The Violet Hour

A few weeks ago Neill and I finally decided to try out The Violet Hour - a speakeasy style cocktail lounge with a refined atmosphere. Considering that it is only a few blocks from us,  I'm embarrassed it took us this long to visit. But, I've always been turned off by the constant line of people waiting to get in and the "we're too cool to put a sign up" vibe I thought I was picking up. It didn't seem like a place for me. But, as it turns out, having no sign is part of the speakeasy theme. And while there is a line to get in, its because they only let people in when they have seats for them. So, there is no crowding around the bar waiting to get a drink while scanning the room hoping for a table to open up. Instead, you are shown to a seat and helped by a waiter. It is all very dignified.

So yes, I broke my own rule and waited in line for a chance to see for myself what the buzz is all about. And you know what? It wasn't that bad (the waiting that is, The Violet Hour was much better than "not that bad"). Our group of four kept the conversation lively and the hour nearly flew by. (To avoid the line go early! We got there around 9:30). Once in side, I was struck by the design. Reminiscent of a French Salon, the walls are a beautiful blue and there is white crown molding. We were seated in a private enclave made up of two love-seat style, high wing-backed seats. The music was pleasant, but quiet enough as not to intrude. Everything seemed to be done to create intimacy and leave plenty of space for quiet conversation.

Oh and I haven't even mentioned the cocktails yet! Each special and delicious sounding, our group had a great time discussing the menu. I had two wonderful gin cocktails, each deliciously foamy because of the addition of egg whites. The second wasn't on the menu, but I told our waitress how much I had enjoyed my first drink and she offered to bring back a "surprise". How fun! At the end of the night, our waitress offered us each a free shot of whiskey or chartreuse, a french liquor. While I ended up sipping my chartreuse, I loved the herbal flavor. Plus, we all had a good laugh at the contrast between the elegant atmosphere and free shots. 

Overall, we had a wonderful experience at The Violet Hour and I hope to make it back one day. At 12 dollars per cocktail, this isn't somewhere I would plan to spend all night, but I see it as a perfect spot to go for a few special drinks.

[Photo Credit:Clayton Hauck for Metromix]

Ravens

In my book, this place deserves more than the three stars it currently has.

I went her last night after dinner at Green Tea (which I'll say makes me REALLY interesting according to Phil M, the reviewer under me) and my first impression of the bar was that it was unlike most other LP bars. I usually avoid going out to bars in Lincoln Park, but there were no Chads or Trixies to be seen here! My friend and I ordered our drinks, got a table, and enjoyed the low key grungy vibe. At some point some crazy drunk guy wandered in and asked if he could bring his dog into the bar. The bartender said "I don't give a shit" and then it was true love. I heart places that have no rules. (Although, later some lady bartender who seemed to take her job much more seriously had a shit fit about it and made them leave.) From the reviews, it seems like this place might get hella crowded after 2 when other bars in the area close down and I'm glad I wasn't around for that, because the main selling point of Raven's IMO is the lack of collared shirts and stilettos taking up space on a Saturday night.

Vines On Clark

This place is an a-ok spot to to come for dinner on a friday when you are living on a graduate student budget. Their pizzas are actually pretty tasty and they make them square so the seem just a tiny bit hip. I'd particularly recommend the artichoke and goat cheese pizza. One down side is that they have premade topping combos and I'm not sure if you can switch things around or create your own. So this may not be the place to go if you just want slice of za with pepperoni. They also had 5 dollar effen black cherry vodka and 3 dollar coors.

Like I said - this place is just a ok. Big. Cavernous. Low on atmosphere. But 6 dollar pizzas? That's a winning deal. if only I hadn't spent all the money I saved and then some on cabs getting there and back . .

The Map Room

This place is far less pretentious than I thought it might be. In fact, I am embarrassed to admit that I've avoided this place for years for fear of being burned by some serious beer snobbery. Well, jokes on me because I've been missing out.

The Map Room has a lovely neighborhood pub vibe and it happens to have lots of yummy beers. I'm not a huge beer drinker so I had my companions pick some out for me, and I was really surprised with how much I enjoyed them. This is true drinkability :)

I am definitely going to be coming back here!

Charlie's Ale House

this place is a-ok. I tried one of the flat breads, which was basically like a personal pizza with very crispy crust. My mom had a hamburger that was pretty decent. Everything about Charlie's -- from the decor to the service to the food -- is unoffensive and mildly pleasant.

Bar Louie (Evanston)

Man oh man. I'm one of those lame-ohs that actually likes Bar Louie. Before the one on Damen closed, it was pretty easy to guess where I would be on any given Tuesday Night . . . Dollar Burgers!

Now that our Bar Louie is closed, when we need a fix we venture to the Bar Louie in Evanston. The great thing about chains is that they are all the same! Like most people mentioned, dollar burger night tends to get BUSY. So please, don't come here at peak dinner hour with a big group of people. That just isn't using your head.

The main thing about this Bar Louie is that it is chalk full of college kids. Now, some might find this terribly obnoxious. I, on the other hand, like to look at it as an opportunity to relive my college days. Who doesn't want to travel back in time and be a young coed again? And don't even get me started on those hot young college studs . . .  .  rawr

El Taquito

This place is A-OK in my book. Definitely a good alternative to some of the fast food joints in the area. Like Yuly, I noticed their awesomely cheap lunch specials but never made it there on times.

The tacos are quick
the bear is cold
and the flies are minimal.
SUPER

Cobra Lounge

I saw the Luchagores play here with a local band, Ready the Destroyer. Like someone else mentioned, the sound here isn't fantastic. But really, its on par with most of the mid-range venues around Chicago. Plus, it has a nice set up where, if you are in the front, you can be hella close to the band. I like that intimate feel. Of course...the rooms was only half filled when I was there so that probably helped.

Probably the best thing about Cobra Lounge though is the woman's bathroom. I loved it! So adorable! It is painted bright pink and has stark white fixtures. Its very story book or fairy tale or princessy. In contract to the somewhat seedy room, it was such a fun surprise.

Decent specials. Decent place. Crap location (unless you happen to live near there. In which, it is still sort of a crap location, but at least it is convenient).

Webster's Wine Bar

Based on the great reviews written by other yelpers, My boyfriend and I tried Webster's Wine Bar last night (1/11/08) along with another couple. None of us had ever been to a wine bar before so we weren't sure what to expect, but it was one of the best Friday nights I've had in a while.

Firstly, I must confess that the great company probably had lots to do with the fabulous evening. Good friends and wine almost always equal a good time. But the warm atmosphere, helpful staff, extensive wine selection, and DELICIOUS appetizers made it a really special night.

We each started with a wine flight. My friend and I both had the Classic Whites, my boyfriend had the Winter Reds, and our fourth tried the Argentinian Reds (their current special). All of us enjoyed the selections and found them generously poured and reasonably priced. Plus, our waitress was able to recommend some appetizers and cheeses that would compliment our respective flights. The food was great and arrived surprisingly quickly. After finishing our flights, we split two bottles of wine (one red and one white) that our waitress recommended and ordered more appetizers and two pizzas. I was a bit worried that we would end up with some crappy bar pizza, but it was very tasty and nicely done. We didn't try any of the main courses, but between the four of us we managed to try almost every appetizer. I highly recommend all of them except the artichoke tampanade (not very flavorful) and the olives (not worth the money).

Not only was the food and wine great, but the atmosphere was so inviting and pleasant. We arrived at 7:30 and were seated right away. Our table was a bit too small with all of our  glasses and plates, but we asked if we could combine two tables and they (after a bit of hemming and hawing) obliged. And by the time the place filled up and they asked us to give up our second table we were too many glasses in to mind. Our laid-back server definitely helped give Webster's a neighborhoody feel. This is the sort of place I wouldn't feel weird wearing jeans or a dress to. Plus, there were people of all ages. So while I went last night with three other people under 25, I would also go with my 60 year old mom. Even though by the time we left (10:30) they had gotten pretty busy, I never felt like we were in some Friday night scene. I definitely want to check this place out on a weeknight to compare, but it was surprisingly relaxed for a Friday night.  

All in all a great place to go with friends and I am looking forward to returning.