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Friday, May 16, 2008
Glasses For Your Face
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Smart Optical
Glasses are in. No longer fodder for shovings, forceful lunch money removal and/or wedgies, spectacles have been placed on the forefront of cool, particularly amongst a certain breed of young person. The question still remains as to how one acquires a pair without breaking the bank, as these trying times have seen increases in the cost of other scenester necessities, including Parliament cigarettes, moped gas, and beer. Luckily, Smart Optical, located near Clark and Diversey, keeps the prices low, with a focus on cool. Normally, discounted eyeglasses mean smelly, fat-fingered optometrists breathing heavy, sad breath on the face, as you frustratingly squint, waiting for the opportunity to pick from a selection of blocky, plastic frames that weigh heavily on both the nose and soul. This is not the case at S.O., however, as young, friendly doctors and staff (almost entirely Asian, which is supercool, obviously), work hard to make sure you look and feel good, even if don’t have vision insurance or a real job. It’s weird to call an eyeglass place badass, but yes, Smart Optical is that. |
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Thursday, May 15, 2008
The Horror! The Horror!
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Strange Cargo
Located in the heart of darkness on game day Wrigleyville, Strange Cargo fights a valiant battle against douche baggery, selling hipster wares like Garbage Pail Kids cards, Chucks, Vans, Pumas, and a huge selection of iron-on T shirts. Strange Cargo also makes custom clothes and a wide variety of jerseys, logos, and lettering--perfect for bowling/softball/drinking teams. The indie, fish-out-of-water atmosphere and a huge selection of kitschy, reasonably-priced merchandise make it a great place to snag some souvenirs when entertaining irony-minded out-of-towners. Just be sure to check your baseball schedule. |
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Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Let Me Count The Ways…
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Penang
1) Your roti cani in its spicy-sweet dipping sauce, made to order and tossed in the sky before my eyes. 2) The bottomless tea, double menus for hot food and sushi, and frilly drinks served in an actual coconut. 3) The waiter who has a crush on me and always brings me endless extra-strong Mai Tais. 4) Your fresh and flavorful noodle dishes for less than six bucks (char kwey teow, anyone?). 5) The ridiculous birthday song you play on the loudspeaker when I pretend it's someone's birthday, even if I've done it 10 other times this year. 6) The funny joke on the bathroom doors. 7) The best seafood tom-yum. Ever. 8) The way you turn a blind eye when I uncouthly bring in contraband bubble tea from Joy Yee's. 9) The way I don't even have to write in complete sentences to capture your true beauty. |
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Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Exotic Ethnic Tonics
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Galos Caves
This may sound a little wacky, but sitting in a salt cave is a fun and relaxing way to spend an afternoon. Located in one of the many Polish enclaves on the Northwest Side, Galos Caves taps into the Poles' love of homeopathic remedies. They claim the cave can help relieve a whole host of health issues, including respiratory and sinus problems. Made with Black Sea iodine salt, the cave itself has salt everywhere, even on the floor. Walk on it for a while, and you'll get a nice foot massage. During your forty-five minute session, sit in a lounge chair, lie on the heated floor, or play with toys in the saltbox. A new age soundtrack plays, lulling you to sleep. When your session is over, you'll feel really relaxed and energized, like you've spent a day at the beach. One tip: bring clean white socks to wear in the cave, or else you'll have to buy special booties. |
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Monday, May 12, 2008
Salacious
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Risque Cafe
Thank goodness there's another place that realizes "beer" does not equal "Miller" and "Budweiser." Risque Cafe easily has one of the best menus of American microbrews in the city. And their two hundred plus beer list is as deep as it is wide. You won't just find Three Floyd's Gumballhead here, you'll also be able to get Three Floyd's Brian Boru when it's in season. With so much beer to choose from, you'll never get bored with the selection, though if you do, Risque also has a fine whiskey list to whet your whistle. Let's not forget the food though. Tangy barbecue, fresh creamed spinach, big hot pretzels with homemade beer cheese sauce, and smoked duck wings are just a few of the tempting dishes they offer. And that's not all that's risque about this place: Posters of pinup girls and campy b-movies on the televisions add to the overall ambience. |
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Archived Radars |
The Little Man
When you need real convenience you hit the corner store, or as Jill Jaracz likes to call it, the Little Man store. Keep reading to find out what that's all about...
Archived Features...
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