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Playing the Name Game at the Dana Hotel
Bar Tab Tales.
01/27/2009.
Dana has a vain adventure at ajasteak.
Warming Up With Hot Sin
Bar Tab Tales.
01/13/2009.
You won't feel bad about indulging in O'Donovan's Winter Warmer cocktails.
Hubba Hubba
Bar Tab Tales.
12/30/2008.
You'll have trouble focusing on the unfocused menu at HUB 51 after a glass or two of punch.
Brotherly Love
Bar Tab Tales.
12/16/2008.
The Village Tap's extensive beer selection offers great comfort in any season.
Mana Mania
Bar Tab Tales.
11/30/2008.
What pairs best with some of the city's best meat-free food? White sangria, of course.
Passion Fruit Power Hour
Bar Tab Tales.
11/18/2008.
The Wicked Wahine gives a juicy, peppery kick to a meal at sola.
Dirty Martini
Bar Tab Tales.
11/03/2008.
Dana needs a movie-themed martini to get through "Dirty Dancing: The Classic Story On Stage."
Wrigleyville Uber Alles
Bar Tab Tales.
10/21/2008.
Uberstein may not be authentically German, but after a hefty stein or two, you won't mind.
Prix-Fixe Pleasure
Bar Tab Tales.
10/14/2008.
Buona Terra doesn't skimp on its fixed-price menu, and that's why Dana keeps coming back for more.
Uncommonly Good
Bar Tab Tales.
10/06/2008.
Have a cocktail with your eggs, and you just might help out some animals in need.
Gulpin' Like Gatsby
Bar Tab Tales.
09/25/2008.
Dana celebrates her birthday with a long-awaited visit to Sepia, and finds the cocktails nearly match the food.
Manhattan Project
Bar Tab Tales.
09/16/2008.
Dana squeezes into the Matchbox for a sip of its signature drink.
Gin Fizz Fo' Shizz
Bar Tab Tales.
09/10/2008.
Paramount Room may act like a beer bar, but it offers some killer cocktails, too.
Brand-New Booze
Bar Tab Tales.
09/02/2008.
Dana investigates a hot new restaurant, and finds the drinks just might overshadow the food.
Getting Tanked
Bar Tab Tales.
08/20/2008.
Tank Sushi's Red Octopus cocktail may just be a cosmo in disguise...but it ain't half bad.
Summertime, and the Parking's Easy
Bar Tab Tales.
08/12/2008.
Goose Island offers a refreshing summer brew, and decent bar food to boot.
Breakfast Club
Bar Tab Tales.
07/30/2008.
Dana gets her egg-white on at a new Lincoln Park bistro.
How Sweet It Is
Bar Tab Tales.
07/22/2008.
Dana sips an unusual concoction on Avenue M's secluded outdoor patio.
Whisked Away at the Violet Hour
Bar Tab Tales.
07/15/2008.
Dana goes incognito to find a drink that's just right.
Vin for a Fin
Bar Tab Tales.
07/08/2008.
Frasca's $5 wine deal is as good as it sounds.
Goin' Crazy for Cava
Bar Tab Tales.
06/30/2008.
Dana celebrates summer with some sparkling sangria at Cafe Ba Ba Reeba.
A Ginger Zinger
Bar Tab Tales.
06/24/2008.
Le Colonial's upscale Vietnamese fare demands a high-class cocktail to match.
Feelin' Hot, Hot, Hot
Bar Tab Tales.
06/20/2008.
Hot Chocolate's decadent drinks and desserts help awaken Dana's dormant sweet tooth.
The Perfect Pour
Bar Tab Tales.
06/11/2008.
Dana finds she doesn't have to go far from home for a good meal and a tasty drink.
Le Passage: All Grown Up
Bar Tab Tales.
06/04/2008.
A more mature Cubanola leaves Dana wanting more.
Gettin' Gritty
Bar Tab Tales.
05/27/2008.
Dana goes up north to try a classic Southern cocktail...and to have another go at a popular side dish.
Stepping on Sake's Terrain
Bar Tab Tales.
05/20/2008.
Dana samples a Japanese liquor that's said to be as healthy as it is flavorful.
Friday After Work
Bar Tab Tales.
05/12/2008.
Dana finds a Friday-night deal that makes the real world seem not so cruel after all.
South Beach-style Sipping
Bar Tab Tales.
05/06/2008.
Chaise Lounge's open-air space, refreshing drinks and delicate plates channel a Miami vibe.
A Safe Bet
Bar Tab Tales.
04/29/2008.
Fifty/50's clever beer-based cocktails and superior bar eats add up to a night well spent.
Hailing Hopleaf
Bar Tab Tales.
04/22/2008.
It's not exactly news, but the popular pub continues to impress with its exceptional beer list and rave-worthy eats.
A Cider with the Sunrise
Bar Tab Tales.
04/15/2008.
After waking up at an ungodly hour to catch a UK soccer match, Dana discovers her new favorite breakfast beverage.
The Incredible, Edible Guinness Mimosa
Bar Tab Tales.
04/07/2008.
With its zippy huevos rancheros and creative cocktails, Flo restores Dana's faith in eggs.
When in Rome...Drink Aperol
Bar Tab Tales.
03/31/2008.
A popular Italian aperitivo tastes just as good stateside.
Champagne for a Lady
Bar Tab Tales.
03/24/2008.
Sexist martinis aside, D.O.C.'s Ladies' Night isn't a bad way to spend a weeknight boozing.
A Slice of Springtime
Bar Tab Tales.
03/17/2008.
A seasonal slump is no match for Cafe Bolero's tropical libations and island fare.
I Take My Coffee with Baileys
Bar Tab Tales.
03/10/2008.
Dana samples a lackluster buffet for the sake of building her own spiked coffee.
The Island Life's for Me
Bar Tab Tales.
03/05/2008.
Throw in some tropical fruit juices with a whole lot of rum and you've got a killer punch.
Hammering it Out While Getting Hammered
Bar Tab Tales.
02/24/2008.
Dana and her pal finally see eye-to-eye after a couple drinks and a plate of plantains.
Bravo to Crew
Bar Tab Tales.
02/18/2008.
If only Dana had known about Crew's Project Runway screenings and massive martinis before getting cable.
Give Back, Drink Up
Bar Tab Tales.
02/12/2008.
Aria bar's refreshing take on a mojito is the perfect reward for a volunteer job well done.
Bloody Mary to the Rescue
Bar Tab Tales.
02/05/2008.
With a tasty bloody mary in hand, Dana finds brunch at Tweet is worth the wait.
La Finca Keeps it Simple
Bar Tab Tales.
01/29/2008.
A no-frills margarita and mouthwatering chips make a Mexican restaurant memorable.
Tickle Me Pink
Bar Tab Tales.
01/21/2008.
Dana sets her sights on a beer blend off of Fat Cat's massive drink menu.
Sake 101
Bar Tab Tales.
01/14/2008.
A sake sampler teaches an important lesson about the world of rice wine.
Welcoming in Old Town
Bar Tab Tales.
01/08/2008.
Though it sounds ironic, sipping an ice-cold vodka lemonade at Fireplace Inn hits the spot.
Malted Barley, Hops and...Mustard Seeds?
Bar Tab Tales.
12/31/2007.
A beer brewed with an unlikely ingredient adds a slight zing to a cozy dinner out.
In a Pickle
Bar Tab Tales.
12/27/2007.
Faced with a list of more than 100 sandwiches and as many brews, Dana opts for fail-safe suds.
Festive Fun at Friar Tuck
Bar Tab Tales.
12/18/2007.
A dressed-up take on a White Russian starts a bar crawl off sweetly.
The Gift of Glogg
Bar Tab Tales.
12/11/2007.
A toasty mug of Scandinavian glogg warms the belly and makes Dana's must-do holiday list.
Not Playing Favorites
Bar Tab Tales.
12/04/2007.
Dana finds a lovely libation at a thin-crust joint, but she's not swearing off deep-dish altogether.
A Buzz for a Buck
Bar Tab Tales.
11/27/2007.
Dana tests out the "hair of the dog" theory with $1 mimosas at Joey's Brick House.
Now and Zen
Bar Tab Tales.
11/19/2007.
A newly hopping 'hood offers plenty of pre-concert cocktail choices.
Left with Leffe in Little Italy
Bar Tab Tales.
11/12/2007.
On her second pasta-free trip to Taylor Street, Dana visits (where else?) an Irish tap.
XO Marks the Spot
Bar Tab Tales.
11/06/2007.
A lounge achieves landmark status with its doozy of a drink list.
Dusting Off the Clubbing Cobwebs
Bar Tab Tales.
10/29/2007.
Dana makes her grand return to the club scene with a Halloween-inspired cocktail at Manor.
Mixing it up with Mango
Bar Tab Tales.
10/22/2007.
A pre-concert pit stop at Raw Bar brings out the martinis and memories.
Wait, Wait...Do Beer Me!
Bar Tab Tales.
10/15/2007.
Dana snags a discounted pint at a trader bar before heading to a taping of NPR's quiz show.
Sipping in Season
Bar Tab Tales.
10/08/2007.
An apple-flavored cocktail pairs perfectly with Italian food and makes up for a trip done wrong.
Swallowing Skepticism
Bar Tab Tales.
10/01/2007.
A martini with an intriguing ingredient and mega slices of fish squash Dana's misconceptions.
A Sampling of Suds
Bar Tab Tales.
09/25/2007.
Chicago Ale House packs in the taps, slinging out brews in sizes meant for sampling.
Making Progress by the Pint
Bar Tab Tales.
09/17/2007.
Flounder's cheap Miller Lite and tacos for less than two bucks fit the pre-film bill perfectly.
From Paninis to Pinot
Bar Tab Tales.
09/10/2007.
Dana's favorite lunchtime sandwich spot doubles as the perfect post-work place for a glass of wine.
A Drinking Distraction
Bar Tab Tales.
09/03/2007.
Though the night began with saketinis at China Grill, Dana had other plans for a summer night out.
Pre-Season Pitchers
Bar Tab Tales.
08/27/2007.
Dana warms up for college football season with a stop at Sedgwick's for discounted pitchers of Blue Moon.
Plum Good Libation
Bar Tab Tales.
08/20/2007.
Forget email and phone calls. Dana finds a better way to stay in touch with friends at Oysy.
A Model Martini
Bar Tab Tales.
08/14/2007.
After sipping her way through plenty of too-sweet martinis, Dana finds the perfect blend at Japonais.
No Love for 40s
Bar Tab Tales.
07/30/2007.
Despite lacking a drink list and hawking 40s, LBC wins over Dana with its upbeat tunes.
Mojitos Made Up My Mind
Bar Tab Tales.
07/23/2007.
Narrowing down her nightlife choices, Dana opts for an evening of art and a minty concoction.
Playtime Meets Party Time
Bar Tab Tales.
07/16/2007.
Martini Park helps Dana retreat to her recess days…had her local playground served martinis.
Seriously Sweet Brew
Bar Tab Tales.
07/09/2007.
Dana scores a glass of the seasonally scare Shugga and a saucy pie at Bricks.
Mixing Politics and Pleasure
Bar Tab Tales.
07/01/2007.
Dana pops into Plan B for a post-work cocktail and finds a refreshing ode to Obama in a glass.
Don't Shrink My Beer!
Bar Tab Tales.
06/25/2007.
Dana opens her mind to mini drinks and fare at Halsted's family-friendly joint.
A Winning Round
Bar Tab Tales.
06/17/2007.
At Gamekeepers, my volleyball team learns it's not whether you win or lose, but how you score cheap burgers and beer.
Where the Glass is Greener
Bar Tab Tales.
06/11/2007.
Eco-friendly trumps economically-friendly in Dana's book after an evening at Crust.
Oh, Cabana!
Bar Tab Tales.
06/04/2007.
Any patio will do, but Volo's does it best when it comes to sipping wine cabana-side.
Change of Bar Scene
Bar Tab Tales.
05/22/2007.
Head to Riverview when you want to hit up a bar but not get hit on.
Cheap Wine Fits All
Bar Tab Tales.
05/14/2007.
After much indecision on where to dine, Dana and co. land happily at Quartino for small plates and cheap pours.
Breakfast Beverages Beat the Buffet
Bar Tab Tales.
05/08/2007.
Stanley's legendary mimosas and bloody marys tame Dana's hangover with fresh juicy flavor.
Miami Liquefied
Bar Tab Tales.
05/01/2007.
J Bar's Cuban-inspired cocktail sets Dana back in South Beach.
A Margarita that Moves Me
Bar Tab Tales.
04/24/2007.
Tarascas' strong and bargain 'ritas welcome me to the neighborhood.
Positive Thinking, Happy Drinking
Bar Tab Tales.
04/16/2007.
In my hour of need, SushiSamba Rio comes through with its bento-box bargain.
A Tapa by Any Other Name…
Bar Tab Tales.
04/09/2007.
I could've been the brains behind the small-plate trend. Instead, I'm just another happy consumer.
Bourbon Therapy
Bar Tab Tales.
03/30/2007.
Dana overcomes an aversion to bourbon at the most logical bar in town.
Upscale Eats, Unexceptional Drinks
Bar Tab Tales.
03/26/2007.
Pasteur cooks up innovative Vietnamese fare but offers no fun drinks to wash it down.
You Don't Have to Spell It to Drink It
Bar Tab Tales.
03/19/2007.
After tasty Turkish food and half a bottle of unpronounceable wine, cashing a coupon loses its stigma.
Join My Club
Bar Tab Tales.
03/13/2007.
Membership benefits include tasty Peruvian cuisine and a Pisco Sour buzz.
Call it the Luck of the Irish
Bar Tab Tales.
03/04/2007.
Wearing green and drinking Guinness doesn't make you Irish, but it sure is fun.
Give Me the Boot!
Bar Tab Tales.
02/26/2007.
We all know sharing is the right thing to do, so do it right with two liters of German beer in a boot.
Drink at Your Own Risk
Bar Tab Tales.
02/19/2007.
Take your chances and try out Tsuki's killer maki and bargain martinis.
Chicago's Piece of the Microbrewery Pie
Bar Tab Tales.
02/12/2007.
With few microbrew options, any beer-swilling Chicagoan will appreciate Piece's celebrated pints.
...Indoor Rock Climb?
So You Wanna....
02/05/2007.
Indoor rock climbing gets altitude junkies off the ground—and the rest of us in shape.
New Lounge, New Perspective
Bar Tab Tales.
02/05/2007.
Krem's all the rage, and I won't hold the hype against it or its champagne cocktails.
Kevin Rebhan
02/05/2007.
There's plenty of champagne love to go around at Pops for Champagne.
Bring Your Own Tolerance
Bar Tab Tales.
01/29/2007.
After enjoying too much wine at a BYOB, Salpicon's outstanding tequila selection couldn't be avoided.
Where Southport Avenue Meets Bourbon Street
Bar Tab Tales.
01/22/2007.
Throw on some beads and hold up a Hurricane to toast a bar that embodies the Big Easy.
The Duke Knows Scotch
Bar Tab Tales.
01/15/2007.
As one of the only Scottish pubs in town, The Duke of Perth will make you a believer with its single-malt selection.
Belly's Steals Are The Real Deal
Bar Tab Tales.
01/08/2007.
With four drink specials and cheap apps, Thursday nights out are once again a done deal.
With The Grafton's Help, You're Good to the Last Drop
Bar Tab Tales.
01/01/2007.
A special Irish coffee packs plenty of whiskey and caffeine to help you maintain.
Three a.m. is Intoxicating Tea Time
Bar Tab Tales.
12/25/2006.
Everyone ends up at the Green Mill sooner or later.
On My Way to a Delirious Noel
Bar Tab Tales.
12/18/2006.
Glunz makes it better by pouring a holiday brew in the right package.
Broadway in Chicago Tour
Take A Tour.
12/18/2006.
For appreciating Chicago's theaters, the tour upstages the show.
Food Flights Take Off
Dining Guides.
12/18/2006.
These food flights—plentiful platters and tasty trios—let you sample one fare several ways.
Rare Wine Well Done
Bar Tab Tales.
12/11/2006.
Wind down the weekend with a glass of wine at Webster's Wine Bar, where you'll pick up a vino vocab to boot.
The #1 Daiquiri
Bar Tab Tales.
12/04/2006.
De Cero's fruit-filled daiquiris and tasty tacos deserve bragging rights.
The Good, the Bad and the Cheap Tab
Bar Tab Tales.
11/27/2006.
Double fisting beer is a-okay when it's time for a taste test.
Good Drinks Come to Those Who Wait
Bar Tab Tales.
11/20/2006.
For Iberico's sweet sangria, patience pays off.
Infused-Vodka Martinis? Yes, Please!
Bar Tab Tales.
11/13/2006.
Innovative vodka tops basic cable for midweek amusement.
How About a Bloody, Buddy?
Bar Tab Tales.
11/06/2006.
With enough decisions to make in life, why make 10 about a Bloody Mary?
Quantity Trumps Quality in Round One
Bar Tab Tales.
10/30/2006.
A Schooner at Lotties classes up cheap beer in large quantities.
For the Sake of Sake
Bar Tab Tales.
10/23/2006.
A lesson in drinking stand-out sake the right way at Shine Morida.
Buffed and Buzzed
Bar Tab Tales.
10/16/2006.
An unlikely locale offers a cheap solution to nasty nails and a thirst for martinis.
Make Mine Minty
Bar Tab Tales.
10/10/2006.
Draining cheap pitchers of mojitos (on a Friday, no less!) at Mambo Grill.
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