Why I Love Chicago
Restaurants
Whatever you order as your entrée, make sure to put in an order for a side of green beans and a side of lentils. Note: if butter is not your idea of a good time, then stick to the craft cocktails!
59 residents recomanen
Maude's Liquor Bar
114 N Green StWhatever you order as your entrée, make sure to put in an order for a side of green beans and a side of lentils. Note: if butter is not your idea of a good time, then stick to the craft cocktails!
Yes! to the wood-fired focaccia and twice yes!! to the chorizo-stuffed, bacon-wrapped dates. Save room for the seasonal sorbet. Tip: sit at the bar if you plan on having a conversation.
87 residents recomanen
avec Restaurant
615 W Randolph StYes! to the wood-fired focaccia and twice yes!! to the chorizo-stuffed, bacon-wrapped dates. Save room for the seasonal sorbet. Tip: sit at the bar if you plan on having a conversation.
Incredible ambiance, delicious food, and a craft beer list that could please anyone. Brunch here is a must! While you are waiting for your table head downstairs to the Punch Bar for a cocktail in what feels like a finished basement in Wisconsin.
156 residents recomanen
Dusek's Board & Beer
1227 W 18th StIncredible ambiance, delicious food, and a craft beer list that could please anyone. Brunch here is a must! While you are waiting for your table head downstairs to the Punch Bar for a cocktail in what feels like a finished basement in Wisconsin.
Stop in just to see the furniture. Local artist Davide Nanni's imagination never ceases to amaze me. (The pinocchio in the stairwell is one of his creations.) And in winter: a fireplace!
151 residents recomanen
Simone's
960 W 18th StStop in just to see the furniture. Local artist Davide Nanni's imagination never ceases to amaze me. (The pinocchio in the stairwell is one of his creations.) And in winter: a fireplace!
Saigon Sisters
567 W Lake StThe best Vietnamese cuisine I have ever tasted.
Excellent food and a lovely atmosphere. The yia-yia noodles have an interesting twist with the addition of cinnamon. Brunch here is off-the-charts!
936 residents recomanen
Lula Cafe
2537 N Kedzie BlvdExcellent food and a lovely atmosphere. The yia-yia noodles have an interesting twist with the addition of cinnamon. Brunch here is off-the-charts!
Great place for breakfast before your adventure. The crumpets will have you coming back for more!
159 residents recomanen
Little Goat Diner
3325 W Randolph StGreat place for breakfast before your adventure. The crumpets will have you coming back for more!
This place opens at 6pm but the line starts forming outside the door at 5pm—not kidding! 3 types of ramen: full spice, half spice, and miso. The half spice had my nose running. And the pork belly...
31 residents recomanen
High Five Ramen
112 N Green StThis place opens at 6pm but the line starts forming outside the door at 5pm—not kidding! 3 types of ramen: full spice, half spice, and miso. The half spice had my nose running. And the pork belly...
Out of the five Italian restaurants in the neighborhood this is my favorite (you can't beat the atmosphere). The gnocchi will knock your socks off. And anything Vesuvio is mama mia!
50 residents recomanen
Ignotz's
2421 S Oakley AveOut of the five Italian restaurants in the neighborhood this is my favorite (you can't beat the atmosphere). The gnocchi will knock your socks off. And anything Vesuvio is mama mia!
If you're feeling like homemade ravioli, don't think twice—this is the place. Have it doused in the Bolognese sauce and come back home and fall into a food coma!
13 residents recomanen
Il Vicinato Ristorante
2435 South Western AvenueIf you're feeling like homemade ravioli, don't think twice—this is the place. Have it doused in the Bolognese sauce and come back home and fall into a food coma!
An excellent beer list. Crafted gastro pub fare. Right across from Millennium Park AND The Art Institute. You will find me on their patio eating the most absurdly delicious poutine I’ve ever had.
49 residents recomanen
The Gage
24 S Michigan AveAn excellent beer list. Crafted gastro pub fare. Right across from Millennium Park AND The Art Institute. You will find me on their patio eating the most absurdly delicious poutine I’ve ever had.
Arts & Culture
In the alleyway behind Fernandez Auto Glass you will find some highly skilled, beautifully executed graffiti. Make this a daytime activity.
2354 S Blue Island Ave
In the alleyway behind Fernandez Auto Glass you will find some highly skilled, beautifully executed graffiti. Make this a daytime activity.
THE improv show to go to: T.M.L.M.T.B.G.B. (Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind). The laughter never stops.
66 residents recomanen
Neo-Futurists
5153 North Ashland AvenueTHE improv show to go to: T.M.L.M.T.B.G.B. (Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind). The laughter never stops.
OMG. This place. Always free. And always stunning. Not only are their thoughtfully curated rotating art exhibitions, on Wednesdays there is a free classical concert. Get there at 11:45 a.m. if you want a seat. Music starts at 12:15. (Grab yourself a Do-Rite Donut to scarf down on the way.)
203 residents recomanen
Chicago Cultural Center
78 E Washington StOMG. This place. Always free. And always stunning. Not only are their thoughtfully curated rotating art exhibitions, on Wednesdays there is a free classical concert. Get there at 11:45 a.m. if you want a seat. Music starts at 12:15. (Grab yourself a Do-Rite Donut to scarf down on the way.)
Get a glimpse of what Chicago was like in the Golden Age. This museum has been restored to the time at which it was built. If you’re a shopper, this will give you a well-needed break, as it’s located just off the Magnificent Mile.
33 residents recomanen
Richard H. Driehaus Museum
40 E Erie StGet a glimpse of what Chicago was like in the Golden Age. This museum has been restored to the time at which it was built. If you’re a shopper, this will give you a well-needed break, as it’s located just off the Magnificent Mile.
Seriously: my favorite touristy thing to do in my city. And I do. At least every few years because our skyline is ever-changing. The docents are filled with knowledge and tid-bits that turn this tour into a storytelling adventure.
55 residents recomanen
First Lady Architecture Tour
112 E Wacker DrSeriously: my favorite touristy thing to do in my city. And I do. At least every few years because our skyline is ever-changing. The docents are filled with knowledge and tid-bits that turn this tour into a storytelling adventure.
Essentials
This little Hispanic market is right in between the house and the train. Not a grand selection, but can certainly tide one over. For a more robust selection, walk a little further to Pete's.
9 residents recomanen
Super Mercados El Güero
2101 W Cermak RdThis little Hispanic market is right in between the house and the train. Not a grand selection, but can certainly tide one over. For a more robust selection, walk a little further to Pete's.
Target
4433 S Pulaski RdFor everyday necessities.
You can find just about everything you need by way of groceries here. You can trust the "Fresh" in the name and the prices on the produce are excellent.
200 residents recomanen
Pete's Fresh Market
2333 W Madison StYou can find just about everything you need by way of groceries here. You can trust the "Fresh" in the name and the prices on the produce are excellent.
Treats
The Cinnamon Crunch Old Fashioned. The Meyer Lemon Pistachio.
20 residents recomanen
Do-Rite Donuts & Coffee
50 W Randolph StThe Cinnamon Crunch Old Fashioned. The Meyer Lemon Pistachio.
La Colombe Coffee Roasters
5158 N Clark StHands down. The. Best. Latte. I. Have. Ever. Had.
Tucked right within the Damen Pink Line stop. I love their cinnamon scones. Ask for them to toast it for you. And then, grab the train to head off to your next adventure.
17 residents recomanen
'L' Cafecito Jumping Bean
2010 S Damen AveTucked right within the Damen Pink Line stop. I love their cinnamon scones. Ask for them to toast it for you. And then, grab the train to head off to your next adventure.
Nature
Ah, plant life! Come here for your fix of green in the colder months. A huge greenhouse with multiple rooms housing climate-specific collections of botanical wonders!
258 residents recomanen
Conservatori de Garfield Park
300 N Central Park AveAh, plant life! Come here for your fix of green in the colder months. A huge greenhouse with multiple rooms housing climate-specific collections of botanical wonders!
Sightseeing
Now a hotel, this gem has been completely restored, such that it feels as though you’ve stepped back in time. Go to the second floor and feel like you’re in Hogwarts. Go up to Cindy’s on the 13th floor for a cocktail and the best view of the lake to be found in my fair city.
53 residents recomanen
Chicago Athletic Association
12 S Michigan AveNow a hotel, this gem has been completely restored, such that it feels as though you’ve stepped back in time. Go to the second floor and feel like you’re in Hogwarts. Go up to Cindy’s on the 13th floor for a cocktail and the best view of the lake to be found in my fair city.