So, Miko's in town.
posted July 18, 2011 1:32 PM RSS | iCal | +googleCal
Tue July 26 at 6:30 PM, Ten Cat
3931 N Ashland Ave, Chicago, IL, USA (Map & Directions)
Miko popped into the picnic thread to say she'd be here July 23-28 and is free in the evening while she's here (except on Sunday and Monday). Like most conference-goers, she's staying Loopish. Since the monthly Goat is one week later, I propose a different spot. But where? There's the conundrum. We have decided upon Ten Cat in Lakeview.
I like the idea of a patio or river view, but can only think of Fulton's which just seems wrong for a meet-up. Who's got an opinion to share?
Those things aren't near the Loop.
There's a place in my building called Currents on the River where my company has had happy hours.
posted by shakespeherian at 5:05 AM on July 19, 2011
There's a place in my building called Currents on the River where my company has had happy hours.
posted by shakespeherian at 5:05 AM on July 19, 2011
Who says it needs to be near the Loop? Sure, she's staying there, but why keep her in one of the lamest parts of the city when there's so much more a short train/bus ride away?
Happy to have it in the hotel bar if that suits her, but nothing wrong with thinking of ways to branch out a bit.
posted by SpiffyRob at 6:41 AM on July 19, 2011
Happy to have it in the hotel bar if that suits her, but nothing wrong with thinking of ways to branch out a bit.
posted by SpiffyRob at 6:41 AM on July 19, 2011
In that case I propose, wholly and originally my own idea, Ten Cat. Bring cash!
posted by shakespeherian at 6:46 AM on July 19, 2011
posted by shakespeherian at 6:46 AM on July 19, 2011
The Ten Cat is awesome. It's where we're planning on having our wedding (when, y'know, we actually get around to having a little wedding).
posted by Windigo at 7:09 AM on July 19, 2011
posted by Windigo at 7:09 AM on July 19, 2011
So, Wednesday? Tuesday? Maybe we ought to page Miko herself. . . .
Ten Cat seems a popular choice.
posted by crush-onastick at 7:14 AM on July 19, 2011
Ten Cat seems a popular choice.
posted by crush-onastick at 7:14 AM on July 19, 2011
Since the monthly Goat is one week later
I'm new to town--is this a meetup or something that's $20 same as in town?
posted by mullacc at 9:01 AM on July 19, 2011
I'm new to town--is this a meetup or something that's $20 same as in town?
posted by mullacc at 9:01 AM on July 19, 2011
mullacc: first wednesday of the month, we gather at the Billy Goat Tavern beneath Michigan avenue. We drink tiny beers, and tinier whiskeys, until we disperse.
posted by crush-onastick at 9:07 AM on July 19, 2011
posted by crush-onastick at 9:07 AM on July 19, 2011
I'm a little annoyed that Chicago has so few river-drinking options. There are upscale places downtown and a couple of tourist traps on the riverwalk along Wacker--although maybe Cyrano's wouldn't be so bad. And Papi Chulo's in Hegewisch, but that's a bit of a hike.
posted by hydrophonic at 10:19 AM on July 19, 2011
posted by hydrophonic at 10:19 AM on July 19, 2011
Oh so fun! Glad you all are more organized than I - things are busy, but I'm looking forward to my trip! I don't mind traveling a little, am willing to walk a ways and have figured out the L before, so you don't have to stay right in the Loop if there are better options! Thanks , can't wait to meet all y'all.
posted by Miko at 10:25 AM on July 19, 2011
posted by Miko at 10:25 AM on July 19, 2011
My guess as to the reason Chicago has so few river-drinking options is that the river smells like garbagey poop.
posted by shakespeherian at 10:45 AM on July 19, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by shakespeherian at 10:45 AM on July 19, 2011 [1 favorite]
I didn't mean I literally wanted to drink the river.
posted by hydrophonic at 11:11 AM on July 19, 2011
posted by hydrophonic at 11:11 AM on July 19, 2011
No I know but there's a little patio by my building that's right on the river and it smells noxious and terrible always.
posted by shakespeherian at 11:14 AM on July 19, 2011
posted by shakespeherian at 11:14 AM on July 19, 2011
Ten Cat's pretty accessible from the Brown Line or #9. Both, in general, smell better than the river, which I want to literally and liberally drink.
posted by SpiffyRob at 11:48 AM on July 19, 2011
posted by SpiffyRob at 11:48 AM on July 19, 2011
So, Ten Cat. Tuesday or Wednesday? 6:30? 7:00?
What of do-nuts?! What!?!
posted by crush-onastick at 11:55 AM on July 19, 2011
What of do-nuts?! What!?!
posted by crush-onastick at 11:55 AM on July 19, 2011
Oh, it's raining again.
posted by shakespeherian at 12:15 PM on July 19, 2011
posted by shakespeherian at 12:15 PM on July 19, 2011
Either night should be OK by me - slight preference for Tuesday!
posted by Miko at 12:45 PM on July 19, 2011
posted by Miko at 12:45 PM on July 19, 2011
Mullacc lives in Chicago now? Yay!
posted by IndigoRain at 12:49 PM on July 19, 2011
posted by IndigoRain at 12:49 PM on July 19, 2011
I'm in! Tuesday or Wednesday are fine.
posted by youngergirl44 at 5:06 PM on July 19, 2011
posted by youngergirl44 at 5:06 PM on July 19, 2011
A bit?!
Well it was a fun bike ride. (That's me in the red, obscured by Jeannette and her purple bike.)
posted by hydrophonic at 9:42 PM on July 19, 2011
Well it was a fun bike ride. (That's me in the red, obscured by Jeannette and her purple bike.)
posted by hydrophonic at 9:42 PM on July 19, 2011
Your wish, Spiffy, is (apparently) my command.
posted by crush-onastick at 6:43 AM on July 20, 2011
posted by crush-onastick at 6:43 AM on July 20, 2011
Man, I love Ten Cat. I hope someone will play pinball with me.
posted by booknerd at 11:42 AM on July 20, 2011
posted by booknerd at 11:42 AM on July 20, 2011
I just realized this is the same night as the Ted Leo & the Pharmacists show at the Fireside. So, I'll be going to that but can probably swing by Ten Cat for a quick drink or two before the show. I might have an extra ticket if anyone would like to come with me to the show.
posted by booknerd at 12:18 PM on July 20, 2011
posted by booknerd at 12:18 PM on July 20, 2011
which I want to literally and liberally drink
Sometimes you get a great notion.
posted by hydrophonic at 9:14 PM on July 20, 2011
Sometimes you get a great notion.
posted by hydrophonic at 9:14 PM on July 20, 2011
Yay -- I hope I can make this...closeness to the location is certainly no excuse, as I am seconds from there.
So Ten Cat is considered Lakeview. But what would you all call caddy-corner from that -- no I don't live at the Popeye's (despite my love of their biscuits) -- but about a block north of it on Ashland. I've looked in multiple places and I feel like it's a neighborhood dead zone that nothing accurately describes. So what do Chicago MeFites think?
I would go look on EveryBlock -- but after following somebody's tweet about there yesterday, I wanted to pull my hair out. I don't think location-based social networking is for me -- because I don't like to think that the people I live near are petty asswipes. Some people have much more patience than I do.
posted by MCMikeNamara at 9:34 AM on July 21, 2011
So Ten Cat is considered Lakeview. But what would you all call caddy-corner from that -- no I don't live at the Popeye's (despite my love of their biscuits) -- but about a block north of it on Ashland. I've looked in multiple places and I feel like it's a neighborhood dead zone that nothing accurately describes. So what do Chicago MeFites think?
I would go look on EveryBlock -- but after following somebody's tweet about there yesterday, I wanted to pull my hair out. I don't think location-based social networking is for me -- because I don't like to think that the people I live near are petty asswipes. Some people have much more patience than I do.
posted by MCMikeNamara at 9:34 AM on July 21, 2011
Mike, I researched this question pretty thoroughly after I moved, because I, too, seemed to be trapped in neighborhood limbo.
The correct answer is that there is no correct answer. Even that one.
The qualified answer is that, in general, multiple sources seem to identify Ravenswood and Montrose as a crossroads of four neighborhoods:
NW of Montrose and Ravenswood: Ravenswood
NE of Montrose and Ravenswood: Uptown
SE of Montrose and Ravenswood: Lakeview
SW of Montrose and Ravenswood: North Center
Now, I would make a bunch of corrections right off the bat: First off, I think Ashland should be the divider instead of Ravenswood, and I think you could make a pretty compelling case that Irving Park would make a better divider than Montrose. That said: While these qualifications make my situation clearer, they make yours muddier. Regardless: I think you could make a claim to living in either Lakeview or North Center, as you see fit.
(For what it's worth, although I technically live in Lakeview given the Montrose/Ravenswood rules, people picture the wrong thing entirely if I say I live in Lakeview, and the exact right thing if I tell them I live in Ravenswood. So I tell them I live in Ravenswood.)
posted by SpiffyRob at 5:22 AM on July 22, 2011
The correct answer is that there is no correct answer. Even that one.
The qualified answer is that, in general, multiple sources seem to identify Ravenswood and Montrose as a crossroads of four neighborhoods:
NW of Montrose and Ravenswood: Ravenswood
NE of Montrose and Ravenswood: Uptown
SE of Montrose and Ravenswood: Lakeview
SW of Montrose and Ravenswood: North Center
Now, I would make a bunch of corrections right off the bat: First off, I think Ashland should be the divider instead of Ravenswood, and I think you could make a pretty compelling case that Irving Park would make a better divider than Montrose. That said: While these qualifications make my situation clearer, they make yours muddier. Regardless: I think you could make a claim to living in either Lakeview or North Center, as you see fit.
(For what it's worth, although I technically live in Lakeview given the Montrose/Ravenswood rules, people picture the wrong thing entirely if I say I live in Lakeview, and the exact right thing if I tell them I live in Ravenswood. So I tell them I live in Ravenswood.)
posted by SpiffyRob at 5:22 AM on July 22, 2011
Which is why I say I live in Boystown. "East Lakeview" is just stupid, cause if you can view the Lake, you're east. Also, when people hear "Boystown", they land just a block or so away from my place, which keeps me comfortably safe from random knocks on my door.
posted by crush-onastick at 9:25 AM on July 22, 2011
posted by crush-onastick at 9:25 AM on July 22, 2011
I live a block away from you and I say Lakeview. I would never, ever categorize Rob's domicile as "in Lakeview," however.
posted by adamdschneider at 10:18 AM on July 22, 2011
posted by adamdschneider at 10:18 AM on July 22, 2011
as I cannot comfortably stagger home from the bar across the street from Rob's, I would be hard-pressed to saw we live in the same neighborhood.
posted by crush-onastick at 10:47 AM on July 22, 2011
posted by crush-onastick at 10:47 AM on July 22, 2011
Can anyone help me with transportation or walking (if possible) directions from the Art Institute area to this bar? I won't have a car but can find my way round public transport.
posted by Miko at 1:28 PM on July 22, 2011
posted by Miko at 1:28 PM on July 22, 2011
It's really easy--just a straight shot on the Brown Line from Adams to Irving Park (technically, taking the Red Line to Belmont and transferring is (slightly) faster, but that's an intermediate level move). The public transit directions on google maps are really good, and will make getting around Chicago while you're here a lot easier.
posted by phunniemee at 1:59 PM on July 22, 2011
posted by phunniemee at 1:59 PM on July 22, 2011
Ten Cat is on Ashland (north-south running road) at Byron, which is just south of Irving Park (east-west running road). The Brown Line (which you can pick up at Monroe and State) stops at Irving Park between Wolcott (north-south running road) and Ravenswood (north-south running road). Someone may have a better suggestion, but I plan to take the Brown Line to Irving Park and walk over to the Ten Cat. It's about half a mile at most from the Irving Park stop to Ashland. It's probably about 8-10 miles from the Art Institute, so I'd not recommend walking!
posted by crush-onastick at 2:56 PM on July 22, 2011
posted by crush-onastick at 2:56 PM on July 22, 2011
As you turn right on Ashland from Irving Park, take a minute to admire the mosaic tilework in front of Lake View High School, which may or may not be in Lakeview. You might remember LVHS from the 1980 Matt Dillon film My Bodyguard.
posted by hydrophonic at 4:44 PM on July 22, 2011
posted by hydrophonic at 4:44 PM on July 22, 2011
I love the Ten Cat and will actually be free on Tuesday so I am going to try to make this one.
posted by enn at 7:21 AM on July 23, 2011
posted by enn at 7:21 AM on July 23, 2011
Ten Cat doesn't serve food, and 6:30 means some of us won't have eaten dinner, so I just call to confirm that they allow outside food. They do! We can even have a pizza delivered. We like Apart Pizza on Montrose, especially their superb Vegetariana. Yet if I make it tomorrow I'll probably stop at home first and maybe eat there.
posted by hydrophonic at 3:23 PM on July 25, 2011
posted by hydrophonic at 3:23 PM on July 25, 2011
I'm having a great time in town and looking forward to meeting you all tomorrow. Thanks for the heads-up on food!
posted by Miko at 8:40 PM on July 25, 2011
posted by Miko at 8:40 PM on July 25, 2011
Hey all, I'm an official maybe, and the lady's an official no. I'm going to do everything in my power to at least pop in, because I really, really want to meet Miko, but advance warning that I may not be able to stay long.
posted by SpiffyRob at 5:11 AM on July 26, 2011
posted by SpiffyRob at 5:11 AM on July 26, 2011
Hope you can make it, but don't fret if you can't make it - I certainly hope to visit Chicago again!
posted by Miko at 8:28 AM on July 26, 2011
posted by Miko at 8:28 AM on July 26, 2011
I have a groupon for Apart Pizza, which I'll bring (I'll probably be a little late unless I can scram from work early). Apart is pricey but good, but the Groupon (worth $35) should help with the pricey part. I need to use it anyway since I bought it not knowing my house is outside their delivery range.
posted by misskaz at 8:58 AM on July 26, 2011
posted by misskaz at 8:58 AM on July 26, 2011
My terrible husband gave me a cold for my birthday so he could go to a meet-up without me. What a dick.
posted by Mrs.Spiffy at 9:14 AM on July 26, 2011
posted by Mrs.Spiffy at 9:14 AM on July 26, 2011
Jeez, as much as I normally hate Iridic, I may have to transfer some hate to SpiffyRob instead. So many decisions!
posted by shakespeherian at 9:25 AM on July 26, 2011
posted by shakespeherian at 9:25 AM on July 26, 2011
HATE-FILLED SIDEHUG
posted by SpiffyRob at 9:44 AM on July 26, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by SpiffyRob at 9:44 AM on July 26, 2011 [1 favorite]
I thought I would be traveling for work this week, but since I am still in Chicago I will plan to be here instead.
posted by Zaximus at 9:49 AM on July 26, 2011
posted by Zaximus at 9:49 AM on July 26, 2011
Oh good Miko will be there for our dramatic reading of the entire Pizza That Ate Chicago thread.
posted by shakespeherian at 10:04 AM on July 26, 2011
posted by shakespeherian at 10:04 AM on July 26, 2011
Oh dear god, no. Some of us have work some time in the next decade.
Also, does Mrs.Spiffy's admonition make him now SpiffyDick? Or DickyRob?
posted by BevosAngryGhost at 10:17 AM on July 26, 2011
Also, does Mrs.Spiffy's admonition make him now SpiffyDick? Or DickyRob?
posted by BevosAngryGhost at 10:17 AM on July 26, 2011
Spiffy Dick is a little-seen noir about a detective in a bowtie.
posted by shakespeherian at 10:30 AM on July 26, 2011
posted by shakespeherian at 10:30 AM on July 26, 2011
And Dicky Rob was the direct-to-video sequel to Rob Roy, with Fred Ward taking over from Liam Neeson.
posted by Iridic at 10:44 AM on July 26, 2011
posted by Iridic at 10:44 AM on July 26, 2011
I would totally watch that.
posted by shakespeherian at 10:50 AM on July 26, 2011
posted by shakespeherian at 10:50 AM on July 26, 2011
I thought Spiffy Dick was the lesser-loved British dessert?
(work is evil because i have not a database and am just anattorney policy analyst not a systems person. i may not make it, but i'm going to try my little heart out.)
posted by crush-onastick at 11:01 AM on July 26, 2011
(work is evil because i have not a database and am just an
posted by crush-onastick at 11:01 AM on July 26, 2011
Confusing Fred Ward with Fred Willard, the substitution for Liam Neeson made no sense... though it would probably be hilarious.
Wha' happened?
posted by MCMikeNamara at 11:22 AM on July 26, 2011
Wha' happened?
posted by MCMikeNamara at 11:22 AM on July 26, 2011
Just to chime in: I'm drinking English beer IN LONDON RIGHT NOW.
posted by eamondaly at 3:44 PM on July 26, 2011
posted by eamondaly at 3:44 PM on July 26, 2011
Oh, wait. I'm not actually in London. I'm in Bath. But same difference.
posted by eamondaly at 3:45 PM on July 26, 2011
posted by eamondaly at 3:45 PM on July 26, 2011
Say that outside a Chicago thread... I dare you.
posted by MCMikeNamara at 3:56 PM on July 26, 2011
posted by MCMikeNamara at 3:56 PM on July 26, 2011
That was terrific. Thanks all for coming out to say hi - great company and conversation all round. Loved the Ten Cat too! Hope to see you again before too long!
posted by Miko at 10:04 PM on July 26, 2011
posted by Miko at 10:04 PM on July 26, 2011
Wonderful to meet you Miko, even though we didn't have much of a chance to chat. Come back when you can so we can!
posted by SpiffyRob at 7:14 AM on July 27, 2011
posted by SpiffyRob at 7:14 AM on July 27, 2011
Same here, SpiffyRob! Definitely next time, and I hope it won't be too long.
posted by Miko at 6:32 AM on July 29, 2011
posted by Miko at 6:32 AM on July 29, 2011
This thread has been archived and is closed to new comments
Okay then. Plymouth has a great view but it's too loud for talking and full of law students. Ten Cat and Duke of Perth have nice beer gardens.
posted by hydrophonic at 3:04 PM on July 18, 2011