The HOP LEAF is a truly wonderful place, but a bit difficult to get to. That's why I didn't list it. Count on a long-ish, expensive taxicab ride - no close public transit. Address is 5148 N Clark St @ Foster. From Michigan Ave @ Chicago River it's a $30 taxi fare to get there. The closest Red Line train station is one whole mile away. Since you've been at the Hop leaf last, they've doubled in size and added a Belgian kitchen. Mussels - Mmmmmmmm! My favorite beer there is one you wouldn't expect - for some reason they pour a pint of Anchor Steam in absolutely perfect condition. "So that's why Michael Jackson rates this beer ****," I tell myself when I have one at the Hop Leaf. Like I said, wonderful, but if you're restricted for time or taxicab fare, there's closer places much easier to get to, such as the Clark Street Ale House, which you can even walk to. And here's more MUCH EASIER TO GET TO places I didn't mention: SHEFFIELD'S, 3258 N. Sheffield Ave, one block north of Belmont. Ride a Red Line "L" train to the Belmont station, walk 1/2 block west to Sheffield, and one block north on Sheffield. Excellent draught micro selection in a really pleasant outdoor beer garden. An under-appreciated gem. TIP: The bar in the farthest back room often has beers on draught not available at the front bar, and it has much larger rest rooms. Want to feel very German? Ride the Brown Line "L" to the Western station, and walk 1/2 block north to either CHICAGO BRAUHAUS, 4732 N. Lincoln Ave, with great German food and usually an oom-pah band playing, or HUETTENBAR across the street at 4721 N. Lincoln with mostly German imports on draught and where more German than English is spoken. TIP: Eat at the Brauhaus, and then walk across the street for a perfect, crisp, black, almost porter-like Kostritzer Schwarzbier after dinner at the Huettenbar! Note from Michigan Avenue the easiest way to get to the Brown Line is to ride the Red Line to Belmont and transfer across the platform. An insider tip is DON'T transfer at Fullerton because the Red Line goes faster and often your Red Line train will catch up to a waiting Brown Line train by the time you get to Belmont. Roger Deschner rogerd(a)uic.edu ============== Bartender: "Can I draw you a beer, Norm?" =============== ====== Norm: "No. I know what they look like. Just pour me one." ======= =========================== - TV show Cheers =========================== On Sat, 21 Aug 2004, Peter Mack wrote: