On behalf of Alignable and the Alliance of Greater Chicago, a huge thank you to the team at…read moreSketchbook Brewing in Skokie for hosting our in-person networking events. The space is welcoming, well-laid-out, and perfect for real conversations -- not just quick handshakes. Our members love the atmosphere, and it makes it easy to connect, collaborate, and support local business the way it should be done. And the new addition of wine on the menu? Smart move. Not everyone is a beer drinker, and that small adjustment makes a big difference in making everyone feel included. We appreciate the hospitality and look forward to making Sketchbook one of our regular spots. If you haven't checked them out yet, you're missing a good one.

Not bad, nice open format inside and outside. Hood selection of craft beers. My only challenge was…read morethey do not serve food, but there was a food truck on the side of the building. Although I do not love their stouts other than to sample I would go back. Some of the other beers were still pretty good.

Came for lunch to the new location. The service was excellent. Got served right away. We both…read moreordered salads. I had the RS (regular size) It was plenty of food. I asked for chicken and got a lot of fresh chicken breast. The dressing was one of the better ones, I've had. Also ordered the side of onion strings. For a buck there was a lot and crispy . The temp was not hot but still tasty. I would definitely com back . The menu is large.

This is NO longer a sports bar or a place for groups. This was a very rough experience. Some of…read moreour group had been here previously and they had a very fun game room. They no longer staff that area and would not allow patrons there. So we sat in the regular area and they did have a lot of TVs but the staff argued about playing the Sox on the TVs. Then the service was incredibly slow. I understand we had 12 people but they were not busy. Half the tables were open. So we just closed our tab and left and they added a group gratuity of 25%!! They knew the service was terrible. I can understand 18 or 20% but how dare you charge 25% on a group tab. Will never be back. Stay away!

Pulled pork nachos and scottsh salmon poke bowl. Both were great, but note that its raw salmon…read more They should say that on the menu, but I liked it, Coffee sucked big time though. .

Here's what. I went there for the first time a couple of weeks ago and had a burger. It was all…read moregood. SO, I've been thinking about it. And tonight I ordered the mac & cheese and bring it home and it's like...ugh. That's a nope. Like watery cheese and noodles. Nope. I do play to give Peckish Pig another chance, but I'm going to say: Go with fries.

Checked out this favorite local brewery in Glenview. It has a very inspiring story about how it…read morecame to be and how it's still around so go find out. Macushla is one of those that's just focused on the beers and that's a great thing. Location isn't that big but still can fit tons of people in here. The beers are more than just IPAs and other stuff. Basically it's kind of hidden behind a shopping center. It's located next to Hackney's. They will deliver food over here because there's not a kitchen. Inside here there's lots of seating areas. They have the bar area, a few tables, and a patio. A lot of variety in the beers. It's about $7 a pint. Best one of these we had was the Chalk Eater. This is a classic IPA. So many more to choose. There's also lagers. For sure it's one of the best places around here to get beers. It's open daily which is excellent because you can always go. They're located on Lake east of Waukegan.

Unfortunately this particular time I went the bartender scolded my husband and I for requesting to…read moresample three of the beers. We had planned on staying and enjoying the evening there but were made to feel so uncomfortable that we left. We politely left a tip although it was undeserving.

Dear Vegetarians, I…read morewas hungry for a veggie burger and fries. In my haste, I misread the web menu as having a mushroom/swiss cheese housemade veggie burger. Upon arrival, I realized any of their beef burgers could be substituted with a Beyond burger (which I accepted in this lost era of *Big Plant-based Burger*). Unfortunately, they UP-charged $6 for Beyond burgers, but I (again mistakenly) assumed this meant for 2 patties, like they emphasize for their meat burgers. In my hunger I accepted this high price. But then on the receipt I saw I was UP-charged $8 for 1 Beyond patty. [A quick search says Whole Foods sells Beyond burgers for $8 for 2 patties. Therefore, surely there is a business option that lowers this price.] Good luck out there and beware of Beyond pricing. ~~~~~ Beyond this Vegetarian price scandal, I enjoyed myself: chill and attentive staff, cute patio, yum fries and dijon aioli! Dear R Public House: Please consider vegetarians and offer a housemade veggie burger, or find a way to cut the cost of store patties. At the very least, make sure the menu price matches receipt price. Thanks in advance, I do want to return! But for now will be sticking to only drafts.

Came here on a Friday night to check out the local bar food spot in Jarvis Square. It seemed busy…read morewith almost all tables and bar full. I was surprised by the space & the designated pizza oven area. Definitely felt like a nicer bar food spot than I thought from the outside. All the food was fine but didn't blow me away. We tried a chicken hot honey pizza and the burger of the week that was bacon, Jamaican dry run, cooked onions, and pepper jack cheese. Then for dessert we had chocolate covered cream puffs. All different kind of food flavors I wasn't expecting for this bar food spot which was fun but again food is not perfected just a wide variety. Also good portions to share between two. I wouldn't say it's a top bar food choice but a great local spot to have near jarvis square. I appreciated the friendly staff and a view into what the community is like in this area.

We came here for Monday BOGO pizza. At 5:30 it was kinda quiet. a half hour later the place was…read morepacked. The service was super. we ordered the deluxe 10". The crust was super crisp not floppy at all. packed with yummy tomato sauce an pepperoni, sausage and really juicy green peppers. The salmon looked really good. kid friendly not overly loud. Definitely will return.

I live nearby, and have been going to Bluestone for 10 months. Each and every time I would go--the…read moreservice just gets worse, Worse, WORSE...to the point of completely unacceptable (today). I sat at the bar, did not get so much as an icewater, let alone any eye contact, or even any acknowledgement that I have a pulse; I am at your bar; and at some point in time, down the line--I actually might want a MENU--which I had to personally ask for--over 20 minutes after seating myself. There were four workers on their staff, behind the bar. They did not seem to be doing much (of anything). I had to personally ask for my water refill, each and every time. The service is so completely slow and incompetent, I had to cancel an order and leave--it took so long, and I was having diabetes problems--still, however, for the price they try to charge for their drinks on tap, and the price they try to charge for their overrated (at best) food; the "bar talent" and/or professionalism/efficiency of their staff, from top to bottom--is considerably lacking. My experience at Bluestone is worse, Worse, WORSE--each and every following time I make the (poor) decision to go. I really wish Central and Prairie had other bars, with better culture, better professionals, and better "bar talent"--because a place like Bluestone would be GONE in FIVE MONTHS. As I checked out today, one of the bartenders, a young African-American male--made it a point--to tell me "he was giving me a great deal on my tab; half price off my second beer." There is a problem, though--I only ordered, and drank, one beer. He was clearly embarrassed (as he should be), when I explained this to him, and then he 1)stared me down, and 2) threatened me. That is a walking definition of U N P R O F E S S I O N A L. I will happily drive across the North Shore--than walk 200 yards to Bluestone. The food is decent. The beer on tap is solid...but the Glaring, overall lack of Bar Talent, along with the piss-poor and UNPROFESSIONAL service--I just...I can't...I can not, in good conscience--bring myself to ever go back there, again. I am 46 years old, and have worked in the restaurant/bar industry for 30 of them... It is "Amateur Hour" at Bluestone, every moment of every day. They do not even look at you (customers). Totally unaware, spaced-out, not-at-all focused...Not just (anybody) can be a decent bartender--it kind of helps to be somewhat "sharp", somewhat "alert", be somewhat cordial, friendly, or amiable...Nope! NONE of that, at Bluestone. What a waste--of perfectly-good real estate--in an otherwise beautiful part of Evanston. Bluestone is a STAIN on the Community.

We were looking for a dog friendly brewery on a cold night and Alarmist popped up, On a Tuesday…read moreevening, it was pretty empty . The bartender was not over friendly, but did offer recommendations. They have a variety of beer and cocktails. Our group tried the Dream Jus , Crispy Boy , Le Jus and a Cider. The Le Jus was the favorite. There is plenty of seating and there is an outdoor patio area . There was parking in a lot next to the brewery, which was very convenient. You can bring your own food. The atmosphere has a neighborhood vibe.

Incredibly friendly, warm and welcoming staff. A brewery with weekly specials on Tuesday ($3 off…read morecocktails) and Wednesdays (50% off all wines) and pretty fair prices for beer pours. There is even a rotating cask style. It has a well lit modern industrial feel. During the warmer seasons they have a medium sized beer garden in the back, but all year round dogs are welcomed inside. No kitchen but a bunch of neighborhood eateries deliver. Free spacious parking lot around the west side of the building and handicap accessible entrance and chairlift inside. Reservations for the taproom seating (if you plan on hosting a party) can easily be made on their website. I highly recommend checking them out if you're in the area, or into craft beer. Their hazy style Le Juz won gold a few years ago and is still a hard hitting classic. Shout out to my favorite bartender Charlie for always my family and me feel at home.

This was quite possibly the most money spent on the worst meal in my history of eating. I will 100%…read morenever order from this place again. The pretzel, while huge, was literally coated in salt to the degree it was inedible. The cheese sauce that came with it was grainy, separated, and terrible. The pesto pasta was bland and hardly had any amount of sauce to be calling it a pesto pasta. The chicken quesadilla had completely different ingredients than the menu, and it seemed like they just threw it together. Never again. If I could give zero stars, I would.

I recently hosted an event at Firehouse Grill in Evanston, and the experience was outstanding from…read morestart to finish. Molly was wonderful to work with--organized, responsive, and genuinely invested in making sure everything went smoothly. The second-floor party space is fantastic. It feels private and perfect for gatherings, with its own bar and restrooms, which made hosting incredibly convenient. (The only thing to note is that the space is accessible by stairs only.) We were also able to stream a slideshow at no additional cost and play our teens' Spotify playlist, which added such a fun and personal touch to the event. The food was a huge hit--guests couldn't stop talking about the Detroit-style pizza, chopped salad, and chicken wings. Everything was fresh, flavorful, and well-prepared. A special shoutout to Steve, our bartender, who took excellent care of us throughout the event. His attentiveness and friendly service really elevated the entire experience. If you're looking for a venue to host a party or special event, I highly recommend Firehouse Grill. They made everything easy, seamless, and memorable.