Who do you think is best in Chicago!?

billydec — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 19:50:35 +0000

Just voted for the Chicago Reader “Best in Chicago” awards online! Figured I would share my answers since everyone asks me on Twitter and Facebook about my Chicago favs! (BTW, sorry did these fast, was in a rush, sorry if missed anyone!) You should vote too! (Especially for my places! haha) Voting ends this weekend so go to http://bestof.chicagoreader.com/ now!

Best car wash :: We’ll Clean

Best BBQ :: Fat Willies

Best Brewpub :: Goose Island

Best Coffee Shop :: Intelligestia/Aspire at home….chitowns peeps!

Best Cupcakes :: 3 way tie – Foiled (on twitter), Sweet Mandy B’s (near my house) or Swirlz (for boxes to friends!)

Best Fashion Designer :: Maria Pinto

Best Interior Designer :: Nate Berkus

Best Thrift Store :: Salvation Army

Best brunch :: Rockit on hubbard (live acoustic, gourmet bloody mary’s, mimosa kits at your table, amazing brunch menu… come on!) Or riverside café in bucktown

Best shoe store :: Niketown

Best garden store :: kinsella landscaping

Best gym :: HERO Fitness and equinox

Best home furnishings store :: smart rooms in merchandise mart

Best alfresco dining :: Patio at RBG Wrigley (in nice neighborhood, and can see Wrigley field scoreboard from table)

Best bagels :: ashkenaz

Best college :: U of I champaign urbana

Best gelato :: n/a, I eat peanut butter and chocolate skinny cows with extra crunchy peanut butter globbed on twice a day

Best grocery store :: whole foods

Best Indian restaurant :: vermillion

Best margarita :: que rico

Best Mexican restaurant :: el tapitio

Best Middle Eastern restaurant :: reeza’s

Best new restaurant :: kith kin

Best burger :: Rockit Bar & Grill (“good morning america” gave chitown the nationwide recognition for the rockit burger to beat all cities out- love it!)

Best seafood restaurant :: Joe’s

Best splurge :: avenue at peninsula

Best sushi :: Sunda (not many people get entire fresh fish anymore and cut them up right there and then, hands down best!) Best wine shop :: House of Glunz

Best liquor store :: Binny’s

Best pizza :: connie’s and malnatis

Best drink specials :: ½ off wine on Mondays at rockit (actually can get really nice bottles!)

Best cocktail list :: Sunda drink list is pure heaven- I invented the “bd superfresh sakitini” that should win this award in itself! Actually, they are all that good

Best dive bar :: Richard’s

Best 4 AM bar :: underground, not many places still packed at 4am, 5am saturdays

Best night of the week to go out :: Saturday, I know its so mainstream, but its just true, and I love people watching. Best smoking area :: far away from me

Best hotel for an in-town getaway :: Peninsula

Best record store :: grew up going to dr. wax

Best local music blog :: www.assault.it

Best dance club :: Underground, you know you are the best when don’t have an actual cheesy dance floor but can make everyone dance!

Best local band :: Plain White T’s & Lovehammers

Best local hip-hop artist :: kanye

Best local DJ :: Rock City

Best local tribute band :: South of 80 and elevation

Best bartender :: Andy Lee at Rockit River North

Best music venue to play :: Metro

Best music venue to watch :: House of Blues

Best music festival :: Lolla

Best movie theater AMC on Illinois

Best art gallery :: Carrie Seacrist

Best museum exhibit :: TRex Sue

Best public artwork :: art institute and mca

Best touring play :: lookingglass “alice”

Best off-Loop theater company :: Lookingglass

Best late-night theater experience :: wiener circle

Best stand-up comic :: Conan O’Brien

Best sketch/improv troupe :: improv olympic and second city

Best dance company :: Loveabulls count?

Best burlesque troupe :: Baton Club

Best antique store :: Golden Triangle

Best bike shop :: village cycle

Best mani/pedi :: hasn’t happened, yet!

Best massage :: Maria at Backup Therapeutic

Best mechanic victor castro at perillo on clark

Best movers :: Bill & Phil Movers

Best place to adopt a pet :: PAWS

Best Cubs bar :: Rockit Wrigley, can see scoreboard from table while watching our tv’s

Best Sox Bar jim beam club, great buffet

Best billiards :: rockit river north baby! The best.

Best bowling alley :: lucky strike

Best canoe/kayak rental :: Lincoln park

Best golf course :: Medinah Country Club

Best dance class :: Arthur murray and dance center chicago!

Best music teacher :: Scott Arkenberg at St. Clement

Best yoga studio :: classes at peninsula spa

My Goorin hat secret now in Chicago!

billydec — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 17:14:09 +0000

For years now I have secretly been getting some of my coolest hats from this unique little shop in L.A. called “goorin” every time I happen to be out there- and now everyone can enjoy them because they opened a shop right here in bucktown, chicago! Speaking of, there is a superfun opening party there this Saturday night the 30th from 5p-9p w/drinks, snacks, live music,.. and 1st peak at all the killer hats (w/vip discounts for guests) for all to enjoy! (check this video of their other store having a party and imagine what it will be like w/the coolest faces in chicago there- you need to go!)

And Outside of the actual hats being very cool, described as “archetypal pieces, with a unique twist of flare,” I have to say I have mad respect for their store design, the veteran chicago crew they picked to launch here with (say hi to drew when go!) & the history of the company which has been around for over 115years! I honestly don’t want to tell you all about it when it would be way more fun for all to hit this party Saturday night and take in what I have been loving secretly for years yourself! Enjoy and tweetpic me hats you are trying on if can- I need ideas for what kind of hat to wear to the grammys the next night!

Goorin chicago is located at… for more info go to….

And Outside of the actual hats being very cool, described as “archetypal pieces, with a unique twist of flare,” I have to say I have mad respect for their store design, the veteran chicago crew they picked to launch here with (say hi to drew when go!) & the history of the company which has been around for over 115years! I honestly don’t want to tell you all about it when it would be way more fun for all to hit this party Saturday night and take in what I have been loving secretly for years, yourself! Enjoy and tweetpic me hats you are trying on if can- I need ideas for what kind of hat to wear to the grammys the next night!

Goorin chicago is located at 1533 N Milwaukee… for more info go to www.goorin.com or 773.384.4287

A Chicago Thing » bucktown

Who do you think is best in Chicago!?

My Goorin hat secret now in Chicago!