Don C.

Boy, you sure on on the ball!! I hear you about Italian restaurants...never the same as home cooked. However, every town seems to have at least one (in my area only one) that is "really" good. I know in NYC we went to "Carmines" which was excellent. Of course we had NYers who knew the area to pick the place out. Don Sicilia should know of this restaurant, since he's in the area.


TIS

Hey guys... Although I will not be participating in convention activities, I will make it out for a meal or two and of course, I'll make it out to the ball game on Saturday. As for my recommendations on Italian food - I do like some Italian food, but I wouldn't call myself a connoisseur, so I'm probably not the best one to ask. Now if you guys wanted good Chinese food, I can hook you up!

In any case, I'll ask around and see what I can find out.

I love Chinese, too Any good Vietnamese around? Sushi? But the most important thing: Chicago Pizza

...stay away from the "tourist" pizza.

I know some of you were thinking of coming downtown and I promised TIS that I'd recommend a some good Italian restaurants. A couple of these restaurants will also personify the theme of the weekend, but I really can't/won't say which ones or why. However, if you're resourceful, you can figure it out on your own!

The Taylor Street and Grand Avenue neighborhoods have a bunch of really good restaurants. In Chicago's Little Italy neighborhood on Taylor Street, there's Bevi Amo, RosAl's, Cafe Viaggio, Francesca, Rosebud, and Tuscany where my dad once told tennis pro John McEnroe to go get his car because McEnroe was dressed in a nylon warm-up and he looked like the valet parking guy!

On Grand Ave. a mile or two west of downtown, I recommend La Scarola or II Jacks. Salerno's is in the same neighborhood...their pizza is outstanding. Closer to downtown, there's Maggiano's and Scoozi, both part of the Lettuce Entertain You restaurant chain, but both very good.

Also, Stefani's on Fullerton is exceptional. Ask for Mario the waiter if he's working. Try the calamari appetizer and the duck-stuffed ravioli if it's on the menu that day. The same people also own Riva on Navy Pier and it's also very good.

I am not familiar with any of the restaurants close to the convention headquarters hotel. I can tell you that you'll find a Maggiano's, Antico Posto, and Tuscany in Oak Brook, a few miles south of the convention location.

And then you have the Billy Goat. The original location on Hubbard Street and lower Michigan Ave., north of the river, was the inspiration for the "Cheesburger, Cheesburger" sketch on Saturday Night Live. I recommend the cheesburger. And chips...

I have eaten at every one of these restaurants. Never had a bad meal at any of them.

tony b.

Thanks Tony B. That's quite a lot to choose from. Tell me, you will be joining us, at least for one meal?????

TIS

Chinese, Vietnamese, Japanese... I'm your tour guide Pork!

Chicago Pizza... You can't go wrong with Giardanno's, Lou Malnatti's or Gino's East.

Don Sicilia just named every pizza worth eating in Chicago! But don't wait in line anywhere. No pizza is that good!

TIS...I will be on the road every Friday/Saturday in September, returning late Saturday afternoon just in time for my "other" weekend job. I would LOVE to go to the convention and meet everyone for a meal, but I just can't spare the time on the weekends in the month of September.

tony b.

Make sure you guys take lots of pics!!! I wish I could join you!

Next one though, I'm definitely there...

Tony B and Don Sicilia, a couple days before we arrive, will one of you please post what the weather will be like??? :p I know how unpredictable it is, but I hate being cold. I'd like to know how to pack.


TIS

If its below 75° "L" will have the heat on in the car when we meet. :p

Ok, do we take a shot at this Italian restaurant ( see above ) or do we go with a known place like Shula's? ( for friday evening ).


Don Cardi

DC, I don't care, as long as it has an old fashioned toilet with a chain (so Don S. can hide my piece), in case I need to come out shooting. :p Don't worry, I'll drop the gun right away.


TIS

Btw, does Shula's have good veal??? :p

Its the best in the city. (But, then again, its Chicago).

When is the convention again? Cause i might have to consider attending.

RB,

It's Sept. 10, 11 & 12. Some of us are arriving on the 9th and leaving on the thirteenth and some are coming in Friday and leaving Sunday.

There are some deals out there as far as flights go. Check them out. Hope you can make it.


TIS

Got my tix for the Cubbies games. We saw Garciaparra play in Fenway in July, now we'll get to see him play at Wrigley.

Raging Bull,

It would be a great addition to have you attend. As TIS said, there are some really great deals to Chicago. American Airlines ( last I checked ) had an airfare from Newark for $166 RT!
Hope to see you there!

TIS,

I know that you are getting there on Thursday, so how about you find out about the Italian Restaurant that I mentioned in an earlier post. If you are told that it is a good place, go ahead and make reservations for us, we trust you! If it is not, then make the reservations for Shula's. What do you all think? Friday evening at 8:00 good for everyone?
I think to play it safe, (if all agree to Friday Night dinner ) make a reservation for 10 people. And if TIS gets up to go to the bathroom, or better yet, asks permission to go, then I must be the one to frisk her!


Don Cardi

Don C, what restaurant are you referring to? I don't mind checking, but going thru the posts I only saw you mentioned Shula's. Although, it is pretty early here, maybe I missed it. :p


TIS

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Don Cardi:
[QB] Ok, I believe that this is an Italian Restaurant that is close by :

1.5 miles
( 2.41 km )
De Marco's
5n105 Il Route 53
Itasca,IL 60143-2544
630-285-9200


Here it is TIS!

And I understand that they have the old toilet with the box and the pull chain!


Don Cardi

Hey people, it's getting close, less than 1 month to go! Anyone else decide to attend?


Don Cardi

Ok, two weeks from Thursday I leave. I'm getting anxious to go now.

I'm counting on our weatherman (or is it meteorologist) "Don Sicilia" to keep me updated with daily weather reports for the Chicago area. :p

See ya soon

TIS

I just heard on the news that the Dave Matthews Band was being sued by the State of Illinois because the band's bus driver allegedly dumped 800 pounds of human waste (from the bus) into the Illinois River. Whats worse is he supposedly dumped it into the river ON A TOUR BOAT!

(Note to self: Do not take a tour boat ride while in Chicago).

Click here for the most recent story in the Chicago Sun Times on the caper I like to refer to as the "sh*t hitting the fans."

That's also roughly the same spot where a dredging operation punched a hole through the river bed in the exact spot where an unused rail tunnel passed under the river causing the great Chicago flood a few years back.

tony b.

Well, like I've said before, make sure you guys take lotsa pics, and maybe I'll see ya the next time around!

YoTonyB,

So you gonna meet us for a drink or what?


Don Cardi

Checking an "extended" Chicago weather forecast, the temps for next week are gonna be highs of 78-82 and lows in the 60's or so. If it holds for the following week, it should be just about perfect.

Just a thought, for those who are arriving on Friday...if there is a lounge in the hotel (which I assume there is), perhaps we can meet the Friday people there??????? Of course we'd need approximate times of arrival. Don C. you and your friend are coming on Friday right? Maybe Don Sicilia and even Tony B, if he can get away from work, can stop in. What do you think?

TIS

TIS,

Let the countdown begin! LOL! Yes, I will be there ( God willing ) on Friday. Should get to the hotel around 11:30 AM or so if flights and baggage go well. I will find everyone, believe me! LOL! Lobby idea sounds good, but promise me one thing though : If I get there a bit late, promise me that you won't go to SC and tell him " He's got me wating in a lobby!"

Can't wait to meet everyone!


Don Cardi

I sure hope you won't be taking a drink from a hose.

I sure hope you won't be taking a drink from a hose. [/b][/quote]When I get there you guys better not offer me any "canopies"! Just tell me where the peppers and sauzeege is!


Don Cardi

Originally posted by Don Cardi:
If I get there a bit late, promise me that you won't go to SC and tell him " He's got me wating in a lobby!"


Nah!! I'll just tell you "Consiglieri SC says hello!!"

Won't be long now!!

TIS