As one of the two most recent Doper transplants to Chicago, I have come to the conclusion that it’s time to find a job and meet new people. I’ve put out a bunch of resumes and am going to go through the temp agencies so many people were kind enough to link me to.
However, I think that a Dopefest would be the best way to meet new people. At least as a start. Furthermore, I have corresponded with the other recent transplant (Millit the Frail), and she agrees. Let’s meet some people!
I still don’t know my way around, but I bet I can figure out the buses or trains to get somewhere. I am available just about any time right now, so a weekend day or night (which is when most other people will be available) is easy for me. I don’t know Millit the Frail’s schedule, but I know she’ll pipe in soon enough.
How about it? Anyone have thoughts on times, days, places we could go, etc?
Thanks again, BlueKangaroo! I’m in Uptown, and I’m free most evenings. Should we plan to meet at a restaurant? (I’d offer my place, but it’s not very big and, well, kind of a mess.) Anyone have good restaurant ideas? I used to live here a few years ago, so I sorta know my way around, but the area I know really well is out of the way for most–Hyde Park. Plus, I’d love to explore the North Side a little more. I’m really liking Uptown so far!
I think a restaurant is probably a good idea, especially since I can’t offer my place.
Where is “Uptown”? I haven’t figured out the neighborhood designations at all yet.
However, consulting my handy-dandy guide to where I should look for jobs (according to my awesome roommate), it doesn’t look like it’s near me. That doesn’t rule it out, at all, just means I shouldn’t go looking for a job there.
I’m near Little Italy for sure and I think Greek Town. I can go anywhere that public transit will take me.
Uptown is the area surrounding the Wilson and Lawrence El stops. I can think of quite a few great places around there as I eat out at more restaurants than any mortal should.
For restaurant info the SDMB of the eatin’ world is www.lthforum.com I post there as Octarine.
I’m actually very close to Andersonville, as I’m right off the Argyle stop. It’s a pretty cool, multiethnic area. Lots of great stuff, I’m sure.
So, MikeG, I checked out the site. Looks like tons of good info! I noticed the Hopleaf on the big list of neighborhood restaurants, which I’ve been to and liked very much. I’m not sure if it’s great for a big group, as it was packed the last time I was there, but I could be wrong. The food was very good, though. Is there a list of “group-friendly” places anywhere on the LTH site? It would be cool to pick a place where we could “take over” a section of the room and the waitstaff wouldn’t mind.
Uptown Dopefest sounds pretty sweet. If one is into jazz, there is the Green Mill, though that would be more for the after-party… still, 'tis a great area to find yourself drunk as there’s tons of restaurants, including the Chinese restaurant (whose name escapes me) right under the Lawrence stop on the Red Line.
I like Hopleaf but it’s damn pricey. If the Green Mill is the end destination then Silver Seafood right across the street is a fantastic place with some amazing food.
I would loooove to go to the Green Mill! I’ve only been there once, but it was fantastic. Seems like a great after-party destination. And I do like seafood as a dinner suggestion, so I think we’re off to a great start. Maybe as a few more Dopers show up in the thread, we’ll get a read on what everyone thinks of this plan. I seem to remember hearing that the last Chicago DopeFest attracted a pretty sizeable crowd, which would be pretty awesome. Let’s see how much response we get, and then maybe we can pick a date.
I enjoy seafood quite a bit, and jazz is good too. Is this a place that’s easy to get to for someone who’s dependent on public transit? Including after any service cuts? Is it a safe area to walk back to and wait at the pick up spot?
The Red Line runs all night. And I live in Uptown, within walking distance from the Green Mill.
There are several bars in the area and some are open pretty late. And Silver Seafood is awesome.
If we do end up hanging out in Uptown people are welcome to gather at my apartment first. I live within walking distance of the Wilson and Lawrence stops. I also have two cats and will bake you cookies. If the dates work out, that is. I’m pretty much free on the weekends, starting Fridays.
Okay, so it’s starting to sound like a Friday night is best, though I don’t know how many people still have to weigh in.
So that gives us this upcoming Friday, the 25th, and then the 1st and the 8th. I have company coming in late on the 15th, so that won’t work for me. The 22nd would also be alright. I suspect anything past that will be too far in advance, and we’ll all get distracted and wander off and do other things.
Since I haven’t been down there for a while, I’ll give this a shot if the date works for me. I’m not able to come the weekend after next – Jan 25th-27.
