Entries Tagged as 'dunlays on the square'

Spring Awakening in Logan Square

April 4th, 2013 · No Comments

2337_n_milwaukee_construction

2337_n_milwaukee_building_permit

I went for a walk around the neighborhood yesterday and noticed many changes. Funny because I walked most of this stretch just last week and didn’t notice any of these things! I stopped at Cafe Mustache for a drink and as I continued up Milwaukee Avenue, I noticed this construction at the 2337 N. Milwaukee storefront. It’s right in between The Chicago Diner (in the old Logan Square Kitchen space) and Chicken Run. Looking at streetview, it appears this used to be an old time Spanish-speaking law firm. I can’t find any information about what it’s going to be after construction is done.

thiessen_printing

precision_die_cutting

If you’re thinking that’s where the new German restaurant Radler is headed, think again. I think that is going into one of these buildings… either the Thiessen Printing or Precision Die Cutting spots. Both are a little farther up Milwaukee from the 2337 N. storefront.

my_penthouse_lounge

Next I noticed the odd bar above the liquor store, next to the car wash, that used to be called The Loft is now My Penthouse Lounge. (?)

real_tenochtitlan_closed

This next closing is sad, but I can’t say that I’m surprised: Real Tenochtitlan. We always really liked this place and everyone we’ve talked to has always enjoyed it as well, but none of us went there often enough and no one knows why. They’ve had endless one after the other Groupons and coupons for the last few years. Never seemed like a good sign. I guess we should look forward to the new Latino steak house.

greaser_graffiti_logan_square

Just some interesting graffiti to toss in the mix.

reaper_tattoo_closed

I noticed at Milwaukee and Sacramento that Reaper Tattoo is closed and the building is for sale.

the_birds_nest_salon

I stopped in at New Wave for a spinach and feta croissant (AMAZING!) and then noticed on Logan Boulevard that there’s a new salon. The Bird’s Nest Salon is “an alternative salon dedicated to green living and wellness for our clients.” This is right next to Dunlay’s on the Square and used to be a salon called Barbara & Barbara, which has now moved to 2925 W. Diversey.

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Movie Weekend

January 21st, 2013 · No Comments

I go in spells where I don’t go to the movie theater for many months, but in these past few weeks I have seen a lot of movies. Silver Linings Playbook. Django Unchained. And this weekend I saw both Zero Dark Thirty and The Hobbit.

zero-dark-thirty

For Zero Dark Thirty we went to the Icon theater on Roosevelt again. Jess and Paul and Kate joined us there. The movie is “the story of history’s greatest manhunt for the world’s most dangerous man” aka Osama bin Laden. I know that probably not every single thing in the movie is entirely accurate, it is a movie after all, but it made you think a lot about what goes on behind the scenes in all of this stuff. I think everyone liked the movie but it was super intense.

municipal_bar_cobb_salad

After the movie we met up with friends at Municipal Bar. Dallas and his friends have been hanging out here a lot lately, so it was nice to see, even if it wasn’t my most favorite place ever. I did like my huge cobb salad.

the_hobbit_movie

My brother and I had been trying to figure out a time to see The Hobbit since it opened in mid-December, but because of the holidays it never worked out until now. We both read all of the Lord of the Rings books and saw those movies together each year they came out. Even when I lived in New York we’d see them together because they always opened around Christmas and I’d go back home for Christmas. I’ve read the Hobbit twice, I think, at least, and so has my brother. When we were young we had the Betamax version of The Hobbit cartoon that came out in 1977 and watched it often.

hobbit_imax_3d

We decided to see the movie at Navy Pier so we could see it on the IMAX screen in 3D. I liked the movie. It was long. Over 2.5 hours, but I didn’t think it dragged. It has been a long time since I read The Hobbit, the book, and I couldn’t remember all the details of what was about to happen, but when something happened then I’d remember it.

dunlays_fried_chicken_benedict

My brother and I also had brunch at Dunlay’s before the movie. We tried Longman & Eagle and Lula’s and both were jam packed. Dunlay’s had a line when we left, but not when we arrived. I had a great omelet and my brother had the Benedict of the Day, which was fried chicken eggs Benedict.

We also stopped by Todd and Adam’s to watch a little football and see how the sandwich bet went. Dallas lost a bet and had to make a fried green tomato and shrimp po’boy for Adam (and everyone else). Then we ran over to Revolution Brewing for dinner and I completed his Christmas gift, finally, but getting him a growler sleeve.

I almost forgot that this happened at Navy Pier:

navy_pier_dog

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Crosby’s Kitchen, Now Open

August 12th, 2012 · No Comments


Crosby’s Kitchen, 3455 N. Southport Ave., Chicago


Crosby’s Kitchen


Crosby’s Kitchen


This was the friends & family preview menu we had at our table. (View full menu here.)


This is the menu that Todd, Kelly, Brian and Sara had. (View full menu here.)


Spinach Dip: Fresh spinach and artichokes in a parmesan cream sauce with fresh tortilla chips.


Todd, Josh, Brian


Crosby’s Kitchen


Barbecue sauce from Smoke Daddy.


Dallas and Andy


Rotisserie Chicken: Half of a wood roasted chicken, lightly seasoned with signature spice blend, served with mashed potatoes.


BBQ’D Babyback Ribs: half or full slab, super tender with Smoke Daddy BBQ sauce. Potato Fritters on the side (mashed potatoes with chives and bacon, breaded and fried).


Chicken Dip: Rotisserie chicken, jack cheese, tomato, onion, arugula, chicken au jus.Cole slaw on the side.


Cheeseburger: Certified angus beef, mayo, mustard, lettuce, tomato, pickle, onion. With french fries on the side.


Damian and Rachelle


Andy and Dallas


The Skillet Cookie: Better than Mom’s! Served with Vanilla Ice Cream in a cast iron skillet.


Crosby’s Kitchen


Our guest evaluation form. Cybele did great!


Crosby’s Kitchen


Crosby’s Kitchen

4 Star Restaurant Group, owners of Dunlays on Clark, Dunlays on the Square, D.O.C. Wine Bar, Frasca and Smoke Daddy, have opened a new restaurant, Crosby’s Kitchen. Their first official day of service is today, Sunday, August 12. They’re open starting at brunch.

Our friend Josh is one of the 4 Star partners and on Friday, Dallas and I and a group of friends were invited to a friends & family preview. This was kind of a practice run to work out any kinks. Each table had a limited menu to order from, and the menus were different from table to table. This helped the kitchen practice making all of the different menu items. (View full menu here.)

I sat with Dallas, Andy and Damian and to make it easy, we just ordered one of everything on the menu and then shared them all so we could taste a variety of things. The food was great. It’s kind of like they have a “best of” menu from the other restaurants. Oh, and they also have a big rotisserie oven. The rotisserie chicken we tried was so good. Moist and tender and flavorful. Our server, Cybele, was very nice and attentive. I thought the service was very good, for being one of the first runs, especially.

Crosby’s is located on Southport and Cornelia (the old space was Leo’s Coney Island), an area with a ton of young families and Crosby’s is really playing up to this. Every day kids eat for FREE from 4-6 p.m. They also have $5 burgers with fries on Mondays and on Tuesdays and Wednesdays they have great wine specials. Also for families, they are introducing a stroller valet! This seems like the best idea ever, given that many families will walk over to the restaurant. They also plan to have to-go service that will sell whole chickens and things, which seems awesome, given that they’re also so close to the Southport train stop.

Josh said they’re still doing work on the exterior awnings and there are a few things to finish up inside, but I loved the dark wood look. Very classic. There are a ton of windows that let a ton of sunlight in. Crosby’s is located on a corner so it’s two full walls of windows and they will open up to let the fresh air inside too. There’s a small bar in the back, but to keep with the family feeling, Crosby’s is more restaurant than bar. The one thing they did leave from the Leo’s spot was the open kitchen in the back. Otherwise, everything is all new. Also, there is space for a large sidewalk patio, to open soon, if you really want to sit outside.

So…. check it out! Crosby’s Kitchen, 3455 N. Southport Ave., Chicago.

[mappress mapid="9"]

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