Author Archives: pdo

The Google Cloud Bar | The Interwebs and Internets

There’s a lot of chatter on the web about the new Google Phone, the Nexus One.  People speculate about what Google is doing; if Google will buy Sprint; if Google’s phone will be free … but they’re missing the bigger picture.  What if Google opened a bar??? photo credit: Simon Aughton Well, there will obviously [...]
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The Peanut (Bar / Tavern / Chicken Wing Restaurant) | Kansas City

Billed as Kansas City’s oldest bar, The Peanut has the vibe of a civic institution.  They aren’t trying to lure the hipsters with PBR specials or seduce the yuppie crowd with vintage cocktails.  The Peanut is established and has nothing to prove — it’s been around since before prohibition and the vinyl (asbestos?) floor tiles [...]
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Jake’s Pub | Clark Street, Lakeview | Chicago

Been looking for a neighborhood bar for a while.  Living near a college campus doesn’t lead to the best bar scene … unless you’re fond of drinking with a pack of 19-year-olds really excited to be buzzed.  Jake’s Pub is different. Jake’s may be the only bar in Lincoln Park with a chalkboard full of [...]
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2009 Beaujolais Nouveau Is At Your Local Store

Beaujolais Nouveau is here.  Sure, it’s a waste of resources to rush this swill-y wine around the world.  Sure, it’s never that good (this year’s is pretty tasty, actually).  And sure, it’s a marketing ploy to unload cheap wine.  But it’s fun.  We tried 7 or so last night and only one was a clunker.
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Quenchers Saloon | Fullerton and Western, Chicago

Quenchers was recommended by a friend, so we stopped the other day when we were in the area.  We deliberately returned shortly after.  We will return again.  There’s something about a chalkboard full of choices that inspires return trips. photo credit: quinn.anya The beer selection is just staggering.  You may need to tap the free [...]
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Winter Gin Drinks | Recipe

Gin, with it’s juniper pine flavor and bracing strength, seems like a winter spirit.  However, the most popular gin drink, the gin and tonic, is decidedly a summer cocktail.  Summer is over, my gin supplies are still at max capacity, and I don’t know what to do. Maybe the answer is the martini.  This cold, [...]
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Return to Rose’s | Lincoln Park, Chicago

I’m back after a long lull given the hype of my last post, and I order a Guinness.  $2.50, the bartender says.  My friend orders a Jack and Coke.  It’s $5, but ice is low, so the bartender knocks the price down to $4.  We put money down, he doesn’t take it.  Fine. Bartender rummages [...]
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Three Videos That Show the Decline of the Martini

Number 1, the classic martini.  Mixed by a hot bartender. Number 2, the douche-bag Grey Goose martini. Number 3, the absolutely terrible, appletini.  Dr. Dorian, your drink is ready.
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Tiny Lounge | North Center / Lincoln Square, Chicago

We walked right by, actually, saw the number on the next building and realized what we had done.  Tiny Lounge has a tiny sign.  They also have a tiny website.  Everything is understated. The menu has a good selection of specialty cocktails, an easily overlooked listing of classic cocktails (Tom Collins, sidecar, etc.), and even [...]
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Tilted Kilt | The Loop, Chicago

At one point, there are 34 men on our side of the bar and we can’t see a single woman patron, but they are elsewhere at the bar in weird groups seemingly ready to pounce like jackals waiting for the lionesses to finish. Our waitress arrives kilted, cleavaged.  She writes her name on a coaster [...]
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