Thursday, July 21, 2011

CHICAGO

(includes Evanston & Riverside)

BAKERIES, COFFEE, ICE CREAM, JUICE & TEA
Bridgeport
Pleasant House Bakery – 964 West 31st Street; 773-523-7437; pleasanthousebakery.com; rustic atmosphere with farm-to-table baked goods; also, cafe.

Bucktown/Wicker Park
Hot Chocolate – 1747 North Damen Avenue; 773-489-1747; hotchocolatechicago.com; try any dessert, especially “Thoughts on Peanut Butter Cup” or “Mini White Chocolate Pots de Crème with Candy Cane Brittle.”

Chatham
Dat Old Fashioned Donut – 8249 South Cottage Grove Avenue; 773-723-1002; every donut made by hand; Boston cream is excellent.

Edgewater
Coffee Studio – 5628 North Clark Street; 773-271-7881; thecoffeestudio.com.
Uncommon Ground – 1401 West Devon Avenue (between Glenwood Ave & Newgard Avenue); 773-465-9801; uncommonground.com; eco-conscious purveyor that grows much of own produce.

Lakeview
Bad Wolf – 3422 North Lincoln Avenue; 773-969-2346; badwolfcoffee.com; caneles come out of oven daily at 10:00 a.m.
Uncommon Ground – 3800 North Clark Street (at Grace Street); 773-929-3680; uncommonground.com; eco-conscious purveyor that grows much of own produce.

Lincoln Park
Floriole Bakery – 2119 North Rockwell Street; 312-550-2526; floriole.com; perfect galette and macaroon; best macaroons – caramel apple, chocolate orange, and pear ginger.

Lincoln Square
Baker Miller Bakery & Millhouse – 4610 North Western Avenue; 312-208-5639; bakermillerchicago.com; try sunflower seed bread.

Logan Square
Bang Bang Pie Shop – 2051 North California Avenue; 773-276-8888; bangbangpie.com.
Intelligentsia Coffee – 2642 North Milwaukee Avenue (between Kedzie & Sawyer Avenues); 773-945-1690; intelligentsiacoffee.com/location/logan-square-coffeebar; part of mini-chain; good baked goods, too.

Near North Side
Eataly – 43 East Ohio Street; 312-521-8700; eataly.com/eataly-chicago; Italian.
Reno – 2607 North Milwaukee Avenue (between Logan Boulevard & Kedzie Avenue); 773-697-4234; renochicago.com; starts day as bagel & donut bakery.

Pilsen
Beurrage – 1248 West 18th Street (between Allport & Throop Streets); 773-998-2371; beurrage.com; among best bakeries in city.
Rogers Park
Charmers Café – 1500 West Jarvis Avenue; 773-743-2233; coffee shop.
Uncommon Ground – 1401 West Devon Avenue; 773-465-9801; uncommonground.com; organic restaurant.

Ukrainian Village
Hoosier Mama Pie Company – 1618½ Chicago Avenue; 312-243-4846; hoosiermamapie.com; retro-styled spot; 5 chess pies, as well as other regional favorites; try Indiana’s famous “sugar cream” pie.



BARS & NIGHTCLUBS
Boystown
Kit Kat Lounge & Supper Club – 3700 North Halsted Street; 773-525-1111; kitkatchicago.com; cabaret-style entertainment with fun, upscale dining; female impersonators.
Wang’s – 3317 North Broadway; 773-296-6800; sexy Shanghai-style gay bar.

Bridgeport
Shinnick’s Pub – 3748 South Union Avenue; 773-523-8591; shinnicks.com; no-frills neighborhood bar.

Bucktown/Wicker Park
Bar Louie – 1704 North Damen Avenue; 773-645-7500; barlouieamerica.com; extensive bar menu; late-night hours.
Violet Hour – 1520 North Damen Avenue; 773-252-1500; theviolethour.com; pre-Prohibition Era inspired speakeasy with ballroom-like decor and precisely made old-fashioned cocktails.

Dearborn
Bar Louie – 47 West Polk Street; 312-347-0000; barlouieamerica.com; extensive bar menu; late-night hours.

Downtown
Bernard’s Bar – 11 East Walton Street (at Elysian Hotel); 312-646-1300; elysianhotels.com; plush velvet banquettes and low lighting; addictive, house-made potato chips.
Coq d’Or – 140 East Walton Place (at Drake Hotel); 312-932-4623; thedrakehotel.com/dining/coq-d-or; classic; for champagne cocktail & piano-bar vibe.
Underground Wonder Bar – 10 East Walton Street; 312-266-7761; undergroundwonderbar.com; open every day; from blues and jazz to reggae and soul.
Wit Hotel – 201 North State Street; 312-467-0200; thewithotel.com; chic rooftop bar.

Edgewater
In Fine Spirits – 5418 North Clark Street; 773-506-9463; small-batch spirits and wines; quality small plates.

Fulton Market
Aviary – 955 West Fulton Market; 312-226-0868; theaviary.com; stylish mixology lounge.

Hyde Park
Bar Louie – 5500 South Shore Drive (Hyde Park); 773-363-5300; barlouieamerica.com; extensive bar menu; late-night hours.

Logan Square
Billy Sunday – 3143 West Logan Boulevard; 773-661-2485; billy-sunday.com; pre-Prohibition in appearance; inventive cocktails.
Longman & Eagle – 2657 North Kedzie Avenue; 773-276-7110; longmanandeagle.com; esteemed gastropub.
Masa Azul – 2901 West Diversey Avenue; 773-687-0300; masaazul.com; mezcal-tequila bar that serves excellent Mexican snacks.
Owen & Engine – 2700 North Western Avenue; 773-235-2930; owenengine.com; gastropub.
Parson’s Chicken & Fish – 2952 West Armitage; 773-384-3333; parsonschickenandfish.com; 35-seat hillbilly-hipster shack with massive patio; try bittersweet Negroni slushie.
Radler – 2375 North Milwaukee Avenue (between Fullerton & Medill Avenues in Logan Square); 773- 276-0270; dasradler.com; German beer hall.
Revolution Brewing – 2323 North Milwaukee Avenue; 773-227-2739; revbrew.com; brewpub.
Scofflaw – 3201 West Armitage Avenue; 773-252-9700; scofflawchicago.com; gin cocktail focused; if patty melt on bar menu - grab it!
Telegraph – 2601 North Milwaukee Avenue (between Logan Boulevard & Kedzie Avenue); 773-292-9463; telegraphchicago.com; wine bar with excellent food.

Market District
Bar Louie – 226 West Chicago Avenue; 312-337-3313; barlouieamerica.com; extensive bar menu; late-night hours.

Near North Side
Graham Elliot – 217 West Huron Street; 312-624-9975; grahamelliot.com; great drinks.
Drawing Room – 937 North Rush Street; 313-266-2694; lepassage.com; bar and discotheque; bar part is quiet-ish with excellent food.

Old Town
Benchmark – 1510 North Wells Street; 312-649-9640; benchmarkchicago.com; sports bar with retractable roof, 46 plasma television screens, and wide-ranging menu.
Old Town Social – 455 West North Avenue; 312-266-2277; 16 microbrews and stellar menu; upscale.

River North
Punch House – 1227 West 18th Street; 312-526-3851; punchhousechicago.com; cocktails.

River North
Baton Lounge – 436 North Clark Street; 312-644-5269; thebatonloungeshow.com; drag shows since 1969.
Curio – 230 West Kinzie Street (at Gilt Bar); 312-464-9544; gilt-barchicago.com; basement bar with Prohibition theme; try Death’s Door Daisy.
English – 444 North LaSalle Boulevard; 312-222-6200; englishchicago.com; swanky; traditional English pub with American sports bar updates; flat screen televisions.
Purple Pig – 500 North Michigan Avenue; 312-464-1744; thepurplepigchicago.com; Bon Appétit Magazine 2010 votes among 10 best new restaurants; Mediterranean-inspired; communal tables and small plates; excellent bar.

Roscoe Village
Commonwealth Tavern – 2000 West Roscoe Street; 773-697-7965; commonwealthchicago.com; thoughtfully sourced gastropub fare, cocktails, drafts & coffee served in utilitarian-chic setup.

Streeterville
Signature Lounge – 875 North Hancock Avenue; 312-787-9596; signaturelounge.com; in John Hancock center on 96th floor; beautiful views.

Uptown
Big Chicks – 5024 North Sheridan Road; 773-728-5511; bigchicks.com; gay bar that welcomes everyone.
Crew – 4804 North Broadway Avenue; 773-784-2739; worldsgreatestbar.com; gay sports bar.
Green Mill – 4802 North Broadway Avenue; 773-878-552; greenmilljazz.com; in 1920s, “Machine Gun” Jack McGurn, Al Capone crony who owned 25% bar, orders hit of singer Joe E. Lewis; Sinatra movie, Joker Is Wild, based on incident; strict “no talking” policy when musicians playing; cover charges vary.

West Loop
Lone Wolf – 806 West Randolph Street; 312-600-9391; lonewolftavern.com; bar food from Pleasant House Bakery.
Maude’s Liquor Bar – 840 West Randolph Street; 312-243-9712; maudesliquorbar.com; also French food in this den of sparkling cocktails.
Nellcôte – 833 West Randolph Street; 312-432-0500; nellcoterestaurant.com; awesome cocktails, as well as European-inspired small plates; lovely and grand.
Vera – 1023 West Lake Street; 312-243-9770; verachicago.com; A+ Spanish wine & tapas bar.

Wrigleyville
Bar Louie – 3545 North Clark Street; 773-296-2500; barlouieamerica.com; extensive bar menu; late-night hours.



HOTELS
Downtown
Hotel Burnham – 1 West Washington; 312-782-1111 or 866-690-1986; burnhamhotel.com; 1895 glass & steel tower; on National Registry of Historic Places; ask for Room 809 – Al Capone’s dentist’s room.
Elysian Hotel – 11 East Walton Street; 312-646-1300 or 800-500-8511; elysianhotels.com; dedicated to reviving bygone travel age.
Intercontinental Chicago – 505 North Michigan Avenue; 312-944-4100 or 877-270-1390; ichotelsgroup.com.
James – 55 East Ontario; 312-337-1000 or 888-526-3778; jameshotels.com; 2 blocks off Michigan Avenue; slick 297-room hotel; minimalist interiors; standard rooms do not have full length mirrors and only closet space is in bathroom; ask for loft room.
Renaissance Blackstone – 636 South Michigan Avenue; 312-447-0955 or 888-236-2427; marriott.com; has hosted over dozen US Presidents; originated phrase “smoking room”; recently renovated.
Wit Hotel – 201 North State Street; 312-467-0200 or 866-318-1514; thewithotel.com; chic new place with rooftop bar that is big local hit.

Financial District
JW Marriott Chicago – 151 West Adams Street; 312-660-8200 or 888-717-8850; jwmarriottchicago.com; luxurious and majestic; “destination in itself”; in 1914 neo-Classical structure designed by Daniel H. Burnham (formerly Continental & Commercial National Bank); all marble and warm colors.

Gold Coast
Palmer House Hilton – 17 East Monroe Street; 312-726-7500 or 800-445-8667; 1.hilton.com; 140 year-old hotel recently renovated; breathtaking lobby; good bar and restaurant.
Public Hotel – 1301 North State Parkway; 312-787-3700 or 888-506-3471; publichotels.com/chicago; 1926 landmark building; 285 rooms; affordable, like cross between Four Seasons and Courtyard Marriott; great “library” bar-space.
Thompson Chicago – 21 East Bellevue Place; 321-266-2100 or 800-606-8188; thompsonchicago.com; feels like your home but better.

Logan Square
Longman & Eagle – 2657 North Kedzie Avenue; 773-276-7110; longmanandeagle.com; 6 rooms complement esteemed, ground-floor gastropub; each individually-designed guest-room features recycled wood floors, glass-walled bathrooms, and Apple TVs.

Loop
Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel – 221 North Columbus Drive; 312-565-5258; radissonblu.com/aquahotel-chicago; ask for room 725 (corner room with view over lake-river and wraparound balcony.

North Loop/Theater District
Allegro Hotel – 171 West Randolph Street; 312-236-0123 or 800-643-1500; allegrochicago.com; 483-room hotel in bustling theater district; Kimpton hotel.

Near North Side
Elysian Hotel – 11 East Walton Street; 312-646-1300 or 800-500-8511; elysianhotels.com; expensive.
Four Seasons Hotel Chicago – 120 East Delaware Place; 312-280-8800 or 800-819-5053; fourseasons.com.
Hotel Sax – 333 North Dearborn Street; 312-245-0333 or 877-569-3742; hotelsaxchicago.com; beneath Marina City towers; stylish with dark lounge; affordable.
Langham – 330 North Wabash Avenue; 312-923-9988; chicago.langhamhotels.com; in Mies van der Rohe office building; killer breakfast buffet.

River North
Palomar Chicago – 505 North State Street; 312-755-9703 or 877-731-0505; hotelpalomar-chicago.com; 2 blocks off “Miracle Mile.”
Westin Chicago River North – 320 North Dearborn Avenue; 312-744-1900 or 800-937-8461; starwoodhotels.com.

Rosemont
Intercontinental O’Hare – 5300 North River Road (near O’Hare Airport); 847-544-5300 or 877-270-1390; ichotelsgroup.com; no pool.

Southside
Four Seasons Hotel – 1550 South Indiana Avenue; 312-913-1025 or 800-819-5053; fourseasons.com.

Streeterville
Millennium Knickerbocker – 163 East Walton Place (at North Michigan Avenue); 312-751-8100 or 866-866-8086; millenniumhotels.com; 1927 hotel renovated recently; ballroom has city’s largest plexiglass floor.



RESTAURANTS
Andersonville
Big Jones – 5347 North Clark Street; 773-275-5725; bigjoneschicago.com; great fried chicken.
Parachute Restaurant – 3500 North Elston Avenue; 773-654-1460; parachuterestaurant.com; try shaobing (“bing”) bread (stuffed with bacon & scallions).

Avondale
Cellar Door Provisions – 3025 West Diversey Avenue; 773-697-8337; cellardoorprovisions.com; seasonal, simple, slow-food; worth special trip.
Kuma’s Corner – 2900 West Belmont Avenue; 773-604-8769; kumascorner.com; great burgers; long waits and no reservations; bar.
l2o Restaurant – 2300 North Lincoln Park West; 773-868-0002; l2orestaurant.com; seafood “temple.”
Urban Belly – 3053 North California Avenue; 773-583-0500; urbanbellychicago.com; BYOB noodle shop; try brandy and lamb stuffed dumplings.
Yusho – 2853 North Kedzie Avenue; 773-904-8558; yusho-chicago.com; yakitori-style (Asian-inspired street food).

Bridgeport
Pleasant House Bakery – 964 West 31st Street; 773-523-7437; pleasanthousebakery.com; for English savory pies; rustic cafe with farm-to-table menu.

Bucktown/Wicker Park
Antique Taco – 1360 North Milwaukee Avenue; 773-687-8697; antiquetaco.com; Mexican food.
Big Star Taqueria & Bar – 1531 North Damien Avenue; 773-235-4039; in former garage; country on jukebox and tequila at bar; real draw is tacos; try spit-roasted al pastor.
Danny’s – 1951 West Dickens Avenue; 773-489-6457; unassuming watering hole with cheap beer on tap.
Dove’s Luncheonette Chicago – 1545 North Damen Avenue; 773-645-4060; doveschicago.com; southern-inspired Mexican cuisine; try brisket tacos.
Mott Street – 1401 North Ashland Avenue (between Beach Avenue & Blackhawk Street); 773-687-9977; mottstreetchicago.com; by people who run Ruxbin.
Nico Osteria – 1015 North Rush Street; 312-994-7100; nicoosteria.com; Italian seafood; try salt-crusted branzino & burnt-honey gelato; nice pastry selection includes chestnut coffee cake.
Penny’s Noodle Shop – 1542 North Damen Avenue (at Pierce Avenue); 773-394-0100; pennysnoodleshop.com.
Schwa – 1466 North Ashland Avenue; 773-252-1466; schwarestaurant.com; among America’s toughest tables to book; undecorated, unfussy & unmissable; creative, New American “experiments.”
Spring Restaurant – 2039 West North Avenue, 773-395-7100; springrestaurant.com; seafood, in Wickerpark-Bucktown area in old Russian bathhouse; steer away from more traditional Chinese-influenced fare.
Takashi – 1952 North Damen Avenue; 773-772-6170; takashichicago.com; best for Sunday lunch when chef features special noddle menu.
Trenchermen Restaurant – 2039 West North Avenue; 773-661-1540; trenchermen.com/Trenchermen; boozy, boisterous, farm-food-focused, curio-filled space.

DePaul
Pequods Pizza – 2207 North Clybourn Avenue (between Webster & Greenview Avenues); 773-327-1512; pequodspizza.com; both pan & thin-crust pizza.

Downtown
Ann Sather – 3411 North Broadway Avenue; 773-305-0024; annsather.com; breakfast and lunch spot; famous for cinnamon rolls.
Ann Sather – 909 West Belmont Avenue; 773-348-2378; annsather.com; breakfast and lunch spot; famous for cinnamon rolls.
Cape Cod Room – 140 East Walton Place (at Drake Hotel); 312-787-2200; thedrakehotel.com/dining/cape-cod; classic; dark and intimate, with cozy nautical atmosphere.
Cibo Matto – 201 North State Street; 312-239-9500; cibomatto.therestaurantsatthewit.com; Italian; try caramelli; fine dining establishment.
Everest – 440 South LaSalle Street (40th Floor); 312-663-8920; everestrestaurant.com; try braised pork cheeks.
Nightwood – 2119 South Halsted Street; 312-526-3885; nightwoodrestaurant.com; try deep-fried Michigan smelts with crème fraiche.
Opera – 1301 South Wabash; 312-461-0161; opera-chicago.com; sophisticated Chinese.
Signature Room – 875 North Hancock Avenue; 312-787-9596; signatureroom.com; in John Hancock center on 95th floor; beautiful views and good food.
Spiaggia – 980 North Michigan Avenue; 312-280-2750; spiaggiarestaurant.com; spectacular lake view and classic Italian food (wood-roasted rabbit loin).

Edgewater
Anteprima – 5316 North Clark Street; 773-506-9990; anteprimachicago.net; brightly hued, rustic Italian restaurant with lush backyard patio; perfect New York strip.
Great Lake – 1477 West Balmoral Avenue; 773-334-3270; tiny, homey place; pizza considered best in America; severely limited hours and BYOB.

Evanston
Edzo’s Burger Shop – 1571 Sherman Avenue; 847-864-3396; edzos.com; great burgers, fries, and shakes.

Fulton Market
iNG – 951 West Fulton Market; 855-834-6464; ingrestaurant.com; “iNG” stands for “imaginary New Gastronomy”; casual atelier with low-ish prices; Asian comfort food meets molecular gastronomy.
Next Restaurant – 953 West Fulton Market; 312-226-0858; nextrestaurant.com; have to have “ticket.”
Publican – 837 West Fulton Market; 312-733-9555; publicanqualitymeats.com; “temple to pig” with pork-centered menu yet, somehow, vegetables are real stars; also beer and oysters; communal tables; also, excellent stone fruit charlottes for dessert.
Publican Quality Meats – 825 West Fulton Market; 312-445-8977; thepublicanrestaurant.com; blue-tinged, white tiled butcher shop that also has 32 seats (including outdoor cafe tables, weather permitting); home-baked bread, charcuterie, ingredient-driven sandwiches.

Gold Coast
Ikram – 15 East Huron Street; 312-587-1000; ikram.com; try 2nd floor cafe.

Humboldt Park
Cemitas Puebla – 3619 West North Avenue; 773-772-8435; cemitaspuebla.com; sandwiches.

Hyde Park
Lem’s Bar-B-Q House – 311 East 75th Street; 773-994-2428; among country’s best BBQ joints.
Medici’s – 1327 East 57th Street; 773-667-7394; medici57.com; Obamas’ favorite pizza place.

Irving Park
Smalls, Smoke Shack & More – 4009 North Albany (Irving Park); 312-857-4221; smallschicago.com; try Filipino dishes.

Lakeview
Ann Sather – 3416 North Southport Avenue; 773-404-4475; annsather.com; breakfast and lunch spot; famous for cinnamon rolls.
Chilam Balam – 3023 North Broadway; 773-296-6901; chilambalamchicago.com; Mexican made with fresh, seasonal vegetables.
Cite Restaurant – 505 North Lake Shore Drive (on 75th floor Lake Point Tower); 312-644-4050; citechicago.com; good food.
Drink Burger Bar – 2954 North Sheffield Avenue; 773-360-8686; drinkburgerbar.com; grass-fed beef and homemade buns.
Mixteco Grill – 1601 West Montrose Avenue; 773-868-1601; BYOB Mexican restaurant; great moles.
Penny’s Noodle Shop – 3400 North Sheffield Avenue (between Clark Street & Newport Avenue); 773-281-8222; pennysnoodleshop.com.
Penny’s Noodle Shop – 950 West Diversey Parkway (at Sheffield Avenue); 773-281-8448; pennysnoodleshop.com.
Southport Grocery & Cafe – 3552 North Southport Avenue; 773-665-0100; southportgrocery.com; airy, bright dining room has booth tables alongside wall; staff’s market picks on blackboard; eclectic menu.

Lincoln Park
Alinea – 1723 North Halsted Street; 312-867-0110; alinearestaurant.com; Gourmet names best restaurant in America; minimalist; reservations required.
Athenian Room – 807 West Webster Avenue; 773-348-5155; athenianroom.net; Kalamata chicken sauce is legendary so order Chicken Kalamata Dinner (half roasted chicken, side salad, and Greek fries); brick walls add to homey cozy atmosphere; no liquor license but is connected to bar next door, Glasscott’s, via super-not-so-secret-walkway and you can order there and bring back; do not expect Michelin-starred service.
BOKA – 1729 North Halsted Street; 312-337-6070; bokachicago.com; bacalao ravioli.
Café Ba-Ba-Reeba – 2024 North Halstead Street; 773-935-5000; cafebabareeba; paellas and tapas with outdoor seating; try white peach sangria.
Café Iberico – 737 North LaSalle Boulevard; 312-573-1510; cafeiberico.com; great tapas; long lines.
Charlie Trotter’s – 816 West Armitrage Avenue; 773-248-6228; charlietrotters.com; 20-year veteran; excellent.
Franks ‘n’ Dawgs – 1863 North Clybourn Avenue; 312-281-5187; franksndawgs.com; all sausages homemade.
Geja’s Café – 340 West Armitage Avenue; 773-281-9101; gejascafe.com; fondue; classical and flamenco guitar on Fridays and Saturdays; romantic.
Mon Ami Gabi – 2300 North Lincoln Park West (at Belden Stratford Hotel); 773-448-8886; monamigabi.com; traditional French bistro serving simple fare.
Pintxos – 737 North LaSalle Drive; 312-664-4800; pintxosbar.com; great tapas and Spanish food.

Lincoln Square
Gene’s Sausage at Delicatessen Meyer – 4750 Lincoln Avenue; 773-728-7243; genessausage.com; ideal for picnic provisions.

Logan Square
Bang Bang Pie Shop – 2051 North California Avenue; 773-276-8888; bangbangpie.com; brunch on weekends only.
Fat Rice – 2957 West Diversey Avenue; 773-661-9170; eatfatrice.com; Portuguese.
Longman & Eagle – 2657 North Kedzie Avenue; 773-276-7110; longmanandeagle.com; rough-edged bar and esteemed gastro-pub that serves refined brunch; try wild boar Sloppy Joe.
Lula Cafe – 2537 North Kedzie Boulevard; 773-489-9554; lulacafe.com; known for inventive fare; open since 1999 try Tineka (Indonesian peanut butter sandwich).
Owen & Engine – 2700 North Western Avenue; 773-235-2930; owenengine.com; gastropub; try North Atlantic haddock-based fish and chips; even hamburger buns are home-made.
Parson’s Chicken & Fish – 2952 West Armitage; 773-384-3333; parsonschickenandfish.com; 35-seat hillbilly-hipster shack with massive patio; half for eating and half for drinking.
Revolution Brewing – 2323 North Milwaukee Avenue; 773-227-2739; revbrew.com; brewpub; ale-braised beef stew is worth visit.
Radler – 2375 North Milwaukee Avenue (between Fullerton & Medill Avenues in Logan Square); 773- 276-0270; dasradler.com; American-German.
Reno – 2607 North Milwaukee Avenue (between Logan Boulevard & Kedzie Avenue); 773-697-4234; renochicago.com; pizza.
Telegraph – 2601 North Milwaukee Avenue (between Logan Boulevard & Kedzie Avenue); 773-292-9463; telegraphchicago.com; wine bar with excellent food.

Loop
Terzo Piano – 159 East Monroe Street (at Art Institute of Chicago); 312-443-8650; terzopianochicago.com; roof-top restaurant.
Wow Bao – 1 West Wacker Boulevard; 312-658-0305; wowbao.com; excellent dumplings; fast-food atmosphere.

Morton Grove
Pequods Pizza – 8520 Fernald Avenue (between Capulina & Lincoln Avenues); 773-327-1512; pequodspizza.com; both pan & thin-crust pizza.

Near North Side
Bavette’s Bar & Boeuf – 218 West Kinzie Street; 312-624-8154; chicago.eater.com/places/bavettes-bar-boeuf; European-style steakhouse.
Ben Pao – 52 West Illinois Street; 31-222-1888; benpao.com; Chinese in lovely atmosphere.
Brazzaz – 539 North Dearborn Street; 312-595-9000; brazzaz.com; stylish Brazilian steakhouse.
Dao Thai – 230 East Ohio Street; 312-337-0000; daothai.com; charming restaurant with reasonable prices and extensive menu.
Eataly – 43 East Ohio Street; 312-521-8700; eataly.com/eataly-chicago; Italian.
Fox & Obel – 401 East Illinois Street; 312-410-7301; fox-obel.com; upscale food market with excellent café; great breads.
Frontera Grill – 445 North Clark Street; 312-661-1434; rickbayless.com; raises chiles and tomatoes on rooftop; Mexican cuisine.
Gene & Georgetti’s Restaurant – 500 North Franklin Street; 312-527-3718; geneandgeorgetti.com; since 1941; old-school steakhouse; try Chicken Vesuvio.
Graham Elliot – 217 West Huron Street; 312-624-9975; grahamelliot.com; try tasting menu, favored items include pea soup with mint marshmallow and wagyu beef with sunchoke and pecorino; great drinks.
Kiki’s Bistro – 900 North Franklin Street; 312-335-5454; kikisbistro.com; cozy in winter and great food.
Sixteen – 401 North Wabash Avenue (at Trump International Hotel, on 30th floor); 312-588-8000; trumpchicagohotel.com; tremendous views; great desserts.
Slurping Turtle – 116 West Hubbard Street; 312-464-0466; slurpingturtle.com; takashi yagihashi (noodles); Japanese comfort food for lunch and dinner; ultramod River North eatery; bincho, dumplings, hot tapas, and sashimi.
Xoco – 449 North Clark Street; 312-334-3688; rickbayless.com/restaurants/xoco.html; churros, soup, and torta lunch destination; casual; try pepito torta – short ribs, black beans, caramelized onions, and pickled jalapeños or woodland mushroom torta (goat cheese, mushroom, and arugula with 3-chili salsa); opens at 7 a.m., serving churros y chocolate; for breakfast, try scrambled egg empanada with poblano chili sauce or open-face torta with soft poached egg and black beans.

Old Irving Park
Bread & Wine – 3732 West Irving Park Road; 773-866-5266; breadandwinechicago.com; farm-to-table bistro with Roman-style cooking; house-made liver pate.

Old Town
Benchmark – 1510 North Wells Street; 312-649-9640; benchmarkchicago.com; sports bar with retractable roof, 46 plasma television screens, and wide-ranging menu.
Old Town Social – 455 West North Avenue; 312-266-2277; 16 microbrews and stellar menu; upscale.

Pilsen
Dusek’s Thalia Hall – 1227 West 18th Street; 312-526-3851; dusekschicago.com; speakeasy atmosphere in lovingly restored 120 year-old building; gastropub fare.

Ravenwood
City Provisions – 1818 West Wilson Avenue; 773-293-2489; cityprovisions.com; wildly popular brunches and dinners.
Pecking Order – 4416 North Clark Street; 773-907-9900; peckingorderchicago.com; colorful neighborhood restaurant that fries, grills, and roasts traditional, Filipino chicken.

River North
Billy Goat Tavern – 430 North Michigan Avenue (lower level); 312-222-1525; billygoattavern.com; journalist hangout; original “cheeseburger” locale from early 1970s Saturday Night Live.
Boarding House – 720 North Wells Street; 312-280-0720; boardinghousechicago.com; tasting and tapas; 4-story restaurant.
English – 444 North LaSalle Boulevard; 312-222-6200; englishchicago.com; swanky; traditional English pub with American sports bar updates; flat screen televisions.
Gilt Bar – 230 West Kinzie Street; 312-464-9544; gilt-barchicago.com; casual restaurant that is not casual about food; American.
Hubbard Inn – 110 West Hubbard Street; 312-222-1331; hubbardinnn.com; European-inspired small plates, excellent cocktails, dark wood atmosphere.
Japonais – 600 West Chicago Avenue; 312-822-9600; japonaischicago.com; rock-star hangout for sushi.
NoMi – 800 North Michigan Avenue; 312-239-4030; nomirestaurant.com; great lake views; 40' Chihuly sculpture; world class art collection; nouvelle cuisine.
Purple Pig – 500 North Michigan Avenue; 312-464-1744; thepurplepigchicago.com; Bon Appétit Magazine 2010 votes among 10 best new restaurants; Mediterranean-inspired; communal tables and small plates; excellent bar.

Rogers Park
Charmers Café – 1500 West Jarvis Avenue; 773-743-2233; coffee shop.
Gruppo di Amici – 1508 West Jarvis Avenue; 773-508-5565; gruppodiamici.com; Italian.

Roscoe Village
Commonwealth Tavern – 2000 West Roscoe Street; 773-697-7965; commonwealthchicago.com; thoughtfully sourced gastropub fare, cocktails, drafts & coffee served in utilitarian-chic setup.

Rosemont
Nick’s Fishmarket – 10275 West Higgins Road; 847-298-8200; nicksfishmarketchicago.com; fresh seafood in pretty settings; downtown has casual and formal dining in separate rooms; colorful aquariums.

Southside
Waffles – 1400 South Michigan Avenue (at 14th Street); 312-854-8572; waffleschicago.com; red velvet waffles.

Streeterville
Tru – 676 North St. Clair Street; 312-202-0001; trurestaurant.com; minimalist French with award-winning art collection.

Ukrainian Village
Bite Café – 1039 North Western Avenue; 773-395-2483; bitecafechicago.com; diner; order breakfast poutine (fries, bacon, gravy, poached eggs, cheese curds, etc.).
Hoosier Mama Pie Company – 1618½ Chicago Avenue; 312-243-4846; hoosiermamapie.com; retro-styled spot; 5 chess pies, as well as other regional favorites; try Indiana’s famous “sugar cream” pie.
Ruxbin – 851 North Ashland Avenue; 312-624-8509; ruxbinchicago.com; modern Asian fusion, along with American and Mexican influences.

University Village
Manny’s Coffee Shop & Deli – 1141 South Jefferson Street; 312-939-2855; mannysdelic.com; real Jewish deli.
Rosebud – 1500 West Taylor Street; 312-942-1117; rosebudrestaurants.com; classic, Italian food.

Uptown
Ann Sather – 5207 North Clark Street; 773-271-6677; annsather.com; breakfast and lunch spot; famous for cinnamon rolls.

West Loop
Alhambra – 1240 West Randolph Street; 312-666-9555; alhambrapalacerestaurant.com; French-influenced Moroccan food; modeled after Alhambra Palace in Granada, Spain; mammoth space (24K'); imported north African tiles; 4 fountains, waterfall, belly dancers.
Atwood Cafe – 1 West Washington Street; 312-368-1900; atwoodcafe.com; American menu; outstanding.
Au Cheval – 800 West Randolph Street; 312-929-4580; auchevalchicago.com; souped-up diner; great burgers & bloody marys.
Blackbird – 619 West Randolph Street; 312-715-0708; blackbirdrestaurant.com; very high-tech; austere.
Coalfire Pizza – 1321 West Grand Avenue; 312-226-2625; coalfirechicago.com; thin-crust Neapolitan pizza; try pizza Fiorentino.
Girl & Goat – 809 West Randolph Street; 312-492-6262; girlandthegoat.com; for meat lovers.
Graham Elliot Bistro – 841 West Randolph Street; 312-888-2258; gebistro.com; smoked sirloin and roasted chicken.
Green Street Smoked Meats – 112 North Green Street; 312-754-0431; facebook.com/greenstreetsmokedmeats; great barbecue.
Little Goat – 820 West Randolph Street; 312-888-3455; littlegoatchicago.com; retro diner concept.
Maude’s Liquor Bar – 840 West Randolph Street; 312-243-9712; maudesliquorbar.com; French food.
Nellcôte – 833 West Randolph Street; 312-432-0500; nellcoterestaurant.com; awesome cocktails, as well as European-inspired small plates; lovely and grand.
Sepia – 123 North Jefferson Street; 312-441-1920; sepiachicago.com; in 1890 print shop; product-driven menu; long-standing favorite.
Vera – 1023 West Lake Street; 312-243-9770; verachicago.com; A+ Spanish wine & tapas bar.

West Side
Avec – 615 West Randolph Street; 312-377-2002; avecrestaurant.com; try glazed chicken and/or bacon-wrapped dates.
Embeya – 564 West Randolph Street; 312-612-5640; embeya.com; French-Vietnamese fusion in stunning space.
Grace – 652 West Randolph Street (at Desplaines Street); 312-234-9494; grace-restaurant.com; must make reservation by phone at 64-seat, 17 table spot that’s entirely prix fixe; refined dining; 2 completely different $165 multicourse menus (one with meat and one without).
Lou Mitchell’s – 565 West Jackson Boulevard; 312-939-3111; loumitchellsrestaurant.com; Chicago breakfast classic; since 1923.
Paramount Room – 415 North Milwaukee Avenue; 312-829-6300; paramountroom.com; 100 year-old former speak-easy; fine pub fare.

West Town
West Town Tavern – 1329 West Chicago Avenue; 312-666-6175; westtowntavern.com; lunch.



SERVICES
Chicago Architecture Foundation – 224 South Michigan Avenue; 312-922-3432; caf.architecture.org; conducts architectural walking tours daily at 10:00 a.m., lasting 2 hours; also offers “highlights by bus” on Saturdays and Sundays in December.
Frederick Law Olmsted Society of Riverside – ; 708-442-7675; olmstedsociety.org; will arrange tours; Riverside is 1st American "suburb" designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux; half of community's 1,176 acres set aside as green-spaces; includes 2 Frank Lloyd Wright houses.
Shoreline Water Taxi – 401 North Michigan Avenue; 312-222-9328; shorelinewatertaxi.com.
Wendella’s Chicago Water Taxi – 400 North Michigan Avenue; 312-337-1446; chicagowatertaxi.com.



SHOPPING
Andersonville
Roost – 5634 North Clark Street (between Hollywood & Olive Avenues); 773-506-0406; roostchicago.com; vintage home furnishings.
Scout – 5221 North Clark Street; 773-275-5700; scoutchicago.com; refurbished furniture and home furnishings; must see.
Wooly Mammoth – 1513 West Foster Avenue; 773-989-3294; woollymammothchicago.com; antique curiosity cabinet.

Archer Height
Bibliodisia Books – 4400 South Spaulding Avenue; 773/247-7816; bibliodisia.com; rare, 2nd hand, and specialty books.

Bridgeport
Pleasant House Bakery – 964 West 31st Street; 773-523-7437; pleasanthousebakery.com; farm-to-table baked goods.

Bucktown/Wicker Park
Apartment No. 9 – 1804 North Damen Avenue; 773-395-2999; apartmentnumber9.com; men’s clothing.
Boxing Store – 1331 North Milwaukee Avenue; 773-772-8108; spy supply store.

Edgewater
Broadway Antique Market – 6130 North Broadway Street; 773-743-5444; bamchicago.com.
Transistor – 5045 North Clark Street; 312-863-1375; transistorchicago.com; hybrid art gallery, bookstore, music store, etc.

Fulton Market
Ebersmoore – 350 North Ogden Avenue, Suite 100; 312-772 3021; ebersmoore.com; contemporary art.
Publican Quality Meats – 825 West Fulton Market Street; 312-445-8977; publicanqualitymeats.com; blue‑tinged, white‑tiled butcher shop and market; also, restaurant.

Gold Coast
Colletti Gallery – 102 East Oak Street; 312-664-6767; collettigallery.com; Art Deco and Nouveau furniture and objects.
AG Adriano Goldschmied – 48 East Walton Street; 312-787-7680; agjeans.com; 2-story, California store; 1st floor is women’s clothing and 2nd is men’s.
Altman’s Men’s Shoes & Boots – 120 West Monroe Street; 312-332-0667; altmansmensshoes.com; all labels and sizes.
Ikram – 15 East Huron Street; 312-587-1000; ikram.com; boutique favored by Michelle Obama.
Sofia Vintage – 72 East Oak Street; 312-640-0878; sofiavintage.com; vintage clothing.

Lakeview
Chicago Antiques Centre – 3036 North Lincoln Avenue (between Southport & Wellington Avenues); 773-929-0200; chicagoantiquecentre.com.
Southport Grocery & Cafe – 3552 North Southport Avenue; 773-665-0100; southportgrocery.com.

Lincoln Square
Gene’s Sausage at Delicatessen Meyer – 4750 Lincoln Avenue; 773-728-7243; genessausage.com; ideal for picnic provisions.

Logan Square
Katherine Anne Confections – 2745 West Armitage Avenue; 773-245-1630; katherine-anne.com/about; chocolates.
Wolfbait & B-Girls – 3131 West Logan Boulevard; 312-698-8685; wolfbaitchicago.com; local fashion designers Shirley Kienitz and Jenny Stadler sew their garments onsite in this funky boutique.

Magnificent Mile
Joel Oppenheimer, Inc. – 410 North Michigan Avenue (Wrigley Building); 312-642-5300; audobonart.com; nation’s premier “Golden Age of Exploration” art gallery.

Melrose Park
Caputo Cheese Market – 1931 North 15th Avenue, Melrose Park; 708-450-0469; wisconcorp.com; obscure cheeses, even from Latvia.

Near North Side
Blake – 212 West Chicago Avenue; 312-202-0047; designer women’s clothing at more nearly reasonable prices.
Eataly – 43 East Ohio Street; 312-521-8700; eataly.com/eataly-chicago; Italian.
Fox & Obel – 401 East Illinois Street; 312-410-7301; fox-obel.com; upscale food market with excellent café; great breads.
Ikram – 873 North Rush Street; 312-587-1000; ikram.com; stylish boutique where Michelle Obama buys clothes.
Daisy Shop – 67 East Oak Street; 312-943-8880; daisyshop.com; used, designer label, women’s clothing.
Golden Triangle – 330 North Clark Street; 312-755-1266; goldentriangle.biz; mammoth, 23K square foot space in historic building; Asian antiques, focusing on British colonial era, as well as some Art Deco.
P.O.S.H. – 613 North State Street; 312-280-1602; poshchicago.com; antique housewares shop carrying vintage goods sourced from auction houses & European flea markets.

Ravenwood
City Provisions – 1818 West Wilson Avenue; 773-293-2489; cityprovisions.com; delicatessen.

River West
Blommer Chocolate Factory – 600 West Kinzie Street; 312-226-7700; blommer.com; founded in 1939; largest cocoa bean processor in North America; candies (gummies) and chocolates packaged as if from 1950s; made onsite so whole neighborhood smells like chocolate.

Rogers Park
Taste Food & Wine – 1506 West Jarvis Avenue; 773-761-3663; tastefoodandwine.com; sells wine and spirits, as well as snacks and sweets.

South Loop
Canady La Chocolatier – 824 South Wabash Avenue; 312-212-1270; canadylechocolatierchicago.com.

Southside
House of Sole – 1237 South Michigan Avenue; 312-834-0909; houseofsole.net; shoes.
Laughing Iguana – 1247 South Wabash Avenue; 312-987-0995; books to bath products.
Mystique Boutique – 1503 South Michigan Avenue; 312-212-1801; hand-painted clothing.

Ukrainian Village
Urban Remains – 1850 West Grand Avenue; 312-492-6254; urbanremainschicago.com; architectural antiques.

West Loop
Kavi Gupta – 835 West Washington Boulevard; 312-432-0708; kavigupta.com; contemporary art.
Andrew Rafacz Gallery – 835 West Washington Boulevard; 312-404-9188; andrewrafacz.com; contemporary art.
Carrie Secrist Gallery – 835 West Washington Boulevard; 312-491-0917; secristgallery.com; contemporary art.
West Loop Salumi – 1111West Randolph Street; 312-255-7004; westloopsalumi.com; charcuterie.

West Side
Chicago French Market – 131 North Clinton Street; 312-575-0306; frenchmarketchicago.com; market hall also is dining destination; try Little Goat Bread for sandwiches.
Rhona Hoffman Gallery – 118 North Peoria Street, #1A; 312-455-1990; rhoffmangallery.com; contemporary art.
Primitive – 130 North Jefferson Street; 312-575-9600; beprimitive.com; authentic artifacts, furniture, textiles, jewelry, and fashions from around globe; also, library and on-site, Himalayan temple.
Salvage One – 1840 West Hubbard Street; 312-733-0098; salvageone.com; architectural antiques.



SIGHTS & SITES
General
Elevated Subway – transitchicago.com; brown, orange, or pink line for architectural viewing; will pass Marina City, Trump International Hotel & Tower, Pritzker Pavilion, and Auditorium Building.

Downtown
Ledge – 233 South Wacker Drive (Sears Tower, 103rd Floor); 312-875-9696; theskydeck.com; walk on clear, Lucite ledge that extends out over city.

Hyde Park
Robie House – 5757 South Woodlawn Avenue; 773-834-1847 or 800-514-3849; gowright.org; Frank Lloyd Wright masterpiece open for tours; look for abstracted male figure in Japanese-inspired, leaded glass windows; University of Chicago across street.

Logan Square
Logan Square – West Belden Avenue at North Sacramento Avenue; lovely park area; part of 19th Century’s beautification programs.

Loop
Art Institute of Chicago Museum – 111 South Michigan Avenue; 312-443-3600; artinstituteofchicago.org; make sure to visit South Garden (fountain and reflecting pool).
Chagall Mosaic Mural – 10 South Dearborn Street; bluffton.edu/~sullivanm/chagall/chagall.html; gift to city by artist; wrapped around 4 sides of 70' long, rectangular box.
Chicago Cultural Center – 78 East Washington Street; 312-744-6630; chicagoculturalcenter.org.
Millennium Park – bordered by Michigan Avenue, Columbus Drive, Randolph Street, and Monroe Street; 312-742-1168; millenniumpark.org; make sure to see “Cloud Gate,” public sculpture by Indian-born British artist Anish Kapoor, that is centerpiece of AT&T Plaza.

Magnificent Mile
Chicago Museum of Contemporary Art – 220 East Chicago Avenue; 312-280-2660; mcachicago.org.

Near North Side
Loyola University Museum of Art – 820 North Michigan Avenue; 312-915-7600; luc.edu/luma; 8 different galleries.
Samuel Nickerson House & Driehaus Museum – 40 East Erie Street; 312-482-8933; driehausmuseum.org; 19th Century decorative arts collection, including furniture, paintings, statues, and Louis Comfort Tiffany glass.
Ontourage – 157 West Ontario Street; 312-573-1470; ontouragechicago.com; comedy shows at 10:00 p.m. on Saturdays.

Rogers Park
Glenwood Avenue Arts District – glenwoodave.org; sponsors local artists; look along West Jarvis Avenue for works hung in empty storefronts.
Leather Archives & Museum – 6418 North Greenview Avenue; 773-761-9200; leatherarchives.org; memorializes gay culture.
Theo Ubique Theatre Company – 6970 North Glenwood Avenue; 773-347-1109; theoubique.org; cabaret troup that has taken over old beatnik coffee shop.

South Side (includes Woodlawn)
Field Museum – 1400 South Lake Shore Drive; 312-922-9410; fieldmuseum.org; natural history museum; taxidermy.
Jackson Park – 6401 South Stony Island Avenue (Woodlawn); 312-747-6187; designed by Frederick Law Olmsted; where “White City” was located; make sure to see “Osaka Garden,” Japanese strolling garden, and Palace of Fine Arts (only remaining White City building).

West Side
Intuit: Center for Intuitive & Outsider Art – 756 North Milwaukee Avenue; 312-243-9088; art.org; make sure to see Henry Darger room.

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