Where to take a date in Chicago?

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I'm new in town, she's not. Nevertheless, I feel like I should suggest something. Any ideas?

― Dan M. (OutDatWay), Friday, 5 November 2004 19:21 (twenty years ago)

Green Zebra. Just got a writeup in Gourmet magazine, and is always packed.

― Kenan (kenan), Friday, 5 November 2004 19:23 (twenty years ago)

superdawg. the drive-in hot dog place!!!!

― phil-two (phil-two), Friday, 5 November 2004 19:23 (twenty years ago)

Green Mill, followed by Lawrence's Fisheries. At least, that's all I ever do in Chicago.

― Jordan (Jordan), Friday, 5 November 2004 19:24 (twenty years ago)

http://acweb.colum.edu/users/agunkel/homepage/food/superdawg.JPG

its my favorite place in chicago

― phil-two (phil-two), Friday, 5 November 2004 19:25 (twenty years ago)

pick up some 40s and go sit by the lake. if she doesn't like that, then you know she's not worth your time.

― oops (Oops), Friday, 5 November 2004 19:25 (twenty years ago)

(This thread could get really long really fast.)

― Kenan (kenan), Friday, 5 November 2004 19:25 (twenty years ago)

That bar at the top of the really tall building!

― adam... (nordicskilla), Friday, 5 November 2004 19:25 (twenty years ago)

Actually, the bar at the top of Hancock is pretty frickin' cool at night. No joke.

― Kenan (kenan), Friday, 5 November 2004 19:27 (twenty years ago)

THAT IS WHAT I SAID

― adam... (nordicskilla), Friday, 5 November 2004 19:27 (twenty years ago)

ihttp://www.hancock-observatory.com/images/viewhr3.jpg

― Kenan (kenan), Friday, 5 November 2004 19:28 (twenty years ago)

Avec. Noise levels and packed seating make leaning in close a necessity, and the small plates & wine menu can make a meal quick or slow depending on how well things go.

Bar at Hancock is great - if you get a window seat. If not it's like being in a Holiday Inn.

― Brian Miller (Brian Miller), Friday, 5 November 2004 19:28 (twenty years ago)

I'm old and I don't live in Chicago anymore, but depending on where you live, Le Creperie on Clark is a great little romantic dive for a date.

..unless that's overdone & everyone does that ...

― dave225 (Dave225), Friday, 5 November 2004 19:29 (twenty years ago)

No, it's not overdone. I love that place. Patio's closed this time of year though, which means it's not as cool.

― Kenan (kenan), Friday, 5 November 2004 19:30 (twenty years ago)

We're in Logan Square/Bucktown, but I wouldn't mind getting out of the neighborhood and seein' some stuff. Where is that movie/bar place?

― Dan M. (OutDatWay), Friday, 5 November 2004 19:32 (twenty years ago)

The Vic? Northside. I've heard so many bad things that I haven't even gone yet.

Take her to see Night Watch!

http://centerstage.net/music/clubs/lakeview-lounge.html

― Kenan (kenan), Friday, 5 November 2004 19:33 (twenty years ago)

im telling you. superdawg is the way to go. fun, kinda quirky, and you can sit alone in the car and make out. fuck "small plates", "wine", and "nice views at night". 100% ALL BEEF HOTDOGS, CRINKLY FRIES, AND CHOCOLATE MALTS, BEEYATCH

― phil-two (phil-two), Friday, 5 November 2004 19:35 (twenty years ago)

If you're lucky, your waiter at the Hancock bar will be none other than FRANK NAVIN of the Aluminum Group.

― jaymc (jaymc), Friday, 5 November 2004 19:36 (twenty years ago)

Anyone seen this movie "Tarnation?" I saw a review and it sounded pretty good. This may be it.

― Dan M. (OutDatWay), Friday, 5 November 2004 19:37 (twenty years ago)

What if she doesn't like hot dogs? I don't care for them much myself. I mean, the hot dog place is cute, but with the wrong girl you might leaver her thinking you're one of those kitschy people, or worse, a habitual hot dog eater.

― Kenan (kenan), Friday, 5 November 2004 19:37 (twenty years ago)

I've heard so many bad things that I haven't even gone yet.

???

The sound isn't great, and if you're looking for a quiet cinematic experience, you won't find it -- but it's a movie theater that serves beer, and you can see two or three movies for $5. What do you want?

― jaymc (jaymc), Friday, 5 November 2004 19:37 (twenty years ago)

(It's called the Brew and View, btw, and it's at the corner of Belmont and Sheffield.)

― jaymc (jaymc), Friday, 5 November 2004 19:38 (twenty years ago)

Also, Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind.. I know, it's too hip - young scenesters .. but it really is a rollercoaster ride of funny & disturbing. Better than Second City, anyway.

― dave225 (Dave225), Friday, 5 November 2004 19:38 (twenty years ago)

they also have burgers and chicken fingers!

― phil-two (phil-two), Friday, 5 November 2004 19:39 (twenty years ago)

If you're lucky, your waiter at the Hancock bar will be none other than FRANK NAVIN of the Aluminum Group.

You're kidding. I didn't know he worked there. We should totally go see him sometime.

― Kenan (kenan), Friday, 5 November 2004 19:39 (twenty years ago)

TMLMtBGB god i hated that. all the unfunny drama fags and crunchy granola vegan types in my high school went all the time.

― phil-two (phil-two), Friday, 5 November 2004 19:40 (twenty years ago)

Yes, it sucks because you don't like the audience.

― dave225 (Dave225), Friday, 5 November 2004 19:41 (twenty years ago)

Theater's too risky. All theater on a date is too risky.

― Kenan (kenan), Friday, 5 November 2004 19:41 (twenty years ago)

Not as risky as unprotected sex, though. And deep down, isn't that what we all really want?

― Kenan (kenan), Friday, 5 November 2004 19:47 (twenty years ago)

I'm not a chick, but I'd take "kitschy" over someone who tries too hard to impress me any day.
I wanna go on a date with Phil.

― oops (Oops), Friday, 5 November 2004 19:48 (twenty years ago)

Too Much Light also used to be WAY funnier. It hasn't been good for at least three or four years.

― jaymc (jaymc), Friday, 5 November 2004 19:48 (twenty years ago)

(I've seen it at least once a year for the last 10 years or so.)

― jaymc (jaymc), Friday, 5 November 2004 19:49 (twenty years ago)

You're kidding. I didn't know he worked there. We should totally go see him sometime.

Yeah -- I've never actually been!

― jaymc (jaymc), Friday, 5 November 2004 19:50 (twenty years ago)

I am trying to plan a "kitschy" roadtrip but the Mrs. isn't into it. :(

― adam... (nordicskilla), Friday, 5 November 2004 19:50 (twenty years ago)

xxxpost I'm not saying to try too hard... I mean, I guess what I'm saying is that I don't like hot dogs, and could take or leave milkshakes. If I'm going to go out to eat with someone, I want it to be really good, melt-in-your-mouth, exotic, sensual, sexy FOOD. FOOD, GODDAMNIT!

― Kenan (kenan), Friday, 5 November 2004 19:50 (twenty years ago)

Kenan, you're too high maintenence!

― oops (Oops), Friday, 5 November 2004 19:51 (twenty years ago)

HOT DOGS ARE TOTALLY GROSS I AM NOT A GIRLY MAN

― Kenan (kenan), Friday, 5 November 2004 19:52 (twenty years ago)

What do you do after superdawg, though? (Besides the long bus ride home.)

― dave225 (Dave225), Friday, 5 November 2004 19:54 (twenty years ago)

I don't know why you'd go to Superdawg when Amitabul is right down the street. I mean, if you're going to that neighborhood in the first place. I guess you could say hi to my mom, since she works around there.

― jaymc (jaymc), Friday, 5 November 2004 19:55 (twenty years ago)

(Serious inquiries only, though.)

― jaymc (jaymc), Friday, 5 November 2004 19:55 (twenty years ago)

What do you do after superdawg, though? (Besides the long bus ride home.)

Say something clever like, "You haven't eater your last weiner." Then unceremoniously finger fuck her.

― Kenan (kenan), Friday, 5 November 2004 19:57 (twenty years ago)

(because if you ceremoniously finger fuck her, she'll know you're just trying to impress her.)

― Kenan (kenan), Friday, 5 November 2004 19:58 (twenty years ago)

Rainforest Cafe!

― adam... (nordicskilla), Friday, 5 November 2004 19:58 (twenty years ago)

Take her to Clark's on Clark. Most romantic place in the city. I'm serious. You'll thank me later.

― Kenan (kenan), Friday, 5 November 2004 20:01 (twenty years ago)

I bet my brother would have a good suggestion for this thread. He's cooler than me.

(xp hahaha)

― jaymc (jaymc), Friday, 5 November 2004 20:01 (twenty years ago)

I wanna go on a date in Chicago!

In fact, I plan on moving there in 2006. Maybe I could line up some dates for then.

― planescapin' 'til dawn (Homosexual II), Friday, 5 November 2004 20:02 (twenty years ago)

Go riverboat gambling in Hammond, IN.

― adam... (nordicskilla), Friday, 5 November 2004 20:02 (twenty years ago)

Actually, my brother saw Tarnation, too.

― jaymc (jaymc), Friday, 5 November 2004 20:03 (twenty years ago)

Orgasmville

― oops (Oops), Friday, 5 November 2004 20:03 (twenty years ago)

Adam, the thread didn't say "Where to take a date in northwestern Indiana?"

― jaymc (jaymc), Friday, 5 November 2004 20:04 (twenty years ago)

Skipping 93 messages at this point... Click here if you want to load them all.

I want to see Sideways, too.

― jaymc (jaymc), Friday, 5 November 2004 22:26 (twenty years ago)

I want to see Undertow, but Nick keeps saying we have to wait for amatuerist.

― Sarah McLusky (coco), Friday, 5 November 2004 22:27 (twenty years ago)

We should all go on a movie-watching spree.

― Sarah McLusky (coco), Friday, 5 November 2004 22:27 (twenty years ago)

Waiting For Amateurist

― adam... (nordicskilla), Friday, 5 November 2004 22:28 (twenty years ago)

http://shop.store.yahoo.com/wexnerbookshop/ammirjul.html

― adam... (nordicskilla), Friday, 5 November 2004 22:28 (twenty years ago)

or some kind of spree. Any spree will do.

― Kenan (kenan), Friday, 5 November 2004 22:28 (twenty years ago)

I apologize to Dan for turning this into the usual Chicago banter thread.

― jaymc (jaymc), Friday, 5 November 2004 22:28 (twenty years ago)

I wanted to eat at the green zebra for my birthday, but they were booked up all that weekend, the bastards.

― Sarah McLusky (coco), Friday, 5 November 2004 22:29 (twenty years ago)

I want to see sideways too. KEEP ME INFORMED if there is any gathering for it.

― Jeff-PTTL (Jeff), Friday, 5 November 2004 22:29 (twenty years ago)

And I apologize to Chicago ILX0rz for again glomming onto their banter and taking it one degree of separation further from Dan's initial enquiry.

― adam... (nordicskilla), Friday, 5 November 2004 22:29 (twenty years ago)

i emailed you this morning . . . i'm not going to the play!

― kelsey (kelstarry), Friday, 5 November 2004 22:29 (twenty years ago)

I'm sure Dan's down for the Chicago banter as he's a Chicagoan, but maybe we should try to put a little romance back in this thread.

― Sarah McLusky (coco), Friday, 5 November 2004 22:30 (twenty years ago)

anyone interested in a 9:15 or 10:00 showing of the incredibles? it's romantic?

― kelsey (kelstarry), Friday, 5 November 2004 22:30 (twenty years ago)

Weird, I just got that email, kelsey.

― Sarah McLusky (coco), Friday, 5 November 2004 22:31 (twenty years ago)

Where?

― Sarah McLusky (coco), Friday, 5 November 2004 22:32 (twenty years ago)

It sounds like fun, but I'll have to do some jiggling of plans.

― Kenan (kenan), Friday, 5 November 2004 22:32 (twenty years ago)

The Art Institute is really romantic, I think.

― Peanuts (Peanuts), Friday, 5 November 2004 22:32 (twenty years ago)

The AMC on western . . . the city north 14 it think it's called?

― kelsey (kelstarry), Friday, 5 November 2004 22:33 (twenty years ago)

We're in. Which one, then? 9:15 or 10? Who else is coming?

― Sarah McLusky (coco), Friday, 5 November 2004 22:34 (twenty years ago)

9:15 i guess? unless you'd rather do the 10. i have no idea who is coming. me.
my friend rachel.
maybe my boyfriend, leaf.

― kelsey (kelstarry), Friday, 5 November 2004 22:37 (twenty years ago)

maybe john? maybe kenan?

― kelsey (kelstarry), Friday, 5 November 2004 22:38 (twenty years ago)

9:15 works for me.

― Sarah McLusky (coco), Friday, 5 November 2004 22:39 (twenty years ago)

awesome!!!

― kelsey (kelstarry), Friday, 5 November 2004 22:40 (twenty years ago)

We're going to the Musicbox Theatre showing of Tarnation after all. Thanks for a lot of suggestions, all. Wish me luck.

― Dan M. (OutDatWay), Friday, 5 November 2004 22:54 (twenty years ago)

An excellent choice.

― adam... (nordicskilla), Friday, 5 November 2004 22:57 (twenty years ago)

You guys should go GUZZLE instead! That's MY plan for tonight at least.

― planescapin' 'til dawn (Homosexual II), Friday, 5 November 2004 22:59 (twenty years ago)

Maybe afterward. Or, maybe her place?

― Dan M. (OutDatWay), Friday, 5 November 2004 23:20 (twenty years ago)

Mandee, always with the guzzling.

― adam... (nordicskilla), Friday, 5 November 2004 23:21 (twenty years ago)

My ticket for The Incredibles has already been purchased, and it is for tomorrow afternoon. So I probably shouldn't go see it tonight.

― Kenan (kenan), Friday, 5 November 2004 23:22 (twenty years ago)

i'm going to a movie this weekend, but if that works out well i'll be looking at this thread for ideas....

― amateur!!st, Saturday, 6 November 2004 01:35 (twenty years ago)

questions:

(1) superdawg--where is it?
(2) avec--is it expensive? where is it?
(3) john hancock bar--when can i go AND AVOID the aluminum group guy?
(4) more info needed on "art friday night" from kelsey please

comments:

(1) phil-two OTM re. the awfulness of "too much light...." granted i haven't seen it for um 12 years.
(2) ice skating only romantic if you can stay off your ass for more than 20 seconds at a time.

― amateur!!st, Saturday, 6 November 2004 01:43 (twenty years ago)

superdawg is lovingly nestled in a box of crinkle-cut fries. or, it is located at devon & milwaukee.

― jennpb (jennpb), Saturday, 6 November 2004 02:49 (twenty years ago)

I just want to let you guys all know that I am really tough and macho, ok thnx bye.

― n/a (Nick A.), Saturday, 6 November 2004 03:27 (twenty years ago)

(3) john hancock bar--when can i go AND AVOID the aluminum group guy?

Awwww, jeez.

― jaymc (jaymc), Saturday, 6 November 2004 04:31 (twenty years ago)

(Does if it help if he's the less flaming of the two?)

― jaymc (jaymc), Saturday, 6 November 2004 04:32 (twenty years ago)

Nick, you know I love you, but two terrible horror movies in a row is more than I can handle. That "Dawn of the Dead" remake was... well, not as bad as "The Fog." I'll say that much.

Someone has mentioned Peckinpah a lot recently, or at least he's in the front of my mind. I have "The Wild Bunch" on VHS, all widescreen and uncut and stuff. That's prime. Otherwise, I think I'll bump "Bring Me The Head of Alfredo Garcia" to the top of my Netflix cue. Your place or mine?

― Kenan (kenan), Saturday, 6 November 2004 07:46 (twenty years ago)

(sorry, "cue" = "queue")

― Kenan (kenan), Saturday, 6 November 2004 07:48 (twenty years ago)

"bring me the head of alfredo garcia" was the most disappointing film i have ever seen.

― todd swiss (eliti), Saturday, 6 November 2004 07:50 (twenty years ago)

well, what were you expecting? you can't deny that it's got lots of dust, lots of snarling (by Warren Oates no less, the king of snarling!), lots of blood, and a ton of pathos. It's fucking great, actually.

― Kenan (kenan), Saturday, 6 November 2004 07:52 (twenty years ago)

And it might be a good post-election catharsis movie, since the metaphors for class warfare are ripe.

― Kenan (kenan), Saturday, 6 November 2004 07:55 (twenty years ago)

it seemed so devoid of content after watching straw dogs and wild bunch. pointless and emotionless violence (i know that is essentially the point of the film) really doesnt do much for me.

i didnt see any heart in it, i think peckinpah half-assed it.

― todd swiss (eliti), Saturday, 6 November 2004 07:55 (twenty years ago)

I think you're wrong, with all respect. I think the relationship between the broken-down alcoholic who's only out for money and the now-headless womanizer, and the way the Oates character comes to understand how much common ground he has with "Al" (as he calls him), and especially the way he fights in the face of all rational odds in tht end... well, it's the best thing Peckinpah ever did, really. Surely he made better movies, but if he'd only made this one, people would still talk about it.

― Kenan (kenan), Saturday, 6 November 2004 08:02 (twenty years ago)

I think "Straw Dogs" is crap, for the record.

― Kenan (kenan), Saturday, 6 November 2004 08:06 (twenty years ago)

This may be the most a thread has ever been derailed without ill intention.

― Kenan (kenan), Saturday, 6 November 2004 08:07 (twenty years ago)

straw dogs was so fantastic and had such a better grasp on masculinity than any of his other films i have seen. maybe because i can relate more with the dustin hoffman character than say the warren oates character in alfredo.

― todd swiss (eliti), Saturday, 6 November 2004 08:17 (twenty years ago)

I think the grasp on masculinity was the problem. It held onto masculinity like it was golden shit. I mean, the movie is aware of its own obsessions -- don't get me wrong. But in "Alfredo Garcia," the lead character has lost his way so profoundly that we sense him re-inventing his masculinty on his own terms, killing for his own reasons, sympathizsing with or condemning others off the top of his head, because he has nothing to lose and, once he gets all the facts about his girlfriend, nothing to gain. He becomes the poster child for inventing your own morality, which makes his actions at the end all the heavier. Nobody TOLD him to do that... no reasonable person ever would have.

Anyway... it's a heavy movie. I love it.

― Kenan (kenan), Saturday, 6 November 2004 08:26 (twenty years ago)

Ebert is mostly OTM, although as per usual unhealthily fascinated with the whole "addiction" angle:

http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20011028/REVIEWS08/110280301/1023

― Kenan (kenan), Saturday, 6 November 2004 08:32 (twenty years ago)

alfredo thinks that he has nothing to lose, but he does have his life to lose. sure he thinks that his life isnt worth living, but that does not give him the right to create his own morality. i agree that its a heavy movie and that the weakness of the main character is deliberate, but i think its the easy way out.

― todd swiss (eliti), Saturday, 6 November 2004 08:49 (twenty years ago)

Well... yeah. I was trying not to give away the ending, but I guess it's inevitable. I mean, it ends in murder/suicide. It's a movie made by a profoundly depressed, pessimistic, and nihilistic person. Easy way out... yeah. Of course. I kind of like that about it. It's not even remotely like other movies.

― Kenan (kenan), Saturday, 6 November 2004 15:17 (twenty years ago)

And this thread has become comically derailed. I blame myself.

― Kenan (kenan), Saturday, 6 November 2004 15:18 (twenty years ago)

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