I LOVE …
… the grilled calamari at Wells on Wells (1617 N. Wells St., 312-944-1617). They have chopped tomatoes, mushrooms, garlic, spinach, and shrimp in a brandy sauce served with crostini. I think they’re the best in Chicago.
–Dawn Post, La Grange
… the zippy CTA cards, even with all their bad publicity.
–Doug George, editor
… the oatmeal (yes, oatmeal) based shakes at Irazu, a Costa Rican restaurant on Milwaukee Avenue (1865 N. Milwaukee Ave., 773-252-5687). If I knew oatmeal could taste this good as a kid, I’d have eaten it every morning.
–Louis R. Carlozo, editor
… the cortado at Intelligentsia (3123 N. Broadway, 773-348-8058). It’s super strong but a bit mellower than a straight espresso–why don’t more coffee chains offer this great drink?
–Jonathan Elderfield, photo editor
I HATE …
… restaurants that play music so loud that you can’t hear the person next to you. People, it’s a dining establishment, not a nightclub.
— Maureen Ryan, reporter
… Starbucks’ lids, which I remember to reposition after the coffee dribbles down my hand.
–Wendy Donahue, editor
… servers at decent restaurants who bring out appetizers, salads and entrees in rapid-fire succession.
–Lara Weber, editor
… when a salesclerk promises to check on the availability of an item–then never calls you back. This happened to me last week at the Guess store on Michigan Avenue. What an excellent way to lose customers.
–Ellen Warren, reporter
———-
What do you love and hate? Tell us at atplay@tribune.com
