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The Beer Bistro

February 4th, 2010

BAR REVIEW: The Beer Bistro in the West Loop area of Chicago, Illinois

Since it’s founding in 2005, The Beer Bistro has been a haven for beer drinkers in the West Loop area.  With its welcoming bar and laid back workers, The Beer Bistro is a great locale to drink and learn about beer.  In fact, the bar was built out of love for beer.  It’s true and says so right on their website.

When drinking one of the many beers available, do not forget to enjoy the food.  The Beer Bistro has delicious food offerings and a very unique burger called the Gourmet Burger.  This burger comes on a pretzel roll with peanut butter, fried egg, bacon and cheddar.  Pretty unique, huh?  My initial reaction before ordering the burger was “Peanut Butter?  On a burger?”  I decided to trust the bar tender on this one (she was right about the Sierra Nevada Brew recommendation) and ordered my first burger with peanut butter.  After enjoying every flavorful bite of the Gourmet Burger, I wondered why it took me this long to combine meat with peanut butter.  This delightful combination would have been ideal during my late childhood/early teen years!  Needless to say, the Gourmet Burger tasted great and it really went well with the IPA I was drinking.  Order it next time you are in the West Loop and you will not be disappointed.

Overall, The Beer Bistro does a nice job of balancing a mighty beer selection with a cozy neighborhood bar mentality.  The servers and crowd make you feel welcomed and the food is always served to your liking.

The Beer Bistro is located at 1061 W. Madison Street in the West Loop area of Chicago, Illinois.  Phone: 312-433-0013.  Website: thebeerbistro.com.

The Beer Bistro is Recommended by Gonzalo

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Tilted Kilt

October 21st, 2009

BAR REVIEW: Tilted Kilt in the Loop area of Chicago, Illinois

Tilted Kilt in the Loop may be the most unique bar in all of Chicago. What makes them unique has nothing to do with the waitresses in skimpy “Scottish skirts”, tight tops and knee high socks; nor is it the Scottish Pub theme instead of your average Irish Pub theme. The most unique aspect of Tilted Kilt is the silent rumble and silver streak you notice speed by the windows of this second floor bar: the Chicago “L” Trains. Since Tilted Kilt is located on Wabash Street in the Loop Area of Downtown Chicago, the elevated tracks of the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) run parallel to the bar. Sitting at the bar, facing the windows, you get a great view of a unique aspect of Chicago. The silver train cars do not disrupt your drinking or eating, nor do they disrupt the big game on one of their various HD Televisions. Instead, they offer a picturesque setting unique to the great city of Chicago.

When it comes to beer and food, Tilted Kilt also provides some noteworthy offerings. They have your typical pub brews like Guinness, Harp and Boddingtons, but they also have Goose Island Seasonal and some of the new Anheuser-Busch beers such as Bud Light Golden Wheat and Shock Top. As for food, Tilted Kilt delivers a one-of-a-kind sandwich called “Sloppy Jane.” The sister to the Sloppy Joe, Sloppy Jane gets the sloppy from the home-made coleslaw dripping on top of the cheese covered shredded beef or turkey. It is the greatest sandwich available in the Loop.

Overall, Tilted Kilt is a welcomed addition to the Chicago Bar scene. From the Scottish Pub theme to the great food and drinks and finally to the great eye candy that includes the lovely Tilted Kilt Girls and Chicago “L” Trains, Tilted Kilt has all the ingredients necessary to become a drinking destination if you are in the Loop area.

Tilted Kilt is located at 17 N. Wabash Street in the Loop area of Chicago, Illinois. Phone: 312-269-5580. Website: tiltedkilt.com

Tilted Kilt is Highly Recommended by Gonzalo

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XOCO

September 16th, 2009

BAR REVIEW: XOCO in the River North area of Chicago, Illinois

The newest restaurant creation by Rick Bayless is not a bar, but for the sake of this review, I will treat it as one…hey, the place serves Mexican Beer, that’s all that matters to me. XOCO is a “quick-service cafe” that serves delicious street food and snacks typical of Mexico. For those of you who have not been to Mexico and had the chance to experience “street food”, basically what you can expect to eat at XOCO are Tortas, Caldos and snacks like Churros. Rick Bayless elevates all menu items to a higher standard thanks to his exceptional cooking skills.

As for the beverages available at XOCO, you can find refreshing water drinks typical of Mexico, as well as some fine Mexican Beers. My favorite beer available at XOCO is Bohemia. Bohemia is a smooth Pilsner that complimented very well my Torta Milanesa. As far as Pilsners go, Bohemia is one of my favorites.

Overall, XOCO is a great destination for quick Mexican food from Rick Bayless. The food may come out quick, but do expect a wait to order. The line forms out the door during peak dining hours. There are better quick Mexican food joints around Chicago, but for the River North crowd, this is as good as it gets (too bad they don’t stay open all night on the weekends). Plus, you may get a glimpse of the Master Chef himself, Rick Bayless, in action in the kitchen.

XOCO is located at 449 N. Clark Street in the River North neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois, USA. Phone: (312) 334-3688

XOCO is Highly Recommended by Gonzalo

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District Bar

August 21st, 2009

BAR REVIEW: District Bar in the River North area of Chicago, Illinois

At first glance, District Bar is just another one of the new “High End” Sports Bars that have been popping up all over the River North area. Once you look deeper though and once you decide to check out the bookshelves (cough, cough, there is a secret entry way to VIP Bar, cough, cough) at District Bar, you will notice that this Sports Bar stands apart from the others.

You will definitely not miss any big Sporting Event while at District Bar: Widescreen HDTV’s engulf the main bar. You can expect to catch all of the upcoming Notre Dame NCAA Football Games, Pittsburgh Steelers NFL Football Games, International Football/Soccer Games, and of course, the local Chicago Sporting Teams are on display.

District Bar has the TV’s covered, but how does the Food & Drink Menu fair? The great news is that the food is delicious and the beer selection is respectable. There is not one beer that really deserves special attention, but you will be satisfied with the beer menu. You can never go wrong when you offer the Samuel Adams Seasonal Beer and other local favorites like Miller Lite, 312, Guinness and Heineken.

Overall, District Bar is worth your time. The hook to this place is the VIP Room that opens secretly via the bookshelves. If you are not fortunate enough to drink in the VIP Room, you will still enjoy your time at District Bar. How can you not? District Bar has plenty of eye candy: the cool crowd and the bright Televisions.

District Bar is located at 170 W. Ontario Street in the River North neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois, USA. Phone: (312) 337-3477. Website: http://district-bar.com/

District Bar is Recommended by Gonzalo

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Roof on the Wit

July 19th, 2009

BAR REVIEW: Roof on the Wit in the Downtown area of Chicago, Illinois

Since its opening back at the end of May, Roof on the Wit has been the place to go and be seen. Celebrities, Athletes, Local News Anchors and Very Important People have found their way to this 27th Floor Lounge located on the Roof of the Wit Hotel. So after all the razzle-dazzle and positive word of mouth, is the Roof on the Wit all it is made out to be? YES!

Allow me to present a checklist of sorts for my recent visit to Roof: 1) Are famous people present? Yes. Coach Quenneville of the Chicago Blackhawks was right next to our table, as was Kendall Gill, a former Chicago Bulls player. Oh, and I cannot forget to mention local Comcast SportNet anchor David Kaplan. 2) “Gourmet” Beer List? Yes. They only have around 7 beers in bottles, and some of those beers include Hitachino Nest White Ale and a Gluten Free Beer. 3) Hip and trendy atmosphere? Yes. Everyone at Roof comes dressed to impress and to hang out in a very chic, laid back and stellar lounge scene under the night sky. 4) Impressive 27th floor views? Yes. Roof is high above the corner of Lake Street and State Street, so you have views down State Street and beautiful views of the buildings located in the west part of the Loop.

Overall, Roof on the Wit lives up to the hype and is a must visit destination if you find yourself in the Downtown area. You can not say it enough, but the lounge atmosphere is one of the best I have experienced in the city of Chicago. One thing to keep in mind, with all the hype that Roof has gotten, you should expect a line to get in. At times, the line forms all the way to the entrance of the Harold Washington College. Do not let that discourage you, just show up earlier than you normally would.

Roof on the Wit is Highly Recommended by Gonzalo

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Murphy’s Bleachers

June 15th, 2009

BAR REVIEW: Murphy’s Bleachers in the Wrigleyville area of Chicago, Illinois

On the eve of the Chicago Baseball Cross Town Classic, what better drinking establishment to review than the Wrigleyville staple known as Murphy’s Bleachers? When the Chicago White Sox travel up north to play the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field, the whole city of Chicago is either Black (White Sox) or Blue (Cubs). Smack dab in the middle of all the heckling, team pride and home runs, Murphy’s Bleachers is located across from the entrance to the Wrigley Field Bleachers. At the corner of Waveland Avenue and Sheffield Avenue, you will find the fine drinking establishment that has, more or less, been in existence since the 1930’s. Priding itself on serving strong whiskeys and quality beers, Murphy’s Bleachers impresses on all levels.

My baseball allegiance belongs to the White Sox, and let’s be honest, there is no “Comiskeyville.” The drinking us White Sox fans partake before a baseball game usually happens in the parking lot of the stadium. Well, there is Jimbo’s Lounge near the White Sox Stadium, but it doesn’t really have quality beers. Plus, Jimbo’s has been on the verge of closing for the past couple of years (in fact, their disconnected phone number is a good indication that it might be closed). Anyways, the bars of the South Side are for another article. Murphy’s Bleachers on the North Side really impressed me with their beer selection and food menu. Before officially stepping foot into Murphy’s Bleachers, I had assumptions that it was a “Cubs Bar” filled with Cubs fans and water downed beer. The bar is filled with Cubs Fans, but it does not have water-downed beer. On the contrary, the impressive beer selection had my jaw on the floor. You can find SKA Modus Hoperandi IPA, Brooklyn Brewmasters Reserve Seasonal Beers, Goose Island Matilda and many more quality ales and lagers. The best part is, they have weekly specials and their prices are very reasonable. In addition, the food menu is pretty stellar.

Overall, Murphy’s Bleachers is a must visit whether you are a Cubs Fan or not. The baseball and sports memorabilia hanging around the bar is a testament to the pride Chicagoans have for their teams, even if said team has not won a major championship for over 100 years (yeah, that was a cheap shot). Beer wise, food wise and history wise, Murphy’s Bleachers hits a home run all around. No wonder it is always packed during Cubs games.
Murphy’s Bleachers is located at 3655 N. Sheffield Avenue in Chicago, Illinois, USA. Phone: (773) 281-5356.

Murphy’s Bleachers is Highly Recommended by Gonzalo

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Market

June 1st, 2009

BAR REVIEW: Market in the West Loop Gate area of Chicago, Illinois

It may be because this bar is brand new, but Market is very shiny. Like a hot new car one would buy, this new multi-faceted restaurant and sports bar has that “wow” factor through out everything! From the beautiful wood trim to the chrome beer taps to the vibrant Panasonic widescreen televisions, and that is just the first floor. Do not dare to leave Market without enjoying a drink on the Roof Deck. An impressive lounge retreat with an outstanding view of the Skyline, the Roof Deck at Market is going to be a popular destination through out the summer.

So Market is a great place to savor a drink, but I wish the Beer Menu were just a tad greater. Granted they do have Goose Island 312 on tap and that is all I really need, but I guess I am just nitpicking. In reality, their beer menu has favorites like Stella Artois, Heineken, Guinness and Corona. Actually, enjoying a Corona and Lime on the Roof Deck while gazing at the Sears Tower (sorry, I mean Willis Tower) sounds like a wonderful way to relax during the summer.

A helpful tip to you, future patron of Market, since Market is located in the sophisticated West Loop Gate area and Oprah’s Harpo Studios are located down the block, make sure you dress to impress. I did feel a bit out of place in my White Sox track jacket. Of course though, I had no problems making my way through the bar.

Overall, Market is a stunning bar that will impress your date, friends and out-of-town guests, most importantly though, you will be fond of this new restaurant and sports bar. When you mix great food, with a respectable beer menu and a stylish atmosphere, you get this new hot spot. Market is located at 1113 West Randolph Street in the West Loop Gate area of Chicago, Illinois. Phone: 312-929-4787.

Market is Highly Recommended by Gonzalo

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Ginger’s Ale House

May 28th, 2009

BAR REVIEW: Ginger’s Ale House in the Lakeview area of Chicago, Illinois

Manchester United fans look no further than Ginger’s Ale House. This Irish/English Bar in Wrigleyville is home to the Manchester United Fans of Chicago. Aside from being a great Soccer Bar, Ginger’s Ale House is a splendid bar. Decent ales from England and Ireland and a fantastic brunch menu help make this Ale House a stand out. You must try the Traditional Breakfast: A fantastic feast that is a remedy for hangovers and hungry stomachs.

The bar is split up into 3 sections and each section is filled with televisions, beer and a lively crowd. It is not hard to see why Ginger’s Ale House was once voted “Best Soccer Bar” by USSOCCER.COM for 4 years in a row. In addition to broadcasting the big soccer matches from all the soccer/football leagues, you can also catch Rugby games and play wicked games of Darts.
You can expect any big Rugby game or Soccer Match to attract the big crowds, so make sure you arrive early to get a good spot in front of one of the many televisions. When you arrive early, make sure to sit in Sheila’s section and she will make you feel special with her Irish accent and great service.

Overall, Ginger’s Ale House is a marvelous bar on the North Side of Chicago. It is not a pretty bar like Fado’s, but it does have that Irish charm. The ales found at this ale house are great, but they are the typical Pub/Ale House selection. What sets Ginger’s Ale House apart from the other bars are the passionate fans and the Bangers that are part of the Traditional Breakfast. Ginger’s Ale House is located at 3801 N. Ashland Avenue in Chicago, Illinois, USA. Phone: 773-348-2767.

Ginger’s Ale House is Recommended by Gonzalo

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Burt’s Place

March 23rd, 2009

BAR REVIEW: Burt’s Place in the northern suburb of Chicago known as Morton Grove, IL.

Not necessarily a bar, not necessarily a museum, definitely a pizza place; Burt’s Place in Morton Grove, Illinois has been serving the “finest pan pizza” since 1971. Located on Ferris Avenue, South of Dempster Street, Burt’s Place is a cozy dining room inside a brown shack in a residential area. Antiques and old newspaper articles, as well as worn in booth chairs, add to the rustic charm that is evident through out the room and by the owner and pizza chef, Burt. For a pizza place, Burt’s Place offers quality beers from Great Lakes Brewing to accompany your delicious pan pizza. My suggestion, order the Commodore Perry with a Spinach and Banana Peppers Pan Pizza, the nice hops and fresh aroma of this IPA compliment that pizza quite nicely. By the way, that is why you come to Burt’s Place: for the pizza. The pan pizza made by Burt is one of the best I have had. From the caramelized crust to the fresh ingredients, Burt knows how to make ‘em. His pizzas are not as thick as a deep-dish pizza, and they are not as thin as a thin crust pizza. His pizza is all pan style.

Overall, Burt’s Place is a must visit. Since the dining room is small, I strongly suggest calling ahead to reserve your spot. When you do visit Burt’s Place, make sure to take cash. Credit Cards are not welcomed. Burt’s Place is located at 8541 N Ferris Ave in Morton Grove, Illinois, USA. Phone: (847) 965-7997

Burt’s Place is Highly Recommended by Gonzalo

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Site Upgrades

March 3rd, 2009

I’ve been fairly busy over the weekend. Basically, I got google maps to work. Also, the site has better looking urls, runs faster, and should be easier to find information.

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