Three Webster Wine Bar vets + one consulting Hot Chocolate chef = a badass neighborhood eat and drinkery. Top-notch wines, local and imported brews, and a seasonal menu.
Photo: Emily Fiffer
Jerry Kleiner continues his Chicago reign with this clubby, old-school Euro restaurant. Chef Daniel Kelly (Tramonto’s Steak & Seafood) helms the kitchen, churning out upscale bar snacks (bacon popcorn) and satisfying entrees (Maine lobster-stuffed chicken breast).
The bar top’s built from an old bowling alley lane; DJ booth comes from old pinball machines. Libations are stellar; bar food is way above average. The vibe is just right. Drink it in.
Photo: Courtesy of Simone’s
Getting fat, acquiring cavities, and going into sugar shock are minimal prices to pay for the deliciousness that awaits: homemade puddings, pies, cookies, cupcakes, bars, and the best frosting this side of the Mississippi.
Photo: puroticorico / Flickr
Giant warehousey space includes a full bar, cheap, greasy menu (snacks and brunch), and a live music venue for local and national acts alike.
Wall-to-wall gummies and chewies, tables of Belgian chocolates, retro candies (Necco Sky Bars, Moon Pies, Candy Buttons), movie theater popcorn, fresh-brewed organic apple cider, and more.
Attracting hipsters and sippers for eons (1934), this off-the-beaten-path bar/venue is where the party’s at. Live music, cheap drinks, indie parties, and more. Go where the cool is.
Viet Bistro is certainly worth the trek up north. At dinner, nosh on modern Asian fare like the lobster roll with tamarind sauce or fresh seafood udon. The late-night menu (served ’til 2 a.m.) beats the heck out of bar food.
Lounge upstairs in the wine bar and sip some grape, or head down to the retail space and pick up cheese, wine, olives, and gourmet eats from the deli counter. Sweet hoodie spot.
Pound beers, play pool, and chow on bar food while watching daring patrons make moves on the stripper pole. Nice neighborhood joint.