Hi all--I have just relocated (on Sunday!) from the Twin Cities to Chicago, got a new job and just got engaged in the past 2 weeks. Does anyone have any favorite local Chicago hang-outs for food or hang-outs with good apps and beer? (Lincoln Park area) On a second note...Planning a fall wedding and heading back to Maui..this time with the husband to be vs the girlfriends. I know this has been debated hundreds of times...but, do u think it's crazy to spend half the time in Waliea and the other in Kannapali?

Lincoln Park has a ton of little restaurants/bars-my suggestion would be to hit the neighborhood and go and find your favorite. What type of places do you like? Hangout bars, fancy places, etc. If you like microbrews, try Goose Island Brewery. Try metromix.com for other examples.

I wish I could help you with Maui (never been), but I can help you with Chicago. Now that Chigirl isn't around, the rest of the Chicago people are going to have to step up! Our regular places (not too fancy, casual meals) John Barleycorn (American), Galway Arms (Irish), Cafe ba ba Reba (Tapas), My Pie (pizza), Tarascus (Mexican), Pasta Bowl (cheap Italian), Matisse (apps/fireplace). Go to metromix.com and you can find the locations and reviews of all these places. The site also had a daily listing of restaurant specials and bar/food specials. It will help you get started. Welcome to Chicago

I like Le Crepery (sp?) for inexpensive French food and The Red Lion (English pub) for drinks. Penny's noddles is good for Asian fusion and The Duke of Perth is a scottish place that is also pretty nice. All of those are in the lakeview/lincoln park area... now if you ever want to venture over to my hood (Wicker Park/East Village) then I've got even more suggestions.

I don't think it's crazy to split your Maui time between the west and the south. There's lots to see in both areas, and staying in two hotels would eliminate lots of driving. South Maui has the long string of golden sand crescent beaches with great snorkeling, La Perouse Bay, and is closer to Haleakala. From west Maui you can explore Honolua Bay, West Maui Mtns, Olivine Pools, and all the beaches around there. If you're interested in exploring the Hana Highway area (jungle hikes, waterfalls), have you considered spending a few nights in Hana?

I have a very detailed trip report, which includes our stay in south Maui and two nights in Hana, here: http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...1&tid=34436140

Is there a reason besides the one I mentioned (driving) that you want to split up the Maui time?

love
roxy

Which is better, Chicago or Maui?

For two years running my favorite Chicago restaurant is Spring, on North Ave near the North-Milwaukee-Damen intersection (Wicker Park).

It's pricey, but you can check it out by having a drink at the bar with some appetizers. My favorites are the scallop potato "ravioli," any of their several presentations of tuna tartare, the geometrically presented salade nicoise and the spice thai beef salad.

And welcome to Chicago.

flamingomonkey - you are a troublemaker aren't you. hehe

I'm sorry, but the Chicago vs. Dallas thread will probably become legendary. I just couldn't resist bringing it up.

Better yet, Maui vs. Dallas. I would love to see XBT explain how Maui is basically the same as Dallas.

That would be a rhetorical feat.

I think splitting time between those 2 areas is the most logical way to explore the island. We always split our time on Maui, be it Hana, Waliea, or Kapalua.....or Lanai for that matter, which has some nice rates right now at the Lodge.

Vittrad,

Equating Maui to Dallas would absolutely be a rhetorical feat. Finding similarities between Chicago and Dallas is easy.

That being said, Carp, congratulations on your new job, and my congratulations to Mr Carp. Hope you have a wonderful time in Maui.

Carp, Meet your new neighbors!

http://flakmag.com/web/trixie.html

Don't worry they are as scary as they appear!
(I can joke b/c I lived there not too long ago!)

I second My Pi -- great pizza and beer in a cozy atmosphere -- and I also offer Mamacita's for Mexican.

Oh I forgot about Mamacita! I love Mamacita. Also, my husband's favorite bar is Tin Man Tap on Halstead, north of Armitage. I must warn you however that this is a guys bar, as in a totally tavern look.

I stayed in Wailea for my honeymoon a couple of summers ago and loved it. We divided our time between Waikiki and Wailea. But I definitely remember thinking that if we ever came back to just Maui that it would be fun to break the trip into a few days in Kaanapali and a few in Wailea. It would make for a nice balance between lots of activity and then some relaxing beach days in Wailea.

Welcome to Chicago!

I used to love My Pie for pizza(Clark just north of Fullerton), the last couple of times I was disappointed but hopefully that was just a temporary thing. I'll second the rec for Cafe Ba Ba Reeba at 2024 N. Halsted for Spanish tapas, there's also an Emilio's at Fullerton and Clark. My favorite tapas is Cafe Iberico which is closer to downtown at 739 N. LaSalle.

If you are looking for somewhere a little nicer, there's a French bistro, Mon Ami Gabi, near the zoo that has awesome steak frites.

Lots of people seem to like Chicago Pizza and Oven Grinders, 2121 N. Clark and RJ Grunts, 2056 Lincoln Park West, the original Lettuce Entertain You restaurant in Chicago and known for their salad bar and bar food.

Two really good resources for Chicago are www.metromix.com (affiliated with the Chicago Tribune) and www.chireader.com. A print copy of the Reader can be picked up on Thurs or Fri at most book and record stores in Chicago.

And for a lot of the mid to high price restaurants there is a great free online booking service at www.opentable.com.

hehe, the lincoln park trixie website is fantastic (and yes it is satire, well, mostly). I've been to the Chicago Pizza and Oven Grinder a couple of times and well, the 'pizza' is pretty good, I am beginning to wonder if it is slightly overrated, I think it is atmosphere and location that really give that place it's reputation. Seriously, it is across from where the St. Valentines day massacre took place and run by a funny old guy who claims to 'remember your face'. The food it indeed good, but I'm not sure that it is worth a 1-2 hour wait.

You know, I wasn't bowled over by the food at Chicago Pizza and Oven Grinders either but other people seem to enjoy it so I thought I'd toss it in. I certainly wouldn't wait in line to eat there.

For good pizza, you might try Lou Malnati's 958 W. Wrightwood, I've not eaten at that location but I assume it's consistent with the Wells St. location which I love.