Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with recommendation and chicago

Who, oh who, will finally save my poor teeth?

like_a_friend — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 07:44:51 -0800

Chicago MeFites: please tell me of your glorious dentists! Or warn me off of the terrible ones. I need a dentist for cleaning, probably at least one filling, and no doubt a referral to an oral surgeon (impacted wisdom teeth.) North side or Loop vastly preferred, as I have no car. I've known about my impacted wisdom teeth for ages now, but never had the money/time off to do anything about it and they didn't bother me. Now, finally, they have begun to hurt on and off, and it's really got to get handled.

I *know* it's never smart to drag one's feet about teeth, but for the first time in a while I finally have an Actual Paycheck (hooray) and a flexible enough schedule to get this shit taken care of.

If you can recommend a dentist who won't shame me too badly about my foot-dragging, that would be WONDERFUL. Also, my teeth are messed up generally; my folks were too poor for regular dental care and orthodontia, so the more understanding the better. (My fear of the dentist is rooted in a fear of being yelled at/judged, I have no qualms about pain or drilling, ha.)

Please convert Chicago neighborhoods to DC equivalents for me

deliciae — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 22:38:10 -0800

Where in the DC area might I find my kind of community? Would love if you can explain the vibes of DC's neighborhoods in terms of the vibes of Chicago's neighborhoods. I live in Logan Square in Chicago and have absolutely loved it here since I moved to apt #1 9 years ago (I'm now on #4.) A career opportunity has opened in Washington DC and I am considering making the move, but truly conflicted about finding a neighborhood within the city that offers the same vibe I am used to here.

What I love about Logan Square: the progressive vibe; the Dill Pickle Food Co-op and LS Farmer's Market; proliferation of housing co-ops; deep sense of community; gorgeous boulevards providing lots of green space and a really pretty neighborhood to walk in; the variety of interesting/involved people that live here; funky, vintage apartments (my current building, a housing co-op, is 115 years old and right on the boulevard), and until recently, decent rents.

What I'm meh about Logan Square: the recent influx of young art school hipsters. I'm 43, and I like older hip folks that don't try too hard - just very cool, chill, non-pretentious people, artistic/creative, activists, artists, do-ers, smarties, into out-of-the-ordinary arts (For example, I'm a huge improvised jazz fan - Ken Vandermark, Fred Lonberg-Holm, Frank Rosaly some huge faves), what have you. I have little patience with theorists and pontificators - I really dig people that get their hands dirty and DO things or CREATE community infrastructure.

I've lived in Humbolt Park, at Washtenaw & Evergreen (WAY too sinister for my taste, though that was 10 years ago) and worked in Lakeview/Wrigleyville (hated dodging puddles of puke following home games when I worked late nights), River North near the Merchandise Mart (felt too boutique-y and sort of dead), and the South Loop (it's ok, wish there was more going on/it was a shorter commute than my current 2 trains/45 minutes.)

I like the little shops in Lincoln Square, not so into its proliferation of double wide strollers. Love Hyde Park's beautiful old housing stock, hate the elitist vibe and the inescapable presence of the U of C, though I appreciate its cultural amenities like Doc Films. I love the MCA, Hyde Park Art Center, the Siskel, Green Mill, the Hideout, and the tiny independent arts spaces around the city. I don't hang in Wicker Park as much as I used to when I first got to Chicago.

I've been to DC several times - I love Busboys & Poets, that feels like my kind of folks, and I make it a point to visit there whenever I am in town but have no idea what 'hood that is (14th & V?) From what I have seen I could maybe live in that area (enthusiastically ok with diverse neighborhoods; not ok with unsafe ones.) The two DC metro stops closest to where my office would be are McPherson Square and Metro Center, so it seems that a neighborhood along the blue, orange, or red lines makes the most sense. I don't currently have a car (though that could change once I get there) so I'd like to find a 'hood that's public transit commutable without it being crazy. Have no idea what my salary would be for this gig but let's say after a quick back of the envelope calculation that I would like to keep rent in the range of $1250-1450 if possible. I would want a 1BR and will be living there by myself. Where should I look?

Where should we eat?

amethysts — Sat, 12 Jun 2010 08:59:58 -0800

Yet another Chicago restaurant suggestion needed: 5 adults, 2 of whom's flight is coming in this evening and we want to give them a special "Chicago" experience. Preferably in the Loop? I live in Rogers Park and we don't want to have to go running all over the city. We will probably go straight from the airport to the restaurant. I'm also looking for a nice place to have brunch tomorrow near the Palace theater downtown. Have any thoughts? I know it's kind of short notice for places that need reservations. Don't worry about price range.

I am looking at Yelp right now but it's just overwhelming..

Installing Radiant Heat Flooring

crush-onastick — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 11:10:18 -0800

Chicago home improvement filter: We'd like to get an estimate for installing radiant-heat flooring in our condo (6-flat built at the turn of the last century. We own a duplex down, with the primary living area being on the ground floor) or possibly replacing the HVAC with baseboard heating. Anything, really, because the conversion from whatever-it-was to the gas furnace HVAC it now is was badly done and the place is freezing all the time. Any business or contractors you recommend? Suggestions for going about this the right way? Dire warnings? Our condo is two bedrooms, three baths, living room with a separate dining room and an enclosed sunroom. There is a small finished basement. The living room and dining room are hardwood floors; the rest of the house is carpet (except the baths and kitchen, which are tile). At a minimum, I'd like to put radiant-heat flooring in the kitchen and baths, but I'd like to find out if it's possible and financially-viable for us to convert the whole place to radiant-heat flooring or baseboard heat because the furnace doesn't do it. We've had the furnace inspected, cleaned, tuned, but it's not efficient. When it was installed, the duct-work was poorly placed (for one thing, the vents are at the *top* of extra-tall walls, so all the heat floats up to the high ceilings).

No, we have no interest in doing this ourselves. None. Not even touching up the paint afterwards. But I don't know where to begin finding someone to assess the possibility and doing the job for us. I have asked a friend--who is an architect--but he was not much help.

Restaurant Recommendations in Downtown Chicago?

andeles — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 08:46:17 -0800

Please recommend a restaurant in downtown Chicago. A friend and I would like to get dinner together; the problem being that he lives in Hyde Park and I live in Rogers Park. I'm looking for a restaurant that splits the distance between our two neighborhoods, but neither of us knows the downtown area too well. I'm aware of Rush Street; any particular restaurants to check out? I would especially like a restaurant that isn't very expensive, is not the typical tourist-trap fare, and is the sort of place where one can have a conversation without have to shout to be heard. All sorts of cuisine recommendations are welcome. Bonus points for easy walking distance from/to the Red Line.

What are cheap things to do between Kansas City and Chicago?

katieinshoes — Sat, 31 Jan 2004 23:25:26 -0800

So the boyfriend and I want to go on a trip to Chicago for spring break... [more inside] We're poor, nerdy students with limited funds and broad interests, starting our trip from Kansas City. We're looking for fun, cheap (free?) things to do over the course of 4-ish days, perhaps some must-see places to stop along the way (I have an invitation to crash at a friend's in St. Louis if needed), and cheap hotel deals. I'm the sort to show up in town and have fun wandering around, while he wants a detailed itinerary planned far in advance. So far, we have a destination, a time frame (March 20-25), and a car. I have never planned a vacation before and don't know where to start. Help!