Logan Square is just another place among the many spots in Chicago where it's specific history has been lost. Logan Square has become a Subway Station and a Bus Depot. Today Logan Square is just a big Pillar in the middle of the street.

I'm a sucker for out of the ordinary things, so I'm a little embarrassed to admit that The Corner…read moreHouse had me at oversized chairs. The chairs were comfy, too! It was lovely getting together with Candice G and the Yelpers. I'm such a fan of the Office Hours since it lets me sample coffee shops and cafes that I might normally overlook. I'm not a big coffee drinker, but if someone is treating then I won't turn it down. The Corner House's Iced Caramel Macchiato was so good that I'm already planning my next visit. The woman who initially took my order was extremely friendly and so bubbly. Her attitude was truly contagious and I quickly felt better about the bad day I was having earlier. I ordered a drink and a treat for myself and one of each for Dalibor Z as well. They somehow mixed up my order with Renita M's, so I had to go back and request the second drink when it didn't show up. There was some confusion and I think they thought I was trying to pull one over on them, but it was quickly figured out and a freshly made Macchiato was soon delivered to our table along with apologies from the barista. The rest of my previous bad mood was washed away by aforementioned Macchiato and the warm Apple Fritter that accompanied it. It was great to see everyone and talk Yelp. I'll definitely be back to get more coffee, bakery items and some of that gelato that's calling my name.

Cute space! Magnificent bathroom! Sofas big enough to sleep on!…read more All of this plus girl talk, fabulous drinks and apple tarts! If I copied everything that Candice ate and drank it was only because she has such magnificent taste! Then the caffeine went to my head and now everyone knows my first date saga. In short, another great Office Hours hosted by Ms. Candice. Thanks, another terrific time was had by all.

My family loves driving through this neighborhood to see both the uniqueness of each home's…read moredecorations as well as the design and style of the exterior of the house itself. We even saw some Hanukkah decorations, so cool!

A little off season now, I know - I had been wanting to finish this review during the holidays but…read moregot a little bit busy. So here it is, if you're wanting the experience of enjoying Christmas lights, at a really slow pace while you're in the comfort of your car - come here and drive around the Lincolnwood Towers Subdivision (still thinking of Rush). But of course, come in the evening to get the full effect. I promise you that it'll become tradition, especially if you have little kids or even big kids. They in turn, will eventually take their kids. It only takes about 20 minutes, at the most. I've actually picked up folks at O'Hare from outta the country and have taken them directly here for a quick tour - before going home. They were amazed!! The decorations and displays are over the top and my favorite of all time...drum roll please...is the house with the Christmas tree seemingly protruding through the roof. How clever!! Ahem, these are our Lincolnwood neighbors sacrificing their privacy and convenience, so please be courteous to those driving their Range Rovers and G Wagons. Pretentiousness aside, this is a really nice neighborhood that puts on a great display of the Christmas spirit and therefore, a big thank you to these folks!!

This is one of my favorite summer festival to come and enjoy with my family. Great Food,…read moreEntertainment and Good Vibes. I have been coming here for many years and the vibes have always been good. The food prices are very reasonable. Food & Drinks range from $3.00 to maybe $6.00 if that much. Very inexpensive and budget friendly. This festival is a place for you to try different authentic foods, music and good vibes. You can shop the vendors tents and find some cool things to purchase. There are several stages where you can enjoy a live concert. There is a carnival with a few rides for the kids to stay entertained. I always look forward to coming here year. Taste of Melrose Park is always around the first week in September.

A bunch of us checked out the Taste of Melrose Park during Labor Day weekend. This is a food fest…read morewith free admission. Amazingly every food item was priced at $3 or less. It was fun to try all sorts of tasty foods. Many of them were Italian bites but there were other Mexican-style foods as well. We enjoyed items such as Italian beef, arancini, flat "fried meatball" sandwich, a "salad sandwich" that was quite good because of the fresh bread, cheese fries, cannoli, root beer float, slushie and a lovely serving of sfingi (freshly made "donut holes" made by nuns, how can you top that?). There are fair faves such as promotional freebies, carnival rides, a guy on stilts, and a clown pushing a mini-clown in a stroller (wha wha??). There is some entertainment as well (we heard bagpipers after someone belted out the Star Spangled Banner). This was sort of a folksy food fest, and the price was right. If you are looking for something fun to do next Labor Day weekend in the 'burbs, keep Taste of Melrose Park in mind.

There are plenty of folks who live in Chicago who don't use (or know about) Lower Wacker. It can…read morelook very much like a maze, since it's dark and so any of the buildings look the same when you get to that level. But originally Lower Wacker was conceived so that pleasure drivers could use Upper Wacker, whilst service vehicles, trucks, and the like could use the Lower Wacker portion. Some of the entrances are also pretty discreet. I've passed the entrance (that's not directly off a freeway) more than once because.I mistook where it was. Nowadays, many people use Lower Wacker as an alternative to bypass a good deal of traffic on the surface street, which is why I like to use it now and again. It can be an incredibly handy, time-saving shortcut depending upon where you're going.

Come here to check out the mole people, actually don't. It may have people living down here, but…read morejust stay up on the ground. Lower Wacker Drive is an adventure whether or not you're driving through it. Basically it's like a secret passage, but thousands know it's here. There's been lots of iconic moments. Even if you haven't been here, you've seen it. In several movies it had some important roles. This has been in The Blues Brothers and The Dark Knight, each in chase scenes. It's not just good for the movies. This also serves a practical purpose. It helps alleviate traffic above ground. This road is also unique because it curves from north-south to east-west as it follows the river. For those too scared to drive it, they can get a peek from some of the stairs leading from Upper Wacker Drive. It feels pretty dank in here. There's a lot of homeless camps, because it's warm in winter.

"We have better beer than you" I agree! Ok, I was very hesitant to add this little gem to yelp…read more However, I've realized that only diehards will even give this a second look. I've been a member of CBS for almost 2 years now. It's a great organization made of people who enjoy good beer. You don't have to be a home brewer to join or to enjoy this organization. CBS hosts a few beer tasting events throughout the year. You don't have to be a member to attend, but it'll probably help you get a ticket. All of the events are located in the city, don't let the mailing address throw you for a loop. My husband and I actually attended the Great Taste of the Midwest in Madison, WI yesterday. We purchased our tickets through CBS and we took their chartered bus up there and back. It's a fun organization, I only wish there were some more female members for me to pal around with. Yes, the majority of members are men. I'd say most members are also between the ages of 25-70 and come from all walks of life. Check out their website for upcoming events.

I LOVE BEER!!!! I…read morehave been a member of the Chicago beer society for only a short time but I can't wait to attend the awesome functions they host all in the name of letting people know that they have options! Anybody who loves a IPA or a weissebier or a Belgian blonde (in any sense of the word) must find a way to join and learn how to speak the language of the beer community. What I love most is that the local brewers and brewpubs are the guys who attend the events. Rock Bottom, Goose Island, Half Acre and Metropolitan attend to let you know that great beer is just down the street from you!

This tower was NOT supposed to be built with taxpayer money. After it sat uncompleted for several…read moreyears, the taxpayers of Naperville bailed it out. Then, just 15 years later, this tower is crumbling. And no one is responsible? Really? Naperville has decided to spend 2 to 3 million dollars to repair it. (I bet it ends up costing more.) And no one is responsible for this thing falling apart after just 15 years? When it was supposed to last 100 years? By the way, it's ugly.

I was enjoying a summer day in downtown Naperville when I heard the carillon concert in full swing…read more What a treat! People gathered on the lawn to enjoy the soothing sounds of the bells in the air. The concerts are free, which is a plus! Because the performer is high up in the carillon, they broadcast a live feed of him/her performing, as well. A fun discovery!

This bright red/orange piece, that resembles a cross between a praying mantis and an elephant. It…read morejust sucks you in. You cannot pass by it without looking. There is metered street parking and commercial lots within a reasonable walking distance, but most viewers of this statute would be passers by, on their way to another destinations. You will find this piece at the Federal Plaza in front of the Kluczynski Federal Building The steel sculpture is the work of Alexander Calder. It stands 53 feet tall and weighs 50 tons. It was commissioned by GSA in 1974. This piece is well maintained and looks great, especially for its age. I think it is supposed to represent a flamingo, but does not even come close to that. I think at a minimum the piece should have been painted pink versus its current international vermillion hue. As with most sculptures that I have visited and reviewed, this is not a destination piece, nor a long stop. I was there less than 5 minutes. So, you may want to consider planning out additional stops at many of the other attractions in the area (and there are many of them), or making this stop part of a larger itinerary to maximize your time and trip.

Another fun iconic sculpture in downtown Chicago! We had no problem finding it while walking back…read moreto Union Station from the Art Institute of Chicago. It's located at the intersection of W. Adams and S. Dearborn streets. American artist Alexander Calder installed the 53 foot tall steel sculpture in October, 1974. It is painted a bright red, vermillion red, which is now called Calder red. Enjoy!!