Jul 30 2007: Welcome to podcast five point oh! We're breaking out of the DC beltway today and heading to Chicago for a chat with Jeff Matheis a concierge at one of the premier downtown hotels. Jeff shares with us his picks for local music venues and the best non-chain slice of Chicago pizza and even shares his opinion on the Cubs vs White Sox. Even if you live in Chicago, you'll find something worthwhile here. Check the shownotes for details.

Jeff Matheis works as a concierge at a prominent downtown Chicago hotel. He both lives and works in Chicago. Some of the places mentioned in today's podcast are:

Earwax Cafe
A wonderful neighborhood meating place. Lots of vegetarian selecections, great staff, experimental and foreign films to be rented in the basement.

Crust
Beautiful restaurant. Only certified organic restaurant in the midwest.

L&L Tavern
Great hideaway bar at Clark and Belmont across from The Alley, Punkin Donuts and down the street from historic music venue Metro.

Pequod's Pizzeria
Best deep dish in Chicago, hands down.

Schwa Restaurant
The quail egg ravioli at Schwa comes with ricotta, brown butter and parmigiano regianno. It is the best thing I have ever tasted. I could eat these until my blood-butter-level was fifty-fifty and my stomach was a casing of egg yolk and the rest of the menu is not far off. Schwa was started by a renowned group of local Chef’s and friends lead by Chef Micahael Carlson. Schwa has a three course tasting menu and a nine course tasting menu. If you are too poor to pay for the nine course (like me), the three course is relatively cheap in a city of steak houses and tasting menus. Compound that with the fact that Schwa is BYOB and that world renowned chefs may be bringing your food out personally and Schwa becomes one of the best restaurant experiences you could ever have.

The Green Mill
Live Jazz Nightly since 1907. The Green Mill is far north in Uptown, but conveniently just off the Red Line or worth the cab ride for serious jazz conosouirs and those interested in this Chicago icons authentic speakeasy feel. Al Capone was a regular here and one of his henchmen had part ownership of this club. Arrive early to lounge in the booth that Capone called his own.

Jazz Record Mart
The worlds largest jazz and blues record store.

Buddy Guy’s Legends.
Buddy Guy is 70 now, but he’s still putting out amazing albums and playing guitar with his teeth. Stop by his club for live music seven nights a week and the chance to see the local legend and link to greats Muddy Waters and Howlin Wolf seven nights a week.

Wicker Park
Historically a German / Swedish, Polish, and Puerto Rican Neighborhood Wicker Park was inundated with Artists in the late eighties and early nineties and still retains qualities from all of these elements. The writer Nelson Algren called this neighborhood home for most of the years he was writing.

One Stop: Rainbo club lounge at Division and Damen Avenue. Simone De Beauvior and Nelson Algren would meet at this bar while the former was carrying on her affair from Jean Paul Sartre. In the nineties it was home to local music celebreties Skinny Puppy. , Liz Phair, Wesley Willis Urge Overkill, etc. On weekdays it still carries the feel of it’s hipster past and John from Tortoise may be your bartender.

Lincoln Park / Lakeview
Now the go-to area of residence for Chicago Young Professionals, this large area encompasses Depaul University, Lincoln Park Zoo, Wrigley Field and Boystown and a punk rock past still held up by venues like Metro and L&L Tavern.

One Stop: North Pond restaurant in the actual Lincoln Park next to the zoo and Charlie Trotter’s both call this area home.

Our sincere thanks to Jeff for speaking with us and giving us all the above information!!!

As always, send us your questions, thoughts, ideas, or leave feedback below with a comment. We'd love to hear from you!

The Buyindie Podcast is produced by Nineball Media and opening music is provided by The Vita Ruins.

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