So here I am raving about a hot dog joint again, at least that's what you might be thinking. Stop rolling your eyes! Let me assure you – this is no ordinary hot dog joint! As their moniker states, this place is “The Sausage Superstore and Encased Meat Emporium” and they mean every word of it! The lines wrapping around this otherwise unassuming place in a pretty unremarkable and under developed area are reminiscent of a Russian bread line. People patiently wait up to an hour in all types of weather, just to get a sampling of some of the best sausages in the city – possibly the world! The first time I drove by, I thought the line was for the ticket broker next door, as there was no way possible people would be out in -30F wind chill waiting to buy a hot dog!

Sure, beef wieners are good and all, but Doug doesn't stop there, as items like elk, duck, lamb, pork, reindeer, chicken, shrimp, rabbit, and yes, even that major no no of an item, fois gras, make appearances on the weekly specials. Basically, if it's not on the endangered species list, Doug turns it into sausage and hocks it off to the hungry masses, huddling together for warmth and that badge of lunch time honor. The fries themselves are just as remarkable, as they are hand cut and fried in duck fat – certainly not good for you, but it sure does add a bit of flavor no other place offers. Even the occasional vegetarian will break their oath of avoiding such places, since they do offer creative veggie dogs... and some break their diets altogether, since the food is just that darned good!

After the wait that can seem like forever, the folks who opt to eat inside are well rewarded as the place operates like a well oiled machine. There is hardly ever a wait for a table, the place is brightly lit and charmingly decorated, and the music is fun and casual. All the pretension normally accompanied with game meats goes right out the door, just as fast as the rotation of hungry and loyal patrons.

And now for the down sides – and yes, Doug's has them. This place does not take credit cards and has no ATM. With the nearest ATM being at least three blocks away and the average cost being $9, there are folks who have been sent away after waiting for gawd knows how long! Also, parking can be an issue, if you are the type who likes to be right out in front. Plan on walking and then getting in line. And yes, finally, most everyone's major beef is the crazy hours this guy keeps! Be sure to find out if he plans on being open or not by calling ahead before heading out.

I've been reading on my personal blog lately that some of my single friends are starting to feel really left out, now that Valentine's Day is rolling around again. (No thanks to the Burgundy Box or the "Teddies By Phone" commercials.) I've been there myself, so I completely understand. No matter what you try to say to yourself, being alone on a holiday that is all but designed for couples can feel rather lonely. This is when you whip out the phone book and start making some calls! After all, isn't that what friends are for?

Here's a quick list of places to get together with some friends and spread that love! All around! All around! Woot! Woot!

Diversey Rock N' Bowl - This bowling alley is just so much fun to hang out at! You can grab a beer, order up some munchies, get a little active and a whole lot chatty! And besides, there's no predisposition here about having to be accompanied by a significant other.

Thousand Waves Spa - Ladies! Go ahead and love yourselves unconditionally! There is just no better place to kick back and relax with your girlfriends than here. I love this place, because there is no prerequisite about only girlie girls being permitted, so the intimidation level is way low. Soak, pamper, rinse and repeat.
(Oh and guys - I hear the Division St. Russian and Turkish Baths in Wicker Park is your perfect un-foux foux equivalent! Bring your own shower slippers!)

Quenchers - This is one bar I highly recommend, as the bar trolls are kept on the low down and the atmosphere is just plain fun! The bartenders are very nice, the prices are reasonable, and I'll say it again, tots just plain rock! And hey - the bands playing that night sound rather interesting (Sexfist and Swampcandy, anyone?)

The Exit - If it's Thursday night, it must be Bondage A Go Go! And if it's V. Day, you just know the performance is going to be something Special! Get dressed up in your funkiest and be prepared to party hard! There is simply no better place to go people watching than here, or to simply admire the rockin' atmosphere! And hey, the drink specials ain't half bad, neither!

Of course, you can always have a little get together at your house and rent up a couple good action or comedy movies on DVD. Keep it festive and fun, and don't forget to not overdo it - you still have to work the next day!

No longer a novelty only relished by the aristocratic types held in tucked away, European chalets, wine tasting is something no couple should live without experiencing. There is just something special about going to a quaint wine shop for a tasting that can really bring a couple together, and Provenance is certainly the place to go! And with the tastings at this location usually being complimentary, it sure does stretch the budget for opting for some wonderful gifts later on, of which Provenance is stocked and ready to accommodate.

What I like about this place is how special you feel as soon as you walk in the door. The wine and cheese selections are decent and perfectly priced, plenty under $10, with very caring, helpful and knowledgeable service who don't mind chatting over that passion for good food and drink. Beautiful gift baskets are also available, which are perfect for folks who are on their way to dinner parties and are unsure what to bring. And, since that wonderful Thai place practically next door, Sai Mail is BYOB, the location couldn't be any more convenient!

The other thing I really like, besides the fact you don't have to jump in the car to get a few needful things, is just how fresh and flavorful everything is! Hormones and other weird ingredients are relegated to the chain stores, though the prices are surprisingly fair. Goodies like chocolate truffles and scones are also available, as are bakery fresh breads, crackers and other tasty nibbles. They even offer a decent array of spices and pastas, which allows for the novices and experienced chefs alike to surprise their dates with a quick, home cooked meal that is truly gourmet. Nothing says romance than showing up with a small bag of groceries, preparing and then savoring culinary decadence you infused with your own creativity.

I personally believe they follow the “Kill 'em with Kindness” philosophy, because I have yet to meet anyone who hasn't left there grinning ear to ear – the happiness is just so infectious! Even the cute, paper shopping bags make me happy, turning a quick trip in the neighborhood into an enriching experience. And once you take in a visit, I'm sure you'll be stopping by again and again.

Back in the 50's, this fire station closed up shop and moved to brighter pastures. Now a restaurant resides in this historic structure, serving up some decent pub grub and keeping things hopping.

I recently had the pleasure of checking this place out, which was somewhat reminiscent of viewing a museum in a party atmosphere, thanks to the full fire fighting regalia. First impressions would think this is just some campy strip mall establishment, but upon closer scrutiny, the stuff on the walls are all genuine, with every item displayed with purpose. And no, blessedly, the wait staff were not wearing flair! I have always had a lot of respect for these guys, and to have such an overall fairly pleasant experience was worth the visit. I really wanted to slide down the original brass poles in the center of the main dining section, or at least slam a few to swing around on them!

The bar service is pretty good, where we hung out while my party and I waited for a table, and the hostess seems to do a fine job of getting people seated, even though she certainly has her job cut out for her. The wait staff were certainly in a dizzying buzz, but not too frantic, thanks to a good busing staff puling back up duty. The place seems very upbeat, where large groups of friends can gather and chatter without worrying they're causing a scene.

The food itself was fair, but nothing to write home about, though they make a very earnest attempt of offering plenty of vegetarian selections. The chili is okay, which my personal standards are pretty high, so they make up for it by offering “The Wall of Fire”, where guests are asked to go up to it, located next to the bar, grab up as many bottles of underground heat as they like and bring it back to the table with them. I liked this notion a lot, and it introduced me to a few new concoctions! And I'm a girl who likes her food HOT!

Since some people bring the kiddos along, this place is best to hit after 8pm to avoid banging their knees into aisle blocking strollers. There is also seating upstairs, where the fire fighters used to sleep, though that is mainly used for banquets. It's a pretty cool place to check out, with area parking being pretty fair. There's free pool on Mondays and is also a good place to catch the game as well.

Love, love, LOVE Buona Terra! I went here on a date for Valentine's Day a couple years back, and have happily made it one of my favorite local places! The food is good and very traditional, the atmosphere is relaxed, the wait staff are really on top of their game, the bar and wine choices are respectable, and hey - no sticker shock when you leave! And yes, bless them for having the smarts to space out the tables apart from the next guy while dining – I appreciate that! They even sett up more tables outside when it's warm out, al fresco dining in such a pretty neighborhood is a wonderful experience in and of itself.

What sets this place apart from many other Italian restaurants in the city is they do not put the bulk of their emphasis on pizza. In fact, I'm pretty sure they don't even make any pies! The consistently busy buzz is pretty evident of how good this place is in every sense of the word, so making a reservation is a pretty smart idea. If you have never been here before, be sure to make your first visit on a Thursday for their prixe fixe. Thursday is an amazing deal - $20 for an appetizer, entree and a dessert! And yes, many of the specials are fair game!

One of the biggest winners here is veal stuffed ravioli in a brandy cream sauce, though the chicken alla provinciana is another winner. I don't care for the gnocci though; the sauce is good, but the Gnocchi itself is pretty blahzee. What usually wins me over is the bread service and appetizers – if they're good, then the rest of the night is usually set – and this place does not disappoint! They serve this incredible cheesy, garlicy bread that you really should ask seconds on, and the fried calamari is probably the only non greasy variety I have ever seen. And for you dessert lovers, try the Gelato or Tiramisu... simply divine!

If I must make a point of contention is the parking around here is a bit tight, but you will probably find something within a couple blocks, so hit the side streets. Also, be prepared to be waiting by the door for an hour anytime after 7pm if you didn't make reservations, because this place does get busy. Even so, you might be able to score a spot at the bar.

Must. Have. Mojitos! This is what you will be chanting all week as you pull the happy dance, waiting for the weekend brunch time to arrive at this Cuban and Mexican inspired restaurant! That is, if you can even wait til then – you might want to go here for dinner during the week as well! Seriously – they are that good here! You'll want to make sure you bring a mirror with you too, because the mint is crushed fresh, leaving lots of leafy goodness stuck in your teeth! But hey – who cares! You'll be savoring its cool flavor all day long.

Cafe 28 does things a little bit different than other Hispanic places around the city. They cater the menu around Gringos like myself and do a pretty good job of it, but without compromising true, authentic flavor: an ideal, mixed marriage that birthed a beautiful child! The décor is charming in its rustic glory, and the patio is nice to hang out in when the weather cooperates. The overall vibe is just so friendly and upbeat and the prices are so reasonable that I doubt I could ever have a complaint here.

The first thing folks will discover is the garlic flavored butter in the bread baskets. I swear you can eat this all by itself! Fried plantains make a nice change of pace from fries or chips, the seafood is incredibly fresh and the beef and pork selections are falling off the bone tender – they slow cook it for hours and hours. Even their version’s of American breakfast food is simply awesome! What's more, everything is spiced just right, and not just a bunch of heat over powering the food itself.

What works for me is the wait never seems to be all that bad, even at their busiest. Getting a table isn't a big deal, waiting for food isn't painful, and getting refills or the check won't cause any finer tapping or frantic hand waving. Also the decibel level is pretty fair, even at brunch with other people's kids in tow, which gets big kudos from me. My only regret is not being able to frequent this place more often.

Winter in Chicago can be downright ornery, with sub zero temperatures, Arctic winds and mounds of that salty, black slush that just loves to ruin your boots, leaving you shivering below depressing, grey skies. Before cabin fever puts a strangle hold on you, make a double take on all the good things we have around here! And with Valentine’s Day being just around the corner, you need to come up with something a little different than what everyone else is doing without breaking the budget!

The first place you're definitely going to want to check out is the Garfield Park Conservatory for their annual Chocolate Festival! It happens the weekend before the big day, allowing you to indulge your sweet tooth and take in some of the most beautiful exotic flowers at the same time, all while being in a warm and soothing environment. Sure does break the mold on the old fashioned staple, now doesn’t it? After dark, head due east to Millennium Park for their Museum of Modern Ice Exhibition! Who knew frozen water could be so breathtakingly stunning? (Well, perhaps the Inuits do, but then again, they have a whole dictionary full of words to express their respect and awe, so go figure!)

Now, for those of you who love to put things off until the last minute, scoring a reservation at a fine dining establishment is probably out of the question, especially on the 14th! Besides, the mantra of the procrastinator is, “Reservations? We don’t need no stinking reservations!”. Fortunately for Chicagoans, there are plenty of places to wine and dine your snuggle bunny that don’t require more than a little patience. Italian restaurants abound around here, and their traditional dark and high backed booth settings make them the perfect places to drop on by. Gullivers on the far north side has plenty of seating to accommodate even Reverend Moon’s reception parties, the place is just so darned purty and wow – the pizza ain’t half bad neither! La Villa’s is another great spot for good food, of which they tend to feature items like Surf and Turf without costing an arm and a leg.

But of course, there are those who wrap their question popping around the most romantic of holidays, and I can’t think of a more memorable place to do so than right at home, where the mood is allowed to strike immediately afterwards. In this case, I recommend hitting the Sunflower Market and offering to make the dinner yourself! They have just about everything you need to make the night special, but it’s their customer service that wows me every time! Just remember us ladies get just as scared as you guys do, so relax and enjoy the moment!

Why on Earth would anyone willingly jump out of a perfectly good airplane, let alone pay for the privilege? Simply put, because sky diving is just such an exhilarating, liberating experience that truly changes your entire perspective on everything in life, and nothing else really comes close.

Of course, besides building up the courage to plummet thousands of feet in the air, the biggest challenge is getting other people to go in with you! Sky diving is really something to do with at least one other person, and I’m sure you know of at least one crazy friend to do it with! Since this is tandem jumping, the more tricky aspects are handled for you, even though you do get a good amount of training before you board the plane, along with super instructors who have done this hundreds of times. Besides, how else are you going to get such an incredible view with a peaceful decent?

Some of the best candidates for sky diving are actually those who have advanced fears of heights, in my opinion. Riding a roller coaster is far scarier, due to all of its jerks and pulls, and boarding a commercial airliner is so claustrophobic! Even the sheer act of standing on top of a small building is worse, because you generally don’t have anything to protect you from falling! So don’t be shy about encouraging your fraidy cat friend to join you! And hey – if you too have a fear of heights or a fear of airplanes, this just might be the ultimate way to conquer them both together and share an incredible bonding moment with your nearest and dearest at the same time!

Obviously, the location is a bit of a drive from the city, since you wouldn’t want to land in the middle of heavy traffic or get stuck in a tree someplace. Therefore, it’s only fitting that those who are too over stimulated to drive back home have a place to handle some down time. Located at the epicenter is a wonderful all included park, with a dining area, full service bar, gym with spa facilities, canoeing, horseback riding and yes, even camping! Plan a full weekend around your jump, and go ahead and bring your non jumping friends with you to cheer you on – even if they think you’re completely nuts!

Guys: if you REALLY want to make your date swoon, this is the numero uno place to do it, and wow – the price can’t be beat! It’s free to enter, with $15 to park your car. There is simply no shortage of time you can spend here, so be sure you dress for the weather and wear very comfy shoes – and don’t forget your camera! And, whether you plan to pack a picnic lunch or opt to dine inside, the only thing to remember is to go on a week day to avoid the crowds, because once you step inside, you’ll immediately know why this is one of the most raved about gardens in the country – probably the world!

When I say this place is HUGE, I mean it! You can spend an entire summer day here and still not see everything this place offers. The best times to go are either in late April to the middle of May or after Labor Day. The crowds are lighter, since the kids are back in school, and more importantly, that’s when the real magic happens with the foliage! The smells from all those flowers are simply enchanting!

You somewhat frisky folks may want to venture onto Spider Island. (Don’t let the name scare you!) Mega PDA time can be captured here, since unlike typical museum staff, the folks who work here really do keep to themselves! Just be sure to bring something to lie on! *wink* The other REAL hot spot is the Japanese gardens, where you can climb all the way to the top of the water fall! (Hopefully someone around can snap a picture for you!) The English walled garden is a personal favorite of mine, due to its simple serenity and charm.

If you get hungry, the café offers some pretty impressive food on top of the standard snacky fare. Kettle chips simply rock, and wow – who would have thought items like grilled salmon would be on the menu? Their corn on the cob is also really, really good!

Of course, you pedal pushers really need to make full use of the bike trails leading up here. The nearby Skokie lagoons are so pretty, and you can generally make your way up here from the Chicago border in about three hours’ time. Of course, you save on the parking cost as well as the environment, and you definitely get in some more PDA time to boot!

Next time you have a whole day set aside for shopping, head over to Buffalo Exchange in Wicker Park, but don’t expect to go anywhere else. This store has everything you need, and chances are, you’ll find yourself unable to leave.

Trendier than a typical thrift shop but full of the one-of-a-kind items that only thrift shopping can turn up, Buffalo Exchange is a fabulous new addition to Wicker Park’s line of second-hand shops. This particular store opened in October of 2007 and is part of a larger national chain, although you definitely don’t get that feeling when you walk in. Right away, a jewelry counter overflowing with colorful, sparkling treasures will call out to you. And sprawled out before you are clothing racks that are just waiting to be explored. Tons of different styles are intermingling in this shop, and I guarantee there’s something for everyone. Putting an entire outfit won’t be hard; they have purses, hats, shoes, boots, coats, jeans, belts, sunglasses and other accessories in abundance.

The walls are decked out in the vibrant red paint color that has become popular as of late, a nice touch with the classic high ceilings and the thoughtfully tasteful displays. And when your arm is about to give out from the huge stack of clothes you’ve picked out to try on, you’ll be glad to know that this unique store has a wonderfully not-so-unique feature: eight, count ‘em, eight oversized dressing rooms! This is not your neighborhood Salvation Army, that’s for sure.

Not used to thrift shopping? No worries. This place doesn’t even really feel like a second-hand shop, with its friendly staff, wide aisles and laid-back vibe. As long as you have an eye for fashion, you’ll feel perfectly at home.

Of course, once you’ve sifted through the racks and compiled a mound of new additions to your wardrobe, you’ll undoubtedly feel that sense of apprehension as you head to the register. But the best part about Buffalo Exchange is that this sense of worry will dissolve once you’ve been rung up, thanks to the amazingly affordable prices. You’d be surprised at how much bang for your back you can get at this place, compared with some of the pricier shops in the same neighborhood.

And if you really don’t have much in your budget for shopping, keep in mind that this shop will actually buy your clothes from you, for either cash or store credit. So whether you need rent money or a new dress, this place can hook you up and will keep you coming back for more. Happy shopping!