Chicago.com
Does this loincloth make my butt look big?
James Cameron is one lucky guy because he got me to see his movie AVATAR twice. I first saw it a couple weeks ago with my girlfriend in a regular, joe-shmo movie theater, and believe me, it was a mistake. I spent $14! FOURTEEN DOLLARS! And I got stuck in the front row because we were late. (Thanks Evanston cab drivers!) The good thing about assigned seating at the IMAX at Navy Pier is you can purchase your tickets in advance and walk in as the movie starts to great seats with your name on them (including the front row). For three bucks more I finally saw it the way James Cameron had really intended me to.
The only thing that I wished they had were the previews. But other than that, IMAX is a movie theater on steroids. The 3D effects are so realistic that every time an arrow or alien ponytail flew past the screen I ducked my head. The colors were so vibrant and exciting that it was like a box of crayons exploded on the screen. Every aspect of IMAX is ten times better than your conventional movie theater experience. The premium sound system, 60’ by 80’ screen and the quality of IMAX 3D blew my mind. The movie itself I have to describe as “alienriffic.” It reminded me of a cross between Dances with Wolves and Fern Gully, although you’d never catch me going to a movie with Kevin Costner wearing a loincloth.
I’ve heard how a lot of people feel depressed about watching AVATAR because it was so visually beautiful and how they wish life on Earth was like life on the alien planet Pandora. Um… I don’t know about you, but I’d hate having to wear a mask to breathe. I may want to grow my hair out though. That braid thing was awesome… if you know what I mean. I think my favorite part was that you needed huge 3D glasses that covered half your face to watch this flick, which was great because I was able to bust out my Harry Carey impression (my girlfriend really appreciated it when I pretended to walk around sloppy drunk with giant glasses on, screaming “Holy Cow!”) The next time you are in Chicago and want to treat yourself and your family to an awesome movie experience, please think Navy Pier IMAX.
Some of the crew at Chicago.com (Jarred, and Vujadin, and I) went to have a night on the town, so we kicked the night off at the Tilted Kilt (www.tiltedkilt.com) located at 17 N Wabash. We had a platter of their nachos that are “big enough to choke an elephant” and drank some Bare Knuckle Stout. The pool tables in this joint are really cool; they have a picture of a hot Scot girl in a kilt embedded in the felt. I have to say sorry to Mike and my electrician friends for giving you such a shellacking at pool. Cousin Vinnie and Vujadin don’t mess around when it comes to pool. The servers were beautiful and very punctual, this is a great joint to kick back, relax and watch the game on a TV that’s bigger than your Aunt Edna’s neck (it has to be 18 feet), that’s not the only TV either they have 42 of them. The wings were delicious and you can also enjoy their “Scottish Cheese steak” that is shaved Rib eye steak, topped with grilled peppers, onions and melted provolone cheese. If you’re around the loop stop by and say hi.
Even though it is not the tallest building in the world, it is the tallest building in the United States. It is ranked number 5 in the top 10 tallest freestanding buildings in the world. Sears lost the naming rights in 2003, but if you are like me you continued calling it sears tower until around 2009 ( I still call it sears tower).
It is the highest vantage point in the whole western hemisphere. If you are looking for some inspiring views “Take a trip and see things from their point of view”, the sky deck is located on the 103rd floor (that is about an 80 second elevator ride) from this point you can see a beautiful panoramic view of our spectacular city. The word on the street is from the Willis Tower you can see directly in my kitchen (please wave hello). At 4.5 million square feet, floor space is something this joint is not lacking. It is said they paid $14.50 a square foot. That’s what I pay for my apartment! I should have bought the Sears tower, or better yet, “The Vinnie Tower”. I would have sold homemade wine, soppresatta and lupini beans. Can you imagine that the world’s tallest lupini shop? Until then Talk to you later Chicago.
6. Harry Carrey’s
3551 N. Sheffield.
(773) 327-7800
While I am a diehard Sox fan I have crept in recently to see what the buzz was about (which is okay, by them) they treated me excellent. Each night at 7:30pm they play a video of Harry singing, “Take Me out to the Ballgame”. The bar is 60′ 6″ in length which is equal to the length from the pitcher’s mound to home plate (which I thought was cool). The place is usually packed during major sporting events and really rocks during St. Pat’s weekend. On Wed $9.95 gets you a 16oz T-bone and Guinness battered onion rings and you can also get $2 bud family bottles and $3.50 Goose Islands. The bartenders are some of the friendliest and nicest people you will meet in the city, and almost everything on their menu is less than 10 bucks. “I am sure if old Harry was still around, he would have loved this joint”.
Average plate price: $7.00 – $10.00
7.Tilted Kilt
17 N.Wabash
(312) 269-5580
A Scottish Hooters on steroids best describes this place for me. They have a fully loaded hot breakfast buffet for $9.95 Sundays from 9am-12pm; ok after taxes we are past the 10 dollar mark, but who cares there are smoking hot girls in mini kilts serving you. They also were running a drink special while I was there 3 for $3 (Sat, Sun, and Mon) Oct 17th- Dec 28th . Impressive beer list, pool tables and endless Happy Hour possibilities made a great night for me. There were also huge plasmas in the bar area, making this an ideal spot to catch a game.
Average plate price:$7.00 – $10.00
8. Trinity
2721 N Halsted St
Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 880-9293
They are an Irish “Cheers” in Chicago, except nobody knew my name. On Saturday and Sunday’s, you can find an “all you can manage to feed your face buffet” for 10 bucks from 11am-3pm. They have drink specials every night from Mon-Fri 1/2 off all food from 5-7pm and Sat. $3 Burgers hit the spot. The jukebox is hilarious, playing anything from Prince to Survivor. The crowd is always lively but not scary very “Frat-tastic” and the staff is Very friendly. Pretty much everything about this place is cool. Erin go bra less money is what you’ll spend!
9. Holiday Club
4000N Sheridan Rd
(773)348-9600
They were movies playing “Action Jackson”, “Coffy” Pam Greer flicks and movies mostly from this bygone genre of what seemed like African-American action films. The pool table was well kept and the photo booth was swamped with people! I think every video has at least one sex scene involving a set of enormous breasts too. I was spellbound while I was eating their Tue special $5 Hamburgers and $3.50 20oz PBR’s. The menu is very good and economically priced. I also polished off one of their shredded BBQ Pork Sandwiches (great BBQ sauce) for only 8 dollars. Nothing on their food menu here is over 10 bucks and it is “my-tee tasty”!
Average plate price $6.00 – $9.00 dollars
10.Corcoran’s
1615 N Wells
(312)440-0085
This place is located right across the street from where I work Tony and Tina’s Wedding in Piper’s Alley I call this place the “COUGAR’S LAIR” If you are around my age 25-35 beware you cannot keep away from these cougars unscathed. Do not fear these Cougars for they will sniff the fear, like wolves in the wild. If you can escape their grasps you can enjoy an excellent meal Corned Beef Sandwich and turkey club. My grilled Chicken was a little on the dry side but everything else was great. Good food, Fun staff and cool atmosphere make this place a hit. Also you may find some up and coming performers like me to talk to….Until then talk to you Later Chicago!
Average plate price $7.95-$12.95