Comments for http://johnsstories.com The founder of Wine Insiders, one of the nation’s top direct marketing wine companies and Geja’s Café a well-known Chicago fondue restaurant begun in 1965. Tue, 10 Jan 2012 02:16:18 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ Comment on About by John Davis http://johnsstories.com/store/#comment-469 Tue, 10 Jan 2012 02:16:18 +0000 #comment-469 Hi Karen, Yes, Geja’s was on Well Street from 1965 to 1971 when we moved to our current Armitage Ave. location. Wells Street in the 60′s was quite the place – a real magnet for interesting businesses, including blues, jazz and folk clubs, head shops, etc. and of course, very interesting inhabitants of the street and unusual visitors. Every hippie and “Hard Traveler” in the US either visited Wells Street or wanted to.

On the back of Geja’s menu is the Geja’s Legend which I’m happy to pass along:

The Legend of Prince Geja….

originated in the Moroccan city of Marrakesh in 687 A.D.
Prince Geja’s, as he was to be known, spent his youth high on Mount Tizi in the Atlas Mountains, tutored in the ancient wisdom and understanding of the prophet Mustafa El Said. Upon reaching maturity, Geja joined the forces of the Amir in the conquest of the Iberian Peninsula.

It was in 722 that Prince Geja was acknowledged to be the most learned of the Moorish princes, having distinguished himself in the monumental Battle of the Quadalquivir River.

However, it was not in battle that Prince Geja was to win his true place in history. For upon his return to Mt. Tizi the following year he established the forerunner of today’s Geja’s Cafe, featuring the finest wines, cheeses and spirits from the world over.

Thus today – thirteen centuries later – the same tradition of hospitality and good taste is alive and well.
And you don’t have to climb a mountain to reach it.”

I’ll be your friend did not know that she might have royal blood in her system

Regards, John

]]> Comment on About by Karen Curran http://johnsstories.com/store/#comment-468 Mon, 09 Jan 2012 22:37:08 +0000 #comment-468 Hi John,

I used to live in Chicago years ago and it was always a treat to visit your restaurant on N. Wells St! It was wonderful!

I am very curious about how you came up with the name Geja’s. I have a dear friend from the Netherlands and has lived in the States for a while and her nickname is Geja! I sent her the link to Geja’s cafe and she wanted to know how you came up with the name..is there another Geja somewhere?

It has been so interesting reading your blog and following your adventures. Thank you John,

Karen

]]> Comment on Wine and scanty underwear . . . by John Davis http://johnsstories.com/wine-and-scanty-underwear/#comment-319 Thu, 22 Sep 2011 22:51:34 +0000 http://johnsstories.com/?page_id=548#comment-319 Roman – Thanks for taking the time to write. I am delighted that you enjoy my restaurant, Geja’s Cafe, and our wine. Best regards, John

]]> Comment on Wine and scanty underwear . . . by Roman G. Chlebicki 7071 West Touhy Ave. Unit #204 Niles, Illinois 60714 http://johnsstories.com/wine-and-scanty-underwear/#comment-318 Thu, 22 Sep 2011 22:39:46 +0000 http://johnsstories.com/?page_id=548#comment-318 John I am A retired Chicago Policeman. I know your Resturant and I do love your WINE. I do live in Niles, Illinois Just across from me is Niles Police Dept 7071 West Touhy Ave. Condo Unit #204. Phone 847-647-7064. Milwaukee Ave & Touhy There is a LARGE Water Fouintion ON South West Corner Many condo’s where built the over pass10 year’s now / I will place an order today 9-22-2011 I have already purchased your wine and I enjoy it.. I live alone now .x wife had pass and I do have one daughter and she is Chicago School Teacher Since I retire Now I am CERF. Tennis Teacher will travel if $$$$ is there…

]]> Comment on Ah, what bread! by John Davis http://johnsstories.com/2009/11/24/ah-what-bread/#comment-104 Wed, 01 Dec 2010 03:05:33 +0000 http://wineinsiders.wordpress.com/?p=405#comment-104 I can’t exactly remember when Toscano’s closed, but it was 20-25 years ago. Yes, these folks knew how to make delicious bread. As I recall, the reason they closed is that they were unable to find bakers willing to do the type of work (all by hand) that this bread required. John

]]> Comment on Ah, what bread! by Rosemary http://johnsstories.com/2009/11/24/ah-what-bread/#comment-103 Tue, 30 Nov 2010 00:58:18 +0000 http://wineinsiders.wordpress.com/?p=405#comment-103 My father grew up in Chicago and is now retired in the South. I live here in the city and my dad keeps asking me to bring him Toscano’s bread. I did a search and this was the first solid mention of the bakery. I’m sorry to hear it is closed… do you know when that happened? I’d love to relay the story to my father. He said it is the best bread he’s ever had…

]]> Comment on Wine and scanty underwear . . . by John Davis http://johnsstories.com/wine-and-scanty-underwear/#comment-98 Wed, 15 Sep 2010 22:18:47 +0000 http://johnsstories.com/?page_id=548#comment-98 Hi Allen, What are you up to? Have tried to contact you several times over the last few years. Will you e-mail your contact info. Thanks, John

]]> Comment on Wine and scanty underwear . . . by Allen H. Kelson http://johnsstories.com/wine-and-scanty-underwear/#comment-97 Wed, 15 Sep 2010 18:16:30 +0000 http://johnsstories.com/?page_id=548#comment-97 John, by “your”, I meant “you’re”. Attribute it to old age.
Moderator: please pass along to John Davis. No need to post this or my previous comment publicly.

]]> Comment on Chilean wine & Andean skiing by John Davis http://johnsstories.com/2010/08/26/chilean-wine-andean-skiing/#comment-94 Thu, 02 Sep 2010 02:37:15 +0000 http://johnsstories.com/?p=637#comment-94 Hi – E-mail is johndwine@gmail.com. John

]]> Comment on A week with wolves by John Davis http://johnsstories.com/2010/07/31/a-week-with-wolves/#comment-90 Thu, 12 Aug 2010 00:44:28 +0000 http://johnsstories.com/?p=617#comment-90 Mike – Wolves, even if raised by hand as pups, remain wild creatures, though they may seem domesticated. John

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